mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
CELEBRATING THE 70TH ANNIVERSARY OF ISRAEL'S INDEPENDENCE
Charles W. Dent (Republican, PA) \u2014 2018-4-24

I rise today in celebration of the 70th Independence Day of the State of Israel. On May 14, 1948, the State of Israel declared its independence from Britain after the expiration of the British Mandate. This declaration created the state of Israel as we recognize it today. prgtoken The land of Israel has been home to the Jewish people throughout history. Jewish heritage in the area can be traced back to the Iron Age when the Kingdom of Israel occupied the region. It is in this territory between the Mediterranean and Dead Seas Judaism was founded. Jews ruled Israel during some historical periods and were conquered during others. After many years of uncertainty, the Jewish people were recognized as the rightful occupants of Israel in 1948. prgtoken Israel began to establish itself immediately during its early history as a country; it was admitted to the United Nations on May 11, 1949, a little under a year since its inception. Persecuted Jews from around the world, including Holocaust survivors, immigrated to Israel and adopted it as home. Such mass migration gave Israel a population of nearly two million by 1958. A highlight during Israel's early period was the prosecution of Nazi war criminals, mainly the trial of Adolf Eichmann in 1961. The capture of Eichmann from Argentina and his subsequent trial in Israel led to an increased public awareness of Holocaust atrocities. prgtoken In the 1970's, Israel was forced to fight off many military threats from neighboring nations. These attacks prompted support from Israel's European and Western allies, strengthening the young nation's global relationships. Israel has been able to partner with two of its former adversaries, Egypt and Jordan, after these threats subsided. While hostility towards Israel still exists, significant progress towards peaceful relationships has been made in recent years. prgtoken The economy in Israel has become very highly developed since the late 20th century. The nation enjoys the highest standard of living in the Middle East and the 35th best GDP per capita in the world. This is the result of a diverse and robust economy. Israel is a global innovator of technology and has recently drawn comparisons to Silicon Valley as a result of its success. Israel is also one of the top producers of cut diamonds throughout the world, which accounts for nearly 12 percent of global production. prgtoken , I ask the House to please join me in praising Israel's 70th anniversary as an independent nation. The United States and Israel have long maintained a friendly relationship based on shared values and mutual interests. May our bond continue to strengthen into the future, and may Israel continue to prosper in the Middle East for many years to come.
Dark Money (Executive Session)
Edward J. Markey (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2018-4-24

borrowing from a phrase from Senator Whitehouse of Rhode Island, ``It is time to wake up to the threat of climate change.'' We must open our eyes to the insidious web of deceit that the Koch brothers, in alliance with the Administration, are weaving to promote an anti-science, anti-consumer, and anti-renewable energy agenda. This web of deceit is something that the Koch brothers are proud of. prgtoken Just last week, they bragged to donors in a report that they were responsible for President 's policies: repealing the Clean Power Plan, check; attacking public lands, check; attempting to gut bedrock environmental laws for infrastructure projects, check; leaving the Paris climate accord, check; tax giveaways to Big Oil and other fossil fuel corporations, check-plus. prgtoken The first year of the Administration has been a Koch brothers wish list, and they are popping their champagne bottles all the way to the bank. In fact, the various front groups and trade organizations that pushed President to exit the Paris climate accord accepted almost $7 million from the Koch brothers directly. Those groups took millions more from other anti-climate groups, which were also funded by the Koch brothers. It is a tangled web they weave with their money. That is what the Koch brothers have bought--a network of individuals, shady front groups, and partisan organizations whose sole purpose is to undermine the policies that protect Americans and the planet from climate change. prgtoken Like a real spider web, it is hard to see this web of deceit unless the light catches it in just the right way. I am going to shine a light on a few threads of this web tonight, the threads that make up the effort to undermine the scientific consensus on climate change: the Koch brothers and their CO2 Coalition. One of these threads is the CO2 Coalition. This group, founded in 2015 with the remains of the defunct George C. Marshall Institute, pushed a single mantra: ``Carbon dioxide, a nutrient vital for life.'' prgtoken The CO2 Coalition started where the George C. Marshall Institute, another Koch-backed front group, left off--disseminating disinformation, particularly around global warming. prgtoken Total funding from the Koch-related foundations for the CO2 Coalition is more than $650,000 since 2004. In addition to the Kochs, the billionaire conservative Mercer family also gave the CO2 Coalition $150,000 in 2016. And that is just what we know of. prgtoken For those not familiar, the board of the CO2 Coalition includes the controversial physicist William Happer, who has testified in front of Congress multiple times to push climate denialism and the self-serving interest of the fossil fuel industry and the Koch brothers. prgtoken When I was chairman of the House Select Committee for Energy Independence and Global Warming, Dr. Happer advocated in testimony for the government to support an ``alternative hypothe
Dark Money (Executive Session)
Catherine Cortez Masto (Democrat, NV) \u2014 2018-4-24

