mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
Over-the-Counter Monograph Safety, Innovation, and Reform Act (Executive Session)
Lamar Alexander (Republican, TN) \u2014 2019-12-10

every year, Americans make nearly 3 billion trips to the drugstore, pharmacies, convenience stores to pick up over-the-counter products such as allergy medicines, children's cough syrup, or simple pain medicines such as aspirin. prgtoken As the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee was working on the 21st Century Cures Act in 2016, I asked Janet Woodcock, the Director of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research at the Food and Drug Administration: Are there any changes that really need to be made in the FDA's law? This is a train--referring to the 21st century cures legislation--that is likely to get to the station. If you have something that really needs to be done for the benefit of American consumers that you haven't been able to get done, tell us what it is, and we will put it on the train. prgtoken Well, Ms. Woodcock, who has been at the FDA for a while, came back to me and said the over-the-counter monograph. prgtoken Now, what that means is these are the rules that govern how all drugs sold in pharmacies, other than prescription drugs, are approved--the allergy medicines, the cough syrups, the simple pain medicines. Those haven't been changed since the 1970s, nearly 50 years ago. prgtoken Today the Senate, after all that time, nearly a half century, will modernize these rules by passing legislation proposed by Senator Isakson and prgtoken Senator Casey. It is called the Over-the-Counter Monograph Safety, Innovation and Reform Act. prgtoken I am sure it will get a big vote of approval, and like a lot of other very important things that are done in the Senate that are very, very difficult to do, it will look easy. prgtoken It hasn't been easy. It has taken a long time--nearly a half century. It was the one thing that the FDA said we just can't get done. That was in 2016, 3 years ago, and now Senator Isakson and Senator Casey are getting it done. prgtoken It is the most important law affecting the safety, innovation, and cost of over-the-counter drugs since the 1970s. prgtoken It is a great testament to Senator Isakson's leadership and legislative skill. He, of course, is leaving the Senate at the end of this year, and this is a fitting tribute to his work. prgtoken In the same way, I thank Senator Casey of Pennsylvania for his excellent work, in bipartisan fashion, with Senator Isakson on this bill. They both deserve great credit and thanks for getting this update across the finish line. It may look easy, but what they have done is something that hasn't been changed for nearly a half century and that the Food and Drug Administration said was the one thing that needed to be done to help consumers to affect the availability, the safety, the cost, and the innovation of drugs that are sold across the counter that are not prescription drugs. prgtoken .
Legislative Work (Executive Session)
Marsha Blackburn (Republican, TN) \u2014 2019-12-10

it has been so interesting today to hear my colleagues talk about the things we have done this year, the things we have to get done before the end of the year that haven't been addressed yet, and then things that need to be addressed this next year in 2020. prgtoken I will tell you, 2019, for me, I look at it as, I would say, successes and stalls and then some forward motion on some really important pieces of legislation. To get there, we really have had some fairly intense debates, which have prompted our constituents and those back in Tennessee to have their own discussions about what they think is or is not happening here in Washington, DC. prgtoken My hope is that their debates around the kitchen table are sometimes less heated than ours, and certainly I hope that their Thanksgiving table debates were less heated than some of these that you see taking place here. prgtoken Tennesseans, like a lot of Americans, when they end up talking about what we are or are not doing here in Congress, they revert back to first principles. I cannot tell you the number of times over this past holiday that I heard people say: Look, for me, it is all about freedom. It is all about defending the freedoms that we have--protecting that life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness. prgtoken They are looking at that. It is fair to say they think in the long term. While many times I think the media here in DC just follows that shiny object story of the day, whatever is generating clicks and likes and headlines, that is where they are, but Tennesseans are not focused that way. What they would like to see is for our actions here in Washington to be taken in a way that are going to keep them and their neighborhoods and their friends safe and secure and healthy and free and keep them out of the reach of government overreach, if you will. prgtoken As someone said to me last weekend, ``I just want the Federal Government off my back and out of my pocketbook. I want to be able to keep working and keep growing my business.'' A lot of people are there. prgtoken Now, we have seen movement this week. A very good thing that has happened is the National Defense Authorization Act. I know that has worked tirelessly on this, as have I, for all of our military community members in Tennessee. We have been very pleased that we are going to see Fort Campbell and the divisions that call Fort Campbell home getting the funds and the equipment they need in order to protect themselves and to do their jobs--whether it is Chinooks or more training capacity or equipment and also an emphasis on making certain that we are keeping their homes safe so those families are safe in that military on-post housing, that privatized housing, while their loved ones are deployed. prgtoken While we are looking at other components of the NDAA, Tennesseans have been very concerned and are very pleased, I will say, about what has transpired with Oak Ri
HONORING FATHER ALEXANDER KARLOUTSOS
Lee M. Zeldin (Republican, NY) \u2014 2019-12-10

