mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
NOMINATION OF STEVEN J. MENASHI
Amy Klobuchar (Democrat, MN) \u2014 2019-11-13

I rise today to join many of my colleagues who have come to the floor to express my opposition to the nomination of Steven Menashi to U.S. circuit judge for the Second Circuit. prgtoken I am disappointed that Mr. Menashi's nomination has moved forward even though he lacks the support of his home State senators. In the rush to confirm judges like Mr. Menashi, the Senate has chipped away at the traditions that allow us to properly advise and consent on nominations, which is our responsibility under the Constitution. prgtoken Today, we are considering a nominee whose record has raised several concerning issues. While working as Principal Deputy General Counsel and as Acting General Counsel at the Department of Education, Menashi advised Secretary DeVos on the Department's efforts to withhold debt relief for students who were defrauded by their colleges, reverse the administration's regulations on campus sexual assault, and delay the enforcement of rules designed to ensure that students of color with disabilities are treated fairly. And while at the White House Counsel's Office, Mr. Menashi has advised on the administration's efforts to end the deferred enforced departure program for Liberians and to restrict access to asylum. prgtoken I am also concerned that, despite a request from all of the ic Senators on the Judiciary Committee, Mr. Menashi has refused to provide information about his knowledge or involvement in the events related to the telephone call between President and Ukrainian President Zelensky on July 25, 2019. prgtoken It is for these reasons that I am unable to support Mr. Menashi's confirmation. (At the request of Mr. Schumer, the following statement was ordered to be printed in the Record.)
FOUNDATION OF THE FEDERAL BAR ASSOCIATION CHARTER AMENDMENTS ACT OF 2019
Jamie Raskin (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2019-11-13

such time as I may consume. prgtoken I am proud to have served as the lead ic cosponsor of this bill introduced by my friend from Ohio (Mr. Chabot), H.R. 1663, the Foundation of the Federal Bar Association Charter Amendments Act of 2019. prgtoken The Federal Bar Association serves as the primary voluntary bar association for attorneys, both in the private and public sectors, practicing in Federal courts. This bill will permit the FBA Foundation to better fulfill its role as the only institution in America chartered by Congress to promote the Federal administration of justice, the advancement of Federal jurisprudence, and the practice of law in the Federal courts by providing it with the organizational flexibility that it needs to fully meet its contemporary mission. prgtoken The original 1954 charter created a framework that has served FBA for the last six decades. During these years, the foundation has indeed strengthened Federal jurisprudence, advanced legal education, and promoted effective legal practice. The organization's initiatives have also directly improved the lives of our people. prgtoken For example, one community outreach program, the Wills for Veterans Initiative, is a pro bono project where FBA chapters provide the drafting of wills and signing services for veterans in their communities. I know a number of my constituents who participate have found great fulfillment working on this project, just as many veterans have benefited from it. prgtoken Another initiative establishes a mentorship program for law students to work alongside experienced attorneys. prgtoken The current charter must be amended to allow the organization greater flexibility of operation and growth. prgtoken For example, the existing charter codifies strict membership and governance requirements that constrain member development and nimble governance of the organization. This rigidity presents serious challenges as the organization seeks to expand its critical charitable and educational initiatives. prgtoken H.R. 1663 makes technical fixes to the charter that will give the FBA the needed flexibility in the new century. In the place of legislatively fixed membership criteria, it permits the FBA to proactively establish and update membership criteria through the bylaws process. Similar provisions authorize enhanced flexibility in the composition and duties of the members of the board. prgtoken In general, this measure would enable the FBA to swiftly meet its needs and improve the administration of Federal justice. prgtoken A similar version of the bill was introduced last year, which was passed by this body on a voice vote, but it did not pass in the Senate for various reasons. One was that the language in the bill's proposed nondiscrimination provision did not explicitly prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender identity, as most of the new antidiscrimination legislation does. prgtoken To that end, I am v
ROSIE THE RIVETER CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL ACT OF 2019
Jackie Speier (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-11-13

