mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
WELCOMING REVEREND MOLLY FRASER
Derek Kilmer (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2017-10-11

I am so honored to welcome Pastor Molly Fraser from Gig Harbor United Methodist Church, my home church. prgtoken Our church isn't the biggest church, it isn't the oldest church, but it has left a large impact throughout Gig Harbor because it makes clear that all are welcome. Whether you are in pain and need somewhere to go or you are looking for fellowship, there is a welcome mat for you. prgtoken It makes clear to regular attendees and to newcomers that it is a place of open hearts, open minds, and open doors. It is a place that is committed to supporting the needs of those most in need throughout our community and around the world. It is a place to ask tough questions and to celebrate our faith. prgtoken Finally, it is a place that benefits from the tremendous leadership of Pastor Molly, who, during her brief tenure with the church, has brought incredible energy and heart and musical talent. prgtoken She is here in our Nation's capital today with her family. It is my honor to welcome them and, in spirit, the entire congregation of Gig Harbor United Methodist Church.
CLEAN POWER PLAN
Earl Blumenauer (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2017-10-11

3 years ago, the administration took a very positive and important step towards curbing greenhouse gas emissions by initiating the Clean Power Plan, the first-ever national limit on carbon pollution from power plants. The plan was devised to give States the option to tailor how they would reduce carbon pollution, following benchmarks set by the Federal Government. prgtoken For years, States, local governments, businesses, and universities have been making progress towards a low-carbon future, both in anticipation of full implementation of the Clean Power Plan and spurred on by a variety of other forces. Now, the administration has vowed to unravel the Clean Power Plan, but the momentum will not stop because of this reckless act. prgtoken and Scott Pruitt cannot repeal engineering, science, or economics. Their attempts would only harm the economy and our citizens, miring us in the past to serve the interests of Big Coal. prgtoken The case for action in reducing carbon pollution is compelling. The Clean Power Plan encourages steps to reduce the dangerous extent of accelerating climate disruption and attendant extreme weather events. prgtoken Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria are only the latest example of those events. Now, millions of acres in the West are exploding in wildfires. More frequent, more intense, and more dangerous forest fires are the reality now, spurred by climate disruption. prgtoken Out-of-control wildfire has touched Oregon's beloved Columbia River Gorge, and the latest instances are in California wine country, taking lives, destroying property, and damaging crops. prgtoken Regardless of your view on climate change, the Clean Power Plan is a very important step for the United States. It stands on firm legal ground. The Supreme Court has ruled on three separate occasions that the EPA has the authority and the responsibility to protect our families from carbon pollution. prgtoken Cleaner energy and a cleaner environment under the Clean Power Plan would improve the lives of working Americans. By 2030, it would prevent 90,000 asthma attacks, 300,000 days missed from work and school, and 3,600 premature deaths every year. prgtoken Instead of protecting human health, particularly those in communities most impacted by carbon pollution, and Pruitt are seeking to tilt the energy playing field back in favor of Big Coal. prgtoken Make no mistake: without subsidies and regulatory favoritism, most old, dirty, coal plants would have been shut down years ago if they had been required to meet carbon pollution and air quality standards, as they should have been. prgtoken and Pruitt are making a big mistake when they assault the Clean Air Act and the Clean Power Plan. They are on weak legal ground, and they are on the wrong side of science, economics, the environment, and common sense. prgtoken The Clean Power Plan will not be easily unraveled. There is a process to unwind it,
REAUTHORIZE CHIP
James R. Langevin (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2017-10-11

