mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 1301, DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2017
Tom Cole (Republican, OK) \u2014 2017-3-8

I want to thank the gentlewoman for yielding, and, frankly, I want to thank her for taking on this rule and the role she plays in this House. She came to Congress with an extraordinary expertise in national security, probably unsurpassed by any new Member. So she is not only a valuable member of the Rules Committee, she is an important voice for the security of the United States of America in a very dangerous era. prgtoken Before I begin, I want to actually agree with my friend from Massachusetts on a couple of very important points that he made. First, I want to agree with him that this should have been done earlier. My friend is exactly right about this. This could have been done, in my view, in November and December. We should have gotten it done then. We would have avoided a lot of problems that come with a continuing resolution. prgtoken I am very pleased that we are moving it now, but earlier would have been better, no question about it. And that is true with every other bill, and my friend made that point as well. We really should make sure that each of the appropriations bills are passed. All of the problems associated with the continuing resolution are so evident for our military, are evident, frankly, in every other department. So I would hope my leadership continues to do what they are doing today and that is move these bills forward. prgtoken My friend is also right, in my opinion, about the authorization of the use of military force. This is something we have agreed on, even when we disagree on other things. This is a congressional responsibility. The President has announced he is going to announce a new strategy going forward on ISIS. I would suggest to my side of the aisle and to the administration, now would be a great time to come to the Congress so we could have this robust debate on deploying and using our military and discharge our constitutional responsibilities. prgtoken I am less persuaded by my friend's arguments about the spending levels here. I just point out for the record this is well below what former Secretary of Defense Gates, when he was Secretary in the administration, recommended we should be doing at this time. Frankly, that is because the last administration dropped the ball and simply didn't listen to its own experts as to what the appropriate level of our forces should be. prgtoken The underlying legislation here is an excellent bill. My friends have already talked about it in detail. I am going to take a 30,000-foot look at the bill and remind our listeners and our colleagues, there are three important objectives that this bill achieves: prgtoken The first is stopping the erosion in end strength, something that went on for years under the last administration that somehow thought we would be safer if our military got smaller. That was a bad assumption. prgtoken The second is to restart the procurement cycle. We have fallen far, far behind what we should be doing
MORNING BUSINESS
John Cornyn (Republican, TX) \u2014 2017-3-8

this week, we remember the brave men of Texas who gave so much to preserve freedom in the Pacific and survived the greatest horrors of World War II. Soldiers of 2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery Regiment from Camp Bowie, TX, a Texas National Guard unit, were fighting alongside Australian forces on Java, an island in Indonesia, against invading Japanese forces. On March 8, 1942 the Americans and their Australian allies were captured by the Japanese. A report was never filed by the Japanese to identify the captured unit. As a result, the Texas soldiers had disappeared and were dubbed ``the Lost Battalion.'' prgtoken They were combined with survivors of the USS Houston, CA-30, which had been sunk in the Battle of Sunda Strait on March 1, 1942, and dispersed to POW labor camps located in Burma, Thailand, and Japan to work as slave laborers. They worked on the Burma-Siam Death Railway, building a railroad through the jungle and into the coal mines, docks, and shipyards in Japan and other Southeast Asian countries. For 42 months, the men of 2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery and the USS Houston suffered together through humiliation, degradation, physical and mental torture, starvation, and horrible tropical diseases, with no medication. prgtoken Five hundred and thirty-two soldiers of the battalion, along with 371 survivors of the USS Houston were taken prisoner. As many as 163 soldiers died in captivity, and of those, 133 are estimated to have died working on the railroad. prgtoken In August of 1945, after 42 months of captivity and forced labor, the survivors of 2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery Regiment and the survivors of the USS Houston were returned to the United States. March 8, 2017, marks the 75th year since their capture on the island of Java, and these soldiers deserve to be remembered for their heroic service and sacrifices in the Pacific theater of battle.
WESTERN NEW YORK COMMUNITY UNITY
Chris Collins (Republican, NY) \u2014 2017-3-8

