mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
Impeachment (Executive Session)
John Cornyn (Republican, TX) \u2014 2020-1-6

I have some prepared remarks regarding the Soleimani strike and some other related matters, but I want to take a moment and just respond briefly to my friend, the ic leader. prgtoken There seems to be a lot of irony involved in this question of the Articles of Impeachment. First of all, of course, Pelosi, who said this is an urgent fulfilling of a constitutional duty and who wanted the Articles of Impeachment voted on in the House, has been radio silent and appears to be getting cold feet on whether or not she will even send the Articles of Impeachment to the Senate. prgtoken I would suggest that the first thing we need to know is if Pelosi is actually serious about this. If she is not, there is no occasion for us to even begin this conversation about how the Senate trial will proceed. Pelosi is mistaken if she thinks she can direct or influence the Senate's decision on how the trial will proceed. In fact, one of the things I am pretty sure of is that the Senate will not replicate the circuslike atmosphere of the impeachment inquiry in the House, which was one of the most partisan undertakings I have seen in my time in the Senate. prgtoken I think they are really grasping at straws now and are recognizing they did a poor job in developing the case that led to the two Articles of Impeachment. One was because of a disagreement over the manner in which the President exercised his authority under the Constitution to engage in foreign relations, and the other was based on this bogus idea that by saying: I need to go to court to get some direction on a claim of executive privilege, that somehow, even though Mr. Schiff dropped the subpoena or no longer sought that witness's testimony, one has obstructed Congress's investigation. All of this was without even alleging any crime. prgtoken I suggest that the Senate is an institution that follows the rules and that we follow our precedents. The most obvious precedent for this impeachment trial is the Clinton impeachment trial. There, we saw 100 Senators agree to a procedure which allowed both sides to present their cases, after which there was a vote to see whether additional testimony would be required. Indeed, there was an agreement to provide three additional witnesses, not live, in a circuslike atmosphere here on the floor of the Senate, but through depositions taken out of court that could then be out of the Chamber, whereby excerpts of those depositions could be offered as additional evidence. That was the procedure that was supported by the ic leader, the Senator from New York. I suggest that what was fair for President Clinton is fair for President . It is not much more complicated than that, and that, indeed, is the most relevant precedent. prgtoken With regard to this claim that some Senators aren't demonstrating impartiality, I recall reading that the Senator from New York, when he was running against incumbent Sena
Iran (Executive Session)
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2020-1-6

from Virginia for his clarion call for the U.S. Senate to assert its constitutional responsibility prgtoken when it comes to the prospect of a war with Iran. prgtoken He has referenced, many times, the War Powers Act. The War Powers Act, students of history will remember, was passed by the U.S. Congress after the end of the Vietnam war so Congress would assert, with specificity, its authority when it came to the execution of a war. The President at the time, Richard Nixon, opposed the War Powers Act and vetoed it, and because of what the United States had endured during the course of the Vietnam war, Congress overrode the veto of President Nixon to make it clear, with the War Powers Act, that we would never ever, by design, find ourselves in the same moral predicament we did with the war in Vietnam. prgtoken Almost 50,000 American lives were lost in that war in Vietnam, a war which was not a declared war under the Constitution but one which still exacted a heavy, incalculable price on American families--families I know and everyone knows, whose lives were touched by that Vietnam war, whose sons and daughters may have served or may have given their lives in service. The decision was made in Congress never again. We are not going to let this happen again. We are not going to find ourselves backsliding into a war. prgtoken The American people, through their elected men and women representing them in Congress, will make the decision as to whether it is time for us to go to war and will make the decision as to whether our men and women in uniform are going to risk their lives at war. The decision will be made by the American people through their elected representatives in Congress. It was not a novel idea. We find it in this little Constitution, which we are all handed when we take the oath of office. prgtoken As Senator Kaine from Virginia has noted, article I, section 8, in just a few words, says: The Congress shall have the power to declare war. It is not equivocal. There are no footnotes, asterisks, or question marks. The Congress shall have the authority to declare war. prgtoken Now, at this moment in time, with the assassination of General Soleimani and the escalation of the conflict between the United States and Iran, Senator Kaine and I come to the floor and ask this Congress, s and alike: Do these words count? Do we have a constitutional responsibility to stand up and speak up and to challenge this President or any President of either political party when they start moving us toward a moment of war which could easily claim the lives of many Americans? prgtoken That is the purpose of our resolution. It is simple and straightforward, but it really goes to a fundamental question. The men and women who serve this country in uniform--God bless them for their sacrifice and their courage. We know that when they take the oath to serve, they are prepared to r
Iran (Executive Session)
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2020-1-6

