mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
RECOGNIZING LIEUTENANT COLONEL JEFFREY J. IGNATOWSKI FOR HIS SERVICE TO LETTERKENNY MUNITIONS CENTER
John Joyce (Republican, PA) \u2014 2019-6-18

. Madam , I rise today to salute the service of Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey J. Ignatowski, who has served his nation and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania admirably as Commander of the Letterkenny Munitions Center (LEMC) in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania over the last two years. During Lieutenant Colonel Ignatowski's command, LEMC executed six worldwide ammunition rehearsal of concept drills, implemented a tier meeting process that accelerated work flow and communication, and multiplied employee suggestion implementation program participation. prgtoken His leadership has strengthened LEMC's reputation as the Army's premier munitions center, orchestrating the distribution, maintenance, and demilitarization of munitions from around the globe. On behalf of Pennsylvania's 13th District, I want to thank Lieutenant Colonel Ignatowski and his family for his selfless service, and moreover highlight the sense of purpose with which he has handled every project managed in his time at Letterkenny Munitions Center. prgtoken His leadership and the progressive changes he made will live on, and it is with the utmost appreciation with which I wish him the best as he continues to serve his nation in new capacities. I take great pleasure in congratulating Lieutenant Colonel Ignatowski on his prodigious accomplishments and thank him for his tireless devotion to duty and continued service to the state and to the nation.
100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE AMERICAN LEGION
John Barrasso (Republican, WY) \u2014 2019-6-18

today I wish to recognize the 100th anniversary of the American Legion. Following the end of World War I, the generation who fought the war to end all wars created an organization dedicated to the protection and defense of all veterans who answered the call of duty. prgtoken The American Legion has been our Nation's leading advocate for proper healthcare and earned benefits for America's veterans, establishing hospitals and other services for the returning servicemembers of World War I. The Legion champions compensation and pensions for the disabled and for widows and orphans and was instrumental in creating the Veterans Administration in 1930. It also played an important role in the enactment of the GI Bill of Rights, first for World War II veterans, and then for veterans of following eras, establishing education, vocational training, and home loan benefits. prgtoken Known as the father of the American Legion, Lt. Colonel Theodore Roosevelt, Jr son of President Roosevelt, organized the first caucus of the American Legion in Paris in March 1919. The meeting continued in St. Louis in May 1919 where the official name was adopted. A preamble and constitution were adopted during the first National American Legion Convention in Minneapolis in November 1919. The preamble became one of the fundamental tenets of the American Legion's orientation and objectives, beginning with: ``For God and Country we associate ourselves together for the following purposes: prgtoken To uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America; to maintain law and order; to foster and perpetuate a 100 Percent Americanism; to preserve the memories and incidents of our association in the Great War; to inculcate a sense of individual obligation to the community, state, and nation; to combat the autocracy of both the classes and the masses; to make right the master of might; to promote peace and good will on earth; to safeguard and transmit to prosperity the principles of justice, freedom, and democracy; to consecrate and sanctify our comradeship by devotion to mutual helpfulness.'' prgtoken Through the work of American Legionnaires, those same words remain compelling today. With members represented in all facets of our culture, including Presidents, Governors, Academy award winning actors, professional sports players, and Members of Congress, the American Legion played a role in many of America's triumphs. Today's Legionnaires, known for their legacy of patriotism, service, sacrifice, and community, continue the march. They dedicate their time and service to ensure these doctrines remain the heart of the American Legion. prgtoken The American Legion has deep roots in Wyoming's history. Wyoming was represented in both Paris and St. Louis and at the first National Convention in Minneapolis. True to their pioneering nature, Wyoming's Ferdinand Bransetter Post No. 1 organized to situate themselves at the forefro
MOTION TO DISCHARGE--S.J. RES. 36
Marsha Blackburn (Republican, TN) \u2014 2019-6-18

