mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
``MEMOIRS OF A STATE INTERN''
Johnny Isakson (Republican, GA) \u2014 2017-12-14

today I submit for the Record a poem written by one of my Georgia interns, Mr. Dalton Kane of Suwanee, GA, a student at the University of Georgia. ``Memoirs of a Senate Intern'' by Dalton Kane, a.k.a. ``Dolvin'': The sound of footsteps echoes throughout the halls of the Russell Building as senators hurry to and fro before a salient vote. Chiefs of staff fervently address the concerns of elite constituents while legislative staff assistants frantically seek out last-minute details of the bill. Meanwhile, back home in the district, case workers tirelessly assist constituents with their government agency-based woes and field reps travel all across the state to ensure every voice is heard. Behind the scenes, an IT guy (who's probably a die-hard liberal) labors ceaselessly to make it all happen. This is democracy in action- the realization of a three- hundred-year-old experiment that connects the government to its people. Yet, there is one important link to this Constitutional dream that has been forgotten. That link is the Senate intern. Located at the lowest echelon of power, the senate intern watches his phone light up like a Christmas tree as the constituency descends upon the office. He answers call after call with the simple reassurance that it will be passed on. Yet, as the mountain of the constituency begins to overwhelm him, he may slowly start to lose hope. However, as he glances at the Reagan portrait hanging before him, he knows that he is the gate between the senator and his constituency, and he must carry on. And I Dalton, aka Dolvin, have come to find myself in this valued position fall semester of 2017.
TRUCKERS' ELECTRONIC TRACKING DEVICE
Brian Babin (Republican, TX) \u2014 2017-12-14

millions of American truck drivers helped elect President last November, and I am calling on him to step in and give them a hand. prgtoken President left office back in January, but a $2 billion regulation that he wrote in 2015 to require electronic tracking devices be put in every truck in America is still scheduled to go into effect this Monday. Yes, an regulation that shamefully seems to remain on the books is going into effect this Monday under a Congress and White House. prgtoken The Department of Transportation can give a 90-day waiver for all truckers from this mandate, giving several waivers for specific industries, including one just this week. Instead of offering fairness and relief, they are picking winners and losers. prgtoken Millions of American truckers are pleading 24/7 for relief from this mandate using the hashtag #eldorme, but it has fallen on deaf ears at the Department of Transportation. prgtoken , you call the shots in this administration. Please issue an executive order today and instruct the Department of Transportation to give all truckers relief from this mandate for 3 months. Don't implement this colossal mandate a week before Christmas.
IN RECOGNITION OF THE RETIREMENT OF MARK WHITE
David A. Trott (Republican, MI) \u2014 2017-12-14

I rise today to celebrate the retirement of Wixom, Michigan resident, Senior Inspector Mark White of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection. prgtoken We honor Mark for his years of bravery and protection of our land, sea, and air borders. prgtoken During his time at the Detroit border, Mark committed himself to the interception of contraband. He apprehended numerous pieces of drug paraphernalia and in 1995; he seized nearly $2.7 million dollars' worth of munitions bound for illegal exportation in Operation Exodus. prgtoken His most notable act of bravery occurred in October of 1997 at the Detroit Windsor Tunnel. A gunman under the influence of drugs attempted to hijack cars at inspection lanes and shot a civilian. Mark fatally wounded the gunman and provided first aid to the injured civilian. This act of heroism earned him a number of awards, including the U.S. Customs Service Meritorious Service Award for Valor. prgtoken Since 2000, Mark has worked as the Senior Inspector at Oakland County International Airport and spends his free time as a lacrosse coach for the Walled Lake Gladiators. prgtoken After 31 years of service, Mark will retire this December, and will return to his home state of Pennsylvania with his wife and daughter. prgtoken I applaud Senior Inspector Mark White for his service to the State of Michigan.
EXECUTIVE CALENDAR
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2017-12-14

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate vote on the nominations en bloc with no intervening action or debate; that if confirmed, the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table en bloc; that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action; that no further motions be in order; and that any statements relating to the nominations be printed in the Record.
PRIVACY NOTIFICATION TECHNICAL CLARIFICATION ACT
Jeb Hensarling (Republican, TX) \u2014 2017-12-14

