mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET, FISCAL YEAR 2018--Continued
Patty Murray (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2017-10-17

I wish to thank Chairman Alexander for his tremendous work on this. I am very grateful for his leadership in supporting a bipartisan discussion under regular order in the HELP Committee and his determination to see it to this point and beyond. prgtoken I remember very clearly back in July when it was clear that the so- called skinny repeal didn't have the votes to pass. We talked right then and there about getting to work on ways to stabilize the healthcare market and protect patients and families from premium spikes as a result of the uncertainty this administration caused. We were able to engage nearly half the Senate in our hearings and conversations on the HELP Committee, and we found that there was a lot more that we agreed on than we disagreed on when it came to strengthening healthcare and controlling costs in the near term. prgtoken Since then, actions by this administration have made our work more urgent. So I am very glad and s agreed to work together to address this, and I am extremely pleased that, with the input of Members on both sides of the aisle, as well as Governors and patients and advocates, we were able to reach an agreement that I hope will set the healthcare discussion in Congress on a very different path than the one we have all seen for the last 7 years. prgtoken This agreement provides certainty on the reduction of out-of-pocket payments for the next 2 years. It will address attempts by this administration to keep people from getting enrolled in the care they need. It takes a number of very strong, bipartisan steps to offer States more flexibility to innovate in the way the Affordable Care Act intended, without undermining the essential health benefits, such as maternity care and mental health coverage, or burdening people who have preexisting conditions. prgtoken This is an agreement I am proud to support, not only because of the important steps to strengthen our healthcare system but because of the message it sends about the best way to get things done in this Congress. The way to deliver results, as Chairman Alexander says, for patients and families is to work under regular order, to find common ground rather than retreating to partisan corners, and to hear from our experts and our families and our Members on both sides of the aisle rather than reciting talking points to each other. We know that is true because prgtoken just a month ago, the idea of an agreement between s and on healthcare seemed impossible at best, if not improbable. Thanks to the strong, bipartisan work of Chairman Alexander and many of our Members, we have been able to bridge the divide. prgtoken I strongly believe that patients and families in every State across our country will be stronger if we can get this agreement signed into law. I urge my colleagues to not only support it but to continue working together because there is no question we have work to do
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET, FISCAL YEAR 2018--Continued
Maria Cantwell (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2017-10-17

I come to the floor to speak against the budget resolution's containment of language that might direct our colleagues in the future to open up drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. from Massachusetts for his leadership on this issue and for being on the Senate floor tonight to talk about how important it is that we continue to maintain this Wildlife Refuge as it exists. prgtoken Our public lands have been under assault from this administration. It comes in all forms. It certainly comes in the form of trying to use the Antiquities Act in reverse and, basically, to say: You can open up public lands for drilling. prgtoken This really caused a controversy in Utah with the Bears Ears National Monument. There are Tribes, sportsmen, fishermen, and hunters who value the public lands in this national monument and who don't want to see it turned over to companies or individuals who want to mine or drill for oil and gas to the detriment of the monument resources. Now the budget resolution will allow for a ``for sale'' sign on prgtoken some of our public lands to give a tax break to millionaires. prgtoken It is not that this is the only issue. As I said, there is the notion that the administration is taking our public lands and trying to turn them over to be developed, the notion that they are giving land to coal companies so they can harvest coal off of Federal lands and then not charging them a royalty rate which is compensatory and fair to the American public. We tried to fix that. Obviously, this Secretary of the Interior is trying to roll that back and give coal companies a sweetheart deal. prgtoken Now we have an EPA Administrator who, basically, has had a mining company CEO walk into his office and say: By the way, we want to develop a mine at the headwaters of Bristol Bay in Alaska, home of the largest salmon run and probably responsible for 50 percent of sockeye salmon around the world. Immediately after the mining executive left the EPA Administrator's office, the EPA Administrator sent out a letter saying: Let's toss aside Clean Water Act safeguards to protect Bristol Bay, move forward on this idea of allowing the mine application to proceed. prgtoken So much for due process, so much for preserving what has taken the American public more than a hundred years to put together so that the public can recreate on public lands--so, yes, hunting, fishing, Native American, and recreational communities are all upset. prgtoken What is the latest play? Let's stick in the budget resolution language providing for the opening of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas development--something that has been so precious to the United States of America--basically a Serengeti for wildlife, an intact arctic ecosystem that doesn't exist in other places in the United States. Yet people are trying what I call a sneak attack, just like they did 12 years ago, just as people tried
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET, FISCAL YEAR 2018--Continued
Edward J. Markey (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2017-10-17

