mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BILL
Ben Sasse (Republican, NE) \u2014 2018-6-13

I rise to draw attention to one particularly important element of the National Defense Authorization Act, which sits before this body. prgtoken First, it is worth noting that--despite the bizarre dysfunction of the last couple of days around here--the NDAA is usually a time each year when the Senate looks like an actual deliberative body. We look like an actual legislature. prgtoken Most of the typical bickering and made-for-TV sound bites get set aside this week or two every year as we focus on the first purpose of the Federal Government, which is to provide for the common defense. prgtoken The NDAA reveals our shared commitment to the men and women in uniform who serve our country so well. This legislation aims to scrutinize and annually reprioritize among the many important tasks that are going on in the Pentagon and in the broader Department of Defense. prgtoken If we are going to call on the men and women in the armed services who defend our freedoms to stand ready to defend us and to go into battle when necessary, we must equip them with the right tools to be able to get their job done. That is what this legislation is about each year, but it is not enough to simply be about defending against traditional enemies and traditional threats. We also need to use this annual occasion to pause and deeply look at new and emerging threats we face. prgtoken When you ask national security and intelligence experts in private and in public what keeps them up at night, as I do multiple times every week--I ask this question of people in the SCIF. You find something strange in this city. You have an agreement. Public and private sector experts, legislative and executive branch folks, career folks, political folks, whether or ic, have widespread agreement that the long-term domain challenge we face is that America is woefully unprepared for the age of cyber war. prgtoken Thirty years ago, when the digital age was still in its infancy and the first computer viruses and bugs were created, the United States did not have a cyber doctrine to defend our interests. That was understandable in 1986 because these were new threats. It doesn't make any sense in 2018, and yet it is still true. We don't really have any coherent doctrine to defend our interests. This is inexcusable. prgtoken We are, today, overwhelmingly the most advanced digital economy and digital society in the world. Thus, we are, almost inevitably, the No. 1 target globally for cyber crime, but our adversaries are attacking us not merely as targets of opportunity, they are also attacking us because they sense our passivity. prgtoken State and nonstate actors alike are becoming regularly more brazen. Year over year, from 2012 to 2013, to 2014, to 2015, and to the present, we see this brazen action coming from China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, and lots of jihadi nonstate actors. Yet we still do not have a cyber doctrine to guide our pl
TAX REFORM
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2018-6-13

on another matter, there has been no shortage of recent reporting on the economic progress that is flooding across our country. Take a New York Times headline from earlier this month: ``We Ran Out of Words to Describe How Good the Jobs Numbers Are.'' prgtoken Let me say that again. This is from the New York Times: ``We Ran Out of Words to Describe How Good the Jobs Numbers Are.'' prgtoken This is from a Wall Street Journal editorial: The U.S. economy is picking up speed, and it's paying dividends in an expanding job market. . . . President 's tax reform and deregulation agenda appears to be working. prgtoken And here is a welcome development for America's parents: Workers age 25 to 34 made up 1.04 million of the 2.58 million jobs added over the last year. Job and wage growth may finally be inducing young people to move out of their parents' basements. prgtoken More jobs, more wage growth, more opportunities for middle-class Americans--it is good news, plain and simple. prgtoken Well, apparently, it is not so simple for our friends across the aisle. While s and the rest of the country are cheering on this new prosperity for working families, our ic friends are trying to pretend that the facts don't matter and things aren't actually getting better. prgtoken Here is how the leader of the House , the distinguished Congresswoman from San Francisco, tried to sarcastically brush away the facts a few days ago: Hip, hip, hooray, unemployment is down! What does that mean to me? prgtoken I couldn't make this up. ``Hip, hip, hooray,'' she scoffs. Unemployment is at an 18-year low, the fewest Americans on unemployment insurance since 1973, and ic leadership can't quite fathom why this would matter for American families and small business owners. I know plenty of families and job creators in Kentucky who would be happy to explain. prgtoken Texas Roadhouse is a restaurant chain based in Louisville that employs more than 2,500 Kentuckians. They shared recently that tax reform will allow them to invest in their company, customers, and employees. Plus, this economic climate has them planning to open 30-- 30--new locations across the country next year. Maybe the new cooks and wait staff at 30 new restaurants could explain to the House ic leader why a falling unemployment rate is a victory for American families. prgtoken Just today, Glier's Meats in Covington, KY, is sharing similar good news. Tax reform is enabling this small business, famous for its German-inspired sausage, to make life better for its nearly 30 employees and plant deeper roots in Kenton County. Since the new law passed in December, Glier's has been able to make capital investments, including new machinery, which is critical to the daily operations of the business. They have been able to resume offering comprehensive health benefits, which it had to
RECOGNIZING VINCENT GONZALEZ
Brian K. Fitzpatrick (Republican, PA) \u2014 2018-6-13

