mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
AUTHORITY FOR COMMITTEES TO MEET
Lamar Alexander (Republican, TN) \u2014 2019-9-25

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, Nutrition, and Forestry prgtoken The Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, September 25, 2019, at 10 a.m to conduct a hearing Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs prgtoken The Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, September 25, 2019, at 10 a.m to conduct a hearing. Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation prgtoken The Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, September 25, 2019, at 10 a.m to conduct a hearing. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources prgtoken The Committee on Energy and Natural Resources is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, September 25, 2019, at 10 a.m to conduct a hearing 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, September 25, 2019, at 9:15 a.m to conduct a business hearing and the following nominations: Aurelia Skipwith, of Indiana, to be Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior, and Katherine Andrea Lemos, of California, to be a Member of the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board, and to be Chairperson of the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board, and 8 General Services Administration resolutions. Committee on Foreign Relations prgtoken The Committee on Foreign Relations is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, September 25, 2019, at 10:15 a.m to conduct a hearing. Committee on Foreign Relations prgtoken The Committee on Foreign Relations is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, September 25, 2019, at 1:30 p.m to conduct a hearing 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, September 25, 2019, at 10 a.m to conduct a hearing. Committee on the Judiciary prgtoken The Committee on the Judiciary is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, September 25, 2019, at 1:30 p.m to conduct a hearing on the following nominations: Danielle J. Hunsaker, of Oregon, to be United States Circuit Judge
CELEBRATING NORMAN WISEMAN ON HIS 80TH BIRTHDAY
Jackie Walorski (Republican, IN) \u2014 2019-9-25

. Madam , I rise today to recognize Norman Wiseman, a great Hoosier celebrating his 80th birthday. prgtoken Norman was born on September 25, 1939, in Ridge Farm, Illinois, as the youngest of three brothers. At a young age, Norman moved with his family to northern Indiana, where he attended Madison High School and fell in love with his late wife, Sonja Gall. They graduated in 1958 and got married a year later on Valentine's Day. prgtoken Through a lot of hard work, dedication, and compassion for one another, Norman and Sonja built a beautiful life together full of love, laughter, and happiness. They had children, started a business, grew a garden every summer, and even raised honey bees. Norman has always been active in the community and has taught his family the cherished lessons of kindness, integrity, and faith. prgtoken Though his business, Wiseman Plumbing, is Norman's passion, his greatest accomplishments are the positive contributions he has made to the lives of those around him and his family. He remained steadfast and committed as his business thrived, and he continues to work years after he closed up his shop. When he's not working, he loves connecting with people and spending time around the community. At church he is known as ``Norman the Doorman,'' greeting churchgoers each Sunday. prgtoken His wife Dee and his five children, four grandchildren, and first great-grandchild, David, are life's true blessings for Norman. All who know him are undoubtedly touched by his friendliness and spirit, and I am humbled to call him a friend. prgtoken Madam , Norman Wiseman sets a profound example as a good father, loving grandfather, avid businessman, and caring friend. On behalf of 2nd District Hoosiers, I wish Norman a very happy birthday and many more years of continued health and happiness.
CLOTURE MOTION
Rob Portman (Republican, OH) \u2014 2019-9-25

I am on the floor tonight to talk about retirement security, which is something everybody cares about. Who doesn't want peace of mind in retirement? prgtoken When I am back home, I hear about it all of the time, partly because a lot of people are worried about the costs they are going to have in retirement, including long-term care costs. A lot of people are seeing their parents and their grandparents living longer, healthier lives; yet they do not have their retirement nest eggs in order to keep up. So we need to do something to help on that. prgtoken Social Security is there as the safety net. It used to always be there, but that is what it is, just a base amount: $1,200 a month. It is not very much, but it is the average for some folks in my home State of Ohio. You have to have a private retirement savings that adds to that, and that can mean the savings you have in your bank account. The best way to do it is through a 401(k) account at your work where the employer, hopefully, puts a match in. So it is a good deal for you because you put money in, and your employer puts money in, and you get to have a tax deduction for it. Even if you are not at work, you can take an individual IRA. With the IRA, it is the same thing wherein you get a tax deduction. That is good. Some companies have the defined benefit plan. That is the old pension plan. That is great if you have one. Not as many workers do anymore, but we want to preserve those that are left. For those who are Federal Government employees, they do have the Federal employees' pension plan, which works for them. prgtoken All of this together is incredibly important right now for the people I represent, and people are worried about it. prgtoken Some of the statistics are actually pretty scary of a lot of people who work for small businesses who don't have access to plans altogether. They just don't have any opportunity to get retirement savings plans. As an example, about 50 percent of the workers in these small businesses are in that category. Over time, we have tried to address some of these issues. Right now, fortunately, the U.S. Senate has a few bills that it could take up that would actually help in that. prgtoken I have been working on this issue for a number of years--actually, about 20 years--going back to my days in the House with now-Senator Ben Cardin. We passed legislation to expand how much you can put into a retirement account--a 401(k), an IRA. We increased the amount. There are the catchup contributions that some people are familiar with. There is also what is called auto enrollment, whereby companies automatically enroll you unless you choose not to enroll, which helps to get the participation rate way up, from about 75 percent up to 95 percent. prgtoken We have done some things that have helped, and because of that, I know that, if you provide more incentives for retirement, it works because it worked back in 2001. In fact, if
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Susan M. Collins (Republican, ME) \u2014 2019-9-25

