mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
CONFIRMATION OF GINA HASPEL
Jack Reed (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2018-5-21

I would like to discuss my decision to vote against the President's nomination of Gina Haspel to be the next Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, CIA. prgtoken First, let me state that I have immense respect for the men and women of the CIA. I have had the opportunity to meet many of them and to personally offer my thanks in some of the world's most dangerous locations. Their work is difficult and demanding but critical to helping safeguard our nation. prgtoken I do not question Ms. Haspel's patriotism, intellect, or dedication to the CIA. She has ably served the agency and several Administrations, both ic and . Ms. Haspel is clearly a committed professional. prgtoken I welcome Ms. Haspel's statement of support for the ``stricter moral standard'' legislatively imposed by Congress with respect to interrogation policies and her admission that, in hindsight, the use of coercive interrogation techniques was a mistake. However, I remain troubled that Ms. Haspel failed to clearly articulate a view that the use of coercive interrogation techniques, including waterboarding, was immoral. prgtoken As discussed in a 2008 report by the Senate Armed Services Committee, the CIA's so-called enhanced interrogation techniques were based on Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape, or SERE, techniques used to train members of our military to resist torture. There are those who defend the use of such techniques by the CIA because similar techniques were previously used on our own troops during training activities. However, this argument ignores the fact that coercive interrogation techniques were never intended to be used by U.S. interrogators to gain actionable intelligence. Rather, the SERE techniques, which are based on Communist Chinese interrogation methods used during the Korean War to elicit false confessions, were developed to expose U.S. soldiers to the abusive treatment they might be subjected to if captured by our enemies. prgtoken There is simply no comparison between the use of such SERE techniques in a controlled environment to train U.S. military personnel to resist torture by an immoral enemy and their use by the CIA to interrogate detainees after 9/11. There is also no basis for any assertion that they are an effective means to gather intelligence, given their original purpose. prgtoken Some have suggested that Ms. Haspel is being held to a higher standard than that of former Director Brennan, who similarly served in leadership positions at the CIA at the same time as the creation and operation of the detention and interrogation program. During his confirmation process, former Director Brennan stated that he was aware of the program during his time at the CIA, but ``did not play a role in its creation, execution, or oversight.'' He also testified, under oath, that he raised significant concerns and ``personal objections'' to colleagues at the time and stated that water
Santa Fe High School Shooting (Executive Session)
Bill Nelson (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2018-5-21

I rise to speak today in the wake of another tragic school shooting. This time, it was in Texas. Ten innocent people--eight students and two teachers--were gunned down Friday when a gunman walked into a high school in East Texas and opened fire. prgtoken Tragedies such as this are becoming too common in our society. At some point, we have to say enough is enough. How many times have we said that? Just 3 months ago, I stood right here on the Senate floor after 17 people were killed at MSD High School in Parkland, FL. I pleaded with our colleagues to set aside partisan politics and work together to enact commonsense reforms that will help make what happened at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School a pivotal moment in our Nation's history--not because it was one of the deadliest school shootings, but because back then, 3 months ago, it was the last one. I hoped it would be the last one. prgtoken I am so proud of the students who spoke out and the parents who spoke out, such as Fred Guttenberg, whose daughter was gunned down as she was trying to flee at the other end of the hall. That bullet from that AR- 15 caught her right in the spinal cord just as she was about to exit the hall. I thank Fred and others who have been speaking out, especially the students--so eloquent, so bold. prgtoken We all hoped that the shooting in Parkland was going to be the last one, but it was not. Here we go again. With the tragedy that took place in Parkland so fresh in our minds, here we go again. Our students deserve better. You have seen the articles since Friday's shooting about how students are frightened that their school will be next. Our schools and our communities deserve better. America deserves better than this. Our students certainly deserve better. prgtoken Since the Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting, this Congress has passed two bills into law--only two. While this Senator supported both of those, they alone are not nearly enough. We can and we must do more. prgtoken You have heard me say over and over that we need to ban assault weapons and the long clips. We need to close the gun show loophole. We need a comprehensive, universal background check for the sale or the transfer of any firearm, regardless of where it is purchased. prgtoken By the way, those comprehensive background checks would have picked up red flags on the shooter in Parkland, who had some real mental problems. They would have also picked up the shooter in the Orlando Pulse nightclub 2 years ago because he had been on the terrorist watch list and had been taken off. If those kinds of things are picked up in a comprehensive background search, then--when a person goes to buy a gun, those kinds of things will be picked up. prgtoken We also need to do more to provide our students with access to the mental health professionals they need. Because of the NRA locking down their votes, if we are not going to get anything on assault weapons or the gu
VA MISSION BILL (Executive Session)
Joni Ernst (Republican, IA) \u2014 2018-5-22

