mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
COMMUNITY HEALTH AND MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS IMPROVE OUR NATION ACT OF 2017
Peter Welch (Democrat, VT) \u2014 2017-11-3

speaking to my chairman, Chairman Walden, I accept your commitment and your leadership on insuring children, but I am speaking to you because I reject the argument that, in order to fund a health insurance program that all of us support, we have to compromise health programs that benefit many other people, including in Vermont. Let me just give an example. prgtoken The prevention program in Vermont is really helping people stay well. We had $922,000 that was spent on immunization programs for our kids. We had $377,000 for lead poisoning prevention. Lead poisoning is brutal. We had $372,000 for heart disease prevention and control, and we had over $209,000 for diabetes and prevention control. prgtoken So I acknowledge your commitment. I acknowledge the urgency with which your side and our side supports CHIP. But why is it that, if we support it, we don't pay for it? And instead of paying for it directly, coming up with ways to eliminate waste in the healthcare system, we take away our ability to immunize, to prevent lead poisoning, to reduce heart disease? That is my question. The answer for me would be that we go where the waste is.
COMMUNITY HEALTH AND MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS IMPROVE OUR NATION ACT OF 2017
Nydia M. Velázquez (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2017-11-3

I want to thank the ranking member for yielding. prgtoken , as Puerto Rico struggles to recover from the historic damage of Hurricane Maria, this legislation shortchanges the island's long-struggling healthcare system at exactly the time that Puerto Rico most needs our help. prgtoken This legislation provides a measly sum of Puerto Rico's Medicaid system. Even before Hurricane Maria made landfall, Ryan had committed to help resolve Puerto Rico's looming Medicaid crisis, yet this bill provides just $1 billion. We have no assurance or guarantee that the next emergency supplemental will provide appropriate funds to address this problem. prgtoken The fact is that our fellow citizens have been shortchanged by the disparity in Medicaid funding. This forced the government of Puerto Rico to borrow money to provide healthcare. So if you wonder where Puerto Rico's financial crisis stems from, you can look right here at the U.S. Congress. Yet the amount included in this bill is far from sufficient to address even this year's shortfall. For the Puerto Rican people who have already suffered so much, this funding level amounts to an insult. prgtoken If ever there were a time to channel aid to the island's healthcare system and fix the systemic problems that we sought in the system underfunding, this is it.
REMEMBERING THE LIFE OF REX E. GOLDEN
Tim Ryan (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2017-11-3

I rise today to honor the life of Rex Earl Golden, age 95 of Machesney Park, Illinois who passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Tuesday, October 31, 2017. prgtoken Rex was on born on September 3, 1922 in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas to Luther M. & Mettie Golden (Hislip). A Veteran of the U.S. Army Air Corps, he served his country with distinction in Europe during World War II on D-Day. He was a proud 50-year member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local Union 364, and a former member of the Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, Rockford Lodge No. 102. prgtoken Rex was a beloved father, grandfather, and brother who will be dearly missed by his friends and family. He is survived by his sons, Darrin (Tracy) Golden and Alan (Nikki) Golden; grandchildren, Kiley, Brayden, Brant, Kassidy, and Jack; brother, James ``Bud'' Golden; sister, Jeanette (Bob) Pace and Pat (Frank) Todd; and brother-in-law, Thomas Neton Sr. He is predeceased by his wife, Jean C. Golden (Edwards); siblings, Edward (Edna) Golden, Georgia Gatewood and Ruby Neton. prgtoken His son Darrin and I are good friends, and it is with deep respect that I extend my most sincere and heartfelt condolences to all the family and friends of Rex Golden.
COMMUNITY HEALTH AND MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS IMPROVE OUR NATION ACT OF 2017
James E. Clyburn (Democrat, SC) \u2014 2017-11-3