. Madam , I rise today to recognize Father Alexander Karloutsos, the leader of Dormition of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church of the Hamptons in Southampton, New York. Father Alex, as he's known to so many in our community, has served his church for over 40 years, guiding Long Islanders in a life centered in faith. However, his work goes beyond the members of his faith community, and his work has affected so many aspects of our community and our nation. In fact, Father Alex has met with and advised every U.S. President since President Ronald Reagan on religious freedom and many other issues and is well-known and respected by many members of Congress and policy-makers on both sides of the aisle. While his reputation precedes him on the national level, he has never turned his back on the community he loves. Just last year, he led his church in donating $100,000 to the Southampton Town Police Department to help fight the heroin and opioid abuse epidemic that has taken its toll on our community. For his extraordinary service to our community and nation, he was recently appointed as the Vicar General of the Holy Archdiocese of America at the discretion of the Archbishop himself. I congratulate Father Alex on his well-deserved appointment and look forward to continuing to work together to better the community we love.
Net Neutrality (Executive Session)
John Thune (Republican, SD) \u2014 2019-12-10

it should come as no surprise that I might have a different point of view than the leader when it comes to the issue of net neutrality. If you look at what has happened since the FCC ruled on this, there were all these terrible apocalyptic predictions that were made about how speeds were going to slow down, the internet was going to slow to a crawl, and you wouldn't be able to do basic applications anymore, none of which have happened. prgtoken Obviously, we all believe--I certainly do, and I think most of my colleagues on this side believe--that if you want to have an open and free internet, that is a good thing, and if there are concerns about blocking or throttling or slowing speeds in some way, the Congress should be heard from on that because what we have had now for several years is this ping-pong effect. When one party is in power, they change the rules to suit their desires, and then the other party comes to power and changes it. Then you have all this litigation that goes on in the courts, which doesn't help anybody. All that does is bog things down and generates a tremendous amount of cost, and nobody's interests are served by that. prgtoken So if there is a concern, and I have articulated this on many occasions to my colleagues on the other side, to work with us on a legislative solution where Congress can step in and put clear rules of the road in place when it comes to the internet--making sure we have an open and free internet--we are prepared to do that, but that is not something the have been interested in doing. prgtoken They would rather have this heavy hand of government that slows this innovation down, all these wonderful things that are happening in our economy right now--the race to 5G, which obviously is critically important to so many sectors of our economy--could be dramatically impeded if you had the heavy hand of government, the heavy hand of regulation, which has been advocated by our colleagues on the ic side for some time, if that became the norm. prgtoken When President was elected, and Chairman Pai was made Chairman of the FCC, and we had a FCC which did away with the heavyhanded regulations of the previous administration, we heard all these apocalyptic predictions coming from the about all of the horrible things that were going to happen to the internet. I can tell you that my experience, I think, is like most Americans. I can continue to download applications. I can continue to scroll and to see the things I want to see and to toggle back and forth between different websites in a way that I did before. It just flat hasn't happened. So they are trying to come up with a solution for a problem that does not exist. prgtoken That said, we would be happy to work with them. We want to put clear rules of the road in place, but that is not what they want. They want the heavy hand of government and the heavy hand o
AUTHORITY FOR COMMITTEES TO MEET
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2019-12-10

I have 5 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 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, December 10, 2019, at 10 a.m to conduct a hearing on the following nominations: Mitchell A. Silk, of New York, to be an Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, Brian D. Montgomery, of Texas, to be Deputy Secretary, and David Carey Woll, Jr of Connecticut, and John Bobbitt, of Texas, both to be an Assistant Secretary, all of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and Peter J. Coniglio, of Virginia, to be Inspector General, Export-Import Bank; to be immediately followed by an oversight hearing to examine the Securities and Exchange Commission. 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, December 10, 2019, at 10 a.m to conduct a hearing. Committee on the Judiciary prgtoken The Committee on the Judiciary is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, December 10, 2019, at 10 a.m to conduct a hearing. Select Committee on Intelligence prgtoken The Select Committee on Intelligence is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, November 21, 2019, at 2 p.m to conduct a closed hearing. Subcommittee on Intellectual Property prgtoken The Subcommittee on Intellectual Property of the Committee on the Judiciary is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, December 10, 2019, at 2.30 p.m to conduct a hearing.
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 729, TRIBAL COASTAL RESILIENCY ACT
Debbie Lesko (Republican, AZ) \u2014 2019-12-10