as we move toward debate over the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020, I wanted to remind my colleagues that while we stand prepared to negotiate its various provisions, our military men and women stand at the ready. They stand at the ready every single day. It is a 24/7 business for them for a much more serious task, and that is the defense of this great Nation. prgtoken As we consider this year's NDAA, we must do so with the understanding that our Nation is faced with new, sophisticated threats to our way of life and to the world order. prgtoken Two emerging warfighting domains--cyber and space--are capturing much of the attention of this body and our allies and, I will also add, capturing the attention of our enemies, of those who do not wish us well. prgtoken It is these two domains--cyber and space--that pose increased threats to our national infrastructure and our way of engaging with both those allies and our adversaries. Debating defense spending means thinking beyond helicopters and submarines or equipment and artillery and viewing this authorization in the larger context of multi and unseen domain warfare. That is why my colleagues and I on the Senate Armed Services Committee have come to the table with a bill that shores up funding for these legacy programs and devotes new funding to address these emerging threats. prgtoken First and foremost, this bill authorizes a 3.1-percent pay increase for the Members of our Armed Forces. That is so vitally important for the men and women at Fort Campbell, which is located right there on the Tennessee and Kentucky border. That is a post where I have spent much of my legislative career involved with those men and women and with the command team. prgtoken This is a justified and well-earned raise that recognizes their commitment to defending against unfamiliar threats that rise above and beyond the everyday servicemember's scope of duty. prgtoken We have found ourselves once more in the midst of great power competition. America will always have rivals on the world stage. Over the past decade, we have seen countries like China and Russia pursuing increasingly sophisticated and lethal weapons systems. prgtoken We have no choice but to recognize this emerging reality and give our military men and women the tools they need to combat developing threats and preserve U.S. preeminence across all warfighting domains. prgtoken With this funding, we will prioritize more sophisticated cyber security and space-based strategies, artificial intelligence, and other emerging technologies. We will take steps to protect the integrity of our supply chain so we can be confident the microelectronics we depend on have not been corrupted by foreign spyware. prgtoken A good defense is only as strong as its weakest link, and this bill will allow us to shore up our relationship with the defense industrial base and ensure that contractors are not under the un
EMPOWERING BENEFICIARIES, ENSURING ACCESS, AND STRENGTHENING ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2019
Brett Guthrie (Republican, KY) \u2014 2019-6-18

as much time as I may consume. prgtoken , in closing, I thank Chairman Pallone, leader Walden, and the Energy and Commerce Committee staff for their hard work to help this bipartisan package come together. prgtoken , I also thank my colleague, Congresswoman Debbie Dingell, for working with me on extending Medicaid Follows the Person. I also thank my colleagues, Representative Matsui, Representative Eshoo, Representative Welch, and Representative Walberg, for their hard work on this package. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and .
AGRICULTURE
John Thune (Republican, SD) \u2014 2019-6-18

our economy is thriving. economic policies, particularly the historic tax reform legislation that we passed at the end of 2017, have helped to produce economic growth, higher wages, and better opportunities for workers. prgtoken Unfortunately, our Nation's agriculture economy is trailing behind the economy as a whole. A combination of natural disasters, low commodity prices, and protracted trade disputes have left farmers and ranchers and rural businesses struggling. Although prgtoken 2019 crop prices have improved, millions of acres of cropland will go unplanted and leave many farmers with no crops to market this year. prgtoken Farmers and ranchers have a tough job. Feeding our Nation and the world is tough, backbreaking work. Farmers and ranchers put in long days that start before the Sun rises and often end long after the Sun sets. Yet, no matter how hard they work, all of their labor can be undone by one devastating storm or flood. For most Americans, a bad storm might mean a wet or a delayed commute. For farmers and ranchers, it can literally mean the loss of substantial parts of their livelihoods. prgtoken I am proud to represent South Dakota's hard-working farmers and ranchers in the Senate, and addressing their needs is one of my biggest priorities here in Washington. Right now, I am working on several fronts to expand economic opportunity for farmers and ranchers and help them access the support they need. prgtoken I recently requested a meeting with the Department of Agriculture to discuss cover crop harvest flexibility on prevent plant acres, Market Facilitation Program payments, and Conservation Reserve Program signups. Last Thursday, the Deputy Agriculture Secretary--the second highest ranking official at the Department of Agriculture--and the USDA Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation came to my office to meet with me on these issues. prgtoken One important topic of discussion was of moving up the November 1 date for haying or grazing cover crops planted on prevented plant acres. South Dakota's farmers and ranchers are currently facing the fallout from severe winter storms, heavy rainfall, bomb cyclones, and spring flooding. Planting is behind schedule, and some farmers' fields are so flooded that they won't be able to plant at all this year. The situation is similar throughout the entire Midwest. As a result, many farmers are thinking about planting quick-growing cover crops on their prevent plant acres for feed and grazing, once their fields finally dry out, in order to protect the soil from erosion. prgtoken Yet there is a problem. Right now, the Department of Agriculture doesn't allow farmers to harvest or graze cover crops on prevent plant acres or to use them for pasture until November 1. Farmers who hay or graze before this date face a reduction in their prevent plant payments, which is crop insurance to help them cover their income losses when fie
DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2020
Mike Gallagher (Republican, WI) \u2014 2019-6-18

