mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
Cloture Motion (Executive Session)
Lamar Alexander (Republican, TN) \u2014 2019-9-23

Ken Burns told me last year that his 8- part, 16-hour ``Country Music'' film, which concludes on PBS this week, could be more popular than his Civil War film. After watching the first episodes, I suspect he might be right. His new film plumbs the depths of the American soul, using the one tool--music--that is the most likely to touch the largest number of us. prgtoken As a U.S. Senator from Tennessee, I will confess my bias. The first 2 hours of ``Country Music'' a week ago Sunday were about the recordings of hillbilly music in 1927 at the birthplace of country music in Bristol, where the Tennessee-Virginia State line runs down the middle of Main Street. Two years ago, the Senator from Virginia, Mr. Kaine, and I, played a little concert--I on the keyboard and he on the harmonica--at the end of that Main Street, at a fiddler's festival that they had. The rest of the Ken Burns episode winds through a community called Boogertown in Eastern Tennessee, in the Smoky Mountains, where Dolly Parton was born, to the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville and to Beale Street in Memphis. prgtoken We like to say that the whole world sings with Tennessee, but country music is more than Tennessee music. It is more than Appalachian music. It is more than the music of poor white Americans. It comes from the heart. prgtoken As Burns' and Duncan's storytelling reminds us, every one of us has a heart. There is no better evidence of this than paying less than $20 to sit at a table at the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville. There you listen to three songwriters tell the stories behind their songs and play them for a small audience who doesn't even whisper during their performances. prgtoken I sat at the Bluebird on a Saturday in 2013, listening to a young songwriter, Jessi Alexander, sing her song, ``I Drive Your Truck.'' One of her cowriters, Connie Harrington, had heard the story on NPR. It was the story of Jared Monti, an American soldier killed in Afghanistan trying to save another soldier. He won a Congressional Medal of Honor for that. To remember his son, his father, Paul, drives Jared's Dodge Ram truck because, the father says, ``I am alone, in the truck, with him.'' When Jessi Alexander finished singing, everyone in the Bluebird was weeping. I said to the person next to me, ``That has to be the song of the year,'' and it was. prgtoken Last week, I attended the Annual Nashville Songwriter Awards show. I looked through the program listing all of the previous songs of the year. In 2012, it was Dolly Parton's farewell song to Porter Wagoner, ``I Will Always Love You.'' Dolly Parton is a great songwriter too. In 2003, it was ``Three Wooden Crosses.'' In 1972, it was ``Old Dogs, Children, and Watermelon Wine,'' by Tom T. Hall. Then, in 1969, it was ``Okie from Muskogee,'' by Merle Haggard. ``Three chords and the truth'' is how songwriter Harlan Howard defines country music. prgtoken Ken Burns has become America's storyteller, a skil
RENEWABLE FUELS
Chuck Grassley (Republican, IA) \u2014 2019-9-23

. Last week, Siouxland Energy, an ethanol plant in Sioux Center, IA, announced that they are halting production due to the unfair small refinery exemptions. prgtoken This farmer-owned plant was annually buying 23.4 million bushels of corn from farmers in the area, and it also employed 42,000 people who, today, do not know when they will be able to go back to work. This kind of economic impact is a big deal in rural communities. If it spreads, it is going to create a lot of unemployment and closed ethanol plants in other places around the country. I have heard of production halts announced in other States as well. prgtoken In fact, the ethanol industry supports more than 365,000 total jobs, and the biodiesel industry supports more than 65,000 total jobs. We have made great progress through the Renewable Fuel Standard in diversifying our Nation's fuel supply while creating jobs and strengthening local economies. prgtoken We have to get this issue settled. I hope we can get an announcement from the EPA very soon about that so we can get these plants open and get these people back to work. prgtoken . prgtoken .
Cloture Motion (Executive Session)
Bill Cassidy (Republican, LA) \u2014 2019-9-23

