mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
EXECUTIVE CALENDAR--Continued
John Cornyn (Republican, TX) \u2014 2019-2-26

yesterday evening the Senate had an opportunity to go on record and show our constituents that we supported the most vulnerable among us. The Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act would require doctors to treat a baby, once it is born, with ordinary medical assistance, something they would do under any other circumstances, even though this entailed surviving an abortion. prgtoken If you ask the American people, they would say this is just common sense. In a recent poll, more than three-fourths of Americans said they support providing medical treatment for babies who survive abortions. I can't imagine what the other 25 percent are thinking. But there are no Federal laws requiring healthcare providers to care for these babies just as they would any other infant in their care, and for some Members of the opposing party, they are just fine with that. prgtoken We all know that a few weeks ago, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam made disturbing comments about how to not care for certain newborns. He was asked: What would you do with a child with birth defects? prgtoken He said: Well, the infant would be delivered. The infant would be kept comfortable. The infant would be resuscitated, if that is what the mother and the family desired, and then a discussion would ensue between the physicians and the mother. prgtoken Let me be clear. The Governor, who is a pediatrician, by the way, essentially advocated for infanticide--killing a child who was born alive. Instead of saying, ``well, it is my duty as a physician under the Hippocratic Oath to provide care to save the child,'' he believes the child ought to be made comfortable, and then the mother and doctor sit down and decide whether the child should live or die. prgtoken That is not healthcare. That is murder. I believe the Senate has a duty to act and ensure that no child born alive is subjected to the treatment described by Governor Northam. prgtoken The bill we voted on last night would protect newborns who have survived abortions and ensure that they receive the same level of care that any other newborn baby would. It builds upon a previous law, which the Senate passed unanimously, called the Born-Alive Infant Protection Act. That bill passed unanimously in 2002, and it clarified that every infant born alive at any stage of development is a person, regardless of the manner in which they were born. Yet yesterday, 44 Senators voted to allow that same person's life to be ended with impunity. prgtoken The legislation we voted on yesterday would simply clarify that the infants who survive abortions are entitled to the same lifesaving care that other babies should receive. That is why it is so shocking to me that 44 of our colleagues chose to vote against even proceeding to a debate and a vote on the matter. prgtoken I am trying to think of a historical counterpart to this. I was reminded of a book I read not long ago called ``Eichmann in Jerusalem.'' Th
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 8, BIPARTISAN BACKGROUND CHECKS ACT OF 2019, AND PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 1112, ENHANCED BACKGROUND CHECKS ACT OF 2019
Debbie Lesko (Republican, AZ) \u2014 2019-2-26

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , if we defeat the previous question, I will offer an amendment to the rule to make my amendment in order, which would allow domestic violence and sexual assault victims with orders of protection to be exempt from the gun transfer prohibitions. This amendment is crucial to saving lives. prgtoken As a survivor of domestic violence, I know what it is like to be in fear for our lives. prgtoken This commonsense amendment is clearcut. If you are a victim with an order of protection, you can borrow a firearm or transfer a firearm to you. It is important, because victims don't often have the means to purchase or go pay for a background check. prgtoken The have presented a letter from the National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence as a reason for not needing my amendment. However, with all due respect, the National Task Force does not speak for every victim, and they certainly do not speak for me. In fact, they never even contacted me, and I have been an outspoken person saying I am a survivor of domestic violence since I ran for Congress. I am also the person who sponsored the amendment to extend the Violence Against Women Act, yet they have never talked to me or reached out to my office. prgtoken The majority offered a political amendment on domestic violence, which I have already talked about, which really does not do any good, because the definitions of imminent danger are not defined, and it will not be carried out and will not be effective. 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.
RECOGNIZING THE LEGACY OF MATHEW HALL LUMBER
Tom Emmer (Republican, MN) \u2014 2019-2-26

. Madam , I rise today to recognize the achievements of the Waconia HERO Coalition. ``HERO'' stands for their mission, which is to ``Help, Empower, and Respect Others.'' prgtoken This community task force based in my district undertook the mission in 2010 to reduce and prevent the use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs by youth through education, engagement, and policy change. prgtoken What started as a group of parents, educators, and community leaders joining forces to address bullying in prgtoken schools quickly became a task force tackling substance abuse. prgtoken In 2014, the Waconia HERO Coalition was awarded the Drug Free Community Support Grant, providing $625,000 of funding over 5 years. Today I want to congratulate them for receiving a continuation to that grant, which reaffirms the incredible work this task force has already done and will be doing and serves as encouragement to keep working towards solutions to youth substance abuse.
Declaration of National Emergency (Executive Session)
Tim Scott (Republican, SC) \u2014 2019-2-26

