mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
TRIBUTE TO THE FOGARTY FAMILY
Sheldon Whitehouse (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2018-9-6

the swearing in of the Rhode Island Legislature early next year will close a remarkable story of a great Rhode Island family. State Senator Paul Fogarty is retiring after 20 years in office. The Fogarty family of northern Rhode Island will have represented nearly 80 years of public service. prgtoken Paul was elected in 1998 to fill the State senate seat that was previously held by his brother, Charles Fogarty, Jr. A master plumber by trade, Paul rose to become the chairman of the senate labor committee. Like his brother Charlie, Paul had served on the Glocester, RI, town council before serving in the legislature. prgtoken Charlie Fogarty got his start in State government working as an aide to Governor Joe Garrahy in the late 1970s. While a State senator, he served as both majority whip and senate president pro tempore. He was elected Lieutenant Governor twice, in 1998 and in 2002. He is remembered for starting a Christmastime tradition, Operation Holiday Cheer, which delivers care packages of Rhode Island mementos to servicemembers deployed overseas. prgtoken In 2006, Charlie won the ic nomination for Governor, narrowly losing to the incumbent. He returned to government a few years later to run the State department of labor and training, where he cracked down on unemployment fraud. In 2015, Governor Gina Raimondo appointed Charlie director of the Rhode Island Department of Elderly Affairs. Under his leadership, the State expanded support for Meals on Wheels, and he played an important role in the State's successful repeal of the tax that seniors paid on their Social Security benefits. prgtoken Charlie retired earlier this year, after four decades of service to the people of Rhode Island. prgtoken Paul and Charlie's cousins shared the public service gene. Ray Fogarty was a State representative from Glocester for 10 years. He would go on to find and lead the Rhode Island Export Assistance Center at Bryant University's John H. Chafee Center for International Business. prgtoken Ray's brother Edward Fogarty was an accomplished lawyer, with whom I worked in the State house. He worked as an arbitrator in the Rhode Island Superior Court and clerked in the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island. However, Ed will best be remembered for his work serving as legal counsel to the speaker of the Rhode Island House of Representatives, to the senate majority leader, and later to the senate president. Ed retired in 2013 and sadly passed away in 2017. prgtoken Charlie Fogarty credited his parents with teaching him that ``public service was a public trust.'' Indeed, he and brother Paul followed in their father's footsteps. Charles Fogarty, Sr had been a State senator from Glocester before them and served for a time as director of the Rhode Island Small Business Administration. prgtoken Paul and Charlie's uncle was Congressman John Fogarty, who represented Rhode Island in the U.S. House of Repres
NOMINATION OF BRETT KAVANAUGH
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2018-9-6

today the Senate Judiciary Committee continues its hearings on Judge Brett Kavanaugh's nomination to the Supreme Court. During yesterday's session, the American people got to see a nominee who refused to answer even the most basic, fundamental questions about his jurisprudence. They got to see a coverup of Judge Kavanaugh's records by himself and the members of the committee. prgtoken When Judge Kavanaugh was asked specific questions about important issues that might someday come before a court, like women's reproductive freedom, he pleaded the need for independence and refused to answer. When ic Senators asked him hypothetical questions, instead, to avoid the possibility of the judge tipping his hand on a future case, then he said he wouldn't engage in hypotheticals--can't talk about specific cases, can't talk about general situations. He is ducking. He is hiding. prgtoken Judge Kavanaugh was asked how he might view the constitutionality of a Presidential subpoena arising from the Mueller probe. He said he could not tip his hand about a potential issue before the Court. Asked, then, about the constitutionality of a Presidential subpoena in general, he said he would not engage in a hypothetical. This is not a hypothetical issue; this is a fundamental constitutional issue. prgtoken There is no legal, ethical, or judicial reason for Judge Kavanaugh to avoid directly answering these questions unless he has something to hide. If the nominee can't answer questions about already decided cases, pending cases, or hypothetical cases, honestly, what is there left to talk about--charity work and basketball? Your favorite Federalist Paper? prgtoken How does the nominee expect the Senate and the public to evaluate him? He doesn't. He doesn't want it. His lifelong record as a hard- right warrior, if he talked about it and talked about his views, would rule him out, so he hides. That should not happen when it comes to nominating one of the most powerful positions in American society. prgtoken Let me just mention a few topics Judge Kavanaugh ducked. prgtoken Judge Kavanaugh would not expand or even revisit his views on Presidential power, where he already enumerated some in a Minnesota Law Review article. As Senator Klobuchar pointed out, he has already talked about them publicly. Why can't he elaborate? He has given his view on that one. Very bad view. Does he still hold it? Nobody knows. prgtoken Judge Kavanaugh could not assure the American people he would uphold the healthcare law, including protections for up to 130 million Americans with preexisting conditions, protections that are under threat right now by a lawsuit in Texas. prgtoken He could not assure the American people he would uphold the landmark decision in Roe v. Wade. He did repeat a view, which he reportedly shared with Senator Collins, that Roe v. Wade was settled precedent of the Court, but as Judge Kavanaugh himself points o
ENSURING SMALL SCALE LNG CERTAINTY AND ACCESS ACT
Gene Green (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2018-9-6

