mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
TRUMPCARE
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2017-3-15

first, on the healthcare bill, my good friend the leader says that there should be amendments on the floor. On such an important matter, it would be astounding if we didn't have committee hearings and committee votes on such a bill. I know there is an attempt to rush it through, but if it is such a fine product, it ought to withstand the scrutiny of hearings and of markups in the various committees. To rush it through is an indication that the sponsors of the bill, the supporters of the bill, are not very proud of it, and that is a theme that has continued with the executive branch and the of the House. prgtoken As we know, CBO estimated that it would cause 24 million fewer Americans to have health insurance--I don't hear the leader mention that, of course--while raising premiums in the short term and jacking up the price of healthcare for older Americans. prgtoken We have heard from the other side of the aisle that access is what is important. No, it isn't. Access doesn't get you healthcare. I have access to walk into a Lamborghini dealer and look at a Lamborghini, but I can't afford one. That is true of average Americans, and that is true of healthcare as well. Access doesn't get you healthcare, and it is a far cry from what people need. prgtoken Because the bill helps so many fewer Americans, because the bill seems to be a tax break for the wealthy above all, it is having its trouble, and nobody seems to really want to embrace it. That is why s on both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue don't want their name near any end of the bill. prgtoken As I said yesterday, Ryan doesn't want to call it RyanCare, even though he wrote the bill. President doesn't want to call it Care. If it is so good, why doesn't any want to put their name on it? It is Abbott and Costello: You put your name on it; no, you put your name on it. That is not an indication that people are proud of this legislation, and it is particularly ironic with President . President slaps his name on buildings, ties, steaks, hotels, and golf clubs, but not on a bill that he supports in his daily tweets. He has spent 30 years of his business career trying to put his name on nearly everything, but not this healthcare bill, even though he is inviting wary s to the White House to try and sell them on it. prgtoken Today his Vice President is here on the Hill lobbying recalcitrant s. He has dispatched HHS Secretary Price, the person he picked, to lobby for the bill. His own Press Secretary says the White House is in full sale mode. Make no mistake about it, this is the President's bill, and he should be straight with the American people about it. We call it Care. That is what it is.
Freedom of the Press (Executive Session)
Tom Udall (Democrat, NM) \u2014 2017-3-15

this week is Sunshine Week, a week when we applaud open government and when we celebrate the institutions that hold government accountable. Throughout our Nation's history, one of the most important has been the press, the free press as candidate and President, has repeatedly attacked the press. He has called it the ``enemy of the people,'' he has labeled the national media outlets as ``fake news,'' and he has criticized respected reporters who have reported for years. prgtoken He has singled out mainstream newspapers like the New York Times, Politico, and the Los Angeles Times, and television outlets like ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN. That is how this President operates. He acts like a bully, and not just with the media. He attacks the courts when article III judges disagree with him, and when they find he is breaking the law. He attacks sitting judges for deciding against him, even those appointed by Presidents. prgtoken Without basis, he attacks our intelligence agencies, and he even demeans career public servants who risk their lives to keep our Nation safe. The President's goal is obvious, to undermine the institutions in our country who threaten him, who criticize him. Authoritarians have used this strategy for centuries and continue to do so today in countries where democracy is weak or nonexistent and where autocracy or kleptocracy is strong. prgtoken But this is the United States. We are an example to the world of democratic principles and action. The President's repeated attacks on our democratic institutions need to stop and they need to stop now. A free and robust press is critical for democracy to work, period, end of story. Our Nation's history of a free press dates back to our founding. Free press in the colonial United States developed in reaction to severe restrictions on free speech in England. prgtoken During the latter half of the 17th century, all books and articles were required to be licensed by the government to be published. Then, ``seditious libel''--bringing ``hatred or contempt'' upon the Crown or the Parliament by written word--was a criminal offense. So to speak against the Crown was a criminal offense. Truth was not a defense. prgtoken No publication could criticize the Crown or the government, even if it was accurate. The first newspapers in the Colonies operated under licenses from the colonial Governor. But by 1721, James Franklin, Benjamin Franklin's older brother, was publishing one of the first colonial independent newspapers, the New England Courant, in Boston. prgtoken Ben Franklin was his apprentice, typesetter, and sometimes contributed under pen names. Several years later, Ben Franklin began publishing his own independent newspaper, the Pennsylvania Gazette. His newspaper became the most popular in the Colonies and was published until 1800. prgtoken By 1735, the tenets of seditious libel were coming undone. John Peter Zenger, the publisher
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 9--RECOGNIZING THE GEORGE C. MARSHALL MUSEUM AND GEORGE C. MARSHALL RESEARCH LIBRARY IN LEXINGTON, VIRGINIA, AS THE NATIONAL GEORGE C. MARSHALL MUSEUM AND LIBRARY
Tim Kaine (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2017-3-15

