mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
FURTHER SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2018
José E. Serrano (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2017-12-21

I thank the gentlewoman for the time. prgtoken I rise to sadly oppose this disaster supplemental, which does not do enough to help Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. prgtoken This is a bill created by s with little ic input. At some point, they decided that rather than working in a bipartisan manner, they wanted to try and address these disasters without taking into account some of the most important ic priorities. prgtoken In particular, it does not address many issues crucial to Puerto Rico's recovery in the wake of Hurricanes Irma and Maria. For instance, it does nothing to address the looming Medicaid cliff, which will devastate health kits access and delivery on the island early next year. It does not waive numerous local cost share requirements, which will make it extremely difficult for the government of Puerto Rico to access large parts of the Federal funding made available here. prgtoken It does not do enough to help States like New York and New Jersey and others that have generously opened their arms to our fellow citizens displaced by these storms. prgtoken It expands the powers of the Puerto Rico Fiscal Oversight Board, giving them authority to approve the recovery plans of Puerto Rico's government. prgtoken The end result of all of this is further delay in Puerto Rico's recovery. This is not the message that we want to send to 3.4 million American citizens this holiday season. prgtoken As I look at my notes and as I look at what this debate may become today, it really comes down to one point: we as Americans, we as the United States Congress, we as the U.S. Government still have not come to grips with the fact that, yes, we have territories, that, yes, we have colonies. prgtoken If you ask the American people, ``Are the people of Puerto Rico American citizens?'' you would be shocked before all this information went out on the hurricanes how many would say: ``I don't know. I served with some in the Army, but I don't know if they are citizens.'' prgtoken Well, I think, more and more, we need to know that the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Marianna Islands, and Puerto Rico are part of the American family. It is not as a long gone member of my party once told me when I said: What are we going to do about Puerto Rico in this bill? prgtoken He said: Well, we have no money left over. prgtoken I said: Did you have money left over for the 50 States? prgtoken He said: Well, they go first. prgtoken I said: Why do they go first? Why can't the whole family go together? prgtoken So my plea that I have made for years, I continue to make. There is a bigger issue than the one we are discussing today, and that is the fact that we have territories. We have colonies. They are part of the United States. They should be part of our family. We should treat them as such.
OPIOID CRISIS
Joe Donnelly (Democrat, IN) \u2014 2017-12-21

at some point this evening, we expect the House of Representatives to send the Senate a bill that would keep the Federal Government open for another few weeks before our heading home for Christmas. For most families, the holidays are an opportunity to take a break away from our busy lives and enjoy time with the people we love. It is safe to say, however, that will not be the case for tens of thousands of American families who have lost a loved one this year due to a drug overdose. prgtoken The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released two important new reports this week. First, they found that life expectancy decreased in the United States for the second year in a row. Second, the likely cause of that decrease in 2016 is that over 63,000 people died of drug overdoses. That is more than 144 deaths per day, and it is a 21-percent increase from 2015. prgtoken This is a crisis. People are dying in communities across this country every single day. Congress must do much more to address this scourge. Here in Washington, we have talked at length about the massive size and scope of the problem. prgtoken Last year, we passed bipartisan legislation that was signed into law and is providing our local communities with more tools to fight the epidemic, and we approved initial funding to begin to support these and other efforts. prgtoken I was proud to help bring nearly $11 million of that funding to Indiana. Earlier this fall, the President rightly declared the opioid abuse epidemic to be a nationwide public health emergency. On the frontlines, in places like my home State of Indiana, however, the battle is raging. Despite a unified response, there is more work to do. prgtoken Our Governor, Governor Holcomb, has made the fight against opioid abuse the priority it needs to be. He and his administration are working closely with local communities to provide resources and support. Together, we have engaged our healthcare providers--both public and private--the business community, our educators, and the clergy who are all committed to this cause. Yet the message I continue to hear from people on the ground is, we need more resources and we need to expand treatment capabilities as soon as possible. prgtoken We all know this is not a partisan issue. Over the last few years, I have been honored to work with seven of my colleagues to introduce seven bills and amendments that address everything from prescribing practices to the shortage of addiction treatment professionals, and many of these ideas have already been signed into law. prgtoken I am partnering with my State's Governor to make sure we do everything in our power to help those who are battling with addiction, but it is not enough unless we provide our communities with the resources they are asking for and they need. prgtoken This is the time of year that many Americans reflect on the year that has passed and identify the priorit
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF SENATE AMENDMENT TO H.R. 1370, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY BLUE CAMPAIGN AUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2017; PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 4667, FURTHER SUPPLEMENTAL...
Janice D. Schakowsky (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2017-12-21