I very much thank Chairman Isakson for his work on this bill. As a veteran, as the spouse of a veteran, as the mother of a young lady who will enter into the service this summer, and as the grandmother to a young man who will begin his enlistment this fall, I thank him for the work he has done. I appreciate your service as well. Thank you so much. prgtoken , ``We can and we must do better for our veterans.'' prgtoken I spoke those words during my first speech given here on the Senate floor just over 3 years ago. I also spoke about the need to fulfill the promises made to our veterans who have sacrificed everything for our country. At that time, the average wait for a mental health appointment at the VA was 36 days. There were, on average, 22 veteran suicides every single day in the United States. It underscored the troubles within the VA and the urgency to act immediately to help our veterans get the quality and the timely care that they have earned and that they deserve. prgtoken That is why I introduced on that very day my first bill, the Prioritizing Veterans' Access to Mental Healthcare Act. My bill would have eliminated the distance and the wait time requirements for veterans seeking mental healthcare under the current Choice Program. Every veteran should have the choice to receive care in the community, but they should not be burdened by bureaucratic redtape or strict guidelines that serve as roadblocks to receiving this type of care. prgtoken To illustrate how burdensome and sometimes ridiculous these guidelines are, I want to share a letter I received from a veteran in Ames, IA. The veteran wrote: I am a disabled veteran who currently receives healthcare at the De Moines VA Hospital. I live 39.7 miles from the De Moines VA Hospital, which means I do not meet the 40-mile VA Choice criteria. While I have not had a bad experience at the De Moines VA, it is burdensome to travel approximately 40 miles when I have had surgeries that require a family member to transport me. I am unable to utilize a nonVA facility in my own backyard. prgtoken The frustration evident in this veteran's letter has been present in hundreds of letters and stories, and I have received many of those over the years. prgtoken I am frustrated too. Those who are willing to lay down their lives for our country shouldn't have to jump through hoops to receive the care they have earned. prgtoken I am thrilled that this week the Senate has the opportunity to do better for prgtoken our veterans. Just last week, the House passed the VA MISSION Act, which improves how veterans access community care. Under the VA MISSION Act, the VA remains the coordinator of a veteran's care. The VA would still be in charge of scheduling those appointments, ensuring that a veteran is going to followup visits, as well as ensuring that no veteran experiences a delay or a gap in their care. <|p|
David Kustoff (Republican, TN) \u2014 2018-5-22

. Madam , I thank the gentleman for yielding. prgtoken Madam , today, I rise in support of S. 2155, the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act. prgtoken This pro-growth package provides the desperately needed regulatory relief to our community financial institutions while providing consumers with greater options for accessing credit. prgtoken For too long, we have seen many of the onerous regulatory burdens restrict banks and credit unions from serving the needs of their communities. After 8 years of failed economic policies, which led to the slowest, weakest recovery in the modern era, the economy is finally starting to take off, and consumer optimism is increasing each and every day each. prgtoken As a member of the House Financial Services Committee, we remain committed to passing legislation designed to roll back some of the most burdensome provisions found in the Dodd-Frank Act. prgtoken This legislation was intended to rein in large financial institutions, while harming our local community banks and credit unions. These increased regulations created a higher cost of business and diminished credit availability.
JOB GROWTH
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2018-5-22

. Now, , one final matter. This week, survey data showed that more Americans say it is a good time to find a quality job than at any point in the last 17 years. prgtoken Let me say that again. More Americans say it is a good time to find a quality job than at any point in the last 17 years. prgtoken Under President , this number got as low as 8 percent. It never broke 50 percent during his administration, but today 67 percent of Americans say it is a good time to find a quality job. prgtoken Optimism has taken off for all groups since this President was elected and the Congress was sworn in, but the injection of new hope has been felt the most among working-class Americans. This is a major distinction between the economic policies spent years putting in place and the new approach this government has taken. prgtoken For nearly a decade, followed the standard liberal playbook: tax more, regulate more, and pile up more money and power right here in Washington. They cracked down on American businesses, imposed one new regulation after another, and looked to the Federal Government to pick winners and losers. prgtoken It is a familiar, old set of ideas. Here is what it produces: an economy that works very well for a few but leaves many more behind. prgtoken The era was just fine for our Nation's biggest coastal cities. Roughly, three-quarters of all the new jobs created between 2010 and 2016 poured into the country's largest metropolitan areas, but outside of these places, taxes and regulations created an anti-business climate that hurt American manufacturing, American coal communities, and small- and medium-sized businesses throughout our country. prgtoken So s charted a new course. We understand that middle-class families know how to spend their own money better than the government; that American workers thrive when American job creators are expanding, hiring, and raising wages. We passed once-in-a-generation tax relief for American families and small businesses and are working at every turn to roll back runaway regulations. The result is an economic comeback that is reaching all kinds of communities, not just a favored few. prgtoken A record-high percentage of American manufacturers have said they have a positive economic outlook for their enterprises. Rural communities outpaced everywhere else in relative job creation last year. The total amount spent on employee compensation grew faster in 2017 than in any calendar year under President . prgtoken This is what happens when s implement a pro-growth, pro- opportunity agenda that gets Washington out of the way. Everyone shares in the prosperity.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2019
Doug Lamborn (Republican, CO) \u2014 2018-5-22

