mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
IMPEACHMENT MUST NOT BECOME WEAPONIZED
Paul Mitchell (Republican, MI) \u2014 2019-11-13

the House of Representatives most certainly faces a vote to impeach the President before the end of this year. I urge my colleagues to carefully and deliberately contemplate this next step in their votes. prgtoken The Constitution provides great latitude to this body in impeaching a President. It is up to us, all 435 of us in this Chamber, to determine what constitutes a ``high crime and misdemeanor,'' and those determinations clearly vary greatly among us. prgtoken As we cast those votes, we must consider our place in history and the implications of those votes in the future of this Republic. prgtoken Alexander Hamilton warned of the risks of impeachment becoming a partisan act. In Federalist No. 65, he wrote of his fear that, during impeachment, `` . . . there will always be the greatest danger that the decision will be regulated more by comparative strength of parties, than by the real demonstrations of innocence or guilt.'' I fear the proceedings have not heeded this warning. prgtoken Impeachment was never designed to be a supplemental election process but, rather, a safety valve to be used in the rarest of occasions when an elected official acts in such an immoral and blatantly unlawful manner as to threaten the very basis of our Republic. prgtoken I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to remember this as they assess the interviews, depositions, and hearings that are unfolding today and their impending vote on impeachment. prgtoken Impeachment must not become weaponized. It cannot simply be another election tool. prgtoken The question before this body is not whether a Member is comfortable with the rhetoric of the President, his political tactics, his use of Twitter, his policy choices, or his political rallies. The question is: Have high crimes and misdemeanors been committed? And if so, they must be prepared to demonstrate that specifically. prgtoken I urge the of the House to ensure that each Member, should they desire, be afforded time, 5 minutes per Member, during debate on impeachment to explain his or her view and impending vote. It is critical the American people, who will be watching closely, be afforded an opportunity to see and hear those views. prgtoken Impeachment must not be based upon polling data, election advantages, or social media commentary. It must be based upon clear and compelling facts. To do anything else threatens our Republic. prgtoken I intend to approach this matter in just that way. I will uphold my oath and vote as the circumstances require. prgtoken But this judgment also must not be preordained based on political party or political maneuvering by anyone serving in this Chamber.
Defense Appropriations (Executive Calendar)
Dan Sullivan (Republican, AK) \u2014 2019-11-13

we just celebrated Veterans Day here in the Senate, back home, and across our great country in the States that all of us represent. Everybody was celebrating our troops, our military, and supporting their families. prgtoken You hear that word ``support'' a lot when it comes to Veterans Day and our military and their families, but I am going to talk a little bit about that rhetoric. That is great. Senators talk a lot. But that is very disconnected from what actually is going on in the Senate right now and what is happening in terms of the action of supporting our troops. prgtoken I came to the floor a couple of weeks ago to talk about this. I was pretty fired up. I am someone who is very collegial with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, but the one thing I have noticed is that there is talk on supporting troops and then there is action. The rhetoric, particularly with my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, doesn't always match what is actually happening. prgtoken I would like to explain to my constituents at home, the American people, and anyone watching what is happening right now with regard to supporting our troops--the action, not rhetoric--the action. Two weeks ago, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle filibustered the Defense appropriations bill. That is the bill that funds our troops. We had a big budget deal. We all agreed to it. prgtoken It is hard to vote for it. I voted for it because it actually supports rebuilding our military pretty significantly after the - era cuts. I voted for that. prgtoken We are starting to bring up these minibus appropriations. We had one a couple of weeks ago. We debated and voted on it. The plan was to bring up the Defense approps bill. What did my colleagues on the other side of the aisle do? They filibustered it. It was the ninth time since I have been in the Senate that my colleagues decided to filibuster the spending for our troops. There is no other bill in the body of the Senate that the filibuster more than the bill that funds our troops. They don't want you to know that. They don't go home and brag about it because they should be ashamed about it, but that is what they did. prgtoken Despite this budget deal and despite all of this great support for our troops, right now, my colleagues, for the ninth time since I have been a Senator, which is 5 years--nine times they filibustered the spending for the men and women who serve in the military. I ask the leaders to come out and explain that to the American people. Explain that to the press. Explain that to the people watching on TV. They don't. I think most of my colleagues don't want to do it, but they are told to do it because their leadership wants another priority. That is what is happening. prgtoken They talk about supporting our troops, but then the action is that we prgtoken are actually not supporting our troops at all. We are keeping funding away from them beca
STOP IMPEACHMENT SHAM
Doug LaMalfa (Republican, CA) \u2014 2019-11-13

