mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY AUTHORIZATION ACT
Bennie G. Thompson (Democrat, MS) \u2014 2017-7-20

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , I rise in support of H.R. 2825, the Department of Homeland Security Authorization Act of 2017. prgtoken , most Americans give little thought to the range of activities that the Department of Homeland Security undertakes every day to safeguard our Nation. Consideration of this legislation today provides us with the opportunity to take a moment to not only acknowledge the contributions of the 240,000 men and women who serve at the Department but to consider what DHS does on a daily basis. prgtoken On any given day, the Transportation Security Administration screens 2 million air passengers and 1 million bags. The Federal Protective Service protects 1.4 million people who visit and work in Federal buildings. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection screens 282,000 vehicles, 72,000 truck, rail, and maritime containers. The U.S. Coast Guard seizes and removes over 1,000 pounds of drugs and saves more than 10 lives in search and rescue operations daily. prgtoken The Secret Service provides physical protection to the Nation's highest elected leaders, visiting foreign dignitaries, facilities, and major events. And the National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center issues 50 cyber warnings and blocks nearly 2,000 intrusions. prgtoken This list of activities is not, by any means, exhaustive, but I think it is important for Members to keep in mind what DHS does every day, as we consider H.R. 2825. prgtoken A central focus of this legislation is improving operations within the DHS by, among other things, bolstering acquisition management, employee engagement, policymaking, stakeholder engagement, and civil rights and civil liberties. prgtoken Additionally, H.R. 2825 seeks to enhance DHS' counterterrorism and intelligence efforts and the sharing of threat information with State, local, and regional fusion centers. prgtoken I am particularly pleased that H.R. 2825 rejects the administration's proposed cuts to assistance to State and local jurisdictions. Not only does H.R. 2825 authorize homeland security first responder grants, training, and exercises, but it also restores funding for two critical TSA programs: the Law Enforcement Grant Program and the program to fund security staffing at airport exit lanes. prgtoken With respect to the Urban Area Security Initiative Grant Program, it authorizes funding at $800 million, which is $350 million above President 's request. For the State Homeland Security Grant Program, it authorizes $600 million, which is $250 million above President 's request. prgtoken Additionally, the Transit Security, Port Security, Nonprofit Security, and prgtoken Stonegarden Grant Programs are authorized at levels well above President 's request. prgtoken When it comes to securing our Nation, the American public expects DHS to make smart investments. H.R. 2825 seeks to ensure that the policies and p
Introductory Statement on S. 1599
Tim Kaine (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2017-7-20

the U.S. infrastructure system is in critical need of an upgrade. The American Society of Civil Engineers recently graded the U.S. system a D+ given its capacity, condition, funding, future need, operation and maintenance, public safety, resilience and innovation. Any investment to improve our Country's infrastructure system would create millions of new jobs, requiring millions of skilled workers to fill them. prgtoken A recent study by the Center of Education and the Workforce at Georgetown University estimated that a $1 trillion infrastructure investment would create 11 million new jobs. Nearly half of these would require training prgtoken past the high school level. Even without a significant investment, though, infrastructure industries are already struggling to meet workforce demands. Workers in infrastructure industries are expected to retire at a 50% higher rate than the general workforce. And historic inequities that have limited women and people of color from accessing these jobs have further constrained the pipeline of potential workers. To ensure infrastructure investments benefit businesses, workers and the economy, the U.S. must invest in the creation of a diverse pipeline of workers with skills necessary to access in-demand opportunities. prgtoken Industry and sector partnerships are a proven strategy for helping workers prepare for middle-skill jobs and helping businesses find skilled workers. Congress requires States and local areas to support the development of these partnerships under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), but no dedicated funding has been provided for these activities. Work-based learning strategies, such as apprenticeships, are common pathways to skilled jobs in infrastructure industries. Many small and medium-sized businesses shy away from developing high-quality work-based learning programs, however, because of real or perceived costs associated with the strategy. prgtoken This is why I am pleased to introduce with my colleague, Senator Portman, the Building U.S. Infrastructure by Leveraging Demands for Skills Act or BUILDS Act. The BUILDS Act creates a grant program that would support industry and sector partnerships working with local businesses, industry associations and organizations, labor organizations, State and local workforce boards, economic development agencies and other partners engaged in their communities to encourage industry growth, competitiveness and collaboration to improve worker training, retention and advancement in targeted infrastructure clusters. prgtoken Specifically, the bipartisan BUILDS Act would leverage sector partnerships to engage businesses in work-based learning programs. Businesses and industries would be incentivized to work with the greater community to create on-the-job training programs to fill the jobs necessary to expand the Country's infrastructure system. Additionally, businesses and education pro
RECOGNIZING THE OUTSTANDING SERVICE OF COLONEL JOHN G. BUCK, DISTRICT COMMANDER FOR THE SEATTLE DISTRICT, U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS
Derek Kilmer (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2017-7-20