the s have reserved a point of order against this motion. prgtoken Let me be clear about what this means. The leadership does not want a vote on providing proper CHIP funds to our United States territories, including Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. prgtoken There may be a point of order against this provision, but it is the same point of order that applies to the s' bill. prgtoken Do you know what that means? prgtoken They waive the point of order for their bill, but they will not waive the point of order for this bill. prgtoken I won't take up too much time, . I just want the body to know that the leadership is, once again, rigging the game in favor of the majority. prgtoken This isn't about hurting me and the ic Members of this body, no. This hurts the people who are already struggling in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. prgtoken To my friends on the other side of the aisle, you may hide behind procedural tactics, but the fact remains that doing so denies our United States citizens living in the territories the proper funding that the Governor has requested to recover prgtoken , this is the final amendment to the bill which will not kill the bill nor send it back to committee. If adopted, the bill will immediately proceed to final passage as amended. prgtoken It has been 34 days, , since s allowed the Children's Health Insurance Program and Community Health Centers to expire. These proven programs insure 9 million children and serve 27 million people. prgtoken The bill before us is the latest in a long line of cynical attempts by President and Leaders to sabotage and undermine the Affordable Care Act. We ought not be funding efforts to treat infectious diseases like the flu and measles by taking away the funds needed to prevent those illnesses from occurring in the first place. prgtoken , this bill turns on its head that adage, ``an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.'' Instead of joining President 's campaign to sabotage the ACA, the Members of this body, s and , should join to reauthorize CHIP and CHCs for 5 years, fully paid for without robbing Peter to pay Paul. prgtoken , .
COMMUNITY HEALTH AND MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS IMPROVE OUR NATION ACT OF 2017
Betty McCollum (Democrat, MN) \u2014 2017-11-3

I rise in opposition to the Community Health and Medical Professionals Improve Our Nation (CHAMPION) Act of 2017 (H.R. 3922). prgtoken While I support reauthorizing funding for the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), the Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), and various other important public health programs, I oppose this bill because it cuts funding for public health, puts families at risk of losing their health insurance, and weakens Medicare. prgtoken The health of children and expecting and new mothers is something that we can all agree on. In my home state of Minnesota, CHIP funding is essential for providing healthcare to 125,000 low income children and 1,700 expecting and new mothers. Minnesota also depends on FQHC funding with over 190,000 people receiving care from one of the more than 70 community health centers in my state last year. prgtoken Unfortunately, House s have turned these bipartisan issues into an opportunity to divide us. The offsets included in this legislation are unacceptable to me and to Minnesota families. prgtoken Once again, s are using this legislation as yet another opportunity to weaken the Affordable Care Act (ACA) by cutting $6.35 billion from the Prevention and Public Health Fund over the next ten years. This fund, created by the ACA, directly funds our nation's prevention, preparedness, and response capabilities. prgtoken If these cuts become law, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would be forced to provide less funding to cities, states, and tribes to rapidly address public health crises. This money includes funding for vaccines, flu prevention, and addressing the opioid epidemic. When my home state of Minnesota had to recently deal with a serious outbreak of measles, our community health officials utilized these federal resources to rapidly contain the spread of disease. Simply put, this irresponsible offset leaves American communities more vulnerable to, and unprepared for, outbreaks of disease. prgtoken In addition, this bill takes aim at yet another ACA provision by shortening the 90-day grace period for individuals to pay premiums before their insurer can terminate their coverage. The current grace period allows low and moderate income families experiencing temporary financial difficulties to remain covered by their health insurance. Shortening this grace period from 90 days to 30 days would cause nearly 700,000 Americans to lose their health care and bars them from purchasing health insurance until the next season. prgtoken I am also concerned by the provision that introduces means testing to Medicare. A key strength of Medicare is its universal nature. All Americans pay into Medicare and all Americans should receive at least some benefit from it. This provision breaks that guarantee and sets a dangerous precedent for the future. I am also concerned that it could weaken the Medicare risk pool and increase c
PROTECT WIND ENERGY INVESTMENT
Earl Blumenauer (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2017-11-3

as time goes on, people are going to have a chance to look at the details of the tax plan. It is clear that the benefits are concentrated to those who need help the least, ignoring those who need help the most, and producing an unaffordable deficit in the future. prgtoken But one of the most disturbing elements of this is that the plan would gut the agreement that we negotiated in good faith with the wind energy industry to be able to wean them off tax subsidies. It was phased down in exchange for that certainty. The industry has up to $50 billion that is at risk by having the Federal Government pull the rug out from underneath them. prgtoken We were well on the path towards sustainability with a clean American bill--low carbon energy. It puts at risk 50,000 jobs as a result of the reversal in course, and it raises questions for American business whether or not they can trust the American Congress to keep a deal. prgtoken This is an element that must be changed. We must respect the agreement that we made and protect the massive investment in manufacturing and employment.
COMMUNITY HEALTH AND MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS IMPROVE OUR NATION ACT OF 2017
Jim Costa (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2017-11-3

