mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
Mazie K. Hirono (Democrat, HI) \u2014 2019-6-25

I come to the floor today to discuss the Patsy T. Mink and Louise M. Slaughter Gender Equity in Education Act, which I was proud to reintroduce today with several of my Senate colleagues. I also want to thank Congresswoman Matsui, who introduced the bill in the House. prgtoken Our legislation recognizes and builds on the progress started by two gender prgtoken equity champions: Patsy Mink of Hawaii and Louise Slaughter of New York. prgtoken Patsy Mink, the first Asian American woman and woman of color to serve in Congress, was a pioneer and a strong champion for gender equity in education as one of the principal authors of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. Congresswoman Louise Slaughter's commitment to public service and fierce advocacy for women's equality and empowerment helped strengthen educational opportunities for all Americans. prgtoken The Gender Equity in Education Act (GEEA) would honor their legacies by providing more resources for K-12 schools, colleges and universities, States, school districts, and others to fully implement Title IX, also known as the ``Patsy T. Mink Equal Opportunity in Education Act,'' which has transformed the educational landscape in our country by reaffirming the fundamental principal that sex-based discrimination has no place in our nation's schools. prgtoken Since its enactment, Title IX has opened countless doors for women and girls, and created important opportunities for students across the country--whether in the classroom, on the playing field, or in the boardroom. But barriers still exist, and more work remains to make sure all students have access to safe learning environments free from bias and discrimination. We need to work to make sure schools treat students equally with regard to athletic participation opportunities, athletic scholarships, and the benefits and services provided to athletic teams. prgtoken We need to work to improve gender equity in career and technical education, in higher education, and in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields while strengthening the STEM pipeline. We need to address sexual harassment and assault in our nation's schools. prgtoken We need to address discrimination based on pregnancy or parenting status by providing better accommodations and increased support for pregnant and parenting students, because currently only half of teenage mothers earn their high school diplomas before they turn 22 years old, and nearly one-in-three young mothers never get their diplomas or GEDs, which is unacceptable. prgtoken And, at a time when nearly nine-in-ten LGBTQ students reported being harassed or assaulted based on a personal characteristic, we need to address discrimination based on stereotypes of actual or perceived sex--including sexual orientation and gender identity. prgtoken GEEA provides important resources to continue this work--not only to protect the progress we have made, but also to bui
HONORING BRIGADIER GENERAL KILLEA ON HIS RETIREMENT
Mike Levin (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-6-25

. Madam , I rise today to honor Brigadier General Kevin J. Killea on the event of his retirement. prgtoken Brigadier General Killea has dedicated his life to service. Born in Rockville Centre, New York, he graduated from St. Johns University, the Naval War College, the Industrial College of Armed Forces, and the Harvard Business School Advanced Management Program. prgtoken In March 1988, he was commissioned as a second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. He is a career F/A-18 fighter pilot that included multiple combat tours and key billets, which are highlighted by his command of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 122 in the Western Pacific from 2004 to 2006, and the Marine Aircraft Group 11 from 2009 and 2011. He also served as the Chief of Staff to the Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve, and as Assistant Director, Land Domain, for Homeland Defense Policy for the Office of the Secretary of Defense. prgtoken In July 2016, Brigadier General Killea assumed command of Marine Corps Installations West, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, and it has been my recent honor to work with him. He has had a profound impact on Camp Pendleton and the surrounding residents providing service support to more than 50,000 Marines, Sailors, families and civilian employees. He has been continually focused on ensuring our warfighters have all of the vital base support necessary to be operationally ready, and all the issues that impact of the quality of life for families. He has been a leader in environmental issues and has been dedicated to finding solutions to a range of complex problems to ensure all of the five Marine Corps West Coast installations remain tremendous neighbors to our local communities. prgtoken Brigadier General Killea has dedicated his life to serving his country. We cannot thank him enough for his service to Camp Pendleton, the Marine Corps, and the United States of America.
FINANCIAL SERVICES AND GENERAL GOVERNMENT APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2020
Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (Democrat, GA) \u2014 2019-6-25

