mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (Executive Session)
Steve Daines (Republican, MT) \u2014 2019-11-20

Montanans are growing restless, as Pelosi and the House continue to slow-walk a very important trade agreement for Montana and for our country. That is the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. prgtoken In fact, just last week, I was in Billings to celebrate the Montana Farm Bureau Federation's 100 year anniversary--and, again, another big congratulations to the Montana Farm Bureau. As I was talking with folks at the farm bureau event, there were a lot of cowboy boots and hats. These are the farmers and ranchers of Montana, the salt of the earth folks. They are all asking the same question: Why is it taking so long? What is going on? prgtoken Frankly, there is one answer: Nancy Pelosi and House are playing political games and holding up this trade deal. They are holding this trade deal hostage. It has been a year since the USMCA was signed by President and leaders of Canada and Mexico--a year. Nancy Pelosi has had this signed trade agreement in her hands for about a year, and rather than deliver this win for our farmers and ranchers in Montana and across the United States, she is focused on one thing: impeachment--because, at the end of the day, this is about our farmers and ranchers. It is time we get the job done because, in Montana, agriculture is the No. 1 driver of our economy, and it is a large part of our Montana way of life. prgtoken This trade agreement is expected to create over 180,000 new American jobs and to boost our GDP by over $70 billion. Canada and Mexico both are in high demand for our products like wheat, barley, beef. In fact, in 2018 alone, Montana had $731 million in total exports to Canada and to Mexico. For our producers and our ag-related industries in Montana, passing this trade agreement would help provide certainty and alleviate the challenges and obstacles they have faced over a very tough season. prgtoken Mexico is ready. Canada is ready. The United States is ready. I can tell you, Montana is ready. Unfortunately, Nancy Pelosi is not. While the continue to obsess over impeaching our President, they continue to ignore the voices of our rural communities. This unnecessary reality TV show is nothing but a waste of time to stall the important work like the USMCA. Montanans are sick and tired of the politics and the partisan games being played here in Washington, DC, and frankly, I am, too. prgtoken I am grateful for the leadership of my good friend and colleague, Greg Gianforte, who is standing up to House and fighting boldly for the USMCA. Realize, Montana has but one Member in the U.S. House of Representatives, and he is fighting a good fight over there. prgtoken We are both fighting to ensure that the votes of Montana farmers and ranchers are heard loud and clear in both Chambers of Congress. The longer the House stall on this deal, the further we stall opportunity and economic growth in Montana and acro
RECOGNIZING NATIVE AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH
Dan Newhouse (Republican, WA) \u2014 2019-11-20

I rise today to recognize Native American History Month and the contributions of Native Americans in my congressional district in central Washington. prgtoken With 29 Federally recognized tribes across the State, Washingtonians live alongside Native Americans who serve our communities through entrepreneurship, military service, and sharing their rich and storied cultural history. They are our friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers. prgtoken While we recognize that one month out of the year to remember the historical and cultural contributions of our Native friends, we must support them as they face a crisis that has affected Native women for decades. That crisis is of missing and murdered indigenous women. prgtoken In Washington, Native Americans make up about 2 percent of the population, but indigenous women account for 7 percent of the State's reported missing women. This includes 31 open cases on or near the Yakama Nation Reservation. prgtoken During Native American History Month, I challenge this body to honor the heritage of our Native friends by taking up legislation that will help ensure that missing and murdered loved ones are not part of the history of another generation of Native women.
NATIONAL BIBLE WEEK
Doug Lamborn (Republican, CO) \u2014 2019-11-20

I thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania for his words, and I thank him for reminding us about the Pilgrim tradition, especially as we enter this week of Thanksgiving. prgtoken It is interesting, in American history, we have two different strains of life going on in this country: We had people starting in Jamestown looking for gold, looking to make money, putting up with slavery; but we had people in Massachusetts who wanted to just have religious freedom, and they had a whole different view of the world and of God and the Bible. They were the start of the abolitionist movement. So I am glad that Mr. Thompson brought us the Pilgrim tradition tonight. prgtoken Ronald Reagan, when he designated National Bible Week, said, when he was in office: ``When I took the oath of office, I requested the Bible be opened to II Chronicles 7:14.'' prgtoken Cathy McMorris Rodgers mentioned this earlier. It reads: ``If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.'' prgtoken This passage expresses my personal hopes for the future of this Nation and the world. prgtoken , from Kansas (Mr. Estes).
Remembering Nathan Lane (Executive Calendar)
Dan Sullivan (Republican, AK) \u2014 2019-11-20

I want to join my colleagues here on the importance of the VAWA reauthorization. In particular, I want to thank Senator Ernst for her months of hard work that she has put into this bill that we are introducing today. I am a proud cosponsor on that bill. prgtoken You saw in her remarks earlier her passion, her energy, and her focus on rural America, which is very important to me and my great State of Alaska. I am hopeful, as all of my colleagues here are, including our friend from California, Senator Feinstein, that we in the Senate are going to get to a place where we can have a bipartisan bill that is going to reauthorize VAWA. This is hugely important for America, and it is hugely important for Alaska. prgtoken I come down to the floor every week and I talk about someone who is doing something great in my State. I like to brag about the great State of Alaska. It is an amazing place, but, I will tell you, there is one area where we are not so amazing. My State, unfortunately, has the highest rates of domestic violence and sexual assault of any State in America. It is horrendous. The number of victims and the carnage that this leaves in Alaska and throughout our country are something we should be able to come together and fix. We can do this. prgtoken I want to talk about a provision in Senator Ernst's bill that is something that I have been working on with her, but, importantly, with many Senators, including a lot of my ic colleagues. It is title XII of the bill. It is called the ``Choose Respect'' title. This is a series of bills that I have introduced with Senators Gillibrand, , and Coons, my ic colleagues, and it is focused on trying to change the culture and get more legal resources to victims and to survivors. prgtoken Why is that so important? When you look at the studies that show what is the best way for a survivor to break out of the cycle of violence that they often find themselves in, one of the answers is to get them an attorney. It empowers them. It enables them to use the justice system to their advantage. Yet here is the problem. When you look-- literally, on a daily basis--at the lack of legal representation for victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, it is endemic across the country. So a number of the elements of this bill, particularly under the ``Choose Respect'' title, are going to try to change this. prgtoken Last year, we had legislation that I authored that was passed into law and was then signed by the President. It was called the POWER Act and was about getting more legal resources for survivors. It was a good start, but it didn't do enough. The bill this year--again, a bill that I cosponsored earlier with Senator of California--focuses on this issue. prgtoken Think about this: If you have an accused abuser--let's say an accused rapist--and if there is an indictment, under the Sixth Amendment of the U.S. Constitutio
TRANSGENDER DAY OF REMEMBRANCE
Ayanna Pressley (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2019-11-20

