mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
Calling for the Appointment of a Special Counsel (Executive Calendar)
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2017-2-27

. from the State of Vermont and, for many years, my fellow colleague on the Senate Judiciary Committee for his statement. I couldn't agree with him more that we need an independent, transparent investigation of this Russian invasion into the body politic of America in an effort to subvert our sovereignty. It was made by a country that is not our friend and was made at a time when they were trying to influence the outcome of an election. prgtoken I just want to note to my colleague and friend from Vermont that during the break I visited Poland, Lithuania, and Ukraine. It was interesting. In Poland, they put up with the notion of Putin's interference on a daily basis. The most frightening prospect, of course, is the movement of military forces, which we hope never occurs, but they look at it as a very real threat. They have what they call the hybrid war. They said it isn't just the military; it is also his cyber attacks on our country, and it is also his propaganda on our country. prgtoken One of the Polish leaders asked me a question: We have been wondering, Senator, if the United States is not willing to confront Russia with its invasion of your sovereignty in your Presidential election, would you be willing to stand up for your NATO allies if there is an effort of aggression by Putin? Would you be willing to stand up against Russia in those times? prgtoken I think that is a legitimate issue. If we don't take what the Senator has raised very seriously about putting independence in the investigation of this matter, and we don't do it with dispatch, shame on us. But it is also going to say to the world that we did not respond in a positive and forceful way when it came to this aggression against the United States.
SUPPORTING THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT
Raja Krishnamoorthi (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2017-2-27

my guest for the President's speech tomorrow is my constituent, Debbie Trueblood. Debbie reached out to my office to support the Affordable Care Act because she knows firsthand the difference the law can make in people's lives. prgtoken Debbie suffers from a rare, potentially life-threatening genetic condition. The only treatments for the condition are a handful of specialized drugs that can cost more than $100,000 per year. prgtoken Before the Affordable Care Act, Debbie could have been denied coverage because of her preexisting condition, and she would have faced medical bills greatly exceeding her salary. Because of the Affordable Care Act, Debbie is able to afford the treatment she needs to work, support her family, volunteer in her community, and be of service. prgtoken Repealing the Affordable Care Act without effectively replacing it would rob millions of people like Debbie not only of their access to health care but also of their ability to contribute to our great Nation.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO OFFER RESOLUTION RAISING A QUESTION OF THE PRIVILEGES OF THE HOUSE
Bill Pascrell, Jr. (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2017-2-27

under rule IX, clause 1, questions of the privileges of the House are ``those affecting the rights of the House collectively, its safety, dignity, and the integrity of its proceedings.'' prgtoken There is nothing more of a threat to the integrity of this House than ignoring our duty to provide a check and balance to the executive branch. To restore the dignity of the House, we must use our authority to request President 's tax returns and give the American people the transparency they deserve. prgtoken The American people demand, , to know the full scope of the President's financial background. Article I, Section 9 of the Constitution includes a clause prohibiting foreign emoluments to the President. prgtoken The Office of Government Ethics--I can't stress this enough--has warned us about the President's decision not to divest or set up a blind trust. And there is a need to fully understand the President's ties to Russia. prgtoken The resolution I am offering can provide the transparency to help ease the concerns of Americans across the Nation. The Internal Revenue Code includes language laying out a path for the Ways and Means Committee to obtain the tax returns and review them in a respectful manner, and there is the precedent of that provision being used. prgtoken , that decision to put this into the code in 1924 was a result of the very famous scandal of 1923, the Teapot Dome, from Teapot Rock, Wyoming, under President Harding. He died, unfortunately, and never saw the end of this scandal. prgtoken People committed murder in this scandal. People sold off American reserves in this scandal. So, they put it into the IRS Code for a very, very specific reason, so the people have a right to know. prgtoken A growing number of Members and Senators from both parties have been saying we should have the President's tax returns. The House must demonstrate--and this is my deep feeling here, not as a , but as an American citizen, --we must demonstrate that its Members are listening to our constituents' concerns. The House must demonstrate that it cares about protecting the integrity of our government, of our Constitution, of our system of checks and balances. prgtoken Let's shine a bright light on the President's conflicts together, together, as we, as a Congress, and the broader American public can judge whether his decisions are being made for himself, his business interests, or for the greater good of the American people. prgtoken , I thank you for your indulgences, and .
President's Joint Session Address (Executive Session)
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2017-2-27

