mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
Justice in Policing Act (Executive Session)
Kamala D. Harris (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2020-6-23

the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Rayshard Brooks are the latest in a long history of violence against Black people in America, but thanks to the advocacy, thanks to the courage of their mothers and fathers and relatives and all of the civil rights leaders, the lawyers, those who are marching in the streets--and smartphones--everyone can finally bear witness to the violence that has been happening in our country at the hands of police. prgtoken Now, let's be clear. This behavior is not new. Mothers have been crying over their dead children's bodies for generations, yet no one would listen. No one would listen. prgtoken Emmett Till's mother had the courage, as a leader, to say: The world will listen when they look at my baby's body in that casket. Yet here we are, these many decades and generations later, and still we have not seen meaningful change in America on this subject. prgtoken It is time we act. It is time we act. And let us be clear: Sometimes some of the most courageous and important work that has happened in this U.S. Congress has happened not because there was leadership in the body but because the people demanded it and they would not relent until their government and elected leaders and representatives listened to and answered their call for steps toward what we call a more perfect Union. prgtoken It has been many a time the case that it is because of the people marching in the streets that we had the Voting Rights Act and Civil Rights Act and the Fair Housing Act--because the people would allow nothing less than that we, as a government, be true to our stated ideals. prgtoken Yes, over the last 3\1/2\ years in our country, many of us have wondered whether the leaders of this country actually pay homage to and have any desire to institute and to get closer to those ideals. prgtoken This is a moment for the U.S. Senate to say we, as a body, will do that; that what is clear right now in this moment and in this movement is that there is still work that can be done--not just should be done but can be done--to come closer to those words inscribed across the street in the U.S. Supreme Court, to effectuate ``Equal Justice Under Law.'' It is within our grasp to do this. It is not just an imperative; it is within our grasp. In America today, people from every State, all 50 States, and in every walk of life are demanding that we take the problem of police brutality seriously. We have this opportunity, and we should see it as such. Where before there may have been reluctance to go against the strength of the status quo, which is always reluctant, if not hostile, to change, the people in the streets of every race, every gender, every age, from every State, are not only giving us permission but demanding that their leaders finally make good on the American promise of ``Equal Justice Under Law.'' They are demanding this change; they are not just asking for it. prgtoken So we can
The JUSTICE Act (Executive Calendar)
Ron Wyden (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2020-6-23

across the country, there has been a national outcry for justice and for real changes in law to address police brutality and reflect the undeniable truth that Black lives matter. prgtoken This week should be our opportunity in the U.S. Senate to come together--s and --to begin to fix our broken policing system, which is what so many people in big cities and small towns in Oregon and in every State across America are demanding of us. Yet, instead of allowing that kind of bipartisan discussion, Leader McConnell is plowing ahead with partisan business, as usual, on a bill that falls very short of what the Senate ought to accomplish. prgtoken I see my friend on the floor, Mr. Scott, the distinguished Senator from South Carolina. I want to make it clear that I have great respect for Senator Scott. He is an important member of the Senate Committee on Finance, on which both of us serve. I appreciate every opportunity to work with him. In fact, I think a fair number of people around the country will note the work we have just done in the last few weeks on nonprofit organizations. So we will be working together, I know, in the days ahead. prgtoken Unfortunately, the majority leader is giving short shrift to this debate on ending systemic racism by putting forward an inadequate bill and essentially daring the other side to oppose it. That is not the way you bring together both sides to address big, important national challenges. prgtoken Let me take just a few minutes to talk about some of the specific shortcomings of the legislation that Senator McConnell wants to bring to the floor. For example, how can 100 Senators not agree that choke holds are wrong and ought to be banned? That is what my ic colleagues and I have called for: a nationwide ban on choke holds, period--full stop. prgtoken The bill does not take that same strong, firm position. In my view, you cannot equivocate when it comes to a reform as basic as banning the choke hold. Anything short of a ban creates loopholes for the use of choke holds, and that is the wrong way to go for our country. prgtoken Second, this bill doesn't create any real accountability for police misconduct. It doesn't set up independent investigations for prosecutions of police abuses. It doesn't create national standards for law enforcement. It does not end qualified immunity. prgtoken Those issues are right at the center of the challenge of reforming policing in America, and they are the issues the American people want to see addressed head-on. prgtoken A lot of what the majority's bill--Senator McConnell's bill--does with respect to police conduct is essentially collecting data. Nobody is protesting collecting data. What people are protesting on is they want to save lives. The Senate ought to do better and make those real changes that improve public safety. prgtoken Third, the extreme militarization of our police forces in recent
Protests (Executive Calendar)
Marco Rubio (Republican, FL) \u2014 2020-6-23