I rise to speak about the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and the obscenity that will be the attempt by the s to insert into the budget bill an ability for the big oil companies of our country to be able to drill for oil in this sacred, pristine Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. prgtoken I first wish to thank Senator Cantwell from the State of Washington, our great ic leader on the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, for her leadership not just on this issue but on so many other issues in the energy and environment area that we are having to confront during this era of . prgtoken Let me just tell my colleagues that the budget is ultimately all about massive handouts to the 1-percent richest people in our country and to huge corporations, while doing almost nothing for working and middle-class Americans in our country. In this bill, the s will slash Medicaid and Medicare while at the same time blowing a $1.5 trillion hole in the deficit to finance tax cuts for the superrich. But if that weren't bad enough, tucked inside of the budget is a poison pill, one more massive corporate handout--a giveaway of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska to Big Oil. prgtoken Senate s have included instructions for the fiscal year 2018 budget resolution that would open the door for drilling in one of America's greatest natural resources. This GOP budget sets the stage for s to ram drilling in the crown jewel of America's National Wildlife Refuge System through the Senate's using only a 50- vote threshold. This is nothing more than a Big Oil polar payout. This cold-hearted budgetary scam only underscores the backward priorities of President and congressional s. prgtoken As our fellow citizens in Puerto Rico look desperately for relief from the devastation of Hurricane Maria, there has been no refuge in the administration. When tens of millions of Americans wanted to be sure that their healthcare would be protected, there was no refuge in the Party. But the instant billionaires and oil companies look for a tax cut, a refuge suddenly appears. That is when the s can find a refuge. Unfortunately, it is the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. prgtoken But the plan to offset $1.5 trillion in tax cuts for the superwealthy will only result in $1 billion being able to be raised from allowing the oil companies to drill in this pristine refuge. That plan neither makes any sense nor will it actually bring in any cents sufficient to pay for this prgtoken huge tax break and the deficit they are creating. prgtoken Maybe my colleagues on the other side of the aisle think there is a different exchange rate above the Arctic Circle, but down here those numbers don't even come close to adding up. This is exactly the kind of polarizing politics we need to get away from--giveaways to B
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
Richard Blumenthal (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2017-10-17

today I wish to recognize the Greater Danbury NAACP as they celebrate 60 years of outstanding advocacy and support for equal rights and an end to race-based discrimination in Connecticut and the Nation. prgtoken Founded in 1957, the Danbury NAACP serves as a branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, NAACP. By focusing on the Danbury, CT, area, this branch helps connect people in the region with the national NAACP mission. As part of the oldest civil rights organization in America, the Greater Danbury NAACP has had a valuable role in the progress we have made toward a society free from discrimination and respectful of individual civil rights. This year's theme, ``Steadfast & Immovable,'' exemplifies the branch's continuous dedication to leading the fight to ensure every person in our great Nation will truly enjoy equal rights under the law. prgtoken The organization continues its rich history of collaboration with other civil rights groups. Recently, alongside other organizations and individuals, the Greater Danbury NAACP participated in an International Workers' Day event to emphasize the need for better treatment of immigrants. The branch's president, Glenda Armstrong, spoke at the event, emphasizing how, even with its founding centered on the inequality facing African Americans, the NAACP's goal of racial equality encompasses everyone in America. prgtoken One of the national organization's key objectives, mirrored in the work of the Greater Danbury branch, is to use democratic processes to put an end to racial discrimination. In March, the Danbury NAACP expressed its support--along with its parent association--for the NO HATE Act. I introduced this act with Congressman Beyer to counter the rising number of hate crimes in America. The NO HATE Act will encourage more thorough reports on hate crimes by law enforcement, grant victims of these crimes the right to sue in civil court, and establish hotlines run by the State to make sure hate crimes were reported. These key measures align with the NAACP's vision of equality. prgtoken Since its formation, the Greater Danbury NAACP continuously strives to eliminate racial discrimination and achieve social, political, economic, and educational equality for the people of Danbury, CT, and the Nation. I applaud their tireless work and hope my colleagues will join me in congratulating the Greater Danbury NAACP on 60 years of dedication and advocacy on behalf of Connecticut residents.
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET, FISCAL YEAR 2018
Orrin G. Hatch (Republican, UT) \u2014 2017-10-18