. . I would like to recognize the George C. Marshall Foundation's museum and library as the National George C. Marshall Museum. General George C. Marshall was born in Uniontown, PA to a Virginia family. He is a distant relative of Chief Justice John Marshall, the fourth Supreme Court Justice of the United States. General Marshall graduated from the Virginia Military Institute in 1901 as senior first captain of the Corps of Cadets. prgtoken General Marshall served in a variety of posts in the Philippines, the United States, France, and China, distinguishing himself as a military leader. In 1939 he was named Chief of Staff by President Roosevelt and was responsible for building, supplying, and deploying over 8 million soldiers. Marshall also urged military readiness prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor. prgtoken After World War II, President Truman sent General Marshall to China to broker a coalition government between the Nationalist allies under Generalissimo Chaing Kai-shek and the Communists under Mao Zedong. In 1946, General Marshall received the Congressional Gold Medal of Honor. President Truman appointed Marshall Secretary of State in 1947. In what became known as the Marshall Plan, as Secretary of State Marshall oversaw the postwar European economic recovery strategy. In 1953, General Marshall received the Nobel Peace Prize for his postwar work, the only career officer in the U.S. Army to ever receive this honor. prgtoken The George C. Marshall Foundation was established in 1953 and officially opened in 1964. The foundation's museum is located in Lexington, Virginia and is dedicated to educating the public and the military and diplomatic career of General George C. Marshall. The foundation has devoted its mission to educating the public about the important contributions of General Marshall through its museum and research Library. The Museum has five extensive exhibits and houses General Marshall's Nobel Peace Prize. prgtoken I am proud to introduce this resolution which will recognize and honor General George C. Marshall.
RAISING A QUESTION OF THE PRIVILEGES OF THE HOUSE
Bill Pascrell, Jr. (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2017-3-15

. I want to thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. Crowley). prgtoken , Mr. Crowley cited the very source of what our proposal is, and that is, section 6103, and, particularly section 6103(f), of the Tax Code of the United States of America, which has been part of the Tax Code since 1924. prgtoken , this is a wonderful part of the Tax Code. Take my word for it. And it has been a wonderful part of the Tax Code since 1924. prgtoken It is very clear the main argument against this proposal, this resolution, has been over the last several weeks that this is an administrative part of the Tax Code. I would submit to you, Mr that this is not simply arranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. This has to do with all of us. This has to do with what we put in to our tax files when we submit them to the IRS. prgtoken There is real authority when you read this section, . I can assure you I will not read it. That will be for another time. But I can assure you it is very specific and goes beyond administrative authority. We are talking about apparitional authority. prgtoken We are talking about that three different committees in the House and the Senate can call on anybody with due cause to have them submit their tax returns. prgtoken By the way, when you look at why section 6103 was put into the Tax Code in 1924, as a result of one of the greatest scandals in the 20th century, then you understand it was not just meant as an administrative situation. prgtoken Now, , we believe that it is imperative for the public to know and understand how such tax reform that we are about to go into pretty soon will benefit the President of the United States.
ROAD TRIP CAMARADERIE
Beto O’Rourke (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2017-3-15

our journey began after picking up the car at the rental lot at 5:00 a.m. with a breakfast at Mi Tierra cafe in San Antonio where we were presented by the staff there with this pinata, which became our mascot along the way. So, , I want to make sure that you and our colleagues tonight have a chance to see this. prgtoken Perhaps, on the more whimsical side, there was some discussion amongst my friend from Texas (Mr. Hurd) and those who joined us on the journey virtually through the Livestream about trying to encourage more Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle in a way that would allow them to take time with each other, to get to know each other, to listen to each other and, yes, to talk about serious policy issues, but also to find out a little bit about who they are, where they came from, what excites them about their service, their families, the communities that they represent. And that allows for what I hope will be a more close, productive, and effective working relationship on behalf of the people we serve. prgtoken Despite the obvious talent, , in this Chamber, Members that I have had the pleasure to get to know over the last 4 years that I have been here who hail from all parts of the country, from all backgrounds, who are among the best and brightest in their communities, who are here to do the right thing, to deliver for their constituents and to put this country first. It is interesting that, despite that, we haven't been able to get many of the big things accomplished for this country. We can think about things like comprehensive immigration reform or comprehensive tax reform, for that matter, or educational and healthcare reforms that are going to impact every single family and every single one of the communities that we represent. prgtoken I think part of the reason is that we need to reform the institution itself. And those reforms could take the form of comprehensive campaign finance reform or ending gerrymandering of districts and having a national congressional redistricting committee that is nonpartisan that draws those lines on rational, logical bases. Or we could have term limits for Members of Congress so that you can't serve in what turns out to be perpetuity for the political life of a community and have some faith in the talent and the leadership that is produced in that community that we all represent. prgtoken Those are things that are going to be tough to do, let's admit it. Some of them require amendments to our Constitution. prgtoken Where we could start, , is just spending some time with each other, taking a road trip, playing a game of basketball, going out on a run, having a cup of coffee, having lunch together. As my friend from Texas (Mr. Hurd) says that too often we are in our own corners. And on our side, maybe that is in meetings about how to message those good things that we want to do for the American public or outside of this Chamber and away from our
REPUBLICAN HEALTHCARE BILL
Elizabeth Warren (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2017-3-15