it has been 4 days since the United States carried out a military operation that killed Major General Qasem Soleimani, the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force. In the days since, I have become increasingly alarmed about the strike, a strike that was carried out with insufficient transparency, without consultation of Congress, and without a clear plan for what comes next. prgtoken President had promised to keep the United States out of endless wars in the Middle East. The President's actions, however, have seemingly increased the risk that we could be dragged into exactly such a war. It is indicative of President 's foreign policy record, which is riddled by chaotic, uninformed, erratic, and impulsive decision-making without adequate consideration for the consequences. prgtoken In just about every foreign policy area President touches, we are worse off than we were before he started with it. Whether it is with China, North Korea, Syria, Russia, the President has careened from one impulsive action to the next, with no coherent strategy. North Korea today--despite what President said, we don't have to worry about them--is a greater nuclear threat than they have ever been. 's actions have been disastrous. North Korea has more nuclear weapons, and, by all reports, has either developed or is very close to developing an ICBM that can hit the U.S. mainland. That is a result of President 's bumbling. prgtoken The situation in Syria is much worse than before. Doing what he did in Syria, pulling out those troops, made no sense to anybody, even the most hawkish foreign policy people we have, and every time the President seems to deal with Putin, Putin seems to come out ahead. Looking at the President's chaotic and rudderless foreign policy in hotspots around the globe, it is hard to conclude that any of the situations are better off than when the President took office 3 years ago. His policies seem to be characterized by erratic, impulsive, and often egotistical behavior, with little regard to a long-term strategy that would advance the interests of the United States. prgtoken At times like this, it is essential for Congress to provide a check on the President and assert our constitutional role in matters of war and peace. In my view, President does not--does not--have authority to go to war with Iran. There are several important pieces of legislation that seek to, again, assert Congress's authority and prerogative on these matters. prgtoken Senator Kaine has a War Powers Resolution that would force a debate and vote in Congress to seek to prevent further escalation of hostilities with Iran. That resolution will be privileged, so it will have to come to the floor. My colleagues, we are going to vote on it. prgtoken Senator Sanders has introduced a bill that would block funding for the war with Iran. I am supportive of both Senator Kaine's and
Iran (Executive Session)
Tim Kaine (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2020-1-6

I am glad to be joined today by my colleague from Illinois, who is a personal mentor of mine. We are here to talk about the threat of war with Iran and about the Constitution. prgtoken I have been worried about this threat for some time, ever since President chose to ignore the advice of his key national security professionals and allies by abandoning America's commitment to a diplomatic deal to limit Iran's nuclear program. The President's action since that tragic decision and the easily predictable responses of Iran to his actions have resulted in an escalating set of hostilities between the United States and Iran and its proxies. prgtoken I will state at the outset my conclusion. I believe that the United States should not be at war in Iran and that, indeed, another war in the Middle East now would be catastrophic. prgtoken But I recognize that some of my colleagues may have a different point of view. So I speak in the hopes of forging a consensus on at least one issue, and that issue is this: If there is to be a war with Iran, it should not be initiated by this President or any President acting on his or her own. It should only be initiated by a vote of Congress following an open and public debate in full view of the American people. prgtoken Every Member of Congress should vote and then be accountable for the question of whether another war in the Middle East is a good idea. The demand for congressional accountability is constitutionally required in the unique constitutional framework that we have. We pledge to support and defend the principle that it is up to Congress to declare war, not the President. prgtoken If we engage in a war, the odds are high that young American men and women will be killed or injured. Some will see their friends killed and injured. Some will have the remainder of their lives affected by physical and emotional injuries, post-traumatic stress, the pain of losing friends, and their families and friends will bear those scars as well. If we are to order our troops and their families to run that risk, then, it should be based on a public consensus as reflected in an open congressional debate and vote that war is in the national interest. prgtoken If Congress debates the matter in full view of the public and reaches the conclusion that war is necessary, so be it. Even if I were to vote no, if the majority of my colleagues voted yes, I would agree that the decision to go to war was a legitimate basis to order our best and brightest into harm's way. prgtoken But by what right do we consign our troops to possible injury and death if prgtoken we are unwilling to have a debate and cast a vote ourselves? We cannot hide under our desks, outsource our constitutional duty to any President, and pretend that we can avoid accountability for war and its consequences. prgtoken Over the course of this week, I will address three topics about the issue of war with Iran. The first s
ADMINISTRATION OF OATH OF OFFICE
Benjamin L. Cardin (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2020-1-6

