mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
STRENGTHENING AMERICA'S SECURITY IN THE MIDDLE EAST ACT OF 2019--Motion to Proceed
Catherine Cortez Masto (Democrat, NV) \u2014 2019-1-10

many Federal workers in Nevada and across this country will miss their first paychecks tomorrow due to this shutdown. Our President's govern-by-chaos approach has pulled the rug out from hundreds of thousands of Federal workers and contractors across the country who are currently furloughed or who are being forced to work without pay, including over 3,000 of them in my home State of Nevada. It is outrageous. prgtoken I have heard from many Federal workers in Nevada who didn't sign up to live in constant fear that their paychecks would be held for political gain. They didn't sign up to wonder if they will be able to pay their rent on time, cover childcare costs for their young children, or put food on the tables for their families. They certainly didn't sign up to be used as pawns in this President's political game. They signed up to serve the American people, and they deserve the certainty of a functioning government and steady paychecks. Instead, hard-working Nevadans are writing and calling me to say they are worried about paying their bills, supporting their children, and keeping up with their mortgage payments. prgtoken One Nevadan who is currently working without pay told me he and his colleagues are struggling to pay for the gas to drive to their unpaid jobs. prgtoken Another Nevadan is a mother who told me that her son, who is newly enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard, is now facing eviction just 1 month after reporting for duty. prgtoken A Las Vegas government contractor who is working to help the Department of Justice reduce its immigration court case backlog told me how discouraged he and his colleagues are that this shutdown is hurting the very people who are trying to help fix our immigration system. prgtoken Nevada's veterans, park rangers, and TSA agents have also all contacted my office and asked for an end to this senseless shutdown so they can continue to provide for themselves and their families. prgtoken This is one of the major impacts on Nevada, but it is not the only major disruption we are seeing. prgtoken At our national parks and monuments, there is overflowing trash, which threatens the wildlife and public safety because the park rangers and maintenance staff have been furloughed. prgtoken In Nevada's Tribal communities, lapses in funding threaten to close the doors of health clinics, food pantries, and childcare centers. prgtoken The Small Business Administration has stopped processing loans that help Nevada's small businesses and job creators thrive. Over 7,850 Nevada seniors who are enrolled in nutritional food programs and over 437,000 Nevadans who receive SNAP benefits are at risk of losing access to the food assistance that keeps them and their families healthy. prgtoken Real people, families, and communities are hurting. These are the people who do an honest day's work. They do an honest day's work, and they expect steady paychecks and a government to be led by a President
SHUTDOWN IS HARMING THE PEOPLE OF CENTRAL VIRGINIA
Abigail Davis Spanberger (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2019-1-10

I would like to raise the alarm and sound the alarm about the shutdown and how it is harming the people of central Virginia. prgtoken Across the country, hundreds of thousands of Federal employees are working without pay or are furloughed, including critical law enforcement personnel. The best way to illustrate the destructive effects of this shutdown is to share a story from one of my constituents in Virginia's Seventh District. She said to us: My husband is a Federal employee and the sole provider for our family, and right now, we don't know when he'll get paid. Because I got sick last year, we now have less money in the bank, and we're not sure how we can hold on. While he could make more money in the private sector, my husband believes that working in a Federal job is his way of making a difference through public service--and every day, he is proud to go into the office at 5 a.m. to do what he can to serve his country. One of the hardest days of his life was when he came home and said that earlier that day, he had told those under him that they were furloughed--just days before Christmas. We are begging you to reopen the government. prgtoken This story demonstrates the importance of fixing this mess and reopening the government. prgtoken I encourage my colleagues and leadership to act now in a bipartisan way to protect the livelihoods of these hardworking families.
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
Dianne Feinstein (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-1-10

