mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
DECLINE IN THE U.S. MURDER RATE
Glenn Grothman (Republican, WI) \u2014 2019-10-16

I would now like to address the body on the topic of the recent decline of murders in the United States of America. prgtoken For people who watch this House, we know that there are all sorts of bad things we can dwell on. We can dwell on the immigration crisis, we can dwell on high healthcare costs, we can dwell on the debt, but recently some relatively good news--we have more work to do--was brought forth, and that is the murder rates for 2018 were published. prgtoken Largely in this country, murder rates skyrocketed from the early 1960s, when we had the beginning of the welfare culture, the war on the family under Lyndon Johnson, and murder rates rose from around 5 per 100,000 to over 10 per 100,000 in 1980. Murder rates stayed relatively high throughout the 1980s and the early 1990s. prgtoken Since that time, I think in part because of increased incarceration, those murder rates were falling until 2015. prgtoken And then, I think in part because of a government that spoke negatively of police, talked about or implied that police shootings were racially motivated, something happened opposite of what had been going on the 25 years before that. prgtoken All of a sudden for 2 years in a row, the number of people murdered in this country jumped up, jumped up from a low of 4.4 to 5.4 per 100,000 in the years 2015 and 2016. prgtoken After that, we can talk about whether it was because of this or not, but took over, somebody who ran encouraging support of the police, respect of the police, and the murder rate began to drop a little bit in 2017, and last year, it one more time fell to less than 5 per 100,000. prgtoken President ran, of course, on respect for police. That is one of the reasons I think people wanted him in there. prgtoken The prior President, a dignified man, had Al Sharpton in the White House over 80 times. And I think if you look, is praising Black Lives Matter, is encouraging people to view police with distrust, was perhaps one of the reasons why, completely out of the ordinary at a time when the economy was not bad, we had police shootings rise significantly. prgtoken Now we have a President who, as the yard signs in my district say, ``Respect the Badge'', we have somebody as a President who is more a respect-the-badge sort of guy, and in 1 year we have a decrease in murders in this country--despite the fact the population continues to grow--of 1,000 people; 1,000 lives saved. prgtoken We have to ask ourselves, why was there a spike in murders before President took office and why was there a reduction in murders after he took office? prgtoken As I mentioned, I think the embracing of people like Al Sharpton, who encourages disrespect for police, or at least blames them, blames sad shootings on racial motivation, I think that is one of the reasons why you had an increase. prgtoken You had police who were afraid to do what they could do for fear of being sanctioned. Y
Nomination of Barbara McConnell Barrett (Executive Session)
John Thune (Republican, SD) \u2014 2019-10-16

later today, the Senate will vote to confirm Barbara Barrett as Secretary of the Air Force. I have come to the floor directly from a meeting with her this morning. prgtoken Ambassador Barrett has had an impressive career both inside and outside of government. Among other things, she has served as U.S. Ambassador to Finland, Deputy Administrator of the FAA, and as a member of the Civil Aeronautics Board. Most importantly, she has a deep understanding of the U.S. Air Force, thanks to her work as a civilian adviser to the Secretary of Defense and the Joint Chiefs. prgtoken As a member of the Defense Advisory Committee on women in the services, she fought to expand opportunities for women in the military. She became the first civilian woman to land an F-18 on an aircraft carrier, which was part of a mission to demonstrate women's fitness to fly in combat. Thanks, in part, to her work in 1993, the military changed its regulations to allow women to fly combat aircraft. prgtoken I am always particularly interested in making sure we have an outstanding Air Force Secretary because my State of South Dakota is lucky enough to play host to Ellsworth Air Force Base, home of the 28th Bomb Wing and future home of the B-21 bomber. prgtoken Over the State work period in October, I was able to visit Ellsworth to sit down with the new commander of the 28th Bomb Wing, Col. David Doss, as well as CCM Rochelle Hemingway. We had a great discussion, and we had a chance to talk about the needs of the base going forward, including what will be needed as Ellsworth prepares to serve as the first home of the B-21. prgtoken Ensuring that the base has the necessary resources and infrastructure to fully support the B-21 mission will be a priority of mine not just as we await the mission but for decades to come. prgtoken Since I came to Congress, I have worked with the base and the Greater Rapid City community to build up Ellsworth. We have gone from fighting to keep the base open, to adding an MQ-9 Reaper mission and supporting the B-1 as a workhorse of the bomber fleet, to hosting the largest training airspace in the continental United States, and to being chosen to host both the B-21 training mission and first operational squadron. prgtoken I am incredibly proud of all that Ellsworth airmen have accomplished, and I am looking forward to seeing everything the team at the base will be able to do in the future.
Trump Administration (Executive Session)
John Cornyn (Republican, TX) \u2014 2019-10-16

