mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF CONGRESS THAT A CARBON TAX WOULD BE DETRIMENTAL TO THE UNITED STATES ECONOMY
Richard E. Neal (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2018-7-19

the balance of my time. prgtoken I want to compliment the previous speaker, my friend, Mr. Shimkus, on the notion of process, calling up the notion of process. prgtoken So here we have had a debate where we have sparred for the better part of an hour, and we are debating a topic on which there have been no hearings. prgtoken Now, let me guess. This is consistent with how the tax bill was done in, incidentally, 51 days, without a hearing or without a witness. prgtoken So we are being asked to vote on something today, here, on which there has been no opportunity to place the magnifying glass of critical scrutiny on the proposal that is in front of us because, the truth is, what is in front of us is a question about the mood of Congress. prgtoken I think all 435 of us could testify to what the mood of Congress is right now, so I don't think it would be one of the more challenging events that we would confront. prgtoken But the idea that this is brought in front of the Congress without any opportunity for anybody to examine the underlying legislation and the thrust of what the regular order might impel contributes to the frustration that the American people feel about the institution and its priorities. prgtoken So as we have wrapped up this debate over a piece of legislation that will accomplish zip, zero, nothing, it literally does not matter how the vote turns out because the sole purpose of this resolution is to express, once again, the mood of Congress. prgtoken I am happy to express the mood of Congress any time that they want, happy to have a hearing on the mood of Congress if that is what they think might get us to a more sound proposal of energy independence, the use of renewables. But no, instead they bring up a piece of legislation here that is going to test how we feel about things this morning. prgtoken I think that the mood we should focus on is the mood of the American people. The people I talk to are under stress. They are tired. They are exhausted from working one, two jobs. Labor participation rates at 62.9 percent, 2 million people with opioid addictions, I wonder what their mood is as they listen to the discussion that we have had here on this floor. prgtoken They are anxious about their future. They are feeling squeezed because, for years now, the economy has been leaving them a little bit further behind. And I say that about wage growth. prgtoken Wages have flatlined for the better part of almost 13 years in America. And now, even as we see some glimmer of hope, the truth is the cost of gasoline and the cost of inflation is going to stagnate their wages again. prgtoken So paychecks have been stuck at the same level, and all the things that families need to get by have been getting more and more expensive. Housing, healthcare, college, childcare, utilities, those bills keep growing, but the salaries somehow don't keep up. prgtoken Why don't we have a hearing about the mood of people who
PERSONAL EXPLANATION
Peter J. Visclosky (Democrat, IN) \u2014 2018-7-19

on July 16, 2018, I was absent from the House and missed Roll Call votes 329 and 330. Had I been present for Roll Call 329, on Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass H.R. 4946, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1075 North Tustin Street in Orange, California, as the ``Specialist Trevor A. Win'E Post Office'', I would have voted ``Yes.'' Had I been present for Roll Call 330, on Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass H.R. 4960, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 511 East Walnut Street in Columbia, Missouri, as the ``Spc. Sterling William Wyatt Post Office Building'', I would have voted ``Yes.''
LEONARD PERLMUTTER
Ed Perlmutter (Democrat, CO) \u2014 2018-7-19

I rise today to recognize and honor Leonard Michael Perlmutter, a great Coloradan and a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle and cousin. Leonard Perlmutter, born October 16, 1925 to Phil and Belle Perlmutter in Denver, Colorado died July 8, 2018 in Denver. Leonard (or ``Len'' or ``Laz'' as he was known to many) was married for 66 years to his college sweetheart Alice and they had three children Ed (Nancy), Joe, and Cassie (Joe Levi), six grandchildren (Alexis, Abby, Zoe, Ian, Aaron and Braden) and one great-granddaughter (Lily). He was predeceased by his mother and father, his sister Ann Reinstein, brother Jack, and sister Roz Altenberg. Laz was a lifelong Coloradan and lived in Denver and Jefferson County. He attended Colfax Elementary, Lake Junior High, West High School and the University of Colorado at Boulder. He played all manner of sports from baseball to tennis to skiing to squash and handball. As a kid, he fished pretty much every stream Colorado has to offer. Laz was a true citizen of the West in business and civic matters. In 1951, with family members and a close friend, he helped start and build Perlmutter and Sons, a prestressed and precast concrete company. Perlmutter and Sons became Prestressed Concrete of Colorado before eventually becoming Stanley Structures, which spanned the Rocky Mountain West, Texas, Arizona and Canada, and employed more than 2,000 people. Laz served as CEO of Stanley Structures for many years. It was a union business from top to bottom and was instrumental in building thousands of structures including airports, resorts, roads and bridges, federal and state installations and laboratories, military bases, apartments, warehouses, office buildings, shopping centers, and hospitals. Laz was a dedicated ambassador for National Jewish Health for more than 40 years. He became a member of the Board of Directors in 1978 and served in a variety of key leadership roles, including as Chairman of the Board of Directors from 1983 to 1986. He was on the Executive Committee of the Board since 1980 and a Lifetime Director and even served as interim President and CEO from 1991 through 1993. Laz's other civic engagements included: lifetime member of the Colorado Forum; Chairman of the Denver Symphony; Chairman of the international trade and standards organization called Prestressed/ Precast Concrete Institute; Chairman of the Santa Fe Opera; Board Member of the Foothills Art Center; Trustee of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory; Board Member of Colorado National Bank Shares; President and Chairman of Colorado Open Lands; President of Reed Street Elementary and Wheat Ridge Junior High PTA's; precinct committee man and district captain for the ic Party in Jefferson County; head of Economic Development in the Roy Romer Administration; Chairman of the University of Colorado Foundation; and Board Member of the Foundation for Color
CLIMATE CHANGE
Barbara Lee (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2018-7-19

