mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
PROPOSING A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION
Hakeem S. Jeffries (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2018-4-12

the so-called balanced budget amendment is nothing but a phony, fraudulent, and fake effort to promote fiscal responsibility. prgtoken I am perplexed by the notion that my good friends on the other side of the aisle would come to the House floor to lecture the American people about the budget when their actions are primarily responsible for the situation in which we find ourselves. prgtoken How did we arrive at a moment where, in this country, we confront a crippling $20 trillion debt when the Clinton administration handed the administration a budget surplus? prgtoken I am glad you asked that question. prgtoken Number one, a failed war in Iraq, brought to us by a administration; prgtoken Number two, an unnecessarily prolonged conflict in Afghanistan, brought to us by a administration; prgtoken Number three, the tax giveaways of 2001, brought to us by a House, a Senate, and a President; prgtoken Number four, the 2003 tax giveaway, brought to us by a House, a Senate, and a President; prgtoken Number five, the collapse of the economy in 2008, brought to us by -inspired financial deregulation; prgtoken Number six, the tax scam of 2017 that will explode our debt by an additional $2 trillion. prgtoken s burn down our fiscal house and then show up with a so- called balanced budget amendment and act like the volunteer fire department. prgtoken I am from Brooklyn. I know a hustle when I see one. We will not allow anyone to balance the budget on the backs of working families, middle class folks, senior citizens, the poor, the sick, the afflicted, veterans, and rural America. We will not allow anyone to devastate Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. prgtoken The American people deserve a better deal.
Russia Investigation (Executive Calendar)
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2018-4-12

over the past 2 weeks, we have seen increasingly worrisome signs that President is seriously considering firing the special counsel in charge of the investigation into Russia's meddling in the 2016 election. Equally troubling is the possibility of the President firing the Deputy Attorney General who oversees that investigation in order to install someone who would dismiss Mr. Mueller or otherwise impede or shut down the investigation. prgtoken Let me be clear. Firing Mr. Rosenstein would be as great an injury to our democracy as firing Mr. Mueller. Mr. Rosenstein, by all accounts, since being appointed by President , has followed the letter of the law. There is no conduct the President or anyone else can point to that would suggest Mr. Rosenstein went beyond DOJ regulations or otherwise abused his position. He has dutifully done his job. When he approved Mr. Mueller's referral to the U.S. attorney in the Southern District, it was simply because he was provided sufficient evidence that Mr. Mueller had uncovered a potential crime. It doesn't matter if it upsets President ; Mr. Rosenstein was following the facts and the law. It is the obligation of a Justice Department official when he or she sees evidence of a crime to pursue it without fear, without favor. That is what Rosenstein was doing, and somehow President doesn't grasp the rudiments of our democracy and our system of laws. prgtoken Instead, President seems to have the view that the Justice Department exists to protect his interests and prgtoken prosecute his enemies. But in the long history of our grand, wonderful country--God's noble experiment, as the Founding Fathers called it, and it still is today--that has never been what the Justice Department has stood for. It is an independent Federal agency tasked with following the law wherever it leads, free of considerations of politics or power. Mr. Rosenstein is acting in line with that long and great tradition, and it is no reason--none at all--for the President to fire him. prgtoken My friends on the other side of the aisle know, just as well as we do, that firing Mr. Rosenstein or Mr. Mueller would precipitate a constitutional crisis. Our constitutional order is built upon a bedrock faith in the rule of law, of equality under the law. No person--not even the President--can subvert that principle for his or her political interests or needs. prgtoken Let me remind everyone that the investigation is not a witch hunt, as the President keeps tweeting it is. It has resulted in multiple indictments and guilty pleas. By definition, that is not a witch hunt. The administration itself leveled sanctions against Russians based on information obtained as a result of the Russia probe. So if the President's own administration, separate from Mueller, leveled sanctions against the Russians using information that Mueller has gotten, how can he then proceed to call it a wi
CONFIRMATION OF ANDREW WHEELER
Mazie K. Hirono (Democrat, HI) \u2014 2018-4-12