I rise today to commemorate people in my district coming together to take a stand against bigotry, racism, and acts of hate. On March 7, 2017, members of the Muslim Public Affairs Council met with members of the Jewish community at the Jewish Community Center in Getzville, NY. Both groups sat down together to take a stand against recent threats towards the Jewish community in Western New York. This act of solidarity is an example of a community coming together despite their different backgrounds and beliefs. This type of collaboration in the face of hate is a model for the rest of the country. During my recent meeting with the Muslim Public Affairs Council, we discussed the importance of uniting behind our shared American values, such as inclusivity and tolerance. The recent demonstration of unity by members of the Jewish community and the Muslim community demonstrates that despite any differences, we are all Americans and must join together in condemning hateful acts in our community. For their demonstrated leadership, I commemorate the groups and individuals working to bring unity to Western New York.
SOUTHEASTERN ILLINOIS COLLEGE'S MIG TEAM WINS STATE CHAMPIONSHIP 4 YEARS IN A ROW
John Shimkus (Republican, IL) \u2014 2017-3-8

I rise today to recognize Southeastern Illinois College's Model Illinois Government team's success at the 2017 Model Illinois Government competition. Southeastern's team won the Outstanding Large Delegation Award, earning its tenth Outstanding Delegation Award in 14 years, and fourth in a row. prgtoken Southeastern is the smallest school in terms of enrollment at the simulation and not only defeated much larger community colleges, but also Universities including the University of Illinois at Springfield, Eastern, and Western Universities. Southeastern led all schools in total points, leadership positions, and controlled both the House and Senate caucuses. Southeastern set new school records for floor leadership positions (six) and total points (sixteen). Tracy Stokich and Casper Johns won the Award for Outstanding Original Legislation, while William Tippett was named Outstanding First Year Delegate, and Morgan Denbo won the Outstanding Member of the House of Representatives Award. prgtoken Team members were elected to 4 committee spokesperson positions, two committee chairs, while Evan Doughty was elected House Majority Leader, and Ryan Dennison was elected Senate Minority Leader. William Tippett and Grant Loudy were also elected as Assistant Leaders in their respective chambers, while Dana Hooven and Chloe Brandon were elected as floor whips. prgtoken The Southeastern Model Illinois Government team, coached by Matt Lees, consists of Chloe Brandon, Ryan Dennison, Morgan Denbo, Evan Doughty, Reagan Gray, Dana Hooven, Stephanie (Casper) Johns, William Johnson, Granton Loudy, Braden Scroggins, Tracy Stokich, Nolan Sutton, and William Tippett. prgtoken , I look forward to the continued success of the Southeastern Model Illinois Government team, and I extend my best wishes to them for another outstanding season next year.
REPUBLICAN HEALTHCARE BILL
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2017-3-8

just before the election, CNN ran an article with the following headline. This is CNN: ``Is Care really affordable?'' Answer: ``Not for the middle class.'' It was true then, it is true now, and it will continue to get worse unless Care is repealed and replaced. prgtoken In places like my home State of Kentucky, relief cannot come soon enough. Because of Care, premiums in Kentucky shot up by as much as 47 percent this year. Almost half of the counties in Kentucky have only one option for insurance providers on the Care exchange. Families are losing their doctors and are being forced into junk plans. The list of broken promises goes on and on. prgtoken I have said it before; I will say it again: The status quo is unsustainable. We cannot sit on our hands and do nothing. We must act before the market collapses. prgtoken Americans have repeatedly demanded the repeal of Care, and s are fulfilling our promise to do just that. The bill unveiled in the House this week represents an important step toward that pledge. It will bring much needed relief to families and small businesses. It will give Americans more control over their own healthcare choices. It will help stabilize the marketplace. And just yesterday, Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Tom Price sent a letter expressing the administration's support for it. Here is what he said: ``These proposals offer patient-centered solutions that will provide all Americans with access to affordable, quality, healthcare,'' he wrote. They will also ``promote innovation, and offer peace of mind for those with pre-existing conditions,'' he said. prgtoken In the coming weeks, committees in the House will publicly debate this bill. I hope Members will take the time to consider the bill and continue to ask questions. prgtoken Once we receive the bill from the House, the Senate will act because here is what we know: Care is a direct attack on the middle class. It will continue to get worse unless we act to repeal and replace it, and we are determined to keep our promise to the American people to do just that. prgtoken , .
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
David Perdue (Republican, GA) \u2014 2017-3-8

