mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
John Boozman (Republican, AR) \u2014 2017-6-21

today I wish to recognize and congratulate the Little Rock Air Force Base, LRAFB, Community Council team on their recognition as the 2017 Association of Defense Communities Member of the Year. This prestigious honor is indicative of the community council's exceptional and unwavering commitment for the past 62 years to the Department of Defense, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Air Force Reserve, and Arkansas National Guard. These organizations, along with the LRAFB surrounding communities, form the celebrated Team Little Rock. prgtoken Since its founding in 1955, Little Rock Air Force Base has enjoyed a tremendous amount of support, respect, and appreciation from within the local community. The LRAFB Community Council, comprised of dedicated local civic leaders, has passionately championed the base's mission, while fostering partnership efforts between the military and civilian communities. Furthermore, as the Department of Defense and U.S. Air Force have faced an unprecedented 8 years of fiscal uncertainty, the community council has remained a steadfast leader and staunch advocate for the Team Little Rock mission, its airmen, and their families. prgtoken The LRAFB Community Council long ago established an enduring relationship with its Arkansas congressional delegation to ensure a sustained awareness of base needs, successes, and challenges. This outstanding example of leadership demonstrates the community council's commitment to building a dedicated and resilient community network around Little Rock's sole Air Force installation. prgtoken The level of collaboration between the community council and Team Little Rock is simply unprecedented. For example, Jacksonville and Little Rock have adopted ordinances and regulations preventing civilian encroachment that would impede aircraft operations, while many military-civilian initiatives have been formulated to offer mutual services, thus improving quality of life on both sides of the fence. Moreover, the Jacksonville fire department and emergency services team regularly participate in both exercises and real-world scenarios with their military counterparts. Finally, Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson appointed past community council president Brad Hegeman to chair the Governor's military affairs committee in order to address the assets, economic impact, benefits, and needs of military installations and military-related businesses throughout Arkansas. prgtoken Throughout my time in Congress, I have consistently witnessed the extraordinary and tireless support received by Team Little Rock on behalf of the Little Rock Air Force Base Community Council. The entire community council team is very deserving of this incredible honor, and I am thrilled to officially recognize them as the 2017 Association of Defense Communities Member of the Year. Congratulations, Team Little Rock.
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 1873, ELECTRICITY RELIABILITY AND FOREST PROTECTION ACT, AND PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 1654, WATER SUPPLY PERMITTING COORDINATION ACT
Dan Newhouse (Republican, WA) \u2014 2017-6-21

before I begin the rule on the two measures that are before us today, let me just make a couple of comments that have come to mind in light of the events over the last week. prgtoken , you may know that this is the first formal debate that we have had as a legislative body since last Wednesday morning's shooting. I think prgtoken it is appropriate that we take a minute to reflect and remember those who were injured and are still struggling to recover from their injuries as well as those who did not receive physical injuries on last Wednesday morning but who are still recovering. prgtoken Let me also say, if I could be so presumptuous, , I believe that perhaps some people in the United States look to us here in Congress--their Representatives--and look and see how we act towards one another and how we conduct ourselves in our interaction with each other. Let me just say that if we are disrespectful to each other, others may see that and think that it is okay; that if Congress can be that way to themselves, maybe we can act that way, too. They may not even realize that. It may be just a subconscious thing. prgtoken I ask how can we expect others to have a high opinion of us if we don't even show each other the respect that we should and that we deserve? prgtoken I believe that we must all remember that we are--before we are s, before we are or Independents--all Americans. We are all here trying to do what is right, what is right for our country, certainly what is right for our constituents, and we shouldn't say that someone is not here for those purposes. prgtoken I don't know your district, , and I might say that you don't know mine. So let's argue, which is what we are here for. As ugly as sometimes it can be, that is our job, to debate on the merits of ideas. But it is not our job to win a debate by degrading the ones who are making the arguments against. I think we all have this obligation to win debates or to argue debates on the merits of the issue. Last Wednesday reminded me that it is up to us, if we want changes, to make them and to begin them here in this body. prgtoken I was heartened in our meeting as a Congress in the auditorium over at the Capitol Visitor Center that there were several Members asking for a change in tone--a change in tone in how we interact with each other. It is important that we act civilly, that we be polite, and that we be respectful--kind of like how we treat each other on the journey over here from our offices in the elevators and in the hallways. prgtoken I would assert that this is also something that is the responsibility of our President, our country's leader, someone who can set the tone for our country, someone who can describe our hopes and our dreams and help us aspire to reach those things. It is also the responsibility of our media and for those advocacy groups that we all have and that we all work with. It is up to our parties. I think it is
Healthcare Legislation (Executive Session)
Orrin G. Hatch (Republican, UT) \u2014 2017-6-21

