mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
Proposed Rules Change (Executive Session)
Joni Ernst (Republican, IA) \u2014 2019-2-27

I am pleased to be joined today on the floor by my colleagues to discuss the unprecedented levels of obstruction aimed at President 's nominees. This issue plagued the 115th Congress, and it is one I am hopeful we can remedy moving forward in this new session. prgtoken The Senate is tasked with the critical role of providing advice and consent on many of the President's nominations, including executive branch officials and Federal judges. Vetting these officials is a task that I take extremely seriously, and I have often welcomed discussion regarding these critical appointments with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, as well as my constituents. prgtoken We can all agree that these positions must be filled by our Nation's most qualified candidates, individuals who are committed to public service and upholding the values and principles that make our Nation so great. We should also be able to agree that these positions should be filled using an expedient and timely process. prgtoken As any Iowa small business owner can tell you, if you don't have employees, you can't function. Iowans and many others across this Nation expect the Federal Government to run on the same commonsense principle. prgtoken The recent levels of obstruction for the President's nominees have not only kept the executive branch and our Federal courts from staffing critical positions but have also prevented the Senate from moving forward on other critical legislative priorities and initiatives. prgtoken In the past, the Senate has been able to disagree on certain nominations and still move forward in a respectful and expedient manner to ensure that the Federal Government operates efficiently. However, during President 's first Congress, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle have utilized a series of procedural tactics to eat up time on the Senate floor and to stall the President's nominees. prgtoken To put this in perspective, during President 's first Congress, the Senate forced a cloture vote on nominations only 4 times. That was during President 's first Congress. So it was 4 times. prgtoken During President Clinton's first Congress, this increased to a mere 8 cloture votes--8 cloture votes for Clinton. prgtoken During President 's first Congress, the use of this tactic still remained minimal, with only 12 cloture votes on nominations. So it was , 4; Clinton, 8; and President , 12. prgtoken Compare that to the use of cloture votes during the 115th Congress. My ic colleagues forced cloture votes 128 times--128 times. That is 10 times more often than during President 's first Congress. prgtoken Despite that President submitted nearly the same number of nominees as President , 29 percent more nominees than nominees were confirmed during each President's respective first Congress. Yet these delays have often not been used to raise objections to c
BEER CAN APPRECIATION/ALUMINUM BILL
Ken Buck (Republican, CO) \u2014 2019-2-27

I would like to recognize the critical role that brewers and beer importers play in our Nation's economy. prgtoken American beverage companies and brewers employ more than 2.2 million people nationwide, providing more than $103 billion in wages and benefits. In my home State of Colorado, breweries have become a significant component of my State's culture and economy. prgtoken But in order to compete, American beverage companies and brewers need a fair and transparent pricing system for aluminum. That is why I along with my friend, Mr. Lawson from Florida, are introducing legislation this week giving the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission oversight authority of the aluminum market. These unfair market practices have not only cost the beverage and brewing industries hundreds of millions of dollars, they have also had harmful effects on consumers. prgtoken With the help of the CFTC, I hope we can resolve these pricing irregularities that have been plaguing the market so our Nation's beverage companies and brewers can continue to produce some of America's most popular beverages.
THE TEXAS SKY HAS A NEW STAR
Pete Olson (Republican, TX) \u2014 2019-2-27

. Madam , we all know an iconic Texas song: ``The stars at night are big and bright, deep in the heart of Texas.'' prgtoken The sky of Texas has a new star, the brightest star ever. Her name is Marlee Hope Pack. She is glowing right beside me. prgtoken After a courageous fight with childhood cancer, God called Marlee home on February 23. Marlee's cancer would not be stopped. Her dad, Bill, kept asking Marlee: What is your wish with Make-A-Wish? prgtoken After a few weeks, sweet Marlee answered: ``Dad, if I have to think about it this hard, I don't need a wish.'' prgtoken Marlee turned Make-A-Wish into make a gift. She opened Marlee's Bear Workshop and partnered with Build-A-Bear to give kids with cancer teddy bears and hope. prgtoken Thank you, Bill and Shelly, and all who loved Marlee for giving us such a special person. She made our world better.
BIPARTISAN BACKGROUND CHECKS ACT OF 2019
W. Gregory Steube (Republican, FL) \u2014 2019-2-27

