mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
CONGRATULATING THE RECIPIENTS OF THE 2019 H.E.B. ISD AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE
Kenny Marchant (Republican, TX) \u2014 2019-3-27

. Madam , I rise today to congratulate thirty- three outstanding students from the Hurst-Euless-Bedford Independent School District who have been awarded the district's Awards of Excellence for the 2018-2019 school year. prgtoken The following students have been selected to receive this award due to their meritorious achievements within their respected disciplines. These students possess unique talents and experiences that have enabled their tremendous success within a diverse field of subjects, which include visual and performing arts, business and industry, science, mathematics, and communications, to name just a few. Jack Alcorn, Troy Curtsinger, Davonia Williams, Jerry Manyvanh, Tristen Strawn, Alina Yoo, Martha Hernandez, Shakyria Bagley, Zachary Campbell, Khusbu Dalal, Jenna French, Alexa Hassell, Lauren Hill, Erin Millican, Mason Ornelas, Beverlyn Osoro, Nicholas Pena, Isabela Ponce, Coleen Roche, Haley Sawatis, Lauren Adams, Hadee Al Hassanawi, Eric Carlsen, Chloe Crane, Samuel Cusack, Jordan Edwards, Timothy , Dylan Hurt, Nicholas Munoz, Aaron Norgaard, Jake Peters, Allan Stevens, Nelson Tran. prgtoken Through their hard work and dedication, these young men and women have built a strong foundation on which to continue their growth and education. prgtoken In addition to recognizing the students, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the fine educators who have worked to ensure the needs of these students are met and their talents are nurtured. It is with great pleasure that I recognize the following teachers from Hurst Hills Elementary, Central Junior High, L.D. Bell, Buinger CTE Academy, KEYS, and Trinity High School for their unwavering support of these students: Lauren Allen, Carolyn Allen, Jo Ann Antinone, Ricky Balthrop, Jennifer Brockman, Tammy Brown, Richard Campanaro, Mario Casanova, Kathleen Chase, Trasa Cobern, Amanda Collins, Kenneth Davis, Christine Davis, Michael Dean, Blanca Diaz, Logan Douglass, Kendal Fries, Cherie Gibson, Paul Gibson, Candace , Catherine Kazyaka, Sarah Keith, Laurel Kuepker, Van Mathews, Allen Matthews, Karen McCurdy, Joseph Mendenhall, Courtney Miller, Jennifer Muirhead, Ann Nadeau, Louise Payblas, Vandana Rajpurohit, David Rawls. prgtoken Madam , I am honored to recognize these outstanding students and teachers on this monumental achievement. I ask all my distinguished colleagues to join me in congratulating the recipients of the 2019 HEB ISD Awards of Excellence.
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 7, PAYCHECK FAIRNESS ACT, AND PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.RES. 124, OPPOSING BAN ON TRANSGENDER MEMBERS OF ARMED FORCES
Michael C. Burgess (Republican, TX) \u2014 2019-3-27