all of us are anxious to go home to our families and our celebrations, but more and more Americans are seeing every single day, particularly in the last couple days, just how messed up the values and priorities of the majority really are. prgtoken They saw the s go off to the White House and high-fiving and cheering each other for a tax cut that provides 81 percent of its benefits to the wealthiest Americans and that blows about a $1.5- trillion hole in the budget. That means debt and deficit. prgtoken Who is left with the coal in the stocking? prgtoken We are looking at 9 million children and their parents who are sick, who have been worrying about how they are going to have the Children's Health Insurance Program. Yes, we extended it now until March. It expired in September, but we didn't have time for those children. prgtoken We don't have time for the 800,000 young people who are serving this country right now as DACA recipients. We could pass the Dream Act today. Let's get our values straight. Let's do better than we are.
APPLICABILITY OF THE FEDERAL EXCISE TAX ON AIR TRANSPORTATION TO AIRCRAFT MANAGEMENT SERVICES COMPANIES
James B. Renacci (Republican, OH) \u2014 2017-12-22

as a member of the Ways and Means Committee, I rise today to speak on the Congressional intent behind the exemption for aircraft management services (AMS) companies from the federal excise tax (FET) on air transportation included in Section 13822 of H.R. 1. This provision is based on H.R. 896, sponsored by Congressman Tiberi and co-sponsored by myself. prgtoken AMS companies are paid to manage and maintain fleets of private aircraft, a service that is non-commercial. The FET on air transportation, on the other hand, is considered an airline ticket tax which commercial airline customers pay when they purchase a commercial airline ticket. Congress is exempting AMS companies from the FET on air transportation because fees paid for the maintenance and management of private aircraft are not analogous to the purchase of a commercial airline ticket. Likewise, Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) Part 91 recognizes that AMS companies provide non-commercial aircraft operations and thus are generally only subject to federal fuel taxes, and not the FET on air transportation. prgtoken We included Sec. 13822 in H.R. 1 because the IRS has pursued a number of AMS companies for collection of the FET on air transportation. The result has been inconsistent outcomes, creating winners and losers among similarly situated AMS companies. To clarify the law, which has become quite muddled in this area, H.R. 1 seeks to set the record straight regarding the applicability of the FET on air transportation to AMS companies. prgtoken In conjunction with prior legislation, H.R. 1 makes clear that the FET on air transportation is not applicable to payments for the management of aircraft that are wholly-owned, fractionally owned, or that belong to a fractional program. As such, with the enactment of H.R. 1, the IRS should cease its efforts to collect the FET on air transportation from AMS companies. prgtoken The IRS should not infer that Congress believes the FET on air transportation did apply to management fees paid to AMS companies prior to enactment of H.R. 1. On the contrary, Congress is finally clarifying an area of law that has become muddled, resulted in inconsistent enforcement, and created winners and losers among similarly situated AMS companies.
RECOGNIZING THE COMMISSIONING OF THE USS ``LITTLE ROCK''
Tom Reed (Republican, NY) \u2014 2017-12-22

I rise to today to recognize the commissioning of the newest combat ship to be added to the United States Navy, the USS Little Rock (LCS-9). prgtoken This three hundred and eighty-nine foot littoral combat ship is named in honor of the previous USS Little Rock, which began service in 1944 and was taken out of service in 1976, subsequently being converted into a floating museum. prgtoken This commissioning ceremony in Buffalo, New York, is the first time in the history of the United States Navy that a ship has been commissioned next to its namesake. It serves as a moment to remember the proud history of the United States Navy as well as the brave men and women who have served, and continue to serve our country at sea. prgtoken I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the commissioning of the USS Little Rock and wishing success and safety to all of her future crew members as they serve and protect our great nation and advance the cause of liberty around the world.
HONORING THE LEGACY AND LIFE OF MRS. GIRLIA E. WHITE SANDERS
Cedric L. Richmond (Democrat, LA) \u2014 2017-12-22

I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Mrs. Girlia E. White Sanders, a native of New Orleans, Louisiana, who passed away on December 19, 2017, at the age of 79. prgtoken Mrs. Sanders loved the city and the people of New Orleans. Her legacy will forever be a part of the city and her dedication to community embodies the spirit of New Orleans. We cannot match the sacrifices made by Mrs. Sanders, but surely we can try to match her sense of service. We cannot match her courage, but we can strive to match her devotion. prgtoken Mrs. Girlia E. White Sander's survivors include her husband of sixty years, Pastor Leroy Sanders, Sr.; six children, Janice S. Bennett, Connie S. Brider, Leroy, Jr. (Treva) Sanders, Diana S. (Eugene, Jr.) Barnes, Leslie S (Rahman) Martin and Pastor Dale J. Sr. (Kimberly) Sanders; seventeen grandchildren, Clarence Bennett, Jr Rev. Lorenzo (Carrie) Bennett, Antoine Bennett, Sr Jazmm (Kendrick, Sr.) White, Monika Arceneaux, Leroy Regis Sanders, Javalyn Session, Ashley Brider, Gerae Vallery, Christian Booker, Eugene, III and Jaren Barnes, Destiny Estean, Jordan and Dale Sanders II, Kwinci Martin and Jericho Ehsha Sanders; one honorary grandson, Minister Clyde Davis, Jr.; nine great- grandchildren and one great-great grandchild; five sisters, two brothers, four brothers-in-law, four sisters-in-law, and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. prgtoken , I celebrate the life and legacy of Mrs. Girha E. White Sanders a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, and daughter.
MOTION TO CONCUR IN THE SENATE AMENDMENT WITH AN AMENDMENT TO H.R.
Betty McCollum (Democrat, MN) \u2014 2017-12-22

