mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
EXECUTIVE CALENDAR
Patty Murray (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2019-2-25

I am on the floor to talk about a vote that simply should not have taken place this evening. It was a vote on yet another attack from our colleagues on women's health and their right to access safe, legal abortions--this time in the form of an anti-doctor, anti-woman, anti-family piece of legislation that medical experts strongly oppose. s have spread a lot of misinformation about this bill, so let's be clear what it is not about and what it is actually about. prgtoken This bill is not about protecting infants, as s have claimed, because that is not up for debate, and it is already the law. This bill is also not at all about ensuring that appropriate medical care is delivered, because it would make it harder for healthcare providers to provide high-quality medical care that their patients need and deserve. prgtoken The leading nonpartisan organization of OB/GYNs in our country has said this bill should never become law. It calls it ``gross legislative interference into the practice of medicine'' and ``part of a larger attempt to deny women access to safe, legal, evidence-based abortion care.'' In fact, 17 top health and medical organizations wrote to Congress to insist that and s vote this bill down. prgtoken Since this bill is not about infants or appropriate medical care, I am sure many people are wondering what exactly it is about. What would this bill really mean for women and families and healthcare providers? prgtoken If you are a woman, this bill would mean, if you were one of the very, very few women who needed an abortion late in your pregnancy, you could be legally required to accept inappropriate, medically unnecessary care--care that may directly conflict with your wishes at a deeply personal, often incredibly painful moment in your life--because politicians in Washington decided their beliefs mattered more than yours. prgtoken If you are a medical provider, this bill would supersede your years of medical training and your oath to deliver the best possible medical treatment to your patients. It would apply a one-size-fits-all set of requirements that does not reflect the reality that every pregnancy is different, and it would subject you to criminal penalties if you were to choose to let medical standards, not politics, drive the care you offer to your patients. prgtoken For families who struggle with the painful reality that the children they had hoped for could not survive, as is tragically the case in many of the cases we are discussing, this legislation would take precedence over families' wishes as they grieve. prgtoken This bill is government interference in women's healthcare, in families' lives, and in medicine on steroids. As I said, it is anti- doctor, anti-woman, and anti-family. It has no place in becoming law. Its proponents claim it would make something illegal that is already illegal. So why are we debating this legislat
INNOVATORS TO ENTREPRENEURS ACT OF 2019
Eddie Bernice Johnson (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2019-2-25

I support H.R. 539, the Innovators to Entrepreneurs Act of 2019. I thank Mr. Lipinski for his leadership on this bipartisan legislation and look forward to working with him to see it through to the President's desk. prgtoken Each dollar the U.S. invests in research grants at our universities is a dollar toward the birth of potentially game-changing discoveries and innovation. Innovation is the lifeblood of our economy. The job creation and economic security gains created by scientific advances can only be enjoyed if we fully support the innovation ecosystem from discovery to commercialization. Finding ways to maximize the benefits of federally funded research is critical to U.S. competitiveness in the global market. prgtoken H.R. 539 does just that. This bill creates a link between two of our most important programs that focus on creating a sustainable path from laboratory to market for valuable scientific research. This bill expands participation in the Innovation Corps Program to Small Business Innovation Program grantees. Started at the National Science Foundation, the Innovation Corps program, or I-Corps, helps prepare scientists and engineers to think beyond the university lab and gives them the skills to identify products with commercial potential and to be successful entrepreneurs. The Small Business Innovation Program and Small Business Technology Transfer Program, known as SBIR and STTR, are valuable programs that provide competitive research and development grants and contracts to innovative small businesses. prgtoken H.R. 539 also seeks make available specialized I-Corps courses in all aspects of preparing a product to go to market. This is a vital component which can help identify market failures and premature business formation. Unfortunately, too many innovative ideas do not make it to the commercialization phase. This bill will help increase those odds. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 539.
SUPPORTING VETERANS IN STEM CAREERS ACT
Daniel Lipinski (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2019-2-25

the balance of my time. prgtoken , I thank Dr. Dunn for introducing this bill again, and we will work hard to see this through to the end. prgtoken I thank Mr. Lamb for his comments. It is certainly something that I have experienced, which is employers needing to find more workers. The men and women who are coming out of our armed services have those skills that are needed. We just need to give them a little more help to get them connected. This bill does that. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and .
BORN-ALIVE ABORTION SURVIVORS PROTECTION ACT--MOTION TO PROCEED-- Resumed
Jeanne Shaheen (Democrat, NH) \u2014 2019-2-25

