mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
Nomination of John Chase Johnson (Executive Session)
Maria Cantwell (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2020-12-19

the FCC is one of the most important independent agencies that we are counting on for the future of the information age. When you think about the fact that they regulate interstate commerce, radio, television, wire, and satellite in all 50 States, it is imperative--imperative--that we have someone as the IG who understands these policies. prgtoken I believe the next era of telecom is going to usher in 5G. I do think we are going to solve our rural IT problems. I do think we are going to connect schools. But if we have an IG who does not understand communication policy, has no experience in communication policy, has never had a role in that, I say we won't accomplish the mission of oversight or the mission, ultimately, at the FCC. prgtoken It is clear we don't all agree. It is clear we don't all agree. You got a nominee last week; I didn't spend all my time talking about why we opposed them. There was no debate. prgtoken But when it comes to an IG, we have to get on the same page. We need an IG we can believe in. So I ask my colleagues to turn down this nomination and get us someone who has a depth of experience we all can believe in.
TRIBUTE TO SERGEI KHRUSCHEV
Jack Reed (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2020-12-19

today I pay tribute to the life and contributions of a prominent Rhode Islander, Sergei Khruschev. prgtoken You may recognize his last name. His father, Nikita Khruschev, came to power after the death of Joseph Stalin and led the Soviet Union during some of the darkest days of the Cold War. Sergei Khruschev's life is necessarily intertwined with that of his father. Yet Sergei was his own man and achieved much in his own right. prgtoken Sergei Khruschev was born in Moscow in July 1935. Naturally gifted and with a keen mind, he received a doctorate from Moscow Technical University. He would become an accomplished rocket and computer scientist, working on guidance systems for missiles and in the Soviet space program. In 1964, his father was removed from power and relegated to obscurity. During this time, Sergei helped his father write his memoirs. prgtoken At the end of the Cold War, Sergei came to America with his wife Valentina and joined Brown University as a visiting scholar. He became a senior fellow at the Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs and taught there until his retirement in 2012. Sergei used his considerable talents to benefit students, colleagues, and fellow Rhode Islanders. He gave generously of his time, taught at other institutions, and gave lectures across the country. prgtoken Sergei sought to increase knowledge and understanding, particularly between Americans and Russians. In 1991, he was quoted in The Providence Journal stating, ``I think it is important for everyone to understand that many of the mistakes made during the Cold War that led to dangerous conflicts were based on misconceptions and misunderstandings . . . '' prgtoken Fully embracing their new life in America, Sergei and Valentina received their green cards in 1993 and became citizens in 1999. Sergei was proud to become a citizen. Sergei and Valentina were proud members of their Cranston community. Sergei owned a large Buick for years as it reminded him of the cars he saw when he first visited America as a young man with his father. prgtoken After his death, one of his colleagues described Sergei as `` . . . very passionate about the subjects he taught'' who ``managed to infect the students with his genuine enthusiasm and curiosity.'' The colleague also said that even years after leaving Sergei's class, students `` . . . recall [his] amazing combination of open-mindedness, thorough knowledge of the subjects . . . and unassuming manner of discussion and debate.'' prgtoken It is clear that Sergei lived an impactful life, a life that broke down walls and built bridges. I offer my heartfelt condolences to Sergei's wife Valentina, their family, and Sergei's many friends, neighbors, colleagues, and students.
Coronavirus (Executive Session)
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2020-12-19

