mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
NO TAXPAYER FUNDING FOR ABORTION AND ABORTION INSURANCE FULL DISCLOSURE ACT OF 2019--Motion to Proceed
Maria Cantwell (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2019-1-16

I come to the floor to join my colleagues who were speaking earlier today about the many U.S. citizens who are Federal employees who are impacted by the shutdown. Coast Guard PO2 Amy-Erin Hamilton, stationed in Seattle, WA, is one of those individuals. She is the mother of three children: Sienna, age 10; Tucker, age 9; and Annabella, age 5. Amy-Erin is married to Dan Hamilton, who is also an Active-Duty member. prgtoken Amy-Erin is a shining example of the service and leadership we see in our Coast Guard today. In December, she was given a meritorious advancement, which is rare and an incredible honor. Despite this, though, she is working without pay and has had to seek outside income to support that family I just mentioned. prgtoken This is the 26th day of a Federal Government shutdown. Yesterday, 55,000 Coast Guard personnel did not receive their midmonth paychecks. The Coast Guard Commandant issued a letter to the workforce explaining what was happening, explaining that this is the first time that a branch of our military has not been paid during a government shutdown. prgtoken There are 41,000 Active-Duty members, 6,200 Reservist members, 8,500 civilians, and 50,500 Coast Guard retirees. That is the U.S. Coast Guard family. Thirty-one percent of the Coast Guard families do not have enough emergency savings to make it through the shutdown. A junior enlisted Coast Guard member with less than 2 years of service makes only $23,200 a year in base pay. That is below the poverty level. Coast Guard members are currently being deployed overseas--they could be in a combat zone--and these members are not receiving pay. prgtoken I hope our colleagues will take into consideration this issue with our Coast Guard families. They are working hard to provide great care for us throughout our country and overseas. When I think about the fact that a Coast Guard member could be deployed overseas in an area that has seen combat, an unstable region of the world, and that they are not even receiving the childcare subsidy and support to make sure their families are taken care of while they are gone taking care of us, that is just wrong. prgtoken So I come here to join my colleagues who were here earlier today on the floor giving examples of Americans throughout the United States who are working hard for us. It is time we work to get them their paycheck and continue to support them so they can support us. prgtoken I know my colleague from Connecticut is here and would like to speak as well, and I thank him for allowing me to fit in this time to talk on behalf of the Coast Guard families. prgtoken I hope the Commandant's letter can now be seen as an example of why we need to act. We need to act to give these Coast Guard families their pay and to make sure we are addressing the shutdown and reopening government.
DISAPPROVING THE PRESIDENT'S PROPOSAL TO TAKE AN ACTION RELATING TO THE APPLICATION OF CERTAIN SANCTIONS WITH RESPECT TO THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION--Resumed
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2019-1-16

I just heard Leader McConnell, my good friend, rail on and on. First, he doesn't agree with Nancy Pelosi on the wall. That is a surprise. Second, he doesn't like the fact that we want to get a vote to open up the government before we move forward on S. 1. We know that. His arguments are getting kind of old and stale. prgtoken I will say to the leader, very simply--you may disagree with us: Open the government. Open the government. You can do it, Leader McConnell. All your blaming and flailing isn't going to open the government. We all know is the obstacle here. You know it. I know it. We all know it. The only way to help all the folks who need help is to open the government. prgtoken There are a good number of s on your side who have advocated that already. To hold the government hostage, you are losing the argument. You are losing it with the public. An overwhelming majority of Americans think the government should not be shut down over a wall. Even a substantial number of people who support the wall say: Don't shut down the government to get the wall. prgtoken We have problems on the border. A lot of Americans don't think it is a crisis that demands hurting our economy and our government. prgtoken Leader McConnell, we know you disagree with Leader Pelosi and me on what should be border security. We know you think we should pass S. 1 before we open up the government. Leader, you--you--can open the government. That is what the American people want, and I dare say that is what most of your colleagues want, at least if they talk to you privately. prgtoken It seems that every day the shutdown drags on, we read another story about a new way it is hurting our economy. Eight hundred thousand public servants have been without pay, including thousands of veterans who work for the Federal Government. Each one of those Americans has a different story about how the shutdown is hurting them and their families. As nine essential Cabinet Departments remain shuttered, we are learning that the effects of the shutdown are even more widespread and continue to worsen. Yesterday, President 's own White House Council of Economic Advisers doubled their projections of how much economic growth is being lost each week during the shutdown. prgtoken Let me repeat that. The administration's own economic advisers have just said that the shutdown will substantially hurt our economy--twice as much as they originally prgtoken predicted. Growth is down. Economic and consumer confidence is down. Billions of dollars have been pulled out of our economy. Some of the leading financial leaders in the country are now saying we might even go into contraction in the first part of this year if this shutdown continues. prgtoken Do you think, Leader McConnell, that is benefiting ? Do you think, Leader McConnell, that is benefiting the Party, who the Americans know own the sh
DISAPPROVING THE PRESIDENT'S PROPOSAL TO TAKE AN ACTION RELATING TO THE APPLICATION OF CERTAIN SANCTIONS WITH RESPECT TO THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION--Resumed
Richard Blumenthal (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2019-1-16

