mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
RECOGNITION OF THE MINORITY LEADER
Thomas R. Carper (Democrat, DE) \u2014 2020-2-4

233 years ago, our Founding Fathers gathered in Philadelphia, just a few miles north of us in Delaware. Eleven years earlier, we had declared our independence from the British Crown, the most powerful empire in the world. Despite long odds, David overcame Goliath, and we won our independence, but would the government of this new Nation endure? prgtoken When the Founders gathered in Philadelphia that summer of 1787, they began debating a new form of government. At times, the differences between our Founders--Northern States, Southern States, small States, and large States--seemed irreconcilable. However, a great compromise was eventually reached, and an intricate system of checks and balances was written into a governing document, the Constitution of the United States. prgtoken Nebraska Senator William Jennings Bryan once remarked: ``Destiny is not a matter of chance. It is a matter of choice.'' Our Constitution has endured longer than any other on Earth, in large part because we did not leave our destiny to chance. Today, our Constitution remains the longest lasting Constitution in the world. prgtoken Our Founders, despite their many disagreements, made the crucial choice that this new Constitution would not lead to the creation of an all-powerful King. They came from places where they had done that, been there, and they didn't want to go through that again. Instead, the Constitution created three separate, coequal branches of government--an executive branch, a legislative branch, and a judicial branch. This ingenious system would ensure that a future President with the impulses of a King would be restrained by the other two branches. prgtoken The Constitution also provided another backstop against abuses from a future President who committed treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors. That constitutional backstop is called impeachment. prgtoken As we consider the impeachment of Donald J I ask my colleagues to remember that while we are here today because of the conduct of one man, the Constitution that guides us through these choppy waters some 233 years later is the triumph and wisdom of many men. We are here because of patriots like Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Franklin, Madison, Hamilton, and many others who lived under the harsh rule of a King and fought for the freedom to govern themselves. prgtoken Our Constitution gives the House of Representatives the sole power of impeachment, while the Senate has the sole power to conduct a trial in the event the House impeaches a sitting President. prgtoken We are now at the end of the impeachment trial of Donald J. . It is not the trial that many of us had hoped for. We had hoped for a fair trial. The American people deserve a fair trial. A fair trial has witnesses. A fair trial has evidence. prgtoken I don't believe that history will be kind to those who have and continue to prevent the truth from coming to light during thi
HONORING JERSEY CITY POLICE DETECTIVE JOSEPH SEALS
Tom Malinowski (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2020-2-4

on December 10, armed extremists, targeting Jewish Americans and law enforcement, gunned down four people in Jersey City, including Jersey City Police Detective Joseph Seals. prgtoken Today, I am joined by his daughter, Hailey, as my State of the Union guest. I want to thank her for her commitment to her father's legacy and for joining us in honoring him. prgtoken Detective Seals was a veteran of the Jersey City police force and was a leading officer in the effort to get guns off the street. He was a good man and a good father. He worked every day trying to make New Jersey safer for all of us and I am glad we have a chance to recognize him. prgtoken But I also believe that we owe his family more than just recognition, more than just remembrance. We owe them a dedicated effort to confront domestic extremism as seriously as we have rightly confronted international terrorism, with more resources for law enforcement, stronger gun laws, greater scrutiny of social media companies that monetize hatred online, and zero tolerance for politicians who exploit that hatred for political ends.
RECOGNITION OF THE MINORITY LEADER
Tim Kaine (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2020-2-4

I rise also to discuss the pending matter, the serious matter of impeachment. prgtoken President schemed to get Ukraine to help him win the 2020 election by strong-arming its new President to announce a bogus investigation against a political opponent. To carry out his scheme, he smeared, fired, and threatened a dedicated career ambassador, thwarted Congress by secretly withholding appropriated military aid over the advice of his national security team, violated two laws in order to hide his actions, outsourced critical foreign policy to a rogue private attorney, hurt an American ally, gratified an adversary, and overturned longstanding precedent regarding the relationship between the executive and legislative branches. The scheme was so repellant that numerous members of his own administration fought against it, and then, when they could not stop it themselves, courageously brought it to light. prgtoken The House managers have proven both Articles of Impeachment. But I have struggled during the Senate process--which cannot be called a trial due to the shocking refusal to allow key witnesses and documents--with a basic question: Is it an abuse of trust for a President to behave exactly as expected? prgtoken President 's behavior has been appalling, but it has not been a surprise. The American people knew that would seek foreign help to win an election. He publicly did so in 2016 by appealing to Russia for help at the same time as our Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said Russia was America's chief adversary. That he is doing so again is no surprise. prgtoken The American public knew that would target political opponents with false attacks. He publicly did so in 2016 by leading crowds in chants of ``Lock her up.'' That he will again target perceived opponents, or s, Ambassadors or whistleblowers, Representatives or Senators, war heros or teenage environmental activists, is no surprise. prgtoken The American public knew that would obstruct the release of information. He publicly did so in 2016, when he violated longstanding practice by refusing to release his tax returns. That he will continue to obstruct Congress, the media, and the American public is no surprise. prgtoken His bigotry is no surprise. His lying is no surprise. His lack of ethics is no surprise. His xenophobia is no surprise. His misogyny is no surprise. His obsessive selfishness is no surprise. His hateful, divisive, and ignorant rhetoric is no surprise. prgtoken But Presidential impeachment was not designed to remove an amoral leader that the Nation had knowingly and willingly elected. It was designed to rescue the Nation from a leader who abuses the public trust. Can one abuse the public trust by behaving exactly as expected? prgtoken The Senate impeachment process answered my question. In 1974, Senators of both parties were willing to condemn extreme Pres
RECOGNITION OF THE MINORITY LEADER
Jon Tester (Democrat, MT) \u2014 2020-2-4