Mr. Floyd's horrific murder at the hands of a man sworn to uphold the law, our Nation has seen justified anger. As I said here 2 weeks ago, it is a moment that calls for not just police reform, it calls for a full reckoning with racial inequities that still plague our Nation. prgtoken There is, in my mind, nothing more un-American than racial discrimination. Our Nation was founded on the revolutionary truth that every human being is created equal and that our rights do not come from our government or from our leaders or even our laws; our rights come from our Creator. prgtoken It is true that the man who authored these words and gave birth to the young Nation did not fully live up to these principles, but it is also true that every single great fight for equality in this country's history has come from a direct appeal to those powerful principles. Slavery, segregation, discriminatory impediments to voting--all of these came to an end, not from efforts to overthrow our values but from demands that we fulfill them, for these evils could not exist in a country, in a nation, built upon the idea that all people are created equal with rights granted to them by God. prgtoken Slavery and racial discrimination are, indeed, a tragic part of our history, but the long and the steady and prgtoken the perpetual march toward equality, that is part of our heritage as well. prgtoken Today, a new generation of Americans is reminding us that while we have traveled far on the quest for a more perfect Union, the final miles of that journey still lie ahead. The overwhelming and vast majority of these Americans on our streets are peacefully reminding us that, yes, Black lives matter. They are not asking that we destroy America; they are demanding that we be more American; that we more fully become a nation with liberty and justice for all. But it is now also clear that there are others with a different agenda who have taken to our streets as well. prgtoken They are the ones who argue that because the men who wrote our Declaration of Independence and our Constitution were imperfect and, in some cases, racists, that the Nation their words gave birth to is beyond redemption; that America cannot be improved or saved; and that therefore it must come to an end. prgtoken These radical views are not new. From the crazy professor whom no one took seriously to the nut job running for office with no chance of winning, they have operated on the fringes of our politics for decades. The difference is that, in recent years, they have begun to move out from the fringes, and now these radicals are capitalizing on a legitimate movement to force their madness even further into the mainstream. Now their violence, their vandalism, their anarchy are excused, tolerated, sometimes even celebrated by some, and their radical agenda is shielded, increasingly, from scrutiny by an emerging speech code that condemns as hate speech and as racism an
ORDERS FOR WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24, 2020
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2020-6-23

I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 10 a.m Wednesday, June 24; further, that following the prayer and pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, and morning business be closed; further, that following leader remarks, the Senate proceed to executive session to resume consideration of the Wilson nomination and that the time until 11:30 a.m. be equally divided between the two leaders or their designees; that further notwithstanding rule XXII, I ask unanimous consent that the postcloture time on the Wilson nomination expire at 11:30 a.m. tomorrow; finally, that if confirmed, I ask that with respect to the Wilson nomination, the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table and the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action.
The JUSTICE Act (Executive Calendar)
John Barrasso (Republican, WY) \u2014 2020-6-23