for the last several weeks, I have been hearing quite a bit about process here in the Senate, particularly as it relates to the ongoing debate over the future of Care. prgtoken My friends on the other side of the aisle have, apparently, poll- tested the strategy of decrying the supposed secrecy surrounding the healthcare bill and the lack of regular order in its development. They have come to the floor, given interviews, and even hijacked committee meetings and hearings to express their supposedly righteous indignation about how s are proceeding with the healthcare bill. prgtoken Of course, hearing Senate lecture about preserving the customs and traditions of the Senate is a bit ironic, but I will get back to that in a minute. prgtoken Last week, the Senate Finance Committee, which I chair, held a routine nominations markup to consider a slate of relatively uncontroversial nominees. On that same day, several of our colleagues and congressional staffers had been viciously attacked by an armed assailant, and a Member of the House of Representatives, of course, was in critical condition in the hospital. prgtoken I opened the meeting by respectfully asking my colleagues to allow the committee to use the markup as an opportunity to demonstrate unity in the face of a violent attack against Congress as an institution. Even then, my ic friends were, apparently, unable to pass up an opportunity to try to score partisan points and rack up video clips for social media by playing for the cameras as they lamented the committee's position in the healthcare debate. prgtoken Once again, the situation is dripping with irony. As I said, I will get to that in a minute. prgtoken If my ic colleagues are going to continue grandstanding over the healthcare debate, I have a few numbers I would like to cite for them. prgtoken Under Care, health insurance premiums in the State of Oregon have gone up by an average of 110 percent. In Michigan, they have gone up by 90 percent. In Florida, they have gone up by 84 percent. In Delaware, they have gone up by 108 percent. In Ohio, they have gone up by 86 percent. In Pennsylvania, they have gone up by 120 percent. In prgtoken Virginia, they have gone up by 77 percent. In Missouri, they have gone up by 145 percent. prgtoken I have not picked those States at random. Each of these States is currently represented by a on the Senate Finance Committee. Of course, those trends extend well beyond the committee. prgtoken In Illinois, where the Senate minority whip resides, premiums have gone up by 108 percent. prgtoken In West Virginia and Wisconsin, both of which are also represented by ic Senators, premiums have gone up by 169 percent and 93 percent, respectively. prgtoken Montana is in a similar situation with premiums rising by 133 percent under Care. prgtoken Now, just so people do not go thinking that I am picking on the Democ
Remembering Otto Warmbier (Executive Session)
Rob Portman (Republican, OH) \u2014 2017-6-21

I rise today to talk about a promising young man from Wyoming, OH--just outside of Cincinnati, my hometown--a young man whose life was drastically cut short at just 22 years of age. I rise to talk about Otto Warmbier. prgtoken Otto had all the smarts and talent you could ever ask for. He was a homecoming king and the salutatorian of the Wyoming High School class he graduated from a few years ago. He spent a summer at the London School of Economics. He was a smart kid. He won a prestigious scholarship to study at the University of Virginia. As everyone expected he would, he excelled at UVA. He got great grades. He had a thirst for learning. He loved meeting new people and hearing about their lives and their perspectives. His future was as bright as it could possibly be. prgtoken It was this smart, kindhearted young man--a college kid--who was taken prisoner by the North Korean regime for nearly 18 months. Otto's detainment and sentence were unnecessary and appalling. Neither one should have ever happened in the first place. At some point soon after being sentenced to 15 years of hard labor, from what we know, Otto suffered a severe brain injury--from what, we don't know, and we may never know. prgtoken Whom did the North Korean Government tell about this? No one. For the next 15 months or so, they kept this a secret. They denied him access to the best medical care he deserved, and they refused repeated requests for consular access that would normally be provided to those who have been detained--requests from our government, from the administration, from the administration, requests from the Red Cross, requests from the Swedish Government, which provides consular service for Americans in North Korea, requests from many of us here in the Capitol. prgtoken The regime unjustly imprisoned him and then lied about his severe medical condition. By the way, they continued to tell stories that make no sense. Doctors at the University of Cincinnati--some of the best doctors in the world and just the type of medical professionals Otto should have been able to see from the start--say that North Korea's claims as to what happened simply don't stand up to the evidence. prgtoken They called him a prisoner of war, but they also violated the Geneva Convention. For North Korea to imprison Otto Warmbier with no consular access for more than a year with his medical condition and severe brain injury--it goes well beyond that. It demonstrates a complete failure to recognize fundamental human rights. Because of these actions by the North Koreans, Otto is dead. His promise has been cut short. prgtoken If there is ever any doubt about the nature of the North Korean regime--that pariah country--then Otto's case should erase all doubt. We know this regime has no regard for the rule of law or the freedoms we enjoy here, but they also have no regard for basic human rights and dignity. They have subjected hundreds
ELECTRICITY RELIABILITY AND FOREST PROTECTION ACT
Bruce Westerman (Republican, AR) \u2014 2017-6-21

