mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019
Pete Olson (Republican, TX) \u2014 2018-7-17

. Madam Chair, we have a class of American warships that haven't been built since World War II. They are called battleships. prgtoken America made 64 battleships. Only seven survived World War II. They are the North Carolina, Alabama, Massachusetts, Iowa, New Jersey, Missouri, and Wisconsin. prgtoken But one survived World War II and World War I. This ship is special. It is the Battleship Texas. She is over 104 years old. She was commissioned on March 12 of 1914. She patrolled the Atlantic during the First World War. She is the first American ship with antiaircraft guns. She is the first battleship that had directors and rangekeepers to lock on with their 10 14-inch main batteries. prgtoken There she is today. She has made history in our Navy. prgtoken March 1919, Lieutenant Commander Edward McDonnell took a British Sopwith Camel off turret number 3, Naval aviation was born. The wings of gold started on the USS Texas. prgtoken The skipper of the Texas was so impressed. He noticed those planes could see splashes for the weapons. They could target with aircraft. That meant the Texas would be the first ship ever to launch planes to recover as spy mechanisms during a war. prgtoken The Texas was at Casco Bay, Maine, on December 7, 1941, the day Japan bombed Pearl Harbor. In the Atlantic Ocean, on October 23, 1942, as part of Operation Torch, the invasion of French Morocco, the Texas bombed and bombed and bombed the enemy. prgtoken June 6, 1944, at 5:50 a.m the Texas roared to life with a constant bombardment of all the weapons--225 14-inch rounds hit the Germans in 34 minutes. prgtoken June 7, the next day, she is off the cliffs of Pointe Du Hoc where the rangers were in a dogfight for their lives being shot at from above. The Texas launched two Higgins boats, supplied the rangers with more weapons, and brought the wounded home. prgtoken That may have been a natural fit. And the command of those rangers was a Texan, a proud Texas Aggie, Earl Rudder. prgtoken On the beaches that day, my colleague, Ted Poe's father, Virgil Poe, heard the Texas roar and saw the flame come out of the big guns. When the war in Europe with Hitler went ashore, the Texas redeployed to the Pacific. On February 16, she pounded the Japanese on Iwo Jima for 3 straight days before the Marine Corps landed. prgtoken March 1945, 6 straight days of bombing Okinawa cleared the way for the Army and Marines to take that island back. prgtoken The Texas struck the Naval record as a registered vessel on April 20 of 1948. She was given to my home State, the State of Texas. She is now the flagship of the Texas Navy, Admiral Ted Poe's flagship. Our colleague, Ted, is an admiral of the Texas Navy. prgtoken She is moored right where Texas won independence, the San Jacinto Monument, right there southwest of Houston, Texas. But sadly, inaction in D.C. and in Texas has done what the German Kaiser, General Mussolini, Adolf Hitler, and General Tojo could not do. The Texas is
Russian Election Interference (Executive Session)
John Cornyn (Republican, TX) \u2014 2018-7-17

