mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
IMPEACHMENT
Kelly Loeffler (Republican, GA) \u2014 2020-2-3

I am honored and humbled to stand before you today as Georgia's and our country's newest U.S. Senator. prgtoken As the 100th Senator, I have spent the least time in Washington, but as the least senior Senator, I am also the most recently attached to the private sector, where the vast majority of Americans live and work. I am intensely aware of the needs and the expectations that Americans hold for us. prgtoken Just 2 months ago, I left nearly a three-decade business career to serve the great people of Georgia and our Nation, but being here in this respected, historic Chamber is a very long way from where I started. prgtoken I was born and raised as the fourth generation of corn and soybean farmers, and I grew up working in our fields and with our cattle on the feedlot. I waitressed and sold watches and shoes to put myself through school. Then I moved around the country to pursue my dream of a business career. I have been a job seeker and a job creator. I haven't spent my life trying to get to Washington, but I worked hard to stand where I am today. prgtoken I have lived the American dream, and each day, I remember where I came from, and I am proud of my beginnings. While I am an outsider to politics, I am not new to getting results. I came here to get things done for the people of Georgia. prgtoken So why does all of this matter today, in this historic moment right now, just 2 days from my vote to acquit President ? Because for months and, sadly, years for many, Members of Congress who have meant to serve the American people have been tied up in a political game. prgtoken There is much to regret here--the House's false urgency to push through deficient articles, only to ask for more time, more evidence, more testimony; the deception of the House managers, who are more focused on political power than they are on pursuing the facts; the media who ran with the narrative the planted, with selective, unlawful leaks. prgtoken For the last 132 days, Congress has been neglecting the American people. I came here to get things done for Georgians, but for the last 2 weeks, we have been stuck in the Senate Chamber, working on something that most Americans have little interest in. prgtoken As my notebooks filled up, I thought to myself, how did this case even make it to the Senate? prgtoken When I am around the State, it is very clear that this is not what people at home care about. Georgians aren't losing sleep over a call the President made or questioning his constitutional right to conduct foreign policy. They are concerned with taking care of their families, their jobs, and their freedom to achieve the American dream and live the lives they imagined. I think of young kids, whether in the inner city or on a farm or in the suburbs. What example are we setting in Washington? Why should employers feel that Washington cares about job creation when there is a neglect of the engine that makes Ameri
IN RECOGNITION OF MR. C.W. MILLER
Robert J. Wittman (Republican, VA) \u2014 2020-2-3

. Madam , I rise today in recognition of Mr. C.W. Miller, who is retiring as the Assistant Chief after 56 years of dedication with Gloucester County Fire and Rescue. Mr. Miller's compassionate service to the community is not lost on me or the great people of Virginia's First District. prgtoken Raised in Harcum, Virginia, C.W. grew up in a tight-knit community where neighborly love was a way of life. As a motivated and selfless person, C.W. could not resist the call of duty and joined the Fire and Rescue squad in 1964. After over a decade with Gloucester County, Miller's achievements did not go unnoticed, and was duly elected as the Assistant Chief in 1978. Since his promotion, Mr. Miller continued to ceaselessly serve and contribute to his community by responding to those in need. According to many of Miller's close friends and colleagues, he is a warm-hearted man with a passion to serve. prgtoken Nevertheless, Mr. Miller has worked through thick and thin during his career. His steadfastness and compassion are worthy of admiration and emulation. prgtoken Therefore, Madam , I ask that you rise with me in recognizing Mr. Miller's service and wish him the best. On behalf of Virginia's First District and myself, we thank Mr. Miller.
RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF COACH BUDDY NOBLES
Austin Scott (Republican, GA) \u2014 2020-2-3