it is no secret that the majority has utterly failed to govern responsibly and has neglected the needs of the American people. The federal government's fiscal year started three months ago, and since then House s have accomplished nothing except to pass their deficit busting tax-scam for big corporations and billionaires. In the meantime, they have held hostage a full year of funding for our government and failed to extend critical healthcare programs like the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). So here we are debating H.R. 1370, a third continuing resolution that attempts to paper over the failures of this Congress this is simply intolerable to my constituents. prgtoken H.R. 1370 contains billions in defense ``anomalies'' that are not subject to the discretionary spending caps and have not had a single hearing in the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense. have been ready for months to strike a bipartisan agreement to raise the caps for defense and nondefense spending with parity. Bypassing the defense cap with new spending in H.R. 1370 is unacceptable. prgtoken H.R. 1370 fails to include a bipartisan reauthorization of the Children's Health Insurance Program, continuing the uncertainty and fear that 9 million children and their families who depend on the program face. The funding provided for CHIP in this bill would only fund the program through March, 2018, and would be offset with cuts to other critical healthcare programs like the Prevention and Public Health Fund. Every American should be offended that s have spent their time passing tax cuts for the rich while the medical needs of children are cast aside. prgtoken H.R. 1370 also temporarily extends surveillance authorities under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, including FISA Section 702. In 2012, I did not vote to extend these authorities when they were reauthorized out of a concern for how the privacy of the American people would be impacted. Since 2012, there has been no effort to address my concerns, so I cannot support an extension of FISA in the current form. prgtoken Finally, while I am glad to see that a serious conversation has begun on separate legislation that would provide additional emergency disaster relief for areas impacted by this year's hurricane season (H.R. 4667), I am deeply concerned that the bill fails to fix a Medicaid funding shortfall in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. If this is not addressed early in the next session of Congress, thousands of Americans will be at risk of losing access to critical healthcare programs in 2018. The federal government has a responsibility to provide the same standard of federal assistance to the American citizens living in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands as it does to states. As we debate this today, the Senate has already indicated they will not take up H.R. 4667 due to these same concerns. <|
IN RECOGNITION OF THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF BELLE GROVE PLANTATION
Barbara Comstock (Republican, VA) \u2014 2017-12-29

I rise to recognize the 50th Anniversary of Belle Grove Plantation, a museum of an extraordinary historic house located near Middletown, in the part of the 10th Congressional District of Virginia that includes the northern Shenandoah Valley. prgtoken The remarkable history of this home begins in 1732, with the settlement of the family of Jost Hite, one of 16 German immigrant families, on land they obtained in two land grants. Jost Hite's grandson, Isaac Hite, Jr served as Lieutenant with the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. In 1783, he married Nelly Conway Madison, sister of a future President of the United States, and received 483 acres from his father, on which they built the Belle Grove Manor House from limestone quarried on the property. Isaac Hite, Jr. was eventually commissioned as Major in the Frederick County Militia by Governor Patrick Henry in 1785. Major Hite was evidently a highly successful farmer and entrepreneur who expanded the grain and livestock plantation to 7,500 acres and also successfully operated a general store, a grist-mill, a saw-mill and a large distillery. However, it is also self-evident that, without the labors of the many slaves who lived on the plantation, Major Hite would not have had this success. Family records compiled by the staff of Belle Grove Plantation indicate that the Hite family owned 276 slaves who worked in a variety of capacities at Belle Grove between 1783 and 1851. prgtoken Shortly before the Civil War, Belle Grove was sold to a person outside of the family and during the war, it was seldom without a military tenant and its grounds were hardly ever without an army. Belle Grove was most notably used as a headquarters by Union General Phillip Sheridan during the Civil War Valley Campaign of 1864 and it was centrally located during the pivotal Battle of Cedar Creek. After a successful surprise attack by Confederate General Jubal Early during the early morning hours of October 19, 1864, General Sheridan regained the territory later in the day, thus securing the strategically critical Shenandoah Valley for the Union and significantly boosting President Abraham Lincoln's chances of being reelected. prgtoken I am honored to represent a Congressional District with historical places such as Belle Grove Plantation that are essential to the telling of the story of our nation. Fifty years ago, on August 13, 1967, Belle Grove was dedicated as a museum and today, it is a National Historic Landmark, a Virginia Historic Landmark, and a historic property of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. It is also the most significant structure in the Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historic Park, a partnership park comprised of private landowners, county governments and nonprofit organizations that was established by Congress under the leadership of my predecessor, Congressman Frank Wolf, and authorized by the National Park Service on December 19, 20
NATIONAL GRANGE 150TH ANNIVERSARY
Greg Walden (Republican, OR) \u2014 2017-12-29