I rise today to speak on behalf of the people of the San Joaquin Valley in favor of H.R. 3922. prgtoken The people of the valley whom I represent in California did not send me here to put the lives of children at risk. I have made a commitment to improve access to healthcare for families that I have the honor to represent here in the House. I will continue to meet that commitment. The question is: Will Congress do the same and extend the Children's Health Insurance Program? prgtoken My congressional district has perhaps the largest percentage of children who qualify for the Children's Health Insurance Program in the entire country. The coverage is vital to families throughout my district, but it is particularly important to communities like Gustine, Planada, Chowchilla, and Biola, where these healthcare clinics provide such important, valuable healthcare to these children and their families. prgtoken Approximately 71 percent of the children in my district receive their medical coverage through the combination of the Children's Health Insurance Program and Medicaid. We cannot let this end. prgtoken This bill is not perfect, to be sure, but these children cannot be put at risk with further delays in funding for the important programs that this bill extends. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.
COMMUNITY HEALTH AND MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS IMPROVE OUR NATION ACT OF 2017
Lloyd Doggett (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2017-11-3

the Children's Health Insurance Program began as a truly bipartisan initiative, but now it is being overwhelmed by indifference. So low is it on their priority list that they let the law expire. Three States have already required emergency funding, and 400,000 Texas children are at risk if this program is not continued. prgtoken In the face of this crisis, their response is: We won't put another new dollar into this program unless we take it from Medicare beneficiaries. prgtoken Why should we begin calling on those who rely on Medicare to pay for non-Medicare purposes? prgtoken It is wrong. prgtoken The second way they propose to fund this bill is by reducing funding for public health and prevention, whether it is for Zika and West Nile virus, where I live down in Texas, or it is for the opioid crisis, which is affecting our State like every other one. prgtoken Sure, we are glad to hear President do a tweet and give a speech. But he did not add any new dollars to fight this opioid crisis. We need bold action, and it is not by reducing the Prevention and Public Health Fund. It is by supporting our children.
HONORING THE LIFE OF LOUIS PAPIA
Ted Lieu (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2017-11-3

I rise to celebrate the life of Louis Papia, 92, of Agoura Hills, California, a constituent of mine who was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery on Monday, October 30, 2017. Mr. Papia was a decorated World War II veteran who fought in the D-Day invasion with the 1st Batallion, 314th Regiment, 79th Infantry Division. He was a recipient of the Bronze Star and eight other citations, including the Good Conduct Medal, the Presidential Unit Emblem, the American Campaign Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, the Army of Occupation Medal with German Clasp, the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Honorable Service Lapel Button for WWII. Mr. Papia was also a recipient of the French Jubilee Medal, for his service at Utah Beach during the Invasion. Mr. Papia received his Bronze Star when helping an Army medic save the life of a fellow soldier while under heavy fire. prgtoken Mr. Papia landed at Utah Beach with the 79th, and took part in the Battle of Cherbourg. His initial mission was to battle his way southwest, across the Cherbourg Peninsula. One of the critical missions was to capture the port city so the Army Corp of Engineers could quickly erect a working port big enough to accommodate large U.S. supply ships. The 79th fought in Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace and in Central Europe, including Germany. Mr. Papia was under the command of Colonel Olin E. Teague, who later became the 16- term Congressman from Texas's 6th Congressional District. After serving his country abroad in Germany, and as the war in Europe was drawing to a close, Mr. Papia was shipped back to the U.S. where he began to prepare to do his part in Operation Downfall, the planned U.S. invasion of Japan. prgtoken Louis Papia is survived by his wife of 65 years, Kay Papia, of Agoura Hills, California, and four sons: Louie, Russell, Mark, and Todd. Mark and Melissa Papia reside in Calabasas, California, with two of Papia's five grandchildren. prgtoken Mr. Papia will be remembered for his selfless service to our country, and we are forever grateful to him.
COMMUNITY HEALTH AND MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS IMPROVE OUR NATION ACT OF 2017
Frank Pallone, Jr. (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2017-11-3

