mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF JUANA AURORA MEDINA
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (Republican, FL) \u2014 2018-11-28

I rise today to celebrate the life of Juana Aurora Medina, a lifelong resident of the city of Hialeah in south Florida. prgtoken Like me, Juana was born in Cuba but was forced to flee the island under the brutal Castro dictatorship. Juana arrived to this land of freedom and opportunity along with her husband, a political prisoner, and their small children. prgtoken In the U.S she worked in the garment district to provide for her family and to make education available for her children. prgtoken As a religious woman, Juana found her passion for helping others. After experiencing the plight of families and individuals affected by alcohol and drug addiction, she founded, with several others, various nonprofits, including Ministerio Catolico Nuevo Caminar, to address these issues head-on. prgtoken Recently, the city of Hialeah recognized her legacy by designating a city street to be named in her honor. We thank Juana for her service and for her love and dedication to our community. She is an inspiration to her family and to so many individuals she positively impacted throughout her life. prgtoken Congratulations to the Medina family.
MOTION TO DISCHARGE--S.J. RES. 54
Mike Lee (Republican, UT) \u2014 2018-11-28

I stood before this body in March of this year to protest our country's unconstitutional intervention in Saudi Arabia's bloody war in Yemen. I was proud to stand with my colleagues, Senators Sanders and Murphy, to file a discharge motion of our resolution, S.J. Res. 54, which would remove U.S. Armed Forces from Yemen. prgtoken At that time, members of the Foreign Relations Committee requested additional time to study the issue and to debate the resolution in the Foreign Relations Committee. The chairman of that committee, my friend and colleague from Tennessee, Senator Corker, requested this with the commitment to ``bring forth legislation to actually appropriately deal with many of the issues relative to Yemen, Saudi Arabia, and ourselves.'' So with that, the Senate voted to table the motion. prgtoken Since then, the committee has held a hearing on this issue and introduced a separate bipartisan bill to address it, but no further action has been taken. prgtoken So today, 8 months later, the bloodshed continues, still abetted by the United States, even amidst further revelations of Saudi depravity. It is long past overdue that Congress remove U.S. forces from Yemen, as recent circumstances only confirm. Today, we have a chance to remedy our course of action and to do what the Constitution and justice demand. prgtoken The situation in Yemen is dire. The war has killed tens of thousands of innocent civilians--human beings, lest we forget--each one of them possessing immeasurable dignity and inherent worth. It has created refugees, orphans, widows, and has also displaced countless families. prgtoken The numbers and the inhumanity are staggering--nothing short of it. Since 2015, more than 10,000 civilians have died, and 40,000 have been wounded. In an attack just a few months ago, a bomb was dropped on a school bus that killed 40 young boys who were on a school trip and wounded another 56 children. prgtoken What few Americans knew until recently is that the U.S. military has actually been making the crisis worse by helping one side bomb these innocent civilians. So how did we get entangled in this crisis to begin with? prgtoken In March of 2015, Saudi Arabia launched a war against the Houthi rebels shortly after the Houthis ousted the Saudi-backed government in the capital city of Sanaa. The administration, without consulting Congress, quickly authorized U.S. military forces to provide ``logistical and intelligence support'' to the Saudi-led coalition. U.S. military support has continued since then, including midair refueling, surveillance, reconnaissance information, and target selection assistance. In other words, we have been supporting and actively participating in the activities of war in Yemen. prgtoken But article I, section 8 of the Constitution states that Congress shall have the power to declare war--Congress, not the President, not the Pentagon, not someone else in the executive branc
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
Susan M. Collins (Republican, ME) \u2014 2018-11-28