. Madam , after several weeks in the secrecy of the basement of this building, the impeachment process has moved upstairs, and it doesn't look a whole lot better in the light of day. prgtoken Chairman Schiff has made it pretty much a one-man show and continues to deny a due process that you would normally see in a court of law, with bipartisan input. In other modern impeachment examples, you have seen input from both sides. We are not seeing that here. We have this really ugly display going on of a partisan witch hunt against President . prgtoken Nothing has changed by coming upstairs. It doesn't look any better under the light of the cameras. The star witnesses brought today, indeed, are not stars at all. They weren't even present on the call between the President of the United States and the Ukrainian President. prgtoken Indeed, what we have is a sham. It needs to stop because it is dividing our country and dividing our ability to get anything accomplished in this place for the American people.
NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP WEEK 2019
Virginia Foxx (Republican, NC) \u2014 2019-11-13

this week, we celebrate the fifth year of National Apprenticeship Week, a week dedicated to showcasing the impact that apprenticeship programs have on preparing Americans for the jobs of today and tomorrow. prgtoken Our Nation has 7 million unfilled jobs. A 2018 survey of U.S. employers showed that nearly half of all job creators struggle to hire employees with the right skills for the job. prgtoken Apprenticeships offer one of the strongest solutions to closing the skills gap and strengthening the American workforce. That is why s on the Committee on Education and Labor are committed to expanding apprenticeship opportunities nationwide. prgtoken According to the Department of Labor, 94 percent of apprentices retain employment after completing an apprenticeship program, and the average starting salary after completion is $70,000. prgtoken Apprenticeships help integrate the education system with the workforce development system, which allows all students to be better prepared to compete successfully in the 21st century economy.
IN SUPPORT OF NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP WEEK
Fred Keller (Republican, PA) \u2014 2019-11-13

. Madam , while traveling across Pennsylvania's 12th Congressional District, our team consistently hears from employers with open positions about a skills gap of trained labor. prgtoken Employers and individuals seeking jobs should have every tool available to fill open jobs needed with skills. That is why celebration of National Apprenticeship Week is so important. National Apprenticeship Week brings awareness to the growing skills gap by highlighting the benefits of apprenticeships. prgtoken Apprentices earn wages during on-the-job training, while receiving instruction and having supervision from a mentor. Apprentices also learn important soft skills like work attendance, being a team player, and having a positive work attitude. prgtoken Additionally, employers train students in skills they need, often creating a direct pathway from training to employment. prgtoken Apprenticeships have been working across PA-12. Partnership opportunities exist between employers--including energy developers and educational institutions--to have apprenticeship-like programs. Programs like these and apprenticeships across the country have proven to grow the economy, lower student debt, and lead to family-sustaining careers. prgtoken Please stand with me in support of National Apprenticeship Week.
Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act (Executive Calendar)
Susan M. Collins (Republican, ME) \u2014 2019-11-13

let me first thank and recognize Senator Grassley for his farsighted, courageous leadership on this issue of vital importance to the American people, the escalating costs of prescription drugs. prgtoken Under Senator Grassley's chairmanship, the Finance Committee has held numerous hearings on drug pricing. His diligence, his persistence on this issue has produced the bipartisan Prescription Drug Price Reduction Act, a bold and effective set of proposals that I strongly endorse and look forward to seeing signed into law. prgtoken This past century could well be called the age of miracle drugs, from insulin and penicillin to pharmaceuticals that treat cancer, HIV, heart disease, and so many other serious conditions, modern drugs have been proven to improve, extend, and even save lives. In our time, however, we might define a miracle drug as one that has not doubled in price since the last refill. With prescription drugs among the key factors driving up the cost of healthcare, it is essential that we approve policies that both encourage innovation and protect consumers, particularly our seniors. prgtoken Demonstrating the importance of this challenge, three Senate committees--the Senate Finance Committee, ably chaired by Senator Grassley, which I mentioned earlier; the Senate HELP Committee, which is led by our friend and colleague Senator Lamar Alexander; and the Judiciary Committee, which is led by Senator Graham--have advanced bills aimed at reforming our broken drug pricing system. prgtoken In addition, the Senate Aging Committee, which I chair, has held eight hearings on drug pricing since 2015 and issued a major report in 2016 on Sudden Price Spikes in Off-Patent Prescription Drugs. Our report highlighted the manipulative schemes employed by Martin Shkreli, who increased the price of a drug that was more than 63 years old--a lifesaving medication--by 5,000 percent in just 1 day. prgtoken To paraphrase his words, he could drive up the price of drugs like this one on which he had not spent a dime in the research and development because he could. His price gouging caused real hardships for patients. prgtoken Some of the most alarming testimony we have heard on the Aging Committee has come from patients. They describe the financial impact of their prescription drug prices, the depths they have gone to to access medications they need, and how this struggle has affected their health and their overall quality of life. They are truly choosing between paying their electric bill, buying the food they need, and filling their prescription drugs. prgtoken An example is a young father from New Gloucester, ME, who discovered that the cost of a 90-day supply of insulin for his 13-year-old son who has type 1 diabetes had more than tripled to more than $900. prgtoken A woman from Falmouth, ME, saw her out-of-pocket costs for the arthritis medication Enbrel that she needs soar from $10 to $3,800 per month when s
VA OVERPAYMENT ACCOUNTABILITY ACT
J. French Hill (Republican, AR) \u2014 2019-11-13