I rise today in strong opposition to the legislation that the Presiding Officer has authored. It would significantly interfere with the doctor-patient relationship, and it would pose new obstacles to a woman's constitutionally protected right to make her own decisions about her reproductive health. prgtoken Regardless of what the intent of the legislation is, the fact is, the way it is written, it intimidates doctors with the threat of criminal liability for performing safe and legal abortions. It will have a chilling effect on the ability of women to access the services they need in the United States. prgtoken We must always remember that abortions that are performed later in pregnancy are most often done as the result of severe fetal diagnoses and the serious risks that pregnancy poses to the life of the mother. prgtoken And let's be very clear: This isn't a decision that any women or family wants to be in a position to make. It is tragic and it is heartbreaking, and efforts to politicize the trauma of women and families who have been forced to make this decision are really shameful, and it sets a dangerous precedent for women's comprehensive healthcare. prgtoken By installing new uncertainty and risk of criminal liability into the process for late-term abortions, this legislation increases the risk that women will not be able to get the medical care they need when their pregnancy poses a risk to their lives. This bill ignores those important realities in what appears to be an attempt to score political points with anti-choice groups. prgtoken Again and again, at every turn, we have seen this administration and our colleagues push forward policies intended to threaten access to abortion care. Just last week, the administration cut off critical family planning resources for family planning clinics that offer information and referrals for women seeking to obtain legal abortions. If you want to prevent abortions, you want to make sure families have access to family planning. We know that is an important way to reduce the number of abortions in this country. prgtoken So we are seeing that this bill is just another line of attack in the ongoing war on women's health. Now more than ever, we need to stand up and help protect women's healthcare and make certain that abortions remain safe and legal. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to oppose this legislation and its consideration on the Senate floor. prgtoken .
JUVENILE JUSTICE
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2019-2-25

just recently, I was very proud and pleased that this body passed my legislation, the Juvenile Block Grant Anti-Bullying and Intervention Act, dealing with the prevention of bullying but, more importantly, dealing with the opportunities for communities across America to begin to think more creatively about how you deal with juvenile justice, how you deal with young people of juvenile age who have gone awry of school laws, regular actions of criminal activities. How do you deal with these young people? prgtoken It is clear that the juvenile justice system needs to be reformed. As a senior member of the Judiciary Committee, it is my commitment to listen to people from across the Nation. prgtoken Many people don't realize that once you are committed to a juvenile detention center or facility or jail, under juvenile laws in most States, and many of them receiving Federal dollars, you will find that there is no definitive sentence. They are sentenced and could be there from age 14 to 21. prgtoken It may be that their parents do not have resources to get them out; it may be that they do not have an alternative place to go; and it may be that they have no representation. That is not the way to treat young people. prgtoken So we will be looking for legislation to incentivize our States to change the juvenile justice and the criminal justice system, and we look forward to working with all of our colleagues.
DECLARATION OF NATIONAL EMERGENCY
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2019-2-25

before Congress went out of session 2 weeks ago, President announced that he was declaring a national emergency to redirect funds to the construction of a border wall. It was a lawless act, a gross abuse of power, and an attempt by the President to distract from the fact that he broke his core promise to have Mexico pay for the wall. prgtoken Let me give a few reasons why the President's emergency is so wrong. prgtoken First, there is no evidence of an emergency at the border. Illegal border crossings have been declining for 20 years. Just this morning, a group of 58 former senior national security figures, including Chuck Hagel and Madeleine Albright, released a statement saying: ``Under no plausible assessment of the evidence is there a national emergency today that entitles the president to tap into funds appropriated for other purposes to build a wall at the southern border.'' prgtoken I ask unanimous consent that the full statement be printed in the Record.
BORN-ALIVE ABORTION SURVIVORS PROTECTION ACT--MOTION TO PROCEED-- Resumed
Tammy Duckworth (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2019-2-25