. Madam Chair, I want to thank our ranking member for yielding me the time. prgtoken I rise in support of H.R. 4606, the Ensuring Small Scale LNG Certainty and Access Act. This bill has been worked on in good faith with Mr. Johnson--I thank him for his kind words--which would expedite U.S. small-volume LNG exports, so long as they do not require an environmental impact assessment under the National Environmental Policy Act, or NEPA. prgtoken Natural gas production has dramatically increased all across the country thanks to the energy revolution that we have seen in the last 10 years. We are now able to get gas out of shelves long thought impossible. prgtoken The U.S. has enough natural gas to meet our own energy needs for over a century. Soon, we also will be able to be a net exporter of these petroleum products. prgtoken Despite being the world leader in production of natural gas, many companies are unable to export the small quantities of LNG, or liquefied natural gas, to neighboring countries in the Caribbean. prgtoken If the U.S. does not have a free trade agreement with another nation, natural gas exports must go through a lengthy national determination at the Department of Energy. Currently, the U.S. has only a free trade agreement with the Dominican Republic in the region. prgtoken DOE recently recognized that this placed an undue burden on small volume exports and issued a rule similar to this bill to address the issue. The dominant fuel source in the region for these countries is Venezuelan fuel oil, a source that is not geopolitically friendly or environmentally sound. prgtoken What we would like to have is more natural gas being used for electricity in the Caribbean and Puerto Rico instead of fuel oil, which is an environmental disaster. prgtoken U.S. LNG in the region would drastically reduce emission rates from burning fuel oil for power generation. The benefits of H.R. 4606 are not limited to other countries. As I said, Puerto Rico continues to rebuild with the devastation of Hurricane Maria.
ENSURING SMALL SCALE LNG CERTAINTY AND ACCESS ACT
Bonnie Watson Coleman (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2018-9-6

this is the final amendment to the bill, which will not kill the bill or send it back to committee. If adopted, the bill will immediately proceed to final passage, as amended. prgtoken We are here because our Constitution provided for a body that would represent the interests of the people. There are 435 of us, and our mandate is to represent the interests of individuals from coast to coast, and beyond to our territories, ensuring that our laws help each of them work toward the American Dream. prgtoken For many Americans, owning property is the pinnacle of that dream. Once they have achieved it, that is not something we, the Federal Government, should take away lightly, and that is a principle upon which I think my colleagues on the other side of the aisle would be particularly willing to agree. It is certainly not something that we should be letting companies impede upon. prgtoken Yet, current law allows pipeline companies, with authorization of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or FERC, to circumvent landowner opposition and to use eminent domain to acquire people's lands so that they can build pipelines, even if the product of those pipelines ends up being used overseas. prgtoken Why would we allow private companies, shipping our resources overseas for a profit, with no benefit to us here at home, to take away privately owned land from owners who don't want to lose their property? prgtoken Worse still, compensation provided to the property owners is often far from fair or just, and the negotiations are rarely conducted in good faith. That is to say nothing of the polluting nature of these companies or our Nation's continued reliance on fossil fuels. prgtoken When you take away all the environmental considerations and look only at the basic transaction here, we are giving away people's private land to pipeline companies for no public benefit. In fact, we are giving away people's private land so that private companies can profit from selling liquefied natural gas to customers outside of the United States. prgtoken This body has fallen into a bad habit of corporate giveaways, but this is one of the worst. prgtoken With the recent boom in the domestic gas production, this is happening across the United States and harming property owners in many of our districts. prgtoken In my own State of New Jersey, residents, including my own constituents, are deeply concerned about the PennEast Pipeline Project, a proposed 118-mile, 36-inch gas pipeline stretching from northeast Pennsylvania to my district. More than 500 landowners, many of whom have vocally opposed the pipeline, will now have their properties cut up for construction. prgtoken Preventing these private, for-profit companies from having access to the eminent domain authority in section 7h of the Natural Gas Act would immediately halt abuse of that authority by private gas pipeline companies. It would place public interests over private profit. Most imp
GUATEMALA
Patrick J. Leahy (Democrat, VT) \u2014 2018-9-6