I rise in strong opposition to H. Con. Res. 119, which is a shameful denial of the clear evidence of climate change and its impact on our planet. prgtoken Let me be clear. There is no greater threat to the future of this planet than climate change. But instead of offering solutions, s are burying their heads in the sand once again. prgtoken Here are the facts. Climate change is real, it is manmade, and every day that Congress fails to act, we are making the problem worse. The cost of inaction is astronomical. If we do nothing it is our grandchildren who will be left with the price tag. prgtoken The truth is, , that we can pass policies that dramatically reduce greenhouse gases and build our economy. California, my home State, is 4 years ahead of schedule on our greenhouse gas emission reduction goals and green jobs have grown exponentially. We have over 300,000 people working in the green job industry, by far the most in the country. prgtoken So, no, , this carbon tax fear-mongering won't work because Americans understand that the true threat to our economy is from climate change, which is already wreaking havoc on our planet. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to reject this resolution and, instead, get to the real work of addressing climate change.
IN MEMORY, REMEMBRANCE, AND CELEBRATION OF BEVERLY ALSTON
Adriano Espaillat (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2018-7-19

I rise today to recognize a dear friend and civil rights champion, Ms. Beverly Alston. prgtoken Ms. Alston will long be remembered for her legacy as a civil rights warrior, social justice champion, and for being a loving mother. She was an icon in Harlem; renown for her tireless fight against racial discrimination. Ms. Alston worked with Reverend Al Sharpton in the early days of the National Action Network. prgtoken She saw it grow from a local grassroots organization to a nationally and internationally recognized civil rights organization. prgtoken Reverend Sharpton took time this past weekend to recognize Ms. Alston on his PoliticsNation program speaking to her character and her contributions to the fight for equality that began in the Harlem Community. prgtoken It was her lifelong mission to better our Harlem and Northern Manhattan community for this generation and those that follow. Ms. Alston was a dedicated public servant having served in many different positions that reflected her interests and aptitudes. prgtoken She was Superintendent of the New York State Office of General Services; past President of the Jackie Robinson Park Conservatory and worked in Intergovernmental Relations for the New York State Insurance Department. prgtoken In both the New York City Council and New York State Executive Chamber, Ms. Alston was always able to make a positive impact on the lives of New Yorkers in the City and throughout the State. prgtoken Her legacy to Harlem will forever be remembered. May she Rest in Peace and may God comfort her friends, family, and all who knew and loved her dearly. She will be missed.
TRUMP-PUTIN SUMMIT
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2018-7-19