. Mr. Chair, I can tell my colleagues with great confidence that USDA's proposal to move the Economic Research Service (ERS) and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) outside the National Capital Region is a bad idea. prgtoken We held a hearing on the issue last March, at which four former senior USDA officials with 70 years of combined experience at the two agencies, from both parties, expressed their deep opposition to this proposal. prgtoken Numerous stakeholders have expressed strong opposition, including the National Farmers Union, the Association of American Veterinary Colleges and nearly 1700 other organizations, university officials, and individuals from 47 states. prgtoken We have not received a single letter in support of this proposal. prgtoken USDA violated the Appropriations Committee's statutorily-required 30- day waiting period for such proposals when it took action to implement the proposal six days after notifying the Committee. prgtoken It failed utterly to comply with the requirements of the conferees in the 2019 omnibus appropriations report to submit all cost benefits for the move and a detailed analysis of any research benefits of a relocation when it submitted the 2020 budget. prgtoken USDA has also refused numerous requests from members of the House and Senate that it provide the original cost-benefit analysis developed before the proposal was announced. prgtoken It finally gave us a so-called ``cost-benefit analysis'' after the final site was selected. prgtoken But an independent analysis of this supposed analysis found that ``USDA leadership failed to follow federal guidelines for the benefit cost analysis'' and that ``the move to Kansas City will cost taxpayers between $83 and $182 million dollars, rather than saving them $300 million dollars.'' prgtoken Large numbers of ERS and NIFA employees have left as a result of this proposal. prgtoken I fear that ultimately, these agencies will become mere shadows of their former selves, with the loss of hundreds of years of expertise. prgtoken These agencies' mission is to achieve the best science through research that advances U.S. agriculture and our understanding of the agricultural economy. prgtoken I believe that the Department's proposal puts that mission at great risk. prgtoken I urge a yes vote on the Norton amendment.
FINANCIAL SERVICES AND GENERAL GOVERNMENT APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2020
Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democrat, DC) \u2014 2019-6-25

. This amendment prohibits the General Services Administration, the Federal Government's real estate arm, from using its funds to relocate the Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture and the Economic Research Service outside of the national capital region. Earlier today, the House prohibited USDA from using its funds to relocate these agencies outside of the national capital region. prgtoken On June 13, 2019, USDA announced it will relocate 547 out of its 644 employees of these agencies from the national capital region to the Kansas City region. prgtoken Many Members of Congress who are opposing this relocation are doing so not only to protect the employees of these agencies from the agonizing decision of moving halfway across the country or losing their jobs, but we are also fighting to protect scientific research and integrity, uphold Federal law, and ensure compliance with our real estate procurement process. prgtoken The USDA lacks the legal or budget authority to carry out this relocation. The USDA and GSA have violated the real estate procurement process. Further, this move is not in the best interests of the taxpayers. prgtoken Don't just take my word for it. The USDA Office of Inspector General initiated a review of the relocation for the same reasons in November 2018, and that review is ongoing. prgtoken This relocation is about ideology and politics, nothing more. The decision to relocate was made before any cost-benefit analysis was done of the consequences. prgtoken The relocation is about the administration's long-documented antipathy to nonpartisan, career Federal employees and the objective research they produce and fund. prgtoken The employees of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture and the Economic Research Service are being punished for doing their jobs, the jobs Congress mandated. But the country, especially the agricultural community, is also being punished. prgtoken As the Union of Concerned Scientists noted when the location was selected: ``The damage was already done before Secretary Perdue made his decision. It was clear from the start that the administration was systematically hollowing out USDA's ability to produce objective science. The White House proposed budget cuts to eliminate research that's inconvenient to its interests, and at the same time, they've created this unnecessary relocation crisis, which is driving off scientists who conduct that very research,'' which is necessary. ``This is a blatant attack on science and will especially hurt farmers, ranchers, and eaters at a particularly vulnerable time.'' prgtoken Mr. Chair, we will fight this relocation using every tool at our disposal. .
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2020--Continued
Debbie Stabenow (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2019-6-25