. Thank you, . prgtoken I join my colleagues today in calling for a simple, commonsense solution to one of the most vexing, unnecessary, and avoidable crises in recent history. prgtoken The present paralysis of Agencies' essential governmental functions is intolerable and unacceptable. It is shameful and embarrassing to every Member of this body, but it should be most shameful and embarrassing to the Chief Executive of the United States, who is singularly responsible for it by insisting on a wall and agreement to it as a condition for reopening the government. prgtoken President is singlehandedly blocking progress toward providing the American people with the services and the essential public functions they need and deserve. prgtoken The impact is on the consumers of those functions. We are all consumers. We all fly and depend on the air traffic controllers and the TSA. We all eat food and depend on inspections by the FDA. We all consume drugs, and the approvals of essential pharmaceutical medicines are vital to all of us. We all need and deserve the protection provided by the U.S. Coast Guard, whose brave men and women are receiving no pay--none. prgtoken Many of those 800,000 workers going without pay are also working without pay. I have sponsored a measure that will enable them to avoid foreclosures and repossessions of their cars and other financial crises through measures similar to the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. I have sponsored and supported calls for providing them with unemployment compensation. The ones who work need the compensation and the benefits to put food on the table and make sure they stay in their homes. prgtoken These 800,000 workers are experiencing real pain. They are real people with real lives going through financial hardships. prgtoken On Monday, I met with many of them at Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks. I heard them share their personal stories about how the shutdown is causing them real harm. I also heard about their dedication to doing their job and how the air controllers and----
SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019
Bennie G. Thompson (Democrat, MS) \u2014 2019-1-16

. Mr. Chair, I thank the gentlewoman from New York for yielding me the time. prgtoken Mr. Chair, I rise in strong support of H.R. 268, a bill to help our country recover from another year of devastating natural disasters. prgtoken In 2018, Americans across the country faced extreme hardship due to hurricanes, wildfires, and other catastrophic events. From Hurricanes Michael and Florence in the Southeast to historic wildfires in the West and volcanic activity in Hawaii, no part of our Nation was spared. prgtoken Last week, the President responded to these events by callously proclaiming on Twitter that he plans to stop aid to wildfire survivors in California. This behavior is not in the spirit of our great Nation. The funding provided in this bill would show the American people that we stand with them, even if the President does not. prgtoken Importantly, in response to Hurricane Maria, it provides $600 million to Puerto Rico for debris removal and restoration of its electric grid. prgtoken Additionally, the bill provides much-needed funding to communities across the Nation for Head Start, farmers who suffered crop losses, and Americans with housing needs. prgtoken I have firsthand knowledge of the challenges after a devastating hurricane. It took years and sustained commitment from the Federal Government to help my community recover from Hurricane Katrina. H.R. 268 will help put our fellow Americans in Puerto Rico on a critical path to recovery. prgtoken Additionally, I support the McGovern amendment to prevent the President from raiding the Army Corps of Engineers' funds to build his border wall.
DISAPPROVING THE PRESIDENT'S PROPOSAL TO TAKE AN ACTION RELATING TO THE APPLICATION OF CERTAIN SANCTIONS WITH RESPECT TO THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION--Resumed
Benjamin L. Cardin (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2019-1-16