I was necessarily absent from yesterday evening's vote on cloture on the motion to proceed to S. 311, the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act. On vote No. 27, had I been present, I would have been a yea vote on the motion to invoke cloture. prgtoken Let me say that a little differently. As I sat, waiting for my plane to leave Charleston, SC, to come to the Nation's Capital--a trip that typically takes about 63 minutes--3 hours later, I had not yet arrived in Washington, DC. prgtoken On a vote that, to me, should not be a vote at all--this should be common sense, but it certainly was not common sense, so we had to have a vote on an issue that is very near and dear to my heart. prgtoken I will say without any question that the frustration I felt at being late to that vote was one that was incredibly irritating and infuriating. I had planned to be on the floor of the Senate voting yes on a commonsense piece of legislation, the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, but was unable to make it because a 1-hour flight took more than 3 hours, and I arrived here about 4 minutes after the close of the vote, which also is quite frustrating. prgtoken But what is even more frustrating than that is that in a nation of good conscience, we would be debating and having a conversation about a child who is born, sitting there, alive, separated from her mother, that there would be a question of whether that child should be able to continue to live. prgtoken This is an issue that has been raised by people coming out of New York and more recently by people coming out of Virginia and by the Governor--who happens to be, from my understanding, a pediatric surgeon--who suggested it is OK to allow that child to die. prgtoken Whether you are pro-life, as I am, or pro-choice, as others, I cannot imagine that this would even be an issue of debate or discussion between the two sides. There is no side on this topic. There cannot be a side about life separated from the mother and whether that life should continue to live. This is common sense. This is human decency. This is not an issue of being pro-life or pro-choice. This is being pro-child, which we all should be. prgtoken So I find myself at a loss for words, standing on the floor of the U.S. Senate--where a vote yesterday failed by several votes--having to discuss what doesn't make sense. prgtoken I have recently spoken to a group in Charleston, SC, during Black History Month, where the GOP and African Americans were in the same room having a great conversation about the issues that are important to our Nation. We talked about so many of the powerful issues of economic opportunity and opportunity zones. There may have been some disagreement on whether we should have higher taxes or lower taxes, but there was no disagreement on the issue of infanticide. There was no disagreement whatsoever. In the room, whether you were to the left prgtoken or to the right, ther
SENATE SELECT COMMITTEE ON ETHICS RULES OF PROCEDURE
Johnny Isakson (Republican, GA) \u2014 2019-2-26

in accordance with rule XXVI, paragraph 2 of the Standing Rules of the Senate, I ask unanimous consent, for myself as chairman of the Select Committee on Ethics and for Senator Christopher A. Coons, vice chairman of the committee, that the rules of procedure of the Select Committee on Ethics, which were adopted February 23, 1978, and revised November 1999, be printed in the Record for the 116th Congress.
NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT ACT
Don Young (Republican, AK) \u2014 2019-2-26

I want to thank former Chairman Bishop and Chairman Grijalva for their work on this legislation. prgtoken This is a proud moment. We listened to a lot of angst a while ago, and now we look at two people working together to solve a problem. This is how Congress should work. prgtoken I am especially proud of this legislation because, as the chairman mentioned, there are 62 pieces of legislation that passed this House that are in this bill somewhere, including five which are mine. prgtoken I think it is important to the State of Alaska. What this bill does, as mentioned by the chairman and the past chairman, is gives opportunity to everybody to be involved. As the chairman said, it may not be everything we want. I had a couple of things we didn't get in it, but this is the beginning of working together on public lands as they should be, with those that are directly involved in it. prgtoken The legislation that was in this bill that was mine: There was the Alaska Native veterans and selection of lands--first time. Been trying 15 years, and we finally got it done. prgtoken It also has and expands the long overdue sand and gravel mineral rights to Alaskan Natives in Barrow. A lot of this land surrounds Native villages, so this legislation solves a lot of those conflicts. And everybody supports it. prgtoken I am very excited about this legislation. I want to thank my senators for working on it and finally getting it done but, most of all, the committee, the Natural Resources Committee, where I was chairman for 6 years. This is a good piece of legislation, and I urge passage of this piece of legislation.
FEDERAL DEBT
Rand Paul (Republican, KY) \u2014 2019-2-26