today, I rise in opposition to H.R. 8. prgtoken , this legislation claims to be a solution to gun violence, yet does nothing to actually solve the real problems that contribute to this crisis. As it stands now, this legislation does nothing to make our schools, churches, or communities safer. In fact, it only infringes on the constitutionally guaranteed Second Amendment rights of law-abiding American citizens, something I cannot support. prgtoken This bill will criminalize the private transfer of firearms and will make exercising basic constitutional rights impossibly expensive for millions of law-abiding Americans. Not to mention, it is essentially unenforceable without a national gun registry. But, let's be honest, that is where my colleagues on the other side of the aisle want to end up: registering firearms so they can systematically take them away. We must stop our Nation from falling down this slippery slope. prgtoken I think we can all agree that something needs to be done to stop the illegal ownership and misuse of firearms, but H.R. 8 is not the answer. This legislation would have done nothing to prevent many of the prominent tragedies that occurred in my home State of Florida. prgtoken The shooter at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland passed a background check. The shooter at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando passed a background check. And, just weeks ago, a man who murdered five women in my district passed a background check. prgtoken H.R. 8 would have done nothing to stop these violent acts, just like the previous attempts to require universal background checks have done nothing to prevent actual crimes. prgtoken If are serious about gun violence, they would have voted for my amendment. I filed an amendment in committee that would have required law enforcement to be notified upon the attempt of someone to purchase a firearm and failed a background check. Law enforcement would have been notified. But instead of supporting policies that curtail legal possession of firearms, the on both the Judiciary Committee and the Rules Committee rejected my proposal. How is that unreasonable? prgtoken , I stand for the Constitution. I stand for freedom. And I stand for the Second Amendment. That is why I am not voting for this proposal.
Proposed Rules Change (Executive Session)
John Cornyn (Republican, TX) \u2014 2019-2-27

maybe the fastest way to put people to sleep is to give a speech on cloture here in the Senate, but I hope that is not the case, because, as my colleague from Iowa just pointed out, this is an abuse of the Senate rules to do nothing but to obstruct and to slow down President 's well-qualified nominees for important positions. prgtoken This is not about their qualifications. This is not about exercising the constitutional responsibility of advice and consent. In virtually every instance in which the clock has been burned to get to an eventual vote, these largely noncontroversial nominees have been confirmed overwhelmingly. prgtoken Call it part of the `` derangement'' syndrome or the ``never '' effort. It is very clear to me that rather than take these nominees one at a time, treat them fairly, assess their qualifications, and vote on their nomination, these people are being delayed and denied an opportunity to serve, and many of them have just simply given up because of the backlog of nominations. It is unfair to them, it is unfair to this administration, and it is completely an abuse of the Senate rules. prgtoken We know that our ic colleagues have unnecessarily blocked nominees, put them through the ringer in hearings, and, in one particular case--the Kavanaugh nomination--engaged in an all-out smear campaign. prgtoken This treatment has grabbed headlines, but the story that doesn't get much attention is what I want to talk about now--this practice of eating up time on the floor, using every second of the rules to essentially eliminate the possibility that we can take up other bipartisan legislation or consider these nominees on any sort of efficient and effective basis. prgtoken As a result of the work, these nominees are being denied an opportunity to serve, the floor is being occupied by nominations that are uncontroversial, and we are unable to get to other important work that the American people want us to do. prgtoken Now, it is true that the Senate is not known for speed, and, more often than not, there is a good reason. When we are appropriating taxpayer dollars or debating sanctions on hostile governments or negotiating changes to our healthcare system, speed is not always an asset. prgtoken But when it comes to confirming nominees--those who already have had a hearing, who aren't controversial, who have already received a vote in committee--the process should be able to move rather quickly and efficiently. prgtoken But, as I said, this is part of a concerted effort to undermine the administration, to deny them the appointees necessary for them to conduct the Nation's business, and, in many instances, these are Ambassadors who should be representing the United States of America in foreign countries where it is important we maintain good communication with those other countries. prgtoken Over the last 2 years, our colleagues on the other side of the aisle ha
RECOGNIZING NACDS RxIMPACT DAY
John Shimkus (Republican, IL) \u2014 2019-2-27