just when you think things couldn't get any stranger here in Washington, DC, a few weeks ago, Pelosi announced that the House was officially beginning proceedings to impeach the President of the United States. While the left has been dreaming of impeachment ever since the President was first elected in 2016, the timing of this was quite a surprise. In fact, last January the led the effort to table an impeachment resolution, and she and Chairman Nadler and Chairman Schiff and other House leaders had said that they recognized that this would never be successful unless it is bipartisan, and I think they were right then and they are wrong now. prgtoken We know that the announcement of the came at a time when the only thing the public knew was about rumors of a whistleblower complaint about a call over which virtually no one knew any details. prgtoken But the facts didn't really matter. This was about grabbing ahold of something and using this as a vehicle to do what the left has wanted to do since the President was inaugurated. prgtoken Were the initial reports a reason to look into the matter further? Absolutely. That is what the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence that I have the privilege of serving on did. We had the Acting Director of National Intelligence come testify. We had the inspector general come testify about his report. prgtoken But that is not the approach that House have taken. They made no honest effort to investigate before deciding to impeach. prgtoken Prior to the 's press conference, in fact, we hadn't seen the complaint. We hadn't seen the transcript or heard from the leaders of the intelligence community. But regardless of the lack of any evidence at the time, they jumped into impeachment feet first. It is almost as if they were waiting for anything--any excuse, any reason at all--to do what they have wanted to do since day one in opposing President . prgtoken This confirms to me that this is really not about the facts so much as it is a search-and-destroy mission. prgtoken Removing a President from office is no small matter. In fact, the Senate has never done so in American history. You would think that with so much at stake, our House friends would make every effort to lay out a careful, logical, fact-based case for the American people. prgtoken In fact, they said they knew they couldn't be successful unless this was a bipartisan effort, but they made zero effort to make it bipartisan by laying out the facts, by making it transparent, by letting the American people see exactly what was going on. prgtoken Ordinarily, you would expect hearings on every major network, witnesses presenting their testimony, subject to questioning by both s and , and detailed reports of investigations. That is what you would expect, but that is not what we got. prgtoken Instead, we got secret hearings, secret witnesses, secret interviews, and secret
Immigration (Executive Session)
John Kennedy (Republican, LA) \u2014 2019-10-16

reserving the right to object, no one in this Chamber has more respect for the senior Senator from Illinois and the ic whip than I do. I share much of his frustration. I also share, and I believe what the Senator also believes, that immigration is an extraordinarily important subject that this body should be addressing. We are a nation of immigrants. The American people support legal immigration. I know the senior Senator from Illinois supports it. I certainly support it. prgtoken I am rising to object because a number of my colleagues--and I don't want to simply put it on them; I join with them in this--would like a little additional time to study this bill. Equally important, if not more important, many of my colleagues' sentiment is that we should take this bill up first in the Judiciary Committee. prgtoken I commit to the minority whip that I will join with him in trying to get our esteemed chairman to take this bill up. I don't think we ought to be afraid of this issue. I don't think we ought to be reluctant to take difficult votes. That is why we are here in the U.S. Senate. I also cannot think of a subject that is more important for this body to address than the subject of immigration, including but not limited to legal and illegal immigration. prgtoken The fact of the matter is that the American people deserve an immigration system that looks like somebody designed it on purpose. prgtoken For the reasons I just expressed, , I respectfully object.
MISSING AND MURDERED INDIGENOUS WOMEN
Dan Newhouse (Republican, WA) \u2014 2019-10-16

