mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
PERSONAL EXPLANATION
Anthony G. Brown (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2018-6-26

from May 15, 2018 until May 22, 2018, I was absent from the House of Representatives. Had I been present, I would have voted in the following manner: prgtoken H.R. 613, Lieutenant Osvaldo Albarati Correctional Officer Self- Protection Act of 2017 (Rep. McKinley, R-WV)--YES. prgtoken H.R. 4854, Justice Served Act of 2018 (Rep. Carter, R-TX)--YES. prgtoken H. Res. 285, Expressing the sense of the United States House of Representatives that Congress and the President should empower the creation of police and community alliances designed to enhance and improve communication and collaboration between members of the law enforcement community and the public they serve (Rep. Taylor, R-VA)-- YES. prgtoken On Question of Consideration of the Resolution (the Rule for H.R. 5690, S. 2372, and H.R. 2)--NO. prgtoken Ordering the Previous Question on H. Res. 891--The combined rule providing for consideration of the bill H.R. 5698--Protect and Serve Act of 2018 and of the bill S. 2372--VA MISSION Act of 2018 and of the bill H.R. 2--Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018--NO. prgtoken Adoption of H. Res. 891--The combined rule providing for consideration of the bill H.R. 5698--Protect and Serve Act of 2018 and of the bill S. 2372--VA MISSION Act of 2018 and of the bill H.R. 2-- Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018--NO. prgtoken S. 35, Black Hills National Cemetery Boundary Expansion Act (Sen. Thune, R-SD)--YES. prgtoken H.R. 5698, Protect and Serve Act of 2018 (Rep. Rutherford, R-FL)-- YES. prgtoken S. 2372, VA MISSION Act of 2018 (Sen. Isakson, R-GA)--NO. prgtoken Motion on Ordering the Previous Question on the Rule providing for further consideration of H.R. 2--NO. prgtoken H. Res. 900, Rule providing for further consideration of H.R. 2-- Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018--NO. prgtoken Foxx (R-NC) Amendment No. 1 to H.R. 2--Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018--NO. prgtoken McClintock (R-CA) Amendment No. 3 to H.R. 2--Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018--NO. prgtoken McClintock (R-CA) Amendment No. 8 to H.R. 2--Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018--NO. prgtoken Faso (R-NY) Amendment No. 13 to H.R. 2--Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018--NO. prgtoken Biggs (R-AZ) Amendment No. 16 to H.R. 2--Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018--NO. prgtoken Westerman (R-AR) Part C Amendment No. 13 to H.R. 2--Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018--NO. prgtoken Young (R-AK) Part C Amendment No. 14 to H.R. 2--Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018--NO. prgtoken Russell (R-OK) Amendment No. 17 to H.R. 2--Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018--NO. prgtoken Massie (R-KY) Amendment No. 25 to H.R. 2--Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018--NO. prgtoken Roskam (R-IL) Amendment No. 28 to H.R. 2--Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018--YES. prgtoken Banks (R-IN) Amendment No. 31 to H.R. 2--Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018--NO. prgtoken Motion to Recommit H.R. 2--Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018-- with Instructions--YES. prgtoken Final Passage of H.R. 2--Agricultur
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
Thomas R. Carper (Democrat, DE) \u2014 2018-6-26