there is an old saying that ``there is no such thing as a free lunch,'' but what about other things? What about free Spanish language driver's education classes? What about free backpacks, notebooks, pencils, and school supplies in the month before school starts? What about free financial wellness workshops, free turkeys in the week before Thanksgiving? prgtoken These thing are all given away at events hosted by the LIBRE Initiative--a self-described grassroots organization dedicated to a ``free and open society.'' The events were held in Latino communities throughout the country, including Las Vegas, Miami, and Orlando. prgtoken People attending these events were asked to fill out a questionnaire. Questions included: ``Are you more likely to vote for a or a in the 2016 election?'' ``Do you feel the government should increase or decrease Federal spending in order to improve the economy?'' ``What is your name, email address, and telephone number?'' prgtoken People actually had to hand over their personal data in exchange for the free stuff. So the stuff wasn't really free after all--but close enough, right? prgtoken Well, in a career spent as a prosecutor, I have learned one thing: Always follow the money. If you follow the money just one step back, you learn that LIBRE is a shell organization funded by Charles and David Koch, two of the most powerful men in American politics. Charles and David Koch are the owners of Koch Industries, a massive energy company that manufactures, distributes, and refines petroleum. Koch Industries is one of the largest privately held companies in the Nation, with estimated annual revenues of over $100 billion. prgtoken What does all this mean? It means the Koch brothers are two very rich men, and there is nothing wrong with that. What is wrong is the way the Koch brothers use their money to hijack our democracy for their own benefit. prgtoken The Koch brothers are self-described radicals who believe the government should play no role in Americans' lives. The Koch brothers believe in a world with no Medicare, no Social Security, no Federal minimum wage, no public programs that support families when they fall on hard times, and no rules preventing Koch Industries from polluting our air, drinking water, or our public lands. prgtoken The Koch brothers hate environmental regulations because Koch Industries is one of the top 10 worst polluters in the United States. Fewer environmental regulations mean the Koch brothers can obtain bigger financial gains. prgtoken To keep their empire afloat, the Koch brothers are not just polluting our environment, they are polluting our political system, and they are polluting our airways with false advertising. prgtoken The Kochs want Americans to believe climate change is a conspiracy, despite the global scientific consensus that climate change is caused by burning fossil fuels. Why would they want to cast doubt on
SUPPORTING EFFORTS TO BRING THE 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP COMPETITION TO CANADA, MEXICO, AND THE UNITED STATES
Eliot L. Engel (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2018-4-24

such time as I may consume. prgtoken The ties between the United States, Mexico, and Canada are longstanding and deep; and I am pleased that the United States can continue to come together in partnership with our friends from both of those countries on the United Bid Committee to try to bring the 2026 World Cup to North America. prgtoken I stand ready to support the North American bid in any way that I can. It would really be terrific to get it, and I know we all feel the same way. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues to support this resolution, and .
IN HONOR OF SERGEANT THOMAS H. COREY
Lois Frankel (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2018-4-24

