mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
Travel Ban (Executive Calendar)
Claire McCaskill (Democrat, MO) \u2014 2017-1-31

I am going to make a couple of brief comments and then yield my hour of postcloture debate. prgtoken Let me just say that nothing the President did made us safer. And one of the most outrageous claims the President made was that we don't have extreme vetting. prgtoken The Presiding Officer and I both serve on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and after we realized that we needed to take a closer look at refugees and making sure bad guys weren't getting into this country, we instituted an amazing array of vetting processes. prgtoken Let me first start with this important principle. Nobody applies to the United States for refugee status; they apply to the United Nations. Less than 1 percent of the people who apply for refugee status with the United Nations are granted the opportunity to go forward. So we start out with 99-plus percent of the people who apply to be a refugee turned down at the United Nations, so the less than 1 percent who come to us, come to us for another aggressive screening process. I went to Jordan and watched it. There are multiple interviews. It takes 18 months to 2 years. They are vetted through every possible intelligence agency, every possible database. And by the way, we check what they are saying even if they don't have papers. There are iris scans. It is the most extreme vet you can imagine. Of course, because it was so extreme, we realized that the hole in our system was not the refugees; it was, in fact, the Visa Waiver Program, which is why we passed a law after Paris to make sure that anybody who was in certain countries had to get a visa. didn't do a travel ban. never identified countries for a travel ban. All President did was say: If you have been in these countries, you have to have a visa so we have information on you. prgtoken I wanted to clarify that because the misinformation that is coming out of the White House about what we currently have and what is in place is an insult. I wish they understood the vetting processes we have in place now for refugees; then maybe we could get back to really joining arms and trying to figure out what we can do for national security. One thing we need to do for national security is not give the back of our hand to the pilots and the other soldiers who are fighting shoulder to shoulder with us in Iraq against ISIS. prgtoken I yield the remainder of my hour of postclosure debate time under rule XXII to Senator Schumer.
FUSION CENTER ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 2017
Bennie G. Thompson (Democrat, MS) \u2014 2017-1-31

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , in closing, I want to express my support for this bill. I urge passage of H.R. 642, the Fusion Center Enhancement Act of 2017, which, if enacted, would send the message that Congress values the investment that States and localities have made to address the challenges of a post-9/11 world and stand with DHS in supporting the National Network of Fusion Centers. prgtoken , I urge passage of H.R. 642. prgtoken , .
PRESIDENT TRUMP SHOULD REMOVE STEVE BANNON FROM NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
Anthony G. Brown (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2017-1-31

I rise today to call on President to remove Steve Bannon from the National Security Council. prgtoken , the National Security Council was created in 1947, and it is prgtoken designed to provide the President of the United States with diplomatic, military, intelligence, and economic information to coordinate, to plan, and to implement national security, and to make sound decisions affecting national security with input from professionals and not from political operatives. And the National Security Council has done that for seven decades. prgtoken Yet, last week, the President issued an ill-conceived, dangerous, and unconstitutional executive order that bans Muslims. It puts Americans abroad, American communities at home, and American soldiers around the world at risk; and I believe that Steve Bannon, who might become a member of the National Security Council, was the architect of that executive order. prgtoken , I ask President , if he is not willing to remove Mr. Bannon from the White House, at least, for the safety of this country, remove him from the National Security Council.
Affordable Care Act (Executive Calendar)
Edward J. Markey (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2017-1-31