. Madam , I rise to recognize the NACDS RxIMPACT Day on Capitol Hill that is coming up next week. This is a special day where we will have the chance to recognize the pharmacy industry's many contributions to the American healthcare system. prgtoken Organized by the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS), this event will take place on March 5-6, 2019. More than 400 individuals from all 50 states representing the pharmacy community-- including practicing pharmacists, pharmacy school faculty and students, state pharmacy association representatives, and pharmacy company leaders--will be on Capitol Hill. They will visit every House and Senate office to share their views with us about the importance of supporting their access agenda--legislative priorities that will ensure that our constituents will continue to have access to more than 40,000 community and neighborhood pharmacies across the country and be better able to utilize pharmacists to improve healthcare quality while reducing the cost of care. prgtoken Local pharmacists are important community leaders, who are trusted by their patients to efficiently provide high quality, convenient healthcare services. And as demand for healthcare services continues to grow, pharmacists are stepping in to fill gaps in healthcare delivery by partnering with physicians, nurses, and other healthcare providers to address the unmet need. Moreover, pharmacists continually innovate to provide unique services that improve overall patient health and wellness. prgtoken Further, in many communities the local pharmacist is a patient's most direct healthcare access point. This is particularly true in rural areas. In fact, 91 percent of Americans live within five miles of a community pharmacy. These pharmacies bring value to their communities by providing care to those who need it most--older Americans and those who manage chronic conditions, particularly in rural and underserved areas. In addition, pharmacists frequently work with patients to navigate specific pharmacy benefits and the use of generic substitutions to identify strategies to save money. Pharmacists also ensure medications are administered appropriately, and offer other preventative services that help improve patients overall wellbeing and quality of life. prgtoken The pharmacy advocates attending NACDS RxIMPACT Day on Capitol Hill will be educating members on their access agenda. As we debate the future of healthcare, the pharmacy community wishes to work with us to help develop solutions that put pharmacy's value to work for patients and payers. Specifically, NACDS's advocates will be seeking our support for policies that will help address prescription drug affordability and transparency through much-needed reform to DIR fees, a complicated fee structure imposed on pharmacies to participate in the Medicare Part D program. They will also highlight proposals designed to address the opioid epidemic. prgtoken I
ORDERS FOR THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2019
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2019-2-27

I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 10 a.m Thursday, February 28; 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 and resume consideration of the Wheeler nomination under the previous order.
RECOGNIZING DALLAS GAY, GAINESVILLE ROTARY CLUB'S MAN OF THE YEAR
Doug Collins (Republican, GA) \u2014 2019-2-27

. Madam , I rise today to recognize Mr. Dallas Gay, a fellow Northeast Georgian who was recently named Man of the Year by the Gainesville Rotary Club in recognition of his work to combat the opioid epidemic in Georgia. prgtoken Each year, thousands of Americans lose their lives to opioids. Mr. Gay understands the severity of this issue better than most, as he lost his grandson to a drug overdose in 2012. This tragic loss inspired him to join the fight and ultimately save countless lives throughout the state of Georgia. prgtoken Mr. Gay has spearheaded several drug- related campaigns, some of which have led to new legislation. In May 2017, the Jeffrey Dallas Gay Jr. Act was signed into law, making naloxone--a life-saving antidote for drug overdoses--available over the counter. He also co-founded the ``Think About It'' campaign, which raised awareness of addiction to opioids and prescription drugs, and ultimately raised over $400,000. prgtoken Mr. Gay was previously recognized by the Medical Association of Georgia and St. Jude's Children's Hospital for his work on the opioid epidemic. prgtoken In his Man of the Year acceptance speech, he encouraged others to continue to ``be a soldier'' in combating this crisis and to question and safeguard the drugs which are prescribed to them. prgtoken I thank Mr. Gay for his steadfast commitment to fighting this epidemic, and I look forward to witnessing his continued impact on countless lives across the state of Georgia.
Nomination of Andrew Wheeler (Executive Calendar)
Tom Cotton (Republican, AR) \u2014 2019-2-27

I would like to take this opportunity to commemorate two Medal of Honor recipients who passed away last month. Every Medal of Honor recipient has served his country with extraordinary valor and with little or no regard for his own life and safety. prgtoken Air Force Col. Joe Jackson and Army LTC Charles Kettles were no exceptions. They were both pilots and both served honorably in the Vietnam war. Both were responsible for extraordinary rescue missions of American soldiers trapped deep behind enemy lines against incredible odds. These two men were patriots who by chance, skill, and strength of character became true American heroes. They are gone now, but their legacies and examples will always live on. It is up to us to learn from them. prgtoken Col. Joe Jackson passed away on January 12 at the age of 95. prgtoken Jackson enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1941, serving as a gunnery instructor for the duration of World War prgtoken II. But he may never have been a pilot--may never have been a hero--if not for a chance event in that war. prgtoken One of his friends, a flight engineer, fell ill right before a B-25 bomber flight. Jackson agreed to take his place. During the flight, one of the engines caught fire. The pilot didn't know what to do, but Jackson did. His timely instructions helped extinguish the fire, possibly saving the aircraft. Emboldened by this incident, Jackson decided to become a pilot--and he did, flying 107 missions as an F-84 Thunderjet pilot during the Korean war and becoming one of the very first pilots of the U-2 spy plane. prgtoken That in itself would be a pretty distinguished career of honorable service, but Joe Jackson returned for more, decades later. At the age of 45 he answered the call of service once again, volunteering with the Air Force's 311th Air Commando Squadron to fly cargo planes in Vietnam. It is not often a cargo pilot gets a chance to distinguish himself in combat, but it was in that very role that Joe Jackson earned the Nation's highest honor. prgtoken May 12, 1968, was supposed to be a routine cargo mission for Joe Jackson and the crew of his C-123. That all changed when the American special forces camp at Kham Duc was attacked by the North Vietnamese. As the Viet Cong overran the camp and established firing positions just off the landing strip, an emergency evacuation began of the much smaller American contingent. prgtoken The evacuation quickly turned into a turkey shoot. Eight aircraft and helicopters were shot down or destroyed on the runway during the desperate evacuation of Kham Duc. In a horrible tragedy, one cargo plane was shot down by North Vietnamese forces shortly after takeoff. All aboard the aircraft perished--the American air crew, plus some 150 South Vietnamese civilians. Eventually, the airlift succeeded in evacuating nearly all of the camp's survivors. But as the last scheduled plane left the runway and the order was given to bomb the
CLOTURE MOTION
Susan M. Collins (Republican, ME) \u2014 2019-2-27