I rise to speak in support of my amendment No. 1144. This legislation is designed to do two things. It is important for us to consider this. First, it would protect Medicaid for our Nation's most vulnerable citizens, namely, low-income children, pregnant women, the elderly, and those with disabilities. Those are important vulnerable citizens, as far as I am concerned. In addition, it would strengthen Medicare in order to help protect health benefits for current and future beneficiaries. Make no mistake. Our Nation faces a growing entitlement crisis, and Medicare and Medicaid are at the heart of it. prgtoken Under Care, Medicaid enrollment has increased by about 28 percent due to the expansion of the program in 32 States. prgtoken Between 2014 and 2015 alone, expansion States received about $79 billion in Federal funds. The problem is that even before Care, Medicaid was plagued by quality issues, and States' hands were tied whenever they tried to advance innovative solutions to improve patient care. prgtoken Of course, even before Care, Medicaid spending on both the Federal and State levels was growing at an astronomical rate. Contrary to popular myth, Care did not fix this. It made things worse. prgtoken As chairman of the committee with jurisdiction over Medicaid, I have been working with a number of my colleagues as well as State officials, stakeholders, and the American public to find solutions that will improve the quality and ensure the longevity of the Medicaid Program. That work will continue into the future. prgtoken Medicare is a separate problem entirely. Everyone knows that when it comes to Medicare, we are on a collision course with fiscal economic catastrophe facing us. prgtoken Over the long term, Medicaid faces more than $33 trillion--that is with a ``t''--in unfunded liabilities according to the independent actuaries at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. prgtoken In the nearer term, the Medicare trustees project that Medicare Part A, which deals with inpatient hospital payments, will be officially bankrupt in 2029, resulting in steep benefit cuts for seniors relying on the program. prgtoken Even a number of prominent who recently served as Medicare trustees have recommended swift legislative action to ``minimize the impact on beneficiaries, providers, and taxpayers.'' prgtoken To put it simply, we need to address the fiscal challenges facing these programs if we are going to preserve them for future generations. prgtoken Despite the claims of a number of my ic colleagues on the other side of the aisle, we can't even make a dent in these problems by focusing solely on the tax side of the equation. prgtoken I know many like to claim that every wrong would be righted and every problem would be solved if we simply raised taxes on rich people. Anyone who has spent more than 5 minutes looking at the fiscal condition of our Federal hea
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET, FISCAL YEAR 2018
Michael B. Enzi (Republican, WY) \u2014 2017-10-18

for the benefit of my colleagues, this next vote will be the last roll call vote of the day. Senator Collins has graciously agreed to do a voice vote on her amendment. prgtoken On this amendment, though, I am going to urge my colleagues to oppose the amendment. We should not prejudge the Finance Committee's consideration of tax reform but allow the bill to go through regular order, where it will be open to amendment. prgtoken This amendment is corrosive to the budget resolution privilege. It falls outside the scope of what is appropriate for inclusion. prgtoken Adoption of corrosive amendments could be fatal to the resolution's privilege, and loss of privilege could compromise our ability to pass tax reform and enforce the budget spending limits. prgtoken Further, this amendment is also nongermane. The Congressional Budget Act requires that amendments to a budget resolution be germane. It is a statutory requirement we can't ignore. So I raise a point of order against this amendment under the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, section 305(b)(2).
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET, FISCAL YEAR 2018
Patrick J. Toomey (Republican, PA) \u2014 2017-10-18

