mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
Introductory Statement on S. 1854
Jack Reed (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2019-6-13

today I am reintroducing the Stronger Enforcement of Civil Penalties Act along with Senator Grassley and Senator Leahy. This bill will help securities regulators better protect investors and demand greater accountability from market players. Even after a financial crisis that devastated our nation's economy, we continue to see calculated wrongdoing by some on Wall Street, and without the consequence of meaningful penalties to serve as an effective deterrent, I worry this disturbing culture of misconduct will persist. prgtoken Today, the amount of penalties the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) can fine an institution or individual is restricted by statute. During hearings I held in 2011 as Chairman of the Banking Committee's Securities, Insurance, and Investment Subcommittee, I learned how this limitation significantly interferes with the SEC's ability to perform its enforcement duties. At that time, a Federal judge had criticized the SEC for not obtaining a larger settlement against Citigroup, a major player in the financial crisis that settled with the agency in an amount that was far below the cost the bank had inflicted on investors. The SEC explained that a statutory prohibition against levying a larger penalty led to the low settlement amount. Indeed, then SEC Chairman prgtoken Mary L. Schapiro in 2011 also explained that ``the Commission's statutory authority to obtain civil monetary penalties with appropriate deterrent effect is limited in many circumstances.'' prgtoken The bipartisan bill we are reintroducing seeks to update the SEC's outdated civil penalties statutes. This bill strives to make potential and current offenders think twice before engaging in misconduct by increasing the maximum statutory civil monetary penalties, directly linking the size of the penalties to the amount of losses suffered by victims of a violation, and substantially raising the financial stakes for repeat offenders of our nation's securities laws. prgtoken Specifically, our bill would expand the SEC's options to tailor penalties to the specific circumstances of a given violation. In addition to raising the per violation caps for severe, or ``third tier,'' violations to $1 million per offense for individuals and $10 million per offense for entities, the legislation would also give the SEC additional options to obtain greater penalties based on the ill- gotten gains of the violator or on the financial harm to investors. prgtoken Our bill also strives to deter repeat offenders on Wall Street through two provisions. The first would allow the SEC to triple the penalty cap applicable to recidivists who have been held either criminally or civilly liable for securities fraud within the previous five years. The second would allow the SEC to seek a civil penalty against those who violate existing federal court or SEC orders, an approach that would be more efficient, effective, and flexible than the current c
DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2020
Nita M. Lowey (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2019-6-13

. Mr. Chair, our committee has worked hard on a bipartisan basis to craft a bill that provides the Secretary of State and the U.S. administrator with the necessary tools to advance United States foreign policy. prgtoken As I have said before, I have long opposed amendments that indiscriminately apply across-the-board cuts to the carefully thought- out funding recommendations in appropriations bills. prgtoken Such amendments make no provision for protecting high-priority programs and activities. For example, the amendment would cut $33 million from security assistance to Israel. It would cut $92 million from global health programs, including $118 million less for HIV/AIDS; $79 million from lifesaving humanitarian assistance; and $60 million from funds made available to protect our diplomats and development personnel and their facilities. prgtoken Cuts would also impact funding for other key allies, such as Jordan, Egypt, Ukraine, Colombia, and countries in Eastern Europe battling Russian aggression and disinformation. prgtoken Mr. Chair, I tell my friend, as a grandmother of eight, I strongly urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment, and .
RECOGNIZING McGREGOR INDUSTRIES
Robert P. Casey, Jr. (Democrat, PA) \u2014 2019-6-13

it gives me great pleasure to celebrate 100 years and four generations of McGregor Industries, an outstanding metal fabrication firm based in Dunmore, PA. prgtoken Since its establishment 1919, McGregor Industries has been renowned for its production of quality railings, staircases, and iron and steel works. The company's roots in Scranton's South Side neighborhood firmly placed McGregor Industries at the center of the highly competitive iron and steel trade market of the Northeast. Their many high-profile projects have built our businesses, our churches, our schools, and even our airports in northeastern Pennsylvania and across the Commonwealth. prgtoken When the company faced hardship in a changing market of the early 2000s and again in the 2008 financial crisis, Robert R. ``Bob'' McGregor readily took on the challenge to save his grandfather's enterprise. Bob's engineering background encouraged McGregor Industries to evolve and thrive in changing times through innovations in engineering and development, eventually resulting in the McGregor Stair Tower and Stair Systems. McGregor Stair Systems soon became prominent features of many Philadelphia area building projects. Under the leadership of a fourth generation McGregor and Wharton graduate, Grace McGregor Kramer, the company's high-rise stair towers have expanded to the Boston area. Contracts with MIT and the Encore Boston Harbor casino are among the largest construction projects in Massachusetts history, with McGregor Industries securing contracts for over 4,000 workers. prgtoken This family-led operation upholds its reputation as a reliable and innovative leader in its industry that architects, engineers, contractors, and construction managers can depend upon. McGregor Industries and its devoted employees possess the focus and innovation required of steel industries in the 21st century, while maintaining the spirit of a family business committed to its community. McGregor should take great pride in its decades of growth and tradition of excellence passed from generation to generation. prgtoken McGregor Industries remains a testament to American-made ingenuity. Their commitment to service and the betterment of communities across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and beyond is inspirational. I wish their leadership and employees success for many years to come.
DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2020
Brad Sherman (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-6-13

