mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
Prescription Drug Costs (Executive Session)
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2019-7-16

I listened as the leader came to the floor and announced the business of the Senate for this week. Highlighted in the business will be tax treaties--tax treaties with Spain, Switzerland, Japan, and Luxembourg. According to the leader, these are critical to economic development in the United States. I don't question their importance, but I will tell you that, routinely, these are done by voice vote. We don't spend the time of the Senate to come to the floor and talk about our relationship with Luxembourg. prgtoken When you look at the issues that most American families expect us to address, I would say the tax treaty with Luxembourg would be low on the list. What might be high on the list and should be considered in the Senate this week is the No. 1 concern of families across America-- and s. The highest concern and the No. 1 issue when asked about the economy of the United States is the cost of prescription drugs. prgtoken The United States Senate has the authority to do something about the cost of prescription drugs. We will not be doing it this week. We will be dealing with a tax treaty with Luxembourg. prgtoken What kind of issues, when it comes to the cost of prescription drugs, might be important? Let's start with one that I have started focusing on back home. prgtoken Did you know that there are 30 million Americans who suffer from diabetes, type 1 and type 2 diabetes? Did you know that 7.5 million Americans use insulin every single day to stay alive? Four of them were in my office last week from Illinois. They were between the ages of 10 and 17. Talk about amazing young people. Three young women and a young boy talked about their lives and what had happened to them since it was discovered that they had juvenile diabetes. prgtoken Their lives have been changed a lot. Each one of them is hooked up to a CGM--I believe that is the proper term, a continuous glucose monitor--that measures whether they need additional insulin, which is pumped in another device on their arm. They talked about how this was a commitment around the clock to make sure their insulin levels were appropriate. prgtoken One little girl talked about what it meant to her family for her to be a type 1 diabetic. This beautiful young lady started talking about it. Then she got to the point where she said: It has changed our family; my diabetes has changed our family. prgtoken Then she started crying. prgtoken She said: We can't do things in our family that others do. We can't take the same vacations that my cousins take, and we can't rent that house out on the lake because of the cost of my drugs, the cost of my insulin. prgtoken I turned to her mother, and I said: Tell me, what does it come down to? prgtoken Her mom said: We are lucky. We have health insurance. Our health insurance covers prescription drugs. However, there is an $8,000 deductible. So we start each year buying the insul
OPEN AN IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY
Ann Kirkpatrick (Democrat, AZ) \u2014 2019-7-16

I have a responsibility as a Congresswoman, former prosecutor, and American citizen to stand up for the rule of law. prgtoken After countless conversations with my constituents, after speaking with legal scholars and experts, after reviewing the Mueller report, and after seeing administration officials defy congressional subpoenas, I have come to the conclusion that the House of Representatives must open an impeachment inquiry on President . prgtoken Following Mueller's alarming report, it is our job as a Congress to conduct oversight and deliver answers to the American people. Unfortunately, the President has called upon his administration to break the law and ignore our congressional subpoenas. Now we have no choice but to open an impeachment inquiry. prgtoken This should not be a partisan fight or a debate about election strategy; it is about the rule of law. prgtoken I know impeachment is risky, but allowing this President to defy the law is even more risky. If we don't act now, our democracy may be threatened for years to come.
DAMON PAUL NELSON AND MATTHEW YOUNG POLLARD INTELLIGENCE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEARS 2018, 2019, AND 2020
Max Rose (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2019-7-16

. Madam Chair, such time as I may consume. prgtoken Madam Chair, I rise to offer an amendment to title VII of H.R. 3494, entitled, ``Reports and Other Matters.'' prgtoken As a combat veteran, I can tell you firsthand that intelligence drives operations, and it is imperative to the security of our homeland that the U.S. maintains its superiority when it comes to intelligence. However, a growing concern I have is when our former or retired intelligence professionals choose to later work for a foreign government. prgtoken We saw it with former NSA employees working as hackers for the United Arab Emirates' Project Raven. Interviews and documents showed that the NSA's surveillance techniques were central to the country's monitoring efforts. prgtoken Reporting showed that American ex-intelligence personnel would target the UAE Government's opponents online. This information, provided to them by the country's NSA equivalent, didn't just target terrorists, but also human rights activists and journalists, those whom the UAE deemed unfavorable. prgtoken It is concerning when our best and brightest go off to conduct or advise on intelligence operations for foreign governments that, in some cases, are against the very people our American ideals protect. We need to understand the nature and impact of this expertise in the hands of a foreign government. What are the homeland security implications of this? prgtoken My amendment will do just that. It requires the Director of National Intelligence, in coordination with other intelligence community partners, to conduct an annual assessment of the homeland security vulnerabilities associated with former intelligence community employees providing intelligence assistance to a foreign government. prgtoken Madam Chair, the invaluable training, tradecraft, and expertise developed by former or retired intelligence professionals to keep our country safe, to keep Americans safe, now in the hands of a foreign government for their benefit is absolutely chilling. prgtoken My amendment will tackle these concerns head-on with an annual assessment of any homeland security vulnerabilities that may be associated with this capability, cultivated from years of service to our country, now being provided to foreign governments. prgtoken Madam Chair, I urge all of my colleagues to support my amendment, and .
Death of Jamal Khashoggi (Executive Session)
Patrick J. Leahy (Democrat, VT) \u2014 2019-7-16

