mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
AUTHORITY FOR COMMITTEES TO MEET
Chuck Grassley (Republican, IA) \u2014 2019-7-16

I have 9 requests for committees to meet during today's session of the Senate. They have the approval of the Majority and Minority leaders. prgtoken Pursuant to rule XXVI, paragraph 5(a), of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the following committees are authorized to meet during today's session of the Senate: Committee on Armed Services prgtoken The Committee on Armed Services is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, July 16, 2019, at 9:30 a.m to conduct a hearing on the nomination of Mark T. Esper, of Virginia, to be Secretary of Defense. Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs prgtoken The Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, July 16, 2019, at 10 a.m to conduct a hearing. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources prgtoken The Committee on Energy and Natural Resources is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, July 16, 2019, at 10 a.m to conduct a hearing. Committee on Foreign Relations prgtoken The Committee on Foreign Relations is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, July 16, 2019, at 2:30 p.m to conduct a hearing. Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs prgtoken The Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, July 16, 2019, at 10 a.m to conduct a hearing on the following nominations: Ann C. Fisher, of the District of Columbia, and Ashley Jay Elizabeth Poling, of North Carolina, both to be a Commissioner of the Postal Regulatory Commission, Catherine Bird, of Texas, to be General Counsel of the Federal Labor Relations Authority, and Rainey R. Brandt, and Shana Frost Matini, both to be an Associate Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs prgtoken The Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, July 16, 2019, at 2:30 p.m to conduct a hearing. Committee on the Judiciary prgtoken The Committee on the Judiciary is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, July 16, 2019, at 2:30 p.m to conduct a hearing. Select Committee on Intelligence prgtoken The Select Committee on Intellience is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, July 16, 2019, at 2 p.m to conduct a closed hearing. Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining prgtoken The Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, July 16, 2019, at 2:30 p.m to conduct a hearing.
HONORING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF APOLLO 11 MOON LANDING
Ross Spano (Republican, FL) \u2014 2019-7-16

I rise today to congratulate Michaela McLean on her crowning achievement of being named Miss Florida 2019. prgtoken Michaela, a graduate of East Ridge High School in Clermont, Florida, and prgtoken daughter of two citrus growers, is no stranger to pageants, as she had also previously been named Miss Florida Citrus. prgtoken To win this latest competition, she was able to showcase her skills as a collegiate dance major, a talent she uses to express her dreams and her struggles. prgtoken She has plans now to use her other college major of public relations to help promote Florida's economic and cultural strengths. prgtoken Michaela will promote her social impact initiative called Brave & Beautiful, which encourages women to develop healthy habits while living purpose-driven lives. Brave & Beautiful has already launched conferences in multiple schools in central Florida and has made an impact internationally in Kenya, Guatemala, and the Dominican Republic. prgtoken , I am proud to hear how Michaela is using her many gifts to help transform lives, and I applaud her efforts. She is a wonderful role model for our young women.
Order of Procedure (Executive Session)
James E. Risch (Republican, ID) \u2014 2019-7-16

. and fellow Senators, today the Senate is considering four tax protocols. These treaties--and these are treaties--have been approved by substantial bipartisan majorities in the Foreign Relations Committee in multiple successive Congresses. Two of these four protocols were reported out of committee without objection during the four most recent Congresses. It is in the interest of U.S. taxpayers that these be approved, and it is time for these to be approved. prgtoken I am honored that on my watch, we have finally brought these to the floor and brought them here at this moment to actually adopt these treaties, which will be adopted when the vote is called. prgtoken Tax treaties benefit U.S. businesses and citizens in a number of ways. Tax treaties create certainty for the business community. They promote a favorable business environment by minimizing uncertainty and helping U.S. businesses grow. prgtoken In the case of Americans working and conducting business abroad, tax treaties are indispensable in that respect. Tax treaties facilitate trade and investment by preventing double taxation. They provide U.S. taxpayers and investors with greater clarity about their tax burden. They provide tools to ensure that U.S. taxpayers are treated equally and fairly overseas, allowing them to invest and compete abroad with the knowledge that they will not face discriminatory barriers. prgtoken Tax treaties strengthen the ability of U.S. businesses to explore new opportunities abroad by establishing a predictable framework for how a tax burden will be assessed. These treaties also provide tools to help resolve tax disputes between the United States and our tax treaty partners. Without these tools, U.S. investors would have limited ability to resolve these problems on their own. prgtoken It is not just businesses that benefit from tax treaties. These treaties impose reasonable limits in the amount of tax the other country can impose on a U.S. person who might live or work overseas. Tax treaties help us ensure that the United States can maintain an appropriate tax base by preventing tax fraud. prgtoken One of our colleagues has raised concerns about how the treaties deal with individual privacy and sensitive information. These treaties protect taxpayer information in a manner consistent with decades-long, established standards and practices under U.S. domestic law. These standards and practices have been upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court for more than half of a century. They have been used by administrations of both parties for decades. Changing the standard now would create confusion related to global administration of our tax laws. prgtoken I do not view this issue as an impediment or a change to how these matters have been successfully handled in the past. I ask my colleagues to oppose any amendments to these treaties. The treaties are consistent with the U.S.-modeled tax treaty and with a decades-long practice of
RECOGNIZING SERGEANT MAJOR DANIEL A. DAILEY
John R. Carter (Republican, TX) \u2014 2019-7-16