I rise in support of the resolution to terminate the emergency declaration. I want to thank Senator Udall, the Senator from New Mexico, for his leadership. prgtoken The question presented by this resolution is not whether you are for a border wall or against a border wall. The question is not whether you believe the security at our southern border is sufficient or it should be strengthened. Instead, the question is a far more fundamental and significant one. The question is simply this: Should the Congress of the United States of America yield its constitutionally prescribed power of the purse to the President? prgtoken The answer to that question, regardless of who is in the White House and who is controlling Congress, should be no. prgtoken Congress alone is empowered by the Constitution to adopt laws directing money to be spent from the U.S. Treasury. We must stand up and defend our role that the Framers very clearly set forth in the Constitution. Congress must do that even when to do so goes against the outcome that we might prefer. prgtoken I have consistently supported funding for the construction of physical barriers and for strengthening security on our southern border. I will continue to support those efforts and believe and understand they are important, but I cannot support the President's unilaterally deciding to take money that has been appropriated for one purpose and diverting those billions of dollars for another purpose no matter how important or worthy that goal may be. prgtoken My colleagues, irrespective of whether you support or oppose a border wall, I urge you today to support this resolution and stand up for the separation of powers laid out in our Constitution. In doing so, you are standing up for our Constitution. prgtoken Thank you.
RESOLUTIONS TO INSTRUCT CONFEREES--Continued
James M. Inhofe (Republican, OK) \u2014 2019-9-25

I agree with the comments made by the Senator from Alabama. There is one problem with this, and that is, it is not paid for. I am supporting it. I am actually a cosponsor of the bill and was a cosponsor of the bill long before this year, but we are going to have to really get busy to figure out how to pay for this. It is very expensive. But I do encourage people to vote for it.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
John Thune (Republican, SD) \u2014 2019-9-25

readers of Forbes might have seen an article earlier this month entitled ``Russian Navy To Be First To Field Hypersonic Cruise Missiles on Submarines.'' Articles like this are a timely reminder of the ever-present need to invest in our military. prgtoken It can be easy to take U.S. military superiority for granted, but our military preeminence did not come out of nowhere. Our military is strong as a result of sustained investment and commitment. If we don't stay committed to maintaining our military strength and advantage, we will lose them. prgtoken Meanwhile, as the Forbes article reminds us, other countries are busy investing in their militaries. Great powers with aggressive military tendencies are building up their armed forces and investing in the weapons and equipment of the future. We need to ensure that our military is not falling behind. prgtoken Later today, we will vote on additional measures related to the National Defense Authorization Act--legislation that we take up every year to authorize funding for our military and our national defense. Both the House and prgtoken Senate passed versions of this legislation this summer. Now Members from both Houses are working on reconciling the House and Senate versions of the bill. The Senate-passed National Defense Authorization Act was a strong bill, and I hope the final bill will look a lot like it. prgtoken Right now, our military is rebuilding after years of underfunding and the strains of the global War on Terror. prgtoken In November 2018, the bipartisan National Defense Strategy Commission released a report warning that our readiness had eroded to the point where we might struggle to win a war against a major power like Russia or China, and the Commission noted that we would be especially vulnerable if we were ever called on to fight a war on two fronts. prgtoken Here in the Senate, Members of both parties have been working together to address the military's rebuilding needs and ensure that we are prepared to meet any threat. prgtoken The bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act that we passed in the Senate in June authorizes funding for our military's current needs and for the equipment and technology of the future. It invests in ships, combat vehicles, and planes--including development of the future B-21 bomber, which will be based at Ellsworth Air Force Base in my home State of South Dakota--and continued procurement of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, which I hope will someday soon be based at Joe Foss Field in Sioux Falls. It authorizes funding for research and development and advanced technology. It authorizes funds to modernize our nuclear arsenal to maximize our deterrence capabilities. It focuses on ensuring that we are equipped to meet threats on new fronts, including in the space and cyber domains. prgtoken Of course, while up-to-date weapons, equipment, and technology are essential, the greatest strength of our military is o
SPEAKER'S ACTIONS HAVE EMBARRASSED CONGRESS
Matt Gaetz (Republican, FL) \u2014 2019-9-25

