mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
The Budget Agreement (Executive Session)
Patrick J. Leahy (Democrat, VT) \u2014 2018-5-15

notwithstanding what we sometimes hear about a deadlocked Washington, there are times when both parties work together. Three months ago, s and came together, and we reached a bipartisan budget agreement. s and together reached an agreement to lift the budget caps and provide relief from sequestration but, most importantly, to make responsible and new investments in the American people over the next 2 years. Then, President , as he stated earlier that he would do if we reached that agreement, signed it into law. prgtoken But now, even though he signed it into law and even though the agreement had been worked out with s, , and the White House together, the President has proposed--and, unfortunately, House s have drawn up a proposal--to claw back vital funding for children's healthcare, to claw back funding for rural communities, to take back funding for our infrastructure programs, and to take back funding for law enforcement. prgtoken These programs from which the White House and, apparently, their allies in the House want to raid the money aren't ic priorities. They are bipartisan, American priorities. Ivanka has said that American families need relief. The policies that allow women with children to thrive shouldn't be just for a press conference or a photo opportunity. They should be the norm. prgtoken President 's proposal would claw back $7 billion from the Children's Health Insurance Program, or CHIP. If you can't keep a child healthy, what are they going to be like as an adult? CHIP currently provides health insurance for 8.7 million vulnerable children from low- income families. Millions of families from red States and blue States, urban and rural, depend on CHIP to keep their children healthy and happy and to make them the healthy and happy future generation. I don't know how pulling $7 billion out of this program aligns with the policies to allow children to thrive and to say that should be the norm. You can't say at a press opportunity: This will be the norm--to allow children to thrive--but oh, by the way, we are going to take back the money to make that work. And if the money can no longer be dedicated to the CHIP program, well, then reinvest it in other important programs as we have done in the past--programs that support our Nation's children and families, including Head Start, the Child Care and Development Block Grant Program, opioid prevention, and cutting-edge research at NIH. prgtoken The President's proposal also takes away $159 million from our law enforcement. I began my career in law enforcement. I can't understand taking $159 million from law enforcement. The President claims that he is going to ``support our police like our police have never been supported before.'' This week is National Police Week. Today, May 15, is designated as National Peace Officers Memorial Day. This is
PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT IS PROTECTING CHILDREN'S HEALTH
A. Donald McEachin (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2018-5-15

more than 24 million people in the United States are affected by asthma. Of that, more than 6 million are children. The children who live with asthma must limit their physical activities or even miss schooldays because of lung disease that is linked to outdoor air pollution. But if we act now, future generations will not have to face such a reality. prgtoken , I rise today to call on our Nation's leaders to protect human health and promote a healthy environment for this generation and the next. prgtoken Last month I introduced the Healthy Environment for Children Act because our children deserve an environment that will not hurt, hinder, or force them to live indoors. The Healthy Environment for Children Act would prohibit any reduction, consolidation, or prgtoken termination of the National Center for Environmental Research, also known as the NCER, and its affiliated programs. By preventing such changes, my bill will safeguard critical research into the effect of chemicals, climate change, and air quality on children's health. prgtoken , the time to act is now. I urge you to think of our future and to bring this bill to the floor for a vote.
ALLOWING DEAF CITIZENS TO SERVE IN THE MILITARY
Mark Takano (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2018-5-15

Keith Nolan's dream was to be a military officer. He excelled at the first two levels of Army ROTC and was preparing to take the next step when he was told that he could not continue because he failed the hearing portion of a military medical exam. prgtoken This is not at all surprising, because Keith Nolan is deaf. The United States does not allow the deaf community to serve in the military, unlike other nations that allow deaf citizens to serve. prgtoken Despite Keith's passion and despite our attempts to establish a demonstration program to prove that the deaf community is entirely capable of contributing to our military, Keith does not have the opportunity to serve his country. prgtoken Today, I am mourning for Keith and for the country, which lost out on his service. But I want to celebrate his passion and his dedication to expanding civil rights for the deaf community. prgtoken He has taken this rejection in stride, creating an ROTC program at the Maryland School for the Deaf. I am once again calling for a demonstration program that gives the deaf community a chance to defend the country they love.
Pensions (Executive Calendar)
Heidi Heitkamp (Democrat, ND) \u2014 2018-5-15