I thank the gentlewoman for giving me this opportunity to speak on this very important bill. prgtoken Rosie the Riveters who are left in this country deserve a Congressional Gold Medal. In one of the most challenging periods of our American history, women stepped up to serve this country. Six million women entered the workforce for the first time during World War II, offering to build weapons, vehicles, and ammunition that helped us win the war. prgtoken The critical contributions of Rosie the Riveters changed the course of world history and blazed a trail for today's working women. The Rosies proved that they could work and succeed in jobs and industries that had long been male-dominated. African American women challenged stereotypes and policies of discrimination to contribute to the war effort. Because of the Rosies, the U.S. Government worked with businesses to develop support for working moms, like childcare programs. prgtoken The famous image of Rosie the Riveter, sleeves rolled up, muscles flexed, and a bandanna in place, has inspired generations of women and girls to embody the strength, patriotism, and ``We Can Do It'' spirit that radiates from the poster. prgtoken But even the iconic image can't do justice to the real-life Rosies who took on the mantle of the war effort at home, defied expectations, eradicated barriers to women's participation in the workforce, and made victory possible. It has been one of the great honors of my career to work closely with several of these women during my time in Congress. prgtoken Phyllis Gould went to welding school from 4 a.m. to 8 a.m. every day for weeks to get a job working at a shipyard in California. She was one of the first women accepted into the boilermakers union. At 97 years old, Phyllis still works tirelessly to make sure we never forget the sacrifices and the hard work that American women provided during World War II. prgtoken Phyllis' sister, Marian Sousa, went to work at 17 years of age as a draftsman in the shipyards in Richmond, California. Marian's volunteer work at the Rosie the Riveter World War II Home Front National Historical Park preserves the Rosie legacy for future generations. prgtoken Mae Krier went to work at Boeing Aircraft right out of high school, helping to build B-17s and B-29 bombers. Today, she is one of the foremost Rosie advocates in the country, fighting for recognition of the tremendous wartime contributions of American women. prgtoken Betty Reid Soskin, park ranger at the Rosie the Riveter World War II Home Front National Historical Park, worked as a file clerk in the boilermakers' union hall. Today, she is the oldest national park ranger in the country, dedicated to bringing the Rosies' trailblazing legacy to life for visitors. prgtoken These Rosies are true American sheroes. It is long past time that they and all the women who served on the home front during World War II receive recognition from the country for which they s
UNITED STATES EXPORT FINANCE AGENCY ACT OF 2019
Raul Ruiz (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-11-14

I am offering my bill, the Increasing American Jobs and Exports Act, as an amendment to H.R. 4863. prgtoken , my amendment is simple. It will allow the Export-Import Bank to use up to 3 percent of its surplus profits per year for 5 years to open new regional offices. These additional offices will grow small businesses by assisting with their capital needs to increase their exporting capacity and job growth ability. prgtoken This bill will grow American jobs, increase exports of American goods, and strengthen our local and regional economies around the country. prgtoken The Export-Import Bank is important for our Nation. Over the last 10 years, it has supported more than 1.5 million jobs at absolutely no cost to the American taxpayer. The Bank has helped grow American jobs at no cost. It has even returned more than $3.4 billion to the United States Treasury. The Export-Import Bank helps grow American jobs, grow small businesses, and grow our economy. prgtoken Trade and exports are important to my district and, specifically, to the Coachella Valley in the Inland Empire. The Inland Empire is one of the fastest growing economic regions in the United States and is a hub for international trade. The Riverside-San Bernardino region is 38th nationally in total export value and sixth in California in total export value. Let me remind everybody, California has the fifth-largest economy in the world. prgtoken The Riverside-San Bernardino Counties region is home to 6,200 exporters, as well as $10 billion worth of exported products. prgtoken More specifically, exports are important to my district; and within Coachella Valley agriculture, there are $500 million worth of fruits, nuts, vegetables, and melons, and all are top California exports. They are exported to more than 50 countries. prgtoken I want this success repeated across my district and the entire Nation. The problem, however, is that the closest Export-Import regional finance office is more than a 2-hour drive away, in San Diego. That office serves businesses in four California counties and even three States: Montana, Wyoming, and Arizona. prgtoken Small business owners who have the product, the vision, and the ability to expand their businesses deserve to have local and regional access to export financing services. prgtoken The potential for more American jobs and more American exports is there. We just have to unlock it. Regional finance offices help small businesses and small farms succeed where private capital cannot. prgtoken Most of the farm businesses in my district are small. Seventy-five percent are fewer than 50 acres in size. Last year, the Export-Import Bank financed $1.1 billion worth of agricultural products, and 81 percent of those were small businesses. prgtoken With more regional offices, we can continue to grow American exports and jobs and help small businesses compete. I urge support of my amendment and the Increasing Ameri
DIRECTING THE CLERK OF THE HOUSE TO MAKE A CORRECTION IN THE ENROLLMENT OF H.R. 2423
Sherrod Brown (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2019-11-14