ever since a remarkable bipartisan rescue package in March, the CARES Act, and a subsequent bill to replenish those programs, getting further aid to the American people has been a long and arduous effort. It is no secret that for much of the year, our colleagues were opposed to spending any more money to help the American people during a once-in-a-century pandemic. Thankfully, the leadership recently accepted the bipartisan Gang of 8's framework as the basis for negotiations for an emergency bill, which Pelosi and I have suggested, unlocking the current round of talks. prgtoken Even now, at the end of this painstaking process, there have been some final hurdles. Crafting a $1 trillion relief package over the matter of a few days was always going to have its difficulties, but we are running out of time. prgtoken After passing yet another continuing resolution yesterday evening, we have until Sunday at midnight to secure a final agreement, draft the legislation, and move it through both Chambers of Congress with alacrity. I agree with the leader on this: We need to deliver an outcome and deliver it quickly. prgtoken We continue to make progress. I believe there is good faith from all four corners of congressional leadership to finalize an agreement very soon. Even though there are several issues that haven't been closed out yet, we continue to make good progress on all issues but one. prgtoken The No. 1 outstanding issue is a proposal by the Senator from Pennsylvania. This proposal is a new entrant. It hadn't been an important feature of our negotiations over the past few weeks. Only in the past few days have Senator Toomey and Senator McConnell introduced this specific provision and made it clear they feel strongly about it. prgtoken Senator Toomey's new proposal would potentially prohibit the Treasury and the Fed from setting up new emergency lending facilities moving forward, greatly reducing their ability to respond to economic crises. Again, this is something that materialized only in the past few days and would leave the Treasury and the Fed with less authority than it had even prior to the pandemic. prgtoken Quite simply, Senator Toomey's proposal would do more than just prevent the next Treasury Secretary and Fed Chair from using the emergency lending programs that saved our economy and stabilized markets back in March and April. It could potentially prevent them from setting up new facilities that look, or even smell like, those programs moving forward. prgtoken do not agree with it. Economists from across the political spectrum warned that Senator Toomey's legislation would cripple our government's ability to respond to a deteriorating economy. The Chair of the Federal Reserve, Jay Powell, hardly a flaming liberal, is likewise strongly opposed to the Toomey provision. prgtoken Senator Toomey's proposal goes way beyond what Leader McCon
Pensions (Executive Session)
Sherrod Brown (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2020-12-19

another Congress is ending, a President's term is coming to a close, and, yet again, this Senate, the President, Washington have failed to address the pension crisis facing far too many workers. prgtoken The American people are tired of waiting for us to do our jobs, and they are tired of being told by Leader McConnell and President : You are on your own. prgtoken The House has twice passed legislation that would address the multiemployer pension crisis, but under Leader McConnell the Senate has failed these Americans. As for the White House, I don't even think President knows, much less cares, about the multiemployer pension crisis. prgtoken We ought to be working to support all the workers and retirees around the country whose lives have been upended during this pandemic, and that should include more than a million Americans in multiemployer pension system. After a lifetime of hard work and service to our country, they have already waited too long for Congress to do its job and to protect the benefits that these workers earned through a lifetime of work. prgtoken We have been trying to solve this crisis for years. The House has done its part. They passed the solution multiple times now. Mitch McConnell, the leader of the Senate, is deliberately blocking it, and his party and his Members and the President support him in blocking it. prgtoken Senate s said this week that after a year of negotiating and talking to stakeholders, they made substantial progress toward a common ground, but then they released legislation that walked back all the progress that we had made. It is a betrayal of the people whom we serve. prgtoken This pension crisis affects retirees across the country of all political parties. Unions, chambers of commerce, and small businesses pretty much all agree that we need to get this done. Unfortunately, Mitch McConnell doesn't. prgtoken There is no excuse for Senate s standing in the way of a deal. This only gets more expensive the longer we wait. The longer we wait, the harder it will be to solve this. We waited year after year after year while Senator McConnell has simply twiddled his thumbs. prgtoken The public health crisis and the economic crisis we are facing right now are not happening in a vacuum. The damage caused by the pandemic and the President's failures is layered on top of all the existing problems in our country, including the crisis facing these workers and retirees who are in danger of losing the retirement security that they earned. I always emphasize ``that they earned.'' prgtoken These pension plans were already in danger. Now the economic emergency we are in has put them in a worse position. We are talking about retirees who did everything right. They spent years working on assembly lines, bagging groceries, driving trucks, working construction--working hard to keep our economy going. Money came out of every single one of their pa
ORDERS FOR MONDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2020
Tim Scott (Republican, SC) \u2014 2020-12-20