last year, kept the Senate in session all night to protest the nomination of Scott Pruitt to lead the Environmental Protection Agency. prgtoken We took this unusual step to protest Mr. Pruitt's hostility to the EPA's core mission and to highlight how his close ties to the fossil fuel industry could lead to serious conflicts of interest and breaches of the public trust. prgtoken Over the past year, Mr. Pruitt has exemplified the toxic mixture of corruption and hostility to government we have come to expect from the administration. prgtoken Mr. Pruitt has radically changed the EPA's mission during his time in office. prgtoken He has abandoned the Agency's traditional mission to protect human health and the environment--a commitment that spanned administrations of both parties--in favor of serving the narrow interests of his friends in the fossil fuel industry. prgtoken During his tenure, Mr. Pruitt has begun work to repeal the Clean Power Plan, roll back vehicle fuel economy standards, and eliminate commonsense protections for our air and water. prgtoken These actions are only three examples of the damage he is doing to our country and environment as the Administrator of the EPA. prgtoken Through his actions, Mr. Pruitt confirms he does not understand why Congress and President Nixon established the EPA in the first place. prgtoken Mr. Pruitt's policy agenda is damaging enough, but we can scarcely go a week without learning about a new scandal or breach of the public trust at the EPA. prgtoken Mr. Pruitt is already being investigated for his first-class travel, spending tens of thousands of dollars on a soundproof phone booth, and providing massive pay increases to his political appointees. prgtoken Earlier this month, we learned that Mr. Pruitt got a sweetheart deal from an energy lobbyist to rent an apartment on Capitol Hill at way below market rate. prgtoken Scott Pruitt should be fired for cause, but I also find myself agreeing with former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie for once. Scott Pruitt never should have been appointed EPA Administrator in the first place. prgtoken Earlier today, the Senate voted to confirm Andrew Wheeler to be the Deputy EPA Administrator. I strongly opposed and voted against his nomination. prgtoken At a time when the current EPA Administrator is under siege for his lack of ethics, we don't need a Deputy Administrator who will prioritize the interests of the fossil fuel industry over the public's. prgtoken Prior to his confirmation, Mr. Wheeler worked as a fossil fuel lobbyist at a major DC law firm. prgtoken His lobbying clients included Murray Energy, the largest privately owned coal firm in the United States. prgtoken Bob Murray, the head of the company, is one of President 's biggest supporters in the industry. prgtoken We certainly don't need another fossil fuel ally undermining the EPA's mission to protect public health in a senior leadership position a
VOTE EXPLANATION
Tammy Duckworth (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2018-4-12

I was necessarily absent for vote No. 70 on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar No. 666, Andrew Wheeler, to be Deputy Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. On vote No. 70, had I been present, I would have voted nay on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar No. 666. prgtoken , I was also necessarily absent for vote No. 71 on the confirmation of Executive Calendar No. 666, Andrew Wheeler, to be Deputy Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. On vote No. 71, had I been present, I would have voted nay on the confirmation of Executive Calendar No. 666.
PROPOSING A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION
Joe Courtney (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2018-4-12

this morning, at the House Armed Services Committee, Secretary James Mattis applauded the bipartisan collaboration and demonstrated political courage for lifting the spending caps of sequestration so that the military readiness of this country could catch up with the huge demands that are happening in terms of our national security. prgtoken I cite that reference this morning because, in looking at this balanced budget constitutional amendment, a FOX News reporter described the effect of this is that ``a balanced budget requirement would be sequestration amped up on a cocktail of anabolic steroids and fiscal fentanyl.'' prgtoken If people worried about the U.S. military over the last 4 years since the Budget Control Act was passed because of sequestration, they should not vote for this balanced budget amendment because it is not only a straitjacket, it is a straitjacket with a constitutional lock that would freeze Congress' ability to provide the resources to defend our Nation. prgtoken Again, just look at the sequence of what happened in terms of sequestration and the damage it did to our country, and listen to what that FOX News analyst said that it would do to our national defense and to our country's ability to address its basic needs and kill Social Security and Medicare, which will be the target if this ever were to pass.
CONGRATULATING THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT SANTA CRUZ BANANA SLUGS
Jimmy Panetta (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2018-4-12