. Mr. Chair, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding and for including my amendment, along with one other amendment, in this en bloc. prgtoken My amendment would transfer $500,000 from the State Department's capital investments fund and put it in the U.S. Agency for Global Media fund. This extra money would allow the USAGM to begin the process of having Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty broadcast in the Sindhi language in Pakistan. prgtoken There is, perhaps, nowhere in the world where it is more important for the United States to battle extremism and to reach out with a message of democracy and the message of the American people than Pakistan. prgtoken Pakistan is a nuclear-armed state, the only nuclear-armed state that has ever experienced a military coup, and is a nuclear-armed state with a significant problem with terrorism. prgtoken Today, the USAGM broadcasts in the Urdu language of Pakistan, which is the primary language of only 8 percent of the Pakistani population. It does not have the funds to broadcast in the Sindhi language, which would reach 40 million people. prgtoken Mr. Chair, we had hearings in the subcommittee that I chair, the Subcommittee on Asia, where we focused on this issue. Just today, the relevant Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia talked about how important it was for us to reach out to the people of Sindh, to southern Pakistan, in the language that the people actually speak in their daily lives. prgtoken Accordingly, I offer this amendment, which would provide expanded broadcasting by the entity known as Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Of course, Pakistan is not in Europe, but it is reached by Radio Liberty. prgtoken In 2015, the State Department began some efforts to reach out in the Sindhi language with a website and with press releases. Now, we have to take it to the point of radio broadcasting. prgtoken Since 2001, the United States has invested $30 billion in economic security and humanitarian assistance for Pakistan. This amendment deals with only $500,000 to be invested in winning the hearts and minds of the Sindhi people. prgtoken I will point out that while this amendment would provide $500,000 for this purpose, it is my hope that, as we go through the legislative process, we can increase that amount to $1.5 million, which is the estimate that the Broadcasting Board of Governors has given me for what it would cost to have a year-round, mostly close to 24-hour Sindhi language service. prgtoken I know that amount seems low, but keep in mind that they already have most of the content since they are already doing the journalism necessary to do stories about Pakistan in the Urdu language. This would give them a chance to broadcast that same content and some other content in the Sindhi language.
DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2020
Jason Crow (Democrat, CO) \u2014 2019-6-13

. Madam Chair, I am prepared to close, and the balance of my time. prgtoken Madam Chair, we have an obligation to take care of our students, teachers, and school administrators after horrific tragedies. We must ensure that they can grieve, heal, return to school, and focus on learning and moving forward with their lives, all the while feeling safe doing so. prgtoken I look forward to working with the distinguished chairwoman, appropriators, and members of the authorizing committee to support Project SERV and programs like it in the months and years ahead. prgtoken Madam Chair, .
TAKING ACTION AGAINST OUR NATION'S GUN VIOLENCE EPIDEMIC
Carolyn B. Maloney (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2019-6-13

. Madam , yesterday was the third anniversary of the Pulse nightclub shooting. Three years ago, 49 young people were senselessly murdered and 53 more were wounded. prgtoken In the 3 years since then, approximately 120,000 more Americans have died from our Nation's gun violence epidemic, and our Nation has failed to take any meaningful action. Just recently, we witnessed another mass shooting in Virginia Beach that killed 12 people--12 innocent people. prgtoken And yet Congress has yet to pass commonsense measures to save lives, measures that 90 percent of Americans support like universal background checks and bans on massacre-sized magazines and silencers. prgtoken H.R. 8, passed by the House more than 100 days ago, still awaits action in the Senate. prgtoken How many more tragic anniversaries must pass--how many must die-- before we offer more than thoughts and prayers?
TAXES
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2019-6-13