I rise today in remembrance of Rita Hester, a Black transgender woman killed in the Massachusetts Seventh District, for whom Transgender Day of Remembrance was established in 1999. prgtoken I rise today because, 20 years later, many more lives continue to be stolen. This year, we have been robbed of at least 22 transgender people because of hate, fear, and vitriol--22 souls, the majority of whom are Black transgender women; 22 people whose families, friends, and partners are forever marred by grief; 22 experiences of secondhand trauma for transgender people everywhere. prgtoken Among them we remember: Dana Martin, Jazzaline Ware, Ashanti Carmon, Claire Legato, Muhlaysia Booker, Michelle ``Tamika'' Washington, Paris Cameron, Chynal Lindsey, Chanel Scurlock, Zoe Spears, Brooklyn Lindsey, Denali Berries Stuckey, Tracy Single, Bubba Walker, Kiki Fantroy, Jordan Cofer, Pebbles LaDime ``Dime'' Doe, Bailey Reeves, Bee Love Slater, Jamagio Jamar Berryman, Itali Marlowe, and Brianna ``BB'' Hill. prgtoken May they rest in peace and power. prgtoken Today, we remember still others not included on this list because their missing persons reports remain uninvestigated or because they are misgendered and deadnamed after their death because the people closest to them refused to recognize their truths. prgtoken We remember those who die from preventable illnesses, poverty, and violence as a result of discrimination in healthcare, employment, education, and housing. prgtoken We remember transgender women Johana Medina and Layleen Polanco, victims of an unjust and cruel immigration and criminal legal system. prgtoken , colleagues, the transgender community deserves to be seen safe and celebrated. However, due to this administration's policies that continue to neglect, unfairly target, and commit violence against them, this is not the case. prgtoken However, so as not to define the transgender community only by their trauma, today, I also rise to lift the talents and strengths of this community. prgtoken I honor you, my transgender friends, for your bravery to honor your truths, for intentionally creating a beautiful and rich community, and for being role models as leaders of social change. prgtoken I stand before you committed to listening to your needs, to recognizing and centering transgender lives, not just today but every day, and to being your partner in ending this devastating crisis. prgtoken Last week, I introduced the People's Justice Guarantee, a resolution that reaffirms our collective right to live free from injustice. I rise today resolved in the fight to ensure our rights to dignity, liberation, and justice--justice for transgender people, justice for all in America. prgtoken , it is now my pleasure to yield to the gentleman from the great State of California (Mr. Takano).
RECOGNIZING CHARLES ANDERSON AS CONSTITUENT OF THE MONTH
Mike Levin (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-11-20

. Madam , this Veterans Day, it is my honor to announce prgtoken that Mr. Charles Anderson, a relentless fighter for veterans throughout North County, is my Constituent of the Month. Mr. Anderson has dedicated his life to supporting veterans and their families, serving as Commander of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Tri-Cities Chapter 95, and belonging to the Oceanside Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 10577 and the Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH) Chapter 493. prgtoken As Commander of the local Disabled American Veterans chapter, Mr. Anderson has made sure that veterans in our community receive rides to medical appointments and helped veterans receive the Veterans Affairs benefits they've earned. He's helped veterans find gainful employment and financial security, and he's worked to ensure that veterans do not become homeless. prgtoken Mr. Anderson's service with local veterans groups is commendable, but there are also several cases where he went above and beyond to help a local veteran and their family in a desperate time of need. When my office heard that a Marine Gulf War veteran was struggling to make ends meet due to a service-connected terminal illness, it was Mr. Anderson who immediately made arrangements to support the veteran's family financially until the Veterans Benefits Administration could deliver benefits. When I heard from a caregiver of a Marine veteran who was at risk of becoming homeless, Mr. Anderson stepped up to cover the veteran's rent until we could work out aid from the VA. prgtoken On this Veterans Day, we must do more than pay lip service to our veterans. We need to fight for the support and resources that veterans have earned and deserve, and that's exactly what Mr. Anderson does every single day. As long as I have the privilege to serve on the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, I will look to Mr. Anderson as a shining example of what it means to serve our veterans with reverence and resolve. I am deeply grateful for Mr. Anderson's service to our veterans, and I am proud to recognize him as my Constituent of the Month.
Remembering Nathan Lane (Executive Calendar)
Dianne Feinstein (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-11-20

. If I may, in response to the Senator--I am very happy to accept the invitation. We can sit down and continue to work on this, but I would point out that these three provisions have tremendous support: the Tribal sovereignty, the protections for the LGBT community, and spouse protections when a spouse has a weapon. Those are rather difficult over here. They were not in the House. But who knows? Maybe we can work something out, and I am happy to try.
TRIBUTE TO JOSEPH SWEAT, JR.
Steve Cohen (Democrat, TN) \u2014 2019-11-20