I rise today to commemorate the 26 year service record of Colonel John G. Buck, District Commander for the Seattle District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and I am proud to offer my sincere congratulations on his upcoming retirement. Col. Buck received his U.S. Army commission in 1991 from the United States Military Academy. He has served in various leadership positions throughout the United States, Europe, and the Middle East. prgtoken In 2005, he was awarded the Bronze Order of the de Fleury Medal for his outstanding performance of duty. He then served as commander of the 14th Engineer Battalion at Joint Base Lewis McChord, where he effectively trained a battalion for deployment to Afghanistan. His successful training methods served as a model for other engineering units. Throughout his career, Col. Buck has demonstrated strong dedication and leadership that has been an asset in every position he has held, exemplifying the values and ideals of the U.S. Army and the Corps of Engineers. I have had the honor of knowing and working with Col. Buck over the past three years while he served as Commander of the Seattle District where he spearheaded the advancement of a number of key projects for the State of Washington. During his tenure, the Seattle District successfully completed their first two favorable reports in nearly a decade. Thanks to his direction, the Puget Sound Nearshore Restoration Project and the Skokomish River Ecosystem Restoration Project were approved and congressionally authorized in 2016. Collectively these projects represent roughly half a billion dollars in new authority to complete over 2,000 acres of aquatic ecosystem restoration in our state. This is an enormous accomplishment. I am also especially grateful for his hard work and dedication to resolving a difficult and complicated permitting issue and providing some much needed regulatory clarity to shellfish growers in our region. Thanks to his efforts, more people will have more economic opportunity it is truly an honor to represent a man of this caliber here in our nation's capital. I am humbled to be able to speak in recognition of his impressive career and service record today in the United States' Congress, and I am grateful for the many contributions he has made to our country as well as the State of Washington.
KING COVE ROAD LAND EXCHANGE ACT
Theodore E. Deutch (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2017-7-20

. Mr. Chair, I thank my friend from Arizona for yielding me time. prgtoken Mr. Chair, I rise to oppose this bill today for a number of reasons, but building a road through a congressionally designated wilderness area is without precedent. There are lots of other reasons. prgtoken I would note that at least today's debate shifts the focus of this Congress in the right direction because, when we look to Alaska, it requires a gaze just a little bit further into Russia, and I only wish that what we were debating today was the sanctions bill that passed the Senate by a vote of 98-2. The reason that we should be debating that bill today is readily apparent to anyone who has been paying attention to recent events. prgtoken Just this morning, we read of the President's interview with The New York Times, and we think about a President who took action to fire the acting Attorney General, to urge the FBI Director to go easy on Flynn in the Flynn investigation, who fired the FBI Director because of the Russia investigation, and who just now, in this interview yesterday, threatened the acting FBI Director, the Attorney General of the United States, and the person carrying out the investigation of Russia and the potential ties between his administration and Russia. prgtoken All of this gets to the larger point, which is we are getting ready to go home at the end of next week for August, and if we go home without passing the sanctions bill and getting tough on Russia, we will have failed the American people on a vital national security issue. We will be showing weakness at a time when the American people expect to see strength, expect us to stand up to Russian attempts to interfere with our election, to stand up when we learn about an eight-person--for now, eight-person--meeting that was put together with the sole purpose, according to the emails, of providing information to help President , then candidate , get elected with the assistance of the Russian Government. prgtoken We don't know where this will all lead. I acknowledge that. But it is because what we do know about Russia that we have to act not against the administration--it is a mischaracterization to suggest that. The bill passed 98-2 in the Senate. This is a bill that will enable us to move forward in a bipartisan way, which the American people desperately want, to stand up to Russia. prgtoken It is for that reason that is I ask unanimous consent that the House bring up H.R. 3203, which is the Russia sanctions bill that passed the Senate 98-2--98-2. When has this body seen that kind of bipartisanship? prgtoken I ask that that bill be brought up so that we can vote on it and not disappoint the American people before we leave here in August. That is what we ought to be doing. I hope we will have the chance to do it now. prgtoken Mr. Chair, I ask unanimous consent that we bring up the Russia sanctions bill to debate and to pass that bill today.
McKINNEY-VENTO HOMELESS ASSISTANCE ACT
Patty Murray (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2017-7-20