. . As Chairman of the Senate Aging Committee, I rise today to introduce the ``Guardianship Accountability Act of 2018,'' a bill that would assist States in improving guardianship oversight and data collection. I am pleased to be joined by our Committee's Ranking Member, Senator Bob Casey. prgtoken Protecting older Americans from financial fraud and exploitation is one of my top priorities. According to the National Center for State Courts, an estimated 1.3 million adults are under the care of guardians--family members or professionals--who control approximately $50 billion of their assets. Guardianship is a legal relationship created by a court that is designed to protect those with diminished or lost capacity. In many cases, however, the system lacks basic protections leaving the most vulnerable Americans at risk of exploitation. prgtoken Today, the Aging Committee released a bipartisan report to help change the tide, implement reforms, and restore trust in guardianship. Titled, ``Ensuring Trust: Strengthening State Efforts to Overhaul the Guardianship Process and Protect Older Americans,'' the report is the culmination of the Committee's year-long work investigating the guardianship system. prgtoken Throughout the course of the year, we heard harrowing tales from families around the Nation who have struggled with abusive guardians. We also spoke with families who had heartening stories to share--of dedicated and faithful guardians stepping up to protect the assets of seniors with dementia and other conditions affecting capacity. A good guardian can provide years of support for a protected individual, ensuring a full life directed, wherever possible, by the person's own choices and preferences. Once a guardianship is imposed, however, the individual's rights are removed, and oversight to protect the individual from abuse, neglect, and exploitation becomes critical. prgtoken Our Committee has gathered information, analysis and recommendations from States, courts, and organizations representing older Americans and those with disabilities around the country, and received more than 100 comments pointing to gaps in the system and, most important, offering solutions. The Committee found a pattern of barriers to proper oversight and a need for greater use of alternatives to guardianship. We identified persistent and widespread challenges that require a nationwide focus in order to ensure the guardianship system works on behalf of the individuals it is intended to protect. The Committee's report outlines policy recommendations at local, state, and federal levels that would improve outcomes for Americans subject to guardianship. prgtoken The Guardianship Accountability Act addresses many of our report's recommendations. The bill would direct the Elder Justice Coordinating Council to establish a National Online Resource Center on Guardianship to collect and publish information relevant to guardianship fo
IN APPRECIATION OF THE SERVICE OF DOUG ANDERSON
Edward R. Royce (Republican, CA) \u2014 2018-11-28

I rise today to express my gratitude to Doug Anderson, and to commend his outstanding service as General Counsel and Parliamentarian to the Committee on Foreign Affairs. prgtoken Twenty-two years into his Capitol Hill career, Doug is a cherished Committee institution. Sharp-eyed observers will note that whenever I preside over a Committee markup or manage Floor debate, Doug is sitting right there next to me. His notes have assisted numerous victories, and avoided a few disasters. But that is just a tiny part of what he does. prgtoken Day in and day out, for years, Doug has provided wise counsel to me, to my predecessor Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, and to her predecessor, the late Henry Hyde. He has helped to draft and negotiate hundreds of successful bills and resolutions on key foreign policy issues--from North Korea, to State Department authorities, to the fight against modern slavery. You can see his commitment to human dignity not only in his legislative work, but also in the way he treats all of his colleagues, on both sides of the aisle. He is a man of uncommon judgment, even temperament, and genuine good humor. prgtoken Even more than his issues, Doug loves his family. I want to thank his wife Rebecca and their children--Sarah, Emily, Ian, and Chloe--for sharing him during the many hours that he has dedicated to the work of this House. They can be proud of his service, as I am proud of what we have accomplished together during these past six years
AUTHORITY FOR COMMITTEES TO MEET
Rob Portman (Republican, OH) \u2014 2018-11-28

I have 11 requests for committees to meet during today's session of the Senate. They have the approval of the Majority and Minority leaders. prgtoken Pursuant to rule XXVI, paragraph 5(a), of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the following committees are authorized to meet during today's session of the Senate: Committee on Agriculture prgtoken The Committee on Agriculture is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, November 28, 2018, at 9:30 a.m to conduct a hearing on the following nominations: Mindy Brashears, of Texas, to be Under Secretary for Food Safety, Naomi C. Earp, of Maryland, to be an Assistant Secretary, and Scott Hutchins, of Indiana, to be Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics, all of the Department of Agriculture. Committee on Environment and Public Works prgtoken The Committee on Environment and Public Works is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, November 28, 2018, at 9:30 a.m to conduct a hearing entitled ``Addressing America's Surface Transportation Infrastructure Needs.'' Committee on Foreign Relations prgtoken The Committee on Foreign Relations is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, November 28, 2018, at 9:30 a.m to conduct a hearing entitled ``The Global Fight to End Modern Slavery.'' Committee on Foreign Relations prgtoken The Committee on Foreign Relations is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, November 28, 2018, at 2 p.m to conduct a hearing. Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions prgtoken The Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, November 28, 2018, at 9:30 a.m to conduct a hearing entitled ``Reducing Health Care Costs: Improving Affordability through Innovation.'' Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs prgtoken The Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, November 28, 2018, at 9:30 a.m to conduct a hearing on the following nominations: Ronald D. Vitiello, of Illinois, to be an Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security, Richard S. Tischner, of Virginia, to be Director of the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency for the District of Columbia, and Dennis Dean Kirk, of Virginia, to be Chairman, and Julia Akins Clark, of Maryland, and Andrew F. Manuz, both to be a Member, all of the Merit Systems Protection Board. Committee on Indian Affairs prgtoken The Committee on Indian Affairs is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, November 28, 2018, at 2:30 p.m to conduct a legislative hearing. Committee on the Judiciary prgtoken The Committee on the Judicia
NATIONAL BIBLE WEEK
Mike Johnson (Republican, LA) \u2014 2018-11-28