in the 3 days since the President returned from his humiliating display of obsequiousness in Helsinki, he has offered numerous explanations for his behavior. prgtoken First, he said the media was too focused on the negative and that his summit with Putin was a great success. Then, admitting there was, in fact, a problem, he attempted to walk prgtoken back some of his comments, but even he couldn't commit to that and ad- libbed that other people could also have been responsible for interfering in the 2016 elections. A mere 24 hours later, the President was back to claiming it was not his fault and that the media was biased. prgtoken Then, astoundingly--the President not having learned his lesson--when he was asked yesterday whether Russia was still attacking our election system, the President replied ``no.'' This was, of course, followed by yet another implausible clarification when--surprise--his Press Secretary told reporters that was not what the President meant. Although, when you actually look at the tape, it is clear as a bell it is what the President meant. He was saying Russia was not still attacking our election system--once again, disbelieving all of the fine men and women who have reported this, who labor quietly, diligently in our intelligence agencies. prgtoken The constantly shifting, insincere, and thoroughly unconvincing explanations for the President's performance reveal that the President and his team do not understand the depth of President 's blunders with Putin. Frankly, any post hoc clarification cannot substitute for or repair the President's failure to confront Putin face-to-face. All of his walk backs, which then get undone, are done in the wrong place at the wrong time. prgtoken Where is this man who prides himself on being strong but is then afraid to say these things to Putin and has to wait until he is 6,000 miles away to say them? It is unbelievable. prgtoken One of the most stunning things about the summit was the President's openness to a request by President Putin to question former U.S. Ambassador to Moscow Michael McFaul and other Americans. In Helsinki, the President described the request as part of an ``incredible offer.'' The President's spokeswoman was asked about it yesterday. She confirmed the President and his team would discuss it. prgtoken That President would even consider handing over a former U.S. Ambassador to Putin and his cronies for interrogation is bewildering. No President should have the power to gift wrap American citizens, let alone former Ambassadors, to our known adversaries. How can President and his team spend even a moment considering Putin's request? How can they equate the democracy and rule of law and system of open and fair prosecution we have in this country with what Putin does? It is just amazing. prgtoken Every day, this President demeans the United States. So many Americans are saying they are ashamed to have hi
LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM
Steny H. Hoyer (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2018-7-19

. I voted ``present,'' , because I was not going to take it or leave it. I was not going to just take what the majority leader wanted to shove down my throat and the throat of others. Because, , the rhetoric in that bill--and let me say to the leader, , he and I worked on a lot of resolutions regarding Israel, and we want to keep the Congress united on Israel, and we keep the Congress united on Israel. prgtoken How do we do it, ? We work on the language. We work on the language of the whereas clauses and the resolved clauses so that we can create a broad majority. We could have done that with the ICE bill, easily--easily--an overwhelming support for their role and for their courage and for their character. prgtoken Now, , I asked about the bill that deals with flood insurance. I think the gentleman has told me that that is going to come to the floor, and I am prepared to yield back the balance of my time.
REMEMBERING MARLENE McCARTHY
Sheldon Whitehouse (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2018-7-19

Rhode Island has lost a tireless champion in the fight against breast cancer, Marlene McCarthy. Marlene's dedication to this cause was well known throughout Rhode Island and across Capitol Hill. prgtoken Marlene cofounded the Rhode Island Breast Cancer Coalition in 1992 and represented Rhode Island on the National Breast Cancer Coalition's board of directors and executive committee. Under her leadership, the Rhode Island Breast Cancer Coalition established a helpline for breast cancer patients and a Breast Cancer Resource Center and provided countless support services to Rhode Islanders facing this terrible disease. prgtoken Her advocacy was not limited to Rhode Island. Marlene regularly visited me in Washington, DC, advocating for stronger Federal funding for breast cancer research and broader access to the best possible breast cancer care. At Marlene's urging, I introduced the Accelerating the End of Breast Cancer Act, legislation to set a goal of eradicating breast cancer by 2020. prgtoken The driving force behind Marlene's hard work and boundless persistence was her dream of a future free from the scourge of breast cancer for her granddaughters. It is in Marlene's memory that I pledge to continue to fight for policies that will make her dream a reality. prgtoken I offer my condolences to Marlene's family and to the breast cancer community. Marlene's legacy will live on through the family and loved ones she has left behind, the continuing work of the Rhode Island Breast Cancer Coalition, and the countless people she inspired through her advocacy and compassion. She will be missed.
SEXUAL ASSAULT ON OUR CAMPUSES
Jackie Speier (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2018-7-19