it is with great pleasure that I rise on behalf of the Delaware delegation to honor the exemplary service of Bernard Brady, secretary of the senate for the State of Delaware. prgtoken A native of Wilmington and a graduate of Trinity College, University of Dublin, Bernard began his career with the Delaware Senate in January of 1979. After nearly 40 years of public service, he has made the difficult decision to retire. Bernard serves as the chief administrative officer of the Senate, which is a position elected by the members. For four decades, Bernard has been the cornerstone of the Delaware Senate, involved in matters relating to budget, legislation, and overall operations. His office maintains records of official Senate transactions, handles the introduction and flow of legislation, sends and receives legislative messages and executive communications, compiles and posts agendas, records committee reports, rollcalls, and the legislative journal. This is no small task for one person. Many nights while serving as Delaware's Governor, I prgtoken recall leaving legislative hall and noticing that Bernard's car was still parked in its regular spot and his office light would still be on. It was not unusual for him to work well into the night to ensure that all of that day's loose ends had been tied up and that the stage was set for a smooth transition to the next legislative day. prgtoken During my 8 years as Governor, my staff and I were fortunate to work with Bernard on many occasions, often seeking out his guidance and wisdom regarding legislative issues or gubernatorial appointments. Bernard readily made himself available to our team, generously offering us the benefit of his historical knowledge. prgtoken Bernard is so ingrained in the daily workings of the Senate that most people in legislative hall cannot imagine the senate chamber without him. Bernard is invaluable for his insight and expertise on the Delaware Legislature, but talk to anyone, and they will tell you that Bernard is beloved because he has the patience of a saint and the heart of a true servant, respected by and s alike. prgtoken Today, we join Bernard's siblings, Geraldine, Mary Lou, Chip, Gerald, and Philip, along with his many colleagues and friends, in honoring Bernard for his dedication to the Delaware State Senate and the people of Delaware. On behalf of Senator Chris Coons and Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester, I wholeheartedly thank Bernard for his four decades of service to Delaware. His model leadership and dedication to the order and rules in the senate chamber are second to none. We offer our sincere congratulations on a job well done and wish him many happy, healthy, and successful years to come.
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019
Grace F. Napolitano (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2018-6-26

I congratulate Chairwoman Granger and Ranking Member Visclosky for this great bill. prgtoken , I rise in support of my bipartisan amendment, which increases the funding for the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program by a mere $6 million to match the program's 2018 funding of $180 million. This increase in funding is made possible by reducing the operations and maintenance defense-wide account by the same amount. prgtoken An increase in funding would allow the Department of Defense to continue three Job ChalleNGe programs in Georgia, Michigan, and South Carolina that were previously funded through a Department of Labor grant that is currently ending. It will also help start new pilot Job ChalleNGe programs in Alaska, California, Louisiana, and West Virginia that have demonstrated initiatives in combining education credentials with job training courses. prgtoken The Job ChalleNGe program acts as a post-residential program for Youth ChalleNGe graduates to gain job skills and/or apprenticeship training. prgtoken For States that cannot expand or open another program at this time, the funding would allow them to focus on the next step for their graduated cadets. It would also help prepare them with essential skills to go join the workforce after completion of both the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program and the Job ChalleNGe program. prgtoken The Youth ChalleNGe program has graduated more than 150,000 of our Nation's high school dropouts. The voluntary 22\1/2\ week program is directed at 16- to 18-year-old youth, and comes at no cost to them or their families. It is led by National Guard cadre who help enhance the cadets' life, physical, and education skills, and they assist them in obtaining their high school diplomas or GEDs. The program has grown from 10 to 40 programs nationwide since 1993. prgtoken A 2012 RAND study found that every dollar spent on the program results in a return of $2.66. This further shows that the program has distinguished itself as the most effective and cost-efficient youth intervention program for the lives of troubled, at-risk young men and women. prgtoken The program is supported by the Youth ChalleNGe Caucus here in Congress. With my co-chair, Mr. McKinley, the caucus provides a forum for Members of Congress and their staffs to learn more about the program and work toward solutions to address the epidemic of dropping out of high school. prgtoken , I thank Mr. McKinley, my partner, for working with my office on this amendment and for being its cosponsor. I urge Members to support this amendment, which would provide at-risk youth with a second chance, and .
ENDANGERED SALMON AND FISHERIES PREDATION PREVENTION ACT
Raúl M. Grijalva (Democrat, AZ) \u2014 2018-6-26