the decision, announced last Friday, by Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales to not renew the International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala, CICIG, after its current term expires next September, was a profound mistake. prgtoken That mistake was further compounded on Tuesday when the government announced that the CICIG Commissioner, Ivan Velasquez, a respected Colombian jurist, had been summarily declared a ``national security threat'' and barred from reentering the country. That is the kind of fear-provoking mischaracterization one might expect from an authoritarian government that will use any outlandish justification to silence its critics but not from a democracy. prgtoken I urge President Morales to reconsider and to reverse these actions for the benefit of the Guatemalan people, in the interests of justice and on behalf of Guatemala's relations with the United States and its international reputation. There may still be time to turn this political and judicial crisis into a positive outcome for the country. prgtoken At the time of his public announcement to not renew CICIG, President Morales was joined on the podium by dozens of uniformed military and police officers. At the same time, military vehicles carrying officers armed with heavy weapons--vehicles provided by the United States for legitimate law enforcement purposes--lined the street in front of CICIG's office. They also drove past the Constitutional Court and the U.S. Embassy. It was an intimidating display reminiscent of the 1970s and 1980s, and the intended message was clear: The commanders of Guatemala's security forces--which in recent years have been reliable partners with the United States--have sided with those in power to shut down the only credible mechanism for combating the corruption and impunity that plague that country. prgtoken Not yet determined is the fate of CICIG's 45 or so international lawyers and investigators, whose work permits have expired. If Commissioner Velasquez is not allowed to return and CICIG's other employees are forced to leave the country, CICIG will, for all practical purposes, cease to exist. prgtoken President Morales's decision to do away with CICIG in a manner that the U.N. Secretary General says ``does not appear to be consistent with the Agreement on the establishment of CICIG'' was reportedly precipitated by a decision of the Supreme Court, days earlier, to refer to Congress a petition by the Attorney General and CICIG to lift President Morales's immunity for violating campaign financing laws. It appears that President Morales is more prgtoken concerned with his own legal vulnerability and that of his supporters than upholding the institutions of justice. prgtoken It is also increasingly apparent that this attack on CICIG is only part of a broader attempt that has been gaining steam over the better part of a year to destroy the independence of the constitutional court, weaken civil s
REMEMBERING SHELDON S. COHEN
Chris Van Hollen (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2018-9-6

I wish to pay tribute to my constituent and dear friend, Sheldon S. Cohen, who passed away earlier this week. Sheldon Cohen left an extraordinary legacy of accomplishment and service to our country. prgtoken A proud native Washingtonian and graduate of DC public schools, Sheldon was a World War II Navy veteran. One of the world's leading tax attorneys, he served as chief counsel and then Commissioner of the IRS under President Lyndon B. Johnson, becoming the youngest person to hold that position. Among his countless other accomplishments was his creation of the first Presidential blind trust. Significantly, the 1978 Ethics in Government Act made blind trusts the preferred vehicle for public officials who do not want to dispose of holdings that raise potential conflicts. In addition, he was instrumental in helping to computerize the IRS and in drafting an overhaul of the Federal income Tax Code. Following his government service, he had an extensive career in private practice, including founding the law firm of Cohen & Uretz. He served as general counsel to the ic National Committee and helped settle a civil case stemming from the break-in of DNC offices at the Watergate office complex by Nixon campaign operatives. prgtoken Sheldon Cohen's work was influential internationally as well. He advised many countries on their tax systems, was a founder of the Inter-American Center of Tax Administrations, and was a senior fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration. He participated on UN Special Missions to advise developing countries on tax systems, including meeting with Nelson Mandela. He vetted the tax returns of numerous ic Presidential and prgtoken Vice Presidential candidates, set up the Presidential Commission on Debates as a nonprofit organization, was a frequent author and speaker on tax policy and ethics, and often testified on Capitol Hill. He taught at his alma mater, George Washington University Law School, from which he had graduated first in his class, and at Howard and Miami law schools. prgtoken Sheldon Cohen was deeply involved in the community and held numerous leadership roles. These included serving as president of the Jewish Social Service Agency, president of the Order of the Leaf of Camp Airy, chair of the American Jewish Historical Society, trustee and chair of the GW board of trustees, founder and trustee of the United Jewish Endowment Fund, founding member and treasurer of the Supreme Court Historical Society, and trustee of the Jewish Theological Seminary and Adas Israel Congregation. prgtoken Sheldon Cohen was a decent, compassionate man, known for his high standards of integrity, his brilliant mind, his concern for those in need, and his devotion to his family and friends. I knew Sheldon Cohen well and will miss his friendship and wise counsel, as I do that of his wonderful and beloved wife Faye, who left us earlier this year. Their partnership
A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS
David N. Cicilline (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2018-9-6