I thank Senator Stabenow. She is exactly right. A couple of times, she used the term ``blank check.'' When people join the Army, people become marines, people go off to a service academy, and people enlist in the National Guard, essentially they sign a blank check cashed by all of us who care so much about protecting our country. prgtoken Senator Stabenow has been, with Senator Tester, one of the real leaders on this. You know, it used to be, many years ago, when it became clearer that veteran after veteran after veteran--young veterans in those days, 20 years ago, not that far removed from Vietnam--were coming down with these illnesses, Congress decided bipartisanly, almost unanimously, that rather than make every single veteran, every soldier, every marine, and every sailor prove to the government, prove to the VA that they should be eligible for healthcare coverage based on the illness they got because of Agent Orange--Congress decided that we shouldn't make every single person go through proving this--through that process. So what did we do? We made a list of illnesses that typically come from exposure to Agent Orange, and any veteran who was sick from one of these illnesses, no questions asked, got healthcare. That is what we did. That was then. prgtoken Today, in this time when I hear my colleagues who sit over here--I don't want to make this partisan, but it has become that because it is President , Vice President , and Senator McConnell who say no to this. We have the Secretary of the VA, appointed by the President of the United States, President --the Secretary of the VA came up with these four additional illnesses around which there is scientific consensus saying that these illnesses are caused by Agent Orange, and individual veterans shouldn't have to, one at a time, prove that they got sick, that they got this kind of Parkinson's or they had bladder cancer based on Agent Orange. We ought to just accept that. That is how we serve those who served us. prgtoken But do you know what Senator McConnell does? You know, his office is down the hall, as my colleagues know. Senator McConnell apparently says that we should do tax cuts for rich people, but we can't afford to spend a few billion dollars. It is a lot of money, but these are our people, and these are people who served in Southeast Asia mostly in the 1960s and 1970s. prgtoken Senator McConnell wants to turn his back on them. President turns his back on them. The new Secretary of the VA, appointed by President , turns his back on these soldiers. There are 80,000 of them. Does President just want to wait till all 80,000 are dead, and then we will not have to worry about this anymore? Or do we serve those who served us? prgtoken Every time I think about this, I just can't believe that the President of the United States, who didn't serve--I didn't either. I understand that. But you know, because I didn
UNITED STATES EXPORT FINANCE AGENCY ACT OF 2019
Denny Heck (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2019-11-14

. Mr. Chair, consistency is the hobgoblin of small minds, and nobody is ever going to accuse the other side of having a small mind, because I have been here just long enough to remember when they railed with righteous indignation to pass legislation even though the administration had issued an SAP. Evidently, that is not a standard that applies today, but it applied then. prgtoken Listen, I have heard no objections to the content of the proposed legislation. What mostly I have heard is that we had a deal that fell apart and it is all our fault. That is pretty good revisionist history. It fell apart because it didn't have the votes. prgtoken And it wasn't just a question of what happened on the majority side. They know full well there were minority party Members who were not going to vote for it. There was bipartisan opposition, frankly, because of all the external stakeholder opposition, because it does not work. prgtoken What are the differences, the major differences? Basically, that other deal would have prohibited sale into countries--China, in particular--with state-owned enterprises. prgtoken What are those? All railroads, all utilities, all airlines. That is not the way we engage other countries and change their behavior. prgtoken Materially, factually wrong that we would subsidize the Chinese Communist Party. In fact, in the last 30 years, the Export-Import Bank has transferred up to $10 billion into the U.S. Treasury. prgtoken Listen, I just wish people would have the courage of their convictions. The argument seems to be made, and I think it is a debate worth having, is should we kick China out of the World Trade Organization. That is really what is being said here. Let's have that debate. prgtoken Looking back, I think it is questionable that they were admitted without stronger accountability, and I think we need stronger accountability. prgtoken Mr. Chair, great irony, the bill before you has incredible advance progress over current law in terms of accountability with China. So, at the end of the day, here it is: revenue generating, job generating, American jobs. Vote ``yes.''
Farmers and Veterans (Executive Session)
Richard Blumenthal (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2019-11-14