on taxes, a year and a half ago, as the Senate debated the tax bill, the predicted that giving enormous tax breaks to big corporations and the superrich would not trickle down to working Americans. We predicted then, as usual, that corporations would find a way to direct those newfound profits to themselves, not to their workers, not to their communities, and not for the good of the country. prgtoken Our colleagues protested. They said trickle-down works. They talked about tax cuts. They tried to deliberately avoid who they were designing the tax cuts to benefit, but it was largely the very wealthy and the very powerful corporations. They said it was going to benefit everybody. prgtoken Well, here we go. The analyses keep pouring in of what a sham--a disgrace--this tax bill was, especially for middle-class, average Americans. prgtoken An analysis by JUST Capital showed yesterday that 56 percent of the tax savings from the tax bill have gone to shareholders in the form of stock buybacks and direct distributions--56 percent, a majority. Do you know how much workers got? While the shareholders-- most of them wealthy--got 56 percent, workers got 6 percent of the whole benefit of the tax bill. This was by JUST Capital, which is not a leftwing group; it is a group that is composed of people who know all about and participate in corporations and finance. prgtoken If you don't believe that one, this morning, the Business Roundtable, which is made up of the 200 largest CEOs in America--hardly a leftwing, radical group--reported that America's CEOs expect to spend less on capital investments now than before the tax bill was passed. prgtoken So this idea of giving these companies big tax breaks so they will reinvest them is not happening. They are going to buybacks. This is not dealing with the No. 1 problem that America faces--the maldistribution of wealth and income as it agglomerates to the top and the middle class and those trying to get into the middle class being left out. prgtoken I remember when President promised his tax bill would be a ``middle class miracle''--his words--and that the average American family would see a $4,000 raise. I remember when many of my friends came to the floor to tout workers' bonuses in the wake of their tax bill even though many of them were merely your typical annual bonuses. It turns out, as to yesterday's report, that 2 percent--just 2 percent--of the tax bill's overall windfall went to workers' bonuses, which is an average of a measly $28 per worker, while their corporate parents and their larger shareholders got hundreds of thousands and millions. prgtoken Several of my colleagues still laud the tax bill. They try to link it to positive economic news, but you will never hear them mention that most of the bill's benefits flowed to multinational corporations and to the top 1 percent of America. You wo
DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2020
Jackie Speier (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-6-13

I rise with great enthusiasm this morning to support an amendment that would designate $40 million from the assistance for Europe and Eurasia fund to Armenian democracy assistance. This amendment is cosponsored by the other ic chairs of the Caucus on Armenian Issues here in Congress. prgtoken In the last year, Armenia has undergone a breathtaking transformation from a stagnant autocracy to a very vibrant democracy. The images of Armenia's Velvet Revolution bring a smile to my face every time I think of it, having people dancing in the streets, having a blockade, but a blockade of small toys by children in the town square. prgtoken The amazing part of all of this is that this democracy occurred with not one drop of blood being shed. So it is very important, at this point in time, that we do everything in our power to support this new democracy. prgtoken Since the revolution, Armenia has held fair and free democratic elections that swept Nikol Pashinyan to power. Recently, his government signed an agreement with the United States providing up to $60 million, over 2 to 3 years, to promote economic growth and good governance in Armenia. prgtoken Although these efforts are welcome, they are not enough. Armenia has a rare and potentially fleeting window of opportunity to consolidate and build upon its democratic gains. Fundamental changes to its constitution, electoral code, and governance institutions cannot be achieved by repackaging existing aid under a new header. prgtoken Armenia has earned a clear signal that the United States supports its democratic transformation and resources will be brought to them to carry out that transformation. This amendment would provide $40 million in 1 year to supercharge Armenia's democratic progress. Armenia would continue to lead the process, but the U.S. expertise and assistance would serve as a true catalyst. prgtoken This particular fund is filled with over $700 million. We are already giving $250 million to Ukraine, over $50 prgtoken million to Moldova, and $83 million to Georgia; so a $40 million commitment to a country that, on its own, has delivered democracy is a small gift. I urge that we support that. prgtoken , .
HONORING MRS. ANTONIETTA ``TONI'' HERNANDEZ-SERNA
Joaquin Castro (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2019-6-13