as much time as I may consume. prgtoken I want to say some words about our Budget resolution, which I hope we will be passing this week, and how important it is that we do, in fact, pass this. I want to clarify a few issues because the tax reform legislation continues to be a work in progress, and many elements have been mischaracterized, while others have been made up out of the clear blue sky. prgtoken Let me start with the budget resolution and start by thanking Chairman Enzi for the very hard work he has done and the very great work he has prgtoken done in bringing together the conference around a budget resolution that I think is very likely to pass. prgtoken Let's be candid about what this is about. The budget resolution is about giving us the tools to pass tax reform later this year. That is what this budget resolution is about. It is a misnomer, really, when you think about it. The most important substantive item in the budget resolution, by far, is the procedural tools it will give us to pass tax reform with a simple majority vote in the Senate, so that a minority of the body is not able to block tax reform by filibuster. That is what this is about. That is what we are endeavoring to accomplish here. prgtoken Why is it important? The main reason it is so important is because for so long we--our entire country--have been laboring with such feeble economic growth. For the last 60 years, prior to the administration, annual economic growth in America was 3.4 percent. During the entire 8-year administration of President , we never once had a single year where we reached even 3 percent. The Congressional Budget Office believes that we are now locked into the indefinite future of sub-2 percent economic growth, and that is what we just have to accept. We have to settle for the fact that we are no longer a booming economy. We are not capable of being a booming economy. prgtoken There are a lot of problems with this. I think it is completely unacceptable to believe that, somehow, because a calendar year turned on a page or because was elected President some years ago, it is not possible for America to have the robust economic growth that used to be ordinary. It is not true that we are somehow consigned to feeble growth, and it matters if our economy is growing at 2 percent. It takes 36 years to double the standard of living for the average family. If we just managed to get the growth to 3 percent, and that is less than the historical average, then we can double our standard of living in just over 20 years. It is a big difference in the standard of living of the people who I represent. That is what this is about. prgtoken If we get this budget resolution passed this week, the tax reform that many of us are working very hard on has two big goals, certainly for me. I have had many discussions with my colleagues on the Finance Committee and outside the Finan
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET, FISCAL YEAR 2018
John Hoeven (Republican, ND) \u2014 2017-10-18

I am pleased to follow the distinguished Senator from South Carolina and appreciate very much his remarks and how he does such a good job of really explaining why this tax relief is so very important. prgtoken I rise today to talk about the need for tax relief and how our Tax Code is now both outdated, very complex, and again, as my esteemed colleague from South Carolina said, it is past time to provide tax relief for our Nation's families, farmers, ranchers, and small businesses. That is what passing this legislation is all about-- providing much needed tax relief for our hard-working citizens. As I said, it is past time to modernize our outdated American Tax Code and bring it into the 21st century. We need to do so to ensure that American businesses can compete on the global stage; it is a global economy, and we must compete. And it is very much focused on our efforts to bring tax relief to middle-class families, who have been struggling to get ahead and stay ahead over the last decade. prgtoken As I said, the Senate this week is taking the first step--a very important step--toward enacting pro-growth tax reform by passing a budget resolution that provides the path toward improving our economic growth and putting more money back into the pockets of hard-working American people. Voting for this budget will enable us to move forward to enact that tax relief, again, not only for our families, but for farmers, ranchers, and small businesses across this country. Small business is the absolute backbone of our economy, and that is where the vast majority of jobs are created. prgtoken It is very important to understand and realize that this is not just about tax relief--making sure that, after taxes, hard-working Americans keep more of their money in their pocket, again, as so eloquently detailed by the Senator from South Carolina--but it is also about growing our economy. This is also pro-growth. This is about stimulating economic growth, meaning more jobs and, as the businesses that create those jobs invest the capital, create those jobs as they compete for labor, that also moves wages and income higher. So think about it. For that hard-working American, it is not only about reducing his or her tax burden, it is about increasing their wages and income. That is the rising tide that lifts all boats, so it is both. It is both about improving wages and income, as well as reducing the tax burden. prgtoken The recently released tax blueprint proposes sweeping tax reform, tax relief that will benefit working families and small businesses across the country while promoting job creation, economic growth, and global competitiveness. prgtoken This country was built on hard work by individuals and families who strive each and every day to make ends meet, provide for their loved ones, and plan for retirement, but this past decade has seen too many families struggling to get by. The current Tax Code is complex;