mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
PRESCRIPTION DRUG POLITICS OVER PROGRESS
John Joyce (Republican, PA) \u2014 2019-12-11

. Madam , I thank the gentleman from Georgia, a pharmacist, leading this discussion. It is so important the leadership that Representative Carter has taken in this role in addressing this. prgtoken Madam , I rise today in strong opposition of H.R. 3. This would severely constrain biomedical innovation, limit the access to future cures, and ultimately harm so many patients across America. prgtoken While all of us agree that we must act as a Congress to lower the cost of prescription medicine, this bill takes a fundamentally incorrect approach that would jeopardize Americans' access to new medicines and have a negative impact on patient outcomes. prgtoken As a physician, as a legislator, I have witnessed new cures that offer hope to patients facing devastating diagnoses. prgtoken As recently as 10 years ago, when I would see a patient presenting with metastatic melanoma, the prognosis often would be fatal. Now, thanks to the advent of new biologic therapies, patients diagnosed with widespread prgtoken metastatic melanoma have a chance to live, a chance to embrace life. prgtoken Let me be clear about this issue. Passing H.R. 3 would deprive patients and their loved ones of a chance for a cure. prgtoken Fortunately, we have the alternative in H.R. 19, the Lower Costs, More Cures Act, of which I am proud to be an original cosponsor. This bill is a package of more than 40 bipartisan provisions that would actually become law and have real impact on our patients, on our constituents. And in addition, would ultimately lower drug prices. prgtoken Madam , I am grateful to Mr. Carter for leading this discussion and for hosting this Special Order on this crucial topic.
FARM WORKFORCE MODERNIZATION ACT OF 2019
Michael K. Simpson (Republican, ID) \u2014 2019-12-11

I thank the gentleman for yielding. prgtoken I rise today in favor of H.R. 5038, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, and I thank Chairwoman Lofgren, her staff, the committee staff, and the personal staff of all the Members who have been working on this bill for, I don't know, 8 or 9 months. prgtoken We all want the same thing, and we are here today addressing agriculture's number one issue, and that is their labor force. prgtoken We will hear a lot during this debate, and we already have, about how this is amnesty and indentured servitude. It is neither of those things. In fact, those are contradictory terms, so the argument at best is insincere. prgtoken Let me say what this bill does. It legalizes the current workforce so long as workers get right with the law, have a clean criminal record, and can demonstrate the same work experiences our former colleague Bob Goodlatte said they must have to qualify. If they want to access further legal status, they work 4 to 8 more years in agriculture and then pay a fine and get in line while they continue to work in agriculture. That doesn't sound like amnesty to me. prgtoken For my farmers back home who desperately need this, the bill streamlines the H-2A program to make it more affordable. It doesn't do everything we want, but it makes it better than what we have today, in fact, much better than what we have today. prgtoken It brings wages under control by freezing them for 1 year and then capping future growth. There will be a single online portal for farmers to access workers. It will also set up a year-round program for our dairymen, which they don't currently have. prgtoken Some people have said this is a great bill for dairymen, but not the rest of agriculture. That is not true. This streamlines the H-2A program for all of agriculture, so it is a good bill for all of agriculture. prgtoken Finally, and again to my friends on my side of the aisle, almost all of us support E-Verify, and here it is. We have E-Verify in this bill. prgtoken Agriculture is the backbone of Idaho's economy. Without this bill, how can we pretend to say that we care about rural America? prgtoken This bill has the support of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Americans for Prosperity, Cato Institute, and over 300 agricultural groups, which have already been entered into the Record. prgtoken This is the voice of rural America saying they need this. I urge a ``yes'' vote on this bill, and I look forward to working with all of my colleagues to keep moving this bill forward so that it can ultimately be signed into law and solve a critical problem in America.
Suicide Prevention Coordinators Act (Executive Session)
Dan Sullivan (Republican, AK) \u2014 2019-12-11