after careful consideration, I have decided to oppose the confirmation of Andrew Wheeler, the nominee for Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA. prgtoken While Mr. Wheeler is certainly qualified for this position, I have too many concerns with the actions he has taken during his tenure as Acting Administrator to be able to support his promotion. I believe that Mr. Wheeler, unlike Scott Pruitt, understands the mission of the EPA and acts in accordance with ethical standards; however, the policies he has supported as Acting Administrator are not in the best interest of our environment and public health, particularly given the threat of climate change to our Nation. prgtoken I met at length with Mr. Wheeler, and we discussed many important environmental issues about which I care prgtoken deeply, from EPA's enforcement of landmark environmental laws to greenhouse gas emissions and mercury pollution. Since last August, the EPA has proposed to roll back environmental protections, including determining it is no longer ``appropriate and necessary'' to regulate mercury emissions from power plants, halting efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from cars and trucks, and replacing the Clean Power Plan. prgtoken These efforts are of great importance to the State of Maine, which is located at the end of our Nation's ``air pollution tailpipe'' and is on the receiving end of pollution generated by coal-fired power plants in other States. Moreover, there is no doubt that the greenhouse gas emissions driving climate change pose a significant threat to our State's economy and our natural resources, from our working forests, fishing, and agricultural industries, to tourism, and recreation. prgtoken Reducing harmful air pollutants is critical for public health, particularly for Maine, which has among the highest rates of asthma in the country. In Maine, cars, trucks, and other vehicles produce more than 50 percent of our State's greenhouse gas emissions. Controls for mercury, one of the most persistent and dangerous pollutants, are especially important for children and pregnant women. The Agency's recent efforts to halt progress in these critical areas takes us in the wrong direction. prgtoken In keeping with my past practice, I will vote to allow the full Senate to consider Mr. Wheeler's nomination so that every Senator can have a clear up or down vote on this important nomination of a member of the President's Cabinet. prgtoken However, due to the actions Mr. Wheeler has taken during his tenure at the EPA, I will vote against his confirmation.
AUTHORITY FOR COMMITTEES TO MEET
James Lankford (Republican, OK) \u2014 2019-2-27

I have 10 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 Commerce, Science, and Transportation prgtoken The Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation is authorized to meet during he session of the Senate on Wednesday, February 27, 2019, at 10 a.m to conduct a hearing entitled ``Policy principles for a Federal data privacy framework in the United States. Committee on Environment and Public Works prgtoken The Committee on Environment and Public Works is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, February 27, 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 Wednesday, February 27, 2019, at 10:15 a.m to conduct a hearing. Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions prgtoken The Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, February 27, 2019, at 12:30 p.m to conduct a hearing on the following nominations: William Beach, of Kansas, to be Commissioner of Labor Statistics, Scott A. Mugno, of Pennsylvania, and John P. Pallasch, of Kentucky, both to be an Assistant Secretary, Cheryl Marie Stanton, of South Carolina, to be Administrator of the Wage and Hour Division, and John Lowry III, of Illinois, to be Assistant Secretary for Veterans' Employment and Training, all of the Department of Labor, Robert L. King, of Kentucky, to be Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education, Department of Education, Janet Dhillon, of Pennsylvania, to be a Member of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Mary Anne Carter, of Tennessee, to be Chairperson of the National Endowment for the Arts, Marco M. Rajkovich, Jr of Kentucky, William I. Althen, of Virginia, and Arthur R. Traynor III, of the District of Columbia, each to be a Member of the Federal Mine Safety prgtoken and Health Review Commission, and other pending nominations. 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 Wednesday, February 27, 2019, at 2:30 p.m to conduct a hearing entitled ``Perspective on protecting the electric grid form an electromagnetic pulse or geomagnetic disturbance.'' Committee on Indian Affairs prgtoken The Committee on Indian Affairs is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, February 27, 2019, at 2:30 p.m , to conduct a hearing entitled ``The 45th anniversary of the Nati