I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 12 noon, Monday, December 21; further, that following the prayer and pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, and the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the date; finally, that following leader remarks, the Senate proceed to a period of morning business, with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.
Coronavirus (Executive Calendar)
Rob Portman (Republican, OH) \u2014 2020-12-20

first, I am delighted that we are finally at the point at which we are passing legislation to deal with the COVID-19 crisis that has gripped my State and our country. We have a healthcare pandemic, and we have an economic crisis. I am pleased to say that, on a bipartisan basis, we are now coming together as we did 9 months ago with the CARES Act. It shouldn't have been 9 months, but we now have a targeted bill that focuses on providing a bridge between now and the time at which the vaccines will be widely available. We need the help. The economy is faltering, as was just said, but also the healthcare crisis in my home State and in so many other places has gotten worse. So it is past time. prgtoken I am told I have given 21 speeches on the floor about the bipartisan nature of this. There are so many areas of common ground, and I was pleased to be part of the 10-person bipartisan group who put together our own package over the last month. I think that helped to encourage leaders on both sides to see that there was a lot of common ground, that there were ways for us to come together. prgtoken One of my colleagues is on the floor with me now, Senator Stabenow of Michigan. She is one of those whom I spoke to over a month ago about this bipartisan process, and we talked about the common ground and the ability for us to find ways to move ahead to help those small businesses that truly are struggling; individuals who, through no fault of their own, lost their jobs because of the economic crisis that was precipitated by the pandemic; and to help our schools and to help our healthcare providers and to help ensure that we are doing what we can here to help at the local level to respond to this crisis.
PERSONAL EXPLANATION
Steve King (Republican, IA) \u2014 2020-12-20

. Madam , on December 3, 2020, I submitted a personal explanation for having missed votes on December 2 and December 3, 2020 due to being out of town. I wish to correct my explanation for Roll Call No. 229. Although my personal explanation submitted on December 3, 2020 stated that I would have voted ``no'' on Roll Call no. 229, I in fact would have abstained from that vote and I wish to correct the record to reflect that.
117TH CONGRESS
Chuck Grassley (Republican, IA) \u2014 2020-12-20

today is Sunday, and I want to remember what Senator Byrd said on a lot of Sundays when the Senate was in session. He didn't say this because he didn't want to work on Sunday, but he wanted everybody to remember the significance of Sunday for some people, particularly Christians. He always said: ``Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy.'' prgtoken Now, I want to refer to another particular Sunday. Never in the Senate's history has the Senate convened Congress--meaning a new Congress--on a Sunday. The Constitution mandates that Congress convene at noon on January 3, unless the preceding Congress, by law, designates a different day. prgtoken Of course, January 3 has fallen on a Sunday over the last 238 years, and each time, by unanimous consent, the Congress set a new convening day other than that Sunday. So now it appears, for the first time in history, that Senate don't want to agree to such unanimous consent and instead are insisting that the Senate start the 117th Congress on Sunday. prgtoken I am not looking to get out of work. I have proven that I have respect for attendance in the Senate. But out of respect, the Senate usually does not have business on religious holidays observed by members of various faiths. prgtoken So just like Senator Byrd, I also think the Lord's Day, particularly when it is paired with the weight of starting a new Congress, deserves reverence. prgtoken I yield.
Coronavirus (Executive Calendar)
Tom Cotton (Republican, AR) \u2014 2020-12-20