. Madam Chair, such time as I may consume. prgtoken Last December, in lockstep with our NATO allies, the U.S. determined that Russia is in material breach of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces, or INF, Treaty. This followed determinations by the State Department in 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017 that Russia has failed to comply with its INF obligations. prgtoken As one of only two parties in the agreement, and the only party currently playing by the rules, the U.S. is subject to severe restrictions on our military capabilities faced by no other nation on Earth. This problem is especially acute in Asia, where the U.S. must project power across vast distances and with enormous logistics chains. prgtoken While the original treaty was about intermediate-range nuclear weapons, China has seized upon the potential of conventional missiles of intermediate ranges, which are likewise banned under the INF. The Chinese military has invested in thousands of conventional ground-based missiles, roughly 95 percent of which would be prohibited by the treaty if Beijing were a signatory. prgtoken This arsenal puts us on the wrong side of the cost competition. As you can see from this chart from the nonpartisan Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments, the U.S. military is dangerously outranged at intermediate distances. prgtoken No matter how capable or affordable, our ships, fighters, and bombers will never be cheaper than ground-based missiles. This is a recipe for disaster, both in war and in peacetime competition. prgtoken Two years ago, to remedy this, Congress began R&D funding for ground- based conventional intermediate missiles. Now that the United States is months away from a post-INF world, Congress is threatening to undo this process by zeroing out R&D for these purely conventional missile systems. prgtoken To be clear, early-stage R&D on intermediate missiles is allowable under the treaty. It is why we have been doing it over the past 2 years. prgtoken The cuts contained in this bill already go beyond what is mandated by the agreement. It would not only keep us unilaterally tied to a treaty that no one else is honoring, but it would also expand the scope of our commitment by blocking R&D funding. prgtoken Madam Chair, this is insanity. No other conventional weapons system would ever be held to this standard. We wouldn't do it for planes. We wouldn't do it for ships. We wouldn't do it for tanks. Yet, we are doing it for missiles that would provide credible, dispersed, and lethal firepower. prgtoken I understand that my colleagues, some on both sides of the aisle, have concerns on nuclear weapons. I understand. I appreciate that. I would welcome a conversation with any of my colleagues about prohibiting R&D dollars from going toward intermediate-range nuclear missiles. prgtoken But despite the INF name, this amendment has nothing to do with nuclear weapons. This is all about conventional deterrence. prgtoken
DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2020
Christopher H. Smith (Republican, NJ) \u2014 2019-6-18

. Madam Chair, Lyme disease is the most prevalent vector-borne disease in the United States today, and members of the U.S. Armed Forces are not immune to its debilitating effects, as they train and complete exercises out in grassy and wooded areas. prgtoken According to the February 2018 Medical Surveillance Monthly Report, published by the Armed Forces Health Surveillance Branch, tick-borne diseases accounted for more than half of the confirmed cases of vector- borne diseases among service members--active duty and reserve--recorded over seven years, from 2010-2016. Lyme disease alone had the largest number of confirmed cases. prgtoken In its inaugural report to Congress, the federal Tick-Borne Disease Working Group stated that ``Tick-Borne Diseases have rapidly become a serious and growing threat to public health in the United States. Despite many scientific unknowns, experts agree that the incidence and distribution of tick-borne diseases are increasing.'' The Working Group also stated that ``Federal funding for tick-borne diseases is less per new surveillance case than that of any other disease.'' prgtoken While the tick-borne disease research at CDMRP has been continuously funded at $5 million since Fiscal Year 2016, the Working Group's report is a sign that there is still much more to be done. prgtoken The amendment I offer today will increase funding by $2 million for the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP) for the purposes of tick-borne disease research. The added funding will enable the CDMRP to support more innovative research to address gaps in knowledge and information on tick-borne diseases. Military and civilian personnel and their dependents who are at risk will be better informed and prepared with enhanced awareness, education, and research programs. prgtoken I urge support for this amendment--we cannot shortchange our federal responsibility. We owe it to the countless patients, including our men and women in uniform suffering from tick-borne diseases and their families.
HONG KONG
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2019-6-18