today I am pleased to introduce the Contra Costa Canal Transfer Act, a bill that will assure the health and safety of the residents of Contra Costa County while also providing for the efficient delivery of water from the Bay Delta to the customers of the Contra Costa Water District (CCWD). Senator is joining me in cosponsoring the bill, and I understand that Representatives Mark DeSaulnier, Jerry McNerney, and Mike Thompson are introducing a House companion measure today as well. prgtoken I will be brief in explaining the reasons I support the bill, which I introduced with Senator . The bill would transfer title to the Contra Costa Canal from the United States to Contra Costa Water District (``District''). The District has fully paid off prgtoken the capital debt for constructing the canal, so it is financially reasonable to transfer the 48-mile long canal to it. There is no known opposition to the bill, and several good reasons to support it. prgtoken The District would like to convert the existing open earthen canal to a closed pipe at an estimated cost to the district ratepayers of $650 million. The District understandably wants to take title to the facilities to have collateral for issuing bonds to cover the expense of the conversion. prgtoken There are a number of good reasons to convert the existing canal to a pipe: prgtoken First, 82 people have drowned in the earthen canal despite protective fencing in the 70 years since the Canal began operation. This is about a death per year on average, which would be completely prevented if the canal were converted into a pipe. Tragically, there was another drowning in the canal just last year. prgtoken A second reason is water conservation. Drought is always an issue in California, and water is becoming more and more expensive. About 6% of the canal's water is lost through evaporation and seepage. A pipeline would eliminate these losses. prgtoken A third reason is avoiding flood risk from the earthen canal. When the canal was built 70 years ago, much of the surrounding land was farming country, but more recently homes have been built around it. These homes are at risk from the types of floods that earthen canals periodically experience. prgtoken Finally, the 70-year old canal is nearing the end of its lifespan and needs a major facility upgrade or replacement. Replacement with a pipeline is the best option, for all the reasons set forth above. prgtoken Besides the advantages of the bill, there is no known opposition to it. The District has reached an MOU with East Bay Regional Parks District to continue the existing recreational uses of the adjoining parks it manages. In addition, the District has received letters of concurrence from the City Managers of Walnut Creek and Antioch regarding the smaller parks managed by the cities along the route of the existing canal. Like East Bay Regional Parks, these cities agree the bill would preserve th
PERSONAL EXPLANATION
Peter A. DeFazio (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2019-1-10

. Madam , on January 8 and 9, 2019, I missed the following votes due to a medical appointment. Had I been present I would have voted: on Roll Call Vote 13, on passage of H.R. 269, I would have voted Aye; on Roll Call Vote 14, on passage of H.R. 251, I would have voted Aye; on Roll Call Vote 15, on approving the Journal, I would have voted Aye; on Roll Call Vote 16, on Ordering the Previous Question to H. Res. 28, I would have voted Yes; on Roll Call Vote 17, on agreeing to H. Res. 28, I would have voted Aye; and on Roll Call Vote 18, on passage of H.R. 226, I would have voted Aye.
PROTECTING DIPLOMATS FROM SURVEILLANCE THROUGH CONSUMER DEVICES ACT
Joaquin Castro (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2019-1-10

I am grateful for Chairman Engel's leadership on the Foreign Affairs Committee. prgtoken I look forward to continue working with Chairman Engel to advance U.S. foreign policy and national security this Congress. prgtoken I'd also like to thank my colleague from Texas, Ranking Member Michael McCaul, for authoring this measure with me. prgtoken , U.S. Foreign Service Offices voluntarily serve in some of the most dangerous pockets of the world to advance U.S. national interests and security abroad. prgtoken Changing technologies force us to adapt our security practices to ensure our diplomats' safety. prgtoken This includes threats posed by location-tracking consumer devices that reveal physical locations and movements. prgtoken I was glad to reintroduce the Protecting Diplomats from Surveillance Through Consumer Devices Act last week with Ranking Member McCaul. prgtoken This legislation requires the State Department to account for location-tracking consumer devices in broader U.S. embassy and consulate security policies. prgtoken As lawmakers, we have a moral obligation to ensure our men and women in the line of duty have the protections they deserve. prgtoken This legislation does just that. prgtoken Protecting our nation's frontline civilians is not a partisan issue, it's an American issue. prgtoken We must ensure our security policies and practices nimbly adapt to evolving technologies and tactics used by our enemies. prgtoken That's why I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this measure.
HONORING WELLSPACE HEALTH
Ami Bera (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-1-10

. Madam , I rise today to recognize WellSpace Health for their commitment to high quality comprehensive health care in the Sacramento region and congratulate them as they celebrate over 65 years of service in 2019. The Family Service Agency of Greater Sacramento (FSA) opened in 1953 as a mental health treatment and prevention organization. FSA provided treatment services, child abuse prevention, and a suicide prevention crisis line. In 2005, FSA merged with The Aquarian Effort (The Effort), a free clinic designed to address substance use disorders. The Effort became a community clinic as their programs drew more high need persons to preventive health care. FSA's emphasis on mental health care has continued through its merger with the Effort and in 2013, the Effort was renamed WellSpace Health after their mergers with several health care providers concentrated on the underserved. WellSpace Health's development has focused on serving our region's low income populations alongside integration of services to provide comprehensive health care for its patients. Between 2009 and 2017, WellSpace increased its primary care service population from 3,000 to 70,000 patients through 15 Community Health Centers in the Sacramento region. Along with primary care for all ages, WellSpace also provides adolescent dental care, women's health and prenatal care, and behavioral health treatment. I've known the great work WellSpace has done for the region for many years as I had the privilege to work with WellSpace back when it was the Aquarian Effort Clinic. WellSpace's work is critical to achieving first rate regional health care in Sacramento. I extend my sincere congratulations to the frontline employees, staff, and all the nurses and doctors at WellSpace. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring this organization and all it has done to provide access to health care for all in the Sacramento region.
TRANSPORTATION, HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019
Jerrold Nadler (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2019-1-10