1 minute to say I hope that schoolchildren from around the Nation have been listening to this debate because they would be educated on the House version of the filibuster. prgtoken I thought that the ranking member was going to break out the Washington, D.C phone book and begin to read from it. It was a fascinating discussion of a litany of Washington-based special interest groups. I know they appreciated the shout-out; I know it will help them in their fundraising efforts; but it has absolutely nothing--nothing-- to do with the bill that we are debating, nothing to do with the bill that we are debating. prgtoken So the ranking member said how important it is that consumers receive an annual--an annual--notice of the privacy policies of financial institutions. Well, under this bill, H.R. 2396, they don't get it annually, they get it monthly. They get it weekly. They get it daily. They get it hourly.
NAFTA (Executive Session)
Jeff Flake (Republican, AZ) \u2014 2017-12-14

I rise today because I believe that some here in Washington are under the illusion about what would happen if we were to withdraw from the North American Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA. prgtoken Some people still, inexplicably, believe that this would be a good thing. They believe the relationship between the United States and Mexico and Canada is somehow a raw deal for Americans. Let's talk about Mexico for a while. prgtoken In reality, Mexico spends 26 percent of its GDP in its purchasing of goods from the United States, while we spend less than 1 percent of our GDP--I think it is 0.2 percent--in our purchasing of goods from them. Again, for those who obsess over trade deficits with Mexico, Mexico spends 26 percent of its GDP in its purchasing of goods from the United States while we spend less than 1 percent of our GDP in our purchasing of goods from them. Prior to NAFTA, our total trade with Mexico was under $80 billion. Now that trade approaches $600 billion. That is a good thing. That is good for us, and it is good for Mexico. Trade is not a zero-sum game. prgtoken These folks also seem to think that terminating NAFTA will have no lasting impact on this Nation or its economy. In reality, pulling out of NAFTA would have sweeping negative consequences for Americans all over the country. Let me briefly describe what America would look like without NAFTA. prgtoken It would be an America with fewer jobs and higher unemployment. Some of these jobs that would be lost would not return for decades, maybe even for a generation. Other jobs would never return. It would be a poorer America without NAFTA. The gross domestic product would drop. Much of the positive growth that we have seen recently may be erased. In the last year, we have seen impressive GDP numbers. We have achieved great growth through strong, conservative policies--in our having a better regulatory environment, in particular. I hope the days of 1- percent growth are behind us, but if we scrap NAFTA, that may not be the case. An America without NAFTA would be one crippled by subsidies. prgtoken I agree with my colleague from Kansas and the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee chairman, Senator Roberts. He recently explained that the withdrawal from NAFTA would add to farmers' demands for increased farm subsidies at a time when Congress simply cannot afford that. These farmers would prefer to sell their crops at reasonable prices, but in our exiting NAFTA, they will certainly ask for economic protection through increased farm subsidies. I believe that many of these subsidies are automatically added and that these subsidies would substantially grow the national debt and dramatically curtail any ability to rein in government spending. prgtoken Without NAFTA, we will likely find ourselves in a less secure America. The withdrawal from NAFTA will destabilize the Mexican economy and create a crisis on our southern border.
CONGRATULATING FOOTBALL STATE CHAMPIONS
Leonard Lance (Republican, NJ) \u2014 2017-12-14

I rise today to congratulate three State high school football champions in New Jersey's Seventh Congressional District: Westfield High School, North Hunterdon High School, and Somerville High School. prgtoken Westfield High School finished its year with its third consecutive State championship and with its 37-consecutive-game winning streak intact. The North Hunterdon Lions won their division, and Somerville High School finished as State football champions with award-winning Coach Jeff Vanderbeek at the helm. prgtoken I congratulate the communities and families supporting our student athletes. I also congratulate all of the faculty and coaches who devote themselves to cultivating and nurturing the talent of these athletes. prgtoken Each of those public schools, in addition to athletic achievement, has also been recognized for academic achievement regularly across the Nation, highlighting that New Jersey's reputation of having among the best public schools in the Nation continues.
Children's Health Insurance Program (Executive Session)
Jerry Moran (Republican, KS) \u2014 2017-12-14