the U.N. Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary killings, Ms. Agnes Callamard, recently released her report on the murder of Jamal Khashoggi after a 6-month investigation. I encourage everyone to read the report, and I want to share several of her findings. prgtoken First, Mr. Khashoggi was murdered and dismembered inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. It was an extrajudicial killing that violated numerous international laws, and for which the Government of Saudi Arabia is responsible. prgtoken Second, there is credible evidence warranting further investigation of the prgtoken liability of high-level Saudi officials, especially the Crown Prince. prgtoken Third, once Turkey publicly announced Mr. Khashoggi's murder, the Saudi Government used consular immunity to obstruct Turkey's investigation until the crime scene could be cleaned, and there are reasons to conclude that the destruction of evidence could not have taken place without the Crown Prince's knowledge. prgtoken Fourth, Saudi officials falsely denied knowledge of Mr. Khashoggi's murder for more than 2 weeks, and they continue to deny state responsibility. prgtoken Fifth, the trial of the suspects who have been charged in Saudi Arabia will not deliver justice or the whole truth. prgtoken Sixth, Jamal Khashoggi's remains have yet to be located and turned over to his family. prgtoken Some have ignored the findings in the report, as the lobbyists who continue to rake in millions of dollars from the Saudi Government have encouraged, and as the administration appears inclined to do. But ignoring the facts doesn't change what happened. And it bears repeating: The fact is, a journalist was murdered by the Saudi Government in a manner that implicates officials at the highest level in the royal family. The fact is, the Saudi Government engaged in a flagrant coverup and continues to deny any responsibility. The fact is, the steps being taken to pursue justice are a sham. prgtoken After the report was released, the Saudi Foreign Minister dismissed its finding as not containing any new information--as if the murder, coverup, and lack of accountability are irrelevant because they have been previously reported. prgtoken While many of the summary findings in the report may not be new, they are supported by roughly 100 pages of detailed information in which the Special Rapporteur and her team document official reports from the U.S Saudi, and Turkish Governments, they include quotes from interviews conducted around the world, and they share excerpts of the gruesome intelligence information to which they had access. prgtoken Ms. Callamard presented the facts, her own conclusions, and the methodology used to reach those conclusions, and she was clear about where there were limitations of her inquiry. The report shows a meticulous and objective effort to find the truth. For that reason, it stands in stark contrast to the approach take
CONDEMNING PRESIDENT TRUMP'S RACIST COMMENTS DIRECTED AT MEMBERS OF CONGRESS
Jerrold Nadler (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2019-7-16

3 minutes. prgtoken , the comments described in this resolution were not just offensive to our colleagues; they were inconsistent with the principles and values upon which this Nation was founded. prgtoken In urging four female Members of Congress of color to ``go back'' where they came from, these comments were not only factually incorrect, but they were also deeply hurtful and divisive. prgtoken These were shocking comments, even from an administration that rips children from the arms of their parents and warehouses asylum seekers in facilities under inhumane conditions. We cannot let this moment pass without a forceful condemnation. prgtoken Need I remind the that this is the same President who defended the ``very fine people'' at the neo-Nazi march in Charlottesville, who denounced the ``s-hole countries'' in Africa and the Caribbean, who claimed that Haitian immigrants ``all have AIDS,'' prgtoken and who declared that a Mexican American judge who was born in the United States had an ``inherent conflict of interest'' against him. prgtoken At every turn, have denounced offensive comments that emanate from the White House, but the silence coming from the other side of the aisle has been deafening. I hope that will finally change today. prgtoken This Congress must speak--loudly and with one voice--to condemn the President's words and, more importantly, to condemn the sentiments behind them. prgtoken The United States should be a beacon of hope and a refuge to those who need its protection, and it should welcome with open arms those who embody our values and ideals. prgtoken From our earliest days as a nation, we have welcomed people fleeing persecution and violence and those who seek economic opportunity and freedom in a land whose diversity is one of its greatest strengths. But the President has, instead, pursued a relentless campaign to build both a literal and a figurative wall around this Nation. prgtoken We must not turn our backs on our historic commitment to immigration and to refuge, and we must not fall prey to racial stereotypes and nativist fear-mongering that thinks that some immigrants who came here years ago are okay but those who come here today, because they are from so-called s-hole countries, are not okay. prgtoken It was Martin Luther King who told us: ``I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.'' prgtoken The offensive words by the President undermine that dream. They contradict that dream. prgtoken Mr. Chair, I hope that all of my colleagues will join me in denouncing racism and in supporting this resolution, and .
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
Catherine Cortez Masto (Democrat, NV) \u2014 2019-7-16