. Madam , the transcript has now been released of the phone conversation between President and President Zelensky. prgtoken The evidence is clear, unfortunately, that the of the House of Representatives has been functionally catfished into a politically fatal impeachment proceeding based on rumors, based on faulty evidence, and based on a bloodlust for the President, politically, that does not serve our Nation well. prgtoken Let me give you the high points. There is no quid pro quo between President and President Zelensky for anything, much less military aid. There is no eight times a reference to . I think The Wall Street Journal will have a good deal of retracting to do today. In fact, President Zelensky, himself, identifies the rooting out of corruption as the reason for his election. prgtoken Early on in the conversation between President and President Zelensky, President Zelensky says: We, here in Ukraine, are trying to drain the swamp much in the way you are working to drain the swamp in the United States of America. prgtoken This wasn't a call about leverage. This wasn't a call about threats. This was a mutually appreciative and mutually laudatory call between two leaders who are trying to clean up some of the garbage in their respective countries that has polluted politics. prgtoken Now, the President does ask for a favor from President Zelensky, but the favor is on behalf of our Nation. The favor we seek is cooperation between the Zelensky government and Attorney General Bill Barr as we work to determine what activities in Ukraine may have been in any way involved in the 2016--not 2020, but 2016--efforts to interfere with the United States election. prgtoken The President even references CrowdStrike, attempting to get to the bottom of these improper actions, which, again, may have emanated from Ukraine. John Solomon with The Hill has a great deal of reporting on that very question. prgtoken Zelensky ran against corruption. Thus, it would be only appropriate that, in a conversation about that election victory, they would discuss and reference what are, obviously, mutual goals between the United States and Ukraine to have the world safer for democracy. prgtoken The President also mentions Mayor Rudy Giuliani. Let me be clear about this: Mayor Giuliani has every right to go to Ukraine to try to ascertain whether or not activities in that country were harming his client as a result of the corrupt connections that may have existed between the DNC and some elements in Ukraine. prgtoken I feel like we have been here before. House told us it was all about collusion. We had to wait for the Mueller report. Well, when the Mueller report falls flat on collusion, then it is all about obstruction of justice. Until Robert Mueller testifies and that falls flat, then it is all about abuse of power. Until the go to court and are unable to make the case in court that there has
TRIBUTE TO CORNELIA DOZIER COOPER
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2019-9-25

great works of artistic expression are so much more than something simply to look at or listen to. They are often a reflection of the artist, her community, and a unique culture. Kentuckian Cornelia Dozier Cooper recognizes the encouraging effect of creative works, and she has spent her lifetime promoting them in eastern Kentucky. It is a privilege to recognize my dear friend Cornelia, who was recently selected to receive our Commonwealth's highest artistic honor: the Milner Award. In tribute to her accomplishment and philanthropy, I would like to extend my sincere congratulations for this well-deserved honor. prgtoken Born in Madisonville, KY, Cornelia developed a passion for the arts at an early age. Supported by her parents and a fostering education, she grew her skills in both visual and musical arts. She was quickly recognized for her talent and studied English watercolor at the prestigious Oxford University. I have had the privilege to visit Cornelia's home, where I admired her beautiful watercolors up close. Her own artistic works, in which she hopes to display the glory of God's creation, were just the beginning of her contributions to Kentucky. prgtoken With her husband, Richard Cooper--brother to another outstanding Kentuckian, Senator John Sherman Cooper--Cornelia's devotion to the arts extended far beyond her own brush and canvas. She sought to give her fellow Kentuckians the opportunity to create great works of art and to be inspired by them in their communities. Cornelia worked with several organizations, including as a founding member of the Kentucky Arts Council, promoting aspiring talents in her home of Pulaski County and throughout the Commonwealth. She also established the Cornelia Dozier Cooper Endowment Fund for the Arts, providing grants to support a variety of eastern Kentucky artists. The endowment is funded, in part, by the proceeds from the sale of her own watercolors. prgtoken At a ceremony in the Kentucky Capitol Rotunda, surrounded by artistic works celebrating the Bluegrass State's illustrious history, Cornelia received her Milner Award. Even at the age of 93 Cornelia still brings the same enthusiasm to promoting young artists. To many throughout Kentucky, she is a mentor and a creative inspiration. Her selfless philanthropy will certainly continue to encourage young artists to develop their talents and follow their passions. I am grateful to Cornelia for her friendship and her lifetime spent enriching our home State. She has certainly earned this distinction. I ask my Senate colleagues to join me in congratulating this remarkable Kentuckian, Cornelia Dozier Cooper.
SECURE AND FAIR ENFORCEMENT BANKING ACT OF 2019
Warren Davidson (Republican, OH) \u2014 2019-9-25