I rise today with a heavy heart to honor the life of Mandeville police officer Captain Vincent ``Vinnie'' Liberto, Jr who was killed in the line of duty last week. Captain Liberto will be remembered for his life of service to the community and country. prgtoken After graduating from Brother Martin High School in New Orleans, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps, where he ultimately served 10 years as sergeant. prgtoken Captain Liberto had a combined 30 years of law enforcement service, 5 with the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Department and 25 years with the Mandeville Police Department, where he was recognized as officer of the year. prgtoken The captain had a brilliant mind for law enforcement. He graduated from the FBI National Academy and ran the Mandeville Police Department's Criminal Investigations Division, where he worked as a polygraphist and was responsible for the Department's enforcement functions. prgtoken Those who knew him best describe him as a gentle giant, polite, upbeat, reasonable, and fairminded--all qualities that make a great police officer. prgtoken In his yard flies the Marine Corps flag, and mounted on the front door are twin wreaths, one for the marines and one for the police. prgtoken Captain Liberto is survived by his wife, Tracey, and seven children. He was 58 years old. prgtoken His passion for service was so strong that he inspired several of his children to follow in their dad's footsteps by entering the military and law enforcement. That is the definition of setting a great example for children. prgtoken Captain Liberto's death is a painful reminder that our law enforcement officers put their lives on the line to keep our community safe. He died during a gunfire exchange when a routine traffic stop turned into a tragedy. The other officer, Ben Cato, was also injured but thankfully has returned to work. prgtoken Like Captain Liberto and Officer Cato, our law enforcement officers report to work every day knowing that they might not come home at night. They do it for us all, and for that we should always be grateful. prgtoken I ask those who are listening to say a prayer for Tracey, their kids, and the officers of the Mandeville Police Department, and for their entire community that is grieving the loss of one of their own. prgtoken Vincent Liberto made Louisiana a better place and our country a better place, and he will be sorely missed. prgtoken . prgtoken .
DECLARATION OF NATIONAL EMERGENCY
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2019-9-23

on a somewhat related matter, again about President 's overreach and lack of respect for any rule of law, Senate s will be forced to vote later this week on the President's emergency declaration, which he is using to steal money from our military to fund a border wall that he promised Mexico would pay for. Again, my colleagues face a choice about whether to have the Senate enforce its role as a check on the executive branch. prgtoken By declaring a national emergency, the President has tried to go around the constraints of his office to spend taxpayer dollars the way he wants instead of the way the Congress appropriates. Remember, Congress has explicitly and repeatedly rejected the President's request for border wall funding. Now he is trying to improperly take it from funds elsewhere--in this case, the military. prgtoken The Constitution dictates that Congress alone has the power of the purse. Will my colleagues vote to reassert those constitutional powers, or will they buckle to the pressure of partisan loyalty to the President? prgtoken And I say to some of my very conservative friends, conservatism says: Let's not have large agglomerations of power. Let the individual have the most freedom to exercise his or her will. prgtoken When the President overreaches, what has happened to the true conservatives? They are quiet. They almost hide under their desks. History will not look at it kindly. prgtoken Many of my colleagues have military installations, schools, and major projects in their States that would suffer as a result of the President's emergency. The Pentagon last week warned of dire outcomes if this funding is not restored, even warning that lives might be at risk. prgtoken Will Senate s vote to defend our troops, their families, their children? Will they vote to defend millions of dollars of important projects in their States, including medical facilities in North Carolina, a hurricane recovery project in Florida, and a middle school in Kentucky? Well, these questions will be answered this week. prgtoken I have seen reports that the s are searching for other ways to restore military funding other than by ending the President's emergency declaration. Make no mistake-- will not assent to backfilling accounts or other backhanded ways of approving taxpayer dollars for the President's border wall. The President said Mexico would pay for it. That is the only thing he said during the campaign. When people yelled ``build the wall,'' it was Mexico that was going to pay for it, not American taxpayers and certainly not our military--not the brave men and women who risk their lives for us and whose families go through such hardship. prgtoken The simplest, quickest, and only way of protecting military funding is for my friends to join us in terminating the emergency declaration later this week. prgtoken I urge--urge-
40TH ANNIVERSARY OF UNIVISION ARIZONA
Kyrsten Sinema (Democrat, AZ) \u2014 2019-9-23