I rise today to say congratulations to the National Grange on 150 years of service to rural America, and to thank Susan Noah, President of the Oregon State Grange, and her husband, Mark, for their continued leadership in my home state. prgtoken In Oregon, we understand how important it is to support our rural communities. The National Grange has been a steadfast partner in this effort. With over 167 Granges and 5,000 fraternal members in Oregon-- and several thousand affiliate members--the National Grange is a strong advocate for rural communities in our great state of Oregon and across the country. prgtoken The Grange has been essential in the development of rural America during three centuries: during the 19th Century, they advocated for legislative protection for farmers through the Granger Laws; in the 20th Century, they promoted research and education to improve agriculture through the Cooperative Extension Service and Land Grant Colleges while working to expand mail delivery and electricity to rural areas; and in the 21st Century, they have encouraged the expansion of broadband internet service. prgtoken The Grange has provided a megaphone for the voice of rural communities throughout the country. The effort of this organization to bring people from across the country and across the political spectrum together in support of rural America is truly inspiring. prgtoken Being a champion for rural America is an endeavor that transcends party lines and benefits all Americans, not just those living in rural communities. The Grange has led the effort in this, with an emphasis on service to the local community and volunteerism to improve the quality of life and economic well-being of rural America. prgtoken On behalf of rural communities in Oregon and across the country, and the entire United States Congress, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the National Grange on 150 years of unwavering service to rural America.
NOMINATIONS REMAINING IN STATUS QUO
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2018-1-2

I ask unanimous consent that notwithstanding the order of December 21, 2017, and the provisions of rule XXXI, all uniformed military promotions pending in the Senate remain in status quo, with the exception of the following: PN765, PN540, and PN475, and that the following defense civilian nomination also be returned to the President: PN1096. I further ask consent that the previous order be modified to reflect that PN1193 should be returned to the President and PN1316 should remain in status quo.
Tax Reform Bill and Healthcare (Executive Session)
John Barrasso (Republican, WY) \u2014 2018-1-4

when we were debating the tax relief law--the tax reduction law, the tax cut law--s predicted that it would be very good for the people of our country. like Nancy Pelosi predicted that it would be ``Armageddon.'' She said it would be the ``end of the world.'' Well, that was just last month, and it is already very clear to me that we have won the argument. People across the country are seeing the benefits. Thanks to this tax relief law, Nancy Pelosi is seeing that hard-working Americans have actually won as a result of this law being passed. prgtoken Businesses around the country have begun turning those tax cuts into higher wages for many workers. Almost every day there is another business announcement about bonuses of more than $1,000 for workers. We are seeing it for hundreds of thousands of workers at businesses all across the country. They are raising wages and also investing millions of dollars back into the workers who make the companies so productive for our country. prgtoken are just wrong about tax reform. I am hearing it at home as I visit with people and stop in the drugstore and the grocery store around the State of Wyoming. They are saying: Look, anybody who does the math sees that it is a good deal for them. It doubled the standard deduction, lowered the rates, and raised the child tax credit. All of these things have been very, very helpful, certainly, to people in my State of Wyoming. prgtoken It is interesting listening to because they think they have great ideas, and they are just proven wrong about the facts. One of the ones I want to talk about today is something that the Senator from Vermont has been talking about with regard to healthcare. He has essentially wanted to scrap the U.S. healthcare system and replace it with a government-run system. prgtoken As he said, the current system under Care is the most bureaucratic, inefficient, and expensive system in the world. He often points to a single-payer system--sort of what they have right now in Great Britain. Of course, who would be paying for that? That would be the American taxpayers dealing with the incredible expenses of a program like that. prgtoken I want to point out what is actually happening today in Great Britain, in the system that the Senator from Vermont--the father of an American single-payer plan, one that a number of have signed on to--where the authorities in Great Britain just told hospitals to cancel 50,000 operations in January and to put them off until next month because they are just too busy doing other things. So scheduled operations were canceled. Now, these are surgeries for things like cataracts, knee replacements, and hip replacements. prgtoken Facilities are turning away all but the most urgent cases in need of care. They are closing outpatient clinics. Why? Because it is winter, and it is flu season, and the British healthcare sy