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , with all due respect to my friend Mr. Morelle, Washington, D.C does not have a beach on the ocean. Virginia does. prgtoken , if we defeat the previous question, I will offer an amendment to the rule to consider H. Res. 750, which expresses the sense of the House that it is the duty of the Federal Government to protect and promote individual choice and health insurance for the American people and prevent any Medicare for All proposal that would outlaw private health insurance plans, such as employer-based coverage and Medicare Advantage plans. prgtoken , I ask unanimous consent to insert the text of my amendment in the Record, along with extraneous material, immediately prior to the vote on the previous question.
TRIBAL COASTAL RESILIENCY ACT
Fred Upton (Republican, MI) \u2014 2019-12-10

. Madam Chair, I thank my good friend and I thank, too, Mr. Quigley, who just spoke, as the two of us are the bipartisan sponsors of the Great Lakes Fisheries Authorization Act, and we are glad that it is part of this package. prgtoken And I rise, obviously, in support, Madam Chair, today for this package of bills to help protect our coast and the Great Lakes. prgtoken You know, in the southwest there is a saying, ``Don't mess with Texas.'' Well, as one that grew up on the shores of Lake Michigan, there is a saying that we have, too, ``Don't mess with the Great Lakes.'' prgtoken This issue is deeply personal. It is one of great importance to the Nation. Our Great Lakes hold 18 percent of the world's fresh water supply, covers some 9,000 miles of shoreline, and this helps generate over $7 billion a year in sport and commercial fishing industry alone. This bill would authorize the U.S. Geological Survey Great Lakes Science Center to conduct science and research activities to support fishery management decisions in the Great Lakes. prgtoken Funds are going to be used to restore the loss of basic fishery science capabilities, accelerate the development of invasive species controls and the restoration of native species, and implement advanced autonomous and remote sensing technologies. Current authorizations for the U.S. Geological Survey Great Lakes Science Center is confusing and funding is often piecemeal. In the past, the funds have been diverted to other unrelated purposes and disrupted ongoing research. That has got to change. prgtoken With dedicated funding and clear authorization, the U.S. Geological Survey Great Lakes Science Center will, in fact, be able to better ensure the health of the Great Lakes ecosystem. This is going to help enhance our coastal resilience, restore fish habitat, and protect our important coastal economies. prgtoken I support the legislation.
THE BLESSINGS OF FREE ENTERPRISE AND CAPITALISM
Jodey C. Arrington (Republican, TX) \u2014 2019-12-10

I thank my dear friend from the Commonwealth of Kentucky, a stalwart when it comes to freedom, a champion of free people, free States, and free markets. And I appreciate my dear friend for hosting this very important and timely discussion to articulate the virtue and the values of freedom. prgtoken It is hard to believe we can stand in this great Chamber with any need to distinguish between a free system and a free country and what happens when you lose those freedoms. prgtoken America is the most powerful, most prosperous, and most generous nation in the world, and it is because America is the freest nation in the history of the world and on the face of the planet. The quickest way for America to lose her shine, her brilliance, her exceptionalism is for her to lose her freedoms. prgtoken , when our Founding Fathers were framing the more perfect prgtoken union, they made the central determination that our constitutional Republic would limit the Federal Government's role in our lives. They believed that if they limited government, they would unleash the limitless potential of the American people, free people created in the image of God. prgtoken While we recognize the challenges of our fallen human condition in any system of government, nothing has been a greater force for good, save and except the love of God, than freedom. Indeed, nothing has elevated and empowered the human spirit in this country and across the globe like the free enterprise system. Over the course of the 20th century, we can see the profound impact of free markets on the lives of Americans. prgtoken In 1900, the average life expectancy of Americans was 47 years. By the end of the century, it was 78 years. prgtoken At the beginning of the 20th century, 56 percent of American families were considered poor, but by 1967, before the expansion of the American welfare state through the Great Society programs, the number of American families considered poor was only 13 percent. prgtoken I would also insert there that we have spent trillions of dollars since the advent of Big Government welfare programs, well-intended, of course, over $20 trillion since the 1960s. We spend 16 times today what we spent in the 1960s on welfare programs, and we haven't moved the needle a bit. The poverty rate is the same. prgtoken If we look at the 20th century alone, we can see that free markets have given Americans the most opportunities, the highest standard of living, and the best quality of life anywhere in the world. prgtoken Contrast this with Venezuela, previously one of the wealthiest nations in the hemisphere, blessed with an abundance of oil and gas reserves, which is the basis of their economic prosperity. Today, 82 percent of Venezuelans live in poverty, thanks to the legacy of socialist policies implemented by the late dictator Hugo Chavez and his successor Nicolas Maduro. prgtoken Contrast that with what we have been doing recently with President ov
RECOGNIZING STAFF MEMBER BETTY FORD
Markwayne Mullin (Republican, OK) \u2014 2019-12-10