I want to thank the gentleman for yielding. I appreciate all his time and effort he is putting into bringing attention to this vital issue. It is an honor to join him this evening as we highlight the imminent need to pass a full reauthorization of the Children's Health Insurance Program. prgtoken Now, I represent the great State of Rhode Island, a State with over 27,000 children and pregnant women at risk of losing healthcare if CHIP is not fully funded. It is deeply troubling to me and many of my constituents, my colleagues in government; and we fought hard over the years to make sure that we did better by our young people, by the most vulnerable, and by pregnant women in making sure that they had the healthcare coverage that they desperately need and deserve. prgtoken Now, in Rhode Island, the lack of a reauthorization endangers $26 million in Federal funds that support this vulnerable population, many of whom will not otherwise have comprehensive coverage. This is particularly frustrating because congressional s knew that CHIP funding would expire on September 30. They had ample time to fix this problem in a bipartisan way and have chosen not to. prgtoken Instead of proactively crafting legislation to ensure 9 million low- income children and families maintain access to affordable, high- quality healthcare, s focused their efforts on gutting the Affordable Care Act to the exclusion of everything else. prgtoken Now, in the service of their political priority to eliminate coverage for 23 million, they are passing on an opportunity to govern on multiple healthcare fronts. Rather than work to find meaningful bipartisan solutions, s still seek ways of systematically unraveling ACA protections and have only offered untenable options to offset the cost of CHIP. That is no way to govern responsibly or to even remotely do it in a bipartisan way, which they could do. prgtoken Now, their plan to pay for healthcare for one population by stripping access to healthcare from another is wrong. This approach of robbing Peter to pay Paul does nothing to build a foundation for a healthier future, nor does it protect the communities with sufficient healthcare access today. prgtoken Proposing to slash the ACA's Prevention and Public Health Fund and creating a greater financial burden on seniors by suggesting destructive Medicare changes are not acceptable ways to bring to the table and pass a CHIP reauthorization with bipartisan support. Which, by the way, I am sure my colleagues have mentioned as they were speaking tonight, when CHIP was first authorized, it was done collaboratively in a bipartisan way at a contentious time in Congress, back when it was first enacted. But they found a way to do the right thing for vulnerable individuals, particularly our children, and we need to come together again. prgtoken We have a responsibility to move quickly, to ensure our children continue to ha
HONORING THE MEMORY OF FIRST SERGEANT CHARLESTON HARTFIELD OF THE NEVADA ARMY NATIONAL GUARD
Jacky Rosen (Democrat, NV) \u2014 2017-10-11

it is hard to put into words the devastation and heartbreak my community suffered on October 1, 2017. This horrific violence has forever altered the lives of countless families in Las Vegas and across this country. prgtoken My heart breaks for those who lost a parent, a child, a sibling, and a friend. And while this was the deadliest mass shooting in modern American history, I know that we join a long list of communities: Sandy Hook, Aurora, Tucson, San Bernardino, and Orlando, all who have suffered way too much through similar heart-wrenching violence. prgtoken I have lived in southern Nevada for nearly 40 years, and I will tell you that I have been overwhelmed by the resilience of Las Vegas. We are not just ``Sin City'' or the glittering lights of the strip. We are also a tight-knit, compassionate community of hardworking families. The shooting on October 1 exemplified the worst of humanity, but our response represented the very best of people. prgtoken As we try to figure out how to move forward, I can tell you that we are finding strength and hope and courage in our brave first responders, in the heroic self-sacrifice of men and women who risked and gave their lives for others, and for the kindness of strangers who helped transport the wounded to the hospital, who stood in line for hours to donate blood, and who came together to support the survivors. prgtoken I implore my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to find that same courage to come to the table and have real conversations about commonsense solutions to address gun violence. There is no single policy solution, but I know we can support the Second Amendment while taking reasonable steps to reduce the carnage inflicted on our communities by gun violence and mass shootings. prgtoken , devices designed to cause mass casualties, like bump stocks and high-capacity magazines, have no practical purpose for hunting or self-defense. They only increase the threat for potential victims trying to find safety, like those at the Mandalay Bay, and they make it more challenging for law enforcement to confront and neutralize an active shooter. prgtoken I urge all of my colleagues to please join together in a bipartisan effort. We need to take commonsense steps in Congress to decrease the scope of widespread destruction and tragic mass shootings. prgtoken No community should ever be forced to experience the grief and trauma that my constituents are now confronting. It is more urgent than ever that we take meaningful action to reduce the toll of widespread gun violence. The time is now.
HONORING THE LIFE OF ROBIN MADSEN--LABOR LEADER AND FRIEND
Betty McCollum (Democrat, MN) \u2014 2017-10-11

I rise to pay tribute to a dear friend, a committed public servant, and a fierce labor leader from St. Paul, Minnesota--Ms. Robin Madsen. Robin passed away last week at the age of 69 after a battle with cancer. Her death is a personal loss for me since I have known her for more than thirty years. Robin was a wonderful woman, a tireless believer in organized labor, prgtoken a champion for children, and one of the kindest souls you could ever meet. prgtoken For thirty-six years Robin drove the St. Paul Public Library bookmobile. She was the ``bookmobile lady'' to thousands of children who were able to explore their interests, new ideas, and the world because Robin's bookmobile came to their neighborhood. prgtoken Robin also became the president of AFSCME 1842 where she served as a committed advocate for workers, public employees, and political candidates who were willing to invest in community services to meet the needs of families and children. prgtoken From my first campaign for Congress in 2000 I was honored to have Robin as a friend and supporter. She helped organize a Women of Labor effort and was never shy about speaking her mind or helping behind the scenes. Robin was all about getting results without worrying about getting credit. prgtoken Robin Madsen was a true friend and a strong woman who I admired and respected greatly. My prayers and condolences are with Robin's children, grandchildren and countless friends. prgtoken Robin will be missed.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS
Tulsi Gabbard (Democrat, HI) \u2014 2017-10-11