. Madam , 3 minutes. prgtoken Madam , I appreciate Congresswoman Maloney, the previous speaker's, comments. She and I served on the Joint Economic Committee together back in 2010. The country just lost a very wise economist, Alan Krueger. I remember Alan Krueger coming in and testifying to our Joint Economic Committee; he testified about--of course, at the time in 2010, the description was that we were in a low-pressure labor market. He contrasted that with the high-pressure labor market of the 1960s. I don't recall if there were specific suggestions how to move from that low-pressure labor market back to a high-pressure labor market, but I don't think there can be any misunderstanding that we are back in a high-pressure labor market. That is a good thing. prgtoken I quoted a few minutes ago from an article in The Wall Street Journal. Let me just read a little deeper from that article: One face of the red-hot job market is Cassandra Eaton, 23, a high school graduate who was making $8.25 an hour at a daycare center near Biloxi, Mississippi, just a few months ago. Now she earns $19.80--that is almost $20 an hour--as an apprentice at a shipyard in nearby Pascagoula. prgtoken The article continues: ``It's amazing that I am getting paid almost $20 an hour to learn how to weld, says Ms. Eaton, the single mother of a young daughter. When she finishes the 2-year apprenticeship, her wage will rise to more than $27 per hour.'' prgtoken Madam , such is the strength of a high-pressure labor market, and I include this article from The Wall Street Journal in the Record. [From the Wall Street Journal, Mar. 1, 2019] Inside the Hottest Job Market in Half a Century prgtoken A look at who's getting ahead, who could be left behind and how long the boom can last (By Erie Morath and Lauren Weber) The job market doesn't get much better than this. The U.S. economy has added jobs for 100 consecutive months. Unemployment recently touched its lowest level in 49 years. Workers are so scarce that, in many parts of the country, low-skill jobs are being handed out to pretty much anyone willing to take them--and high-skilled workers are in even shorter supply. All sorts of people who have previously had trouble landing a job are now finding work. Racial minorities, those with less education and people working in the lowest-paying jobs are getting bigger pay raises and, in many cases, experiencing the lowest unemployment rate ever recorded for their groups. They are joining manufacturing workers, women in their prime working years, Americans with disabilities and those with criminal records, among others, in finding improved job prospects after years of disappointment. There are still fault lines. Jobs are still scarce for peo
JOE BIDEN: DECADES OF BEING WRONG
Brian Babin (Republican, TX) \u2014 2019-3-27

former Vice President has been in the news a lot lately, along with a predictable narrative from the Washington know-it-all chorus and their mainstream media partners that he has a distinguished record and reputation as an expert on foreign policy. prgtoken How very ``Washington'' it is to assume that with his long Washington resume, especially his chairmanship of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, that is a foreign policy genius. prgtoken Nice guy that he is, let's look at the facts. prgtoken Because America's national security depends on America's wise choice of our next President, I want to quote the great Charles Krauthammer, who more accurately described Mr. 's record back in 2012. The Vice President over the last 30 years holds the American record for being wrong on the most issues in Foreign Affairs ever. And the list starts with the nuclear freeze in the early eighties against Thatcher and Reagan, which is one of the follies of the era. He supported it. He was against aid to the Nicaraguan Contras, which in the end brought democracy and ended the Sandinista rule at the time. He was against Reagan's expansion of the defense budget, which bankrupted the Soviet Union and led to the end of the Soviet Empire. He was against Reagan on strategic defenses, which is the big advantage that we have now in missile defense. And look at where he was on Iraq. He opposed the first Iraq war, the Gulf war that liberated Kuwait, that everyone agrees was a good thing. He supported the second Iraq war, which he, not I, say was a terrible mistake. And then when the surge happened, he opposed the surge in Iraq which rescued a losing war and ended in our leaving with our heads held high and some promise of the future. He seems to be the Herbert Hoover of American foreign policy. And for him to be the spokesman for the Administration on these affairs, I think is quite ironic. prgtoken It is not just conservative commentators who can see through the illusion of Vice President 's foreign policy judgment. prgtoken Robert Gates, former CIA director and Defense Secretary for and , had this to say about in his book, ``Duty: Memoirs of a Secretary at War'': ``I think he has been wrong on nearly every major foreign policy and national security issue over the past four decades.'' prgtoken I rarely, if ever, agree with , and I am glad to see our country is now back on the road to a strong foreign policy. But I will give President credit for wisely disregarding Vice President 's counsel on, arguably, the greatest achievement of 's presidency: his authorization in 2011 of the raid by America's SEAL Teams that killed Osama Bin Laden. prgtoken As Vice President , himself, recalled to a group of Democra
UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI'S BICENTENNIAL RESEARCH AND INNOVATION WEEK
Rob Portman (Republican, OH) \u2014 2019-3-27