I support this legislation because it is past time to move beyond the political game of chicken and reopen these critical government agencies. prgtoken This -passed Senate bill is not perfect. While it maintains current funding for the HOPWA program, it does not include the full $393 million that I led many of my colleagues in requesting last Congress. The House fiscal year 2019 bill reflected that funding level, and I deeply appreciate the hard work of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle in achieving that goal. prgtoken But I support this bill and urge all of my colleagues to vote for it for one simple reason: We must get these programs funded and operating again. People are suffering. They are working without pay or furloughed with no idea if they will ever get back to work. They are watching critical services and benefits slowly disappear, and it will only get worse as this absurd and unnecessary shutdown drags on. prgtoken The House will pass this bill today, and I call on my colleagues here and in the Senate to get people back to work, to get our government open again, and to put aside this political game of blackmail by the President in which he says the government will remain shut if we don't give him his $5 billion downpayment on a $25 billion wall. That is a judgment for Congress, not to be subject to blackmail by the President holding the American people hostage. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to vote for this bill, and let's get our government open again.
RISING IN SUPPORT OF FEDERAL WORKERS
Marc A. Veasey (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2019-1-10

. Madam , I rise today in support of Federal workers across the country. prgtoken Right now, in Dallas, Texas, the American Federation of Government Employees local chapter, or AFGE, is organizing a rally to hold the President accountable for this shutdown. prgtoken Today, the President is finally making his first official visit to the Texas-Mexico border. He will be visiting McAllen, a town that I have visited on numerous occasions and have many friends, and I adore and love the town. prgtoken In 2018, McAllen saw their lowest crime rate in 30 years. And let's be clear: care about border security. We care about stopping crime. But we won't roll over because the President is getting frustrated that the majority of Americans don't want his wall, plain and simple. prgtoken The President and Senate s are choosing political self- interest over our families. The members of the Dallas chapter of AFGE are real people who are facing two real burdens as a direct result of this shutdown. They are struggling to pay for rent and groceries. prgtoken The gut punch is that the President is far more concerned with his base in 2020 than securing the well-being of over 800,000 families.
STRENGTHENING AMERICA'S SECURITY IN THE MIDDLE EAST ACT OF 2019--Motion to Proceed
Richard Blumenthal (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2019-1-10

the Senator from Illinois is absolutely right. The votes are there to pass these six bills. The majority leader, in effect, is acting as a buffer for the President. He is not serving this body because he knows that his own Members would vote for it and vote to reopen the government. That is because they are hearing the American people tell them, as they are telling us: Reopen the government. prgtoken That was the message that Senator Schumer delivered. It is simple, direct, and it is true. The American people want the government reopened. They know we have disagreements all the time. We disagree about policy and politics, proposals and legislation, but we don't shut down the government simply because we disagree. The government continues to do its work and serve the American people even as we have disagreements. prgtoken Our friends on the other side, the leadership, are complicit in this shutdown by refusing to permit us to do our duty and our work, which is to consider and pass legislation that will keep the government serving the people of the United States. If the President vetoes those bills, there may well be enough votes here to override them. That is our job as well. prgtoken The reason the American people want us to reopen the government is that they know the crisis here is one that has made himself. It is a manufactured crisis involving dedicated public servants who are missing paychecks, taxpayers denied critical government services, economic hardship for small businesses, and low- income Americans. It is a crisis that is spreading. prgtoken It is not a crisis at the border in security that the President, supposedly, is witnessing as we speak here. There is a humanitarian crisis at the border, which is also of 's making, but the broader crisis throughout this country will affect our economy, our education system, our transportation, and the real security of this country, which is our ability to help each other. prgtoken I have looked at those folks in the face, most recently the day before yesterday, at Foodshare, our food bank in Connecticut, which will soon be unable to meet the challenges and needs of the food insecure in Connecticut because the Commodities Distribution Program will be crippled. Their cost and transportation and storage will be overwhelming and unmet. Children and seniors will begin to go hungry because their reserves will be exhausted by the end of this month. prgtoken I have spoken to the Coast Guard members who will be unpaid. Alone among our military services--unfairly, unfortunately, unacceptably-- they will be unpaid. We know in Connecticut the value of our Coast Guard as a military branch of our government. We are home, proudly, to the Coast Guard Academy, with over 2,000 Active-Duty servicemembers, cadets, and civilian employees who are feeling the direct effect of this shutdown. prgtoken In reality, it is a loc
UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST--H.J. RES. 1
Chris Van Hollen (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2019-1-10