. Madam , I'm honored to recognize the fifteenth Sergeant Major of the Army, Sergeant Major Daniel A. Dailey, for his extraordinary service to our Nation. Sergeant Major of the Army Dailey will soon relinquish his responsibilities as the United States Army's Senior Enlisted Leader and will then retire from the Army after a long and distinguished career. prgtoken A native of Palmerton, Pennsylvania, SMA Dailey enlisted in the Army in 1989 and attended Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training as an Infantryman at Fort Benning, Georgia. During his career, SMA Dailey has held every enlisted leadership position within mechanized infantry branch, ranging from Bradley Fighting Vehicle Commander to his current role. prgtoken SMA Dailey was sworn in as the 15th Sergeant Major of the Army on January 30, 2015. In this demanding role , Sergeant Major Dailey is the Army Chief of Staff's adviser on all matters affecting the enlisted force. He tirelessly devotes much of his time traveling throughout the Army to observe training and talk with Soldiers and their Families. He represents the U.S. Army on a variety of councils and boards that make decisions affecting enlisted Soldiers and their Families. Known for understanding the ground truth at the Soldier level he is routinely invited to testify before Congress to provide his unique perspective. SMA Dailey is the public face of the U.S. Army's Noncommissioned Officer Corps, representing the Corps to the American people in the media and through business and community engagements. prgtoken Sergeant Major of the Army Dailey is a shining example of Army Values and embodies the Noncommissioned Officer's Creed. Competence is indeed Sergeant Major Dailey's watchword, and his commitment to doing what good NCOs do, accomplishing the mission taking care of his teammates, is unparalleled. prgtoken It has been a pleasure to know and serve with Sergeant Major Dailey during his time as the Sergeant Major of the Army. On behalf of a grateful Nation, it is my honor to recognize the selfless service and sacrifice of Sergeant Major of the Army Dailey and his family. I wish him the very best as he begins this new chapter of his life.
REFUGEE ADMISSIONS
Mo Brooks (Republican, AL) \u2014 2019-7-16

the President is Commander in Chief. His highest constitutional duty is protecting American lives. prgtoken As of 2016, so-called refugee admissions from the Middle East, Near East, South Asia, and Africa accounted for 80 percent of so-called refugee admissions into America. prgtoken I say ``so-called refugees'' because the United Nations states no country is obligated by international law to take refugees from a country in which they are already protected. prgtoken The result of America's flawed policy? America is the world's top refugee resettlement country on the planet. prgtoken In a 2015 Breitbart interview, I opposed these dangerous refugee policies and stated: `` wants to endanger Americans by importing people, some of whom undoubtedly will resort to terrorism and killing Americans at some point in the future.'' prgtoken Consistent with my view that importing unvetted people from terrorist-laden countries threatens American lives, the House, in 2015, passed a law requiring a full FBI background investigation for alleged Iraq or Syria refugees. The bill died in the Senate while under an veto threat. prgtoken In 2017, a newly elected President stated: ``In order to protect Americans, the United States must ensure that those admitted to this country do not bear hostile attitudes toward it and its founding principles. The United States cannot, and should not, admit those who do not support the Constitution or those who would place violent ideologies over American law.'' ``In addition, the United States should not admit those who engage in acts of bigotry or hatred, including `honor' killings, other forms of violence against women, or the persecution of those who practice religions different from their own.'' prgtoken As expected, socialist and their fake news media allies reacted by calling President names rather than supporting policies that save American lives. prgtoken For example, House Nancy Pelosi said: ``This week, I joined my colleagues on the steps of the Supreme Court to fight the President's reprehensible order. . . . The values illustrated were in stark contrast with the President's unconstitutional, immoral, and dangerous ban on refugees and citizens of Muslim countries coming into the United States.'' prgtoken Predictably, a radical, leftist judge restrained President from protecting American lives. Fortunately, a later President refugee and travel policy was approved by the Supreme Court as ``squarely within the scope of Presidential authority.'' prgtoken As would be expected, this decision was ridiculed with hysterical headlines from the left. NBC News stated, ``The Supreme Court's travel ban decision adds to its legacy of legitimizing racism.'' prgtoken Protecting Americans from terrorism is ``reprehensible,'' ``immoral,'' ``racism''? This is all ignorant and baseless socialist and fake news media slander intended to stifle ratio
United States-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement (Executive Session)
Rob Portman (Republican, OH) \u2014 2019-7-16