today I wish to recognize the University of Cincinnati on their bicentennial celebration honoring 200 years of extraordinary research. prgtoken In January of 1819, two colleges were chartered by the state of Ohio: the Medical College of Ohio and Cincinnati College. Both are predecessors to today's University of Cincinnati. The opening enrollment of Cincinnati College was roughly 70 students. Today, the University of Cincinnati has an enrollment of nearly 46,000 students, making it one of the largest universities in the Nation. UC stands as a Carnegie Research 1 university, with a living alumni base of more than 300,000; a world-acclaimed campus and top programs in music, health, design, science, and more; plus a $4.2 billion economic impact in its tristate region of Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. prgtoken Next week, UC will be celebrating its Bicentennial Research and Innovation Week. The week will be honoring UC's prgtoken past 200 years of extraordinary research by showcasing the impactful, imaginative, and innovative work researchers at UC are doing today. Examples of the research and innovation that will be highlighted during the week include demonstrations of connected autonomous vehicles, presentations on infrastructure to share data in smart secure cities, pitches by student-inventors and entrepreneurs, discussions on partnerships needed for the goal of ending the opioid epidemic, highlights from experts in bioinformatics, neuroscience, and engineering at the University of Cincinnati and its affiliated institutions and how they are pushing the boundaries of clinical and data sciences, and more. prgtoken UC is proud of the broad societal impacts the work of our researchers have had on Cincinnati, the region, and beyond. Congratulations to the University of Cincinnati for 200 years of research and innovation excellence.
SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019--MOTION TO PROCEED--Resumed
John Thune (Republican, SD) \u2014 2019-3-27

yesterday afternoon, the Senate voted on the Green New Deal--the ' $93 trillion socialist fantasy. prgtoken How did the vote on this deal? They voted present. That is right. There were 43 out of 47 Members of the ic caucus who voted present. prgtoken This may be the first time in my experience here that I have ever seen a piece of legislation and people who authored that legislation-- in this case, there were 13 who authored the bill, cosponsored the bill, introduced the bill, and indicated that action on the issue needed to be taken now--proceed to vote present. I have never seen that in my time either in the House or in the Senate. There was always an opportunity, as the Presiding Officer knows, in the House of Representatives, when you voted by electronic machine, to punch the yellow ``present'' option. You had red or green or present, but very rarely was that used. Yet I don't think I have ever seen, in the U.S. Senate, 13 U.S. Senators file a bill, introduce a bill, cosponsor a bill, talk about how important it is that we deal with it and deal with it immediately, and then proceed to vote present. That is what happened yesterday. prgtoken I want to step back for a minute and talk about the Green New Deal-- the ' plan to put the government in charge of everything from your energy to your healthcare. prgtoken The costs of this plan would be staggeringly high. One think tank released its first estimate that found that the Green New Deal would cost somewhere between $51 trillion and $93 trillion over a 10-year period--between $51 trillion and $93 trillion. The 2017 gross domestic product for the entire world--the whole planet--only came to $80.7 trillion, which is more than $10 trillion less than the are proposing to spend on the Green New Deal. This $93 trillion is more than the amount of money the U.S. Government has spent in its entire history. prgtoken So how do the plan to cover that $93 trillion? Well, they don't actually have a plan. The Green New Deal resolution itself makes a vague reference to ``community grants, public banks, and other public financing.'' prgtoken Then, of course, the have their favorite funding source, which is taxing the rich. The problem is, there is no way taxing the rich would even come close to paying for the Green New Deal. One analyst found that three ic proposals--the New York Representative's proposed 70-percent top tax rate, the Massachusetts Senator's wealth tax, and the Hawaii Senator's financial transactions tax--would together pay for approximately 4 percent of the Green New Deal. prgtoken Taxing every millionaire in the United States at a 100-percent rate for 10 years would bring in only a tiny fraction of $93 trillion. Taxing every household making more than $200,000 a year at a 100- percent rate for 10 years wouldn't get the anywhere close to $93 trillion. Ta
RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF BILLY MARTIN
Trent Kelly (Republican, MS) \u2014 2019-3-27