I want to commend Senator Toomey and thank him for his expertise, for his foresight, and for his courage on the issue of ending these CARES Act-funded Federal Reserve programs. prgtoken You have probably seen that over the last few days, he has been subjected to an onslaught of vicious, dishonest attacks by and their stenographers in the Press Gallery, saying that he was somehow gumming up the works, that we were not going to pass this bill because the Toomey language was stopping it. Nothing could be further from the truth. prgtoken First off, while Senator Toomey may be our thought leader on this issue, this was the Senate conference's position. That is why our majority leader stood firm behind it. prgtoken Second, as Senator Toomey said, this is not a new issue; this is not something we just started debating. We had versions of this in our bill this summer. As he laid out, the minority leader and the of the House had a version of it in their $3.4 trillion this summer as well. The minority leader sent a letter about it. This has been at the heart of this legislation's debate for months. And the fact that it was in their legislation, it was in their letter--they kept saying that we wanted to somehow sabotage the economic recovery--just goes to show you what their intents were with these programs. It was to use them, as Senator Toomey said, as political slush funds; use them to bail out--I don't know--New York State or the city of New York; use them to impose politically correct policies on companies that could come to the Fed and get low- or no-interest-rate loans if they danced to the woke left's tune. prgtoken Senator Toomey and Senate s drew the line on this. We drew the line on politicizing the Fed. We had no intent whatsoever to harm the Fed's background ability to take emergency action, and we will be prepared in the future, as Congresses in the past have been, in an economic crisis to act as well, just like we have twice in the last 12 years--2008 and 2020. prgtoken But nothing you have read in the news about Senator Toomey and his language that he carried on behalf of the Senate conference could be further from the truth. I want to thank him for standing strong, and I want to thank the majority leader for standing strong on this as well. prgtoken .
Vote on the Aenlle-Rocha Nomination (Executive Calendar)
John Thune (Republican, SD) \u2014 2020-12-20

. The following Senators are necessarily absent: the Senator from Tennessee (Mr. Alexander), the Senator from Tennessee (Mrs. Blackburn), the Senator from North Carolina (Mr. Burr), the Senator from Texas (Mr. Cruz), the Senator from Wyoming (Mr. Enzi), the Senator from Nebraska (Mrs. Fischer), the Senator from Georgia (Mrs. Loeffler), the Senator from Georgia (Mr. Perdue), and the Senator from South Dakota (Mr. Rounds).
EXTENSION OF CONTINUING APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2021
Kay Granger (Republican, TX) \u2014 2020-12-20

such time as I may consume. prgtoken I rise today in support of this short-term continuing resolution. prgtoken As I said last week, we have been negotiating night and day for weeks to reach agreement on full-year appropriations bills and a coronavirus relief package. I am proud that we have reached agreement that will fully fund the government for the rest of the fiscal year and provide more desperately needed relief for the American people and businesses impacted by the coronavirus. prgtoken Passing this CR is simply a stopgap measure to give the House and the Senate time to pass this bipartisan agreement and get it to the President's desk for a signature. I urge my colleagues to join me in voting in favor of this continuing resolution. prgtoken , .
NOMINATION OF RETIRED GENERAL LLOYD AUSTIN AS THE 28TH U.S. SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2020-12-20