I thank Senator Murray, Senator , and my colleagues who are on the floor. prgtoken I point out that we are now on day 26 of this outrageous and dangerous partial shutdown that was totally avoidable. It has been caused by one person--President --and is now being assisted by the leadership in this body by its not allowing the U.S. Senate, which is a coequal branch of government, to take up legislation that would reopen government--legislation that has previously passed this body and would, clearly, pass on a vote if the majority leader would allow us to have that vote. We could then reopen the government. prgtoken The unanimous consent request that I offered yesterday with my colleague prgtoken from Maryland, Senator Van Hollen, would allow the appropriations bills that have nothing to do with this current dispute with the President to be fully functional, and it would allow for a continuing resolution for the Department of Homeland Security. We could then work, as we should work, to deal with border security and immigration issues. Yet the majority leader objected to the Senate's taking up that legislation, and the shutdown continues. prgtoken There are 800,000-plus citizens who work for the Federal Government who are being denied the ability to either get paychecks for the work that they do or are being furloughed without pay. In each one of those cases, there is a hardship that is having an impact that goes well beyond just the 800,000. prgtoken There are businesses in Baltimore that are wondering whether they can keep their doors open because they depend on Federal workers to come in and use their services. Whether it is a laundry, a cleaner, a restaurant, or a supply store, they know their sales depend on people having checks to pay their bills. The Federal workforce does not. So it is affecting secondary employment. There have also been a lot of layoffs by those who depend on the contract services of the Federal Government. prgtoken There are many individual stories, and Senator Van Hollen and I have traveled throughout our State and have met with government workers. We have heard the account of one person who was supposed to close on a new home, his first home. He is not going to be able to do that because he doesn't have a paycheck that shows the wages necessary in order to support the mortgage because his most recent paycheck is zero. prgtoken We have heard from a person in my office who is an air traffic controller. Her husband is also an air traffic controller. They are responsible for relatives who are dependent on them. One needs a medical procedure, but they are not going to be able to move forward with that medical procedure because they don't have the out-of-pocket costs that are going to be necessary to pay for that. The list goes on and on and on of hardship--of people wondering whether their credit scores are going to be affected, which could affect their
SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019
David E. Price (Democrat, NC) \u2014 2019-1-16

. Madam Chair, I rise in support of this legislation, to provide $12 billion in critical disaster relief for North Carolina and other States recovering from devastating natural disasters. prgtoken Last year, Hurricane Florence made landfall in the Carolinas with a powerful storm surge, intense rainfall, and massive flooding. It displaced thousands of individuals, many of whom still have not returned to their damaged homes. Dozens of communities in eastern North Carolina, some also hit by Hurricane Matthew in 2016, were entirely inundated for the second time in as many years. prgtoken Meanwhile, other States like Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and California have been hit by terrible hurricanes and wildfires. Puerto Rico and other territories continue to slowly recover from powerful storms and typhoons. prgtoken This legislation will ensure that the Federal Government remains an active partner in the recovery effort. It provides more than $1 billion in flexible funding for the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery program, including resources for mitigation and resiliency projects. prgtoken The bill would clear out a $1.5 billion backlog of emergency highway and bridge repair projects, and it provides additional supplemental funds for Army Corps construction projects along our coasts and rivers, crop and livestock assistance for farmers, repairs at damaged military installations, and other critical recovery activities. prgtoken It reflects bipartisan priorities and ensures that American citizens, regardless of where they live, get the assistance they need to recover. prgtoken Unfortunately, disaster assistance, including funds that have already been appropriated, will not be distributed to communities if this government shutdown continues. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues to support this disaster supplemental, which appropriately includes a provision to temporarily reopen government. prgtoken The shutdown has real consequences, . The people of North Carolina and other States who have suffered from natural disasters cannot wait any longer. It is time for Congress, and s alike, to come together to end this shutdown.
GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN
Lois Frankel (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2019-1-16

. Madam , I stand with millions of Americans who say it is time to end this irresponsible and cruel shutdown. prgtoken In Florida, where our borders are surrounded by water, we rely on men and women like Coast Guard Petty Officer Seth to keep us safe. Now, like 800,000 other government workers, our Coast Guard is not getting paid, and that leaves Officer Seth and his wife, Beth, and their two sons at home worried about money for food, for diapers, for paying their mortgage, for getting their gas. prgtoken Now, lawmakers, we can debate about what is needed for a secure border, but innocent people who show up to work every day to serve the public should not be held hostage by the political whim of a President.
SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019
Marcy Kaptur (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2019-1-16