I rise today to congratulate the University of California at Santa Cruz Banana Slugs, specifically, their rocket team, the so-called Rocket Slugs, for not only being selected to compete in NASA's elite Student Launch Week, but for medaling in the Best Rocket Fair Display. prgtoken The annual competition in Huntsville, Alabama, allows students to research and develop projects related to NASA's Space Launch System. That is America's deep space exploration rocket that is built to return astronauts to the Moon and possibly even send them to Mars. prgtoken Their work is a testament to UC Santa Cruz and team cocaptains Kent Roberts and Zafar Rustamkulov. These students pushed the limits of design and engineering, pushed themselves through trial and error, and proved that they can push their dreams to the Moon and beyond.
KALEIGH MELINGER
Ed Perlmutter (Democrat, CO) \u2014 2018-4-12

I rise today to recognize and applaud Kaleigh Melinger for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Kaleigh Melinger is a student at Jefferson High School and received this award because her determination and hard work have allowed her to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Kaleigh Melinger is exemplary of the type of achievement that can be attained with hard work and perseverance. It is essential students at all levels strive to make the most of their education and develop a work ethic which will guide them for the rest of their lives. I extend my deepest congratulations to Kaleigh Melinger for winning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. I have no doubt she will exhibit the same dedication and character in all of her future accomplishments.
HONORING THE LIFE OF SERGEANT JACK COLEMAN COOK
Jerrold Nadler (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2018-4-12

like Mr. Westerman, I rise today to recognize the heroic actions taken by 384th Bomb Group ball turret gunner Jack Coleman Cook of Hot Springs, Arkansas, during a World War II mission. prgtoken Selflessly, Sergeant Cook gave his life to save the life of his fellow airmen, including my constituent, First Lieutenant Edward Field, a veteran and poet from Brooklyn, New York. On February 3, 1945, in a bombing mission over Berlin, Sergeant Cook showed us what true heroism looks like. prgtoken After their B-17 bomber crashed into the North Sea, the crewmembers were forced to inflate two life rafts. Unfortunately, only one raft was able to fully inflate, leaving two men, Lieutenant Field and another crewmember, in the frigid water. prgtoken After they had spent about 30 minutes in the water, Sergeant Cook gave up his spot in the raft for Lieutenant Field, who had become numb. Sergeant Cook then swam in the freezing water to the other raft, which was only partially inflated. Unfortunately, he died before a British vessel could come and rescue them. prgtoken In his poem, ``World War II,'' Lieutenant Field honored the incredible sacrifice made by Sergeant Cook, recognizing that his survival is entwined with the spirit born from another hero's sacrifice. prgtoken It is my distinct honor today to commemorate the American heroes who bravely served our country, in this case, Sergeant Jack Coleman Cook and First Lieutenant Edward Field.
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
Ron Wyden (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2018-4-12