I come to the floor today on the eve of what should be a routine vote in the U.S. Senate. Tomorrow the Senate is scheduled to vote on a motion to proceed to the justice reform legislation that we ought to be considering in the U.S. Senate. prgtoken It is important to point out to the American people what that means. This isn't a vote yet on passage of the bill. It is not a vote to end debate. It is not a vote to amend the debate. Any Senator can amend, vote no, or offer different substitutes for the bill. This isn't any of those things. The motion to proceed is a simple and rather routine agreement to begin debate on a bill. Yet, here we are. It has turned out to be anything but routine. prgtoken Senators on the other side of the aisle in this very Chamber are threatening to filibuster the motion to proceed--filibuster even allowing us to debate a bill of great importance to the Nation. prgtoken In terms the American public might better recognize, the are threatening to filibuster the very issue--the very issue--that they claim to care about. If you listen to them on television, if you see them in the streets, talking to groups, they claim to care about it. Welcome to the bizarre world of partisan politics and bankrupt leadership on that side of the aisle. prgtoken On the same day that the minority leader will come to the floor to urge the Senate to pass justice reform legislation, he will also attempt to rally his ic caucus to block even starting a debate, and they seem to be following him, refusing to even debate an issue which is so key in the minds of the American people. He is telling his Members to filibuster the bill. prgtoken , the JUSTICE Act deserves a debate. It deserves a debate for the American people to see and to hear and to watch on television. The American people deserve that. What they don't deserve is partisan obstruction. What they don't deserve is a filibuster. They need a debate. Amend the bill if necessary and then pass it. We want to try to stop what happened to George Floyd--a murder that we all witnessed--from ever happening again in America. prgtoken The American people know that. They took to the streets, and now they prgtoken are turning their heads to Washington, to the Capitol, and saying: What can you do to make sure that something like this never happens again? prgtoken We have a bill that addresses all of these issues, a bill that is ready to come for a debate. Yet, again, the are threatening and are likely tomorrow to vote one after another after another to go up and vote no to even beginning debate on the bill. prgtoken Incredibly, they began knocking this bill authored by Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina with many of us as original cosponsors--they began knocking this bill before they ever read it, before they knew what was in it. They attacked it before it was released. While the bill was still in the process of bein
THE JUSTICE ACT
Chuck Grassley (Republican, IA) \u2014 2020-6-23

we are taking a very important vote tomorrow on a bill called the JUSTICE Act. I am proud to cosponsor this police reform bill, and I also applaud Senator Tim Scott for his leadership in improving police accountability while at the same time preserving the essential service that law enforcement provides. These are the people who maintain the peace in the respective communities around the United States. prgtoken We are ready to work with on police reform. I hope the finally are willing to come to the table. prgtoken A successful vote to proceed to the JUSTICE Act speaks volumes. A vote against proceeding shows the American people that politics are more important than people, talking points more important than change, and gridlock more important than solutions. prgtoken Surely, want police reform. I hope will vote in favor of opening debate on the JUSTICE Act. George Floyd and countless others so murdered deserve the Senate's action and consideration of this bill. prgtoken .
Nomination of Cory T. Wilson (Executive Calendar)
Cindy Hyde-Smith (Republican, MS) \u2014 2020-6-23

it is an honor to speak on behalf of Judge Cory Wilson of Mississippi and in support of his nomination to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. prgtoken I have known Judge Wilson for many years. His experience and legal knowledge make him an excellent choice to serve on the appellate court. Numerous colleagues of Judge Wilson's from different backgrounds and political affiliations have risen in support of his nomination and spoken to his personal qualities. prgtoken After his impressive nomination hearing and an outpouring of support from Mississippians, who know him best, there is no question that Judge Wilson will be a fair and impartial judge who follows the rule of law. Judge Cory Wilson will serve on the Fifth Circuit with honor, dedication, and distinction. prgtoken I am also pleased a judge from Mississippi will mark a historic day as the 200th Federal judge to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate during the administration. Judge Wilson's confirmation represents a pivotal point in the President's work to ensure there are more smart, conservative jurists in the Federal judiciary. Under the leadership of President and Leader McConnell, the Senate has prioritized confirming bright, well-qualified men and women who will serve our country for years to come. prgtoken I am proud to support Judge Cory Wilson and urge my colleagues to approve his nomination. prgtoken .
Nomination of Cory T. Wilson (Executive Calendar)
Roy Blunt (Republican, MO) \u2014 2020-6-23

