mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Jeff Merkley (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2018-8-23

somebody once said: What is the use of a house if you don't have a tolerable planet to put it on? prgtoken That is a question that we should all grapple with in this Chamber. It is a question that propels my colleagues from the Environment Committee to come to the floor and take note that the administration's plan to replace the Clean Power Plan with a dirty power plan is one egregious step in damaging our planet. It is an egregious step to increase carbon pollution. prgtoken Carbon pollution has all kinds of effects that we are seeing across the country, from raging forest fires in the Northwest, with my State covered in smoke, to the stronger, more powerful hurricanes that hit the city of Houston of my colleague from Texas and the cities in Florida of my colleague from Florida, to the impact across the country on agriculture, to the impact with greater droughts in some cases and greater floods in others. One of the single most effective steps that can be taken is to reduce the amount of carbon pollution from powerplants and transportation. prgtoken Let's be clear. This dirty power plan from the administration increases the damage to the citizens of the United States, all just to pander to polluters. We have seen so much of this in the last year and a half. prgtoken I know that we are living in an era in which the administration has created a parallel universe of alternative facts, where truth isn't necessarily truth, as the President's lawyer said this past couple of weeks. But let's remember that if you are outside that parallel universe, if you are in the real world, there are real numbers. prgtoken By 2030, the Clean Power Plan would stop 870 million tons of pollution from poisoning the air that you and I, our families, our children, and our friends breathe. That is represented here by looking at this blue line in the year 2030 and the descending line of carbon pollution that is driven both by the fuel economy standards and the electricity standards. What we see under the President's dirty power plan is that, from here into the future, there is no further reduction--essentially zero reduction--then, past 2030, an increase in the carbon pollution that is doing all this damage across the country. prgtoken There is damage in every one of our States. This damage doesn't just happen in blue States. Texas is not a blue State. Texas suffered horrific consequences of this carbon pollution, so certainly representatives from that State would want to do something about it, and so on, through every single State. The amount of difference in the carbon pollution between the Clean Power Plan and the dirty power plan is equivalent to the pollution from 166 million cars on the road for a year. prgtoken It isn't just the impact on forest fires and the impact on hurricanes and the impact on drought, affecting agriculture, and the impact on floods. It is also the impact on human health. The estimate is t
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Michael F. Bennet (Democrat, CO) \u2014 2018-8-23

I would save my colleague from North Carolina from having to object to his own motion, but I so much believe in what he is trying to do that I can't object. I thank him for his leadership, through the Chair, on this issue over many years. This should be a bipartisan issue. It is a bipartisan issue. My colleague from Colorado, Cory Gardner, and I wrote an op-ed piece together--can you believe that?--in the Denver Post, supporting the work that Senator Burr from North Carolina is trying to do. prgtoken It is long past time for us to stop continuing to play these political games and actually do some work for the American people. There is not a county in America that doesn't have a Land and Water Conservation Fund project. That is not what I am here to talk about, but I thank him for his leadership. prgtoken I am here to talk about another area that should be bipartisan, and that is addressing the urgent matter of climate change in the United States of America with the leadership of our government. Instead, this week, President made his latest assault on our country's climate policy by gutting the Clean Power Plan. This decision creates more uncertainty for coal miners by delaying for 2 years what everyone knows we ultimately have to do, and it creates uncertainty for everybody else. prgtoken President has campaigned for years on the idea that there is a war on coal, ignoring his own Department of Energy's observation that the reason why coal has fallen as a source of our energy is that natural gas, because of the ingenuity of the American people, has become so cheap. That is what displaced coal, but he is ignoring it, just like he ignores economic reality after economic reality. prgtoken This is not going to help Colorado. We have added 60,000 clean energy jobs and 230,000 outdoor recreation jobs, and we have 170,000 agriculture jobs that are inseparably linked to the stability of our climate. One of the reasons this sector is growing so rapidly is that Colorado does not have the luxury of operating in a fictitious economy. We see the threat of climate change every day, from an infestation of pine and spruce beetles that have destroyed our drought-stricken trees to wildfires that are no longer bound to a season because now they burn, or can burn, all year long, to shorter ski seasons and longer droughts that are affecting our farmers and ranchers. prgtoken These consequences of climate change are costing Coloradans billions of dollars each year, and this cost is only expected to increase. prgtoken I have said it before. My State is one-third , one-third ic, and one-third Independent. We have a consensus in my State that climate change is real and that humans are contributing to it. That doesn't mean everybody agrees with what the solution should be, but there is a consensus that if we do not act, we will not be fulfilling our obligation to the next generations of Color
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Tim Kaine (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2018-8-23