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , I rise today to speak in opposition to H.R. 3922, a partisan bill to reauthorize the Children's Health Insurance Program, or CHIP, as well as community health centers and other public health programs. prgtoken It pains me to be here today, because this should not be a partisan bill. I have tried for months to negotiate with s to develop a bipartisan compromise, but House s chose to spend the first 9 months of this year trying to repeal the Affordable Care Act. They failed, but now House s are using the reauthorization of CHIP and community health centers as a way to once again sabotage the ACA. prgtoken Make no mistake, : if s can't repeal the ACA outright, they will cripple it any time they can. prgtoken This time, s are risking the healthcare of nearly 9 million children and the care of families all around the country that use community health centers. They are risking that care because this partisan bill has no chance of ever becoming law. prgtoken By taking this route, s are guaranteeing that CHIP and community health centers will not be reauthorized until the end of the year, and that is extremely unfortunate. prgtoken , I strongly support CHIP, our community health centers, and all of our public health programs that are extended in this bill. These programs have traditionally been bipartisan, but the bill before us extends these programs by taking billions of dollars away from the Affordable Care Act and undermining Medicare. prgtoken In short, this bill offers a false choice. On one hand, it strips healthcare away from upwards of 680,000 Americans and guts the Prevention Fund, which pays for immunization and vaccines, lead poisoning prevention, opioid treatment, and many other important programs; on other hand, it reauthorizes these important programs. strongly support reauthorization of these programs, but we reject the way s are paying for them. prgtoken , there are so many other policies that save money, countless alternatives that have offered to s for months. Yesterday I offered an alternative that would have provided a robust reauthorization and extension of these important programs, and it was paid for in a commonsense way. prgtoken My alternative would have changed the timing of payments to Medicare Advantage Plans. This approach was recommended by both the GAO and the Office of the Inspector General, but s rejected it in the Rules Committee. They wouldn't even allow it to come before the full House for a vote. And why is because they would rather use reauthorization of CHIP and community health centers as another way to sabotage the Affordable Care Act. prgtoken I simply reject that approach and strongly urge a ``no'' vote. prgtoken , .
AMERICANS DESERVE REAL TAX REFORM
Paul Tonko (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2017-11-3

. Madam , again and again, President has promised tax reform that would help the middle class; and again and again, the President has broken those promises. prgtoken Instead of helping America's middle class and the working poor, his proposals offer big breaks for millionaires and corporations, and painful cuts for nearly everyone else. prgtoken The House plan rolled out yesterday, rolls over the middle class and those looking to ascend the middle class. It cuts the estate tax, a tax that only affects a few thousand of the wealthiest American families, all while raising taxes on the lowest income bracket from 10 to 12 percent. prgtoken This plan slashes commonsense deductions for middle class families, including those for medical bills, student loan interest, and even mortgage interest. My colleagues claim their plan would save people money, prgtoken but they say nothing about the $1.5 trillion their plan would add to the deficit over the next 10 years. That is about $12,000 of debt for each American household. prgtoken The American people deserve real tax reform, not just more tax cuts for the wealthy and powerful and those connected.
COMMUNITY HEALTH AND MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS IMPROVE OUR NATION ACT OF 2017
Diana DeGette (Democrat, CO) \u2014 2017-11-3

as one of the authors of the original bill 20 years ago, I rise to express deep disappointment that the House has not been able to reach a bipartisan agreement on how to fund the extension of CHIP. prgtoken The September 30 deadline has long passed, and now 9 million children and families are waiting anxiously for us to figure this out. My home State of Colorado is likely to run out of CHIP funding in January, with termination notices going out to worried families in the next few weeks. prgtoken Yet here we are with a partisan bill that asks us to pay for low- income children's insurance on the backs of seniors and the most vulnerable. prgtoken The bill also cuts the Affordable Care Act, which could result in 668,000 people enrolled in ACA plans losing their health insurance. Nobody should have to lose coverage in order for others to keep it. This is a false choice, and it is out of step with what the American people have been calling on us to do. Only the 115th Congress could find a way to make the CHIP bill partisan. prgtoken Irrespective of what happens today in this vote, I urge my colleagues to get together across the aisle, across the Capitol, find a way to reauthorize this important bill in a way that doesn't cut benefits for other people. Let's prgtoken truly give kids these benefits that they need, and let's move on with our business.
REPUBLICAN VISION FOR TAX REFORM NOT PRETTY
Anna G. Eshoo (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2017-11-3

yesterday, s unveiled their vision for tax reform, and it is not pretty. prgtoken The proposal raises taxes on the middle class and showers the wealthiest 1 percent of our country with 80 percent of the benefits, at a total cost of $1.5 trillion charged to our Nation's credit card. prgtoken The plan should be called ``Hurt the Middle Class Act.'' prgtoken It eliminates personal deductions for medical expenses; it eliminates the deductibility of interest paid on student loans; it eliminates the deductibility of State and local income taxes, again, raising taxes on the middle class; and to add insult to injury, the proposal eliminates the deduction for personal property losses from one natural disaster fire. prgtoken Now, in California, we just experienced the worst fires in California's history. Over 14,000 people lost their homes, at a cost of at least $3 billion. The heck with them. prgtoken When policies weaken the middle class, the backbone of our country, they weaken our entire country. The President said tax reform will be the best Christmas present of all, but, for the middle class, this bill will be one lump of coal.