mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
RUSSIAN ATROCITIES IN ALEPPO
Patrick J. Leahy (Democrat, VT) \u2014 2017-2-14

we have heard a lot about President 's admiration of Russian President Vladimir Putin, whom most objective observers regard as a murderous thug and a kleptocrat. As we consider the President's statements lauding Putin for being a ``strong leader'' and his silence about the imprisonment and assassinations of Putin's critics and Russia's invasion of Ukraine, annexation of Crimea, and atrocities in Syria, I am reminded of the remarks delivered on December 13 by Samantha Power, former Permanent Representative to the United Nations, at the U.N. Security Council. prgtoken Ambassador Power delivered a passionate appeal to the Security Council to take action to protect civilians under assault in Aleppo, including to hold in contempt the governments of Syria, Russia, and Iran for their war crimes in Syria. Her remarks stand as a stark contrast to what we are hearing from the White House today. This is a time to condemn Vladmir Putin's aggressions against the people of Russia, of Ukraine, and of Syria--not to regard him as an example of a leader to emmulate. prgtoken It is also a time for s to stand up for our own democracy, after the Russian Government, at Putin's direction, actively sought to sway the outcome of the U.S. Presidential election. The unanimous conclusion of U.S. intelligence agencies is that Putin, a former KGB agent, ordered a cyber attack on our electoral system in favor of . Russia's goals ``were to undermine public faith in the U.S. democratic process, denigrate Secretary Clinton, and harm her electability and potential presidency.'' Yet the White House and leaders in Congress have been silent, apparently unconcerned about a foreign assault on our electoral system, refusing to even support an independent investigation. Imagine what they would be saying if their candidate had lost. They would be demanding a new election and trying to shut down the government. prgtoken I ask unanmious consent that Ambassador Power's remarks be printed in the Record to serve as a reminder of the scale of the humanitarian disaster in Syria perpetrated by Bashar al-Assad and Vladimir Putin and our moral obligation to pursue accountability for those responsible.
HOUSE REPUBLICANS REFUSE TO INVESTIGATE THE SWAMP
Hakeem S. Jeffries (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2017-2-14

the House of Representatives is a separate and coequal branch of government. And yet, House s refuse to investigate the swamp of corruption that is percolating at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. prgtoken Michael Flynn has resigned in disgrace. And yet, the administration has jeopardized our national security by continuing to play footsie with Vladimir Putin and the Russians. House s have done nothing. prgtoken It is impossible to figure out where the family business ends and the White House begins, yet House s have done nothing. prgtoken Seventeen different intelligence agencies have concluded that the Russians interfered in the election to help , yet House s have done nothing. prgtoken It is time for House s to investigate this White House and stop acting like puppets of the administration. The American people deserve answers. What exactly did know, and when did he know it?
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 428, RED RIVER GRADIENT BOUNDARY SURVEY ACT, AND PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.J. RES. 42, DISAPPROVING RULE SUBMITTED BY DEPARTMENT OF LABOR RELATING TO DRUG...
Rosa L. DeLauro (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2017-2-14

I rise in strong opposition to this rule. Drug testing people who are simply applying for unemployment insurance is harassment. prgtoken I am outraged on behalf of the workers across this country, workers in my congressional district, who could be subjected to insulting and unnecessary testing when they have earned the right to apply for unemployment insurance. prgtoken This is a strategy to throw up barriers to collecting unemployment insurance. It is an intimidation tactic with no basis in reality. States should not be allowed to impose additional obstacles to cut back on applications. prgtoken These jobless workers are often unemployed through no fault of their own. Their jobs were taken away by corporations who have moved their jobs overseas in order to get a tax break. And in addition to that, we have a Tax Code today that supports them moving overseas. prgtoken Or they may have lost their job because of a flawed trade agreement which, as we have seen in the past, has lost jobs and depressed wages. prgtoken We ought to be dealing with a tax code that penalizes companies that move their jobs overseas, not people who just want to do an honest day's work or collect the unemployment insurance that they are entitled to. prgtoken People want to work in this country, and it is often tiresome to listen to the ways that some of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle demean working people, people who struggle every day. We are all identified by the jobs that we have. We take pride in the work that we do. prgtoken People don't want to be on unemployment. What they want to do is to say to their kids: Be proud of me. This is my job. This is what I do. I want to be your role model.
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.J. RES. 66, DISAPPROVING RULE SUBMITTED BY DEPARTMENT OF LABOR RELATING TO SAVINGS ARRANGEMENTS BY STATES FOR NON-GOVERNMENTAL EMPLOYEES, AND PROVIDING FOR...
Eric Swalwell (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2017-2-14