I welcome the majority leader and everyone back after the first district work period of the year. Tomorrow night, the President will give his first address to a joint session of Congress. I will have more to say later this afternoon at the National Press Club about the first month of the administration and what we can expect from the speech. For now, I will just say that if past is prologue, the President will come to Congress with a populist message in an attempt to cloak what has been a hard- right, anti-working person administration. prgtoken His words are populist. He talks as though he favors the working men and women of America, but his actions are straight out of the hard- right playbook, which makes it easier for the special interests and puts greater burdens on the backs of the working class and the middle class. prgtoken Every American should be looking at what this President is doing, not saying, because, thus far, the two have been vastly different.
CHLOE J. CONEY
Kathy Castor (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2017-2-27

I rise today to honor the accomplishments of a true champion of progress, Chloe J. Coney. She is retiring this month after 10 years of serving as my district director in Tampa. Her invaluable contributions to the Tampa Bay community are an inspiration to us all. Today, I am grateful to recognize her selfless dedication, honor her valuable service to our community and thank her for her daily efforts to serve our neighbors in Tampa. prgtoken Known as a woman who wears many hats, Mrs. Coney is a leader who serves with a spirit of love and excellence. When federal courts ordered Hillsborough County to desegregate its school system, even at an early age, Mrs. Coney became a leader. In 1963, she along with a brave few helped to integrate the school district. In turn, Mrs. Coney attended and graduated from Hillsborough High School with honors in 1968. Her determination to lead and serve pushed her to achieve a bachelor's degree in Sociology/Corrections from Florida A & M University, a master's degree in Biblical Counseling from Florida Beacon Bible College, and an honorary doctorate from Blessed Hope Bible College in Tampa, Florida. prgtoken Mrs. Coney's passion to lead and serve has followed her throughout her professional and personal career. In 1972, Mrs. Coney began her career as the first Black female Probation and Parole Officer in Hillsborough County. She would then continue as a pathbreaker by becoming Intake Counselor/Mediator with the 13th Judicial Circuit Court of Hillsborough County and Marketing Representative for Florida Power in Clearwater, Fla. She left the private sector in her calling to serve families, seniors and students as the Center Manager of the Lee Davis Neighborhood Service Center, leading the way for it to become a One Stop Social and Medical Center in Hillsborough County. She utilized her role as Center Manager to restore pride, ownership, and community in Tampa's Eastside neighborhoods. Mrs. Coney established the East Tampa Community School partnership and the Back to School Kick-off Fair. Mrs. Coney's passion inspired her to found the Corporation to Develop Communities of Tampa (CDC) in 1992 and become its first President/CEO, focusing on economic development. The CDC of Tampa's Nehemiah Project Community Building Brick by Brick has since expanded its strategic initiatives to provide job training, promote entrepreneurship and develop youth leadership programs, revitalizing commercial areas and build affordable housing. prgtoken In 2006, Mrs. Coney retired as the President of the CDC of Tampa to become a candidate for the local office. While she missed out on the opportunity to serve as Hillsborough County Commission, District 3, she found a new way to lead and serve the community as my District Director. In this capacity, she has addressed an array of constituent concerns, solicited citizen input, and performed community outreach activities, such as foreclosure prevention works
Nomination of Ryan Zinke (Executive Calendar)
Christopher Murphy (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2017-2-27