domestic violence often hides behind closed doors and drawn curtains, but the problem is very staggering. prgtoken In my home State of Hawaii, 575 domestic violence survivors reach out to local organizations seeking help every single day. Their stories are heartbreaking and, too often, even if they are temporarily removed from the abusive environment, they are often returned to their abuser. prgtoken Survivors can seek legal protection from their abusers, but they aren't likely to do so or be successful unless they have a lawyer. Just 32 percent of victims successfully obtain a restraining order without legal representation. prgtoken I call on my colleagues to support the POWER Act, which requires every State's U.S. attorney to promote and expand pro bono legal services specifically for domestic violence survivors. prgtoken We all need to be more conscious of this problem because it is happening in our communities. As we observe Domestic Violence Awareness Month, let us have the courage to confront the pervasiveness of this crime and take action to help provide survivors with the safety and security they need.
THE SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH AND SMALL BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER IMPROVEMENTS ACT OF 2017
Stephanie N. Murphy (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2017-10-11

I have no further speakers and I am prepared to close. prgtoken , supporting our entrepreneurs and small businesses are a top priority for both sides of the aisle. Our bill will make it easier for small firms that receive SBIR and STTR awards to bring their products to market and achieve commercial success. prgtoken The SBIR and STTR programs are also critical to our economy, as they support our Nation's job creators and ensure that our country continues to produce cutting-edge research and development. This ingenuity is what makes our country a global economic powerhouse. prgtoken These programs, while successful, can be improved. The bill before us is a step in the right direction insofar as it will ensure that all Federal agencies are enhancing efforts to help more small businesses obtain SBIR and STTR funding and bring their innovative products to market. prgtoken Therefore, I respectfully urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan bill. prgtoken , .
NATIONAL CLINICAL CARE COMMISSION ACT
Bobby L. Rush (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2017-10-11

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , I rise in support of S. 920, the National Clinical Care Commission Act. prgtoken , this legislation aims to help improve Federal efforts to treat and to prevent metabolic and autoimmune disorders related to insulin. prgtoken The most common metabolic disorder in the U.S. is diabetes, which affects more than 25 million Americans. Another 86 million Americans have prediabetes, a condition associated with an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes and heart disease. prgtoken , diabetes takes a huge toll on human health; in fact, it is the seventh leading cause of death in our Nation. prgtoken Additionally, , all too often diabetes leads to avoidable complications, such as blindness, such as limb amputation, and also kidney failure. prgtoken In addition to the effects on human health, , diabetes care makes up a large percentage of U.S. healthcare expenditure. prgtoken , currently $1 of every $5 of healthcare cost is spent caring for people with diabetes. The proportion of Medicare funding is even greater than this. Currently, $1 of every $3 of Medicare expenditure is spent caring for people with diabetes. prgtoken , that is why it is important to improve the Federal efforts that prevent avoidable cases of diabetes and other metabolic disorders, and to ensure that all Americans have the treatment and the management services necessary to successfully manage this and other similar conditions. prgtoken , this legislation was previously passed in the 114th Congress and again at the beginning of the 115th Congress. I am pleased to see that the Senate took action on this legislation to support passage of this bill into law. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on S. 920, and .
BILLIONAIRES FIRST TAX PLAN
Daniel T. Kildee (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2017-10-11

last week, s brought their extreme budget to the floor, a budget that forces the middle class to pay more in taxes just to give the wealthiest Americans a massive tax break. prgtoken This budget slashes investments in our future, such as rebuilding roads and bridges and education, just so it can provide huge tax breaks to the absolute wealthiest Americans. Billionaires would receive a massive tax cut under this plan. prgtoken Under this ``billionaires first'' tax plan, according to the nonprofit, nonpartisan Tax Policy Center, middle class families would pay an average of $1,290 a year more in taxes, while 80 percent of the benefits would go to the wealthiest 1 percent of Americans: the superwealthy. By repealing the estate tax, 5,400 families would receive a $270 billion tax break. prgtoken Who pays for this? The middle class. prgtoken How? By passing the costs on to them and increasing our deficit at the same time. Trillions of dollars would be added to our deficit. prgtoken Giving billionaires a massive tax break is fiscally irresponsible and morally wrong. We ought to reject it.
THE CRISIS IN ROHINGYA
Jamie Raskin (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2017-10-11