I rise today in support of my colleague Congressman Ted Poe holding this important Special Order Hour to honor survivors of sexual violence on our college campuses, and in particular the brave members of the 12th Woman, a group of survivors from Texas A&M University who are speaking truth to power about their experiences. Judge Poe has been unwavering in his pursuit of justice for victims of sexual violence on the bench and in Congress. I applaud his strong advocacy and tireless dedication to this incredibly important cause. He is a true ally and his legacy on this issue will continue to help countless victims and survivors move forward. prgtoken When parents drop off their children for their first year of college, we expect our institutions of higher learning to keep them safe. But that's not the reality for 20 percent of young women and six percent of young men who are destined to become victims of sexual assault on campus. To make matters worse, survivors are constantly told that they are responsible for their assault--from being penalized for so-called `code of ethics' violations, like drinking at parties or going into other students' dorm rooms, to being blamed for not fighting back. prgtoken That includes a brave survivor at Texas A&M who had the wherewithal to alert her school that her rapist was allowed back on the swim team after being suspended for only one semester and not being subject to criminal charges. The school's response speaks volumes--``I regret your displeasure with the perceived impact, and I wish you all the best as prgtoken you continue to seek healing''. The school's failure to protect the survivor and other potential victims is unacceptable. prgtoken They are not alone. Universities continue to inadequately deal with perpetrators across the country--from expulsions after graduation, to honor code violations that carry less of a penalty than plagiarism, to allowing perpetrators to directly cross-examine their victims about their past sexual history during the so-called investigative process. This kind of antiquated victim-blaming and -shaming must end. prgtoken That is why I am introducing the bipartisan Hold Accountable and Lend Transparency or HALT Campus Sexual Violence Act with my colleagues Congressmen Ted Poe and Brian Fitzpatrick to ensure that our colleges and universities do everything they can to hold perpetrators accountable and to provide the support survivors need and deserve.
CONCERNS OF THE DAY
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2018-7-19

the American people expect corrective actions by this body and the other body, and so I rise today to reinforce the importance of the translators' notes as it relates to the meeting between the President of the United States and President Putin. prgtoken If there is anything more important for the American people, it is to know whether we are safe, whether our military is safe, and whether we are secure. prgtoken Secondarily, I am so disturbed that there is some thought of providing our public servants--Ambassador McFaul's name was mentioned as being an exchange target, if you will, for President Putin to play with. prgtoken I will be introducing legislation to protect all our ambassadors from foreign nations that may desire to undermine their leadership here in the United States. prgtoken Also, I am intending to announce next week my introduction of a temporary protective status to help those Central Americans and others who this administration has precipitously taken away their TPS and jeopardized them in 2018. prgtoken Finally, , we must reunite the children, and we must do it now.
Remembering Eugene Sukup (Executive Session)
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2018-7-19

I rise in strong opposition to the nomination of Ryan Bounds to be a judge on the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. prgtoken Mr. Bounds, who, if confirmed, would serve on a Ninth Circuit seat in the State of Oregon, has received zero blue slips. He is opposed by both Senators from the State in which he would sit if confirmed. prgtoken Never before in the 100-year history of blue slips has a nominee been confirmed over the opposition of both home-State Senators. The majority is setting a precedent here, and all of our home States are at risk of being impacted by this. prgtoken By moving this nominee without blue slips, s are diminishing the voice that home-State constituents have through their Senators in the process of selecting judges in their States. prgtoken Let me make it clear to my colleagues: If you vote to confirm Ryan Bounds, you are consenting to a precedent that is likely to affect your state someday. Consider your vote carefully. prgtoken It is hard to understand why my colleagues would abandon the blue slip for the sake of this particular nominee. Mr. Bounds has written and published articles that should disqualify him from consideration for a Federal judgeship. prgtoken Consider how the Multnomah Bar Association in Oregon--a bar association that Mr. Bounds has belonged to for 12 years--described Mr. Bounds' articles in a statement after the writings were revealed. prgtoken The association said Bounds' writings ``express insensitive, intolerant, and disdaining views toward racial and ethnic minorities, campus sexual assault victims, and the LGBTQ community.'' prgtoken The statement went on to say that the bar association ``strongly disavows the views expressed in those articles as racist, misogynistic, homophobic and disparaging of survivors of sexual assault and abuse.'' prgtoken Mr. Bounds' writings, which he published in college, included his discussions about the ``more strident racial factions of the student body.'' prgtoken His writings mocked LGBTQ students for being sensitive when a group of drunk athletes vandalized a statue celebrating gay pride. prgtoken He mocked Latino students for being overly sensitive when they complained about the termination of a Latino administrator. prgtoken Then he wrote this, in an article about sexual assault on campus: ``There is really nothing inherently wrong with the University failing to punish an alleged rapist--regardless his guilt--in the absence of adequate certainty; there is nothing that the University can do to objectively ensure that the rapist does not strike again. Only the legal system can do that, and if it lacks the certainty to do so, it is not necessarily up to the University to stick it to the suspect, anyway, just in case. Expelling students is probably not going to contribute a great deal toward a rape victim's recovery; there is no moral imperative to risk egregious error in doing so.''