believe it or not, there are some smart people out there in America who are not billionaires. I know it doesn't seem like it as we debate yet another megarich Wall Street titan to head another department in the Federal Government, but billionaires do not actually have a monopoly on wisdom in this country. prgtoken But it doesn't seem that this is what our new President thinks. If they all get confirmed, 's Cabinet will have a net wealth that is greater than one-third of all Americans. Think about that for a second. The Cabinet of the United States will have a net wealth all together that is greater than one-third of every single American--the poorest third of Americans--if you put them all together. prgtoken He has nominated millionaires and billionaires to head the Department of Education, the Department of Labor, the Department of the Treasury, the Department of Commerce--the nominee we are now debating--and the Department of Health and Human Services. He even nominated two of his rich friends to head the Army and the Navy. prgtoken I heard President talk over and over the past 2 years about how he was going to drain the swamp once he got here. As far as I can tell, all he has done thus far is just sell the swamp to his rich friends. prgtoken I am not saying that billionaires like Wilbur Ross aren't smart. You have to be pretty savvy in order to make all of that money for yourself or for your investors. There is honor in making money. That is the American dream--to have the opportunity, if you want it, to become very rich, to become very affluent, to create a business that makes you, your family, and maybe those who invested in it very well off. I have a lot of friends who have made a lot of money in and around Wall Street. I don't begrudge the fact that they did it. But making a lot of money for yourself doesn't automatically equate to the ability to run an agency or to run a country. prgtoken President made a whole bunch of money for himself, but his first month on the job as President has been a series of not just domestic embarrassments but international embarrassments--writing Executive orders without even checking with the Cabinet to see if what he is doing is legal or illegal; not being able to fill positions in the White House or in Federal agencies--the number of foreign diplomats who tell me they have no idea whom to call right now in the Federal Government is as embarrassing as it is maddening--getting into public spats with even our most reliable allies like Germany and Australia; spending most of his time in pitch battles with the media and his own staff, rather than working with us on trying to solve the problems of this country. prgtoken is good at making money for himself, but those skills, as we have found, do not translate very well to running a country. Maybe that is because when the entire focus of your entire life is making as much mone
Calling for the Appointment of a Special Counsel (Executive Calendar)
Patrick J. Leahy (Democrat, VT) \u2014 2017-2-27

if I might respond to my good friend and senior Senator from Illinois, he has been a friend and colleague for decades. The Judiciary Committee and the whole Senate has benefited from his knowledge. prgtoken What the leader of Poland said to the distinguished Senator is a very chilling thing, . He knows from his own family ancestors how bad an area can be if it is under the domination of something like the then-Soviet Union and now Russia. He also knows from his own experience as an American how important it is that we have the freedoms we have. prgtoken I was privileged, along with my wife Marcelle and several others-- Senator Cochran, Senator Udall, and Senator Bennet and Congressman McGovern--to visit Cuba and have long discussions with people who would like to see real democracy come, and then to go to Colombia where they have fought for over 50 years a terrible internal civil war with countless deaths and atrocities and to see how they were trying to bring back the rule of law and the rule of democracy. And we just sit there, and it is so easy for us who grew up in an era in which we believe in our democracy and we believe in our voices being heard, where sometimes we win elections and sometimes we lose them, but we believe in the fairness of it. It is so easy to sit there and think: But we do it right. prgtoken This makes me wonder. Can we continue to say that? Can we be the beacon to the rest of the world? Can we say: Do as the United States does because we are open, we are transparent, we are honest. prgtoken Well, this has not been open, transparent, or honest. Let's make it so. Let's not let it drag on. Let's go to it now so people can then start debating issues. I expect there will be areas where I will agree with the new administration and there are areas where I disagree with the new administration. But I want to know I am agreeing and disagreeing with an American administration, not with Vladimir Putin's administration. prgtoken So I am moved by what my friend from Illinois has said. I hope the rest of the country listens because we are supposed to be the example. We pride ourselves on being the example. We are the oldest existing democracy in the world. Let's not do anything that will come back to haunt us. prgtoken . prgtoken .
INDIAN EMPLOYMENT, TRAINING AND RELATED SERVICES CONSOLIDATION ACT OF 2017
Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2017-2-27

I rise to express my concerns with H.R. 228. While the legislation seeks to provide additional flexibility and support to Indian tribes--a worthy goal--I remain concerned that it could have the effect of weakening the services provided to families and children in Indian tribes. prgtoken Currently, Indian tribes have the option to consolidate certain federal funding streams related to work and job training into one grant. H.R. 228 includes a number of changes to this consolidation option and expands the number of programs that can be consolidated. prgtoken The legislation could be interpreted in an overly broad fashion resulting in the inclusion of programs that may not be appropriate to include--programs or services only ``related to'' job training, skill development, and economic development, or other related goals. prgtoken Last Congress, the legislation was given a sequential referral to the Education and the Workforce Committee, on which I serve as Ranking Member. However, the legislation was not considered in the Committee and we have yet to assess its impact on education and training programs within our jurisdiction. prgtoken Specifically, our Committee has an interest in ensuring that program funds are used for their intended purpose. Whether the TANF program or Head Start, adequate reporting and oversight protect beneficiaries and ensure the quality of services. For example, Head Start performance standards are vital to the success of the program. prgtoken While I do not intend to oppose the legislation, I encourage continued robust oversight of the programs impacted by this bill to ensure that quality and effective education and job training programs remain available to our nation's tribes.
OPEN BOOK ON EQUAL ACCESS TO JUSTICE ACT
Jamie Raskin (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2017-2-27