I am going to read a statement and then I am going to go back through the information that I used to make the decision to be able to write this statement. prgtoken Montanans sent me to the U.S. Senate to hold government accountable. I fought to allow this trial to include documents and testimony from witnesses with firsthand knowledge of the allegations against the President, regardless of whether they were incriminating or exculpatory, so that the Senate could make its decision based on the best information available. prgtoken Unfortunately, my colleagues and the administration blocked this information, robbing the American people of their legitimate right to hold their elected officials accountable. prgtoken Based on the evidence that was available to me during this trial, I believe President abused his power by withholding military aid from an ally for personal political gain, and that he obstructed legitimate oversight by a coequal branch of government. prgtoken It is a sad day for this country and for all Americans who believe that no one--not even the President of the United States--is above the law. prgtoken So how did I get to this point? Well, just a little over 2 weeks ago, we came into this Chamber and we started hearing testimony. That testimony resulted in these two notebooks full of notes, because, quite frankly, the House managers laid out a compelling case. The defense made their arguments, but the case of the House was incredibly compelling. prgtoken An impeachment is a solemn time. It is not something we should be taking without the deepest and most serious consideration. I compare it to a vote to send our people to war. But in this particular case, there was very little transparency, and none, if the President would have had it his way, of information coming to this body during this trial. This, in fact, is the shortest impeachment trial of a President ever. If we are going to have information to make good decisions--and I always said if you have good information, you can make good decisions--then, the President really needed to open up and cooperate just a little bit. prgtoken This is the first time ever that we had a trial with no witnesses and no documents--a trial in the Senate with no information from the executive branch. And I get it. I get ``executive privilege,'' and I think there are times when executive privilege has to be used because the information is sensitive. prgtoken But I have to tell you that the Williams letter is a prime example. I went down to the SCIF. I read it. I have to tell you something. If there is something in there that needs to be classified, you have me. The information in that letter was information that I knew before I went in the SCIF. It is the same with many of the emails--if not all of the emails--that the President has requested to be classified and kept away from this body and kept away from the press. prgtoken That is
RECOGNITION OF THE MINORITY LEADER
Robert Menendez (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2020-2-4

I rise today as an unwavering believer in the system of checks and balances laid out by our Framers in the Constitution, with three coequal branches of government at times working with each other and at times working as a check against each other. It is this system of checks and balances that safeguards our Republic against tyranny and ensures that our government by the people, for the people, as Abraham Lincoln said, does not perish from the Earth. prgtoken My colleagues, what the facts of this trial have shown and what every Member of this body knows is that President did exactly what the House has accused him of in these two Articles of Impeachment: abusing his power and obstructing Congress. prgtoken These articles strike at the very heart of a republic ruled not by men but by laws and the very notion of a government elected by and for the people. prgtoken I took my constitutional oath to do impartial justice seriously. I came to the trial with an open mind. I listened to both sides. I waited for the facts to persuade me. But in all the many hours I sat through this trial, not once did I hear the President's team make a compelling defense. Instead, I heard a damning case from the House managers detailing how President subverted our national security and solicited foreign interference in our election for his own personal political benefit. prgtoken The facts show that the President used U.S. security assistance and an official White House meeting--two of Ukraine's highest priorities-- not to advance our national security but, rather, his own 2020 reelection effort. In so doing, he violated the law known has the Impoundment Control Act and undermined Congress's constitutional authority. prgtoken As the ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, I want to make something clear. When a foreign adversary like Russia interferes in our elections, it is not for the benefit of the United States; it is for the benefit of Russia. prgtoken The United States provides foreign assistance to countries all over the world because it benefits America's interests. We help Ukraine in their fight against Russian aggression because it is the right thing to do for our national security. But when U.S. officials tell Ukraine that in order to get the Oval Office meeting their President wants and the security assistance it urgently needs, their government must first announce investigation into President 's political opponents, that is not advancing our national security. That is corrupting it. That is forcing a foreign country to choose between their own security and getting perversely involved in another country's elections. prgtoken When we use U.S. foreign assistance as a political pawn, we weaken our standing and credibility in the world. prgtoken Ukraine needed our help. Yet, when it sought our military assistance, instead of sending it right away, the President of the United States sa
RECOGNITION OF THE MINORITY LEADER
Dianne Feinstein (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2020-2-4