the Senate's advise and consent role is one of our most important duties as Senators, and the Secretary of State is one of the most important nominations we will consider. The Secretary of State is America's chief diplomat, and he should project America's values to the world. prgtoken Yesterday, I joined Senator Schumer in calling for a delay on Mr. Tillerson's vote on the Senate floor until we hear from him about President 's Muslim ban. prgtoken Turning away refugees based on their nationality and religion is un- American, it is illegal, and it is immoral. This Muslim ban is propaganda for ISIS. It is a recruiting gift to terrorist groups around the world and in our own country. It will increase the risk of harm to Americans everywhere, including here at home. is sending a message to Muslims around the world that they are all suspects. This has profound implications for our ability to work with governments in the Middle East in the fight against terrorism. One of the countries named in this Executive order is Iraq, our closest ally in the fight against ISIS. Conflict and war is forcing millions around the world from their homeland. 's Muslim ban directly undermines our historic commitment to international cooperation and international refugee aid. That is why world leaders have joined the chorus of millions of Americans who do not support the Muslim ban. prgtoken America has always been a beacon to those fleeing persecution and violence. We are a refuge for those seeking a better life. The poetic inscription at the base of the Statue of Liberty does not say: Send back ``your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.'' As our top diplomat, Mr. Tillerson will be in a position to work directly with the nations named in this Executive order, and we need to hear how he believes it will impact our standing around the world. prgtoken With respect to Mr. Tillerson's nomination, I have very serious concerns. Rex Tillerson could have enjoyed his retirement after spending more than 40 years at ExxonMobil. Instead, he answered the call to enter public service, and I commend him for that. His record at ExxonMobil is one that clearly has received accolades. He did a good job for ExxonMobil. He is highly respected in the oil industry. But public service requires the public's trust, and Mr. Tillerson will not have that trust unless he agrees to recuse himself from participating in decisions that would affect ExxonMobil for the entirety of his term. So far, he has refused to do so. prgtoken Our laws require Federal officials to recuse themselves when a reasonable person could question their impartiality. Before President nominated him to be Secretary of State, Mr. Tillerson worked for one company--ExxonMobil--for virtually his entire adult life. As he rose to become a senior manager and then CEO, Mr. Tillerson was personally involved in getting lucrat
Nominations of Steven Mnuchin and Tom Price (Executive Calendar)
Jack Reed (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2017-1-31

. This is something that has been ongoing for many years. I can recall visiting a training facility in Rhode Island--formerly Quonset Point Naval Air Station; now it is a National Guard station-- where they were training Iraqi Air Force pilots to fly C-130J aircraft. Again, had this order been in effect, those pilots would not have been allowed in for the training that not only helps them but helps the thousands of American military personnel in Iraq, shoulder to shoulder, fighting together, depending on not just the presence but the confidence of the Iraqi military in the United States and that reciprocal mutual relationship. This measure sends a terrible signal to them saying: Go ahead and fight, but you won't get to the United States. prgtoken It is particularly the case I make with respect to these people who feel threatened because they helped us. We have a special visa program, but right now that is in limbo because we essentially said they can't come in, even though they risked their lives to protect our interests and the interests of their own country. prgtoken We are creating huge problems, and, again, I haven't heard the nominee speak out decisively and clearly about the problems this policy is engendering, and that is incumbent upon the individual. prgtoken We have traditionally granted nominees broad deference out of respect for the President, and I don't think this is an issue of simply stopping a nominee for the sake of stopping a nominee. But we are not a rubberstamp either. We have to come here and make the case. When we see examples of behaviors that demonstrably threaten the security of the United States, our ability to cooperate with others, our image in the world, and we are not confident that our Secretary of State will not only reject those but effectively argue within and without that we have a higher purpose, a better goal, a better policy, then it is our obligation to stand and to render a vote of no, and I intend to do that. prgtoken With that, .
FIRST RESPONDER IDENTIFICATION OF EMERGENCY NEEDS IN DISASTER SITUATIONS
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2017-1-31

I thank the gentleman from Georgia and, likewise, congratulate him for his leadership on the Transportation Committee, along with his chairman. prgtoken , I rise as a senior member of the Homeland Security Committee, which committee has had special emphasis on protecting and responding to our first responders, and so I am excited about the fact of moving this bill forward. I thank the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and I thank my Homeland Security Committee for moving this forward through an amendment process and now, ultimately, onto the floor of the House. prgtoken I rise, , enthusiastically, in support of H.R. 58, the First Responder Identification of Emergency Needs in Disaster Situations, or FRIENDS, Act. prgtoken I thank my chairman, Mr. McCaul, and Ranking Member Thompson for the valuable assistance and support in bringing this important bill before the House for consideration during the 114th Congress. We are now in the 115th Congress. I appreciate Chairman Shuster and Ranking Member DeFazio for allowing the FRIENDS Act now to come forward, which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure to be considered on today's suspensions. prgtoken The FRIENDS Act reflects what America is all about. The FRIENDS Act reflects what we, as Members of Congress, are all about. How many of us stop by fire stations, pat a police officer of many different levels on the back, say ``thank you,'' and recognize that that 911 number is a very special number to many of our constituents. prgtoken But more importantly, when natural disasters or manmade disasters such as the horrific and heinous terrorist act of 9/11 occur, who are among the first to come? It is the first responders, and they go to faraway places. prgtoken The FRIENDS Act reflects stakeholder input and bipartisan collaboration with the majority. prgtoken I thank the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the National Association of State EMS Officials working with me, and The International Emergency Management Society for their valuable assistance and input regarding the FRIENDS Act. prgtoken Our two committees, Transportation and Infrastructure and Homeland Security, really respond in a bipartisan way. Our Homeland Security Committee will be facing many mountains of concerns dealing with intelligence issues, dealing with the issues with Russia, dealing with the issues of executive orders, but we do know that we come together to honor our first responders that are our Nation's heroes. They run into burning buildings; they rescue people trapped by dangerous floods and put themselves in harm's way to protect others. Just last week, in San Bernardino, we saw the brave first responders heroically pursue two individuals that fled from the scene of a deadly attack recently over the last year. prgtoken To do their jobs, first responders must leave their homes and families while the rest of us cling to ours. Whether it is to deal
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.J. RES. 38, DISAPPROVING A RULE SUBMITTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Kevin McCarthy (Republican, CA) \u2014 2017-1-31