the gentleman is right. This is a serious issue. As the gentleman said, something this serious should be bipartisan, and the good thing is that it is bipartisan. People on both sides of the aisle recognize the horrific nature of these unsolved crimes and are wanting to do something about it. prgtoken I am really heartened by the fact that in this day and age, and in this climate here in Washington, D.C there are some issues that we can rally around together in a bipartisan fashion. prgtoken I think that is a perfect segue into introducing a friend of mine from the Bipartisan Working Group, someone who embodies the desire to find solutions and to find common ground on issues so that we can move forward. This is a great example of the work that we can accomplish when we put our heads together. prgtoken , I yield to my good friend from New Mexico (Ms. Torres Small).
Maiden Speech (Executive Calendar)
Rick Scott (Republican, FL) \u2014 2019-10-16

my story begins with my mom. My mom had a very difficult life. She grew up with a verbally abusive, alcoholic father. She married a physically abusive, alcoholic husband, whom she divorced when I was born. At that time, divorce was frowned upon. My birth father never gave my mom, my older brother, or me a dime. I never met him. prgtoken My mom eventually married the man who became my adoptive father, a busdriver who made all four combat jumps with the 82nd Airborne in World War II. This summer, I had the opportunity to go to the D-Day anniversary in Normandy and to look at the area he parachuted into, where 17 percent of his company died. prgtoken He was a loving father, but with only a sixth-grade education and five children, he struggled to support our family. We had no money and lived in public housing, but even with all of those issues, I cannot think of a better childhood. prgtoken Even with no money, my mom was optimistic and hopeful. She told us that we were blessed because God and our Founders created the greatest country ever, where anything was possible. I am not sure my mom ever really had a plan for us, but she certainly knew what she was doing. We sat through many sermons, and church was not optional. We were told we had to make straight A's. We memorized the first part of the Declaration of Independence and the 23rd Psalm. We became Eagle Scouts, cleaned the house, and had to have a job. I started working at 7 years old and haven't stopped since. prgtoken We weren't allowed to complain. Debt, Big Government, socialism, and communism were bad. College was for a better paying job. prgtoken We were constantly lectured about the dangers of drug abuse. Unfortunately, drugs have destroyed the life of one of my family members. prgtoken I enlisted in the U.S. Navy at 18, where I swabbed the decks, cleaned the latrines, served the mess decks, and took college courses aboard a destroyer during the last years of Vietnam but never close to Vietnam. prgtoken I married my high school sweetheart at 19, and, today, Ann and I have two daughters, six very perfect grandsons, and a seventh very perfect grandchild on the way next year. My wonderful wife, Ann, is here today and has been by my side every step of our journey. prgtoken While I didn't always appreciate my tough-love, my-way-or-the-highway mom growing up, I now thank God every day for my mom and for this country. She gave me the opportunity to experience every lesson this country had to offer before I was 20. prgtoken Unfortunately, the left has worked hard over the last 50 years to discredit the values of the America I was raised with--the values of the America I want my grandsons to grow up with. We all acknowledge that Americans, our country, and our institutions have flaws, but the left has worked to discredit our Founders, our institutions, our churches, our law enforcement, our morals, and almost everything my mom taught me. It has been ha
550TH BIRTHDAY OF GURU NANAK
Patrick J. Toomey (Republican, PA) \u2014 2019-10-16