this is such an important issue, and those of us who have spent time with any of the workers and those of us who have spent time with small business owners who are deeply concerned about the viability of their business under a ``last man standing'' kind of rule completely understand the level of grave concern these Americans are experiencing as a result of the problem with multiemployer pension funds like Central States. It is clear to me that if we fail to act, workers and retirees could, and probably will, see their retirement security disappear. Small businesses across the country could, and probably will, face bankruptcy, and taxpayers would still be left on the hook. prgtoken Today we are here to tell the stories and give the voice to the workers, small businesses, and retirees who are most at-risk for losing their pensions after years of hard work and playing by the rules. Today I rise to give a voice to thousands of North Dakota workers and retirees who are at risk of losing their retirement security because of the financial instability of our multiemployer pension system. prgtoken The only way to prevent these workers and retirees from losing their pensions is for Congress to act. These men and women did everything right, and they live not just in North Dakota but in almost every State. They played by the rules. They worked for years, if not decades, often in labor-intensive jobs, like coal miners or as workers in the trucking industry, such as UPS package delivery and grocery supply stores. They acted responsibly when they negotiated for and started putting money away in their pensions, taking wage reductions to guarantee that their family had a future. prgtoken I also want to point out that when I asked how many of the pensioners who come to my meetings served their country by putting on a uniform to stand up, usually it is about a third to a half of the room. So let's not forget that these are veterans who returned home. They started working in their communities. They took off that uniform and continued to build our communities, and now they are struggling to understand how a government and how a society could be leaving them in this level of uncertainty regarding their economic future. prgtoken I want to tell a couple stories of some of the people that I have met. I want you to know that on Saturday, I had a meeting with over 140 workers in Fargo. They came from all over, and their stories were heartbreaking. They couldn't understand, if they did everything right, how in the United States of America they would have their financial viability at risk. I had one man stand up who was 80 years old who told me that he went back to work when he knew there was going to be a problem, and he worked in the oil fields. He said: I am worn out; there is nothing more I can do. prgtoken I want to talk about Donna Matson and her husband Mike, who worked as a UPS driver for 30 years in Fargo, a job
REMEMBERING JOSEPH BOYLE
Margaret Wood Hassan (Democrat, NH) \u2014 2018-5-15

75 years ago over Brech, France, an American B-17 bomber was downed by hostile fire. The copilot of that bomber was Second Lieutenant Joseph Boyle, a proud Granite Stater. Lieutenant Boyle was one of four survivors out of a crew of 10, and while two of the crew escaped capture, Lieutenant Boyle and another aviator were captured and interned in Stalag Luft III, a notorious prisoner of war camp operated by the German Luftwaffe. For his service during the Second World War, which included 16 bombing raids over enemy-occupied territory, Lieutenant Boyle was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Purple Heart. prgtoken After he returned home, Mr. Boyle raised a family, opened a furniture business, and was active in his community. Mr. Boyle was a lifelong tennis player and golfer and cherished the time he spent with his eight grandchildren. Mr. Boyle passed away in 2009, after a life well-lived and full of love. He is missed by his family and all those whose lives he touched in New Hampshire and across the world. prgtoken In 2001, before his passing, the people and government of France enacted a monument to Mr. Boyle and the other members of his aircrew. Standing outside the town of Brech, this memorial displays the names of the Americans who were in that downed B-17. As this year marks the 75th anniversary of the day that Mr. Boyle and his crew were shot down, the people of Brech have invited Mr. Boyle's family to join them to remember the events of that day and the sacrifice that many Americans made so that the people of France could once again be free. prgtoken Ceremonies such as this one are so important, both to honor the service and sacrifice of the Greatest Generation and as a symbol of the enduring relationship between the United States and our oldest ally, France. It is critical that we remember all those who sacrificed in the fight against totalitarianism and helped keep our nations safe and free.
OREGON TRIBAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ACT
Peter A. DeFazio (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2018-5-15

I rise in support of S. 1285, the Senate companion to my bipartisan bill, H.R. 3225, the Oregon Tribal Economic Development Act. prgtoken Last year a federally-recognized tribe in my District, the Confederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw, alerted me that it was unable to obtain a commercial mortgage to purchase a storage unit facility. prgtoken A local financial institution was concerned that under the arcane Indian Non-Intercourse Act (INIA), it was afraid it would not be able to repossess the property should the tribe be unable to make mortgage payments. prgtoken Many of my colleagues are not familiar with the INIA, with good reason. The law is over 180 years old, and prohibits a tribe from buying, selling or leasing land. Under the law, Congress, not the Bureau of Indian Affairs, is required to approve every potential transaction. prgtoken Typically, the INIA has not prevented tribes from buying, selling or leasing land. However, some financial institutions, as in the case in my District, have interpreted it to mean that Congress act. prgtoken Over the years, Congress has appropriately passed laws excluding individual tribes from the INIA. First, the INIA is completely unworkable. Congress has a hard enough time passing legislation, for better or worse, that affects thousands or millions of Americans. It is not remotely possible we could pass a law every time a tribe requests to buy, sell or lease property. prgtoken Additionally, the INIA is a road block to a tribe's economic development. For hundreds of years, terrible federal Indian policy decimated tribes through displacement, disease, and discrimination. In my District, the INIA made it impossible for the Tribe to function as the sovereign nation it is to benefit its members. S. 1285 would clarify that INIA does not apply to five Oregon tribes, and only in the case of fee land. Land held in trust is not affected by this bill. It is bipartisan, and does not cost the government a dime. prgtoken It is past time to ensure Oregon tribes are allowed to engage in real property transactions without the threat of a 180 year-old law standing in the way.
COMMEMORATING THE LIFE OF MR. PETER LIZCANO
Henry Cuellar (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2018-5-15