today I recognize the 40th anniversary of Univision Arizona. As one of Arizona's leading television networks, Univision Arizona has been on the front lines of delivering important news to our State, earning nationwide recognition by winning 23 Emmy Awards this year. Throughout its 40-year history, Univision Arizona has evolved and adapted to the needs of its viewers by crafting engaging content and shedding light on important stories that deserve to be heard. prgtoken As the leading source of Spanish-language media and news in our State, Univision Arizona serves 1.6 million Arizonans through two television stations, four radio stations, and other digital and social platforms. With the fast-changing pace of news and technology, Univision Arizona has grown into an innovative news source, while maintaining and staying true to its original mission. prgtoken Univision Arizona serve all Arizonans, especially the Hispanic community, which has richly contributed to our State. I am proud to recognize Univision Arizona's 40th anniversary milestone, while celebrating the contributions of Arizona's Hispanic community during Hispanic Heritage Month. Univision Arizona's mission, its dedicated reporters and staff, and the stories they share are truly representative of the profound and powerful role the Hispanic community plays in our State.
Ukraine (Executive Session)
Christopher Murphy (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2019-9-23

I just listened to the majority leader come to the floor and tell Members of the Senate that they should close their eyes and box their ears to the current scandal that is engulfing the White House and the administration. I heard the majority leader accuse of ``politicizing'' President 's demand that the Government of Ukraine interfere in the 2020 election. That is a laughable charge, and it is not going to silence us on this matter of grave importance. prgtoken First of all, I have no idea what it means to politicize something these days. News flash: We are politicians. We practice politics. That is our job. I get told very often that I am politicizing gun violence when I suggest that maybe we should pass laws in order to change the daily trajectory of violence in this country. Yet the very reason we are here is to protect the safety of our constituents and to protect the sanctity of our democracy. prgtoken What we are standing up for right now is the rule of law, and I hope, over the course of this week, my colleagues will join us in that basic responsibility that Members of the Senate and House of Representatives have. prgtoken We see the rule of law slipping away from us right now. We see our Nation being turned into a banana republic where the President can do anything he wants and turn the organs of state into his permanent political machine--his means of crushing his opponents. Today we see that many of my colleagues are not just letting it happen but facilitating it. prgtoken There has to be a line that the President cannot cross. There has to be a moment when we all stand up and say: This has gone too far. prgtoken The President has admitted this weekend to asking a foreign leader to open an investigation into one of his political opponents as a means of advancing himself politically. That is not allowed in a democracy. That fundamentally corrupts the foreign policy of our Nation. It makes us all less safe when foreign governments now wonder whether they are going to be enlisted into the political operation of the President of the United States. This has always been a no-go area for ic and administrations because we understand the vast power the Presidency has. If the President chooses to use that power and the leverage he has over people in this country and in other countries to do his political bidding, then there is nothing to protect any of us from the executive branch. prgtoken The idea that the President can openly admit that he is asking a foreign government to get involved in his political reelection campaign--and believe that he will get away with it--suggests a belief in the impunity surrounding his office. We should all be concerned about that. prgtoken At the very least, if my colleagues don't share my grave alarm at the disclosures of the last 48 hours, then we should at least agree that the whistleblo
Ukraine (Executive Session)
Robert Menendez (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2019-9-23