I rise to once again talk about the truly obscene cost of prescription drugs and the No. 1 thing we can do to lower prices. It is spelled out right here: Let Medicare negotiate. It is very simple. Let Medicare negotiate to bring down the cost of prescription drugs. prgtoken Prescription drug costs are a huge issue for people, frankly, of all ages who need medication in my State. Whether I am talking to farmers in Western Michigan, retirees in the Upper Peninsula, working families in Wayne County or Macomb County, families are feeling the effects. prgtoken When you look at the numbers between 2008 and 2016, prices on the most popular brand-name drugs went up over 208 percent. Just ask those farmers in West Michigan and those working families in Macomb; their income did not rise 208 percent. prgtoken Perhaps nobody has been hurt more than our seniors who tend to take more medications and live on fixed incomes. In 2017 alone, the average price of brand-name drugs that seniors often take rose four times faster than the rate of inflation. In 1 year, it rose faster than the rate of inflation. Again, I am absolutely certain that the vast majority of the seniors in my State did not see their incomes go up four times faster than the rate of inflation. I can tell you that seniors in the Upper Peninsula didn't see their pensions or Social Security checks increase that much. prgtoken What do families do? What do seniors do? We all know the stories. Some people are forced to cut back on other things like food and paying their bills. Some folks cut their heart pills in half or take their arthritis medication every other day instead of every day--which, by the way, is not OK to do. Some families stop filling their prescriptions altogether simply because they can't afford it. This is wrong. prgtoken I have always believed healthcare is a basic human right, and that includes prescription medications. How do we lower the cost of prescriptions so families can afford the medications they need to get healthy and to stay healthy? The No. 1 way to do that is to prgtoken let Medicare negotiate. It is very straightforward: Let Medicare negotiate. The VA is allowed to negotiate the price of prescription drugs, and the VA saves 40 percent compared to Medicare. In fact, if Medicare paid the same price as the VA, it could have saved $14.4 billion on just 50 drugs if it paid the same prices as the VA. It could have $14.4 billion in savings if Medicare could negotiate for seniors the way the VA is able to negotiate for veterans. prgtoken So what is stopping us? s in Congress and pharma lobbyists are standing in the way of getting this done. In 2018, there were 1,451 lobbyists for the pharmaceutical and health product industry. That is almost 15 lobbyists for every 1 Member of the Senate. Their job is to stop competition and keep prices high, and they are doing a very good job. prgtoken Back in 2003, when Medicare P
FINANCIAL SERVICES AND GENERAL GOVERNMENT APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2020
Mark Pocan (Democrat, WI) \u2014 2019-6-25

. Mr. Chair, I am one of the founders of the Rural Broadband Caucus. We have three , three s--a lot of members. prgtoken This is not an issue people want us to have reports or studies on. They want broadband because, in my district, you can't track your cows if you don't have prgtoken broadband these days and you certainly can't do your homework. Healthcare and schools need this, not to have to be competing for the funds. prgtoken Mr. Chair, I urge support of this amendment, and .
CENSUS RIGGING: A CONFESSION
Carolyn B. Maloney (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2019-6-26

the clock is ticking down to the hour when the Supreme Court will make its initial decision on whether to include a citizenship question in the 2020 Census. prgtoken This administration has repeatedly told the American people, this Congress, and the Supreme Court that its reason for wanting to include the question is to ``help enforce the Voting Rights Act.'' prgtoken It turns out, all that was a lie, and I have the documentation to prove it on my website. prgtoken Newly discovered documents and court records clearly show that the only goal was to achieve the desired effect of diminishing the representation of communities of color while also entrenching the power of `` and non-Hispanic Whites,'' according to the masterminds of the citizenship question. prgtoken This may, understandably, sound to some like an outrageous claim to make, but we have the documentation to prove it. You can go to my website to see it. These documents were uncovered thanks to the courageous efforts of a woman who discovered and turned over thousands of documents from her father's hard drive to pro bono lawyers representing Common Cause in its litigation against gerrymandering. prgtoken In doing so, she uncovered evidence that is more powerful and convincing than a smoking gun. It is basically a signed and sealed confession. prgtoken The documentary trail of deceit begins on January 7, 2015, when a Census Bureau employee used her private email account to contact a redistricting expert and urged him to push for a citizenship question in the 2020 Census. prgtoken The Census Bureau employee, a Christa Jones, went on to become a political appointee in the Census Bureau. Ms. Jones then became part of Secretary Ross' core team on the citizenship question. prgtoken The redistricting expert she reached out to was Dr. Thomas Hofeller. Hofeller was widely known as the Michelangelo of gerrymandering for the Party. prgtoken This conspiracy picked up steam in August of 2015 when Dr. Hofeller concluded in a secret study he had written that simply adding one question, a citizenship question, to the Census would facilitate a redistricting overhaul that would be, and I quote from his work: ``advantageous to s and non-Hispanic Whites.'' prgtoken In late 2016, Dr. Hofeller became the first person to push the incoming administration to add a citizenship question to the 2020 census. Not long after, Hofeller ghostwrote a letter that became, word for word, the basis of the Justice letter that had been cooked up by Commerce to be sent to them that set forth the knowingly fake voting rights rationale. prgtoken In October of 2017, Secretary Ross' general counsel arranged for his key Census advisor to hand-deliver the Hofeller letter to a top Department of Justice political appointee at a secret meeting. That fake Voting Rights Act rationale then appeared in the letter that the DOJ political appointee sent to the Commerce
COMMEMORATING STONEWALL PIONEERS OF LGBTQ MOVEMENT
Al Green (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2019-6-26