they say a picture is worth a thousand words. This is a the moment when Judge Brett Kavanaugh refused to shake the hand of Fred Guttenberg, a man whose 14-year old daughter was murdered during a school shooting at Parkland, Florida earlier this year. prgtoken Instead of shaking his hand, Judge Kavanaugh buttoned up his jacket, turned and walked away. That moment said all I need to know about Judge Kavanaugh. It is clear he doesn't possess the empathy necessary to serve on the highest court in the land. prgtoken Yesterday, Judge Kavanaugh said he wants both parties in his cases believing he gave them a fair shake. And yet, when facing a man who lost his daughter in one of the most horrific school shootings in our country's history, he wouldn't even shake his hand. prgtoken As a judge, Brett Kavanaugh said he believes a ban on the sale of semiautomatic assault weapons is unconstitutional. That is his record. prgtoken On the Supreme Court, he will allow the unrestricted sale of weapons like the one used to kill Mr. Guttenberg's daughter. But as a person, his actions toward Mr. Guttenberg on Tuesday speak louder than any legal opinion he could write. prgtoken The Senate must reject his nomination.
TRIBUTE TO ANNE HOUSER
Patty Murray (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2018-9-6

as ranking member on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, prgtoken Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, I would like to recognize a public servant deeply committed to protecting and improving the health of the American people, Ms. Anne Houser. Anne will retire in January, after a distinguished 48-year career at the National Institutes of Health, where she has for many years been the principal liaison with the Appropriations Committees. prgtoken Over the course of her career, Anne has worked for eight NIH Directors, performing the essential but often overlooked role of helping the committees understand the agency's research and funding needs. It is the kind of low-key work that takes place behind the scenes, but has been essential to building the case in Congress for sustained increased investment in medical research. No matter the issue, or the time of the day or night that it might arise, Anne has always been there, supporting the case for research that will help lead to cures. Her honest, thoughtful, and helpful advice has been valuable to me and to everyone with whom she worked. In short, Anne has set the gold standard for how agencies can most effectively work with the committees that oversee them. prgtoken Both within NIH and in Congress, Anne is recognized as a consummate professional and an independent thinker who understands the issues, gets to the bottom of problems, and communicates those issues clearly to Members of Congress, our staff, and to the researchers she works with. Thanks to the dedication of Anne, not only is the NIH working better, but Americans are better off as well. Her absence will be a loss for everyone who depends upon her, but I am glad that she will have more time to spend with her friends and family, and especially her grandson, Alex, of whom she is so proud.
HONORING RONALD V. DELLUMS
Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democrat, DC) \u2014 2018-9-6

I thank my very good friend, Representative Barbara Lee from California, who has the great honor of serving in the seat that Ron held. And she has that honor because of her work with Ron and because those who lived in his district understood that Ron did not serve them alone. prgtoken I think that for Barbara Lee to have risen from intern to chief of staff to Ron Dellums says everything about her service in the Congress. She is just the right person to be leading this special honor for our good friend, the dapper, the brilliant, Ron Dellums. prgtoken Ms. Lee shows us that Ron had an eye for talent, and I thank her for sharing that talent now with the Nation. prgtoken It is true that my district and I had a special relationship with Ron Dellums; and, therefore, a special love. Because for 14 years, he chaired the old District of Columbia Committee, which he helped me get rid of, understanding prgtoken that the District deserved equality with other districts. prgtoken Yet, I have to say how fortunate we were that Ron chose to use one of his committee seats for the District of Columbia. Why would Ron Dellums do that? There is not a vote in the District of Columbia for Ron Dellums--much as people would have loved to vote for him--but there wasn't a single vote because he didn't live in the District of Columbia. prgtoken This was such an unselfish human being. He went where he thought he was needed. And I do need to tell you how unusual that is, because most Members choose their committees, and this applies to his choice of the Armed Services Committee, as well as the District Committee. You choose your committee because it allows you to bring home something to your constituents, and I am the perfect example. prgtoken I have chosen committees which have helped me rebuild entire sections of the District of Columbia, the Wharf, or the Southwest Waterfront, the Southeast Waterfront, and other sections of the city. That is how most of us operate. prgtoken Well, let me tell you something: It is hard to bring home peace. Yet, that is why Ron Dellums chose to serve on the Armed Services Committee, as he unselfishly served on the District Committee. I will have a word to say about that--it was because he could not bear to see any Americans treated as less than full American citizens. prgtoken I must note, though, because I don't want to leave you with a sense, a parochial sense of Ron Dellums, or think I am just here because of what he did for my district. That would be reason enough for me to be here, but I am here to note the uniqueness of Ron Dellums as a Member of Congress, because not before, and not since, has there been a Member like Ron Dellums. prgtoken As a lawyer, I am going to prove this point. I hope you will agree before I sit down. prgtoken First of all, here was a Marine Corps vet--a pretty tough branch of the armed services--and, of course, this gave Ron special credibility when he became the leader of antiwar