, Congressman Lamborn, for organizing this Special Order, recognizing the 77th annual National Bible Week in America. As we know and has been said today, this is a declaration that was first prgtoken made by President Franklin D. Roosevelt just weeks before the start of World War II. prgtoken As we do on this occasion every year, my colleagues and I extol the virtues of the Holy Bible. It is the most widely published, widely read, most influential book in all of human history. prgtoken Of course, to us, as Christians, we know that it is more than just a ``good book.'' We order our lives upon this book. Indeed, as Hebrews 4:12 proclaims: ``The word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints, and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.'' prgtoken What I want to address in my brief remarks today is one of the common misconceptions that exist about the use of the Bible in our public school classrooms. This is a very practical issue that many of us have to address back home. prgtoken Earlier this year, , I joined with my good friend, Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry, who is a former distinguished Member of this body, to create this free joint publication that we entitled, ``The Louisiana Student Rights Review: Answers to Common Questions about Religious Freedom in Schools.'' Because there are so many questions, we wanted to make a user-friendly guide for parents, teachers, coaches, school administrators, and school systems around our State to answer those frequently asked questions. prgtoken One of the big questions we answered for all those stakeholders, interest groups, and students was this one, and it comes right out of page 4 of our publication. It says: ``Can the Bible and other religious texts be used appropriately in a public school classroom?'' prgtoken This is the simple answer that we gave. We said: ``Yes.'' prgtoken More than half a century ago, the U.S. Supreme Court clarified that ``the Bible is worthy of study for its literary and historic qualities,'' and that such study of the Bible or of religion, when presented objectively as part of a secular program of education, is perfectly lawful when relevant and appropriate to the subject matter of the class. prgtoken We cited in here the Supreme Court cases that make that very clear. There really isn't any legal ambiguity about this at all. prgtoken Unfortunately, there are a number of interest groups on the other side of this issue that engage in a campaign of fear, misinformation, and intimidation. They try to convince Americans and public school children all across the country that religion is somehow a bad thing, is off limits, and that you can't have your Bible on school campus, but it is just simply not true. prgtoken , this is so important for everybody to understand. prgtoken Contrary to widespread belief, the Bible never has been
STATE OF MODERN APPLICATION, RESEARCH, AND TRENDS OF IOT ACT
Robert E. Latta (Republican, OH) \u2014 2018-11-28

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , I rise today in strong support of H.R. 6032, the State of Modern Application, Research, and Trends of IoT Act, or the SMART IoT Act. prgtoken Earlier this year, the SMART IoT Act was unanimously approved by the Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection Subcommittee and the full Energy and Commerce Committee. prgtoken I would like to thank Chairman Walden for his support of this bipartisan legislation. I also want to thank Representative Welch for his leadership as the original cosponsor of the SMART IoT Act and the many bipartisan members of the Energy and Commerce Committee for cosponsoring this bill. prgtoken Representative Welch and I have been working together on these issues for years, including as co-founders of the Internet of Things Working Group in the 114th Congress. prgtoken Today marks an important step towards maximizing the full potential of Internet-connected devices, more commonly known as smart devices. prgtoken Almost any physical object can be transformed into a smart device with microchips, sensors, and wireless communications. Once transformed, these smart devices connect through a network to share, exchange, and analyze data to gather insights used to solve problems or enable new capabilities. prgtoken IoT solutions will benefit consumers and businesses by improving productivity, efficiency, and much more. Whether we are talking about advancements to automobiles that will improve roadway safety and save lives or smart-city applications that will improve services for residents, one thing is clear: We have the chance to benefit from a more connected world. prgtoken Because of the vast benefits of IoT, we are seeing significant economic impacts across a number of industries. By 2025, it is projected that the total economic impact of IoT could reach $11.1 trillion. This includes value increases annually of up to $2.5 trillion in the healthcare sector, $2.3 trillion in manufacturing, $300 billion in infrastructure, $100 billion in agriculture, and $50 billion in vehicle use. prgtoken To realize these benefits, we must ensure the Government does not get in the way. Throughout numerous meetings over the years, we heard from many stakeholders. What became clear is that it is difficult to know who is doing what, both in the Federal Government and also in the private sector. prgtoken A lack of collaboration and dialogue presents the problem of creating unnecessary barriers to innovation and commonsense policy, something we cannot afford to do if we want to unleash the power of IoT in the United States. We must equip ourselves and industry with information about what Federal, public-private, and self-regulatory efforts are in place or under way. prgtoken This is why we developed the SMART IoT Act. The SMART IoT Act directs the Secretary of Commerce to create a compendium to answer that very question: Who is doing what? At the Federal level, this is
MOTION TO DISCHARGE--S.J. RES. 54
Jack Reed (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2018-11-28