. Thank you to my colleague from North Dakota. North Dakota has a lot of farmers and manufacturers. There is a lot of manufacturing in his State as well, and they never had a better friend. That is why he is so strong a supporter of this agreement. It makes a big difference. prgtoken My colleague from Arkansas talked about the fact that Arkansas's two largest trading partners are Canada and Mexico. It is the same for Ohio. China is actually kind of a distant third. These two countries are critical for our exports. That is why this agreement is so important. prgtoken I am a former trade lawyer. I also was the U.S. Trade Representative under . Now I am on the Finance Committee, which is the committee that handles these trade issues. I think having a balanced and healthy trade relationship is very important. We have to stand up for our country. We need to enforce these agreements we have. We also need to expand the exports because that is what creates jobs--by the way, better paying jobs. They pay about 16 percent more on average and have better benefits. That is why we need to be sure we have agreements like this one. prgtoken We have about 5 percent of the world's population and about 25 percent of the world's economy. We need to sell our stuff overseas. It gives us access to 95 percent of the consumers who live outside of our borders. Mexico and Canada, as I said, are our biggest trading partners. Thirty-nine percent of our exports go to Canada alone--twice the national average. All in all, Mexico and Canada now support more than 12 million jobs nationally, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. prgtoken We all know the NAFTA agreement has to be updated. It is now 25 years old, and it looks like it. It doesn't have a lot of things I would expect in any modern agreement, such as taking care of the digital economy. So much of our economy is now over the internet; yet there is nothing in this agreement that deals with that part of our economy. prgtoken It is more than just a name change. It does include a lot of different aspects. We put in more modern agreements that we don't have in the NAFTA. prgtoken Another is labor and environmental standards. Not only are they stronger, but they are enforceable under this new agreement. They are not enforceable under NAFTA. prgtoken Auto jobs have left the United States of America over the last 25 years. One reason this agreement is necessary is that the USMCA shifts more auto production back to the United States. My colleague from North Dakota talked about the manufacturing side. This is going to get U.S. automobile assembly lines humming again because if you want to get the better tariff treatment under the USMCA, car parts and cars have to have higher content from North America--that means from us. Under NAFTA, that requirement was 62.5 percent, and under USMCA, it is 75 percent. There is also a new provision where 70 percent of steel that is used in au
RECOGNIZING ROSE MARIE STRIPPOLI
Brian K. Fitzpatrick (Republican, PA) \u2014 2019-7-16

I rise today to recognize Rose Marie Strippoli, an accomplished artist from Bristol, Pennsylvania. prgtoken In addition to receiving numerous awards throughout her career, her most recent acrylic painting titled ``The Passage'' was recognized as best in show at the 70th Tinicum Arts Festival last week. Her abstract painting, combining vibrant colors with masterful strokes, stood out amongst submissions from more than 180 artists at the festival. prgtoken In addition to her artistic excellence and success, she has tirelessly advocated for local artists in the Bucks County area. One of her most notable accomplishments was her work to establish an exhibit at the Lower Bucks Campus of the Bucks County Community College featuring a rotation of pieces from local artists. The exhibit opened in 2015 and has highlighted many up-and-coming local artists since that time. prgtoken Her constant drive to better herself as a person and as an artist earned her a spot in the Centre for the Arts Hall of Fame in Bristol in 2016. prgtoken , I congratulate Rose Marie on her accomplished career and extend to her the best of luck in her future endeavors. Her work has improved opportunities for young artists in our community, for which we owe her many thanks. Commending the Lifesaving Actions of Police Officer Ryan Bunda
Trade (Executive Session)
Patrick J. Toomey (Republican, PA) \u2014 2019-7-16