I rise today in favor of H.R. 1873, the Electricity Reliability and Forest Protection Act, and I thank Mr. LaMalfa for his leadership on this issue. prgtoken I would also like to commend the nonpartisan support for this bill, and associate my remarks with the gentleman from California (Mr. Costa) and the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Schrader). prgtoken This bill is a commonsense piece of legislation that will reduce the risk of wildfires and improve the safety and reliability of our electrical grid. prgtoken How will this bill accomplish these objectives? prgtoken It is really quite simple. When we remove overgrown vegetation near our electric grid on Federal lands, we remove the fuel component of wildfires. By reducing the risk of wildfire, we reduce the risk of an interruption of our electrical grid. prgtoken , this is so much just plain common sense that it baffles me that we are having to debate it on the floor of the House of Representatives, but I think it is an example of how misguided some of our land management agencies have become, and the need for broader reforms. prgtoken This bill would streamline the Federal review process for removal of trees and vegetation that pose a risk to our power grid and promotes consistency among Federal agencies tasked with the decisions on removal. prgtoken If we want to move toward better protection of our forests on Federal lands and the electrical grid that moves through these locations, it is obvious that we should pass H.R. 1873.
NATIONAL SCLERODERMA AWARNESS MONTH
Peter T. King (Republican, NY) \u2014 2017-6-21

I rise today in recognition of Scleroderma Awareness Month. prgtoken Scleroderma is an autoimmune disease that not only affects thousands of individuals within my own constituency and the state of New York, but also thousands of individuals living in the United States. prgtoken Due to the lack of research on the unpredictable progression of Scleroderma, many physicians find it difficult to diagnose their patients and find it even more difficult to provide adequate treatment since a cure has not been discovered. As we recognize the need for awareness of this troublesome disease, we must do more for the thousands of Americans who are diagnosed with this condition each year. prgtoken In the past, I have championed legislation aimed toward galvanizing many federal agencies to fund research for Scleroderma with former Congresswoman Lois Capps of California. As a representative, I consider myself responsible for the health and safety of my constituents. This is why I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting federal investment for research as well as recognizing June as Scleroderma Awareness Month.
HONORING THE LIFE OF RICHARD UNDERWOOD
Rodney Davis (Republican, IL) \u2014 2017-6-21

I rise today to honor Richard Underwood, a veteran, a member of our Nation's Greatest Generation, an educator, and this is his 90th birthday. prgtoken Richard was born in Korea to his Presbyterian missionary parents and was a natural native speaker of the Korean language. After the attacks on Pearl Harbor, he was repatriated from Japanese-held Korea and attended high school in Brooklyn, New York, before enlisting in the U.S. Army and joining the Office of Strategic Services. In World War II, he served behind Soviet Russian lines in Korea and the liberation and division of Korea. prgtoken After his service in World War II, he returned to the United States, only to reenlist in the Army following North Korea's invasion of South Korea. As an interpreter in the Korean war, Richard and as his brother helped interpret peace talks at the end of the war. prgtoken After this military career, Richard returned to Korea in 1957 to head the America Korea Foundation; and in 1962, he joined the Korean mission of the Presbyterian Church and was assigned to the Seoul Foreign School as its principal and, later, headmaster. prgtoken Richard currently lives in Urbana, Illinois, with his wife of 65 years, Carol. prgtoken Richard, happy birthday, and thank you for your years of selfless service and sacrifice to this Nation.
Healthcare Legislation (Executive Session)
Joni Ernst (Republican, IA) \u2014 2017-6-21