I rise today to honor the life and service of Mr. Peter Lizcano, a lifetime educator who dedicated his career to the advancement of education in Laredo, Texas. Mr. Lizcano passed away after serving his community for many years. prgtoken Mr. Lizcano affected the lives of many young Laredoans during his years working for the Laredo Independent School District (LISD). He served in a variety of roles during his employment, including as a coach and principal. He eventually became assistant superintendent, serving in this office until his retirement. During his tenure, Mr. Lizcano was instrumental in enacting a program that encouraged students who had dropped out of school to return to their educational pursuits. prgtoken In addition to Mr. Lizcano's countless contributions to LISD, he was actively involved with the League of United Latin American Citizens Council (LULAC) No. 12. As a LULAC member, Mr. Lizcano helped to initiate several projects, such as the Senor Internacional and Tejano Achievers, to increase scholarship opportunities for students. prgtoken Our communities rely on public servants like Mr. Lizcano to inspire and encourage young people to be their very best. His commitment to education has helped build a strong foundation in Laredo, and his legacy will be felt for many generations to come. prgtoken , I am honored to have the opportunity to honor Mr. Peter Lizcano for his contributions to education in South Texas.
National Drug Court Month (Executive Calendar)
Robert P. Casey, Jr. (Democrat, PA) \u2014 2018-5-15

I rise today to highlight some of the great successes of our drug courts around the Nation. May is National Drug Court Month, and I have come to the floor today to highlight the work of these innovative courts--I think that is an understatement--which play a unique role in our justice system. prgtoken Participants in the drug court system receive treatment and support services to help these individuals recover, and the individuals are held accountable through regular drug testing and judicial supervision. prgtoken These courts are uniquely equipped for nonviolent substance abuse offenders, and they provide eligible individuals with intensive treatment, individualized consequences, and other medical services in order to help them overcome their substance use disorder--something we have heard a lot about in every State. prgtoken Participants are randomly tested for drug use and mandated to appear frequently in court so that the drug court judge can review their progress. The judge also holds drug court participants accountable for their obligations to the court and, of course, to society at large. All of these features make drug courts particularly important as we deal with the opioid crisis that has affected so many individuals, families, and communities in Pennsylvania and across the country. No neighborhood--no region of the State--is safe in this horror that we have been living through now for several years. prgtoken Given the scope and severity of the opioid epidemic, we need to invest in effective solutions. I use that word purposefully-- ``invest.'' With their proven track record of success, drug courts should be a keystone of our efforts to deal with the opioid crisis. prgtoken Drug court systems not only save money, but they also reduce both drug use and crime itself. Recidivism rates among drug court participants are significantly lower than for those defendants undergoing traditional sentencing procedures. Around 50 to 70 percent of drug court participants complete at least a year of treatment, and 75 percent of graduates remain arrest-free for the next 2 years. Let me say that again: 75 percent of drug court graduates remain arrest-free for the next 2 years. prgtoken Additionally, studies have found that the use of drug courts save taxpayer money by lowering overall criminal justice costs. There are a lot of success stories from drug court graduates, and I want to highlight one today from Schuylkill County, PA, the Schuylkill County Drug Treatment Court. prgtoken This constituent of mine struggled with opioid and alcohol use disorder and spent time in prison before going through the drug court system. According to the probation officer, this Pennsylvanian is now ``gainfully employed, has regained a positive relationship with family, is working towards maintaining sobriety and is now working towards the long-term goal of buying a home.'' prgtoken That is just one story about one individual,
VOTE EXPLANATION
Tammy Duckworth (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2018-5-15