I came to the floor to talk about the ``Abolish ICE'' movement and the reasons that is a misconceived idea by some on the left, but first I feel compelled to respond just briefly to some of the comments made by our friend from New York, the ic leader. prgtoken First of all, the ic leader says we need to have hearings on the matter of Russian interference in our elections. I would remind the ic leader that we have been doing that for a long time--ever since the intelligence community assessment was released at the end of the administration documenting Russia's meddling in the election. That assessment was released on an unclassified basis. It is on the website of the Director of National Intelligence if anybody wants to read it. prgtoken Also, I would submit to him the 29-page indictment that Robert Mueller had issued by a grand jury against 12 Russian intelligence officers. It lays out in minute detail what the Russians were doing to try to cause confusion and undermine public confidence in our elections. As a matter of fact, this afternoon the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence is hearing from some administration officials on why they didn't do more to stop it back when President was in office when they knew very clearly what was going on but did not do--well, did virtually nothing to stop it. prgtoken So I would say to my friend from New York, the ic leader, there have been a lot of hearings, and the hearings are ongoing. Obviously, Special Counsel Mueller has issued this indictment. I only wish that it was more than a name-and-shame exercise because there is no chance the Russians will extradite these intelligence officers over here for a trial. But I think it does serve a useful educational purpose by pointing out in minute detail what the Russians have been up to. They have upped their game in a way that is surprising to many people, having used everything from propaganda, to social media, to cyber theft of information like the Clinton emails and the DNC emails during the course of the last election. It has gotten very sophisticated. We better be about fixing it and getting ready for the next election rather than coming to the floor and engaging in the favorite Washington pastime, which is the blame game. prgtoken Senator Schumer said we need to issue sanctions against Russia. Well, I have in front of me about two single-spaced pages of actions that we have taken since the beginning of the administration to support our allies against Russian aggression and to punish Russian misconduct, whether it is in the elections or otherwise. I would entertain--I understand the Senator from Colorado has some additional sanctions he thinks would be appropriate, and I think that would be something that would sting. prgtoken Rather than just sending a press release or trying to message this or use it for partisan political purposes, let's cons
EXECUTIVE CALENDAR--Continued
Mike Crapo (Republican, ID) \u2014 2018-7-17

I rise to speak in support of the nomination of the Honorable Randal Quarles to be a member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. prgtoken The Senate has already confirmed Mr. Quarles--this Congress--to serve as a member of the Federal Reserve with a bipartisan vote of 65 to 32, but that term expired on February 1, 2018, and he has been serving as a member of the Board in a holdover capacity since. Confirming Mr. Quarles to a new 14-year term will provide needed stability at the Board and allow for the prompt consideration of other Board nominees. prgtoken Mr. Quarles has a wealth of government and private-sector experience dealing with both domestic and international financial markets. In addition to his current service on the Board, his government experience includes serving in multiple top posts in the Treasury Department. prgtoken Currently, only three of the seven available Board seats are filled, and several other nominees to the Board await confirmation. I have appreciated the important work carried out by Mr. Quarles at the Board thus far, including his role in developing regulatory and supervisory policy for the Federal Reserve System. prgtoken Some are arguing today he is responsible for the housing crisis. He wasn't on the Federal Reserve Board when the housing crisis occurred. Some have argued that he is trying to weaken stress tests. Yet today, in the face of that very argument, the Chairman of the Federal Reserve testified to the Banking Committee that the stress tests they applied this year, for which they are being criticized, are the strongest stress tests they have applied yet, and they have not given anybody a pass. In fact, those who did not completely pass the test are still required to maintain their capital requirements as they were last year. prgtoken If confirmed, I am confident Mr. Quarles' experience and skill will continue to be effective in terms of helping the Board promote the effective operation of the U.S. economy and serving the public interest. prgtoken He has previously received, as I said, bipartisan support, being confirmed last year as Vice Chairman by voice vote, and as a Board member by a vote of 65 to 32. Earlier today, the Senate's cloture vote on Mr. Quarles' nomination was 66 to 33--yet again another indication of strong bipartisan support for this nomination. prgtoken I urge all my colleagues to support Mr. Quarles' nomination today and vote for his confirmation. prgtoken .
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019
Tom Graves (Republican, GA) \u2014 2018-7-17