. Madam , it is with great pride that I rise today in honor of Mrs. Antonietta ``Toni'' Hernandez-Serna whose commitment to our hometown of San Antonio is one to be admired. Today marks the beginning of her retirement after over 20 years of public service; throughout which her passion for improving her community remained unchanged. prgtoken Toni was born on April 20, 1954 in San Antonio, Texas to union leaders Louisa and Jesus Hernandez and is the oldest of six siblings-- Yolanda, Jesse, David, Hector, and Roland. Louisa's community activism is reflected in Toni's work as a community organizer. prgtoken Upon receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Texas State University, Toni found her calling as an organizer while serving as a Field Representative with the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) where she led the implementation of their national policies. prgtoken Fulfilling a desire to return home, Toni transferred from Colorado with her husband of now 28 years, Joe Serna, and their daughter, Selina Rocha, to take on a position as the Political and Community Director with the Service Employees International Union. Throughout the years, she worked to elect numerous candidates into local office who empowered workers' rights. In 2007, she served as Outreach Coordinator for Texas State Representative Mike Villarreal, and later became District Director in 2010. prgtoken In 2013, Toni's journey lead her to Texas' 20th Congressional District where she served as my Outreach and District Director. I have seen firsthand her dedication and persistence to serve our community. Her tireless efforts combined with a true passion for public service is nothing short of extraordinary. With this in mind, Toni is a remarkable role model to Selina Rocha; her nephew, Jesse Rene Hernandez; and grandmother to Charlotte Rocha, and to all of us in the San Antonio community. prgtoken Madam , Mrs. Antonietta ``Toni'' Hernandez-Serna has played a tremendous part in moving Texas 20th forward. I thank Toni for her many years of service and steadfast commitment to our hometown. I am proud to have served the people of Texas 20th with you.
DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2020
Rosa L. DeLauro (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2019-6-13

. Madam Chair, I rise in strong support of Congressman Pocan's amendment. prgtoken The administration's decision to forgo promising research to develop treatments and cures for diseases such as HIV, ALS, and Parkinson's, once again, is putting extreme personal ideology ahead of public health. prgtoken Researchers have used fetal tissue in research for decades to develop vaccines and cures for diseases such as polio and measles. The research has saved millions of lives. That is what we are about, saving lives. prgtoken Research involving fetal tissue today is conducted subject to strict guidelines that have lasted through both ic and administrations. This antiscience decision will stall medical research in its tracks, reduce hope for those suffering from debilitating diseases, and harm the ability of American scientists to continue to lead global efforts on biomedical research. prgtoken The administration has said that the Department of Health and Human Services conducted an audit and scientific review of fetal tissue research that led to this decision. Quite frankly, they refuse to make the results of that review available to the Congress. prgtoken There is simply no scientific or ethical basis for the proposed restrictions on this vital research. It is misguided. It is a dangerous policy. It should be reversed. prgtoken Madam Chair, I support the gentleman's amendment.
ENHANCING HUMAN RIGHTS IN ARMS SALES ACT
Benjamin L. Cardin (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2019-6-13

I speak today about my votes on the motions prgtoken to discharge Senate Joint Resolutions 20 and 26, which sought to block the sales of certain weapons to Bahrain and Qatar respectively. prgtoken As many of you know, I have long been a champion of a U.S. foreign policy driven by our values and respect for human rights. This applies to our foreign military support and arms sales. We must ensure that our military might and weapons only go to support partners and allies who uphold our values. We have both a moral and a national security obligation to ensure that U.S. weapons, equipment, and training are never used to harm civilians, abuse human rights, or end up in the hands of enemies who seek to do us harm. prgtoken With that in mind, I was pleased to lead the Enhancing Human Rights in Arms Sales Act of 2019 with my colleagues from both sides of the aisle. This bipartisan legislation would put into place strict vetting criteria and end use monitoring for certain weapons sales to prevent U.S.-provided weapons from going to governments who commit human rights abuses and war crimes. I urge all of my colleagues to support this important and necessary legislation. prgtoken Until my bill is enacted into law and its critical safeguards are in place, it is incumbent upon Congress to evaluate each arms sale with important considerations for civilian security and human rights. prgtoken I have carefully examined both of the sales before us today, and applied the same criteria outlined in the Enhancing Human Rights in Arms Sales Act. prgtoken Through this lens, I was compelled to vote in favor of discharging S.J. Res. 20, so the Senate could debate the pending sale of various bombs and precision-guided munitions to Bahrain. Domestically, Bahrain's Ministry of Interior police forces were responsible for the repression of the 2011 uprising, and well over 100 Bahrainis have been killed in the course of repressing the Shia-led unrest. In the Yemen conflict, the Bahrain Air Force is participating in Saudi-led coalition airstrikes that have led to civilian casualties. This pending sale would in fact provide munitions for Bahrain's F-16 aircraft, which would almost certainly be used in Yemen. We know this because Air Vice Marshall Hamad bin Abdullah al Khalifah, head of the Royal Bahraini Air Force--RBAF--stated in February 2019 that Royal Bahraini Air Force F- 16s had conducted over 3,500 sorties, or combat aircraft flights, since the beginning of the campaign in March 2015. With 3,500 sorties in Yemen, we have to assume that Bahrain is responsible for some of the civilian deaths caused by the coalition airstrikes in Yemen. I have repeatedly voiced my opposition to U.S. support for the war in Yemen, and we cannot risk our weapons leading to further repression in Bahrain itself. I cannot support the sale of U.S. weapons to Bahrain at this time. prgtoken The case of the pending sales to Qatar is quite different. Ther