. Madam Chair, I thank Congresswoman Velazquez for her daunting and unparalleled leadership in trying to help the people of Puerto Rico. prgtoken And I thank our very distinguished ranking member for his interest in helping to solve the real challenge of Cano Martin Pena. prgtoken I have to say to the people of Puerto Rico and our fellow citizens, those who reside in Puerto Rico and those who reside stateside here: We are very aware, from Congresswoman Velazquez's work, how devastated Puerto Rico is. She has spent so much of her substance in trying to educate the membership here. We are very fortunate for her abiding leadership. prgtoken We all need to stand up for the residents of Puerto Rico. I appreciate her work, and all of our colleagues' efforts, to do just that. prgtoken I am committed to working with her to address any issues with this amendment as we move forward. Its intent is absolutely on point. I think that, working together on a bipartisan basis, we can find a way to help heal our fellow citizens in Puerto Rico and bring a better way of life there in the future.
RECOGNIZING THE SERVICE OF NORVAL REECE
Brian K. Fitzpatrick (Republican, PA) \u2014 2019-1-16

on Monday we recognize Martin Luther King Day and we celebrate his legacy of civil rights and his promotion of opportunity for all. prgtoken Today, I am proud to recognize an individual from Bucks County, Pennsylvania, who has spent his life and career dedicated to the advancement of equality. prgtoken Norval Reece of Yardley remembers witnessing Dr. King's ``I Have a Dream'' speech and marching with him on the third march from Selma to Montgomery. He worked closely with Dr. King to enact change and in 1967 spent several hours with Dr. King in Philadelphia. prgtoken Norval credits his devotion to civil rights activism to his Quaker faith. He served in India with the American Friends Service Committee, and later continued to work on their behalf upon his return home. He later became a successful businessman, building his own media company that helped bring cable television to then-Communist Poland. prgtoken , Norval's life and dedication to the service of others is truly inspiring, and we thank him, his wife, and their sons, Tim and Stockton, for their service to their community and our country. Recognizing the Food Center at the Morrisville Presbyterian Church
HELPING VETERAN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS MEN AND WOMEN
Steve Watkins (Republican, KS) \u2014 2019-1-16

. Madam , today, the House came together to pass H.R. 190, led by my friend and colleague from Kansas' Big First, Dr. Roger Marshall. This act helps service-disabled, veteran-owned small business men and women. prgtoken The path of the American veteran is tough. So is the path of the small business man. Where those paths intersect are the people, innovation, and drive that make America the greatest country in the world. prgtoken This legislation not only helps veterans but helps us all through economic growth and through job creation. prgtoken When an American veteran finds his or her new mission, identity, and team in a small business, we got your 6.
NO TAXPAYER FUNDING FOR ABORTION AND ABORTION INSURANCE FULL DISCLOSURE ACT OF 2019--Motion to Proceed
Susan M. Collins (Republican, ME) \u2014 2019-1-16

government shutdowns are never the answer. No matter how difficult the problem, we should never resort to shutting down government. It harms too many innocent Federal employees--in this case, 800,000 Federal employees and their families-- and it hampers the ability of American citizens to deal with their government. prgtoken At the same time, we do have a problem at our southern border. We do need to strengthen our border security and fix our broken immigration system. We need to address the issue of the Dreamers population, those young children brought to this country through no decision of their own who are now, often, young adults and who are going to school or working or otherwise serving in the military or contributing to our country. prgtoken The outlines of a compromise are evident, but in order to get there, I believe we need to assure the President that we will seriously consider his supplemental request for border security, a request that includes not just funding for additional physical barriers to supplement the more than 600 miles of physical barriers--walls, fences--that were built during two previous administrations but also includes $800 million to meet the humanitarian needs of those who are crossing the border. It also includes additional funding for Border Patrol agents and for Immigration and Customs and Border Enforcement. prgtoken This simply cannot continue. We need to come together in good faith, reopen government for a limited period of time at least, and negotiate a package that will strengthen security on our borders, and that is what I would urge the President, his administration, and my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to do. prgtoken In the meantime, we also need to get back to the work of the Senate. That, too, is important, and today I rise to introduce a bill that would help Americans who are struggling with high healthcare expenses. The tax deduction for certain unreimbursed, out-of-pocket medical expenses affects many taxpayers significantly. prgtoken Regrettably, the threshold to claim this important tax deduction rose from 7.5 percent to 10 percent of income at the end of 2018, ending its value for many American taxpayers who simply will no longer qualify. prgtoken Today, I reintroduce legislation, which I have sponsored with my colleague Senator Cantwell, that would reinstate and make permanent the lower income threshold for the medical expense deduction. Our bill, the Medical Expense Savings Act, would once again allow taxpayers to deduct unreimbursed healthcare costs that exceed 7.5 percent of their income. prgtoken For those who suffer from preexisting medical conditions, have chronic illnesses, experience unexpected sickness or injuries, or require long term care, out-of-pocket healthcare expenses can quickly become an unbearable burden. Too many Americans are forced to choose between medical services and other equally necessary expenditures or they fi