imagine the joy, the emotion, and the anticipation that comes with being in the third trimester of your pregnancy. Imagine choosing the crib and the mobiles that will hang above it. Imagine telling your toddler that he was getting a little sister to play with. Then, imagine the heartbreak of going to the doctor one day and learning that there is no chance your baby will survive, that there is no hope your baby girl will ever speak her first word or take her first step, or that delivering her would put your own life at risk, leaving your firstborn to grow up without a mother. These are the types of scenarios that lead to the heart-wrenching decision to terminate a pregnancy later on. prgtoken As the mom of two little girls--one, age 4, and one, 10 months old--I can't begin to fathom that kind of pain. Yet today some on the other side of the aisle are trying to use those parents' suffering for political advantage, making worst-case scenarios like these all the more difficult by pushing a bill aimed to criminalize reproductive care no matter the cost. prgtoken If it becomes law, this bill would force doctors to perform ineffective, invasive procedures on fetuses born with fatal abnormalities, even if it is against the best interests of the child, even if it goes against recommended standards of care and they know that it wouldn't extend or improve the baby's life, and even if it would prolong the suffering of the families, forcing women to endure added lasting trauma, making one of the worst moments of their lives somehow even more painful. If physicians refuse, they would be punished and could be sentenced up to 5 years in prison. prgtoken We have seen this kind of political stunt before. We know the partisan extremist playbook it comes out of--one based not in fact but in fiction, steeped in ignorance and misogyny. The goal here is obvious: to bully doctors out of giving reproductive care, to scare them out of business--one potential lawsuit or jail sentence at a time--making it even harder for women to get the care they need when they need it most, as the number of physicians available shrinks. prgtoken This is just the latest step in the far right's long march to strip away women's rights--a march whose pace has now quickened under our current President, a man who once argued that women should be punished for taking up their right to choose, who has taken pride in trying to put the government between women and their doctors, and who just 72 hours ago issued a gag rule that could gut family planning clinics. prgtoken I have said this a thousand times before, and I will keep saying it until I go hoarse: A woman's medical decisions should be between her and her physician and her family and not dictated by some politician in Washington, DC. When lives are on the line, the folks with MDs are the ones who should be deciding what care is appropriate, not those with partisan agendas. prgtoken Mothers
PREVENTING ILLEGAL RADIO ABUSE THROUGH ENFORCEMENT ACT
Paul Tonko (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2019-2-25

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , I rise to support H.R. 583, the Preventing Illegal Radio Abuse Through Enforcement Act, or PIRATE Act, a bill sponsored by myself and Mr. Bilirakis. This measure is a bipartisan, commonsense bill that passed the House last Congress. prgtoken , first, a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has worked on this measure. I thank Representative Bilirakis for agreeing to lead this effort with me in this Congress. I thank our former colleague, Congressman Leonard Lance, for all his work on this bill in the past. And I thank the New York State broadcasters for their dedication. prgtoken For years, I, along with many Members of the New York and New Jersey delegations, have voiced our concern that pirate radio operators are a threat to Americans' public health and safety. Yet these lawbreakers are as prevalent as ever, and their actions have been met with few consequences. This legislation responds directly to that threat. prgtoken The FCC has taken some positive steps to remedy this issue, but more needs to be done. prgtoken In short, the PIRATE Act would increase penalties and restrictions on pirate radio. prgtoken Whether a radio frequency is being used by first responders coordinating to save lives, or parents who want to keep obscenity and bigotry away from their children, for example, our communities are better served when broadcasters respect the rule of law. prgtoken Previous drafts of the PIRATE Act included provisions creating liability for those who facilitate illegal pirate radio operation. These provisions were removed as being duplicative with existing law. For example, under current law, the FCC can hold a property owner liable for allowing a pirate radio operator access or other assistance. prgtoken Cutting these provisions should not be taken as limiting the Commission's authority to assess fines against those who assist illegal pirate operations. On the contrary, the consequences established in this act would also apply in these contexts. prgtoken The text of the bill before us today includes changes that were requested in the Senate last Congress. prgtoken , I include in the Record letters of support for H.R. 583 from the 50 State broadcast associations. January 18, 2019. 50 State Broadcasters Associations Urge Passage of the Bipartisan PIRATE Act Hon. Nancy Pelosi, , House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Hon. Mitch McConnell, Majority Leader, U.S. Senate, Washington, DC. Hon. Kevin McCarthy, Minority Leader, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Hon. Charles Schumer, Minority Leader, U.S. Senate, Washington, DC. Dear Pelosi and Leaders McCarthy, McConnell and Schumer: The undersigned broadcasters associations representing local, over-the-air broadcast stations in all 50 States, the District of Columbi
HONORING STEPHEN PHILIP SPERNAK
J. Luis Correa (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-2-25