we have heard some deeply disturbing revelations in recent days about President 's efforts to tie congressionally appropriated security funding for Ukraine hostage to its government's willingness to investigate his political opponents here at home. The alleged threat by President to withhold vital security funding from Ukraine came out last week in press reports about a whistleblower complaint from a U.S. intelligence official. These revelations suggest a gross abuse of power unlike anything I have ever seen during my 27 years of working on U.S. foreign policy. They also show once again welcoming a foreign power to influence our elections, this time using the power of the White House. prgtoken As of today, the Acting Director of National Intelligence has refused to comply with the law that requires him to share this whistleblower complaint with Congress. Yet that hasn't stopped multiple members of the President's inner circle from all but confirming that the President pushed Ukrainian President Zelensky to open an investigation into former Vice President . They have, together, engaged in a disturbing effort to convince the American people that this sort of behavior is somehow normal. prgtoken We first watched the President's personal lawyer admit on CNN that he had raised this issue of investigating on the President's behalf. Then, yesterday, we saw Secretary Pompeo sink to a new low when he defended this behavior on national TV. Then it was the President himself who admitted it to reporters--the President himself. I am not sure what more evidence we need, folks. prgtoken Where are my colleagues? Where are those supposed defenders of democracy and freedom? Where are the advocates for a strong relationship with Ukraine? They are silent, shamefully silent. prgtoken For more than 2 months, the President held up $391 million in urgently needed security assistance for Ukraine--assistance that was appropriated by the Senate with broad bipartisan support. Congress didn't pass this funding so that the President could sit on it. We didn't pass this funding so that the President could use it as leverage to get Ukraine to investigate his political opponents. We passed this funding because Ukraine needs our support against relentless Russian aggression and because providing that support is in the interest of our own national security goals. prgtoken Many of us were certainly not surprised to see this administration delay assistance to Ukraine given the President's repeated cowering to Moscow on the international stage. Yet, for 2 months, we wondered exactly why this money was being held from Ukraine. Now we know. The President withheld this money all in the hopes that the Ukrainian Government would open a bogus investigation into Vice President 's son. How is that not an abuse of power? prgtoken I welcome efforts in the House to fully investigate the ro
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
Gary C. Peters (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2019-9-23

today I wish to recognize the 60th anniversary of Motown and remarkable life of Berry Gordy, Jr a man who achieved one of the most significant musical accomplishments of the 20th century. Motown is the sound that changed America; it broke barriers between people and united fans of every race and creed. prgtoken Mr. Gordy was born in 1929 to a middle-class family on the east side of Detroit. At first, Mr. Gordy pursued his dreams to become a professional boxer and boxed until 1950 when he was drafted to serve his country in the Korean war. After returning from Korea in 1953, Mr. Gordy began to pursue his passion for music by opening a record store, and then went on to work at the Ford Lincoln-Mercury Plant. prgtoken In 1959, Gordy founded Tamla Records that would go on to become Motown after he received an $800 loan and moved to 2648 W. Grand Blvd, also known as Hitsville U.S.A. Due to Detroit being known as the Motor City, Mr. Gordy, in tribute to what he felt was a city of warm, soulful people and Detroit being his hometown, decided the perfect name for his company and new label would be ``Motown.'' prgtoken Smokey Robinson and Berry Gordy formed an early partnership and co- wrote Motown Records' first smash-hit ``Shop Around,'' recorded by The Miracles, who would go on to be Motown's first million-record selling record. Soon, other acts would follow, including legendary artists such as the Supremes, the Four Tops, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, and the Temptations, all discovered by Mr. Gordy. prgtoken In the 1960s alone, Motown Records had over 75 records in the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100. In the 1970s, Motown moved to California and continued to create hits with a Detroit sound by groups such as the Jackson 5 and the Commodores. With so many music legends, Motown has often been considered one of the greatest labels of all time. prgtoken In 1998, Mr. Gordy was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as founder and helmsman of the Motown music empire. prgtoken In addition to music, Mr. Gordy produced films such as the Oscar- nominated, ``Lady Day Sings the Blues'' and ``Mahogany.'' both starring Motown icon Diana Ross. In 2013, Mr. Gordy went on to write and produce ``Motown: the Musical,'' to tell his story and the story of Motown Records. ``Motown: the Musical'' went on to play 738 Broadway performances, and have massively successful national tours and international productions. prgtoken Mr. Gordy founded an American music institution that exemplifies the unity that must exist in our country and created a sound that still moves the Motor City today. Motown's music has become a genre all its own and has grown to be beloved all over the world. Motown music helped break barriers, and it is my hope that the legacy of Barry Gordy, Jr and Motown will inspire the next generation of leaders to follow their passion and change the world.
CONTINUING PRAYERS FOR DEPUTY BRAD SULLIVAN
Michael Guest (Republican, MS) \u2014 2019-9-24