. Madam , I rise today to recognize the life of Coach Buddy Nobles of Ocilla, GA who passed away on Thursday, January 23, 2020 after a hard-fought battle with stomach cancer. prgtoken Coach Nobles served as the Head Coach of the Irwin County High School football team for the past six seasons, taking his team to the state playoffs during five of those seasons. Despite his battle with cancer, Coach Nobles led the Indians to finish their 2019 season undefeated and win the Class A State Championship, earning him the honor of being named AJC's Class A public-school coach of the year. prgtoken Before coming to Irwin County in 2014, Coach Nobles was a high school football coach at various schools in Georgia and Florida for twenty-six seasons, during which, he was part of six Florida state-championship teams. His impressive career was marked by his dedication and love for all his players, and he will be missed by all. Coach Nobles' leadership and fighting spirit served as an inspiration to those who knew him, and his legacy is sure to live on at Irwin County High School. prgtoken I would like to offer my deepest sympathy to the Nobles family and the entire Irwin County community. May you find strength and comfort in remembering the joy Buddy brought to the lives of everyone who knew him.
SGT. PHOEBE R. ORTIZ WINS 2019 USO MARINE OF THE YEAR
Paul Cook (Republican, CA) \u2014 2020-2-3

. Madam , I rise today to recognize and congratulate the 2019 United Service Organization Marine of the Year, Sergeant Phoebe Ortiz. prgtoken Sergeant Ortiz was recognized as the United Service Organization Marine of the Year in December 2019. She joined the Marine Corps in September 2015. In 2016, she completed Recruit Training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina and Marine Combat Training at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. In October 2018, Sergeant Ortiz was one of the first female graduates of the elite Marine Corps Mountain Leaders Course, this course takes place at the Mountain Warfare Training Center within the 8th district. The completion of the course qualified her as an instructor for future participants within the program. She regularly organizes events for the single Marines of her command and volunteers in many community outreach initiatives. prgtoken Sergeant Ortiz conducts herself in a manner that reflects the exemplary work of our service members. She is not only an outstanding Marine, but a leader within her community and among her peers. I thank Sergeant Ortiz for her service, dedication, work ethic, professionalism and commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all Americans. Semper Fi.
IMPEACHMENT
Marsha Blackburn (Republican, TN) \u2014 2020-2-3

before I begin, I really want to take a moment to thank our friend and Majority Leader McConnell for the manner in which he has worked to make this trial run so smoothly. I also thank our colleagues for their perseverance and, of course, the staff that has worked so diligently and has been so patient as we have worked through this process. prgtoken The impeachment trial of President Donald J. was a moment in history that should have been shrouded in the gravity of its potential consequences. Instead, day by day, we endured hyperbole in its most unserious form. prgtoken It is easy to forget that America's appetite for scandal fades quickly once you exit the beltway around Washington, DC, but I encourage my colleagues to recognize that the enthusiasm with which the House managers have sought President 's removal is completely and inarguably divorced from reality in the heartland. prgtoken As it appeared to my fellow Tennesseans, the intentional mishandling of the House of Representatives' constitutional duty was nothing more than an attempt to prelitigate the 2020 election. That is correct--to prelitigate the 2020 election and to remove President from office and thereby remove him from the ballot. prgtoken Our partisan friends had decided on the outcome that was necessary for them. They just needed to find a path that was going to get them there. So they had their outcome. They needed a path. prgtoken We saw House freeze out the President's counsel, refusing them an opportunity to fairly participate in the House Intelligence Committee's investigation. prgtoken House Manager Schiff created the supposed conversations he falsely attributed to the President and waited to see if his assertions would be questioned or if they were going to be accepted as fact. prgtoken Let me tell you something. I am a mom and I am a grandmother. I will tell you this. I don't think there is any mother on Earth who would stand for it if her child did such a thing to a coach or a teacher or a Scout leader or a minister. They would not stand for it, and yet the Senate was expected to indulge this unseemly behavior. This is something that is appropriate that we question. prgtoken The House managers relied heavily on the assertions of a whistleblower but refused to reveal anything about the circumstances that led to the whistleblower's report. So here we are at the end of the trial. Do we know if the whistleblower is a person or if it is a group of people? Does the report represent a consensus of ideas or just biased opinion? Was it prepared by an individual or prepared by a committee? prgtoken No one can answer that question except House Manager Schiff and his staff from the House Intel Committee, but that is not something they wanted to come down and talk about. prgtoken When it became clear that the White House would push back on witness subpoenas seeking testimony protected by executive privilege, H
ORDER FOR ADJOURNMENT
Todd Young (Republican, IN) \u2014 2020-2-3