last week s in the House released a bill to repeal the Affordable Care Act and cut Medicaid to the bone. On Tuesday, the Congressional Budget Office--those are the independent budget experts who analyze policies under consideration here in Congress--estimated that the plan would rip health insurance coverage away from 24 million Americans and cut $880 billion in the Medicaid program. And as a bonus, the plan provides hundreds of billions of dollars in tax breaks for the rich. Who comes up with a plan like this? What kind of healthcare bill has, as its central feature, ripping away health insurance from tens of millions of American citizens? prgtoken What kind of politician thinks they were sent to Congress to destroy the financial stability of millions of middle-class families and give wealthy donors a tax break that they certainly don't need? Who thinks that the central problem in America is that middle-class families have too much healthcare coverage and that the richest people in America need government to hand them more money? There is no other way to say it: This bill is just part of a plan to help the rich get richer and kick dirt in everyone else's face. prgtoken This bill is an economic disaster, and at its center, it is cruel-- cancer survivors losing coverage, seniors facing premium increases of $12,000 a year, people with disabilities forced into nursing homes. And one of the cruelest things is what this bill will do to individuals, to families, and to communities struggling with the opioid crisis. prgtoken Last year in Massachusetts, nearly 2,000 people died from opioid use. That is more than double the number who died in 2013. That is right, double. Between 2014 and 2015, Massachusetts had a bigger jump in its death rate from drug overdoses than any other State except North Dakota. prgtoken Last week, I was on the front lines in Lynn Community Health Center, where dedicated staffers are trying to meet this opioid epidemic head on. This week, I went to Manet Community Health Center, where a coordinated team in Quincy is battling the opioid crisis. While I was there, I not only met with the professionals, I saw the mamas and the babies, the people who are in recovery, and people who reach out to those who are still in the grip of drugs. The opioid crisis isn't happening to someone else's family or in someone else's community. It is happening to our families in our communities, and we need to do more to stop this plague before it takes another of our loved ones. prgtoken We need to do more; what we absolutely cannot do is less. We cannot take away the resources already committed to fighting the opioid crisis so that some millionaire can get a tax break. Current law, the ACA, requires all insurance plans to cover substance use disorder treatment and prevention as an essential health benefit. That means that your insurance company can't turn off the access to treatm
DOJ'S FAILURE TO PROTECT VOTING RIGHTS
Terri A. Sewell (Democrat, AL) \u2014 2017-3-15

today I rise in protest of President and his Justice Department's failure to protect Americans' voting rights. The right to vote is a sacred right for which Americans have fought for generations. From the battlefields of the Revolutionary War, to the Women's Suffrage Movement, to Bloody Sunday in my hometown of Selma, Alabama, Americans have risked their lives for the right to vote. Unfortunately, The Justice Department recently decided to dismiss their discriminatory purpose claim against Texas's voter ID law. Texas's current draconian Voter ID law places harsh restrictions on minorities and young voters. In 2013, the Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against the state of Texas claiming that their voter photo identification law, SB 14, violated Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. Since then, two courts have agreed that this law is discriminatory. So it is incredibly disturbing that the new Department of Justice reversed their position and withdrew their lawsuit. This action represents a dramatic shift from the Administration's policy of protecting Americans' voting rights. The American people deserve a Justice Department that values and protects the right to vote. New barriers to voting are being erected across the country, threatening the integrity of our electoral process and our democracy. For example, after the Supreme Court struck down key provisions of the Voting Rights Act, many states, like Alabama and Texas responded to the Supreme Court's decision by imposing voter ID laws similar to those of the Jim Crow era. These laws are blatantly discriminatory, undemocratic, and un-American. In Alabama, the state government passed a law requiring a photo ID to vote while simultaneously closing 34 DMW offices. Doing so had a discriminatory effect on 8 out of the 10 counties in Alabama with the highest percentage of Black registered voters. Clearly we cannot yet trust certain states to protect their citizens' right to vote. As Americans, we should all be horrified of these laws and the Department of Justice's failure to fight these regressive measures. States must not be allowed to return to an era of mass-voter discrimination, and historically, it has been the responsibility of the Justice Department to protect Americans from new Jim Crow like laws. Unfortunately, President 's Justice Department seems to be rolling back this policy. In 2015, I introduced the Voting Rights Advancement Act, legislation that would require states with a recent history of voter discrimination to seek approval from the U.S. Department of Justice before making any changes to their electoral laws. Specifically, this bill will restore Section 4(b) of the VRA which the Supreme Court invalidated in Shelby County v. Holder. Under the new Administration, it is more important than ever that we pass the Voting Rights Advancement Act, and have an independent Justice Department that is
INVESTING IN AMERICA'S INFRASTRUCTURE
Jimmy Panetta (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2017-3-15