I rise to mark a very special day for the Sikh religion and the Sikh community across America and especially in Pennsylvania--specifically, the birthday of the founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak. prgtoken Guru Nanak was born into a Hindu household in 1469 in what is now modern-day Pakistan. Guru Nanak showed a keen interest in religion from very early on in his life. He had a real aptitude in his youth for philosophizing and writing poetry. He married, had children, and became an accountant like his father. Yet he always believed in the importance of living a spiritual life. Eventually, he underwent a profound personal transformation to become the religious figure and leader for which he is recognized today. prgtoken Guru Nanak's most famous teachings include that there is only one God, that people need not go through an intermediary, such as a priest, to access the one God, and that all people are created equal. He preached that his followers should meditate and remember God, that they should earn an honest living, and that they should share with those who are less fortunate than themselves. prgtoken Guru Nanak began teaching the Sikh faith around the year 1500, and with around 30 million adherents, the Sikh faith is the sixth largest religion in the world. Approximately 700,000 Sikhs have chosen to make their homes in the United States. There are several Sikh places of worship, known as gurdwaras, in and around the Philadelphia area, Pittsburgh, Allentown, Erie, and across America. prgtoken Next month, on November 12, there will be celebrations at gurdwaras across the globe to mark the 550th birthday of Guru Nanak. In addition, Sikh leaders have come to the Capitol today to commemorate the birthday of Guru Nanak. prgtoken A few minutes ago, a giani, or a Sikh religious official, gave a prayer as the Senate opened for business. I am proud that he hails from my State of Pennsylvania. This evening, leaders from the Sikh community will convene an interfaith event to promote the peaceful values that all of the world's major religions share. prgtoken This morning, I just wanted to add my voice to wish the Sikh community great luck and great joy with this event and to wish Guru Nanak a happy 550th birthday this year. prgtoken .
United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (Executive Calendar)
Deb Fischer (Republican, NE) \u2014 2019-10-16

I rise to voice my strong support for the passage of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or the USMCA. prgtoken When I travel the State of Nebraska, I always hear directly from our farmers and our ag producers. Nebraska's farmers have endured some of the most challenging setbacks in recent memory. The severe flooding from last spring devastated thousands of acres of our farm and our ranch land, brought hundreds of livestock deaths, and destroyed barns, countless grain bins, hay, and critical farm equipment. This list of daunting obstacles continues to grow. prgtoken Last July, the Gering-Fort Laramie-Goshen irrigation tunnel collapsed and cut off a crucial source of surface irrigation water to the western region of our State for several weeks. prgtoken Only a few days earlier, a devastating fire broke out in a Tyson beef processing plant in Holcomb, KS. The plant processed about 6,000 head of cattle every single day. That is roughly 6 percent of the total fed cattle processing capacity in the United States. prgtoken The effects of the plant's closure rippled throughout the entire cattle industry and the beef processing chain. This is all in addition to 5 years of low commodity prices, the unfair small refinery exemptions for oil refiners, and the cloud of uncertainty over trade. prgtoken While all of these factors have caused anxiety and unpredictability, there is one solution that Nebraska's farmers, ranchers, ag producers, manufacturers, and hard-working men and women have made clear, and that is the passage of the USMCA. prgtoken Nebraska's farmers and ranchers have a different lifestyle than most people. Their patience is steadfast. They plan for the long term. They can envision how they want their land to look, not only next year but 100 years into the future. It is in their DNA, and families are fed around the world because of it. prgtoken They are optimists, but they are realists. As Secretary Perdue recently said, ``they know you can't plant in August and harvest in September.'' prgtoken That is exactly right. Our producers have remained patient during these tough and turbulent times because they know that there is an opportunity for a better, long-term trade solution on the horizon. prgtoken The USMCA would replace the 25-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA, and bring the deal into the 21st century, while fortifying our strong trading relationships with Canada and Mexico and growing critical market access for Nebraska. prgtoken The heart of Nebraska beats in the same rhythm as agriculture. It is who we are, and as the world knows that it is what we do better than anyone. So it is not hard to understand why our State needs this deal. prgtoken America's neighbors to the north and south are the destination of 44 percent of Nebraska's total exports. In 2017, Nebraska shipped $447 million of agricultural products to Canada and a staggering $898 million to Mexico. These expor
OUR REPUBLIC IS UNDER THREAT
Steve King (Republican, IA) \u2014 2019-10-16