I rise to speak in support of the nomination of Judge Peter Phipps of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania to be a U.S. Circuit Judge for the Third Circuit. prgtoken Judge Phipps is highly qualified to serve on the Third Circuit. He has dedicated his legal career to public service, first as a decorated career attorney at the U.S. Department of Justice and now as a Federal trial judge. As both a judge and a lawyer, he has been a faithful adherent to the rule of law. prgtoken Senator Casey and I supported Judge Phipps' nomination to the district court. He was recommended to us by the bipartisan judicial advisory panel that we use to vet and recommend candidates to fill district court vacancies in the Western District of Pennsylvania. In 2018, the Senate easily confirmed Judge Phipps to the district court by voice vote after the Senate Judiciary Committee reported him to the floor by voice vote. prgtoken Before joining the bench, Judge Phipps served for 15 years as a career attorney in the U.S. Department of Justice's Civil Division, where he worked under three Presidential administrations of both parties. He represented the Federal Government in numerous complex cases and received multiple awards for his excellent work. Since 2014, he has served as an adjunct law professor at Duquesne University, where he teaches administrative law. Earlier in his career, he clerked for Chief Judge Guy Cole on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit and worked as a commercial litigator in private practice. Judge Phipps is a graduate of the University of Dayton and Stanford Law School. prgtoken Judge Phipps has an outstanding reputation for intelligence, professionalism, fairness, and integrity, but you do not have to take my word for it. Here are few examples of how others have described him. prgtoken The American Bar Association has rated him well-qualified on the basis of his integrity, professional competence, and judicial temperament. Minority Leader Schumer and Senator Leahy, the former chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, have called the American Bar Association's rating ``the gold standard by which judicial candidates are judged.'' prgtoken Senator Graham, the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, stated after Judge Phipps' nomination hearing on June 5, 2019 that Judge Phipps ``is one of the most impressive nominees for the U.S. Circuit Courts that has appeared before the Committee. He is incredibly smart and well balanced. Mr. Phipps will be a great addition to the Third Circuit.'' prgtoken At Judge Phipps' district court investiture on December 18, 2018, Chief Judge Cole of the Sixth Circuit, an appointee of President Bill Clinton, said that Judge Phipps ``has earned a reputation for honesty, trustworthiness, great character, humility and professionalism.'' In addition, Chief Judge Cole stated that Judge Phipps ``has a brilliant mind, endless curiosity, a
ORDERS FOR WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 2019
John Thune (Republican, SD) \u2014 2019-7-16

I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 10 a.m Wednesday, July 17; further, that following the prayer and pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, morning business be closed, and the Senate proceed to executive session to resume consideration of Treaties Calendar No. 2, Treaty Document No. 112-1.
United States-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement (Executive Session)
Cory Gardner (Republican, CO) \u2014 2019-7-16

I thank our colleague from Vermont for the accommodation of this extra time. prgtoken USMCA is incredibly important to the State of Colorado. Colorado is a pro-trade State. We have about 750,000 trade-related jobs in Colorado. Of those 750,000 jobs, almost 250,000 are related to trade with Mexico and Canada. Nearly a quarter million of Colorado's workers are there because of trade with Canada and Mexico. It is a nearly $5 billion share of our economy--that is, the total number of goods, services, and exports to Canada and Mexico. That was a couple of years ago, so that number has obviously increased. prgtoken Of the potatoes Mexico imports from the United States, nearly half come from Colorado. If you look at beverages, 97 percent of the beverages Mexico imports come from Colorado. If you look at crowns, closures, seals, 96 percent of those items exported or imported by Mexico come from Colorado. If you look at miscellaneous leather products, the hides and other products that Mexico imports, 87 percent of them come from Colorado. prgtoken We know NAFTA has created thousands of jobs in Colorado. We know it has added thousands of dollars to people's incomes. We know USMCA is a better, stronger opportunity for us to gain even more jobs, more income, and more opportunity for the people of Colorado. So I thank Senator Hoeven for bringing people together on the floor to talk about the importance of free trade and particularly the passage of USMCA. prgtoken I hope our colleagues in the House will hear this call to a brighter economic future, more trade opportunities, and greater U.S. leadership by moving the USMCA, adopting it, and putting it forward so the Senate can act on it and getting this agreement into law so we can actually once again start rebuilding opportunities with trade. prgtoken I am strongly supportive of this effort. It is good for Colorado, and it is good for this country. prgtoken from North Dakota and my colleague from Vermont.