. Madam , I rise today to celebrate the life of Billy Martin, who passed away on Sunday, January 27th at the age of 52. prgtoken Billy, a native of Gulfport, Mississippi, graduated from Gulfport High School and attended prgtoken Gulf Coast Community College. He went on to be an ice cream delivery driver for Blue Bell Ice Cream for over ten years. It was during this time that he began investing in the lives of young adults at Resurrection Life Worship Center in Picayune, Mississippi. After his time at Blue Bell, he accepted a full-time position at RLM serving as the administrator for over ten years. It was in this role that Bill's heart of service out shined all those around him. prgtoken In a world where everyone seems to be dead set on self-promotion and self-advancement, Billy found his joy in serving others. In a world where people are going to extreme lengths to draw attention to themselves, Billy went the extra mile to draw attention to others. In a world where it's common to see people broadcast their own accomplishments, Billy was a megaphone for the achievements and good qualities of others. In a time when everyone wants to see their dreams fulfilled, Billy saw fit to spend his time helping fulfill the dreams of others. prgtoken Billy's life is one that should be celebrated and remembered. His legacy of obedience to God and selfless service to others lives on in all the lives he touched. prgtoken Left to cherish his memory are his wife and best friend of 17 years, Jameye Hickman Martin of Picayune, his mother, Shirley Martin; his siblings, Randy (Karen) Martin and Terri (Tony) Zbysinski, of the Mississippi Gulf Coast; his brothers-in-law, Rev. Allen (Amy) Hickman of Picayune and Andrew (Karen) Hickman of Brookhaven, 17 nephews and nieces and 9 great-nephews and great-nieces.
SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019--MOTION TO PROCEED--Resumed
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2019-3-27

reserving the right to object. As I mentioned yesterday, when a similar unanimous consent proposal was propounded, I have consistently supported the proposition that the special counsel should be allowed to complete his work without interference, and I have consistently supported the proposition that his report ought to be released, to the greatest extent possible, consistent with the law and with the need to protect sources and methods and the need to preserve the integrity of ongoing investigations, including investigations the special counsel has referred to others. prgtoken The Attorney General has committed to as much transparency as possible in the release of the report, and he is working with the special counsel toward that end. I think we should be consistent in letting the special counsel actually finish his work and not just when we think it may be politically advantageous to one side or the other for him to do so. prgtoken Therefore, , I object.
PAYCHECK FAIRNESS ACT
Bradley Byrne (Republican, AL) \u2014 2019-3-27

. Madam Chair, such time as I may consume. prgtoken Madam Chair, this amendment adds the language ``a bona fide business- related reason'' to make clear to the courts that the factor other than sex defense in the Equal Pay Act cannot be used as a loophole or excuse for using sex as a factor. prgtoken This amendment additionally strikes the remaining provisions of the underlying bill relating to applications of the factor other than sex defense. prgtoken These unnecessary provisions require that, even when an employer already shows the factor is other than sex, it must meet additional illogical and insurmountable burdens, effectively paving an unimpeded path to the promise of unlimited punitive and compensatory damages for trial lawyers. prgtoken In sum, this amendment strengthens current law and eliminates the new and untested concepts the underlying bill imposes on employers. It would make it impossible for an employer to defend any difference in pay, even when based on any number of legitimate job-related factors. prgtoken Madam Chair, .
COMMEMORATING THE FIGHTIN' FIFTY-FIFTH
Don Bacon (Republican, NE) \u2014 2019-3-27