last week I spoke about the people's uprising in Hong Kong. Over the past several days, millions of residents have taken to the streets to defend their autonomy and the rule of law from continued encroachment of the communist government of mainland China. prgtoken After days of tension, this past weekend brought some good news. In a sign that the people's demonstrations had sent a clear message, Hong Kong officials now said that the government will suspend consideration of the proposed ``extradition'' bill indefinitely. prgtoken The fate of Hong Kong and its special status is a subject I have watched carefully for decades. Early on in my Senate tenure, I introduced the legislation that still governs our relationship with Hong Kong, the U.S.-Hong Kong Policy Act of 1992, which President 41 signed into law. On the day I introduced that legislation, I said it was heartening to see that ``democracy is finally gaining a tenuous foot hold in Hong Kong.'' prgtoken Well, the nearly 30 years since then have shown us all just what the people of Hong Kong can do when the terms of their independence and freedom are respected. We have seen Hong Kong thrive, in large measure due to the political and economic freedoms and stable rule of law that Hong Kong's special status has enabled, but we have also seen clearly in recent days that freedom's foothold in the shadow of mainland China is not a given. It remains tenuous even now. prgtoken I wanted to again express my admiration for the people of Hong Kong and their strong but peaceful response to this proposed encroachment. I am glad to see their leaders respect their willingness to stand their ground, and I hope the city's authorities will continue to respect the clear will of the people on these issues moving forward.
IN HONOR OF MS. SUE SWANN
Robert J. Wittman (Republican, VA) \u2014 2019-6-18

. Madam , I rise today in recognition of Ms. Sue Swann's forty years of service to the Essex County Department of Social Security. prgtoken Ms. Swann was known as a diligent and determined employee who gave everyone she worked with countless reasons to admire her work ethic. Not only did she dedicate four decades of her life to the Department, but she worked three years in other state offices as well. prgtoken At work, she was frequently requested personally by clients for face- to-face meetings to discuss the benefits entitled to them. She did her job with unmatched compassion and care. Over forty years, she decided to stay in her position and reject countless promotions. Had she chosen to move to other localities, she could have been a Benefit Program Specialist 4 or 5, but because of the passion she has for what she did, she remained a Specialist. prgtoken Ms. Swann plans to go into retirement now after decades of her tremendous work, and I wish her the best of luck in her future endeavors. prgtoken Madam , I ask you to join me in honoring the service of this great woman, Ms. Sue Swann, to the people of Virginia's 1st District, to the Commonwealth of Virginia, and to the entirety of our great nation. May God bless Sue and her family for her countless hours of labor in service to her country.
DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2020
Justin Amash (Republican, MI) \u2014 2019-6-18

. Madam Chairwoman, such time as I may consume. prgtoken For more than a year, s have been speaking forcefully about the use of FISA to gather intelligence on people associated with the campaign. The concern is that some information was inappropriately included in an application submitted to the FISA court which then found probable cause and granted an order to authorize surveillance of a associate. prgtoken I appreciate my colleague's concerns about Americans' Fourth Amendment rights, but if my colleagues are concerned about the part of FISA used during the 2016 Presidential campaign, they should be terrified of section 702. prgtoken Under section 702 of FISA, the FISA court does not approve targets. There are no individualized applications or requirements to show probable cause in order to collect communications. The government can search and sweep in billions of communications, including communications of Americans, and then query that data for a particular American's communications without a warrant. prgtoken The communications can be used to investigate and prosecute Americans. The government can use an American's data to send them to prison without ever obtaining a warrant for it. prgtoken The Amash-Lofgren amendment puts in basic safeguards to allow the government to continue using section 702 for its stated purpose of gathering foreign intelligence, while limiting the government's warrantless collection of Americans' communications under FISA. prgtoken This amendment gives my colleagues an opportunity to show that their concern about Fourth Amendment violations extends to the countless Americans that are impacted by the government's warrantless FISA surveillance. prgtoken .
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
Susan M. Collins (Republican, ME) \u2014 2019-6-18

in 1969, General Electric opened a factory in Bangor, ME. At that time, it was a small operation using old machinery to produce components for turbines that powered only 7,000 homes. Today, 50 years later, the skilled workers at GE Power manufacture equipment that powers more than 1 million homes. I am delighted to congratulate this outstanding company and its dedicated workforce on their golden anniversary. prgtoken GE Power is a center of excellence for steam turbine rotors and blading. It specializes in gas turbine component manufacturing, which is especially important as natural gas has become an essential contributor to America's growing energy independence and has helped reduce harmful emissions. As this facility has grown, so has its global reputation for innovation and problem solving. prgtoken That reputation is earned every day by the nearly 400 employees at GE Power. Their ingenuity and dedication have made their plant one of Bangor's most significant employers. They have embraced GE's companywide ethic of philanthropy and service to others, and they contribute to their community in countless ways. prgtoken The General Electric Company was founded in 1892 by Thomas Alva Edison. The famed inventor and electricity pioneer could well have had Bangor in mind when he said, ``The three great essentials to achieve anything are hard work, stick-to-itiveness, and common sense.'' The men and women of GE Power demonstrate those essentials every day, creating opportunity for themselves and our city, and I congratulate them on this landmark anniversary.