I rise today to discuss the nomination of U.S. Treasurer Jovita Carranza to lead the Small Business Administration. Treasurer Carranza's nomination comes at a time of great change for American small businesses. With the growing diversity in America, the face of business ownership in America is naturally also becoming more diverse. prgtoken I have witnessed these changes firsthand in my home State of Maryland, which currently boasts the highest concentration of women- owned businesses in the country, as well as the highest concentration of minority-owned businesses. Maryland's success has been no accident; it is as a result of our leaders' decades-long commitment to creating opportunities for underserved entrepreneurs, which began when the late Baltimore Congressman Parren J. Mitchell created the first Federal set- aside for minority contractors in 1977. prgtoken It was with this understanding that I requested a seat on the Small Business Committee when I joined this body in 2006, and it is with this understanding that I am hopeful that Treasurer Carranza will provide much needed leadership at the SBA and serve as an advocate for entrepreneurs--especially those from underserved communities--within the administration. prgtoken If confirmed to lead the SBA, Treasurer Carranza will enter an agency that has not had a Deputy Administrator since April 2018 and that has been led by its General Counsel since former Administrator Linda McMahon resigned in April 2019. She will join an administration that has pushed for drastic cuts at the SBA in every budget it has sent to Congress. I am grateful that our Appropriations Committee has consistently rejected the administration's devastating budget proposals, and I hope that Treasurer Carranza will work to ensure that the administration's fiscal year 2021 budget is not more of the same. prgtoken Minorities, women, veterans, and entrepreneurs from other underserved communities face specific, historical barriers to business ownership, and they need an SBA that has the leadership, vision, and tools required to meet their needs. I would like to use this opportunity to highlight what I believe are the two most critical areas where the SBA is falling short in its support of underserved communities. prgtoken First, SBA must do a better job of providing affordable capital to entrepreneurs from underserved communities. prgtoken SBA's various loan programs provide entrepreneurs with affordable capital to fund their businesses. These loans are especially important for underserved entrepreneurs, who typically have less wealth with which to fund a small business and have lower rates of business loan approvals. prgtoken Instead of filling in the gaps in the credit markets, SBA's highest volume loan program, the 7(a) Program, has mirrored the inequities in the market. That is something we need to address. Addressing this issue is important not only in Maryland, which, as I ment
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
Richard Blumenthal (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2020-1-6

I rise today with a heavy heart to pay tribute to Alfred J. Rioux, a dedicated public servant, advocate, and friend to many. Sadly, Mr. Rioux passed away on November 9, 2019, at the age of 85. He will be remembered for his commitment to Connecticut and his jovial spirit. prgtoken Born in Hartford, CT, Al served in the Navy as a seaman 2nd class and deep-sea diver on the USS Skylark during the Korean war. Once discharged, he started an apprenticeship in Hartford for the Arrow-Hart Hegeman Company as a tool and die engineer. prgtoken Upon moving to Newington, CT, with his family, Al began working in real estate and insurance. At the same time, he became a member of the Connecticut Home Builders Association, helping to develop single-family homes in his town. This initial involvement in Newington would serve as the catalyst for Al's lifelong devotion to Connecticut politics. prgtoken In the 1970s and 1980s, some of Al's pivotal roles included helping Bill Cotter successfully win his first term in the U.S. House of Representatives, serving as an aide to Congressman Cotter, a 15-year position as the Newington ic Party's Town chairman, and attending the 1980 ic National Convention as a delegate in support of President Jimmy Carter. He also served two terms as the sheriff of Hartford County. prgtoken Al gave back to his communities outside of politics, as well. In one of the first kidney transplants performed at Hartford Hospital through Dr. Robert Schweitzer and Dr. Stanley Bartus's transplant program, Al received a kidney from his sister, Dorothy Williams, in 1975. This successful operation led him to organize the Connecticut Kidney Research Fund Golf Tournament. Throughout its many years, the tournament helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars in support of Hartford Hospital's kidney transplant research. prgtoken Through his involvement in Connecticut politics, transplant advocacy, and numerous organizations, Al left a lasting impression on everyone around him thanks to his zeal for life and readiness to help others. prgtoken My wife Cynthia and I extend our deepest sympathies to Al's family during this difficult time, particularly to his wife Elma and his many children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. May their many wonderful memories of Al provide them solace and comfort.
UNITED STATES-MEXICO-CANADA TRADE AGREEMENT
Sherrod Brown (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2020-1-6