I thank Mr. McGovern for his work on this issue. I love my country, and I don't doubt that every one of my colleagues in this Chamber also loves this country. I admire every man and woman who has so bravely fought to defend it. After all, this is a country, this is a democracy worth defending. That is actually what defeating this previous question would take us to, the question of is this democracy still worth defending. prgtoken This past election, our democracy was attacked. The attack was electronic, and it was nearly invisible. It came from a foreign adversary in Russia, ordered by Vladimir Putin. It was intended to help . Most concerning, the public intelligence report about this attack, the last finding is, Russia intends to do this again. They are undertaking a lessons-learned campaign so they can attack the United States again and attack our allies, the best check against Russia through the NATO alliance. prgtoken Yesterday, the President removed a rotten plank in what is a compromised platform, Michael Flynn. In 2015, he went to Russia and sat next to Vladimir Putin, was paid for it, and, The New York Times reported yesterday, did not disclose that in the proper way he is supposed to to the Department of Defense. Because Russia attacked us, President issued sanctions against Russia on December 28. Michael Flynn called Russia, its Ambassador, five times, at least five times, and discussed those sanctions, likely in violation of the Logan Act. He lied about it, lied to the Vice President about it, who went on national TV and defended Michael Flynn, saying it never happened. prgtoken But here is what we also learned. We learned that 3 weeks ago the White House knew, because acting Attorney General Sally Yates told the White House, that Michael Flynn had lied and had put himself in a position where he could be compromised through blackmail by the Russian Government. Yet, despite knowing this, the White House allowed Michael Flynn to remain as the National Security Adviser, receive security briefings at the highest level, and advise our President on our security. prgtoken All of the arrows continue to point to the Russian Government. We have more questions today than we did yesterday about whether there were any personal, political, or financial connections between President , his family, his businesses, his campaign, and the Russian Government before the election and whether there are any efforts right now going on to pay back the Russian Government.
CELEBRATING THE ELIZABETH TAYLOR AIDS FOUNDATION
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (Republican, FL) \u2014 2017-2-14

I rise today to celebrate The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation for its efforts and commitment to transform the lives for those living with HIV/AIDS. prgtoken Since its creation in 1991, this foundation has advanced Elizabeth Taylor's dream to create a future free of HIV/AIDS by supporting organizations delivering care and services for people living with this disease. prgtoken Today, the Foundation remains a leading player in the fight to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic by providing grants to global programs that seek to fund education, to raise awareness, and to create innovative treatments for patients. prgtoken As the co-chair of the Congressional HIV/AIDS Caucus, I have had the opportunity to work with this foundation over the years to help improve the lives of patients and advance research efforts that can lead to a cure for this terrible disease. prgtoken I celebrate The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation, and I look forward to continuing to work with it to realize our common dream of an AIDS- free generation in the U.S. and, indeed, throughout the world.
COMMITMENT TO CIVILITY
Jack Bergman (Republican, MI) \u2014 2017-2-14

I rise today to speak in support of the freshman class's commitment to civility. prgtoken Before the Revolutionary War, a 16-year-old George Washington copied 110 rules for civil behavior out of his school book. The last of Washington's rules of civility, as they are now called, is this: ``Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire called conscience.'' prgtoken Conscience: That should be our guide in everything we do, both here in Congress and back home--for me, in Michigan's First District. Conscience is why, as a Member of the freshman class of the 115th Congress, I have made a commitment to open and civil debate. prgtoken We are facing many challenges in our country. And the folks here and back in Michigan, all across the land, on both sides of the aisle, have many different ideas about where we need to be and what we need to do to get there. That is democracy at work. prgtoken Being civil means that the best and most effective ideas have a real chance to be heard. If we truly desire to move forward as a country, we have to do it together. We must treat each other with dignity and respect. We must be civil. prgtoken This freshman class has dedicated itself across party lines to setting the example for ourselves and for our colleagues here in Congress and for all of our constituents. prgtoken , I will uphold these standards, and I trust that my colleagues will also do the same.
TRIBUTE TO UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL IOWA
David Young (Republican, IA) \u2014 2017-2-14