. Madam , I rise to commemorate the longstanding bond our Midwest communities enjoy with the Fightin' Fifty-Fifth Wing, the United States Air Force wing right here at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska. It has units all over the world. prgtoken The 55th Wing and the 55th Wing Association will jointly celebrate a uniquely treasured relationship at this year's reunion in April that will feature numerous dedications and commemorative events. prgtoken The Fightin' Fifty-Fifth's historic lineage began before World War II. Since 1940, the unit has distinguished itself as a preeminent Air Force organization, flying and supporting worldwide operations in peace and conflict. Of note, the 55th Fighter Group conducted fighter sweeps over the invasion beaches on June 6, 1944, using their P-38s. In 1966, the Fightin' Fifty-Fifth transferred to Nebraska as part of the Strategic Air Command. prgtoken For over 50 years, the 55th Wing personnel have supported national interests around the world, focusing on providing first-class reconnaissance, real-time intelligence, command and control, information warfare, and combat support capabilities. It is the largest wing in Air Combat Command and flies the most diverse types of aircraft. prgtoken Notably, since Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm, the 55th Wing is the only Air Force wing with continuous operations, maintenance, and aircraft presence in prgtoken the United States Central Command theater of operations. prgtoken Indeed, the sheer longevity of this storied unit's history and global mission reach personifies their motto, ``The Sun never sets on the Fightin' Fifty-Fifth.'' prgtoken The unit's exceptional record of service was the catalyst for the 55th Wing Association's creation. Following decades of the Fightin' Fifty-Fifth camaraderie, global deployments, and operational achievement, a handful of veteran aviators were determined to preserve this invaluable heritage so it would not be lost to future generations. prgtoken This innovative initial cadre formed the 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing Association to serve alongside the Offutt's 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing Active-Duty force. Both organizations were eventually renamed to today's 55th Wing and 55th Wing Association, respectively, and have remained in Nebraska ever since. prgtoken The 55th Wing Association is comprised of Air Force veterans who served honorably in the Fightin' Fifty-Fifth, most of whom were stationed at Offutt Air Force Base. The 55th Wing Association's support to their Active-Duty counterparts is second to none, and its support to the 55th Wing alumni is a model for other Air Force organizations to emulate. It embodies the impressive relationship between alumni veterans and Active-Duty military members, and they have it in their credo, ``Honoring those who served, and serving those who do.'' It could not be said any better. prgtoken This bond between veteran citizens and military per
PAYCHECK FAIRNESS
Doug LaMalfa (Republican, CA) \u2014 2019-3-27

. Madam , I rise today to express my serious concern with the inappropriately and euphemistically named ``Paycheck Fairness Act.'' In reality, this legislation should be called the ``Leave No Lawyer Behind Act.'' prgtoken I am sure everyone in this room believes that equal work deserves equal pay. In fact, Congress passed the Equal Pay Act in 1963 to ensure that. But that is not what have put this legislation on the floor for. Instead, they wanted something to benefit trial lawyers and to make it nearly impossible for job creators to defend against frivolous, unlimited lawsuits. prgtoken In fact, this legislation is actually harmful to women in the workforce by creating a mandatory opt-out system for class action lawsuits that will ultimately limit legal options when there actually is workplace discrimination. prgtoken This legislation is all about litigation, and that is not right. Enforce existing laws effectively. That will protect women, and everyone, in the workplace. prgtoken The number of working women in the U.S. is higher than ever--nearly 75 million--with more women entering the workforce in the last 2 years than men. That is the type of fairness we should continue to strive for. prgtoken I support policies that help more women become their own boss, not unlimited paydays for trial lawyers.
PAYCHECK FAIRNESS ACT
Carol D. Miller (Republican, WV) \u2014 2019-3-27

. Madam Chair, I rise today to speak in opposition to H.R. 7, the Paycheck Fairness Act. I am a mother and a grandmother. I have raised two boys and one husband. I have owned businesses, managed employees, made payroll, served in the State legislature, and herded buffalo. I don't need any more men trying to tell me that they need to protect me from being paid less. I am perfectly capable of negotiating a fair wage for a fair day's work and choosing exactly what is important to me when making my own decisions. prgtoken The bill proposed by my colleagues across the aisle tells young women entering the workforce that they are unable to negotiate for their own jobs or take control of their own life and that they need to be coddled by the government in order to succeed. What arrogance. prgtoken We are not some delicate and helpless group that needs men to tell us just how bad we have it and just how much they need to make sure that we are looked after. I can take care of myself, thank you, and so can every single woman in this country. This bill is nothing more than a trial lawyer's dream and a job creator's nightmare. prgtoken The Equal Pay Act already makes it illegal to pay unequal wages for equal work. The men can go try to find somebody else who needs their help. In the meantime, I am going to focus on actually helping women earn more by creating good-paying jobs, by growing our economy, and by building a system that allows for flexible work schedules and nurtures entrepreneurship. prgtoken We can't legislate respect any more than we can legislate common sense. Women know real respect is earned. We don't need the men's help, and we don't need the government's help. We just need them both to get out of our way. prgtoken I wholly oppose this legislation.