and still I rise, a proud American, and I am especially proud today because I rise to acknowledge that we have filed a resolution, H. Res. 464, that is styled the Original LGBTQ Pride Month Resolution of 2019. prgtoken I am proud to be a sponsor of the Pride resolution, but I am not doing it alone. There are 78 Members of Congress who are original cosponsors of this resolution. ``Original'' meaning their names will be right there on the resolution when it is filed. prgtoken I am so proud to be a sponsor of the Pride resolution, and I am proud to read just a couple of passages from this resolution and to address them rather briefly. It was my hope to have some 30 minutes to an hour of time to speak on the resolution, but circumstances in Congress will not permit such to take place. prgtoken This resolution acknowledges the 50 years since the uprising at Stonewall, which will be commemorated on June 28 and will last for some 6 days because that is the length of time that the Stonewall uprising, or as some would call it, the Stonewall riots or Stonewall rebellion, but 50 years since Stonewall. prgtoken I would like to read the whereas as it relates to Stonewall. It reads: ``Whereas, those who took a stand for human rights and dignity at the Stonewall Inn in New York City on June 28, 1969, were pioneers of the LGBTQ movement, including two transgender women of color, Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P. Johnson, who were brave visible leaders in the uprising at Stonewall Inn.'' prgtoken , it is said that a great person will always rise to the occasion, but the truth is, it takes a greater person to make the occasion. These two trans persons were the greater people who made the occasion that we will commemorate on June 28 and the 6 days that ensue, two persons who took a stand among many. prgtoken There were others, but there were two among the many who took a stand that literally has helped to shape the course of history. Sometimes, it really does take just a few to get the job done of starting a movement that can change society. prgtoken , notwithstanding all the change that has manifested itself since the Stonewall uprising, there are still things that must be done. There is still great work to be done because being an LGBTQ person, that alone can get you fired. Coming to work and saying you have just married someone of the same sex as you can get you fired. prgtoken LGBTQ persons do not have the same rights that we have, those of us who are allies of the community. They don't have the same rights. They have them, but they are not being identified and recognized. These rights don't come from people. They really are something we are born with. Human dignity is something that is accorded every person by birthright. prgtoken Unfortunately, in our society, we still allow this level of discrimination against LGBTQ persons. prgtoken I want to acknowledge that while there is still great work to be done, we still must commemorat
IN RECOGNITION OF THE REDEDICATION OF THE SLOCUM STREET PARK IN HONOR OF ANDREW BARILLA, JR.
Matt Cartwright (Democrat, PA) \u2014 2019-6-26

. Madam , I rise today to recognize Andrew Barilla, Jr. and Swoyersville Borough, Pennsylvania as Swoyersville rededicates its Slocum Street Park as the Andrew Barilla, Jr. Park. prgtoken Andrew Barilla, Jr. has been a force for positive change in Swoyersville Borough and an outstanding member of his community in every way. He was born in Swoyersville and was the borough's first All- Scholastic athlete in three sports. Driven to athletic and academic excellence, he attended Michigan State University on a football scholarship. After a severe knee injury ended his athletic career, Andrew finished his degree at Lock Haven State Teachers College. prgtoken As a ten-year member of Swoyersville Borough Council, Andrew made it his mission to share his love of sports and remain active with the children in his community. He founded Slocum Street Park, which will now bear his name. He is also a charter member of the Swoyersville Baseball Club for Boys and was a driving force behind building Roosevelt Stadium. Andrew also generously sponsors Barilla's team in the Wyoming Valley Girls' Travel Softball League. For his athletic prowess and commitment to sports, he was inducted into the Luzerne County Sports Hall of Fame in 1991. prgtoken Andrew's dedication to his community does not end with athletics. He is a past president of the Crime Clinic of Greater Wyoming Valley and the Special Court Judges Association, and he recently retired as the Magisterial District Judge for Swoyersville, Forty Fort, Luzerne, Courtdale, and Pringle. prgtoken It is a privilege to recognize Andrew during the rededication of the Slocum Street Park in his honor. I thank him for his lifetime of service to the people of Swoyersville Borough and beyond. May the park continue to be a place for residents and visitors to gather and enjoy for generations to come.