. The Navy has been working on a two-ship buy since last year, culminating in its release of a request for proposal, RFP, in April. If the Navy is able to procure the next two Ford-class carriers in a single contract, initial estimates point to over $2 billion in savings, at least 10 percent. Funds that would be saved could be applied to other programs within the shipbuilding account or within the Department of Defense generally. prgtoken Those savings come about in part through the shipbuilding suppliers across the country who would be able to provide the parts and material needed to build an aircraft carrier in a much more efficient and cost- effective manner. We would be giving these suppliers some degree of predictability. Many of these suppliers are small businesses and single source suppliers who need a demand signal that the country is serious about building up the Navy fleet. prgtoken The military shipbuilding supply base is fragile and has shrunk significantly since the last Navy buildup. For nuclear shipbuilding, during the 20-year period between 1977 and 1996, Electric Boat, Newport News, and the industrial base delivered almost 90 nuclear ships in the Ohio-, Los Angeles-, Seawolf- and Nimitz-class programs. The industrial base population during that time was in excess of 17,000 suppliers. Today there are about 3,000 carrier suppliers. The predictability provided by the two-ship carrier buy would enable industry to invest in increasing the capacity of their facilities. This investment will contribute to lower shipbuilding acquisition costs and enable our country to build the Navy our Nation needs. prgtoken The two-ship buy would enable the Navy to field an aircraft carrier at least 1 year sooner than the program of record. prgtoken I was proud to work with my friend and partner in shipbuilding, Senator Roger Wicker, to cosponsor a bipartisan letter addressed to Secretary Mattis in December asking for the Department to support a two-ship buy in its fiscal year 2019 budget. In addition to Senator Wicker and me, 15 Senators cosigned, and a similar letter with 131 signatures came from the House. prgtoken I ask unanimous consent that the letter sent to Secretary Mattis by me and my fellow Senators be printed in the Record at the conclusion of this colloquy.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2018-8-23

, at the outset, the issue of abortion is a divisive issue in America. Many people have different and strongly held beliefs on this particular issue. prgtoken We have a law on the books now--and have for decades--that no Federal funds may be spent for the performance of abortion procedures, including at Planned Parenthood. Yet Planned Parenthood does much more than that. Planned Parenthood provides healthcare for millions of women across the United States, and Planned Parenthood provides family planning so that these women can avoid unplanned pregnancies, which, sadly, in many cases, lead to abortion. Regardless of your position on abortion, the position of Planned Parenthood is to counsel families so they can control the number of children they have and avoid unplanned pregnancies and the likelihood of abortion procedures to follow. prgtoken It is for this reason that I have consistently voted against Senator Paul when he has stood here to defund Planned Parenthood, and I will today. Yet I am about to make a modification request in the hopes that we can have the vote that he just asked for, the vote on Planned Parenthood, as long as we can also have a ic vote--one of each--on an amendment that is being offered by Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia, which basically states that we in the U.S. Senate will join in an effort to preserve those portions of the Affordable Care Act that protect families who have members with preexisting conditions. That is basically it. prgtoken Time and again, we have heard s say they don't want there to be discrimination against families because there is a child who is a cancer survivor or because there is a spouse who has diabetes. They do not want them discriminated against and to be charged more for health insurance. That is all Senator Manchin is asking for. prgtoken So we will have a vote on the Paul amendment on Planned Parenthood and on the Manchin amendment, which goes to the heart of the Affordable Care Act's preexisting condition protection. Those two amendments can bring us to a close on this debate. I think that is a fair, bipartisan conclusion. I agree with what Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky has said in that this is the right way to end this debate--with a amendment and a ic amendment. prgtoken I move to modify Senator Paul's request. I ask unanimous consent that the following amendments be called up en bloc and reported by number: Paul No. 3967 and Manchin No. 3865. I further ask consent that at 4 p.m the Senate vote in relation to the amendments in the order listed and that there be no second-degree amendments in order to the amendments prior to the votes and that each amendment be subject to a 60-vote affirmative threshold for adoption. I further ask consent that following the disposition of the Paul amendment, the managers' package, which is at the desk, be agreed to--a bipartisan
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Thomas R. Carper (Democrat, DE) \u2014 2018-8-23