July 22, 2017, marks the 30th anniversary of the enactment of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, our Nation's landmark law designed to prevent and address homelessness. Many communities in my home State of Washington and across the country are confronting a surge in homeless and housing-insecure individuals, and the resources brought to bear by McKinney-Vento are essential to continued progress. The McKinney-Vento Act also marked the first time that Congress provided dedicated funding to ensure equal educational opportunities for children and youth who are experiencing homelessness. The law requires States and school districts to remove barriers that homeless children and youth face in receiving a high-quality education. In the years since the McKinney-Vento Act was passed, hundreds of thousands of young people experiencing homelessness have received the supports they need in order to attend school, graduate, and secure a well-paying job that can provide for their families. prgtoken I am proud to have introduced and seen enacted legislation to remove barriers and provide support to homeless children and youth, from early childhood through postsecondary education. Many of these laws have codified best practices pioneered by dedicated Washington State educators determined to make a difference for homeless children and youth. prgtoken I have fought and continue to fight for funding that makes a difference for homeless children and youth, veterans and other adults, and families experiencing homelessness. I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the success of the McKinney-Vento Act and recognizing how far we still have to go in order to solve our homelessness crisis and make sure that every child in our country has access to a quality education no matter where they live, how they learn, or how much money their parents make.
KING COVE ROAD LAND EXCHANGE ACT
Raúl M. Grijalva (Democrat, AZ) \u2014 2017-7-20

such time as I may consume. prgtoken We have heard the argument, and we will repeatedly hear the argument that the road connecting King Cove to Cold Bay is needed for health and safety purposes. While it is true that the road will be used for medical emergencies, there is a lot of evidence pointing to another objective. prgtoken If you look at the decades-long effort to build this road, it becomes clear that there has always been a commercial purpose in mind. King Cove is home to one of the largest fish processing facilities, operated by Peter Pan Seafoods, a subsidiary of a Japanese company that is one of the largest seafood companies in the world. prgtoken Fishing is the backbone of the King Cove economy, and it has always been one of the reasons for the road. Let's look at the facts. prgtoken In 1994, the city of King Cove passed a resolution to emphasize the positive socioeconomic impacts of a 20-mile road linking King Cove to the Cold Bay Airport. The resolution did not mention any need to use the road for health or safety or for emergency situations of residents. prgtoken In 2005, the Aleutians East Borough participated in public scoping meetings and presented their vision for a hub airport for Cold Bay. This plan included cold storage capability for fish from King Cove and other communities awaiting air freight. prgtoken In 2010, as part of a Fish and Wildlife EIS for the land exchange we are debating today, an Aleutians East Borough assemblyman stated that Peter Pan Seafoods would use the road to transport fresh product. prgtoken And finally, on May 25 of this year, Alaska Governor Bill Walker sent a request to the administration. He asked for: ``Access for isolated King Cove residents to the airport in Cold Bay in all weather conditions, enabling access to health services and the movement of goods and people between King Cove and Cold Bay.'' prgtoken When you add all this up, the evidence is pretty convincing. Sure, the road will be used for emergency evacuations, but it will also be used to transport fresh product to Cold Bay to be sold throughout Asia and the rest of the world. prgtoken Despite language in the bill seeking to prohibit commercial use of the road, once it is built, this prohibition will be incredibly difficult, if not impossible, to enforce. This is an incredibly remote area, and the Fish and Wildlife Service does not have the resources or staff capacity to police the use of the road. prgtoken Mr. Chair, .
REPEAL OF OBAMACARE STATISTICS
Darren Soto (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2017-7-20