today I honor the memory of a distinguished Nevadan: retired Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Captain Larry Burns. For decades, Captain Burns served his community with distinction, earning the respect of Nevadans from all walks of life. prgtoken Captain Burns was raised in Maine and went on to attend Brigham Young University in Utah. It was in college that he met his wife Elizabeth Annie Burns. After college, he served a 2-year mission in Ecuador for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This began his life's calling to serve others. In 1980, he moved to Las Vegas and worked in construction before becoming a police officer. prgtoken Captain Burns' remarkable career included 27 years as a police officer, where he put his life on the line for Las Vegas. He became the longest serving SWAT commander in metro history, a criminal intelligence section supervisor and a nationally recognized tactical instructor. He also served as captain of the Bolden Area Command. Captain Burns was revered by his colleagues for his extraordinary work ethic, intellect, and devotion to community. prgtoken Throughout his career, Captain Burns worked hard to build meaningful relationships with Las Vegans and develop positive ties between community members and law enforcement officers. In his spare time, he could often be found speaking to children at his church about life as a police officer and the proud work of serving our community. He was also committed to the idea that people can change and dedicated himself to helping those working to turn their lives around. He always offered everything he had to support the men and women of law enforcement in making our community a safer place to live and selflessly upheld his promise to protect Nevada's families like he protected his own. From his work to rehabilitate the communities he helped protect to his fierce commitment to the department, Captain Burns was a man with unwavering integrity. prgtoken Captain Burns lived a life of many accomplishments, but I have no doubt that he will be remembered most for his commitment to family and lasting contributions to others. He adored his wife Annie and was most proud of their life together and their seven wonderful children, two grandchildren, and their extended family and friends. I know his family will continue his rich legacy of service to others. prgtoken All who had the pleasure of knowing Captain Burns will remember him as a dedicated public servant who bravely and tirelessly worked to support our community. Nevada is a safer place because of his commitment. We are very grateful for all of Captain Burns' contributions, and he will be deeply missed.
CORPSMAN MARCUS ALLEN KENNEDY
Donald Norcross (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2019-7-16

. Madam , I rise today to honor United States Navy Veteran, Hospital Corpsman Marcus Allen Kennedy of Clementon in Camden County located in New Jersey's First Congressional District. prgtoken On February 22, 2011, Corpsman Kennedy began basic training at Great Lakes, Chicago. He then traveled to San Antonio, Texas where he trained and served as a medical assistant and EMT. Afterwards, he trained for an additional three months at Camp Johnson, North Carolina. prgtoken His first station took place at Fort Smith Navy Hospital in Virginia where he worked in the medical and surgery ward where he assisted nurses, administered medicine, and transported patients. After his station in Virginia, Corpsman Kennedy was nominated to sail on the USS George H.W. . prgtoken In 2013, he was transferred to Camp Pendleton in California where he provided the 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine regime with medical care. Corpsman Kennedy was deployed on the 11th Marine Expedition Unit and was on call for the Western Pacific. During his sailing he furthered his training in the military in Malaysia and Kuwait. prgtoken Following his deployment, Corpsman Kennedy returned to California for his certification in phlebotomy and medical assistance. In 2016, he moved to Pennsylvania to work for the American Red Cross, followed by Cooper Hospital. He went on to enroll in school at Camden County College where he graduated with an Associate's Degree in Human Services and Addiction Counseling. prgtoken Currently, Corpsman Kennedy works for the Center for Family Services as a recovery specialist and will be attending Rutgers University- Camden in the fall where he will study social work. prgtoken Corpsman Kennedy has been awarded the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, 1st Navy Good Conduct Award, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National prgtoken Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, and Navy Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon. prgtoken Madam , I ask you to join me in honoring Corpsman Marcus Allen Kennedy's valiant service to his country.
RECOGNIZING COLLEEN O'HARRA AS THE CONSTITUENT OF THE MONTH
Mike Levin (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-7-16