I am pleased to recognize Sergeant Thomas H. Corey, Vietnam veteran and tireless advocate for his fellow servicemen and women. prgtoken Mr. Corey was leading his squad in what came to be known as the Tet Offensive in early 1968 when he was paralyzed from the neck down by an enemy bullet. After his recovery he moved to South Florida where his activism work began. He joined the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) in 1980, and the following year became the founding president of VVA Palm Beach County Chapter 25, now known as the Thomas H. Corey Chapter. Mr. Corey was the first recipient of VVA's Commendation Medal, the organization's highest award for service to veterans, their families, and the community. He has held a multitude of leadership positions within VVA, culminating with his election as National President in 2001. In addition to his work with VVA, he is a member of the National Association of Uniformed Services, Disabled American Veterans, the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, the 1st Cavalry Association, and the Military Order of the Purple Heart Association. prgtoken Since 1994, Mr. Corey has made 16 trips to Vietnam to bridge the gap between former foes. While there he has discussed issues of mutual importance, such as the treatment of prisoners of war and the effects of Agent Orange. In recognition of his efforts, he was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. prgtoken I have been privileged to know Mr. Corey for many years and have seen first-hand his incredible work throughout our area. It has made him a truly beloved member of the South Florida community.
EXECUTIVE CALENDAR--Continued
Robert Menendez (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2018-4-24

I rise to speak in opposition to the nomination of Kyle Duncan to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. prgtoken Mr. Duncan has spent large portions of his legal career seeking to suppress the rights of immigrants, minorities, women, and the LGBTQ community. In short, his values are grossly out of touch with a modern and inclusive America. prgtoken I can't say I am surprised that Mr. Duncan has been nominated by a President who has called Mexicans racists and drug dealers. President and Mr. Duncan share the same extreme political ideology, especially regarding their view of immigrants. Mr. Duncan, in an amicus brief challenging the Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents, wrote that permitting DAPA--the acronym for that program--to go into effect would exacerbate the problem of violent crime by unauthorized immigrants. This position advances the false and offensive narrative that a majority of immigrants are violent criminals. In fact, DAPA was a program that would have allowed the parent of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident who had lived in the United States continuously for years and passed a criminal background check to remain in the United States with legal status and a work permit. This program was never implemented, but it would have kept families together, and to suggest it would have benefited criminals and threatened public safety is just plain wrong. It fits with the Party's misleading and racist attacks on immigrants in this country. prgtoken Mr. Duncan makes these arguments despite overwhelming evidence that immigrants commit less crime than native-born Americans, and numerous law enforcement entities have voiced their support for DAPA because the program actually advances public safety by encouraging cooperation and trust between immigrant communities and the police. prgtoken A year after voicing his opposition to DAPA, Mr. Duncan submitted another amicus brief. This time he argued against the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, known as DACA, claiming it was unconstitutional. So we know where Mr. Duncan stands in stereotyping immigrants, but Mr. Duncan is not just hostile to immigrants. prgtoken He represented North Carolina in its defense of a discriminatory voting law, urging2 the Supreme Court to hear the case. In the brief, Duncan wrote, ``The Constitution does not allow the sins of Civil Rights-era legislators to be visited on their grandchildren and great- grandchildren.'' Yet the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals had found that the law was enacted with discriminatory intent and ``targeted African Americans with almost surgical precision.'' Mr. Duncan appeared to have clearly missed the point as to who the real victims were. prgtoken In another voting rights case, Duncan argued that Texas's restrictive voter ID law helped to ``prevent voter fraud.'' Although this myth has been debunked over and over and over again, the
Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein (Executive Session)
Maria Cantwell (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2018-4-24