. Madam , I rise today in support of the SAFE Banking Act. prgtoken This is a banking bill. It defends civil liberties with a simple concept: If it is legal in your State, you should be able to bank it. No Federal regulator should be able to block an American's lawful access to the financial system. prgtoken In Ohio, legal, State-regulated businesses are being forced into using cash or intermediaries. This bill will help get cash off our streets and into the regulated financial system. prgtoken I am also pleased the bill includes Mr. Luetkemeyer's legislation to stop the closing of accounts on the basis of political biases or motivations. prgtoken For far too long, financial institutions have said: You are not going to bank those people, are you? prgtoken It is time to defend civil liberties and pass this important bill. prgtoken Madam , I urge bipartisan, broad support of its passage.
Debbie Lesko (Republican, AZ) \u2014 2019-9-25

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , if we defeat the previous question, I will offer an amendment to the rule to allow for immediate consideration of S. 820, the Debbie Smith Act of 2019, which reauthorizes funding to process the rape kit backlogs. prgtoken , I ask unanimous consent to insert the text of my amendment in the Record, along with extraneous material, immediately prior to the vote on the previous question.
DISPLAY ON NATIONAL MALL BY THE HISTORICAL VEHICLE ASSOCIATION
Doug LaMalfa (Republican, CA) \u2014 2019-9-25

. Madam , I want to point out a unique opportunity for viewing. The U.S. Park Service, their division of the Historic Vehicle Association, places on display in The National Mall, several times a year, unique vehicles with unique histories. prgtoken Right now, in a glass case just a couple of blocks from here in The National Mall is the 1966 Volkswagen van that belonged to Esau and Janie Jenkins from South Carolina, who were longtime revered civil rights leaders back in the day, transporting people to rallies and to get them out to vote and for voter registration, education, all sorts of things in the civil rights movement, starting back in the 1940s until they obtained this van and used it for many years. prgtoken It was brought out from a field where it had been deteriorating over many years. It was brought back to life in this display for everyone to see in this glass case. It will be here for the rest of the week. prgtoken I encourage people to go down and check that out and see what the Historic Vehicle Association is doing.
CLOTURE MOTION
Rick Scott (Republican, FL) \u2014 2019-9-25

I object on half of my colleague, Senator Rand Paul. prgtoken What I propose is a bill that grants TPS to Venezuelans right now. It also makes much-needed reforms to the TPS program and gives Congress real oversight. prgtoken I am very disappointed that my ic colleagues would block this commonsense compromise. s support it. The sponsor of the House-passed bill supports it. I believe the President would sign it. It is clear that the actually don't want to get something done on this issue. Unfortunately, they decided to use the Venezuelan community as a political prop, instead of working with us to find a solution. I think that is shameful. Even though the stood up and blocked TPS for Venezuelans today, I will never stop fighting to support the Venezuelan community here. prgtoken My amendment is a solution that can be passed by Congress and signed into law by the President. I hope my colleagues on both sides of the aisle will help us to get this done. prgtoken We cannot lose sight of the fact that Nicolas Maduro is killing his citizens. It is genocide. Every passing day, the situation on the ground grows worse. Hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans are fleeing the violence and starvation of Maduro's socialist regime, and they need our help. prgtoken While extending TPS to Venezuelans is the right move, the United States and freedom-loving nations around the world need to do everything in our power to isolate Maduro in Venezuela and cut off the supply of money from Cuba to Caracas. prgtoken It is time to help Venezuelan families. It is time to get TPS reform done in this country. Temporary protected status was never meant to be endless. It was meant to help families in need. We need to get this program to work. We need to get TPS for Venezuelans today. prgtoken I look forward to working with all my colleagues to help all the families in Venezuela and finally get a real long-term solution to TPS.