today I mourn the loss of LTG Harold ``Hal'' Gregory Moore, Jr and to honor his life and memory as one of Georgia's great citizens and military heroes. prgtoken Having served in the U.S. Army for 32 years, Lieutenant General Moore was known for valiantly and courageously protecting his fellow Americans during the Korean and Vietnam wars and for always leading by example. prgtoken He is perhaps best known for leading the 1st Battalion, 7th Calvary Regiment in the first major battle against North Vietnamese forces in the la Drang Valley on November 14, 1965. During that 4-day battle-- which would set the tone for the entire conflict--then-Lieutenant Colonel Moore kept the promise he had made to his men: that he would be the first to set foot on the battlefield, the last to step off, and that, dead or alive, he would leave no man behind. For his leadership and dedication to his men at la Drang, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for valor. prgtoken Lieutenant General Moore passed away on February 10, 2017, leaving behind 5 children and 11 grandchildren. He was buried with his wife of 55 years, Julia Compton Moore, at the Main Post Cemetery in Fort Benning, GA. His funeral was attended by more than 500 people, showcasing the extent to which his service, sacrifice, and leadership touched the lives of countless others. prgtoken We will forever remember and forever aspire to live our lives in the spirit of selflessness, bravery, kindness, and compassion with which Lieutenant General Moore led his.
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2017
Kay Granger (Republican, TX) \u2014 2017-3-8

I rise in strong support of H.R. 1301, the FY17 Department of Defense Appropriations Act. The world is more dangerous and unstable than any time in recent history. The U.S. and our allies face constant threats from countries including Iran, Russia, China, and North Korea. ISIS and other global terrorists threaten our very way of life. prgtoken Our number one responsibility as Members of Congress is to provide for the defense of this Nation. I commend Chairman Frelinghuysen for the outstanding job he did drafting the FY17 bill. He deserves our thanks for producing such a significant and meaningful bill. prgtoken Since becoming the chairwoman of the Defense Subcommittee of the Committee on Appropriations, I have spent a lot of time talking to senior defense leaders to find out what they need to combat these threats. They have unanimously stated that the only thing our adversaries respect is strength, and they need this bill passed to ensure our military is as strong and effective as possible. prgtoken Sequestration and reduced budget requests have caused the military to be underfunded for too long. This bill begins a process of rebuilding our military and giving our warfighters the resources they need to counter the numerous complex threats around the world. This bill reverses the drawdown of end strength and instead increases it by 36,000 troops above the FY17 budget request. This bill reverses steep cuts to procurement by funding additional ships and aircraft to modernize our weapons systems and address shortfalls. This is important because we have the smallest number of ships in the Navy since 1916, and the average age of an Air Force aircraft is 27 years old. Marine aviation squadrons have been forced to salvage parts from museums in order to keep our planes flying. prgtoken In every meeting I have had with defense leadership, they emphasize the devastating impact both sequestration and operating under a continuing resolution have on our security. When asked about the impact of a full year CR, General Goldfein, chief of staff of the Air Force, said: ``There is no enemy on the planet that can do more damage to the United States Air Force than us not getting a budget.'' prgtoken Our military is counting on us to pass this bill now. It is the only way to ensure the United States will be strong and able to lead in this very dangerous world. I strongly urge a ``yes'' vote.
AMERICAN HEALTH CARE ACT
Rob Woodall (Republican, GA) \u2014 2017-3-8

I rarely come down during the 1-minute time of the day, and I am glad I came down this morning for Father Conroy's prayer because there really is a lot of anxiety in this country as it relates to health care. Every family in this country has health care on their mind. prgtoken The gentleman from Rhode Island is exactly right. We have an opportunity to work together to fix it because we all know the Care system is failing. That is why we talk about how to fix it because we know that it is failing. prgtoken President said on Monday that the alternative is now open for review and negotiation. He didn't say take it or leave it. He didn't say pass it before you can read it. He said open for review and negotiation. prgtoken I challenge my colleagues to think about our opportunity to serve not just one constituent, but all of our constituents. Think about our opportunity to come together and put this healthcare discord behind us for a generation. prgtoken I thank Father Conroy for that admonition this morning. I hope we will rise to that challenge.
PROVIDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL OF A RULE SUBMITTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Mike Rounds (Republican, SD) \u2014 2017-3-8