. Mr. Chair, I thank the chairman of the subcommittee for the great work he is doing on this. prgtoken We all agree that we want a strong nuclear deterrent, and we all agree we want that deterrent to be as stabilizing as possible. We don't want destabilizing trends. We all agree with that. prgtoken General John Hyten, Commander of U.S. Strategic Command, testified before the House and said: We require a mix of yields and improved platforms to credibly deter the threats of the near future. The National Posture Review directs near-term fielding of a low-yield SLBM capability and, in the longer term, pursuit of a modern, nuclear-armed, sea-launched cruise missile. prgtoken So the commander of U.S. Strategic Command says we do need this option. prgtoken And let me also quote James Miller, Undersecretary of Defense for Policy prgtoken under the administration, the principal author of President 's Nuclear Posture Review: ``Secretary of Defense James Mattis' 2018 Nuclear Posture Review offers continuity with past U.S. policy and plans, including those in the 2010 NPR. It deserves broad bipartisan support. Its proposal for a low-yield SLBM weapon and a new nuclear- tipped, sea-launched cruise missile are sensible responses to changed security conditions, especially Russia and North Korea.'' prgtoken Well, things have changed since 2010. That is what the 2018 NPR addresses. So, from both administrations, from both sides of the aisle, we have agreement that we do need this low-yield option. That is a stabilizing influence, to have more tools in the toolbox. When you have fewer tools, you have fewer options, and that is destabilizing. prgtoken Mr. Chair, I ask for a rejection of this amendment.
VETERANS CEMETERY BENEFIT CORRECTION ACT
Thom Tillis (Republican, NC) \u2014 2018-5-22

reserving the right to object, I want to thank my friend Senator Manchin. He and I serve on the VA Committee. I know he is absolutely committed to trying to do the best we possibly can for our veterans. We may have a disagreement on what he has in mind for this particular unanimous consent request, but I don't think there is any daylight between us in terms of what we are trying to do for veterans. prgtoken I look forward to working with the chair to get to a good place and to address in the Senate committee some of the concerns he has. For that reason, I object.
VETERANS CEMETERY BENEFIT CORRECTION ACT
Steve Daines (Republican, MT) \u2014 2018-5-22

we have all seen the headlines across the Nation about the VA Choice Program and how it has failed our veterans. I wish to share some of those headlines from my home State of Montana. prgtoken From Montana Public Radio, the headline was: ``Montana Hospitals: New VA Program Fails To Pay.'' prgtoken From NBC Montana, the headline was: ``New problems for Veterans Choice in Montana.'' prgtoken From the Billings Gazette, the headline read: ``Painful truth about Montana VA.'' prgtoken As I travel around the State, as I hear from veterans who come back to Washington, DC, I personally have heard from them, from countless healthcare professionals, from our hospitals regarding payment delays, long waiting times, and elusive runaround on the most basic services. prgtoken Under the Choice Program, our veterans did not receive the healthcare they deserved. However, the bipartisan MISSION Act will follow through on the promises that were made to our veterans. Rural veterans will get greater, easier, quicker access to the care they need. Whether a veteran lives 20, 30, or 40 miles from a VA clinic, they can go elsewhere if the VA does provide them with the services they need. It brings VA care into the 21st century by encouraging telemedicine and strengthens oversight of opioid prescriptions. Veterans will have more access to doctors because there will be measures holding companies accountable--companies like Health Net--for how they manage the new program. It provides scholarships to encourage medical and dental students to serve in the VA, and it creates a new loan repayment program for medical students who are training in specialties that are currently lacking in the VA. prgtoken This is one of the big problems we have. We can't fill the slots with medical professionals in the VA. It is about time we take meaningful steps toward fully delivering on the promises we have made to our veterans. prgtoken On this Memorial Day week, I wish to share that we have passed my bill to name VA clinics in Missoula and Billings after Montana veterans David Thatcher, Dr. Joseph Medicine Crow, and Benjamin Steele. My bill has been sent to President 's desk for his signature. With the passage of the MISSION Act, these three clinics will be delivering new and improved care and will also display the names of three Montana World War II heroes. I urge my colleagues in the Senate to join me in supporting the VA MISSION Act. prgtoken .
VETERANS CEMETERY BENEFIT CORRECTION ACT
Jerry Moran (Republican, KS) \u2014 2018-5-22