as I stand before you, we are facing a financial calamity that could make the last financial crisis look like the good old days. I have become aware of a committee of respected financial industry experts that has developed a Debt Default Clock, which conceptualizes the risk associated with a potential Federal debt crisis that leads to the insolvency of the government. The Debt Default Clock is the same concept as the famous Doomsday Clock, only in this case illustrating how close we are to fiscal meltdown. prgtoken The Debt Default Clock has 12 factors that are used to measure the risk associated with the burgeoning Federal debt. The Clock currently stands at 4 minutes to midnight, which means that insolvency of the Federal Government is close at hand, and we have little time to act. Although the 12 criteria were developed on the basis of defining the circumstances leading to government insolvency and default, they were also created with the idea of identifying metrics that can be measured, watched, and compared over time to identify the time remaining before the sequence of insolvency and default. Eight of these factors are already in negative territory, and the others are moving in that direction. prgtoken In 2010, I ran for the Senate out of concern that our out-of-control debt might finally take us off the cliff. It is frustration with rampant, deficit-financed spending that sparked the Tea Party; yet the situation continues to get worse. So I urge my colleagues to find out more about the Debt Default Clock and the role of Congress, the administration, and the States as to how each of the factors might be mitigated if the political will exists to do so before calamity hits us square in the face. prgtoken Accordingly, I respectfully request that the following information related to the Debt Default Clock be printed in the Record.
TRIBUTE TO RONALD H. ROBERTS
Ken Calvert (Republican, CA) \u2014 2019-2-26

. Madam , I rise today to honor and pay tribute to my good friend Ronald ``Ron'' Roberts, who passed away in San Diego, California on Monday, February 4, 2019. Ron was a dedicated public servant and he will be deeply missed. prgtoken Throughout his life, Ron worked to improve the community around him. In the first phase of his public service, Ron worked as a California Highway Patrol officer. By the time he retired, Ron had risen to the rank of sergeant. After his career in law enforcement, Ron began what would eventually be a twenty-four-year dedication to the city of Temecula. Ron was first appointed to the Temecula Traffic Commission in 1990, the year after the city incorporated. prgtoken In 1992, Ron was elected to the Temecula City Council, where he would ultimately serve five consecutive terms, from 1992 to 2014, including five terms as the city's mayor. The impact of Ron's leadership and hard work is on display today throughout Temecula, particularly in its infrastructure, facilities, parks and libraries. In fact, the city honored Ron by naming its busiest library the Ronald H. Roberts Temecula Public Library. Ron was also rightfully proud of his work granting public use of the Duck Pond at the corner of Ynez and Rancho California roads and revitalizing Old Town Temecula. Extraordinary cities like Temecula don't exist by accident--they come to fruition thanks to the vision and activism of tireless advocates like Ron Roberts. prgtoken Ron is survived by his wife, Jeanne; son Ron, Jr. (wife Kara); daughter Wendy (husband Sam); and five grandchildren. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the Roberts family, his friends, and everyone fortunate enough to know Ron. Although Ron may be gone, the many contributions he made to his country, community and family will have a lasting impact.
RECOGNIZING THE ACHIEVEMENTS AND SERVICE OF THE NATIONAL SOCIETY OF PERSHING RIFLES
Billy Long (Republican, MO) \u2014 2019-2-26

. Madam , I rise today to honor the history, service and accomplishments of the National Society of Pershing Rifles, whose members and alumni will observe the organization's 125th Anniversary during its national convention, March 14 through 16 in Kansas City, Missouri. prgtoken In 1891, Second Lieutenant John J. Pershing, then a military instructor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, selected a top-tier group of cadets to ``promote the highest ideals of the military profession,'' among other things, within the Nebraska cadet corps. In 1894, the group was named The Pershing Rifles, in honor of their founder and mentor. Lieutenant Pershing would go on to become Commander of the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) in World War I, and remains the only active duty American to be awarded the rank of General of the Armies of the United States. prgtoken Since its humble beginnings, the Pershing Rifles have vastly expanded, and now numbers more than 600 ROTC cadet and midshipman members spread across more than 60 campuses nationwide. Now in its 125th year, members remain steadfast in their determination to carry on the organization's original goal of promoting excellence in the military arts. prgtoken The mission of the National Society of Pershing Rifles is to aid in the development of successful officers in the Army, Navy and Air Force; foster camaraderie and esprit de corps among all three Reserve Officers' Training Corps programs; further the purposes, traditions, and concepts of the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps, and give civilians an opportunity to be part of a military organization without formal commitment to the military. prgtoken Alumni of the Pershing Rifles have fought with valor and distinction as military and naval officers in every American conflict since the Spanish-American War. Distinguished alumni include former Secretary of State Colin Powell, among many other notable American military, political, professional, and cultural leaders. prgtoken Madam , I am honored to rise and recognize 125 years of service to the nation since the formation of the Pershing Rifles. Throughout their history, they have strived for excellence in all that they do and have clearly lived up to the vision of their founder. I can think of no tribute more fitting, to honor the living legacy of General of the Armies John J. Pershing and his vision for military and civic excellence.
AUTHORITY FOR COMMITTEES TO MEET
James Lankford (Republican, OK) \u2014 2019-2-26