every day, Social Security provides vital benefits to millions of Americans who worked and paid into the system, and I cannot overstate the important anti-poverty role that the program plays. Supplemental Security Income or SSI is the safety net of last resort for individuals who have not worked enough to qualify for Social Security. Even with these critical income support programs, more and more seniors and people with disabilities find themselves struggling to keep up with the costs of the things they need just to get by. prgtoken Although Social Security and SSI automatically increase each year when there is an increase in the cost of living, over time those increases do not allow beneficiaries to maintain their standard of living. Because Social Security provides an increasingly larger share of the elderly's income as they age, even a slight decrease in value of these lifeline benefits can lead to poverty and hardship. Too many seniors are walking on an economic tightrope, balancing their food bill against their rent against their utility bill. It's time to update Social Security's guarantee of a secure retirement, and this bill is a landmark step towards accomplishing that goal. I'm particularly hopeful about the benefits this bill will have for older American women, who live longer and often have less retirement savings. prgtoken To help combat the risk of poverty among the most vulnerable receiving Social Security and SSI, I, along with Senators Brown and Casey, are introducing the Elder Poverty Relief Act. This bill creates a monthly Poverty Relief Benefit for almost everyone over age 82, individuals who have been relying on Social Security or SSI for a long time, or who have worked in low-paying jobs and receive a very small Social Security benefit. The Poverty Relief benefit will also go to seniors who receive only SSI. If enacted, in 2019, the Poverty Relief Benefit would provide an additional $85 a month to almost 14 million people. The Poverty Relief Benefit will grow by roughly 4 percent each year. SSA estimates that the enactment of the Poverty Relief Benefit would reduce poverty among seniors who received the benefit by almost 25 percent in 2030 which would lift 420,000 seniors out of poverty. Notably, the enactment of the Poverty Relief Benefit would not accelerate the depletion year of the Social Security trust funds. The bill has been endorsed by the Gray Panthers, Justice in Aging, the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, Social Security Works, and the Strengthen Social Security Coalition. prgtoken For most seniors, Social Security is the only income they will receive that's guaranteed to last as long as they live. But despite these important benefits, poverty among seniors grows--with some studies showing the poverty rate among the very old is between 12 and 19 percent. We simply must do more to protect the financial stability of our elderly frie
TRIBUTE TO LORI HARTWELL--28TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT WOMAN OF THE YEAR
Adam B. Schiff (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2018-4-12

I rise today in honor of Women's History Month. Each year, we pay special tribute to the contributions and sacrifices made by our nation's women. It is an honor to pay homage to outstanding women who are making a difference in my Congressional District. I would like to recognize a remarkable woman, Lori Hartwell of Glendale, California. A resilient survivor of chronic kidney disease (CKD), Lori has dedicated her life to the renal field and patients with chronic illness. In her lifelong struggle with CKD, which began when she was two years old, Ms. Hartwell received dialysis treatments for almost 13 years and has had four kidney transplants. Rather than capitulating to the obstacles of this debilitating disease, Ms. Hartwell chose to embrace her circumstances and motivate others like her to lead complete and productive lives. In her book Chronically Happy--Joyful Living in Spite of Chronic Illness, she narrates the challenges she overcame as well as the steps to achieving one's dreams. After developing a comprehensive understanding of the American renal patient population as a sales specialist for HemaMetrics and sales manager for Medcomp, Ms. Hartwell became editor of the medical journal Contemporary Dialysis & Nephrology and established Hartwell Communications to consult on patient-related educational materials. In 1993, Lori founded the Renal Support Network (RSN), originally a Southern California-grassroots patient-led organization that has since expanded across the United States. The RSN endeavors to cultivate an emotional support network built on hope, knowledge, and peer connection to provide CKD patients with the tools to thrive despite their illness. In addition to her work with RSN, Ms. Hartwell gives presentations locally, nationwide and globally at national nephrology conferences and events about patient engagement, overcoming adversity, and achieving goals. She also advises elected officials on the impact of legislative policies on people with chronic illnesses, and serves on multiple councils and boards in the renal field, including the National Quality Renal Forum and the Board of Directors for Kidney Care Partners. She is former chair of the Patient Advisory Committee for the Southern California Renal Disease Council and served on the Governor's Rehabilitation Council for the State of California. Ms. Hartwell's impressive work has not gone unnoticed as she has been recognized with numerous awards, including the National Kidney Registry's ``Patient Advocacy Award'' in 2010 and being named ``Woman of the Year'' in the 21st California Senate District by State Senator Jack Scott in 2005. Ms. Hartwell's remarkable efforts on behalf of those diagnosed with kidney disease, as well as her resilience in her own battle, speak for themselves. She is a steadfast community leader with a long record of dedicated service and an inspiration to all. I ask all Members to join me in hon
The FBI (Executive Calendar)
John Barrasso (Republican, WY) \u2014 2018-4-12