I rise today to commemorate the life and legacy of Jack Robinson, who passed away on March 1, 2017, in Pierre, SD, at the age of 92. prgtoken Jack dedicated his life to public service--first to his Nation in the U.S. military and later to thousands of students as a teacher in Pierre. prgtoken When Jack graduated from high school in 1942, he was awarded a scholarship to Yangton College, but instead of furthering his education, he answered the call of duty amidst World War II and enlisted in the U.S. Army. prgtoken After transferring from the infantry to the Army Air Corps, he completed navigation school and became a crew member on a B-17 bomber. He and his team were eventually sent overseas to England and completed 27 combat missions over Germany before being shot down on March 2, 1945. Shortly afterward, Jack returned home to South Dakota. prgtoken Throughout the rest of his life, he was a strong advocate for the military and a true patriot. With the stories he told and the love of country he shared, he showed what it meant to be a true American hero. For that, he affectionately adopted the nickname ``Captain Jack.'' prgtoken There are not enough words in a dictionary to describe what we owe to the men and women who fought in World War II to save our Nation and to save democracy for the world. Jack Robinson put his own dreams aside and put his own life in great danger for our country and for all of the future generations of Americans. prgtoken After World War II, Jack graduated from Yankton College and taught high school science at Highmore, SD, for 2 years. Then he earned his master's degree in biology from the University of South Dakota. For the next 35 years, Jack was a teacher at Riggs High School in my hometown of Pierre. There, he created advanced biology and aeronautics programs for his students and inspired several young South Dakotans to become doctors. Dr. Brent Lindbloom of Pierre said his father and Jack Robinson were the reasons he became a doctor. ``Mr. Robinson was a great teacher,'' he said. ``He taught us how to study and inspired us to pursue our dreams.'' prgtoken I couldn't agree more. prgtoken As a teenager, Jack taught me navigational skills needed to properly fly an airplane, fueling a lifelong passion that continues today. As Jack would say, ``you have to know the difference between compass course and compass heading.'' prgtoken Over the years he taught many others navigational skills as well. But he didn't just teach young people how to fly in the skies. He was a tremendous role model for all of us and for all the students he taught. prgtoken As a bomber crew member, Jack defended our gift of democracy. As a teacher, he gave us what we needed to become responsible adults and pursue our own dreams. In 1994, Jack was inducted into the South Dakota Aviation Hall of Fame as a combat crew member. I can state that he was very proud of that moment. But more important than his many a
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2017
Martha Roby (Republican, AL) \u2014 2017-3-8

I appreciate the leadership of Chairman Frelinghuysen at the full committee and Chairwoman Granger at the Defense Subcommittee on this bill. prgtoken Providing for the common defense of our Nation is one of the most fundamental duties of Congress under the Constitution. prgtoken Last week I appreciated the message that President delivered in his joint session address, and I was particularly encouraged by his call to properly fund our military. For the last 6 years, we have been in almost constant tension with an administration whose sequestration policy threatened to hollow out our military. prgtoken , as a member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, I stand ready to work with the President and Secretary Mattis to make sure our military is properly funded, well equipped, and ready for the fight. That is why I am so proud to support this Defense Appropriations bill. prgtoken Our bill rejects the administration's proposed troop level reductions that would have amounted to as many as 36,000 servicemen and -women cut from the ranks. Instead, our bill provides funding for an additional 1,000 Active-Duty Army soldiers, 1,000 Army National Guard soldiers, 1,000 Army Reserve soldiers, and 1,000 Active-Duty marines. The bill also fully funds a much-deserved 2.1 percent pay raise for military personnel. prgtoken , I am proud to represent a district that is home to both Fort Rucker, the home of Army aviation, and Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base, the intellectual center of the Air Force. prgtoken I am pleased to report that this bill contains a strong budget for Army aviation, including $187 million for the 28 Lakota helicopters, which are the primary aircraft used for training at Fort Rucker. prgtoken It also contains an increase of almost $450 million for the Air Force's cybersecurity efforts. Maxwell's Air Force Cyber College at Air University plays a key part in cybersecurity, serving as an intellectual hub for the Air Force in the emerging battlefield for cyber warfare. prgtoken This appropriations bill also contains funding for the procurement of 74 F-35 Joint Strike Fighters. The Montgomery-based 187th Fighter Wing is on the short list for being assigned this next generation fighter jet, and our Alabama congressional delegation is working together to make the case to the Air Force why this special unit is an ideal fit. prgtoken , I take our responsibility to craft sound military spending plans very seriously. I am pleased the House is moving the fiscal year 2017 Defense Appropriations bill this week, and I urge my colleagues to support its passage.