the balance of my time. prgtoken , in closing, I want to recognize my colleagues on both sides of the aisle. prgtoken As Mr. Cohen has pointed out, this legislation has been a model of bipartisan collaboration, and the work product shows the investment of both sides in it. So I want to salute everybody for their diligence in helping to craft this important legislation. The gentlemen from Georgia (Mr. Collins) and the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Cohen), as well as our former colleague, the gentlewoman from Wyoming, Ms. Lummis, have cooperatively worked to effectuate a very effective, commonsense bill that will improve the accountability and the transparency of the Federal Government. This is a commendable accomplishment. prgtoken Accordingly, I would ask all of our colleagues to join us in supporting this legislation. prgtoken , .
RECOGNIZING THE NOMINEES FOR THE 2016-2017 TEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARD FOR PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY SCHOOLS
Gerald E. Connolly (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2017-2-27

I rise today to recognize the nominees for 2016-2017 Teacher of the Year Award for Prince William County Public Schools. The Teacher of the Year Award recognizes excellence in teaching, to encourage creative and quality instruction, and to contribute in a substantive way to the improvement of education in Prince William County Public School System. The Prince William County Public School System was established in 1869 and was originally managed by individual magisterial districts until the Prince William County School Board was founded in 1923. Today, there are more than 90,000 students in 97 schools within the Prince William County School Division-59 elementary schools, 16 middle schools, 12 high schools, one Governor's school, three special education schools, two nontraditional schools, two traditional schools, one special education school, and one K-8 school--making it the second largest school division in the Commonwealth of Virginia. In Prince William County Schools, each grade level of course study is grounded in a purposefully designed plan that frameworks the knowledge and skills that will be developed during the school year. The winner selected will be named the Prince William County Teacher of the Year. Teachers who meet the criteria for the award are those who instill in students a desire to learn and achieve, understand the individual needs of students, and demonstrate a thorough knowledge of subject matter and have the ability to share it effectively with students. I would like to extend my personal congratulations to the following 2016-2017 Prince William County nominees for Teacher of the Year Award: Charles Aracich--T. Clay Wood Elementary School Donna Atkins--Neabsco Elementary School Larry Baker--Gar-Field High School Jennifer Brown--Graham Park Middle School Meredith Brewbaker--Buckland Mills Elementary School Jonathan Bukva--Reagan Middle School Carlos Castro--Woodbridge High School Maria Centini--Hylton High School Scott Cloud--Reagan Middle School Cynthia Cole--Marshall Elementary School Anna Collins-Walker--T. Clay Wood Elementary School Karen Dominick--Loch Lomond Elementary School Carla Drew--Osbourn Park High School Carolyn English--Ashland Elementary School Corey Finn--Patriot High School Jennifer Fisher--Alvey Elementary School Donna Garzione--Loch Lomond Elementary School Lisa Keen--Ashland Elementary School Rebecca Kronthal--King Elementary School Cesar Maisonet--Gainesville Middle School Tiffany McLeod--Enterprise Elementary School Elizabeth Paiz--T. Clay Wood Elementary School Linda Poole--Ashland Elementary School Kristen Putman--T. Clay Wood Elementary School Eileen Rakshys--Bennett Elementary School Holley Scheffel--Potomac High School Natallia Shamshyna--For
RECOGNIZING THE LIVE LIKE BELLA SUPERHERO 5K RUN/WALK AND THE RUN, WALK AND STROLL 2K FOR CEREBRAL PALSY IN SOUTH FLORIDA
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (Republican, FL) \u2014 2017-2-27

I would like to thank the members of my south Florida community who came out last Saturday to the Live Like Bella Superhero 5K Run/Walk at Zoo Miami. prgtoken Live Like Bella works every day to fight pediatric cancer through medical research while offering much-needed support for families and caregivers. prgtoken I would also like to recognize the Run, Walk and Stroll 2K for Cerebral Palsy that took place in the Village of Palmetto Bay, located in my congressional district, also on Saturday. This walk brought together patients, families, friends, and volunteers to shed light on how cerebral palsy can impact those afflicted and to provide much- needed assistance for therapy programs and special needs equipment. prgtoken Live Like Bella and the Cerebral Palsy Walk are just two of the latest examples of south Floridians banding together to help others.