I want to thank my friend from the great State of Montana, Senator Tester. This is actually a bill that he and I have cosponsored out of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, and it is a companion bill that we are going to be bringing over from the House to vote on here in a couple of minutes to hopefully get this on the President's desk very soon to get him to sign it. prgtoken There is a lot of legislation that focuses on these kinds of issues: How do we address this growing problem of suicide in our country? prgtoken The real tragedy is that all suicides are tragic, but there are very high numbers of suicides that impact our veterans. prgtoken My State, the great State of Alaska, has more vets per capita than any State in the country. We are proud of that patriotic fact. Sadly, we also have some of the highest suicide rates in America. prgtoken So since I have come to this body, I have had the privilege to serve my fellow Alaskans, and focusing on suicide has been a very, very important issue for me. It is a very important issue for my constituents, and it is a very important issue for America. As a matter of fact, the first bill I cosponsored as a U.S. Senator was called the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention Act, which was named after a young marine who had a number of deployments, and, unfortunately, when he was seeking help, he couldn't really get it, and this young, brave hero took his own life. prgtoken This should be a priority for the Senate. We have been prioritizing the veterans and the members of the military who are in crisis when we draft legislation that tries to address these challenges, but what we are doing today is also important. prgtoken This bill actually focuses on the people who help our veterans. These are suicide prevention coordinators. They are specially trained employees at the VA medical centers who identify and connect high-risk veterans with the care they need. prgtoken Across the Nation, these VA professionals conduct outreach, promote prgtoken awareness, and disseminate suicide prevention best practices. They are, literally, on the frontlines. prgtoken But, as you can imagine, this isn't an easy job. This is a hard job, and there are reports that many of these prevention coordinators throughout the VA system are overworked and unable to keep up with their many responsibilities. What we are focused on here is that we want to make sure that the people who are helping our veterans are also taken care of and adequately resourced so that they can do the best job in terms of helping our veterans. prgtoken The VA must have a skilled and resourced workforce available, trained to recognize the warning signs of a veteran in crisis, and then be able to work with that veteran, hopefully successfully, to connect them with lifesaving resources before it is too late. prgtoken That is what the Support for Suicide Prevention Coordinators Act requires. That is what Senator Tester and I worked on t
LOWER DRUG COSTS NOW ACT OF 2019
Greg Walden (Republican, OR) \u2014 2019-12-11

. Madam Chair, such time as I may consume. prgtoken Madam Chair, I just want to point out a couple of things. prgtoken First of all, what is really unacceptable is to kill off American innovation in this space. We know from the biotech people who are doing this innovation, they have written us saying it will shatter the hopes and dreams of Americans waiting for cures. It will completely upend the ecosystem of innovation. prgtoken America is where the innovation occurs. We don't think that has to happen to bring down the costs of drugs, which we also support. prgtoken We also don't think you should end up in a system like this where, in these countries that they want to emulate, like Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, and the United Kingdom, all new medications that we have here, they only have between 30 and 60 percent. prgtoken In fact, in cancer, there are 27 to 50 percent fewer cancer drugs in these countries. There is a range here, Madam Chair, that are available. So, if you get cancer, if you were in America here, you might get a drug that would prolong your life or cure your cancer. In these countries, you have a run of 27 to 50 percent chance you won't get that drug; diabetes, 10 to 50 percent fewer; respiratory, 17 to 50 percent fewer. prgtoken They, in part, control their costs because they deny access to care of the lifesaving new cutting-edge drugs that we innovate. prgtoken Madam Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Walberg), a very important member of our committee.
Honoring Stephen Carr (Executive Session)
John Boozman (Republican, AR) \u2014 2019-12-11

I rise today to honor the life of Fayetteville, AR, Police Officer Stephen Carr, who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty on Saturday, December 7. prgtoken Officer Carr was sitting in his patrol car in the parking lot behind the police station when he was shot and killed. The 27-year-old had been a member of the Fayetteville Police Department for 2\1/2\ years and was assigned as a patrol officer in the Dickson Street entertainment area. prgtoken In that short time with the police department, he demonstrated his professionalism and duty to upholding the rule of law. The Fayetteville police chief described Carr as an exemplary officer who was an all- American boy. The chief said at a press conference over the weekend: ``If I had 131 Stephen Carr's, I wouldn't be more ecstatic.'' prgtoken Carr grew up in a law enforcement family. He witnessed the dedication, service, and commitment to protecting the community by people he loved. His friends described him as a strong and kind person, whose lifelong dream was to serve as a police officer. prgtoken He loved spending time outdoors hunting and fishing. A graduate from The Woodlands High School in The Woodlands, TX, Carr played football and earned recognition as an all-district offensive lineman. He went on to play football at Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, MO, and his former coach described him as a young man who made a big impact on campus. prgtoken We rely on law enforcement officers to keep us safe. Each day they put on their uniform, knowing the risks that come with public duty to serve and to protect. Officer Carr's death is a reminder of the dangers these first responders face daily and how quickly a situation can go from ordinary to deadly, which is why those willing to take on this role deserve both our gratitude and our respect. prgtoken The outpouring of support from the Fayetteville community has been a tremendous strength to the police department as they mourn the loss of a brother in blue. I pray they we will find comfort from this encouragement during this very, very difficult time. prgtoken My thoughts and prayers go out to Officer Carr's family and friends. I also stand with all Arkansans in expressing our gratitude for Officer Carr's service and commitment to honoring the sacrifice that he and others have made to protect us. We will forever remember him as a true American hero. prgtoken With that, .
The World Bank and China (Executive Calendar)
Chuck Grassley (Republican, IA) \u2014 2019-12-11