I rise today with a number of my colleagues to speak out against the administration EPA's dirty power plan--a prgtoken proposal to replace the administration's Clean Power Plan. This proposal from this administration fails in at least two aspects: First, it fails to address climate change, and second, it will put Americans' health at risk. prgtoken Millions of American children are heading back to school in my State and in your State and in States across the country this week and next week. All three of my children are grown, but not so long ago, we were sending them off to school, helping them with their homework, and making sure they were getting good grades. As far as we know, they never brought home any failing grades. However, I can't say the same for the administration with respect to this latest proposal. prgtoken A friend of mine recently said: ``If corruption were a class, the administration would be getting an A-plus.'' Well, in just about everything else--especially public health and economics--the administration continues to fail the American people almost every day. It is clear this administration needs to do a little remedial work, maybe take some courses again, especially in basic science. prgtoken Let's be clear. The science behind climate change is settled. It is over. Climate change is real. It is happening. It is a growing threat to America, and it is getting worse every year. Climate change is leading to rising global temperatures, rising sea levels, and more intense and frequent weather events. NOAA tells us that extreme weather events costing $1 billion or more have doubled in frequency over the past decade, with $425 billion in losses having occurred over the last 5 years alone. prgtoken It is now hard to find a part of our country that isn't being affected in some way by climate change. We see the examples almost everywhere. Not too far from my home in Delaware is a place called Ellicott City, MD. prgtoken My wife visited there with a bunch of her friends from the DuPont Company. They are all retired now, and they wanted to go visit there and actually support the local economy in Ellicott City, the local people who have been through just terrible devastation. In the last 2 years alone, two 1,000-year floods have devastated Ellicott City, MD, just north of Washington, DC. There have been two 1,000-year floods in the last 2 years. prgtoken Forest fires fueled by extreme heat and drought continue to ravage States like Montana, California, and Oregon. prgtoken Since we started keeping records, only 49 category 5 hurricanes have threatened the United States. That is since we started keeping records, and I think we have been keeping records for maybe a century. Three of those 49 category 5 hurricanes occurred in the last year. Think of that. Out of 49 category 5 hurricanes since we have been keeping track--and I think it has been a century--3 of thos
RECOGNIZING POSITIVE STREET ART
Margaret Wood Hassan (Democrat, NH) \u2014 2018-8-23

I am proud to recognize as the August Granite Staters of the Month the team behind Nashua's Positive Street Art for their work remembering those lost to substance use disorders and supporting those undergoing treatment. prgtoken New Hampshire is one of the States that has been hardest hit by the fentanyl, heroin, and opioid epidemic. This epidemic has devastated communities across the Granite State, and far too many people have lost loved ones to substance use disorders. We must continue to honor the memories of those lost and continue to find ways to support individuals who are going through recovery. In Nashua, Positive Street Art is helping to remember those lost and support those on the road to recovery with a mural called ``Take Courage.'' prgtoken Since 2012, Positive Street Art has promoted the arts in Nashua through urban and public art projects, including murals, workshops, afterschool programs, and events like the Downtown Arts Festival. Their newest mural, ``Take Courage,'' has come together primarily through the efforts of artists Tom Lopez and Manuel Ramirez, as well as through the support of Ric Everhard, Alison Bankowski, and community volunteers Alyssa O'Mara, Victor Luce, Patrick Paraggio, Blake Bankowski, John Stein, Lance lsaksen, Paul Alvarez, Valerie Galvao, Ashley Young, and Jessica Ayala. The mural is meant to honor those community members who were lost to substance misuse and inspire those seeking recovery. prgtoken When completed, the mural will bear an important and hopeful message for people in Nashua and across the Granite State who have been impacted by this horrific crisis: ``Take Courage. When the road is long you must never forget you are never alone.'' prgtoken In addition to their latest work, Positive Street Art has completed numerous other murals. These include the ``Hearts and Minds'' mural that honors our veterans, the ``Gratitude'' mural which reminds viewers to be thankful for the blessings in their daily lives, and the ``Nostalgia'' mural which highlights the vintage theaters that used to occupy downtown Nashua. They have become beloved additions to the streets of the city. prgtoken For their efforts to raise awareness and support those who have been impacted by substance use disorders, as well as their general work to support the arts in Nashua, I am proud to recognize the Positive Street Art team as the August Granite Staters of the Month.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Patrick J. Leahy (Democrat, VT) \u2014 2018-8-23

the reason I did that--and I rarely disagree with my good friend from Wyoming; we are, after all, the only two Irish Italians in this body. But people are hurting. It is hard enough going to college, and cutting the Pell grant awards just adds to it. The student debt today exceeds one-half trillion dollars, and that is because of the erosion of Federal support. prgtoken I am stating my point of order, standing with the middle class in this country, so their children and their families can be educated, and I am ready to vote.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Sheldon Whitehouse (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2018-8-23