. I thank the gentleman for yielding. prgtoken , I rise in favor of the rule and the underlying legislation. prgtoken Since the beginning of this Congress, we have devoted ourselves most prominently to a single goal: making Washington work for the people again. prgtoken There is one thing here in Washington that consistently stands against our people, our economy, and our Constitution: the Federal bureaucracy. prgtoken These agencies, bureaus, and departments--so numerous that nobody even knows how many there are--spend their lives thinking up new rules, and the rules they produce weigh down businesses, destroy jobs, and limit Americans' rights. Career bureaucrats who can't be voted out of office wield punishing authority with little to no accountability. They are agents of the status quo, and the revolving door of Federal employees moving to lobbying arms and consulting firms breed thousands of regulations that enrich the connected and powerful, sometimes at the great expense of the average American. This is the swamp. This is what opposes the people, and we are draining it. prgtoken In recent weeks, this House has already started its two-part plan to strip the bureaucracy of its power. We started to change the structure in Washington by passing the REINS Act and the Regulatory Accountability Act. This week, we begin part two: targeting specific rules and stripping them from the books. prgtoken There has been no industry in America that has been more regulated than energy. We are going to use the Congressional Review Act to repeal the stream protection rule that could destroy tens of thousands of mining jobs and put up to 64 percent of our country's coal reserves off limits. prgtoken Then we will take on President 's 11th hour BLM methane emissions requirement. The oil and gas industry in America has already drastically reduced methane emissions even while increasing output, and the EPA already has the authority to regulate air emissions. Instead of helping the environment, this rule could cost America's energy industry up to $1 billion by 2025 and force smaller operations, especially out West, to shut down and lay off employees. So, this Friday, the House will get rid of it. prgtoken We will also take the ax to the SEC disclosure rule, which--now, if you can believe it--targets publicly traded American energy companies with even more regulatory compliance while it lets foreign companies off the hook. Washington should put American companies first, not put them at a disadvantage to their foreign competitors. prgtoken , it is not just energy, which would be bad enough; but under President , the bureaucracy has even threatened our basic constitutional rights. A new rule from the Social Security Administration would increase scrutiny on up to 4.2 million disabled Americans if they attempt to purchase firearms. For the completely unrelated circumstance of having someone help manage your finances, Social S
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY SUPPORT TO FUSION CENTERS ACT OF 2017
Martha McSally (Republican, AZ) \u2014 2017-1-31

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , one of the core missions of the Department of Homeland Security is to share threat information with State and local first responders. Fusion centers are a key mechanism for that process. As fusion centers continue to mature into national assets, Congress must ensure that the Department of Homeland Security is supporting fusion centers with the resources that are needed to keep our communities safe. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to vote for H.R. 678. prgtoken , .
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY INSIDER THREAT AND MITIGATION ACT OF 2017
Peter T. King (Republican, NY) \u2014 2017-1-31