I am proud to recognize a heroic young man who is already teaching our community in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, the values of respect and compassion. prgtoken Logan Killeen of Fairless Hills was born with Treacher Collins syndrome, a rare disorder which affects facial bones and structure. Recently, Logan has undergone several surgeries to alleviate his condition, and he often wears a headband to assist with his hearing. prgtoken In the fall, Logan will be starting kindergarten at Oxford Valley Elementary School. That school recently held an assembly in his honor to teach fellow students that, even though Logan may look different than they do, he is just like them. prgtoken I commend Logan for his bravery, and I also commend Oxford Valley Elementary School as well. I want to commend both for their willingness to spread kindness to their peers and to our community. prgtoken I would also like to recognize Logan's parents, Matt and Nicole Killeen, for raising such a fine young man and for all that they do for individuals facing this challenge.
HONORING THE LIFE AND CAREER OF ALBERT FRED ``RED'' SCHOENDIENST
John Shimkus (Republican, IL) \u2014 2018-6-13

on the week of the Congressional baseball game, one in which I will wear the uniform of the St. Louis Cardinals, I rise today to honor the life and career of Major League Baseball player Albert Fred ``Red'' Schoendienst, who passed away last week on Wednesday, June 6, at 95 years old. He was born 40 miles away from St. Louis, in my congressional district in Germantown, Illinois, on February 2, 1923. prgtoken Red grew up as one of seven children. His dad was a coal miner. He lived, in his early days, without running water or electricity. He married Mary Eileen O'Reilly in 1947. They celebrated 52 years of marriage before she passed away in 1999. Together, they had four children, 10 grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren. prgtoken At 16 years old, while working on a fence, under the Civilian Conservation Corps, he suffered an injury to his left eye. That injury made it hard for him to read a breaking ball from the right side, so he learned to be a switch-hitter. prgtoken Red tried out for the Cardinals in 1942 and, at his induction ceremony at the Baseball Hall of Fame, he said he and his friends hitchhiked a ride to St. Louis on a milk truck and: ``I never thought that milk truck ride would eventually lead to Cooperstown and baseball's highest honor.'' prgtoken He also spoke about his attitude toward playing the game. ``I would play any position my manager asked. Whatever it took to win I was willing to do. All I ever wanted to do was be on that lineup card and become a champion.'' And that Red Schoendienst was. prgtoken After his discharge from the military, Red started his major league career with the Cardinals in 1945 as a left fielder. The hometown kid finally had a chance to play for his hometown team. He played in 137 games and stole 26 bases that season. prgtoken In 1946, Red moved to second base, which is where he played for the rest of his career, and the Cardinals won the World Series at that time. It was the Cardinals' third championship in 5 years and Red's first. prgtoken In 19 seasons as a player, Red compiled a .289 batting average, with 84 home runs, 773 RBIs, 1200-plus runs. The Cardinals won the World Series in '46, '57, '64, '67 and '82. He spent 74 consecutive years in major league baseball as a player, coach, and manager, and spent 67 of those years as a St. Louis Cardinal. prgtoken I would like to end by also talking about Red and his family as individuals. Mary was very involved with reaching out to new players' wives, helping them adjust to life with a major leaguer. Mary sang the national anthem many times before Cardinal games, and organized the wives' charity group. prgtoken What Red Schoendienst said was: ``What makes baseball so great is you can't hold the ball for 24 seconds and take the last shot or run the clock down and kick a field goal. You have to get 27 outs, one way or the other. Time doesn't run out until you get that 27th out.'' prgtoken One of his best friends was St
REAUTHORIZING AND EXTENDING GRANTS FOR RECOVERY FROM OPIOID USE PROGRAMS ACT OF 2018
Keith J. Rothfus (Republican, PA) \u2014 2018-6-13