last week, despite the objections of the United States, the World Bank adopted a plan for lending more than $1 billion annually to China. prgtoken China is the world's second largest economy, and its per capita income is well above the level at which countries are supposed to graduate from needing World Bank assistance. American tax dollars should not be used, even indirectly, for lending to wealthier countries, particularly when they violate human rights. prgtoken China seeks legitimacy through international institutions for its bad practices, including for its own predatory lending through the Belt and Road Initiative. Despite what the recent World Bank Group's Country Partnership Framework reads, China is not an example developing countries should follow. prgtoken To sum up on this point, China has the second largest economy in the world, and it still wants to be considered a developing country and lend taxpayers' dollars around the world in order for there to be a greater Communist influence. As taxpayers, we should not stand for that to happen. 78th Anniversary of the Attack on Pearl Harbor prgtoken , on another point, this past weekend marked the 78th anniversary of Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor--a raid that plunged the United States into World War II. Almost 2,500 U.S. soldiers lost their lives that day. prgtoken I am proud of the many Iowans who have served and sacrificed for our great country. Earlier this year, three of these people returned to Iowa to be laid to rest--Robert J. Bennett, William L. Kvidera, and Bert E. McKeeman. prgtoken I honor them and all of our servicemembers for their sacrifices in serving our people, protecting our constitutional rights and the freedom and liberties we have. prgtoken .
LOWER DRUG COSTS NOW ACT OF 2019
Fred Keller (Republican, PA) \u2014 2019-12-11

. Mr. Chair, I thank Ms. Foxx for yielding me time. prgtoken Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to join me in opposing H.R. 3. prgtoken While we can all agree that Americans pay too much for healthcare and that the rising cost of prescription medicine needs to be addressed, H.R. 3 is not the bill to accomplish those goals. prgtoken Traveling across Pennsylvania's 12th Congressional District, I have met with patients and medical professionals who have told me that the best way to address rising prescription drug costs include patient reforms that will include patent reform to get generics to market faster, price transparency so consumers know the actual cost of the medication they are purchasing, and incentivizing innovation to help find new cures. prgtoken Contrary to these goals, H.R. 3 would turn a blind eye to good bipartisan work done on this issue throughout 2019 that can provide real savings for our seniors and our families. prgtoken H.R. 3 would lead to more government control over a private industry, putting this country on the road to socialized medicine. And H.R. 3 would lead to fewer cures, with some estimates saying up to 100 fewer cures would be found as a result of this legislation. prgtoken Mr. Chair, we have a bipartisan plan that has the support of doctors and patients alike. H.R. 19 would provide for more cures, create price transparency, and get generics to market faster. prgtoken These are bipartisan solutions backed by doctors and pharmacists in Pennsylvania's 12th Congressional District, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and across our country. prgtoken While Americans struggle to pay for the high cost of prescription drugs, we have real legislation that can help solve this real problem. We should not be wasting our time debating something that harms Americans by providing fewer cures and will never become law. prgtoken Mr. Chair, again, I urge my colleagues to oppose this socialist fantasy in H.R. 3 and encourage us to work on the real bipartisan solutions in H.R. 19.
PRESCRIPTION DRUG POLITICS OVER PROGRESS
H. Morgan Griffith (Republican, VA) \u2014 2019-12-11