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , I rise in strong support of the legislation. Recent high-profile cases of government employees leaking classified information have caused drastic damage to U.S. national security and diplomacy. The names Snowden and Manning are now synonymous with the term ``insider threat.'' Unfortunately, Snowden, Manning, and others were able to conduct their traitorous work undetected because the government had at one time vetted and granted them access to secure facilities and information systems. prgtoken In response to these cases, it is vital that Congress ensure Federal agencies have the tools to detect and disrupt future insider threat situations before damage is done. H.R. 666, in contrast to its unholy numbering, has the important and respectable goal of authorizing and expanding insider threat detection and mitigation efforts at the Department of Homeland Security. prgtoken DHS has over 115,000 employees with access to classified information and many more with access to law enforcement sensitive data. Unauthorized disclosures of classified information, whether deliberate or unwitting, represent a significant threat to national security. The very nature of modern communication systems, as well as DHS' important information-sharing role with State and local partners, adds complexity to the challenge and requires thoughtful programs to educate employees and enhance DHS-wide detection capabilities. prgtoken The bill directs DHS to develop a strategy for the Department to identify, prevent, mitigate, and respond to insider threats and requires DHS to ensure that personnel understand what workplace behavior may be indicative of a potential insider threat and how their activity on DHS networks will be monitored. The bill codifies a comprehensive insider threat program at DHS that can be implemented through the Department and its component agencies and, most importantly, reinforces the importance of preventing future insider attacks. prgtoken I want to thank Homeland Security Chairman McCaul, Ranking Member Thompson, and Congressmen Dan Donovan and Lou Barletta for working with me to bring this bill to the floor. prgtoken The same bill passed the House floor in November 2015 by voice vote. Unfortunately, last-minute scheduling issues with the Senate prevented the bill from reaching the President's desk. I am pleased that the House is willing to take up this measure so quickly in the new Congress so we can move it through the process. I look forward to working with the Senate to move this measure forward. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to support this bill so we can establish a comprehensive, transparent, DHS-wide insider threat program. I urge support for the bill. prgtoken , .
A DECADE OF SERVICE
Tom Emmer (Republican, MN) \u2014 2017-1-31

I rise today to celebrate an athlete from my district who has persevered and conquered, achieved, despite challenges that have been presented to him during his life. prgtoken This past week, snowmobile motocross racer Mike Schultz, from St. Cloud, Minnesota, won his sixth gold medal at the Winter X Games. Mike lost his left leg during a tragic accident in 2008. This past week, he competed amongst opponents who were also amputees or partially paralyzed. prgtoken Mike Schultz serves as a wonderful reminder of what can be accomplished when one never gives up and displays courage in the face of extreme challenge. It is inspiring to see a young man come out on top against such adversity. prgtoken We are proud of you, Mike, and I look forward to watching you compete in the 2017 International Paralympic Committee World Para Snowboard Championships in Canada later this year. I have no doubt you will be victorious once again. Minnesota's Media Mogul
IMPORTANCE OF FIREFIGHTERS IN RURAL AMERICA
Glenn Thompson (Republican, PA) \u2014 2017-1-31

I rise today to speak about the unsung heroes in many rural communities throughout America: our volunteer firefighters. prgtoken These dedicated volunteers answer the call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They spend time away from their families and homes. The training that is required can be costly and very time consuming. prgtoken Our volunteer firefighters make these sacrifices because they care deeply about their friends and neighbors. They care about their communities. prgtoken But rural America is facing a real problem with dwindling numbers of those who are willing to volunteer. A National Fire Protection Association report published last year shows the number of volunteer firefighters per 1,000 people has been decreasing since 1986. prgtoken Gone are the days when those seeking to volunteer had to add their names to a waiting list to join their local fire department. Sometimes volunteers could wait for years to be added to the roster, but that is not how it is anymore as fewer individuals are interested in signing up. prgtoken This is not unique to Pennsylvania, but it is happening in communities across the country. Small communities reap the benefits of having volunteer forces. According to a 2016 National Fire Prevention Association study, the time donated by volunteer firefighters saves localities across the country an estimated $139.8 billion a year. prgtoken The savings are clear, and the service could not be more important. That is why last year I hosted two fire summits in my district to speak directly with local firefighters and try to identify not only the challenges that they face, but also some solutions to those problems. prgtoken Funding is always a problem that plagues volunteer departments and can truly decline quickly when we think of what it costs to purchase new equipment and be compliant with the latest regulations. Small communities are often already stressed economically and do not have a tax base that can assume another increase; but equipment replacement is paramount, and it can sometimes mean the life or death of a firefighter. prgtoken Volunteer fire departments also face training challenges. Firefighters in rural communities regularly need to travel long distances for instructional courses, and paying for the necessary training can be difficult. Training sessions might not focus enough on firefighting in rural communities, which is different from that in urban communities in a number of ways. prgtoken Personnel challenges remain a constant issue with declining populations, aging firefighters who are not being replaced with those of a younger generation, and a lack of tangible retention incentives. prgtoken Yet, with all of these challenges, fire departments are faced with higher call volumes than ever before, according to a study from the National Volunteer Fire Council. Most fire departments across the country have experienced a steady increase in calls over the past two decade