I thank my friend from Tennessee and my good friend from California for their leadership of our Veterans' Affairs Committee. They are a dynamic duo. prgtoken Their visits to Little Rock, Arkansas, both as Chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, gave local Arkansans a direct voice to leaders in Congress to discuss many of the issues they deal with on a daily basis. prgtoken It was a pleasure to host them, and the accessibility they have shown to hear from people in Arkansas and across the Nation speaks to the type of leadership both provide atop the House Veterans Affairs Committee. prgtoken I appreciate their kind words about Arkansas and my veterans team in the district, which works tirelessly to ensure the brave men and women who serve in our armed forces receive the benefits and care they deserve. prgtoken I appreciate the opportunity to be on the floor to be in support of this list of good bills tonight. prgtoken , I particularly want to thank my friend from New Jersey, Mr. Kim, for his hard work and collaboration on this important bill for our veterans. prgtoken , in the last 5 years I have served in this House, I have had over 3,200 cases completed and closed for veterans in my district. prgtoken As a former community banker, when I look at those cases and I listen to these stories, this too often is a challenge for our veterans. It is a crazy challenge that withholding a payment can have severe consequences for our brave veterans who are out there just doing their job, through no fault of their own and through a computer mess up or an IT problem, our veterans receive an overpayment and then suddenly get a letter a few weeks later saying, ``Oh, hey, we made a mistake. You owe us $5,000 back.'' prgtoken Well, the normal American, , doesn't have that kind of financial planning expertise, and relies on the quality of our VA services to not make mistakes like that. prgtoken So, it is a pleasure to work with Mr. Kim on this measure to try to improve that situation and answer the IG's own report at the VA that this is a serious problem affecting over 1.5 million veterans. prgtoken This bill tries to tackle this issue by improving Veterans Administration IT systems, which are often the cause of this challenge, and offers veterans that unknowingly are forced to go without their earned benefits for extended periods of time some recourse on being a victim of an overpayment and have their credit impaired. prgtoken I am proud to represent veterans from Camp Robinson and Little Rock Air Force Base in our central Arkansas area. I am proud to work on something that rectifies a common problem across this country. prgtoken , I thank my friend from New Jersey for his work and for the leadership of the committee for bringing this bill to the House floor.
IMPEACHMENT
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2019-11-13