I rise in support of this legislation, H.R. 6029, the Reauthorizing and Extending Grants for Recovery from Opioid Use Programs Act of 2018, or the REGROUP Act. prgtoken In simple terms, this bill will help our Nation continue the fight against the opioid crisis. The REGROUP Act does two things. First, it reauthorizes and extends the Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Program administered through the Department of Justice for an additional 2 years through 2023. Second, it also raises authorized funding levels for these programs from $103 million to $330 million for each fiscal year. prgtoken , back in my district in western Pennsylvania, the opioid crisis is still a huge problem that continues to destroy lives, hurt families, and plague entire communities. prgtoken While we have made some progress, there is much more work to be done. Therefore, we must not only continue to support the Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Program, but enhance it with additional funding. prgtoken Originally authorized in the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2016, or CARA, the Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Program authorized valuable grant resources to States and localities suffering from the epidemic. These competitive grant programs offer a wide variety of support at all phases of this fight, from first responders to those suffering from substance abuse. prgtoken More specifically, the DOJ has developed various grant programs for first responders fighting on the front lines, programs that support drug courts and veteran treatment courts. It also provides grants for increasing collaboration between criminal justice agencies and substance abuse agencies. Furthermore, it even has programs that help develop the prescription drug monitoring programs. prgtoken For example, back in Beaver County and Allegheny County, we have veteran treatment courts that provide alternative justice systems where those who suffer from addiction and who run afoul of the law can actually receive the care, treatment, and intervention they need. prgtoken The alternate systems that these courts offer are precisely the type of programs that the REGROUP Act will support. Courts like these help break the cycle of addiction for individuals and, hopefully, save lives in the process. Our whole society benefits when someone breaks the chain of addiction. prgtoken , if we are to end the opioid crisis, we must attack this problem at all levels. We must be committed to this fight for the long term, and we must increase support for these programs. The REGROUP Act will help us continue this fight against the opioid crisis.
SUPPORT FOR NEW AMERICAN INSTITUTE OFFICE IN TAIWAN
F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr. (Republican, WI) \u2014 2018-6-13

I rise today to recognize the inauguration of the new office complex for the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), and to highlight the importance of U.S.-Taiwan relations. This relationship has a vital impact on the peace, security and stability of the Western Pacific. prgtoken The inauguration ceremony for this new facility will be attended by a number of dignitaries, including Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen. This event represents much more than the opening of just another new office complex in metropolitan Taipei. It stands as a concrete example of the firm commitment and unbreakable bonds that exist between the peoples of the United States and Taiwan. Next year will mark the 40th anniversary of the passage and signing into law of the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA), which has served as a cornerstone for our vigorous security, economic and people-to-people bilateral relationship. It was a proud moment in the history of this Congress when we took the lead in assuring that the Carter Administration's decision to grant diplomatic recognition to Beijing would not come at the expense of Taiwan. The people of Taiwan have earned our friendship and support as they share our own dedication to democracy, human rights, and a free market economy. I am one of the few remaining members who personally witnessed the historic passage of the TRA. Let us stand with Taiwan here again today by recognizing the continued American support of Taiwan through the inauguration of this new AIT facility.
ESTABLISHING A FEDERATION OF FREEDOM
Steve Russell (Republican, OK) \u2014 2018-6-13

this week, we saw major world leaders interfacing with the United States on topics covering the economy, diplomacy, and security engulfing the major hemispheres of the globe. Worldwide and domestic reaction suggests that no clear outcomes are perceivable. An uncertain and perhaps less secure future seems to loom. prgtoken Consequently, Americans today are faced with many questions, some formulated by ourselves and some offered by our world neighbors. prgtoken They ask: What is the role of the United States in the world? prgtoken We ask: ``What right do we have to take on that role? What responsibility would we shed if we took no leadership in global affairs? prgtoken Our allies and even our enemies may be asking: What can we expect from the United States in the future? prgtoken My own question would be this: How can the United States continue to be a force for good in the world? prgtoken To answer these questions, we need to look no further than how we govern ourselves and what we even believe is the purpose of any government. prgtoken What is the purpose of government? Simply put, it is to protect against evil, to execute justice against those committing wrong to others, to promote what benefits society, and to deter what harms it. prgtoken When the United States was established, we held some basic truths to be self-evident, namely, all of us are created equal, and we have been endowed with certain inalienable rights. Among them are the right to life, the right to live free, and the right to pursue one's happiness. We believe that governments are instituted to secure those rights, not take them away, and that the best form of government to do that would therefore be one that could only draw its power from the consent of the people, not by the people's coercion or coercing them. prgtoken Therein lies the insight that the world seeks on U.S. motivations, that the consistent role of the United States in foreign policy in the last century found our Nation in conflict with those that would use coercion, not only abusing their own people, but extending that abuse to others. prgtoken In looking to the future, no single week of diplomacy, no statements of mixed signal, no amount or shift or heft can erase the fundamental nature of how Americans view our relations with each other and other nations. It is in our DNA, whether clouded by temporary setback or assertive advance. prgtoken After World War I, when the entire system of governance of the most dominating power shifted from monarchies, nations struggled to find some form of governance for their own self-determination. prgtoken The competition between self-rule and authoritarianism saw the rise of Imperial Japan and their violation of human rights and the sovereignty of China, and that set the United States on a policy of economics, trade, and military defense that ultimately would place us in horrific conflict in the Pacific Coast. prgtoken The rise of European dictato
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2019
Orrin G. Hatch (Republican, UT) \u2014 2018-6-13