reserving the right to object and with great consideration for Senator Klobuchar's dedication on these issues, many of which, as she has pointed out, we have worked together on, and I think we will continue to, I just don't think this is the time to make this kind of fundamental change. prgtoken I will admit that at its very first legislation after the 2018 elections, the House passed a bill, but, again, it was a bill that would provide the Federal Government with unprecedented control over elections in this country, despite the fact that for almost 250 years now, the States have been responsible for this particular government responsibility. To quote yet another time, Senator and then-President , in October of 2016, pointed out that the very strength of our system was the diversity of the system. I think one of the strengths of the system is the amount of local responsibility and local answerability, frankly, for how the system works on election day. prgtoken Senator Klobuchar pointed out that we are fewer than 6 months until the election. As a matter of fact, in our committee, I intend to hold a hearing next month on the problems we have seen develop with this move toward more people wanting to vote not at the polling place on election day and how some States have dealt with those problems effectively and how others haven't. prgtoken I will also say, to follow up on one of Senator Klobuchar's points, I think funding is one thing. Helping the States help themselves is something I think we can still do. We have done a considerable amount of that up until now, since the 2016 elections, with a big commitment in the CARES Act to make money available for States to regulate their elections and be able to afford to do that. I think we can, will, and should take another look at that, but 6 months before an election is a dangerous time to change responsibility. prgtoken I think, to be absolutely clear, that at any time, this is a responsibility that is better done at the local level. But when you implement a new voting system with a big first election, that is a problem. prgtoken We saw that in Georgia recently. Georgia was complying with the request that both Senator Klobuchar and I and others had made to get a system in place that has an auditable ballot trail--an absolutely worthy goal. Georgia followed up, but even then, it might have been better if they could have followed up on an election that wasn't quite the same high-profile, high-turnout election that their first experience had. prgtoken The responsibility for changing the system is hard enough in the best of times. I think the States have had lots of time. My State and other States have changed their law to allow more access to absentee ballots in some States--and as a matter of fact, not even absentee ballots. I got corrected by that with one of our election officials the other day. Really, now we call them mail-in ballots. In Misso
Protests (Executive Calendar)
Lamar Alexander (Republican, TN) \u2014 2020-6-23

the late historian, Arthur Schlesinger, Jr said this: ``Self-righteousness in retrospect is easy--also cheap.'' The late Samuel Huntington, who was a Harvard professor of U.S. history and politics, wrote, in effect, that most of our politics is about setting great goals for ourselves--we, the American people--and then the struggle we have with the disappointment we feel when we don't reach those high goals, like ``all men are created equal.'' prgtoken Ben Hooks, who was from Memphis and a well-known citizen of our State and a good friend and once president of the NAACP, used to tell his students at the University of Memphis: Remember that our country, America, is a work in progress. We've come a long way, but we have a long way to go. prgtoken It is in light of those three comments that I would like to discuss the effort that some people made last night to tear down President Andrew Jackson's statue in Lafayette Square across from the White House. prgtoken I believe it is always appropriate to review the monuments and the places that we name to see if there is a more appropriate name in the context of today's times. For example, in this Capitol, every State has two statues. From Tennessee, it is Andrew Jackson and John Sevier. prgtoken Senator Blunt, who is the chairman of our Rules Committee, tells us that, at any given time, some of those statues are in rotation because the State of Mississippi or Tennessee or Oregon or some other State may have decided, instead of those two individuals, we would like to send up another statue. We would like, in the context of today's times, to name somebody else. prgtoken As we think about statues that are already named for generals in the Confederacy or the Union--a war that was fought a long time ago--it is appropriate, I think, to keep in mind that we have had a lot of wars since then: two World Wars, Korea, Vietnam. We have had a lot of very distinguished generals. We have had courageous Congressional Medal of Honor winners. Maybe in the context of today's times, there is a place for Camp MacArthur or Camp Eisenhower or Alvin C. York, who is a Congressional Medal of Honor winner and hero from Tennessee. It is always appropriate to review the places that are named and the monuments we put up to see if there should be a better name or a better place for a monument in the context of today's times. prgtoken But what about Andrew Jackson, whose statue is one that the State of Tennessee has sent here, whose statue is of him on a horse outside the White House at Lafayette Square? The similar statue is in Jackson Square in New Orleans. What about Andrew Jackson? Let's make the case for Andrew Jackson. prgtoken Presidential historians, almost without exception, put him in the top 10 of America's Presidents. They see him as the sophisticated, often subtle political actor that he really was. What they realize--and, unfortunately, what only dedicated
Justice in Policing Act (Executive Session)
John Cornyn (Republican, TX) \u2014 2020-6-23

may I ask one last question? prgtoken ? prgtoken What I am trying to fathom is why the Senator would rather have these negotiations occur behind closed doors as opposed to here on the floor of the Senate with the American people to see broadcast on television? Don't you think that sort of interaction and debate and negotiation out in front of all 330 million Americans would be beneficial to healing our country and coming to some consensus about what the appropriate reforms should be?