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 6, H.J. Res. 1, making further continuing appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security. I further ask that the joint resolution be considered read a third time and passed and the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate.
SPECIAL ENVOY TO MONITOR AND COMBAT ANTI-SEMITISM ACT
Debbie Wasserman Schultz (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2019-1-10

I thank the gentleman for yielding. prgtoken , I rise today in strong support of H.R. 221, the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism Act, and thank our bipartisan cosponsors for moving it forward. prgtoken This bill would elevate the position of Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism to the rank of ambassador, with nomination by the President and confirmation by the Senate. Sadly, this bill is very much needed. prgtoken A report last year published by the Kantor Center at Tel Aviv University found an increase in anti-Semitic harassment and abuse worldwide, including in schools and online. The report recounts abuse against Jews in dozens of countries around the world. prgtoken Yet, despite its clear findings, the administration has yet to even fill the position of Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti- Semitism. This is simply shameful and inexplicable. It is particularly shameful given this President's unabashed embrace of the alt-right, a movement which was linked to the murderous attack on the Tree of Life synagogue, the deadliest attack on a Jewish community in American history. prgtoken Talk is cheap. If President genuinely cared about the Jewish community, he would have made this appointment a priority--and he has not. prgtoken s who are moving this bill forward on both sides of the aisle. I urge us to pass this bill, again, and send it to the Senate and eventually to the President's desk so that America can lead by example by filling this vital role that demonstrates our commitment that Jews and people of all faiths are free to practice their religion without fear or harm.
TRANS-SAHARA COUNTERTERRORISM PARTNERSHIP ACT
Eliot L. Engel (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2019-1-10

in closing, I again thank Mr. McCaul for his work on this measure and state again that I look forward to working side by side with him as chairman and ranking member of the Foreign Affairs Committee. This bill authorizes an important program that strengthens our efforts to assist partners in the Sahel and Maghreb to counter terrorism and violent extremism. prgtoken , I urge my colleague to support this important legislation, and .
AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019
Gwen Moore (Democrat, WI) \u2014 2019-1-10

I join with my colleagues in supporting House passage today of the long overdue FY 2019 Department of Agriculture, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies funding bill which will help bring an end to the reckless shutdown for the agencies, programs, and federal employees that are covered by this measure. prgtoken We need to pass this bill today, and the Senate needs to follow suit, to help stave off some of the worst consequences that face some of the most vulnerable as a result of the President's reckless decision. prgtoken If the partial government shutdown, which the President is so proud to have caused, continues there may not be sufficient appropriations for food assistance under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to provide full benefits or any benefits. USDA recently announced it was making moves to try and delay the inevitable for these programs. But that is just a stall--one of the many desperate actions by an Administration prgtoken apparently just now starting to realize the damage it is inflicting across America. prgtoken To make his case, the President held a national press conference earlier this week to sell his made up ``crisis'' along the Southern border. A ``crisis'' that experts say is not happening. Border apprehensions are at lows not seen in nearly two decades. The ``crisis,'' if any exists, is his policy of denying asylum seekers their legal right to make their claims. prgtoken President inflicted this chaotic shutdown on the American people to try and bully the nation into building his vanity wall. prgtoken Well, let me tell you about the real crisis that he is creating in millions of households across the country from the dedicated federal employees who have been sent home without pay or those working without pay who are wondering how they will pay rent or their mortgage and their bills now that the federal government has broken faith with them. prgtoken Or the real crisis this Administration is creating for the millions of families and individuals who depend on SNAP and WIC to help keep food on the table. In my home state, that includes hundreds of thousands of women, children, seniors, low-income military veterans, and the disabled who are already struggling. These harms aren't hypothetical, folks. Hunger is real in our country and millions of Americans are struggling to put food on the table. And the Shutdown is only making it harder to do. prgtoken One estimate is that if USDA does not have enough funding on hand to pay full benefits and provide partial funding spread evenly across all SNAP households, it would result in an average benefit cut per household of at least $90 or close to 40 percent. prgtoken Similarly, benefits available through the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) are at risk. WIC is such an important program that helps provide targeted nutrition and other services to at-risk women. T