. Madam , I do appreciate all that the gentleman has done. prgtoken The bill that we are proposing as the Walden amendment in the nature of the substitute, actually deals with an item that we have talked about a great deal, and that is pharmacy benefit managers. prgtoken I am going to give the gentleman a second to talk about that, but I do want to mention the item that I have been bringing up a lot in these, and that is the unconstitutionality of H.R. 3. prgtoken The problem is, as you know--and it sounds shocking, but it is true-- if you don't accept the price the government is paying you, they take 95 percent of your gross revenues on that drug. That money they take from you, that penalty is not tax deductible, doesn't do anything as far as what expenses you put into it, so you are actually going to lose money. prgtoken Now, as I said in my comments earlier this evening, that is not negotiation. That is, as the Godfather would have said in the old movie series, ``an offer you can't refuse.'' I wish I could do the voice; I can't. But that is a problem. prgtoken And you don't have to believe me. In the committee I brought this up--the committee didn't necessarily believe me--but the Congressional Research Service has said this bill likely violates the Fifth and the Eighth Amendments of the Constitution. This is a nonpartisan group that works for Congress that came out and said, Yeah, there are some real problems here. When you are being confiscatory, you are not really negotiating. It is a problem. prgtoken Now, in our bill that we have put forward that is bipartisan, we have some things on a subject both of us are very concerned about, and that is pharmacy benefit managers. They are a big part of the problem here. Drug manufacturers we need to work on, but their bill doesn't do anything on this. Our bill does. prgtoken Madam , if the gentleman would tell the people just how that sham works.
Farewell to the Senate (Executive Calendar)
Johnny Isakson (Republican, GA) \u2014 2019-12-11

I always come to the well of the Senate with a purpose. I try not to talk too long, and I try to make my point and get out before I make a big mistake. When you are saying thank you to people who have done so much for you, it is almost always the time where you do make a mistake and you leave somebody out here and somebody out there and somebody out here. I am going to do a little something I have never done before. I know one thing, I will leave nobody out. prgtoken , I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record a list of names of my staff.
FARM WORKFORCE MODERNIZATION ACT OF 2019
Andy Biggs (Republican, AZ) \u2014 2019-12-11

. Madam , in its current form, H.R. 5038 would subject growers to a new private right of action in Federal court. As a result, these employers would face countless frivolous lawsuits and higher costs in the form of damages and other litigation costs. prgtoken The bottom line is that many American farmers and other agricultural employers would be sued right out of business. This provision is one of the main reasons that, arguably, the biggest agricultural group in the world, the American Farm Bureau, does not support this bill. prgtoken Our motion to recommit would simply strike sections 204(a) and (b) of the bill. This motion to recommit is supported by the American Farm Bureau, and I ask all Members to support it as well. prgtoken As a technical matter, Madam , we seek to recommit this bill to the Judiciary Committee. And that is interesting to me, and I think it should be of interest to all of us here because, in just a few hours, that committee is going to meet on a completely bogus Articles of Impeachment, where we will consider that there. prgtoken Over a week ago, every member of the Judiciary Committee signed a letter to request a minority day hearing. prgtoken We are going to have the markup in 2 hours, and we haven't had the minority hearing yet, with no intention, I guess, of allowing the minority its rights under the rules. prgtoken Specifically, clause(2)(j)(1) of House rule XI states: ``Whenever a hearing is conducted by a committee on a measure or matter, the minority members of the committee shall be entitled, upon request to the chairman by a majority of them before the completion of the hearing, to call witnesses selected by the minority to testify with respect to that measure or matter during at least one day of hearing thereon.'' prgtoken And here we sit. We sit, and we are going to be going in, in 2 hours or so. We are going to have our opening statements, and then we will proceed to vote on the Articles of Impeachment offered by our friends on the other side of the aisle. prgtoken To what end? It is this obviation of the rule that is consistent with how we have seen this whole process play out. prgtoken We have written the chair of the Rules Committee to remind all chairs of their obligation to adhere to the rules of the House. Unfortunately, the hearing is yet to be scheduled. prgtoken I would suggest that the ic case for impeachment is not nearly so strong as they would have us believe. Otherwise, they would be affording us a simple minority hearing day. prgtoken When one considers it, and I wish everyone would consider it, we are being afforded more procedural rights on this bill, which is dead on arrival in the Senate, than we are in the impeachment proceeding of the President of the United States. That is simply wrong, Madam . prgtoken One day, I suggest, we will be beyond this mania, this hysteria that has set in here, and the other shoe will drop. I know that many in this
MATTHEW CLIFFORD NAMED STATE MIDDLE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR
Greg Pence (Republican, IN) \u2014 2019-12-11

I rise today to show my support for $1.3 million in rural broadband expansion in the Sixth District. prgtoken In my time in Congress, I have worked with local groups to address broadband in schools and hospitals and supported Distance Learning and Telemedicine grants. I have introduced a bill to make sure Federal agencies effectively work together in this arena. prgtoken I am glad to see the Governor announce a boost for grants to counties like Jennings, Scott, and my home county of Bartholomew. prgtoken I look forward to seeing the State's continued work on this as I fight for rural high-speed internet on behalf of the Sixth District. Wayne County Veteran Appreciation Dinner