I come to the floor to speak about business that is important to Kansas and important to the country but especially important to the providers of healthcare for children, the children, and their families who receive that coverage and care; that is, the Medicaid CHIP program. It was established in 1997. prgtoken I call to the attention of my colleagues the importance of us acting in the next several days in regard to the reauthorization extension of the CHIP program. It has helped provide coverage to children of low- income families in my State and those individuals who would otherwise be left without any insurance and most likely, in every case, the funds necessary to cover healthcare costs for the well-being of those young men and women. prgtoken This program is funded through a multiyear authorization that requires Congress to take action each time the program reaches the end of that authorization. The end of that authorization occurred on September 30, now several months ago. While I have been assured in my State that there are sufficient funds to get us through the end of the year, I am concerned. In fact, the belief is, we may have enough funds to pay for our insurance program through March. That certainly is probably not the case across the United States, and we need to act within a few short days. I hope this is an issue that is addressed, as the continuing resolution that funds the Federal Government expires on December 22. As we respond to that circumstance, we ought to respond to the expiration of the CHIP program that occurred on September 30. prgtoken Waiting to reauthorize that program has already created an unnecessary burden, but if we waited any longer, it would create even more unnecessary burdens for families of more than 9 million children who are currently receiving healthcare through that program. prgtoken Temporary funding measures have kept the program solvent since the program expired, but now is the time to act, to provide some certainty and make sure the funds continue to be available. In Kansas, it would leave about 79,000 children without coverage or other good options. prgtoken Many of our Nation's best children's hospitals serve a great deal of patients through that CHIP program. We are fortunate in our area to have Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, and those hospitals and other providers rely upon the CHIP program to pay their bills as well. With all the costs associated with healthcare and with the inability of people to pay, the burden then falls upon hospitals and others to figure out how they survive. In Kansas, almost every hospital--127 of them in our State--continues to hang on by a thread, and some may not survive. This is another opportunity for us to strengthen and provide certainty that a mechanism will be in place so that when they provide care to children of Medicaid families, they will be reimbursed. That benefits all of us in our healthcare d
TRIBUTE TO WAHL OPTICAL
David Young (Republican, IA) \u2014 2017-12-14

I rise today to recognize and congratulate Wahl Optical of Council Bluffs, Iowa, for celebrating 80 years in business. Wahl Optical was founded in 1937 by Dr. G.H. Wahl. Today, they have two optometrists on staff who perform many services for their customers. prgtoken Bob Wahl, the current owner of his family business, has been working there since 1977. He came into the store to get his glasses fixed and started waiting on customers and answering the telephone. His father saw this and convinced his son to come on board to work in the family business. Bob decided to stay and give it a chance. prgtoken Over the years, Wahl Optical has built the reputation of being a friendly business, willing to go above and beyond for their customers. Bob said, ``I take a lot of pride in making sure people in the Council Bluffs area have every opportunity to look as fashionable as they want to be.'' prgtoken , I commend and congratulate Wahl Optical for its many years of dedicated and devoted service to Council Bluffs, Iowa and the surrounding area. It is with great pride that I recognize them today and I ask that my colleagues in the United States House of Representatives join me in congratulating Wahl Optical for this outstanding achievement and in wishing them nothing but continued success.
PRIVACY NOTIFICATION TECHNICAL CLARIFICATION ACT
Barry Loudermilk (Republican, GA) \u2014 2017-12-14

I thank the gentleman from Texas for yielding time so that I can speak, and not just in support of this legislation, but in strong support of the legislation by my colleague and friend from Michigan (Mr. Trott). prgtoken In the short time I have been in Congress, , one thing I have come to realize, there are some people in this Chamber who never met a regulation that they didn't like. Regardless of how effective or ineffective or misguided that regulation is, or how outdated the regulation is, they always just want to hold on to a piece of government regulation. prgtoken I, too, appreciate the ranking member for going through the litany of mission statements of special interest groups here in Washington, D.C. But this is precisely what the American people are tired of. They are tired of the Washington, D.C swamp. They are tired of the special interests, and they want legislation that affects them personally. This piece of legislation will affect millions of Americans directly. prgtoken Now, I am not just speaking today from prepared remarks, which I have, but I am speaking from someone with experience in this area. I spent 30 years, , in the IT services business. Ten of those years I spent protecting some of our Nation's secrets, through military intelligence, and then working in the defense industry. Twenty of those years I had my own business, and we were responsible for protecting the sensitive information of businesses and their customers. So I am well versed in the idea of protection, and, as a constitutional conservative, I am very sensitive to privacy protection. prgtoken This piece of legislation is commonsense legislation. It is exactly what the American people want us to pass, and I can give you some great examples of why, because one of the aspects of security, especially data security, is being continually aware of the threat. prgtoken Now, what happens--and I remember when this happened. I was still in my IT business when the original legislation was passed; and all of a sudden, I am receiving a privacy notice of what my rights are, and, unlike most Americans, I sat down and actually read all of it. prgtoken Now, where the confusion came in is when, a year later, I receive another one, and then I receive another one, and I am literally comparing the two to see what has changed, and I find out that nothing has changed. prgtoken So what was the reaction after that? Every time I get a notice in a big envelope, instead of just a bank statement, I would just take it and throw it in the trash, not knowing if something has actually changed, which would be important. prgtoken Now, Mr. Luetkemeyer, another colleague of mine on the Financial Services Committee, passed a bill 2 years ago to provide correction to that problem. All Mr. Trott's bill is doing now is expanding that to other industries. prgtoken This is a consumer protection bill because now, if someone in those industries, if there is a change
HONORING PEDDRICK M. YOUNG, SR. OF PENNSYLVANIA ON HIS RETIREMENT AFTER MORE THAN 29 YEARS OF SERVICE IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Scott Perry (Republican, PA) \u2014 2017-12-14