no choice and a proposed 43-percent increase in premiums--that is what Care and its harmful impact will bring to Iowa in 2018. This year, it brought premium increases up to 42 percent. Last year, it brought increases up to 29 percent. Care is not sustainable and not affordable for Iowans. prgtoken To anybody who has studied healthcare reform, this should come as no surprise. In the past, many States have tried to reform their individual market. Twenty-seven years ago, Kentucky made an attempt and implemented the Kentucky Health Care Reform Act of 1994. This bill was similar to Care in many respects. It contained more taxes, more regulations, and more mandates. Within 3 years--3 years--insurers fled the individual market and the State was hit with skyrocketing premiums. prgtoken What happened in Kentucky then is eerily similar to what is happening in Iowa today as a result of Care. When it comes to affordability and choice, my home State of Iowa has been hit particularly hard. prgtoken While traveling across the State, I hear from Iowans who are looking for affordable coverage. Far too often, I hear that high monthly premiums are squeezing pocketbooks and that soaring out-of-pocket costs, such as deductibles and copays, make coverage unaffordable to use for those who do have it. That is not what Care promised, but that is what it has brought. prgtoken One Iowan who works at a small business in Hinton wrote to me and said: Over the past seven years, prices have jumped considerably and the coverage employees are getting for the amount of money spent is substantially less! We have tried to help our employees by minimizing the changes in premiums, but these last two years we had to start passing on some of the increases in order to survive. We can no longer absorb the constant rate increases, nor can we not offer a health plan to our employees. Therefore, we find ourselves between the proverbial rock and the hard place. We certainly are not the only small business facing the same dilemma. prgtoken Employees at this small business can breathe a small sigh of relief because their employer still has the ability to offer coverage, even if they are forced to pay more and more because of Care. Other Iowans are on the edge because their options for coverage are shrinking. prgtoken In 2016, UnitedHealthcare left the individual market in Iowa. A few months ago, Wellmark and Aetna both announced they would be leaving the individual market in 2018. Medica is the only remaining statewide carrier, and while they appear to be staying for the next year, it will take a massive rate increase on Iowans for them to do so. prgtoken The Iowa insurance commissioner said: Iowa has hit a point within our market's collapse that a 43 percent rate increase will drive healthier, younger, and middle aged individuals out of t
CONGRATULATING THE SOUTH CALLAWAY BULLDOGS' BASEBALL TEAM
Blaine Luetkemeyer (Republican, MO) \u2014 2017-6-21

I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the South Callaway Bulldogs' Baseball Team for their 2017 Missouri Class 3 Baseball State Championship. This team includes Adam Albaugh, Austin Loucks, BJ Moffat, Braden Lallier, Caleb Hall, Clayton Knipfel, Cole Shoemaker, Devin Borghardt, Drake Davidson, Dustin Loucks, Dylan Lepper, Grayson Peneston, Jerod Mistler, Josh Johnson, Kaden Helsel, Landon Horstman, Nickalas Mealy, Nicolas Moffat, Peyton Leeper, Treysen Gray, Tyklen Salmons, Tyler Lepper, and their coach, Heath Lepper. They should be commended for all of their hard work throughout this past year and for bringing home the state championship to their school and community. I ask you to join me in recognizing the South Callaway Bulldogs' Baseball Team for a job well done.
DHS ACQUISITION REVIEW BOARD ACT OF 2017
Thomas A. Garrett, Jr. (Republican, VA) \u2014 2017-6-21

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , I rise today to implore my colleagues to join in supporting our bill, H.R. 1282, the DHS Acquisition Review Board Act of 2017. This legislation provides commonsense reform and saves the taxpayers' dollars. prgtoken The Government Accountability Office and the DHS Office of Inspector General have reported the longstanding challenges the Department of Homeland Security faces in managing its major acquisition programs. These programs are those costing more than $300 million, which cost the Department about $7 billion in 2016 alone. prgtoken Since the Department's creation, the GAO has placed DHS management functions, including acquisition management, on its high-risk list of programs that are highly susceptible to fraud, waste, and abuse. Mismanagement is present or in need of transformation, and the DHS still struggles to ensure that major acquisition programs stay on budget, are delivered on schedule, and provide capabilities as originally intended. prgtoken Homeland Security is a unique committee insofar as it affords the opportunity for folks on both sides of the aisle to work in a bipartisan manner for things that we can all concede are in the best interest of our Nation. prgtoken A recent GAO report found that 9 of 26 major acquisition programs experienced cost growth or schedule slips. The amount of cost overruns totaled nearly $1 billion and are scheduled to slip by an average of 6 months per program. The GAO also found that half of the major acquisition programs it reviewed deployed capabilities before meeting all key performance parameters, which are the most important requirements a system must meet in order to do the jobs that they are intended to do. prgtoken It is unacceptable for waste and dysfunction to continue, and it is imperative that the DHS take acquisition management seriously. This bill makes that the case. prgtoken We must provide strong accountability mechanisms to ensure major acquisition programs with challenges are caught up, found early, and that solutions are quickly implemented. prgtoken This bill ensures that DHS provides that accountability and consistency needed to manage major components, acquisition programs, et cetera, by authorizing the Secretary to establish an Acquisition Review Board. The Acquisition Review Board would then strengthen the accountability and uniformity in DHS' acquisition process, review major programs, and evaluate the use of best practices. prgtoken This bill essentially codifies the already existing Acquisition Review Board to ensure that that board continues and has the oversight authority prgtoken it needs under law to make sure that the dollars that we take from the taxpayers are sufficiently and adequately managed and not wasted. prgtoken The Acquisition Review Board would be chaired by the Under Secretary for Management and would require at least two component heads or their designees to be perman