I rise today to recognize and congratulate United Way of Central Iowa on celebrating their 100th year in service to the communities of Central Iowa. prgtoken Over the last 100 years, United Way of Central Iowa has brought together non-profits, local organizations, elected officials and a whole host of others to make a long-lasting impact on the central Iowa community. Because of their hard work and dedication to improving the lives of others, they have tackled some of the most challenging issues their community faces. With the unique ability to bring together people and organizations from all walks of life, United Way of Central Iowa has championed vast and noticeable improvements throughout central Iowa. By focusing on education, families and healthy living they have impacted the lives of so many and left a lasting mark on central Iowa. prgtoken , I commend and congratulate United Way of Central Iowa for their many years of dedicated and devoted service to central Iowa. They have made a difference by serving others and it is with great honor that I recognize them today. I ask that my colleagues in the United States House of Representatives join me in congratulating them on this historic milestone and in wishing them nothing but continues success.
PROVIDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL OF A RULE SUBMITTED BY THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION--Continued
Chuck Grassley (Republican, IA) \u2014 2017-2-14

I rise today to discuss some criticism I have heard about the nominee to fill the seat on the Supreme Court. That nominee is Neil Gorsuch. prgtoken My colleague, the minority leader, met with the nominee last week. Afterward, he told reporters that he had ``serious, serious concerns'' about the judge. Well, I guess I shouldn't be surprised--after all, it seems the minority leader had concerns about the nominee even before the nominee was announced. prgtoken Before Judge Gorsuch was announced, the minority leader made clear that any nominee must be ``mainstream.'' But it became clear immediately that this nominee is widely regarded as a mainstream judge with impeccable credentials. Liberal law professor Laurence Tribe says that ``he's a brilliant, terrific guy who would do the Court's work with distinction.'' Alan Dershowitz, who certainly is no conservative, says that Judge Gorsuch will be ``hard to oppose on the merits.'' Even President 's Acting Solicitor General, Neal Katyal, said Judge Gorsuch ``would help to restore confidence in the rule of law.'' The chorus goes on. prgtoken Apparently, because the nominee is so obviously mainstream, the benchmark for my colleague's concerns keeps changing. The minority leader has conveniently developed a new test. Now he says the benchmark is independence: ``The bar for the Supreme Court nominee to prove that they can be independent, has never, never been higher.'' prgtoken Well, fortunately for the minority leader, Judge Gorsuch passes that bar with flying colors, just like he passed the ``mainstream'' test with flying colors. The nominee's record makes clear that he is an independent and fairminded judge who is deeply committed to the separation of powers. prgtoken Here is just one example from his many opinions on this point. Just last year, Judge Gorsuch had to decide a case about the authority of the Board of Immigration Appeals, or the BIA, which answers to the Attorney General. The BIA wanted to change the Attorney General's power to waive immigration requirements for illegal immigrants, and it wanted the new rules to apply to undocumented immigrants whose waiver applications were already in the works. The nominee said no to this executive agency. To be clear, Judge Gorsuch was asked to decide whether an executive agency in charge of immigration laws could change the law on a whim in a way that many believed was unfair to immigrants who had already sought waivers. He said no. prgtoken With due respect to my friend the minority leader, there is no doubt that Judge Gorsuch would say no to this or any other part of the executive branch that oversteps its bounds. prgtoken Here is what the nominee wrote about the separation of powers and executive branch overreach. For him to defer to the executive agency in that case would be ``more than a little difficult to square with the Constitution of the framers' design.'' That is because doing so would al
PROVIDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL OF A RULE SUBMITTED BY THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION--Continued
John Cornyn (Republican, TX) \u2014 2017-2-14