I rise to address a public health issue that has left in its wake a trail of tragedy and shattered life. The suicide epidemic has touched all sectors of our society, but the problem is particularly acute among LGBT who have experienced bullying and discrimination at every turn. In the most devastating cases, these teenagers even face estrangement from their own families. That is why today, in honor of Pride Month, I wish to devote a significant portion of my remarks to them--my young friends in the LGBT community. prgtoken The prevalence of suicide, especially among LGBT teens, is a serious problem that requires national attention. No one should ever feel less because of their gender identity or sexual orientation. LGBT youth deserve our unwavering love and support. They deserve our validation and the assurance that not only is there a place for them in this society but that it is far better off because of them. prgtoken These young people need us, and we desperately need them. We need their light to illuminate the richness and diversity of God's creations. We need the grace, beauty, and brilliance they bring to the world. That is why, as we commemorate Pride Month, my message today is one of love for my LGBT brothers and sisters. It is also a call for action to Americans of all political stripes. prgtoken Regardless of where you stand on the cultural issues of the day-- whether you are a religious conservative, a secular liberal, or somewhere in between--we all have a special duty to each other. That duty is to treat one another with dignity and respect. It is not simply to tolerate but to love. prgtoken The first tenet of my faith is to love one another. The same Man who taught this principle also lived it by His example. In an era characterized by rigid social divisions, He broke down barriers propped up by centuries of tradition and cultural belief. In His teachings, He made no distinction between man or woman, Jew or Gentile, sinner or saint but invited all to come to Him--all. He saw beyond the arbitrary differences of group identity to the inherent worth of the individual. He taught that we were all equal because we are all children of the same God and partakers of the same human condition. This Man loved radically, and He challenged all of us to do the same. prgtoken If there were ever a time to show our LGBT friends just how much we love them, it is now. In a world where millions suffer in silence, we owe it to each other to love loudly. That is why I am a strong supporter of Utah's Love Loud Festival, among many other efforts to combat suicide and improve mental health in the LGBT community, which is afflicted by these problems. These young men and women deserve to feel loved, cared for, and accepted for who they are. I don't think they chose to be who they are. They are born to be who they are, and we ought to understand that. They deserve to know they belong and that our society is
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2019
Mike Rounds (Republican, SD) \u2014 2018-6-13

as a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I am pleased that we as a committee have once again come together in a bipartisan fashion to advance the National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, which I believe is a vital piece of legislation for our national security. prgtoken I thank the chairmen and ranking members in both the House and Senate for their leadership--Senator Inhofe--and the Members on both sides of the aisle who have continued to work together on this very important Defense bill. prgtoken Congress as an institution continues to come together each year to show our troops and their families that they have our full support. The Federal Government's No. 1 responsibility is to provide for the defense of our Nation. prgtoken This year's NDAA, the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act, honors our chairman, who has dedicated his life to serving our country. Few people are more passionate about our troops and our military readiness than Chairman McCain, and the courage he has exhibited during his years of service and in his current battle has inspired all of us. I am pleased we were able to put together legislation bearing his name that builds on last year's efforts to provide adequate tools so our forces can fully rebuild our military and adequately address the challenges they face. prgtoken The most important capability we have is our people, the men and women in uniform who defend our Nation and the families who give them the strength to do so. That is why I am pleased that this year's NDAA includes a 2.6-percent pay raise for our troops. prgtoken We are also fortunate that the leader of our Armed Forces, Defense Secretary James Mattis, has provided us with a national defense strategy that clearly articulates the current and emerging threats we as a nation are facing. This strategy focuses on the central challenge facing our Nation: the reemergence of long-term strategic competition with our near-peer competitors, such as Russia and China. It is our duty to provide Secretary Mattis and all of our troops with the tools they need to execute this strategy. prgtoken The world is more dangerous than at any time since the Cold War era. China and Russia are both strategic competitors. Great uncertainty still remains on the Korean Peninsula. Iran continues to threaten Middle Eastern stability. Our forces remain engaged in combat in Afghanistan and are conducting counterterrorism in multiple areas of operation. prgtoken Our superiority in the maritime, air, ground, space, and cyber domains--once taken for granted--is constantly challenged by our strategic and regional competitors. prgtoken Even more concerning, the threat of sequestration and repeated continuing resolutions has prevented our troops from being fully equipped to prepare and defend against these threats. As a result, modernization, readiness, and sustainment have all suffered. prgtoken It is our duty to provide f