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , I am disappointed to be standing here today to debate a bill that has become quite familiar to the House Natural Resources Committee over the past three Congresses. prgtoken I must point out the obvious fact, , that killing of sea lions is not a silver bullet for a salmon recovery. This bill is a five-cent solution to a $10 problem. prgtoken The fact is the sea lion predation pales in comparison to the harm caused to endangered salmon runs by habitat loss, dam operation, pesticides, invasive species, and several other human activities. The bill does absolutely nothing to address any of these major causes of salmon decline. prgtoken For example, NOAA Fisheries has found that the estimated salmon and steelhead production in the Columbia River basin is over 10 million fish below historic levels, with 8 million of that loss attributable to hydropower development and operation. prgtoken I must also point out the hypocrisy here. The bill before us today is described as a salmon protection act, but prgtoken it follows a series of House priority bills that would push the West Coast salmon population to the brink of extinction. prgtoken Just this April, my colleagues pushed through the House H.R. 3144, known in the fishing community as the ``Salmon Extinction Act,'' intended to block protection measures that experts tell us are necessary for salmon survival. prgtoken Last year, we saw similar attacks on salmon, Tribes, and the salmon fishing industry when House leadership rushed H.R. 23, also known as the GROW Act, through the House. This bill sought to eliminate protections for wild California salmon and put California's native fisheries and the thousands of jobs it supported on the path to extinction, meaning thousands of job losses across California, Oregon, and Washington State. House leadership pushed that bill even though estimates showed that 78 percent of California's native salmon will be extinct this century under current trends. prgtoken The congressional war on salmon has continued with riders in this year's appropriations bills. For example, the House Energy and Water Appropriations bill, approved by this Chamber earlier this month, will block the restoration of salmon runs in the Columbia River and California's San Joaquin River. prgtoken As if that were not enough, the Interior and CJS Appropriations bills also include riders that are being supported by the majority. Yet here we are talking about killing hundreds of seals and sea lions because my colleagues claim they want to recover salmon. prgtoken Let's be clear: The anti-salmon legislation and riders coming out of Congress are far bigger threats to salmon recovery than the sea lions' snacking habits. Restoring wild salmon that are under threat requires a sophisticated response that tackles the most pressing issues impactin
REPUBLICAN TAX BILL
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2018-6-26

on taxes, one of the chief arguments behind the tax bill was the idea that giving corporations a substantial tax cut would compel companies to hire more workers, give raises, and expand operations. prgtoken After a few weeks of news about one-time annual bonuses petered out-- and many of those were staged by CEOs sucking up to the President--we have started to get a look at how corporations are really using the profits from the tax bill. What did Harley-Davidson, the iconic motorcycle company that President talked about in his campaign and even afterward, do with their tax cuts? They cut domestic operations, announced a nearly $700 million stock repurchasing program, and now are moving significant operations overseas. Why didn't Harley- Davidson take that tax break to help continue to employ workers here in America instead of a buyback so the wealthy CEOs and shareholders would get a lot of money? President and Ryan have held up Harley-Davidson as a success story of their tax bill while they are cutting jobs in America and using the tax cuts for stock buybacks. prgtoken It is the same thing with Carrier. There was a great big hoopla with Carrier, but Carrier is cutting jobs and still employs loads of people overseas, even though they got a huge tax break. This tax break has helped the wealthy, the CEOs, the shareholders--most of whom are rich and one-third of whom are overseas--but not the workers and not more productivity in America. prgtoken Another one is Walmart. They are cited by the House as a positive example of the tax bill in action. Walmart laid off 1,000 employees in recent months and used the tax bill break for a $4 billion buyback of its own stock. prgtoken This tax bill has proven to be a travesty. All the things that were promised aren't happening. I know our colleagues. They talk to their wealthy businesspeople, and they think it is great. Talk to the average person. It has become unpopular again. Do you know why? It has sunk in that the money ain't going to them, and the big corporations that are getting these breaks are not benefiting them, by and large. Listen to this number: $450 billion in stock buybacks have been announced. That doesn't employ a single worker. That doesn't raise the salary of a single worker. That doesn't bring new equipment to a company to make it more productive so they can compete better. An analysis was just done by JUST Capital, and 7 percent of the capital allocated by companies from the tax bill's savings has gone to employees, 57 percent to shareholders--close to eight times as much. We predicted that, and despite the initial hoopla after the bill, the American people are realizing it is happening. prgtoken It seems nearly every week, today with Harley-Davidson, there is a new example of corporate America taking a tax cut and putting it to work--not for their employees, not for ne
FOREIGN INVESTMENT RISK REVIEW MODERNIZATION ACT OF 2018
Denny Heck (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2018-6-26