next week we will see consideration of the repeal of Care without a replacement. This would be a life-and- death issue for most Americans. prgtoken First, we would see skyrocketing uninsured rates: 18 million people would lose insurance next year; 32 million people would lose insurance by 2026. prgtoken We would also see skyrocketing premiums: 20 to 25 percent by next year, 50 percent by 2020, and 100 percent by 2026. prgtoken Seventy-five percent of Americans would live in a place where there would be no marketplace insurer. prgtoken We know that for every 455 people who gain coverage across the United States, according to the New England Journal of Medicine, that at least one life is saved. So if we lose coverage for 20 million people next year, we would be looking at 43,000 to almost 44,000 avoidable deaths in the United States. That is why this is life and death. prgtoken Care has had its shot, and it has failed. It is time for the parties to come together now. It is time to have a bipartisan bill to fix the ACA. prgtoken The American people deserve nothing less.
Healthcare (Executive Calendar)
Ron Wyden (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2017-7-20

before he leaves the floor, I want to commend my colleague from Connecticut for a very thoughtful speech. I think he has made the case that the challenge ahead is really a two- part drill--first, to stop something that is especially ill advised, and second, to then move to a better way that really focuses on sunlight and bipartisanship. So for his very thoughtful comments.
KING COVE ROAD LAND EXCHANGE ACT
Niki Tsongas (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2017-7-20

I think it is important to keep in mind that the lands that this road seeks to cross are Federally protected public lands. They are managed and protected on behalf of all Americans to specifically protect wildlife habitat. And, as such, when changes like this are being debated, all Americans have the right to register their opinion. prgtoken They are also designated wilderness, the highest level of protection that the American people bestow upon a piece of public land, and we in Congress are stewards of that mandate. prgtoken The road proposed by this legislation could do irreparable harm to the fragile environment of this wildlife refuge prgtoken if mitigation steps are not taken. As the Department of the Interior stated in 2013, this area is ``a globally significant landscape that supports an abundance and diversity of wildlife unique to the refuge that years of analysis shows us would be irretrievably damaged by construction and operation of the proposed road.'' prgtoken The Department also found that construction of the road would lead to ``significant degradation of irreparable ecological resources that would not be offset by the protection of other lands to be received under an exchange.'' prgtoken My amendment simply reinserts bipartisan language that was approved by Congress and signed into law by 2009 that will help mitigate some, but not all, of the negative environmental impacts in the event that the road is constructed. prgtoken Mr. Chair, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.
EXECUTIVE CALENDAR
Maria Cantwell (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2017-7-20

. . prgtoken , I rise today to speak about the Bernhardt nomination to be Deputy Secretary of the Interior. prgtoken The Deputy Secretary plays an important role in forming and carrying out the administration's policy on a broad range of issues. These issues include our Nation's public lands, our national parks, our national wildlife refuges, our water resources, mineral and energy development on public lands and Federal waters, carrying out our trust responsibilities to our Tribal nations, and working with our territories and Freely Associated States. prgtoken The Deputy Secretary also performs very important functions as it relates prgtoken to the Secretary or in the Secretary's absence. In virtually all matters, the Deputy Secretary has the authority of the Secretary. That is why I look at this position with such an important critique, because we know in past positions there have been conflicts, and we know we have important policies to discuss, and we need to make sure we have no conflicts of interest. prgtoken I have made no secret that I have concerns about this nomination. Mr. Bernhardt is no stranger to this body and he is no stranger to the Department of the Interior. He held a number of senior political positions in the Department during the administration beginning in 2006. prgtoken After leaving the Department in 2009, he returned to a successful private practice. For 8 years, he has represented a wide range of clients, including oil and gas companies, mining companies, and water supply interests in California, just to name a few. If he is confirmed, he will oversee the same companies at the Department of the Interior; that is, he will be making decisions on the same things that he lobbied for at the agency, and now he will be on the other side of the table and be able, after a short period of time, to make decisions in those areas. prgtoken So, as I said at his confirmation hearing--I'm not suggesting that just working for the private sector disqualifies someone, but when you have a wide range of issues that you have worked on in the private sector and now you are going to be on the other side of the table, it brings up concerns. prgtoken The President of the United States traveled the country when he was campaigning and said he wanted to drain the swamp from special interests, and he has repeated that many times over the last few years. But with Mr. Bernhardt's nomination, I am afraid he is not draining the swamp, he is actually helping to fill it. prgtoken The nominee's private sector experience as a registered lobbyist for companies whose main public policy focuses are in the Department of Interior creates an appearance of a conflict of interest. Also, the nominee wants to lead the Department that he sued four times. prgtoken It is true that Mr. Bernhardt has considerable experience. We saw another nominee come to this same post in a past administration on the sam