for the last several weeks, we have been doing all we can to take up and consider the President's nominations for his Cabinet, even though we have had little or no cooperation from the other side of the aisle. prgtoken Last night, we confirmed the President's top economic adviser-- something you would think people would think was pretty important--the Secretary of the Treasury, and we did confirm the President's Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Ironically, the vote for the Secretary of Veterans Affairs was 100 to 0. So maybe somebody can explain to me what was the necessity of delaying the confirmation of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for 3 weeks, leaving that important agency without a designated and Senate-confirmed head? prgtoken Earlier today, we considered the nomination of Linda McMahon to serve as the next head of the Small Business Administration, to help our country's job creators reach their potential. Again, we had an overwhelming vote for Linda McMahon for the SBA. So, again, my question is, What purpose is served by delaying, by foot-dragging, and by obstructing the President's choice of his Cabinet members? prgtoken We are glad we finally confirmed them, but to be honest, it is not much to celebrate. By carrying out this unprecedented obstruction of qualified nominees, our friends across the aisle are simply precluding the Senate from considering other acts of legislation that would actually be helpful to the American people. From my vantage point, it is pretty clear. While they are headed down this self-destructive path, our friends continue to listen and, sadly, cater to radical elements of their own party that simply haven't gotten over the election and have decided to obstruct the President and his agenda at all cost. prgtoken But we know for a fact, from our private conversations, that our friends are not--well, they are fractured. Some of them remembered what happened in 2014, when, under the leadership of then- Majority Leader Reid, essentially everybody was frozen out of offering legislation or amendments to legislation on the floor, including Members of the majority party--then, , at the time. That strategy really backfired, resulting in a huge class of outstanding Senators in 2014. prgtoken People don't like that across the country. They think we are sent here to solve problems, and we work together and make progress on behalf of the American people. This sort of mindless obstruction or foot-dragging for foot-dragging's sake doesn't make any sense to them, and it doesn't make any sense to me either. prgtoken Now, I realize the minority leader--the ic leader--probably has the toughest job in Washington, DC--to try to keep the far left fringes of his party happy, while trying to do the work of the American people who sent us here to legislate. I do know that there are Members of the ic caucus who are very interested in trying to
PROVIDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL OF A RULE SUBMITTED BY THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION--Continued
Patrick J. Toomey (Republican, PA) \u2014 2017-2-14

I think a little background will be helpful. The Social Security Administration has promulgated a rule regarding when its employees should be sending names to be added to the NICS system. The NICS system is the system by which a person, when they are added to it, may not legally possess a firearm. prgtoken The rule has been finalized, but it has not yet gone into effect. It is scheduled to go into effect on December 19 this year. I wish to say, I think the rule has the right intention. Under Federal statute, the NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007 stipulates that every quarter each Federal agency must send to the Attorney General any information it has showing that any person is disqualified from possessing a gun. prgtoken Each agency also has the responsibility to correct or update any information it sends to the Attorney General. There is no question the Social Security Administration has a duty to send information to the NICS system. prgtoken The purpose of the rule is to send to NICS the names of individuals who are dangerously mentally ill and thus are not legally entitled to a firearm. There are some protections that are provided in this rule. For instance, under the rule promulgated by the Social Security Administration, a third party cannot get a gun owner declared mentally ill without the gun owner's knowledge or consent. Under this rule, the individual has to file a disability claim for himself or herself. prgtoken The rule provides some mechanisms for individuals to challenge their inclusion in the NICS system if they wish to do so. There is serious disagreement and confusion about some other very important aspects of this rule. prgtoken For instance, I have heard from advocates for people with disabilities. They are very concerned that the list of mental illnesses, for instance, is to too expansive and might very well sweep in people who have mental health issues but are not at all dangerous to themselves or to others. prgtoken These advocates for people with disabilities have also expressed the concern that the rule doesn't require that a medical professional actually be involved in the determination of whether a person is dangerously mentally ill. prgtoken These disability rights advocates raise the concern that an agency bureaucrat without any medical expertise could potentially add someone to the NICS system without a doctor being involved and without that person being in any way dangerous. prgtoken These advocates also argue that there is not a sufficient process for individuals who are wrongly denied their Second Amendment rights. For instance, under the rule, it appears it could take years for an individual to adjudicate this question if there was a case of mistaken identity or they were deemed to have a mental health issue that they challenged. It could take years for them to resolve. All that time they would be disqualified from owning a firearm. Even if that individual pr
TRIBUTE TO CRADDOCK MORRIS
Tim Scott (Republican, SC) \u2014 2017-2-14

today, I would like to honor and thank Mr. Craddock Morris of St. Matthews, SC for 87 years of valuable reporting in Calhoun County. The Calhoun Times, a small weekly paper in our great state, has decided to cease publication after a truly amazing run of nearly nine decades of providing town residents with community news. prgtoken The Times was created by Craddock Morris's father in 1929. John Bunyan Morris, Sr a 1950 graduate of The Citadel, ran it until his retirement in 1956, when Craddock took over. Although this local newspaper, based in St. Matthews, will no longer be published, I am sure the Morris family's legacy of good work will remain with residents all over Calhoun County. prgtoken I would like to recognize Mr. Craddock Morris, and his son Edwin C. Morris who joined the Times after serving in the Armed Forces, and their families for 87 years of delivering essential news to the people of Calhoun County.