I rise to express my concern about the continued violence and humanitarian crisis in Yemen and to share my views on the resolution that is currently before us. The conflict in Yemen has persisted for far too long. I strongly support the efforts of the U.N. Special Envoy for Yemen, Martin Griffiths, to bring the internationally recognized Government of Yemen and the Houthis to the negotiating table in the near future, with the goal of reaching a sustainable political solution. I also welcome the call by Secretary Mattis and others for a cease-fire that would provide space for such negotiations to occur while also providing a measure of relief to the Yemeni population that has suffered so horrifically during this conflict. prgtoken According to the United Nations, half of Yemen's population-- approximately 14 million people--are on the brink of famine and entirely reliant on external aid for their own survival. These challenges have been exacerbated by mass displacement in much of the country and recent fighting in the vicinity of Hudaydah--one of Yemen's only functioning ports through which approximately 70 percent of Yemen's food and other supplies enter the country. Even when food is available for purchase, reports indicate that currency inflation has made it too expensive for most Yemenis to afford. More must be done by both the coalition and the Houthis to facilitate the flow of humanitarian aid into and throughout Yemen. prgtoken I also have significant concerns about persistent reports of civilian casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure in Yemen caused by both the Houthis and the coalition of Armed Forces led primarily by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, UAE. prgtoken According to the United Nations, there have been nearly 17,000 documented civilian casualties since the beginning of the conflict, although that number is likely much higher given the difficulty of investigating such incidents in a conflict zone. Most of these casualties have been the result of airstrikes led by the Saudi-led coalition. prgtoken Unfortunately, well-intentioned efforts by the United States to help the coalition avoid civilian casualties have not produced sufficient results. Far too many of the strikes by the coalition have killed or injured civilians and resulted in the destruction of infrastructure needed to provide basic services to the population, thereby exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. prgtoken Secretary Pompeo's September certification that the coalition is taking demonstrable action--in his words--to reduce the risk to civilians does not seem to be borne out by the facts on the ground. According to reports, civilian casualty incidents increased dramatically over the summer. Indeed, Secretary Pompeo's own certification acknowledged that ``recent civilian casualty incidents indicate insufficient implementation reforms and targeting processes'' and ``investigations have not yielde
MOTION TO DISCHARGE--S.J. RES. 54
Christopher Murphy (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2018-11-28

I want to speak very briefly on behalf of the resolution being offered today by Senator Sanders, Senator Lee, me, and several others. I encourage my colleagues to support it. I want to use my brief time to respond to some of the arguments that the administration has made over the course of the last few days as to why we should not stand together as a body and say that without a congressional declaration of war, the United States cannot and should not be involved in a disastrous civil war in Yemen. prgtoken This is as important a vote as we will take in the Senate. Lives are at stake; lives are in the balance. I don't need to repeat everything Senator Sanders and others have said about the humanitarian catastrophe that exists inside that country. Yet this is different than other famines. This is different than other cholera outbreaks. This is different than other humanitarian nightmares in which tens of thousands of children lose their lives because we are not just a spectator in Yemen; we are participant. The bombing campaign that is causing the worst humanitarian nightmare in the world today is caused by a military campaign of which the United States is a major player and participant. So we have something to say today about whether this civil war ends. We have something to say about whether this Congress is going to allow the administration to continue to perpetuate a war that has had no debate in the U.S. Congress. prgtoken Let me take the four arguments the administration uses to try to argue against our resolution and talk to you a little bit about them. prgtoken The first argument that has been made--it is probably the most clear in prgtoken Secretary Pompeo's op-ed in the Wall Street Journal this morning--is that the real issue is not Saudi Arabia, it is Iran, and if we do not continue to support the Saudis' bombing campaign inside Yemen, the result will be that Iran will win in the region. prgtoken First, that exhibits a third-grade understanding of the Middle East. The Middle East is not a zero-sum game between the Saudis and the Iranians. Every time you do something that is potentially disadvantageous to the Saudis doesn't mean it results in an equal-sized benefit for the Iranians. In fact, it may be that both countries are doing things that are deleterious to American national security. It may be that we want to pick and choose when we engage with the Saudis and when we don't engage with the Saudis. Just because we choose not to engage in one particular aspect of Saudi foreign policy does not mean that it equals a gift to the Iranians. Yet that is what Secretary Pompeo would have you believe; that if we don't blindly support the Saudis' civil war inside Yemen, then that will be a win for the Iranians. prgtoken The reality is, while this civil war has been occurring, al-Qaida and ISIS have gotten stronger and more numerous. In fact, the greatest threat to the American homeland today co