. Madam , I rise today to pay tribute to Joseph Alton Sweat, Jr a journalist, longtime civil rights and good government advocate and a friend, who died Friday at the age of 83. I knew Joe as a lobbyist for and executive director of the Tennessee Municipal League, which he represented when I was in the state Senate. He was highly respected as a lobbyist and was always well-informed and he wrote a regular column on politics and legislation for the municipal league newspaper that members of the General Assembly always appreciated. Before that, he had been a respected reporter for The Associated Press, covering Elvis Presley's return to Memphis in uniform; the plane crash that killed country music star Patsy Cline in 1963; and the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr in 1968. Joe also created the news bureau at Vanderbilt University and edited The Vanderbilt Hustler and later was the first lay editor of The Catholic Register. prgtoken As a representative of the Tennessee Municipal League, he twice served on the board of directors of the National League of Cities. Later, representing the National ic Institute, he was sent to Bulgaria and Ukraine as the former Soviet satellites transitioned to democracies. After retiring in 1998, Joe joined his good friend Hedy Weinberg in lobbying for the American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee and became a board member of both the Tennessee and national ACLU. prgtoken Joe and I shared a love of Memphis State University and Memphis politics as well as a devotion to justice. I want to express my sincere condolences to his wife Marilyn; his sons Joseph, Stephen and Michael and daughter Cynthia and their extended families; and his many friends and colleagues. His was a life well-lived.
TRIBUTE TO GREGORY FERRY
Margaret Wood Hassan (Democrat, NH) \u2014 2019-11-20

I am proud to recognize Captain Gregory Ferry of Hooksett as November's Granite Stater of the Month for his leadership m strengthening the partnership between New Hampshire's law enforcement and the Special Olympics. prgtoken Captain Ferry recently retired from the New Hampshire State Police after 25 years of dedicated service to the people of New Hampshire. Known for going the extra mile to support his fellow officers in the line of duty, Captain Ferry led outside of work as well. Throughout his career, even while carrying out the full duties of a New Hampshire State Trooper, Captain Ferry volunteered with the Special Olympics. He has been involved in everything from handing out medals to the athletes to the Law Enforcement Torch Run. prgtoken The Law Enforcement Torch Run helps bring awareness to the Special Olympics. Captain Ferry would help his fellow officers run what is called the ``Flame for Hope'' all across New Hampshire, for a total distance of 550 miles. Since the run's inception 35 years ago, New Hampshire law enforcement has raised more than $5.5 million for Special Olympics, and for 25 of those 35 years, Captain Ferry was at its helm. prgtoken After 17 years of participating in the program, Captain Ferry decided to get even more involved and was chosen as State police liaison to the Special Olympics. prgtoken In this role, Captain Ferry oversaw the expansion of law enforcement's partnership with the program, which included recruiting more liaisons, expanding law enforcement's participation in the Summer and Winter Games, and increasing fundraising efforts. prgtoken As a symbol of Captain Ferry's strong relationship with the program, he was selected to represent New Hampshire at the 2019 Special Olympics World Games in Abu Dhabi, where he participated in the Torch Run across the United Arab Emirates. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity for Captain Ferry to represent both New Hampshire law enforcement and the Special Olympics program on the world stage. prgtoken Captain Ferry has said that the most rewarding part of his involvement in the Special Olympics has been the special bonds that he has formed with the athletes, which extend beyond the playing field. He continues to keep in touch with some of the athletes on social media and makes sure to give them a hug whenever he sees them outside of the program. prgtoken Captain Ferry's daughter, Jillian, also happens to be a Special Olympian. Her favorite event is bowling, and she has beaten dad on a few occasions. prgtoken From serving as a public safety officer who went out of his way to support his fellow officers and protect his community, to providing a sense of security for the athletes in the Special Olympics program who have learned to trust him, Captain Ferry has demonstrated what it means to be a dedicated public servant. prgtoken Thank you, Captain Ferry, for your service to our great State, and I wish you all the best in your
Remembering Sergei Magnitsky (Executive Session)
Benjamin L. Cardin (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2019-11-20