. Madam , as a senior member of Congress, as a proud citizen of the United States, as an African American woman, and as a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, I rise in strong support of President-elect 's nomination of retired General Lloyd Austin as the 28th U.S. Secretary of Defense. prgtoken Retired General Lloyd Austin is an accomplished and respected trailblazer in the United States Army. He is a trusted and crisis- tested leader who has broken barriers in his historic ascent to the highest ranks of the military. prgtoken With more than 40 years of service, Retired General Lloyd Austin is a deeply experienced and highly decorated commander who has served with distinction in several of the Pentagon's most crucial roles. prgtoken Retired General Lloyd Austin is a son of the South. He was born in Mobile, Alabama and grew up in Thomasville, Georgia. He graduated from West Point United States Military Academy and later earned degrees from Auburn University, Webster University, the Army Command and General Staff College and the Army War College. prgtoken Retired General Lloyd Austin was promoted to Lieutenant General in 2006 and assumed command of the XVIII Airborne Corps at Fort Bragg. And in 2009 he handed over his command to become the Director of the Joint Staff. prgtoken Retired General Lloyd Austin retired from the U.S. Army in 2016 as the first African American to serve as Commander of CENTCOM, the U.S. Central Command, where he oversaw America's military strategy and joint operations throughout the Middle East and in Afghanistan. prgtoken He was the chief architect of the military campaign to defeat the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria and became the second highest ranking commander in Iraq, taking command of the Multi-National Corps--Iraq. As commander, he directed the operations of approximately 152,000 joint and coalition forces in all sectors of Iraq. prgtoken He led the transition of the U.S. and Coalition military forces and equipment out of Iraq, the largest logistics operation undertaken by the Army in six decades. prgtoken Retired General Lloyd Austin served in the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, Operations Officer for the Army Indianapolis District Recruiting Command, Executive Officer 1st Brigade 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, Executive Officer for the 2nd Battalion 22nd Infantry, Chief of Joint Operations Division J-3, Assistant Division Commander for Maneuver 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, Commander of 2nd Battalion 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, Commanding General of U.S. Forces in Iraq, Army Vice Chief of Staff and as Commander of CENTCOM. prgtoken Retired General Lloyd Austin is highly decorated with many awards and decorations including four Defense Distinguished Service Medals, three Army Distinguished Service Medals, a Silver Star, two Defense Superior Service Medals, and two Legion of Merit decorations. prgtoken Retired General Lloyd Austin, if confirmed
Coronavirus (Executive Calendar)
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2020-12-20

after weeks of intense bipartisan negotiation, the leadership of both Chambers, as well as the White House, have reached an agreement on an emergency Federal relief package. The agreement on this package could be summed up by the expression ``better late than never,'' although I know many of my colleagues wished it was never. prgtoken After a long and arduous year, after a year full of bad news, finally, we have some good news to deliver to the American people. Make no mistake about it, this agreement is far from perfect, but it will deliver emergency relief to a nation in the throes of a genuine emergency. prgtoken It should have the votes to pass the Senate, the House, and reach the President's desk to become law. We should make that happen as soon as possible--as soon as possible--even tonight, if we can. prgtoken By all rights, a bill of this urgency should have passed 8 months-- should have passed months ago. The country needed it. prgtoken But we all know what happened. The majority caused more than 8 months of delays and gridlock. Twenty Members of the Senate majority wanted no money. And what the leader simply forgets, for months, he said: Let's examine the crisis; let's put it on pause, while were demanding more action. prgtoken And then when he produced legislation, it didn't have what was needed and had poison pills, a provision that would give all corporations--no matter how egregious their behavior--immunity and nothing to help the unemployed, no direct checks. prgtoken So the idea that this delay was caused by is ``Alice in Wonderland'' history. It was caused by a majority that didn't want to vote for the moneys desperately needed by the American people. The significance of this package, even though it is not as large or robust as it should be, should not be underestimated. We will deliver the second largest Federal stimulus in our Nation's history. Only the CARES Act will have been bigger--only the CARES Act, which I was proud to negotiate with Secretary Mnuchin. prgtoken In size and scope, this bill will exceed the Recovery Act passed in the aftermath of the financial crisis. And once this Federal relief bill is signed into law, Congress will have allocated well over $3 trillion in relief this year alone. That is a historic figure to match a historic crisis. It will give the new President a boost--a head start--as he prepares to right our ailing economy. The economy is in a deep, deep hole because of President and the Senate's failure to act in a timely manner. prgtoken But this, at least, begins us getting the relief the American people need so that when President takes over, he can do more and help us dig out of this deep hole. prgtoken And the good news, too, the poison pills that so stopped any progress put in by the majority leader are not in this bill. It won't include any provision to limit t