I will take a minute to conclude my remarks and then yield to Senator King of Maine, who I believe will be followed by Mr. Van Hollen of Maryland. prgtoken The rule we are looking at is basically about 98 percent Scott Pruitt, if you look at the timing. Scott Pruitt had one of the most disgraceful tenures in any Cabinet position in the history of the United States. To the extent I have anything good to say about him, it is that he wasn't very good. prgtoken The EPA, following the direction of the fossil fuel industry, lost over and over again as its phony sham activities, rulings, and regulations were challenged in court. What we saw over and over again was the process at the EPA was a sham; that the review of public comment was a sham; that the legal analysis they had to go through was a sham. As a result, they came up with rules, regulations, and policies that were a sham. prgtoken Once you expose some of that stuff in court, where people have to tell the truth, discovery has to happen, you see documents, and you get judges who are not in tow to the fossil fuel industry, it doesn't look so good. I think probably our best hope for this phony-baloney dirty power plan that Pruitt 98 percent put out--and the new Administrator, I guess, we should give him 2 percent partial credit--is it is not likely to last very long. It is not likely to survive judicial scrutiny. It, like so much else the EPA has done in this administration, is completely fossil fuel-funded, phony, and a sham. prgtoken .
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Sherrod Brown (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2018-8-23

I join the chorus of Senators Grassley and Durbin about their proposal. Wall Street Profits prgtoken , I want to talk about another issue. Today, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation--which is the agency that does such things as every quarter announcing bank profits and bank profitability--issued an assessment of the banking industry. Lo and behold, as a number of us have been saying on this floor week after week, month after month, year and year: It is a great time to be on Wall Street. prgtoken Bank profits this second quarter of 2018--we announce it now--were $60 billion, with a b. That is 60,000 million dollars--$60 billion in bank profits. That number is fairly meaningless. It is a really big number. It is hard to grasp, but think about it this way. These bank profits this quarter were up 25 percent from 1 year ago, and it is typical of being able to compare quarter to quarter or year to year that way. prgtoken What is fairly stunning about this is that this Congress can't do enough for the banks. First, it was a decade ago, when Congress bailed out the banks. Then, we see bank profits go up and up and up. Congress last year gave a huge tax cut. The financial services industry did better than the rest of the economy with this tax cut, and, interestingly, the big banks did better than the community banks with the tax cut in terms of percentage, per capita--and anyway you measure it--in the amount of money or in assets, whatever. prgtoken Then, earlier this year, Congress passed another giveaway to the banks on legislation, another deregulation bill. When you hear ``deregulation'' think that it means that Wall Street gets away with even more. Now we are seeing even bigger profits from the banks. prgtoken It is like this. Congress thinks it never can do enough for Wall Street. Every time Wall Street asks for something, leadership--Senator McConnell's office down the hall, Ryan's office way down the hall, the President of the United States, President --always want to do more for Wall Street, with $60 billion in profits this quarter and 25 percent greater profits than 1 year ago. prgtoken Why does this Congress continue to do the bidding of Wall Street at the expense of Main Street? prgtoken During the 1\1/2\ years of President , we have seen wages go down. We have seen profits go up. We have seen the stock market go up. We have seen executive compensation go way up. We have seen the banks do especially well. Yet wages, literally since President has taken office, have declined in this country. prgtoken So why do we continue to help Wall Street, to shovel more money to Wall Street--more money, Senator Grassley, to the drug companies--and the middle class continues to get squeezed. prgtoken I just think it is another lesson when bank profits keep going up, executive compensation keeps going up, profits overall keep going up
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Chris Van Hollen (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2018-8-23

s from Maine and Rhode Island who were here today to draw attention to the administration's very dangerous proposal that takes a wrecking ball to the Clean Power Plan that has been put in place. It has been put in place to try to reduce the costs we are facing from climate pollution and carbon pollution. prgtoken What we see in the administration's plan is going to drag us backward. In fact, an analysis was done of their plan, and it will be worse than doing nothing at all. prgtoken We know, and my colleagues have talked about this, that every day the American people are already paying the costs of carbon pollution in extreme weather events, whether those are forest fires, whether they are droughts that are wreaking havoc on crops, whether it is flooding. My colleague from Maryland, Senator Cardin, and I were just in Ellicott City, MD, 2 days ago, where within a 2-year period they have been hit by what are called 1,000-year floods because there is only supposed to be one-tenth of 1 percent of a chance that happens. Yet we have seen two of them in 2 years, causing loss of human life and incredible property damage. prgtoken The cost of doing nothing is huge. That is why the previous administration adopted the Clean Power Plan. With this administration taking us backward, those costs of doing nothing are going to rise again. As the Senator from Maine said, it is not just incredible property damage, but you will see loss of life and greater asthma deaths and other negative healthcare effects. prgtoken I know there is a vote coming up. I wanted to say a lot more about this, but the main point was made by the Senator from Rhode Island, which is, this is not going to stand. This will not be accepted in the courts. We will fight this in the courts because the American people deserve to have a system where the American people don't pay for the pollution being spewed out by others. Polluters should pay, not the public. prgtoken Let's defeat this new plan put forward by the administration that takes us backward, and let's try to work together to address what is a very serious national and international issue.