I rise to talk about an issue that the Senate may address on the floor this week. prgtoken Tomorrow in the Senate Finance Committee, we are going to take up the renegotiated North American Free Trade Agreement. prgtoken One of my proudest votes as a Member of the House a long time ago was to vote against the North American Free Trade Agreement, to vote against NAFTA. I have voted no on every trade agreement since then because every trade agreement that has come in front of this body was written by corporate interests for their corporate executives and stockholders. They maximize profits always--every one of these trade agreements--CAFTA, NAFTA, PNTR with China, which is not technically a trade agreement, but it quacks like a duck and walks like a duck. Every one of these trade agreements, in every case, has looked out for corporate interests and jettisoned the interests of workers. prgtoken We see the consequences. Corporate profits soar every time. Executive compensation explodes upward every time. Workers continue to produce more than ever before. Even though corporate profits are up and executive compensation is up, workers' wages are flat. Often, they can't join a union, and the middle class continues to shrink. prgtoken I know what that has meant in the Presiding Officer's State of Arkansas. I know what it has meant in Ohio. I know what it has done to my hometown of Mansfield. I know what these trade agreements do to Dayton and Cleveland and Cincinnati and Canton and Youngstown and Toledo. prgtoken Then-Candidate said that he was going to renegotiate NAFTA. Well, that was his promise. He did, but he gave us the same thing. His economic policies overall have been that, but his renegotiated NAFTA, which he brought to this Congress originally--the negotiation that he made with Mexico and Canada--was another corporate trade agreement written for corporate interests. prgtoken Again, this President betrays workers with his tax giveaways to corporations, to his judges who put their thumbs on the scale, choosing corporations over workers, choosing Wall Street over consumers. prgtoken Then, last year, as he has done one betrayal of workers after another, squeezing the middle class even more--last year, when we got the initial draft of this agreement from the administration, the renegotiated NAFTA was another betrayal. prgtoken His first NAFTA draft was nowhere near the good deal for workers that President promised. He had fundamentally negotiated another corporate trade deal--a deal that helps corporate executives, that helps stockholders, that betrays workers again and again, another trade deal just like that. It meant nothing for workers. It meant a sellout to drug companies. It took us months of fighting alongside Pelosi and Senator Wyden and trade unions to improve this deal and take the real and important steps toward putting workers at the center of our trade policies. prgtoken Thes
TRANSMIT ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT TO SENATE
Rodney Davis (Republican, IL) \u2014 2020-1-7

I rise today to ask the ic leadership to answer the question from my constituents as to why the Articles of Impeachment were not yet transmitted to the Senate. prgtoken It was urgent enough to have the first-ever partisan articles pass this institution almost 3 weeks ago but not urgent enough to follow our Constitution by walking them from this House, out that door, through Statuary Hall, under the Capitol dome, and to the Senate floor. prgtoken It will take only a matter of minutes to get them there, and it will codify the first-ever partisan impeachment process in our Nation's history. prgtoken History will not judge this process and this impeachment favorably. If you don't like who gets elected, work to elect someone else. prgtoken Instead, will ask themselves years from now, ``Why did we allow partisanship and hatred of this President to change history and precedent?'' when this institution is paralyzed by future partisan impeachments of duly elected Presidents of both parties.
CONDEMNING RECENT ANTI-SEMITIC ATTACKS
Virginia Foxx (Republican, NC) \u2014 2020-1-7

over the past year, we have seen a troubling rise in anti-Semitic crimes and activity across the United States and the world. prgtoken In 2019, 229 anti-Semitic hate crimes were reported in New York City. There was a 46 percent increase in anti-Semitic hate crimes in Chicago. From January to October, there were 58 reported anti-Semitic crimes in Los Angeles. prgtoken The facts are indisputable. These heinous acts of violence were not the result of random, isolated incidents. These acts were deliberately orchestrated with a clear intent to target and harm the Jewish community. prgtoken Attacks of any kind on communities of faith are unacceptable. Simply broaching the issue of anti-Semitic crime is not enough to protect these communities. Those responsible for committing these senseless acts of violence must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. We must foster engagement between law enforcement and targeted communities, and we must all work together to confront this issue.
Impeachment (Executive Session)
John Thune (Republican, SD) \u2014 2020-1-7

many of us here in the Senate thought we would be opening the new year with an impeachment trial, but that is not what is happening this week because the Senate is still waiting-- waiting for Pelosi to actually send over the Articles of Impeachment. prgtoken rushed impeachment through the House, throwing fairness and due process to the winds in their haste to impeach the President, but now they are apparently content to just sit on the Articles of Impeachment for the foreseeable future. If really believe that this impeachment is a serious matter, that there is literally a crime spree in progress, as they have claimed, they would have already sent over the articles. The truth is, ' impeachment efforts, which basically started before the President had even taken the oath of office, have been politically motivated from the start. thought they could damage the President politically by rushing to impeach him, and now they think they can damage the President politically by stalling a trial. prgtoken Pelosi is also attempting to force the Senate to conduct the trial she would like it to conduct in hopes of getting the outcome she would prefer--demonstrating once again the fundamentally political nature of the ' impeachment quest. Here in the Senate, we will continue working on the business of governing until prgtoken the decides she is ready to stop playing games.