on one final matter, today, almost 3 years in the House ' quest to impeach the President and 7 weeks into the inquiry that Pelosi proclaimed in a press conference, House will hold their first public hearing on impeachment. prgtoken This hearing was mandated by the strange resolution House passed a couple of weeks ago. That resolution did not provide President with important rights, which the House afforded to Presidents of both parties during past impeachment inquiries. It didn't even afford their own House colleagues the same rights that House s gave during the Clinton inquiry. No; House ' resolution just codified their unfair approach: no due process now, maybe some later, but only if we feel like it. That is what it establishes. prgtoken The American people know that many Washington have had their minds made up on impeachment for years. It was clear on election day 2016, and it became undeniable by Inauguration Day. That is when the Washington Post, before he was sworn in, ran this headline: ``The Campaign to Impeach President has Begun.'' prgtoken The whole country saw a prominent House state publicly in April of 2017: ``I'm going to fight every day until he's impeached.'' That is the chairwoman of one of the committees the has given responsibility for this inquiry, promising impeachment 3 months into his Presidency. prgtoken It is hardly surprising that this partisan journey is not yielding a neutral process. Unfortunately, it is also crowding out important legislation for the American people. In the House, Pelosi is more interested in taking away President 's job than in creating 176,000 new jobs for American workers by passing the USMCA. She is blocking this landmark trade agreement. prgtoken In the Senate, our ic colleagues have filibustered the funding of our Armed Forces. Despite promising to forgo the poison pills a few months back, ic leadership has run the appropriations process aground so they can fight over immigration policy with the White House. prgtoken Speaking of our Armed Forces, House are also slow-walking the National Defense Authorization Act. That is an essential bill that Congress has passed every year--every year since 1961 like clockwork-- every year, on a bipartisan basis, for almost six decades, but this year House broke with precedent and passed their own partisan version and are now stalling the conference committee. These are the priorities that are languishing as impeachment marches on.
NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP WEEK
Rodney Davis (Republican, IL) \u2014 2019-11-13

. Madam , I rise today to recognize this week as National Apprenticeship Week. prgtoken For over 80 years, the Registered Apprenticeship system has been the gold standard for workforce development policy in the United States. prgtoken In 2017, President signed an executive order expanding the apprenticeship program, and since then more than 500,000 people have entered the program. prgtoken Apprenticeships that are registered with the Department of Labor provide participants on-the-job training and classroom education, equipping them with the skills needed to succeed in today's labor force. prgtoken With continued job growth in today's economy, I want to encourage more apprenticeship opportunities. I introduced H.R. 1774, the LEAP Act, which incentivizes more employers to offer the DOL Registered Apprenticeship program through a new tax cut. prgtoken DOL registered apprenticeships also come with incremental wage increases, improved skills, career advancement, enhanced retention, and increased productivity. prgtoken I would like to thank all the businesses, employers, and the building trades who have utilized these registered apprenticeships and encourage more businesses in various fields to participate.
National Defense Authorization Act (Executive Calendar)
Kevin Cramer (Republican, ND) \u2014 2019-11-13

I come down to the Chamber today to talk a little bit and highlight the vast differences in the priorities between the two Chambers in the U.S. Congress today. prgtoken Several of my colleagues will be down here a little later today to talk about and to encourage the passage of the National Defense Authorization Act--a bill, by the way, that passed the Senate in a very strong bipartisan way, reflective of strong bipartisan input, in a vote of 86 to 8. The House also passed their version of the National Defense Authorization Act on more of a party-line vote. prgtoken The point being, both Chambers have passed it; the reconciliation of the two bills has begun; the negotiations have begun, but they have been stalled. I think it is a strong reflection of the differences between the two Chambers. prgtoken First, I will talk a little bit about why it is important that we do this job. First of all, there have been 58 years in a row that the NDAA has passed the House and the Senate and signed into law. Why? Well, because it is the highest priority of the government--of all the bills we do every year, apart from and very close to appropriations, would be authorization of our national defense programs. That is why it has happened 58 years in a row. prgtoken It is important for a number of reasons. One of the things that both the House version and the Senate version of the NDAA does is highlight the importance of space with the creation of a Space Force, as we call it the Senate, and Space Corps, as they call it in the House. Nonetheless, it is similar, and it represents and recognizes the importance of space domain as a warfighting domain going forward, a priority that our near-peer allies have already recognized in their policies. prgtoken Without NDAA passing, that goes by the wayside for at least another year. It also fully funds several national priorities, not the least of which is, of course, the largest pay increase in 10 years for our men and women who wear the uniform. prgtoken On a more local level for me, it authorizes the modernization of our nuclear fleet, including the ground-based missiles known as the ICBMs that we have 150 of in North Dakota at Minot. prgtoken It modernizes this system, which is several decades old. If we need anything, we need to modernize our weapons systems again to keep pace with our near-peer adversaries. prgtoken It also authorizes millions of dollars in funds to the national Global Hawk mission, which is headquartered in Grand Forks, another very important Air Force base in my State. It authorizes funds for the MQ-9 program. MQ-9s are flown by North Dakota Air National Guardsmen in Fargo's Happy Hooligans. It also advances the mission of the Cavalier Air Force Station in Cavalier, ND, one of the very few space radar stations, and it ensures that the needs of all our Guard operations are met. prgtoken The House bill, by the way, also does something that is very importa