the decision to remove a President at any point in their term--particularly 9 months before an election-- is not something we should take lightly. Impeachment should not be a tool that Congress uses to settle policy or personal disagreement. Instead, it should only be used if a President engages in misconduct so egregious that their conviction and removal is necessary and in the Nation's best interest. prgtoken Alexander Hamilton wrote in Federalist 65 that the Founders chose the Senate as ``the most fit depositary of this important trust'' to make such a weighty decision. They actually had faith that this body could rise above pure partisanship to conduct a fair trial and reach a just verdict. prgtoken In this case, however, we could not reach bipartisan agreement--not even on how to conduct the trial. It is a fact that, for the first time in this Nation's history, the Senate will render a verdict in an impeachment hearing without hearing from a single witness and without reviewing key documents that have been withheld by the executive branch. prgtoken As recently as last Friday, OMB admitted it continues to withhold key documents. Let me provide an example. In a court filing, an OMB lawyer wrote that 24 White House emails were being withheld because they ``reflect communications'' by the President, Vice President, or top advisers on the ``scope, duration, and purpose of the hold on military assistance to Ukraine.'' prgtoken Proceeding without such vital evidence is a real mistake. I came to this trial with an open mind, to listen to the case presented by both sides and then to make a determination based on the facts. After hearing the House managers' case, it is clear that President withheld U.S. aid in an effort to obtain Ukraine's assistance to prgtoken win reelection by asking that Ukraine launch and make public an investigation into , Mr. 's political opponent. prgtoken The President's legal team tried to argue that this didn't happen, but without seeing key documents and hearing from key fact witnesses such as John Bolton and Mick Mulvaney, top advisers with firsthand knowledge of the President's conduct and motives, their arguments were not persuasive. prgtoken So, after weighing the evidence available to us and considering the President's pattern of similar misconduct, I will vote yes on the Articles of Impeachment. prgtoken The House presented a compelling factual case. Congress appropriated nearly $400 million in foreign aid to Ukraine, an ally engaged in a war with a major power, Russia. It was signed into law by President , who knew what he was signing and what it entailed. President also knew that Ukraine desperately needed the aid and America's partnership in its efforts against the huge power, Russia. prgtoken He used that vulnerability to his advantage. He privately demanded that, in exchange for U.S. aid and a White House meeting for Ukraine's newly
RECOGNIZING THE TOLL GUN VIOLENCE TAKES ON SURVIVORS
Jackie Speier (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2020-2-4

I rise today to recognize the toll that gun violence takes on survivors left to struggle in the wake of unspeakable tragedy. prgtoken When we talk about gun violence, we usually focus on lives lost, but the full cost of gun violence is measured in the lives irreparably changed by physical and mental wounds. Survivors are the students who hid under desks and in closets at their schools, domestic violence victims who tried to hold front doors shut and shield their children, and families left with holes where loved ones used to be. I know because I am a gun violence survivor. prgtoken According to Everytown, 58 percent of Americans have witnessed or been threatened with gun violence or know someone who has. This is National Gun Violence Survivors Week. Let's honor survivors by refusing to let their experiences become the new normal.
HONORING THE REGIONAL PARKS FOUNDATION
Mike Thompson (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2020-2-4