I am pleased to be back on the Senate floor this afternoon in support of the VA MISSION Act. I was here last Thursday, and, in part, I paid tribute to Senator McCain. We greatly miss him here on the Senate floor. I personally--and I know my colleagues also--wish he were here to help us determine a path forward and to find the solutions to problems. Senator McCain is an expert in caring for those who have served us in the military and taking care of our military retirees and our veterans. So, again, I use this moment on the Senate floor to pay tribute to my colleague Senator McCain and to thank him for his service to our Nation and his willingness to work side by side with me as we develop legislation that deals with the issue of community care for veterans across the country. prgtoken I highlighted last Thursday that challenges at the VA have caused Congress to respond, and that response involves Choice, legislation that now exists in which, under certain circumstances, veterans have the ability to find and be provided care within their communities. They can see their hometown physician and be admitted to their hometown hospital under certain circumstances. prgtoken The Choice Program has worked well for many veterans, just as the VA itself internally works well for many veterans. But I know from my own experience as a Member of the U.S. Senate prgtoken that Kansans have experienced significant challenges with VA programs, especially with the Choice Program, in which the bureaucracy seems to inhibit the ability of the VA to provide the care that veterans across Kansas are seeking. prgtoken I indicated last week that currently within our office, we have 80 cases in which we are dealing with veterans who are facing challenges from something they need from the VA and are not receiving. I looked at the numbers prior to that since I have been a Member of the U.S. Senate. There have been 2,650 occasions in which a veteran sought help from their U.S. Senator for something we would expect them to be entitled to based upon their service to our Nation. We are grateful to those veterans, and we want to make sure they are honored and esteemed. At the same time, we want to make sure the promises that were made to those who have served our Nation are kept. prgtoken The legislation before us that has been approved by the House of Representatives and is now in front of the Senate has been entitled the VA MISSION Act. We were actually successful in honoring Senator McCain by including his name in the title. Again, I appreciate his willingness to help create the Choice Program and now to reform and extend it. prgtoken One of the challenges I have taken upon myself is to make certain we don't simply--nothing is simple around here--just extend the current Choice Program. We have worked to reform it and improve it and make it more likely that the challenges of those 80 veterans who are seeking help from my staff or
ECONOMIC GROWTH, REGULATORY RELIEF, AND CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT
Keith J. Rothfus (Republican, PA) \u2014 2018-5-22

I rise in support of this bipartisan legislation. prgtoken Our economy has struggled for years under the weight of misguided Washington policies. Banks have closed and consolidated, and communities across this country have lost their local financial institutions. American families have found it harder to get the funds they need to buy a home, and small businesses have been starved of credit to innovate, invest, and hire more workers. prgtoken In this economic environment, small businesses have struggled to grow or even get off the ground. A recent study observed that we are missing 650,000 small businesses because of burdensome regulations relating to the financial industry over the last 10 years. prgtoken Everyone, from the single mom in Ambridge looking to buy her first home to the entrepreneur in Beaver Falls working to achieve his or her version of the American Dream, deserves access to financial services and the chance to thrive in a growing, healthy economy. prgtoken Today's bill addresses some of these barriers that have been holding us back. prgtoken I am also proud to say that two of my bills are in this legislation. One of these bills gives mutual banks the flexibility to evolve so that they can better serve their communities. prgtoken The other bill addresses the unintended negative impacts of the supplementary leverage ratio on custody banks. This is technical, but the current SLR actually makes it harder for custody banks to safeguard cash of pension funds and nonprofit foundations in times of stress. Today, we fix that. prgtoken Both of my bills received unanimous, bipartisan support in the committee, and I am glad they will soon become law. prgtoken , I commend Chairman Hensarling for his work on this legislation, and I urge my colleagues to support this bill.