. Madam , I rise to commemorate the distinguished public service career of Mr. Stephen Philip Spernak. Mr. Spernak has dedicated over 20 years to serving and benefitting our community in Orange County. In 1982 Mr. Spernak began working for the Cypress Police Department, and here is where his strong leadership and hard work began to take notice. prgtoken Mr. Spernak served 14 years with the Cypress Police Department, during this time he was named Officer of the Year in 1988 and received the Medal of Valor in 1993 for rescuing an infant from a burning structure. Officer Spernak was nationally recognized by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) in 1990 for creating a drunk driving education program for teens, which is still used today. MADD recognized Mr. Spernak as Officer of the Year in 1989 and he has since served as a spokesman and lecturer for MADD for 24 years. He also created and launched a notable public affairs program related to crime prevention, drunk driving, traffic safety, and neighborhood watch through public appearances and cable TV. Mr. Spernak has also served as an Orange County Sheriff Reserve Deputy. prgtoken Outside of law enforcement, Mr. Spernak acted as Executive Assistant and Policy Advisor to Orange County Supervisor Todd Spitzer during his two terms in office. In these roles he aided the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) in their efforts to incorporate Rancho Santiago Margarita into cityhood. His successful role led him to serve as Deputy City Manager of this new city in 2000. prgtoken While serving the Orange County Supervisors, he played a lead role on Supervisor Spitzer's staff, serving as his Southern California Liaison. In this role he collaborated with anti-airport committees and successfully defeated a plan to build an international airport at El Toro Marine Air Corps Station.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH AND MEDICINE
Donald M. Payne, Jr. (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2019-2-25

some of the greatest contributions to medicine have been made by African Americans in this country. prgtoken The first open-heart surgery in the United States was successfully completed by Dr. Daniel Hale Williams, a Black man. Not only was he a pioneer of this lifesaving surgery, but also, in the late 1800s, he opened the country's first hospital with an interracial staff, Provident Hospital in Chicago. prgtoken Then, in the 1930s, Dr. Helen Dickens did her internship at Provident Hospital before becoming the first Black woman admitted to the American College of Surgeons. prgtoken And then, while Dr. Dickens was doing her internship at Provident, a young Black girl growing up in segregated Arkansas dreamed of becoming a doctor. Sixty years later, in 1993, Dr. Joycelyn Elders became America's first African American Surgeon General. prgtoken , Black history is not something that is in the past. It is constantly unfolding. It is American history. prgtoken Our stories are being written and expanded upon all the time. That is why Black History Month is so important--not just to honor our past, but to celebrate our present and prepare for our future.
RECOGNIZING ACHIEVEMENT IN CLASSIFIED SCHOOL EMPLOYEES ACT
Susie Lee (Democrat, NV) \u2014 2019-2-25

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , despite being under the weather, I decided to come down here to thank my colleague and the dean of our delegation, Congresswoman Dina Titus, for leading this bipartisan effort. prgtoken This legislation would establish the Classified School Employee of the Year RISE Award Program to recognize the achievements and contributions of classified school employees to student education in schools across the country. prgtoken Classified school employees are critical members of the education workforce, making up one out of every three public school employees who assist students in our Nation's public schools. Classified school employees provide essential services, such as transportation, facilities maintenance and operations, food service, safety, and healthcare. prgtoken It is past time that the U.S. Department of Education recognize the tireless efforts of our Nation's outstanding classified school employees. The stature of the Secretary of Education in recognizing the RISE Award will provide national leadership and partnership to encourage broad participation in the development, selection, and recognition process. prgtoken Classified school employees across the country do extraordinary and inspirational things in their schools and communities to promote quality education, foster positive learning environments, and ensure student success. The RISE Award will recognize the contributions of classified school employees to student success. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes,'' and .
REMEMBERING DR. MARY LACEY
Bradley Scott Schneider (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2019-2-25

. Madam , I rise today to honor the remarkable life of Dr. Mary Lacey, a pillar of our community who passed away this month at the age of 80. Dr. Lacey made an indelible mark on our communities by tirelessly serving those at the margins. Across Lake County, children in need, the homeless, and inmates and their families directly benefited from her generosity and boundless energy. Dr. Lacey broke multiple barriers throughout her life. She was born to humble beginnings, as one of ten children in rural Mississippi. At age 21 she moved to Florida to further her education, where she met her late husband William, and eventually settled in his hometown of Waukegan. She found work as a contractor at Naval Station Great Lakes as well as handmaking elegant hats. Never one to rest, she continued to study and was ordained a pastor, became a foster parent, and earned a certificate in social work. In Waukegan, her memory lives on as the namesake of Mary's Mission, a homeless shelter she founded that has provided shelter to hundreds of individuals in times of need, and has helped them develop the job training and skills they need to get back on their feet and live independently. Dr. Lacey was also a fierce advocate for children, bringing joy to young residents during the holidays. She teamed up with the Waukegan police department to start a toy giveaway program for children who might not receive a gift during the holidays. I had the privilege to join several of her annual Christmas parades from Mary's Mission to the Lake County jail, where she handed out turkeys and toys. Her perseverance in helping vulnerable people, touched and improved the lives of countless Illinoisans. Dr. Lacey truly lived her faith every day, and she will be sorely missed. I extend my heartfelt condolences to her many family and friends who are mourning her passing.