. Madam , I rise today to honor the Regional Parks Foundation on the 50th anniversary of its founding. prgtoken Since its establishment in 1969, the Regional Parks Foundation has supported the East Bay Regional Park District and its community. The Foundation serves the vibrant and diverse communities of Northern California's East Bay area, including parts of California's Fifth Congressional District. The Regional Parks Foundation is deeply committed to making parks available and accessible to everyone in our community. prgtoken The Regional Parks Foundation works to support universal access to parks, promote environmental stewardship, organize and fund educational and recreational programs and acquire parklands. The foundation provides community education around important legislative initiatives that preserve open space, protect our natural resources, and promotes park access for under-served populations. prgtoken The Foundation has been instrumental in the environmental education and enjoyment of citizens of all ages and abilities. The Regional Parks Foundation has sent over 10,000 young people to environmental education programs and has funded thousands of other opportunities for seniors, veterans, and those living with disabilities. The Foundation has fundraised nearly $50 million to support our communities and parks. These funds enable the foundation to provide swim lessons, loan out safety gear, organize community tree planting, shoreline clean-ups and other environmental restoration projects. prgtoken Madam , the Regional Parks Foundation has been instrumental in supporting the betterment and longevity of our open spaces. It is therefore fitting and proper that we honor the foundation on the 50th anniversary of its founding.
RECOGNITION OF THE MINORITY LEADER
Sheldon Whitehouse (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2020-2-4

may I say that it is a pleasure to speak to the Senate with the new Senator from Georgia presiding for the first time, at least, that I have had this occasion. prgtoken Well, here we are. The impeachment outcome is settled, as it was from day one. In my view, the facts are clear, the conduct impeachable, and the obstruction unprecedented. prgtoken In my view, this impeachment process ran into a partisan wall, and the Senate's part was to deny the American people the most basic elements of a fair trial: witnesses and evidence. prgtoken Alexander Hamilton, years ago, warned us of what he called the ``greatest danger'' in impeachments, ``that the decision will be regulated more by the comparative strength of parties, than by the real demonstrations of innocence or guilt.'' prgtoken In my view, that danger has met us. prgtoken As a boy I often sang a hymn with the stanza that ``to every man and nation comes the moment to decide, in the strife of truth with falsehood, for the good or evil side.'' prgtoken In my view, the Senate chose the wrong side. prgtoken We are obviously going to disagree about a lot here, so let me focus on two thoughts that perhaps we can agree on. prgtoken One is that what we have done here should carry little weight as precedent. Politics cast very long shadows over this proceeding. This was not our finest hour, by any stretch, and much of what was said and done here should not be repeated, let alone treated as precedent. prgtoken I hope history treats this episode as an aberration, not a precedent. prgtoken Too many things that are right and proper had to be bent or broken to get to the preordained result, and too much of what was said by White House counsel was not only wrong but disgraceful. prgtoken The presentation in this Chamber by White House counsel was characterized by smarminess, smear, elision, outright misstatement, and various dishonest rhetorical tricks that I doubt they would dare pull before judges. prgtoken Knowing that we were a captive and silent audience, knowing the outcome was predetermined in their favor, and grandstanding for a TV audience, particularly an audience of one, they delivered a performance that leaves a stain on the pages of the Senate Record. prgtoken Perhaps there will be consequences for some of their conduct in our Chamber. prgtoken The conduct of White House counsel in the impeachment trial raise grave concerns. prgtoken A staunch friend, who is an able and eminent lawyer, emailed me about a White House counsel argument, calling it ``the most shocking thing I have seen a `serious' lawyer say in my entire legal career.'' He referred to Professor Dershowitz, but the conduct of White House counsel in this matter has indeed been shocking far beyond the excesses of Professor Dershowitz. prgtoken In some cases, we do not know who pays them. Mr. Sekulow is evidently anonymously paid, with dark money, through a mail drop box. Who is he w
HONORING TEMPLE SOLEL OF HOLLYWOOD
Debbie Wasserman Schultz (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2020-2-4

. Madam , it is with great pleasure that I rise to wish a heartfelt Mazel Tov to Temple Solel of Hollywood, Florida on their 50th Anniversary Jubilee. prgtoken The Jewish faith teaches us that we must lift up everyone to make the world a better place--Tikkun Olam. For 50 years, the members of Temple Solel have humbly done their part to repair the world for all those who struggle, for all who are forced to go without, and for everyone who is in need of a helping hand. And they do it unconditionally, with generosity, and with Gemilut Hasadim--the gift of loving kindness. prgtoken Congratulations to Rabbi Robert Frazen, Rabbi Jeffrey Salkin, Cantor Israel Rosen, and all those who have served the congregation over the past 50 years. Their decades of leadership, spiritual guidance, and service have helped make Temple Solel become one of the most progressive faith-based institutions in Broward County. Whether educating our community about the dangers of climate change and sea level rise or supporting the values of full equality for LGBTQ Jews and their families, they have set an example for all to follow. prgtoken I hold a deep admiration for the tremendous kindness the clergy and congregants of Temple Solel have shown our community for half a century. I wish them much success and joy as they continue to grow for the next 50 years.