. Madam Chair, I rise tonight to fight for America's kids and grandkids. That is what we are here to do. prgtoken This fiscal year 2019 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations bill, as I will explain in a moment, reflects the public outcry over deficit spending and addresses those concerns on behalf of America's kids and grandkids. prgtoken Madam Chair, before I dive into those details, I want to thank Ranking Member Quigley for his hard work and dedication to our work together as we have shepherded this committee through the process in this bill. prgtoken I want to mention a few of the bill's highlights. prgtoken This bill is a product of a very Member-driven process. We brought appropriators and authorizers together. We consulted other committees. We fostered personal Member-to-Member conversations to make sure that priorities in this bill were vetted and supported across jurisdictions. We held several public hearings and reviewed over 2,100 unique Member requests as we put this bill together. prgtoken As the bill passed out of this Appropriations Committee, it passed with bipartisan support. What more can you do on behalf of America's kids and grandkids? prgtoken As in past years, we aimed to provide the oversight and allocate taxpayer dollars with the greatest of care. prgtoken This bill includes resources to implement the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which cuts taxes for families and businesses all across our country, spurring economic growth. The funding in our bill will help implement the law very quickly so American families can use the system without disruption whatsoever. prgtoken In addition, this bill prioritizes law enforcement, homeland security, and cybersecurity. For example, it provides record funding for the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas and Drug-Free Communities programs. prgtoken It updates the legacy IT systems that are governmentwide--we have all seen it and we have heard about it--through the Technology Modernization Fund. prgtoken Similar to our landmark approach last year, this bill also includes major financial reforms. It cuts regulations, streamlines agency processes. In fact, this bill includes more than 20 pieces of legislation that have passed through this body with bipartisan support, in most cases with more than 270 votes. prgtoken Now, importantly, one of these reforms brings transparency and oversight to an agency we have all talked about, and that is to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, by bringing it under the authority of Congress and under the authority of the Appropriations Committee. prgtoken Now, with these kinds of reforms, this bill has earned a lot of support across our country. From the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Investment Company Institute, the American Bankers Association, Independent Community Bankers of America, National Association of Federally-Insured Credit Unions, and Credit Union National Association, in addition to the National Tax
DEFENDING ECONOMIC LIVELIHOODS AND THREATENED ANIMALS ACT
Edward R. Royce (Republican, CA) \u2014 2018-7-17

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , the greater Okavango River Basin is home to the largest remaining elephant population on this planet, but like other regions across Africa, we know that poaching and trafficking of threatened species is increasing. We know that greater transboundary cooperation is essential to protect the basin in order to combat poaching threats and, obviously, to encourage the responsible management of water resources. prgtoken The U.S. currently supports programs in Africa to combat poaching threats and promote economic growth, but greater coordination and diplomatic engagement with these governments, these governments working together to streamline these programs and galvanize support from partner countries also in the region, is essential. prgtoken We do this not only to protect these threatened species, but also because it is in our national security interest to do so. I urge all of my colleagues to support this important measure. prgtoken , .
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019
Elise M. Stefanik (Republican, NY) \u2014 2018-7-17

I thank my friend from across the lake, Peter Welch. prgtoken This is truly a bipartisan issue, as Mr. Welch identified. This is important to our local ecosystem. It is important to our recreation. It is important to our tourism. But it is also a job creator, bringing in new people to our region. prgtoken I love the views as I look across the lake to Vermont, and I know that we are really a joint economy around Lake Champlain. prgtoken I also want to thank Chairman Calvert and the Appropriations Committee for their support of this important initiative in the Northeast. As I said, this is truly bipartisan, and it fully funds this important program. prgtoken So I thank Mr. Calvert again and his staff, and I thank Mr. Welch for being a true partner on this issue, which is locally driven and such a success story for our districts.
WOMEN'S ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT ACT OF 2018
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (Republican, FL) \u2014 2018-7-17

the balance of my time. prgtoken , I thank Chairman Royce and my friend from Florida, Congresswoman Frankel, for bringing forward this important bipartisan bill. prgtoken All countries of the world stand to benefit from the increased participation of women in their economies and in their societies at large. prgtoken , I urge all Members to vote ``aye,'' and .
Trump-Putin Summit (Executive Calendar)
Rob Portman (Republican, OH) \u2014 2018-7-17