I rise today to express my profound concern about renewed violence in the Western Myanmar State of Rakhine and the resulting refugee and humanitarian crisis. The growing violence in Myanmar's Rakhine State has already claimed the lives of 1,000 men, women and children who were brutally killed in recent clashes between the Myanmar military and Rohingya civilians. The military has also reportedly targeted some of the alleged survivors who sought justice and protection within Myanmar, leaving little recourse for those being victimized but to flee the country to neighboring Bangladesh. Rohingya Muslims have long been victims of official discrimination, living as a stateless minority community under restrictive citizenship laws and constant threat of abuse and violence. The government of Myanmar must begin taking concrete steps to stop the downward spiral of sectarian violence, which imperils the safety of upwards of a million Rohingya Muslims. More than half a million Rohingya have fled Myanmar since major clashes occurred on August 25, 2017. Using satellite imagery, Human Rights Watch has documented more than 700 buildings in the Rohingya Muslim village of Chein Khar Li have been burned, accounting for more than 99 percent of the village. An additional 450 buildings were recently spotted smoldering in Maungdaw, the administrative capital of Maungdaw Township. This destruction suggests a coordinated effort to drive the Rohingya population out of the country. There are divergent reports regarding who is to blame for the chaos in Western Myanmar. Refugees blame the Myanmar military while the government blames the militant Arkan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA). For this reason, it is imperative that the government permit entry of a U.N. Human Rights Commission Fact Finding Mission to impartially document and assess the violence occurring in Rakhine State. Timely and accurate information about the crisis is especially crucial in this conflict because Myanmar has cracked down on the media, using all the draconian tools at its disposal to keep criticism hidden from public view. The government has actually prosecuted scores of individuals under an egregious defamation law that has criminalized social media postings that merely express the plight of the Rohingya people. The international human rights community has criticized Myanmar's Telecommunications Law for its vagueness, its severity of punishment, and its sweeping chilling effect on freedom of expression. The government of Myanmar should begin adopting the recommendations of the Kofi Annan Foundation Advisory Commission on Rakhine State contained in the August 2017 Final Report, which was released the day before violence in the region erupted. These recommendations include providing dignified living conditions in camps for internally displaced persons and granting national and international humanitarian groups full access to the communitie
CRITICAL TIME OF LIFE AND DEATH FOR PUERTO RICO AND VIRGIN ISLANDS
Adriano Espaillat (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2017-10-11

this is a critical time of life and death for millions of U.S. citizens on the island of Puerto Rico and also in the Virgin Islands. prgtoken The efforts to rebuild will be great, and we each have a critical role to play to help these families recover following the aftermath of these catastrophic storms. prgtoken We have witnessed so much devastation this hurricane season, and the impact has been particularly destructive and wreaked havoc. It has left millions of U.S. families without shelter, electricity, and their lives in ruin. prgtoken We all have a part to play in the recovery efforts and must answer the calls to provide relief and aid in the immense rebuilding efforts that will take place to assist all of them who have been affected. prgtoken The amount of help and heart I have seen in my home State of New York, including a recent effort of Uptown United this weekend, and from constituents of mine like Lin-Manuel Miranda, and even from children willing to crack open their piggybanks has been overwhelming. prgtoken If the Federal Government could have matched that compassion, then Puerto Rico would be well on its way to recovery. prgtoken Last night, the House Appropriations Committee released a $36.5 billion disaster relief package: $5 billion of that will go directly to Puerto Rico; $14 billion for FEMA's disaster fund; and $16 prgtoken billion for the National Flood Insurance Program. I see this as an initial downpayment. I hope this is just the beginning. prgtoken Nearly a month into this crisis, the status of Puerto Rico today is such: prgtoken The Jones Act. On Sunday, the White House let the 10-day shipping waiver for the Jones Act expire for Puerto Rico, meaning that foreign ships can no longer bring aid to the hurricane-ravaged island from U.S. ports. I have been pushing for at least a 1-year waiver and a permanent waiver for oil. prgtoken Electricity. To date, only 15 percent of Puerto Ricans have power and electricity, not being able to get in contact with their loved ones and the great impact the lack of electricity has on patients with dialysis. prgtoken Water. Access to clean drinking water lingers around 20 percent. It is reported that seaborne bacteria are contaminating the water supply. This may lead to bacterial infections such as cholera, dysentery, E. coli, and typhoid. That can be really disastrous. The typical treatments for these illnesses, like tetanus shots and powerful antibiotics, are not readily available on the island where medical supplies are quickly running out. prgtoken The damage estimates. It is calculated around $95 billion. This is roughly 150 percent of the Puerto Rican annual gross national product. The downpayment really should be $10 billion to $15 billion. prgtoken The budget. The White House has reported that they have asked Congress to authorize approximately $30 billion in new disaster-related funding. prgtoken Fatalities the official death toll has increased to 43