he is leaving staff because he has been admitted to the extremely prestigious SAIS program, School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University. I know each of us has experiences who have been here any length of time, when you have had a young person be with you for many, many years, it creates a sense of loss when they finally decide to take that next step. I am only able to do this because I know that as ably as he has served the people of the 10th Congressional District in our State from which he is from, I know with equal confidence that he will continue to serve America upon completion of his graduate program. He has been the point person in my office working with Members' offices, and I am deeply appreciative to him for all of his service. prgtoken , I urge the Members of this House to endorse and to support this very important national security measure.
ENERGY AND WATER APPROPRIATIONS
Edward J. Markey (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2018-6-26

I wish to discuss H.R. 5895, the Energy and Water, Legislative Branch, and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2019. prgtoken I thank Senate leadership and the Appropriations Committee for their work on this legislation. prgtoken The Appropriations Committee's effort this year to return the Senate to regular order on annual spending bills is commendable, and the leadership of the committee honors a bipartisan commitment to keep the most controversial policy language out of these pieces of legislation. prgtoken While we can agree that the legislation is indeed absent of unrelated policy riders, that does not mean all of the appropriations it contains and the resulting policy implications of those appropriations are good. prgtoken One such misguided priority within this bill is funding an unnecessary, destabilizing, and thoroughly underexplained expansion of America's nuclear arsenal. prgtoken In particular, the Fiscal Year 2019 Energy and Water Appropriations Act contains $65 million in funding to develop a new so-called low- yield nuclear weapon warhead: the W76-2. This is a new nuclear weapon that we simply just do not need. For this reason, I opposed this bill. prgtoken I made clear during Senate consideration of the National Defense Authorization Act that developing the W76-2 low-yield nuclear warhead creates a new nuclear weapon that is unnecessary to maintain America's nuclear deterrent. prgtoken This need for a new low-yield nuclear weapon first came to light just 5 months ago in the administration's Nuclear Posture Review. prgtoken I have seen no documents, reports, or studies justifying the W76-2 or supporting its immediate development, and serious questions remain unanswered. prgtoken Why are the hundreds of low-yield nuclear weapons that we already have, like the B61 bomb and air-launched cruise missile, not adequate? prgtoken Where will these new W76-2 nuclear weapons be deployed? prgtoken On how many of our boomer submarines will we be placing these weapons and on what schedule? prgtoken What targets will we no longer hold at risk with strategic nuclear weapons to accommodate these new low-yield weapons? prgtoken Since this W76-2 low-yield nuclear weapon will be launched using the same rockets as our strategic thermonuclear weapons and off of the exact same submarines, how can anyone distinguish whether it is one or the other? prgtoken Somehow, answers to these questions have not been written down anywhere. Instead, we are simply told ``we need the low yield nuclear weapon to deter the Russians and prevent an escalate to de-escalate scenario.'' prgtoken The United States already has plans to spend hundreds of billions of dollars to upgrade our existing nuclear weapons systems as part of the existing nuclear modernization program, systems that are in excess of what we need to maintain our nuclear deterrence. prgtoken So it just makes no sense to spend money to develop n
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019
Marcy Kaptur (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2018-6-26