we ought to be aggrieved, we ought to be angry, and we ought to be furious--not just frustrated but furious-- at this sad, even pathetic, objection to moving forward with a bill that is supported by 95 percent of the American people. The simple fact is that our Senate colleagues have been talking to us in good faith, not only about a background checks bill but also about emergency risk protection orders, because we know there is no single solution, no panacea, and that emergency risk protection orders are the other side of the coin to background checks. prgtoken Last week, the Washington Post reported that President has given up on passing lifesaving gun violence legislation. The reason is fierce lobby by the NRA. prgtoken Let's face the stark truth here. The objection on the floor today is not the result of any lack of clarity about the need for background check legislation. It is the result, purely and simply, of the President saying no. prgtoken We need to do our job. We have continued talks, in fact, with members of the White House staff after the impeachment proceedings began. My hope is that the Washington Post article is untrue. I believe it, certainly, in no way forestalls or prevents these discussions from continuing. I think there is a reason to hope, but it will take courage and strength to do it. prgtoken The President said yesterday that he was too busy doing his job meeting with the President of Turkey--an individual who has potentially enabled war crimes in northern Syria. If he wasn't too busy to do that kind of meeting, he shouldn't be too busy to do gun violence prevention. prgtoken The fact is that the stakes are simply too high for there to be delay, and 36,000 Americans are killed every year, or more. That is 100 every day. Gun deaths are, in fact, rising, not declining. prgtoken The trends are absolutely alarming and appalling, and we are complicit in these deaths if we fail to act. As I speak on the floor right now, there is a school shooting in Santa Clarita, CA. How can we turn the other way? How can we refuse to see that shooting in realtime, demanding our attention, requiring our action? We are complicit if we fail to act. It is not just a political responsibility. It is a moral imperative. The unconscionable loss of life is our responsibility. prgtoken This problem is one that we can solve. We may not be able to prevent all the deaths that occur--all 100 every day in America--but we can save lives. Our goal has to be to save as many lives as quickly as possible. prgtoken I have been hopeful for the first time in a long time, as I have talked with my colleague Senator Graham. He and I have worked together conscientiously and closely on ``extreme risk protection order'' legislation. There have been a series of encouraging conversations with the White House, and all seemed to be proceeding well, until there was a report of the President talking to Wayne LaPierre of th
UNITED STATES EXPORT FINANCE AGENCY ACT OF 2019
Al Green (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2019-11-14

. Mr. Chair, I thank Madam Chair for yielding. Indeed, I am a strong supporter of the Bank and I am also a strong supporter of the chairwoman. prgtoken I support this legislation because the Export Bank is not a traditional bank. Traditional banks take deposits. The Ex-Im Bank makes deposits. prgtoken Over the last 10 years, it has deposited 1.5 million jobs, American jobs; over the last 10 years, $3.4 billion in the U.S. Treasury; over the last 10 years, $255 billion to those who are exporting by way of financing these exports. prgtoken In the way of jobs, if we look at the State of Texas, we can see that from 2014 to 2019, it has assisted 91 minority-owned businesses, 14 percent of which are in my district; 467 small business exporters; 55 women-owned exporters. A total of 810 businesses have benefited from the Ex-Im Bank. prgtoken If you like diversity, you will love the Ex-Im Bank. It has within it an Office of Minority and Women Inclusion. It will have an Office of Territorial Exporting to help Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. territories. prgtoken I support the Ex-Im Bank because it not only makes good sense, it makes good dollars and cents. prgtoken This is a bill that we should support. If we didn't have the Ex-Im Bank, we prgtoken would invent it. Why reinvent the wheel when we have something that can roll out right now? prgtoken Mr. Chair, I support this bill.
UNITED STATES EXPORT FINANCE AGENCY ACT OF 2019
Norma J. Torres (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-11-14

. Mr. Chair, such time as I may consume. prgtoken As the new Export Finance Agency works to help American businesses export their products and services, it is critical that we ensure that we are not enriching or empowering the bad actors, especially those involved in drug trafficking, corruption, or human rights violations. prgtoken We don't want to help those whose actions are contrary to our American values, and we certainly don't want to help those who act against our best interests. prgtoken That is why H.R. 4863 prohibits the Export Finance Agency from doing business with individuals who are subject to U.S. sanctions. prgtoken I have offered an amendment to further clarify that this prohibition also extends to individuals who are subject to sanctions related to human rights and violations of free speech. This is especially important given the growing challenges to free speech across the world, including in Hong Kong and in Xinjiang. prgtoken Government officials or other entities who are involved in the suppression of free speech should not benefit from the agency's investment, and all of us should agree to that. prgtoken Mr. Chair, .