I am pleased to see President 's clarification today. The Russians did meddle in our election. That is the consensus not just of the intelligence community, but it is the consensus here among our own Intelligence Committees of the House and Senate, led by s. prgtoken I will say that Congress has pushed pretty hard against some of the Russian activity, not just the meddling but the illegal annexation of Crimea and Russia's continued support of the Assad regime in Syria, which has caused so much pain and agony. We have passed historic sanctions around here on Russia. Should we have additional sanctions? I am certainly open to that, but it is not as if Congress has not acted. prgtoken We have also provided, for the first time ever, lethal weapons to the Ukrainians to be able to push back on the eastern border of Ukraine. I pleaded with the administration to provide such weapons, and they never did, and this administration has done so despite protestations from Russia. prgtoken We just funded $350 million or so to protect our electoral security here in this country and to help our State boards of election to be able to push back against what I am concerned about, which would be interference in yet another election cycle in this country. I am glad that was a bipartisan effort to do so. We have also built up our military, including putting more resources into Central and Eastern Europe and more exercises there to push back, including up-armoring our armored vehicles there because of the threat we now believe is coming from Russia, not just on the eastern border of Ukraine but throughout eastern Central Europe. prgtoken This administration has actually expelled more Russian diplomats, I think, than any administration at once, at least. In reaction to the poisoning in the UK, we expelled more diplomats than any other country. We also shut down a Russian consulate, I believe, in the State of the colleague who just spoke, and these are all things that have happened. prgtoken The irony is, the actions speak pretty loudly, don't they? It is unfortunate that our words have not spoken as loudly recently. prgtoken Again, I appreciate the President's clarification today. I think we need to be honest. We need to be straightforward, and that would result in a better relationship with Russia.
AUTHORITY FOR COMMITTEES TO MEET
Steve Daines (Republican, MT) \u2014 2018-7-17

I have 7 requests for committees to meet during today's session of the Senate. They have the approval of the majority and minority leaders. prgtoken Pursuant to rule XXVI, paragraph 5(a), of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the following committees are authorized to meet during today's session of the Senate: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation prgtoken The Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation is authorized to meet during the session of the prgtoken Senate on Tuesday, July 17, 2018, at 10:15 a.m to conduct a hearing entitled ``Sharks''. Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs prgtoken The Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, July 17, 2018, at 10 a.m to conduct a hearing entitled ``the semiannual monetary policy report to the Congress''. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources prgtoken The Committee on Energy and Natural Resources is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, July 17, 2018, at 10 a.m to conduct a hearing. Committee on Environment and Public Works prgtoken The Committee on Environment and Public Works is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, July 17, 2018, at 9:45 a.m to conduct a hearing. Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions prgtoken The Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, July 17, 2018, at 10 a.m to conduct a hearing entitled ``Reducing Healthcare Costs: Eliminating excess healthcare spending and improving quality of value for patients.'' Select Committee on Intelligence prgtoken The Select Committee on Intelligence is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, July 17, 2018, at 12 p.m to conduct a closed hearing. Select Committee on Intelligence prgtoken The Select Committee on Intelligence is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, July 17, 2018, at 2:30 p.m to conduct a closed hearing.
PROTECTING DIPLOMATS FROM SURVEILLANCE THROUGH CONSUMER DEVICES ACT
Michael T. McCaul (Republican, TX) \u2014 2018-7-17