I thank the ranking member for yielding, and I wish to congratulate Chair Granger and Ranking Member Visclosky for their tireless efforts to produce this bill to meet several unsettled security threats facing our Nation. The content of their effort addresses difficult, shifting challenges. prgtoken With a National Defense Strategy delivered just months ago, this bill defends America against the revisionist powers of Russia and China and numerous rogue regimes throughout the world. It rebuilds our military from a deteriorated state resulting from nearly two decades of constant conflict. prgtoken This bill faces these challenges head-on and provides an unprecedented $675 billion for defense, defending our Nation from all enemies, foreign and domestic. The funds will go a long way to strengthen troop levels, bolster cybersecurity and space operations capability, gird our commitment to our allies and partners in NATO, check sovereign threats to nations like Ukraine, and numerous other priorities. prgtoken Most importantly, after 17 years of war and conflict, this bill prioritizes the health of our servicemembers, providing $34 billion for the Defense Health Program. It increases funding for defense health research in the areas of mental health, traumatic brain injury, opioid abuse and pain management, and a host of other critical health research efforts. prgtoken While I am supportive of this bill, and trust Secretary Mattis to lead us ethically with the utmost integrity, recent news reports that seek to utilize Department of Defense assets on the domestic front raise cause for concern. I am apprehensive about the news that our military was asked to house undocumented adults and children as they await court proceedings. prgtoken In conclusion, I am here today to urge my colleagues to support the defense bill. This legislation provides funds for much-needed technological advancements; strengthens the physical and mental health of our servicemembers; and reinforces our military strength for the future through major investments in readiness, force, and defense medicine.
DEFEND PROTECTION OF PREEXISTING CONDITIONS
Susan A. Davis (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2018-6-26

from his very first day in office, President has worked to sabotage and repeal the Affordable Care Act. prgtoken Despite being unable to pass a repeal bill, President hasn't stopped working to make it harder for people with preexisting conditions to afford coverage. Last week, HHS announced that it will allow the sale of short-term junk insurance plans that don't provide essential coverage and exclude people with preexisting conditions. Meanwhile, Attorney General Jeff Sessions argues that such protections are unconstitutional. prgtoken , it is hard to understand why the President, who promised wonderful healthcare for all, is so committed to attacking the most popular parts of the Affordable Care Act. prgtoken Constance, a constituent from my district, wrote, back during the repeal debate, that: ``The ACA saved my life, as I would not be able to afford my healthcare without it.'' prgtoken , we in Congress need to be doing more to protect people like Constance and all of those who have been diagnosed with a preexisting condition. prgtoken We need to be doing more, not less
SUPPORT AMIGOS ACT
Jim Costa (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2018-6-26

I rise today to urge my colleagues to join me in fostering increased investment in the United States economy by one of our oldest allies, Portugal. As a co-chair of the Congressional Portuguese Caucus, I am proud to join Congressmen Cicilline and Valadao in leading the AMIGOS Act, which we introduced earlier this spring. prgtoken Earlier this month, Senators Whitehouse and Hatch introduced the companion measure of the AMIGOS Act in the United States Senate. This bipartisan, bicameral legislation would make Portuguese citizens eligible for specific visas that allow them to enter the United States to conduct substantial trade or to invest a substantial amount of capital. We do this with other nations. This will spur investment in our economy, and it helps create jobs. prgtoken In 2015 alone, trade between Portugal and the United States reached $4.2 billion, and it is only growing. The AMIGOS Act will strengthen this reciprocal economic relationship, one of our longest and strongest allies. prgtoken Strengthening relationships that benefit both countries is the best way to grow the economy and to increase the number of jobs in the long term, not trade tariffs. prgtoken We have extended these visas before. In 2012, Congress granted, most recently, eligibility to Israel. prgtoken Our friendship with Portugal and the contributions of hardworking Portuguese immigrants in America are an important part of our country's history and heritage. Portugal was one of the first countries to recognize the United States after we declared our independence, and Portugal joined us in being a founding member of NATO. prgtoken The AMIGOS Act is commonsense, bipartisan, and bicameral. It is the type of trade policy we should be leading, not engaging in trade wars. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the AMIGOS Act and working together for strong and stable investment in America's economy and American jobs. prgtoken With bipartisan efforts in the House and in the Senate, these are the kinds of things that we can do, and I am hopeful that this legislation will be enacted into law before the end of the year. Immigrant Heritage Month