. Madam , on September 5, 2019, the Madison County Sheriff's Department responded to a hostage situation near Canton, Mississippi. prgtoken Upon arrival, the suspect fled and led deputies on a high-speed chase throughout the northeastern part of the county before spike strips were deployed to stop the suspect's vehicle. Once immobilized, the suspect began to fire on deputies, striking two officers. prgtoken Deputy Brad Sullivan was shot multiple times as he arrived on the scene and was later transported to the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Deputy Sullivan remains in serious condition as our community unites with prayer, donations, and medical skill to save the life of this brave officer. prgtoken On behalf of Mississippi's Third Congressional District, I would like to extend my sincerest gratitude and respect for Deputy Sullivan, the other deputies who responded, and the entire Madison County Sheriff's Department. prgtoken We ask all Mississippians to continue to pray for Brad's recovery and for God's hand of protection on all our law enforcement officers.
PRIME MINISTER NARENDRA MODI
John Cornyn (Republican, TX) \u2014 2019-9-24

on Sunday I had the great honor of joining President in welcoming Prime Minister Modi to the Lone Star State in an event that was appropriately named ``Howdy, Modi.'' prgtoken When his trip was announced, people on the west coast and the east coast wondered, ``Why Texas?'' They thought, maybe, he would go to Silicon Valley to talk to Big Tech executives or spend some time in Washington hobnobbing with diplomats and legislative leaders. Those are great places to visit, but Houston is the energy capital of the world. It is providing literal fuel for our growing relationship with the Nation of India. prgtoken After nearly a four-decade ban on U.S. crude oil exports was lifted, Texas sent the first American crude oil to India, and today India is increasingly running on American natural gas. The reason that is important is, when I visited India for the first time in 2004, I witnessed a country that is a study in contrast--some highly populated areas like Delhi and others, and then rural areas on the way to the Taj Mahal in Agra, you can see people literally living off the land and using dried cow manure as fuel for their food and for warmth. Obviously, India needs access to affordable energy that America--and Texas, in particular--can provide to help improve their standard of living. prgtoken This trade is also vital to our economy in Texas, and we will keep exporting our greatest natural resource to our friends in India and around the world as a result of the energy renaissance we have seen and as a result of the use of unconventional extraction techniques like fracking and horizontal drilling. prgtoken Those must sound like foreign words to people in Washington, DC, who think we ought to be able to live on solar panels and windmills exclusively, but I always say, as important as renewable energy is--and it is important--Texas generates the most electricity for any State in the Nation from wind turbines. The wind doesn't always blow and the Sun doesn't always shine, and you need some sort of baseload to try to keep the electricity flowing so people can be afforded the comforts of life and particularly in hot Texas summers make sure the air-conditioner continues to work. prgtoken For as deep as our economic ties are, our cultural ties are just as strong. Texas is home to a vibrant Indian diaspora, with more than 150,000 Indian Americans living in the Houston area alone and perhaps about half a million across our entire State. I was glad the Prime Minister had a chance to witness the Indian culture that is woven into the fabric of our State and meet a number of proud Indian Americans, including the 50,000 who showed up for the ``Howdy, Modi'' events in Houston on Sunday, from 48 States, I am told. prgtoken Knowing the importance of a strong U.S.-India relationship, 15 years ago I cofounded the U.S.-India Caucus in the Senate. That was at the request of one of my constituents who founded one of