today I extend my sincere congratulations to my constituent, Peddrick M. Young, Sr upon his retirement from almost 30 years of service with the Lower Allen Township Board of Commissioners. prgtoken First, I thank Mr. Young for his service to our Nation in the United States Marine Corps. I've long appreciated the commitment of people who devote themselves selflessly to serving our Nation. prgtoken Mr. Young also has a demonstrated record of service to our communities. He previously retired from his position as facilities manager with Commerce Bank, staff to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, and staff assistant in the U.S. House to one of my predecessors, the late Congressman Bill Goodling. prgtoken Mr. Young's civic service included the Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers, Pennsylvania State Association of Township Commissioners, and many others. He also served as an active member of many community service organizations. prgtoken Mr. Young's tireless dedication, professionalism and sacrifice touched the lives of countless people and challenged all with whom he served to be the best. His legacy of service to our communities will endure. prgtoken On behalf of Pennsylvania's Fourth Congressional District, I thank and congratulate Peddrick M. Young, Sr. on his service and wish him and his family Godspeed, great happiness and success in their future adventures.
COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS MARKUP
Christopher H. Smith (Republican, NJ) \u2014 2017-12-14

today the House Committee on Foreign Affairs held a markup of very important pieces of legislation. I wish to commend Chairman Royce and the Ranking Member for the bipartisan approach to advancing a number of important measures. Briefly, I want to comment on the Chairman's H.R. 2219 on increasing the role of the financial industry in combatting human trafficking. This bill will force an appraisal of best practices to stop the flow of funds from human trafficking and integrate the Treasury Department into a whole-of-government effort to combat the scourge of human trafficking. In this regard, it echoes provisions in H.R. 2200, which passed the House earlier this year. Wisely, it takes a ``follow the money'' approach, and asks the question, why do traffickers traffic? Because that is where the money is. Unlike hard to transport drugs, which are sold only once to end users and then consumed--human traffickers cynically see people as a commodity which can be bought and sold, used and exploited, over and over again. This will help staunch the flow of funds from such exploitation, and thereby disincentivize those whose greed drives them to reduce their fellow human beings as a means to an end. Last week our subcommittee held a hearing on Advancing Human Rights to Combat Extremism. One of the takeaways underscored the need on supporting key allies in the Muslim world who bravely stand up against the extremists. In this fight, we have no more important an ally than Jordan. I, therefore, strongly support the Chairman's ``United States- Jordan Defense Cooperation Extension Act.'' The War Crimes Rewards Expansion Act, an amendment to the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956, is yet another effort to provide for the means to punish those who engage in genocide or war crimes. Since we continue to see such crimes committed in countries such as Syria, Iraq and the Central African Republic, we must continue our efforts to apply justice to those who so heartlessly take the lives of entire groups of people. While there is an International Criminal Court, and regional tribunals have been established to punish these criminals in countries such as Yugoslavia, Rwanda and Sierra Leone, these criminals too often manage to escape punishment. Russia or China often block our efforts to engage the ICC, and even when the court is empowered to move forward, very little is accomplished. That was why I introduced the concurrent resolution in the last Congress to create a special court for Syria. Unfortunately, while the House overwhelmingly passed that measure, the Senate declined to consider it. Nevertheless, we must continue to press forward with efforts to make it easier to bring perpetrators of genocide and war crimes to trial-- both to bring justice for their victims and as a warning to others that their actions don't provide for impunity. That is why I support Representative Foxx's bill.