I rise today in support of this bill, the Protecting Diplomats from Surveillance Through Consumer Devices Act. prgtoken Earlier this year, a private sector analysis revealed the risks of using wearable technologies, such as Fitbits and Apple Watches, which use GPS tracking. As the report stated, researchers were able to track the movements of the deployed troops in overseas locations. prgtoken This, obviously, poses an enormous national security risk for our soldiers serving abroad. Enemies could track patrol routes or discover the locations of secret foreign installments. prgtoken This exposure puts our diplomats at risk as well. We have men and women engaging in diplomatic efforts all over the world, often in sensitive and high-risk areas. We must not make it easier for our enemies to track their movements. prgtoken As such, our bill requires the Department of State to establish a policy on use of location-tracking devices by diplomats at U.S. facilities around the world. prgtoken As the chairman said, many of us here have been to these hot spots-- Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Egypt, Tunisia. I got briefed by the Libyan team in exile after Benghazi. And they deserve to be protected. This bill will do just that. prgtoken I would like to thank my good friend Congressman Castro for his friendship and leadership on this issue, as well as Chairman Royce and Ranking Member Engel on this important legislation.
EAST ROSEBUD WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS ACT
Tom McClintock (Republican, CA) \u2014 2018-7-17

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , East Rosebud Creek is located in Carbon County, Montana, just north of Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness in the Custer National Forest. prgtoken The bill before us designates a 13-mile segment of East Rosebud Creek, beginning at its source, the East Rosebud Lake, as a wild and scenic river. A second 7-mile segment from the outlet of East Rosebud Lake to the point where the waterway enters private property would be designated as a recreational river. prgtoken This legislation specifically applies only to the segments of the creek that lie within public lands. Important historical uses outside of the wild and scenic boundary are protected by this bill. prgtoken Finally, H.R. 4645 explicitly prevents the creation of a buffer zone to restrict land use outside of the designated area. prgtoken This legislation is the result of a compromise supported by a diverse coalition that includes local ranchers, sportsmen, conservationists, and business owners. Companion legislation has been introduced with the support of both Montana Senators. prgtoken , .
Nomination of Brett Kavanaugh (Executive Calendar)
John Thune (Republican, SD) \u2014 2018-7-17

if there is one thing we have been able to rely on over the past half century or so, it is ic hysteria over Supreme Court nominations. No sooner does a President announce a nomination than the are off and running. It doesn't matter who the nominee is--the playbook is the same. The warn that equal rights are in jeopardy; that our system of government may not survive; in fact, that Americans may not survive. That is right. In the lead-up to Justice Gorsuch's confirmation, the head of one liberal organization stated that there was ``substantial evidence'' that if Gorsuch's ``egregious views were to become law, Americans' lives . . . would be put at risk in untold ways.'' I am happy to report that a year into Justice Gorsuch's tenure on the Supreme Court, Americans seem to be doing OK. prgtoken Fast-forward to Judge Kavanaugh's Supreme Court nomination, and once again, are predicting that the sky will fall if a President's Supreme Court nominee is confirmed. prgtoken Faced with an eminently well-qualified, mainstream nominee, they have been forced to resort to distortions or outright conspiracy theories to make their case. Their statements have been so extreme that they have already been called out more than once by the mainstream media. prgtoken The New York Times--not exactly known as an apologist for the Party--published a fact check with the headline `` Overstate Kavanaugh's Writings on the Affordable Care Act.'' prgtoken The Washington Post published a fact check that described a ic characterization of Kavanaugh as ``extreme distortion.'' Two tweets offering a truly absurd conspiracy theory about Justice Kennedy's resignation received four Pinocchios from the Washington Post--a rating that qualifies the tweets as ``whoppers.'' prgtoken At the root of ' frenzy is their belief that the only good Supreme Court Justice is a Supreme Court Justice who shares their political beliefs and who will rule in support of them. That is a very disturbing point of view. Our system of government is based on the rule of law, but the rule of law depends on having judges who will rule based on the law and the facts, not on their personal opinions. prgtoken Once judges start ruling based on their political opinions or their feelings about what they would like the law to be, then we will have replaced the rule of law with the rule of individual judges. That is exactly what are pushing for. They are looking for Supreme Court Justices who will rule based not on the law but their personal beliefs. More specifically, they are looking for judges who will rule based on ' beliefs. Just look at the ' statements since Judge Kavanaugh's nomination. aren't interested in whether Judge Kavanaugh is qualified or will rule in accordance with the law; instead, they are concerned about his v