I am here with my colleague from Oklahoma to speak in favor of Andrew Wheeler. I support Andrew Wheeler to serve as the Deputy Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. prgtoken During the previous administration, the Environmental Protection Agency issued burdensome regulations that harmed American workers and American communities. Since President took office 15 months ago, the EPA has rolled back many of these punishing regulations, including the so-called Clean Power Plan and the waters of the United States, or the WOTUS, rule. prgtoken Under President and EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt, this Agency is now working for commonsense environmental policies--policies that don't harm the American economy and don't punish American families. prgtoken Administrator Pruitt needs his full team at the Environmental Protection Agency in order to accomplish these goals. So today, the Senate is going to consider the nomination of Andrew Wheeler to be Deputy Administrator of the EPA. The Deputy Administrator is critical in developing and implementing the policies that fulfill the EPA's mission of protecting human health and the environment. prgtoken Mr. Wheeler is very well qualified for the position. He spent over 25 years working in environmental policies. At that time, he served as a career employee at the EPA, working as an environmental protection specialist. This experience makes him uniquely qualified to serve in the role of Deputy Administrator. prgtoken He has spent over a decade here on Capitol Hill, shaping environmental law. He served as the staff director of the Senate Environment and Public Works Air Subcommittee from 1997 to 2003. This was followed by another 6 years as a staff director and chief counsel for the full committee, 2003 to 2009. Most recently, Mr. Wheeler has been a consultant for a variety of energy and environmental clients. prgtoken Andrew Wheeler's commitment to sound environmental policies has received recognition from across the aisle as well. The ranking member of the Environment and Public Works Committee said this of Mr. Wheeler: I think having worked in the agency, he actually cares about the environment; the air that we breathe; the water we drink; the planet on which we live. prgtoken Stuart Spencer, the president of the Association of Air Pollution Control Agencies, said this of Mr. Wheeler: Mr. Wheeler has exemplified excellence in his professional endeavors, in his previous government service and private sector experience. In short, he is keenly qualified to hit the ground running at EPA. prgtoken I agree. His nomination has garnered the support of a broad base of organizations, including the National Association of Manufacturers, the United Mine Workers of America, and the Chamber of Commerce. prgtoken Andrew Wheeler is well qualified to fill this critically important role at the EPA. He is th
PROPOSING A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION
Andy Biggs (Republican, AZ) \u2014 2018-4-12

I thank the chairman for his work on this bill, bringing it forward, as well as his graciousness for letting me speak today. prgtoken , I will say that what I am hearing from the other side leaves my head spinning. I hear yammering, but I constantly wonder: Did they bother to read this particular balanced budget amendment? prgtoken The struggle I have with this balanced budget amendment is not what they say. They say this is going to go directly to spending reductions. prgtoken The issue for me is, when I look at it, I see that we make it easier to raise taxes, that is what we make it easier to do, by a 51 percent vote. When I see it, we make it easier to spend like we did in the omnibus, the bipartisan omnibus bill, because that only requires a three-fifths vote to set aside the balanced budget restraints by this administration. That gives me concern, because 61 percent of the vote in the House would have exceeded that just a couple weeks ago with the omnibus bill. In the Senate, it was by more than 60 percent. So that is a bit problematic for me. prgtoken I will make one last point here before I continue on to the previous point, and that is we are going to see 7 years, roughly, for the ratification process and then another 5 years after that before this actually is enacted. That is 12 years. That means that we are going to have probably around a $30 trillion national debt by then. prgtoken Now, my friends on the other side who are using scare tactics and saying, ``This is going to cause this cut here and this cut in programs there,'' they don't know that. They are making assertions to do what David Horowitz calls ``inspire through fear,'' and that is what we are seeing here. prgtoken I think this bill could be better, significantly better, but I also think that hyperbolic rhetoric does not do this body or the American people good when we are discussing something of this magnitude.