it is my privilege and an honor to be recognized to address you here on the floor of the House of Representatives. I come here to the floor to address the circumstances that are historic in the way they are shaking the very foundation of this Republic. prgtoken Our Constitution is under threat, and our Republic is under threat. There are secret meetings taking place down in the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, the most confidential place in this place, but they are talking about finding a way to impeach the President of the United States. prgtoken They don't have a charge yet. They are still looking for one. We went through 2 years of the Mueller investigations, and now we are grinding through this under the guidance of Adam Schiff, who has a resolution here that has been presented to this floor to censure him for the misinformation that came out clearly in front of all the public. prgtoken They are cherry-picking quotes from the people who are testifying. They refused to allow us, just an hour ago, to go in and even read the Volker transcript. They are allowing no exculpatory evidence that is coming in that might defend our President. There is no representation for the President. They have turned this committee into a partisan committee. prgtoken , I will submit that it is going to be awfully hard for this select committee to ever function again if it is going to be a partisan, secret committee attempting to overturn the election of the President of the United States.
OPPOSING THE DECISION TO END CERTAIN UNITED STATES EFFORTS TO PREVENT TURKISH MILITARY OPERATIONS AGAINST SYRIAN KURDISH FORCES IN NORTHEAST SYRIA
Michael T. McCaul (Republican, TX) \u2014 2019-10-16

I have no more speakers, and the balance of my time. prgtoken This is one of those rare moments in Congress when we see both sides coming together, exercising our Article I constitutional responsibilities on foreign policy. I can't think of a better committee than this, the Foreign Affairs Committee, to stand unified as a Congress. prgtoken This is not just the House, . This is a joint resolution with the Senate. This is going to pass the House and the Senate, sending a strong message about our foreign policy. prgtoken I believe that we learn from history. The National Archives has an inscription that says, ``What is past is prologue.'' You see, history repeats itself, and we need to learn the lessons from history. prgtoken I remember after we withdrew out of Europe after World War I, it allowed the forces of Nazi Germany and Adolf Hitler to raise its ugly head, and it took the Marshall Plan to finally put an end to it. prgtoken Then as recently as 2011, in the previous administration, President pulled 10,000 troops out of Iraq. My side of the aisle strongly objected to that foreign policy decision, arguing that it would create a wave of terrorism, and we were right. ISIS reared its ugly head, and the caliphate was formed. prgtoken , you and I served on the Homeland Security Committee. In the years 2015 to 2016, the terror threat was frightening. My threat briefings were frightening in the SCIF. prgtoken External operations being plotted out of Iraq and Syria to kill Americans in the United States, almost one per month, we stopped 95 percent of those threats. The 5 percent is what the American people know about. prgtoken But I will tell you this--from that experience, have not we learned anything?--that we need a residual force, if anything, to protect the homeland from terror threats. prgtoken Now we have over 10,000 ISIS in-country and over 70,000 family members that are there as part of the insurgency. We had over 30,000 at the time of the peak of the ISIS caliphate. And we can't go back. prgtoken I am concerned, , that this move will embolden the Russians. The Russians have already gone to our military's campsites and mocked us. They are mocking the United States of America. Iran is there, and ISIS is now emboldened. prgtoken We need a residual force to protect us, as we had in Iraq. We need that in Syria, and, yes, we need that in Afghanistan. We can wind down the number of troops, but we need that residual force. prgtoken , I want to close by saying that I will never forget talking to Condoleezza Rice after she retired at Stanford, and she said that one axiom is true in foreign policy: Your allies must trust you. prgtoken Our allies are questioning us right now. We told them, ``Trust us. We have your back.'' prgtoken What is happening now, the Kurds are being slaughtered as I speak in northern Syria. prgtoken She also said another thing: Our allies must trust us, and our enemies must fear