I rise today to recognize a member of my staff and a true servant of Oklahoma, Betty Ford. prgtoken Betty has served southeast Oklahoma, working as a congressional field rep for 29 years. She has worked for five different Members of Congress, including myself. At the end of the year, Betty is going to retire. prgtoken I know she is looking forward to spending more time with her grandkids and with her kids. While we will definitely miss her, we wish her nothing but the best in her next chapter. prgtoken I thank Betty for serving with a servant's heart, and I thank her for all she has done for all of us in Oklahoma. prgtoken May God bless her.
THE BLESSINGS OF FREE ENTERPRISE AND CAPITALISM
James R. Baird (Republican, IN) \u2014 2019-12-10

I thank the gentleman for the opportunity to express my thoughts about the rising trend in socialism. prgtoken We have seen the effects of socialism, and you need not look very far to see the disastrous results that socialism has brought to countries across the globe. prgtoken From the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 to the political and humanitarian crisis unfolding in Venezuela, socialism has brought about mass suffering, human rights violations, and rampant corruption. No other form of government has brought about such tragic results. prgtoken Capitalism has stood the test of time, fueled by individual freedom and free market competition. The United States has flourished because of capitalism, becoming the world's largest economy and providing economic opportunity for hundreds of millions of citizens. prgtoken We must stand for capitalism. Without it, humanity will recede and our progress will slow. prgtoken I call your attention to the thousands of men and women who have served in uniform and some who gave all in an effort to protect the freedoms that we enjoy. prgtoken , I never thought that I would feel the need to speak out against socialism before this great body, but I will do so so that generations to come will enjoy the same opportunities for prosperity that my generation was afforded. prgtoken I thank the gentleman again for this opportunity.
THE BLESSINGS OF FREE ENTERPRISE AND CAPITALISM
Roger Williams (Republican, TX) \u2014 2019-12-10

I thank Mr. Barr for yielding time to me and for being here today with us so we can talk about what really makes this country so great. prgtoken I rise today to make the case against socialism because it is not compatible with freedom. If you have got it, they want it. Socialists want the free stuff; capitalists want the good stuff. prgtoken Let's look back in history at the divide between those who destroyed human potential and those who empowered others to stand on their own feet and make a difference. prgtoken I have created an all-star team tonight. On the socialist all-star team, you will recognize names like Vladimir Lenin, Karl Marx, Hugo Chavez, and Fidel Castro, all proponents of socialism who promised their people would be provided for if small amounts of individual liberty were forfeited. prgtoken Instead, they left men, women, and children starving in the streets and stuffed their pockets with money from other people. These failed socialist regimes drove their countries into the ground, some of which have never recovered. prgtoken On the capitalist all-star team, you will recognize names like Adam Smith, Ronald Reagan, , Jack Kemp, Henry Ford, and , all proponents of capitalism who promoted the ideas of individual responsibility and free enterprise. prgtoken Now, this team recognized that what sets America apart from the rest of the world is the drive to reach our fullest potential, coupled with a free-market economy. prgtoken Risk and reward are a big deal to capitalists. They want a hand up. Guarantees are a big deal to socialists. They want a handout. prgtoken Capitalism is about taking responsibility for what you create and making it even greater. We are a nation of opportunity and incentive, and because of those principles, we are a nation of hope, where everyone can benefit. prgtoken Capitalists believe in individual integrity and the dignity of reaping reward from hard work. It is the greatest force in the history of our world for lifting people out of poverty, and we must instill this value in future generations. prgtoken Now, the version of shiny, progressive socialism that we see touted by promises equality and prosperity. They sell these lies to everyone, that everyone can succeed if there is a central power regulating fairness. Well, that central power, remember, runs Amtrak and it runs the post office. prgtoken Now, fairness could not be further from the truth. The government should never, ever be in the business of picking winners and picking losers. prgtoken I serve on the Financial Services Committee, and I ask most witnesses who testify before us if they are a socialist or a capitalist. prgtoken , can you guess the results? prgtoken They are, overwhelmingly, capitalists because, under capitalism, individuals own their work because they are incentivized by greater gain. It is a system that rewards innovation because it maintains demand for the best product