I rise today to advocate for a national infrastructure plan. prgtoken I represent the central coast of California, and this winter we got rain. We got a lot of rain. So much so that it caused millions in damage to the area, including the closure of the famous Highway 1 in Big Sur, with major mudslides in the south and the loss of the 315-foot Pfeiffer Canyon Bridge in Big Sur. prgtoken That damage has left 450 people isolated: kids can't get to school; families are separated; and employers and employees are suffering, including the loss of $8 million in 1 month in the off-season. prgtoken But the effects of that damage extend beyond Big Sur to the surrounding towns, counties, and, actually, the entire State of California. People from all over the world come to Big Sur. They drive down from San Francisco. They drive up from Los Angeles. They patronize towns all along their way to Big Sur. prgtoken We understand why. It is the most beautiful place in the world. It is my home. And we want it to be open to all of you. prgtoken It is time that the Congress and our President help Americans by investing in our American infrastructure.
OPPOSING THE AMERICAN HEALTH CARE ACT
Daniel T. Kildee (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2017-3-15

my constituents have been calling all weekend. They do not support the health care bill, Care. prgtoken Over the weekend, we received 750 calls or emails. Ninety-three percent of those have contacted me to say that they are against Care, and here is why: prgtoken Higher costs for less care; $2,400 annually for an average American family. prgtoken Millions kicked off health care. The Congressional Budget Office says 24 million. Some might say they are way off. So maybe it is 20 million. Maybe it is 30 million. Lots of Americans lose health care as a result of this plan. prgtoken An age tax. If you are age 50 to 65, fasten your seat belts; $6,971 in increased costs for lesser health care. prgtoken And huge, huge tax breaks for millionaires. The 400 richest Americans would get an average $7 million tax break. prgtoken This is not the right direction for this country. It is not the right direction for health care. We should reject it.
EXECUTIVE CALENDAR
Jack Reed (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2017-3-15

I voted to support Lieutenant General H.R. McMaster retaining the grade of lieutenant general while serving as the National Security Advisor to the President. To be clear, this vote was to permit Lieutenant General McMaster to remain in the grade of lieutenant general while serving in this position. It is not to confirm him as the National Security Advisor. prgtoken Lieutenant General McMaster was appointed by the President to a position that does not require Senate confirmation. Indeed, he is already serving as National Security Advisor. The only remaining question is whether he will serve in the military grade of lieutenant general on Active Duty. prgtoken The position of National Security Advisor is one of the most important in our government. Not only does it require someone capable of providing timely and thoughtful counsel on national security matters, it entails coordinating advice and action across multiple executive agencies with responsibilities in the national security arena. Further, it necessitates a large measure of independence and knowledge. prgtoken This is not the first time we have considered an Active-Duty military officer for this position. Lieutenant General McMaster would be the third such officer to so serve, following Admiral John Poindexter under President Reagan and General Colin Powell under President George Herbert Walker . prgtoken Many of my colleagues are rightly concerned about this and question whether it would be more appropriate for him to retire and serve in a civilian capacity. While I strongly believe it would be better for Lieutenant General McMaster to retire and avoid all perceptions of politicizing the military, he believes that serving in uniform will help him remain apolitical in service to this Administration. He can expect Congress to hold him to his word that wearing the uniform in this position will serve to keep the military above the political fray. prgtoken Some Members have expressed concern about the proper functioning of our national security apparatus and clear chains of command with respect to military advice provided to the President under this arrangement. While Lieutenant General McMaster would be the National Security Advisor to the President, providing day-to-day advice and counsel on all national security matters, General Joseph Dunford, as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, would continue to be the ``principal military advisor'' to the President, while Secretary Mattis is the ``principal assistant to the President in all matters related to the Department of Defense.'' prgtoken As Senator Sam Nunn described the issue with respect to the nomination of then-Lieutenant General Powell, in Senator Nunn's words, ``A military officer who knows that his next promotion depends on the Secretary of Defense and the top generals and admirals in the Pentagon may simply not, over a period of time, be able to make completely objective