I was necessarily absent for vote No. 92 on May 14 on the confirmation of Executive Calendar No. 780, Michael Y. Scudder, of Illinois, to be United States circuit judge for the Seventh Circuit. On vote No. 92, had I been present, I would have voted yea on confirmation. prgtoken I was also necessarily absent for vote No. 93 on the confirmation of Executive Calendar No. 781, Amy J. St. Eve, of Illinois, to be United States circuit judge for the Seventh Circuit. On vote No. 93, had I been present, I would have voted yea on confirmation. (At the request of Mr. Durbin, the following statement was ordered to be printed in the Record.)
HONORING KATHY SALOM
Eliot L. Engel (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2018-5-15

as a former classroom teacher I hold a special affinity for fellow educators, especially those who give so selflessly of themselves in service to their community. In the Rye community, no one better exemplifies that selfless commitment than Kathy Salom, and I want to take a moment to honor Kathy the fine recognition she deserves. prgtoken Kathy was born Estell Kathleen Millard in Dunsmuir, California in 1945. She attended prgtoken San Francisco State University, the University of Hawaii and New York University. Her degrees include Masters and five educational certifications both from California and New York. prgtoken In 1969, Kathy married Roberto Salom from Bogota, Colombia. When Roberto accepted a job with the United Nations, they left California where Kathy had been an elementary teacher in the San Francisco Unified School District and Roberto had worked with the Federal Reserve. They moved to Rye, New York where they raised two sons, David born in 1976 and Robert born in 1979. David resides in a group home in Greenburgh and Robert lives in Sudbury, Massachusetts with his wife Dena Manheimer and their daughter Isabel born in 2016. Kathy worked as a teacher for the deaf for BOCES for 36 years, bringing her total teaching experience to 42 years. She was fortunate to work at all grade levels and to use both sign language and an oral approach to educating the deaf and hard of hearing. prgtoken In 1992, Kathy joined Hadassah Kehilla and enjoyed planning many special programs for the organization. Later she became involved in the book club and especially loves reading books about Jewish communities around the world. When Kathy retired in 2009, the opportunity to travel around the world became possible. She and her husband Roberto have always explored Jewish communities when traveling. In New Delhi they visited a wonderful little synagogue. In Shanghai they visited the Jewish Museum, in Rome the magnificent Roman Synagogue, and the Ghetto of Venice. As they were standing in the Sephardic Synagogue in Amsterdam, they saw David Salom, their son's name, as one of the founding fathers of the synagogue. So many Jewish experiences in each place they have traveled make them feel part of the diversity of the Jewish world. prgtoken For her outstanding work in the field of education and her dedication to the Jewish community. This year, Hadassah Kehilla is honoring Kathy Salom as their 2018 Woman of the Year. They could not have picked a more deserving honoree. As Representative for Rye, I would like to congratulate Kathy on this wonderful honor.
RETURN TO DISCUSSION ON THE FARM BILL
Gene Green (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2018-5-16

I rise in opposition to the farm bill and the majority's scorched earth and irresponsible prgtoken approach to a historically bipartisan bill. prgtoken Throughout this Congress, the majority has cast aside bipartisan efforts by keeping out of negotiations. The farm bill is no different. prgtoken From sabotaging the Affordable Care Act to giving wealthy families and corporations a tax break at the cost of hardworking families, to make deep cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, SNAP, this bill is on a dangerous path. We need to return to bipartisan discussion that made the farm bill a win-win for both urban and rural communities. prgtoken If this bipartisan bill becomes law, roughly 265,000 low-income children will lose access to free school meals, and more than 1 million Americans will no longer receive a benefit they rely on to buy food. We can do better because America's farmers and children deserve better. prgtoken We have a farm bill every 5 years. Is it worth kicking children and families off SNAP? No, .
AGRICULTURE AND NUTRITION ACT OF 2018
Collin C. Peterson (Democrat, MN) \u2014 2018-5-16

. That is not true because it has happened in Minnesota in two or three cases. So maybe they need to be researched. They are a little behind the times it seems to me. prgtoken In southeast Minnesota, we don't have it up where I am at, but in the southeast, this is prevalent. The same thing in Wisconsin. So everybody that takes a deer has to take it into the DNR and get it tested currently. prgtoken Once this thing gets into the wild, it is very hard to eradicate without wiping out the whole herd, which some places are going to do that. prgtoken So I am supportive of what you are trying to do. I just want to make sure that we are doing, within the USDA and the animal welfare, health thing, that they have got some resources there that can go in and make sure that these farms are not transferring this stuff out in the wild when a deer gets loose. That is apparently what happened in southeast Minnesota. That is my only concern. Maybe we can work together on the language and improve it. I will support your amendment. prgtoken , .