I have 8 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 Armed Services prgtoken The Committee on Armed Services is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, February 26, 2019, at 9.30 a.m to conduct a hearing ``United States Strategic Command and United States Northern Command in review of the Defense Authorization Request for fiscal year 2020 and the Future Years Defense Program.'' 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 Tuesday, February 26, 2019, at 10 a.m to conduct a hearing. Committee on Finance prgtoken The Committee on Finance is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, February 26, 2019, at 10:15 a.m to conduct a hearing entitled ``Drug Pricing in America: A prescription for change, Part II.'' 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 Tuesday, February 26, 2019, at 3:30 p.m to conduct a hearing entitled ``Opportunity to SOAR: 15 years of school choice in DC.'' Committee on Veterans' Affairs prgtoken The Committee on Veterans' Affairs is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, February 26, 2019, at 2 p.m to conduct a hearing. Subcommittee on Airland prgtoken The Subcommittee on Airland of the Committee on Armed Services is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, February 26, 2019, at 3 p.m to conduct a closed hearing. Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety and Security prgtoken The Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safely and Security of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, February 26, 2019, at 2:30 p.m to conduct a hearing entitled ``Examining intermodal connections across our surface transportation network.'' Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights prgtoken The Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights of the Committee on the Judiciary is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, February 26, 2019, at 10 a.m to conduct a hearing entitled ``Examining the 2019 annual intellectual property report to Congress.''
NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT ACT
Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (Republican, GA) \u2014 2019-2-26

I thank the gentleman for yielding. prgtoken , I rise today to encourage my colleagues to support S. 47, the Natural Resources Management Act. prgtoken This legislation includes important provisions for public lands across our Nation, but specifically for three national parks in the State of Georgia. One of those includes my own piece of legislation, a boundary expansion for the Fort Frederica National Monument in the First Congressional District of Georgia. prgtoken Designed by General James Oglethorpe in 1733 on St. Simons Island, Fort Frederica was built to defend the young colony against attack from the Spanish in Florida. Nine years later, in 1742, General Oglethorpe's design was put to the test. The Spanish invaded the Georgia colony as part of the larger War of Jenkins' Ear headed directly for Fort Frederica. prgtoken The Spaniards numbered around 5,000 troops, while General Oglethorpe had fewer than 1,000 regular soldiers, Native Americans, and local colonists garrisoned inside the tabby structure. The English detected the Spanish invasion, waded into the marsh, and ambushed the enemy troops in an engagement now called the Battle of Bloody Marsh. Consequently, this battle turned back the Spanish and was the last of their offensives into the colony of Georgia. prgtoken This story, battle, and fort is an important moment in Georgia history, taught to elementary students throughout the State as a marker of our resolve and a turning point that helped to create the State of Georgia that we now know. prgtoken In passing years, specifically with updates in technology, we increase our knowledge of history through new findings. That is exactly the opportunity we have here with Fort Frederica and why we need this legislation. prgtoken Studies now show that land just outside the national park boundary was used as a campground and even a battery that protected the area from warships. This bill adjusts the existing Fort Frederica National Monument to include those locations inside the boundary, in an effort to better preserve those locations and continue to learn more about this area and the critical events that unfolded here in the First Congressional District of Georgia to create our home State of Georgia. prgtoken This legislation has been in the works for the last 12 years, beginning when the Saint Simons Land Trust temporarily purchased the additional land in 2007. prgtoken , I thank the committee for their work on this. We need to preserve this history for generations to come.