I come to the floor to speak in opposition to the nomination of Kyle Duncan for the U.S. Circuit Court for the Fifth Circuit. prgtoken I find his nomination troubling, but I find many of President 's nominees for judges troubling because they want to restrict established rights or roll back privacy issues, whether it is Roe v. Wade or LGBT rights. prgtoken In many cases, Mr. Duncan has tried to take away these very important reproductive rights for women. From 2012 to 2014, he was the lead counsel on the Hobby Lobby v. Sebelius Supreme Court case. That flawed decision allows closely held corporations to deny FDA-approved contraceptive coverage to women employees if the company owners object to the contraception based on religious beliefs. prgtoken More than half of the working-age women in Washington State get their healthcare coverage through their employer. They pay for their coverage through hard-earned wages and compensation. Their employer should not be able to just cherry-pick what benefits they get because the owners have a self-professed religious objection. prgtoken Mr. Duncan also tried to go after State laws protecting birth control access. Thanks in part to Washington State pharmacist Jennifer Erickson, Washington State has a law on the books requiring all pharmacies to stock and deliver all lawfully prescribed drugs, including contraception, but Mr. Duncan worked to take that hard-fought access away. prgtoken In 2016, he filed a brief urging the Supreme Court to take up a challenge to the Washington State pharmacy law in order to strike it down. prgtoken He also worked to deny access to constitutional rights to terminate pregnancies. In the Whole Women's Health case, Mr. Duncan filed a brief defending an unconstitutional Texas law that restricted access to safe and legal abortions at qualified health providers. prgtoken Ultimately, in the Whole Women's Health case, the Supreme Court rightly struck down this very deceptive Texas law, finding it had nothing to do with medical necessity and placed an undue burden on women. prgtoken In the landmark case of Obergefell v. Hodges, Mr. Duncan authored an amicus brief which argued against same-sex marriage, and he has represented North Carolina in their defense of the ``bathroom bill,'' which discriminated against transgender individuals. We need to expand the rights of the LGBT community, not nominate a judge who believes we should roll back these laws that are so important to the individuals in my State. prgtoken Mr. Duncan also defended North Carolina's restrictive voting laws which limited early voting, prevented same-day registration, and placed limitations on where people could vote. The appeals court found that these restrictions violated the Voting Rights Act because they were disproportionately affecting African Americans. We do not need to see a judge on our bench who is trying to limit people's participation in our democracy as
A GOOD DEAL, A BETTER DEAL, AND A RAW DEAL
John Garamendi (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2018-4-24

it is good to be back here on the floor to talk about a good deal, a better deal, and a raw deal. But before I get into a discussion about how we can move this Nation forward and how our colleagues on the other side are really taking us in the wrong direction, I want to put this up for us to take a look at. prgtoken I suspect I caught your attention having it upside down. I did that on purpose. prgtoken I often start these discussions with this. It is from FDR, one of his great speeches. He said: ``The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little.'' prgtoken I keep coming to this because it is a statement of values. It is a statement of direction. It is a statement of what I believe we should be doing as Members of Congress and as leaders of this Nation. ``The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little.'' prgtoken My ic colleagues and I take this to heart, and we try to structure our policies, our programs, and the direction in which we want our country to go along this line, to make sure that those in our Nation, those in our community, those in our States, and even within our families, that they have enough--enough of the wealth of this Nation so that they can enjoy the fruits of their work, so that as they labor that 8 hours or 10 hours or 12 hours a day that they put in, it provides them with enough income so that they can have what we learned from our Founding Fathers: happiness. prgtoken That is not where we are today. That is not what is happening today. Yes, the economy is moving. Yes, the unemployment rate is down. But this Congress has just passed a monumental tax scam back in December, presumably to grow the economy, and when you look at that, it is not a better deal, which is what we want for America. We want a better deal, one in which healthcare costs come under control, where prescription drugs can be available, where we have a real infrastructure program that actually will build the sanitation systems, the water systems, dealing with those communities like those in Michigan that have contaminated water and those in my State of California where the wells go dry--and if they are not dry, those wells are contaminated. prgtoken We want a better deal for America so that the minimum wage actually provides sufficient income so that a family cannot only survive, but be able to pay the rent, be able to educate their kids, be able to put food on the table, and maybe even have a vacation. prgtoken We want a better deal for America. We want a country that is internationally competitive. We want a better deal for America's mariners, not where the maritime industry continues to decline as it has for the last 20, 30 years, but rather where it is built up. prgtoken Legislation s
BETTER DEAL VERSUS RAW DEAL
Cheri Bustos (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2018-4-24

for too many hardworking families, job opportunities are down, medical bills are up, and wages are flat--and people are sick and tired of getting a raw deal from Washington. prgtoken Let me tell you what a raw deal looks like. prgtoken I met a homecare nurse who lives near me. She works full time. Her husband works full time, too. All they want to do is give their two kids the best childhood they possibly can. But they can't even afford to take their kids to the movies because tickets and popcorn and soda are just a little too much. When I asked what they do for fun, she said they have cable television. prgtoken So how are we supposed to explain to a family like this, who can only give their kids the Disney Channel instead of Disney World, that the majority in Congress just gave $3.5 billion in taxpayer funds to the six largest banks on Wall Street? prgtoken That is a raw deal, and it is wrong. Instead, we should fight every single day to give a better deal, built on a foundation of better jobs, better pay, and a better future for all Americans.