. Madam , I am honored to recognize Mrs. Colleen O'Harra, the co-founder of the Oceanside Women's Resource Center and a former member of the Oceanside City Council, as my Constituent of the Month for July. For 45 years, Colleen and her team have been serving survivors of domestic violence and their children at the Women's Resource Center, working tirelessly to ensure that community members receive the services and support they need to recover. prgtoken The Women's Resource Center opened during a time when there was limited to no services available for domestic abuse victims, becoming the only facility of its kind aiding North County San Diego families. Under Colleen's trailblazing leadership, the Women's Resource Center grew from an ``underground'' network where domestic abuse survivors received short-term assistance in private homes, to a 31-bed shelter providing long-term housing, support, and resources to survivors. prgtoken Colleen's work is imperative as we address the epidemic of violence against women that plagues our country. Each year, approximately 12 million adults and over 15 million children are exposed to domestic violence. These alarming figures tell us that we must do more at the local, state, and federal level to empower survivors and raise community awareness, ensuring that domestic violence and sexual assault are neither tolerated nor accepted in our communities. In April, the House of Representatives passed the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019 (VAWA) with bipartisan support to prevent domestic violence and ensure survivors have resources to recover and seek justice. Today, I urge my colleagues in the U.S. Senate to help end the cycle of domestic violence and reauthorize the VAWA. prgtoken I launched a Constituent of the Month program to recognize residents of the 49th District who have gone above and beyond to support our neighbors and make our community stronger. After 45 years of providing critical support services and shelter to survivors in our community, we owe Colleen a debt of gratitude, and I am proud to recognize her as the Constituent of the Month.
HONORING THE LIFE OF LaQUITA BROWN
Elaine G. Luria (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2019-7-16

. Madam , I rise today to honor and recognize the late LaQuita Brown, who was senselessly murdered in the Virginia Beach Municipal Center shooting. Virginia Beach lost LaQuita far too soon. prgtoken LaQuita was a faithful employee and served the Department of Public Works for the City of Virginia Beach for nearly five years. Friends described LaQuita as lighting up a room with her presence. LaQuita spent time traveling to New York City, Europe, and West Africa. LaQuita's life of hard work and service to the community, as well as her bright spirit, will forever be remembered. prgtoken LaQuita will be missed by all her loved ones. Hampton Roads significantly benefited from her presence; she made our community a better place. Today we remember and honor her life.
Medicare (Executive Session)
Debbie Stabenow (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2019-7-16

before our distinguished leader and chairman of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee leaves, I want to thank him for his hard work. prgtoken Having grown up in a small, rural community in Northern Michigan, I prgtoken can speak directly to how important healthcare services are. My mother was director of nursing at a small hospital, and I know, since that time, they have gone through many changes, barely holding on to the hospital. We have had a number of hospital closings and consolidations. prgtoken There is important work that has happened in the health community. I want to congratulate the distinguished chairman and also indicate that the Presiding Officer and I, as we were doing the farm bill--it is my honor and privilege to work with the Presiding Officer--we were part of the solution, including language on telehealth in rural development to actually help expand services, and I think telehealth is an important way to do that as well. prgtoken I thank the chairman for his comments.
AMERICAN WORKERS DESERVE A FAIR WAGE
Brian Higgins (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2019-7-16

this week, for the first time in a decade, the House will vote to increase the Federal minimum wage to $15 an hour. This legislation is long overdue. prgtoken Most economists believe that our country is suffering from a crisis of income inequality. It is virtually impossible for a working family to get by, let alone get ahead, working a--or several minimum wage jobs. prgtoken Instead of actually increasing wages, this President and our colleagues have showered the wealthiest with trillions in tax cuts that will never have a meaningful impact on economic growth and opportunity. prgtoken This Congress needs to promote the dignity of work, and that starts with increasing the value of that work and paying Americans a fair wage. And the economic security that a fair wage will provide gives families the opportunity to participate in the economy and not struggle in its shadows. prgtoken So as a matter of basic fairness and dignity, I urge my colleagues to support the Raise the Wage Act.
RECOGNIZING SUELLEN GRIFFIN
Ann M. Kuster (Democrat, NH) \u2014 2019-7-16

. Madam , I rise today to honor Suellen Griffin, President and Chief Executive Officer of West Central Behavioral Health, for her service and leadership of West Central Behavioral Health for 11 years, and more than 40 years in the field of behavioral health management. prgtoken Through Suellen's leadership and dedication, West Central Behavioral Health has continued to serve as the Sullivan County region's community mental healthcare provider, ensuring access to advanced counseling, treatment, support and full continuum of care services. Suellen has been a leading and respected voice in the Granite State advocating for increased mental health and substance misuse care. I commend Suellen on her retirement after four decades of work in behavioral health. prgtoken On behalf of my constituents in New Hampshire's Second Congressional District, congratulations to Suellen Griffin for a well-deserved retirement. I thank her for her service and wish her the very best in the years to come.