November 16 was the 10th anniversary of the tragic death of Sergei Magnitsky. prgtoken Sergei Magnitsky was a Moscow-based lawyer who represented an investment company, known as Hermitage Capital, whose American-born founder was Bill Browder. In the course of Mr. Magnitsky's representation of his client, he discovered a major tax fraud issue-- $230 million of taxpayer moneys being funneled through shell companies with business ties to President Putin. Mr. Magnitsky did what any good lawyer would do in discovering corruption and reported it to the local authorities. As a result, he was arrested and tortured. Ultimately, he died in prison. He was in prison for nearly a year without having a trial. prgtoken Unfortunately, this is not a unique circumstance in Russia, but we in the global community decided that we could not let this injustice go without taking action. Those responsible needed to be held accountable. Yet, in Russia, those responsible for this tragedy were promoted and received awards. prgtoken So there needs to be accountability for those who violate basic human rights and their government will not take action. prgtoken I first learned of the Magnitsky tragedy in my role as a member of the Helsinki Commission. I was the chair and ranking on the Helsinki Commission. The Helsinki Commission is the way we enforced the Helsinki Final Act that was passed in 1975, and it adheres to basic principles of human rights. It gives every member-signator of the Helsinki Final Accords the right to challenge what is happening in other states. Russia is a signator to the Helsinki Final Act. The United States is a signator, and we raised the Magnitsky issue. prgtoken Then, working with the late Senator John McCain, I authored legislation known as the Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act. It was enacted into law in 2012, and what it does is it says that those who were participating in gross human rights violations in Russia--related to what happened to Sergei Magnitsky--that those who were responsible would not be allowed to visit the United States by being granted visas or to use our banking system. Why was that so important? Because these corrupt officials like to have their assets in dollars, not rubles, and they like to visit the United States, and they like their families to visit the United States. prgtoken What is unique about the Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act is that Congress can initiate the executive branch taking up particular names. prgtoken It is interesting--I have heard from many Russians who fully support what we are doing. We are giving them an opportunity for their voices to be heard. prgtoken Mr. Putin lobbied against its passage, but it passed Congress by an overwhelming vote. To date, 54 individuals have been sanctioned under the Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act of 2012, and it has been very effective. We have been told through press acc
BIG BEAR LAND EXCHANGE ACT
Pete Aguilar (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-11-20

I appreciate the gentleman from California offering me some time, and I want to thank Representative Cook, as well, for his efforts. prgtoken I rise in support of the Big Bear Land Exchange Act. prgtoken My community in San Bernardino County experiences some of the highest levels of air pollution anywhere in the country, and, in order to combat this pollution, we must find ways to reduce emissions in our region. This bill will help us do just that. prgtoken This land exchange between the county and the Federal Government will allow the establishment of a recycling and recovery center in my neighboring district. This facility would decrease the long distances that trucks have to travel to dispose of waste and will allow us to divert this waste by repurposing recyclable materials. prgtoken This legislation is good for our communities and is a smart way to help mitigate pollution and combat climate change. prgtoken , I would like to thank my colleague, Representative Cook, for his work in championing this bill and for his bipartisan collaboration. I have worked with Mr. Cook on a number of issues representing San Bernardino County. Nobody is more thoughtful when it comes to what our future direction holds. I know his heart is in San Bernardino County, as well, and no one will ever doubt that about his intent. prgtoken Just because he doesn't want to hang out here with us in this facility oftentimes doesn't mean that he isn't publicly driven and publicly minded in order to deliver for his constituents. This bill is one of those examples. prgtoken , I look forward to working with my colleague the remainder of the next 12 months and in the years ahead, and I want to thank him for his efforts in this regard.