as a U.S. Senator, I swore an oath to uphold the Constitution, and, while sitting in this High Court of Impeachment, I have fulfilled my duty to serve as an impartial juror. prgtoken After hearing all counsel arguments and reviewing all evidence in the voluminous record, including 17 witnesses, 192 witness video clips, and 28,578 pages of evidence, procedural rules, and constitutional concerns, I will vote to acquit the President, preventing his immediate removal from office and disqualification from the ballot. prgtoken A fair and accurate reading of this chapter in our Nation's history will conclude that, on the issues of fact and law presented to this High Court of Impeachment, reasonable and public-spirited Senators can disagree. This lends further support to the notion that the American people should be afforded the opportunity to register their opinions by participating in the coming national election. prgtoken While the Senate worked to remain impartial and open-minded throughout this trial, it must be acknowledged prgtoken that a political fever permeated this process from the beginning, dating back not just to the start of the House of Representatives' impeachment efforts, but all the way back to November 2016. As a result, the House improperly impeached. Now, the Senate should exercise restraint. Here is why. prgtoken First and foremost, a fair legal process is fundamental to our democracy. The House managers have repeatedly emphasized that no Americans are above the law. I could not agree more: No private citizen, President, or assembled majority of Congress can violate the rights guaranteed to other Americans under the Constitution. Accordingly, the President is entitled to basic due process rights, and the House failed to afford him these rights. Due process includes the right to legal counsel, the right to review evidence, and the ability to confront your accusers--rights denied by the House majority. House Managers breathlessly insist that ``overwhelming'' evidence already in the record proves ``beyond any doubt'' the President's continued service constitutes an imminent threat to the American people. The House's flawed and rushed process led to unfair proceedings and resulted in superficial, unspecific charges supported by a one-sided, improperly curated factual foundation. prgtoken Second, Separation of Powers is a cornerstone of our constitutional republic, and its preservation is essential to prevent abuse of power by one branch over another. A majority of the House should exercise extreme caution when it bases impeachment upon the President's exercise of his foreign relations prerogatives, which are expressly granted to him by the Constitution. Additionally, in developing its Articles of Impeachment, the House majority chose to circumvent the judicial branch of government in order to clarify an issue of unsettled law pertaining to Executive Privilege. Instead, the House simpl
PERSONAL EXPLANATION
Bill Huizenga (Republican, MI) \u2014 2020-2-4

. Madam , I rise today regarding missed votes. Had I been present for roll call vote number 33, on concurring in the Senate Amendment with the Rep. Khanna Amendment Specified in Section 4(a) of H. Res. 811, I would have voted ``nay.'' Had I been present for roll call vote number 34, on concurring in the Senate Amendment with the Rep. Lee Amendment Specified in Section 4(a) of H. Res. 811, I would have voted ``nay.''
RETIREMENT OF DEE BREWER
Eric A. "Rick" Crawford (Republican, AR) \u2014 2020-2-4

. Madam , I rise today to honor Deloris Berry Brewer, a lifelong resident of Stone County, Arkansas, who has announced her intention to retire her position at Stone Bank after 10 years of cheerful and active service. Mrs. Brewer was the founder and coordinator of a monthly ceremony recognizing the service of Stone County military veterans which has to date honored more than 100 veterans. prgtoken Mrs. Brewer's dedication to area veterans has grown into the largest annual Veterans Day ceremony in the region, and she has faithfully and enthusiastically promoted the efforts of Stone Bank since its creation as Ozark Heritage Bank in 2009 to the extent that her co-workers have named her position ``Eternal Sunshine.'' prgtoken I thank Mrs. Brewer for her incredible service to Stone County veterans and to the state of Arkansas.
RECOGNITION OF THE MINORITY LEADER
David Perdue (Republican, GA) \u2014 2020-2-4

in Federalist Papers No. 65, which we have heard referred to quite a bit in the last 2 weeks, Alexander Hamilton warned that the impeachment process should never be used as a partisan political weapon. He said that impeachment can ``connect itself with the pre-existing factions and will enlist all their animosities, partialities, influence, and interest on one side or on the other . . . in such cases there will always be the greatest danger that the decision will be regulated more by the comparative strength of the parties, than by the real demonstrations of innocence or guilt.'' prgtoken Today, unfortunately, over two centuries later, Hamilton's fears have become reality. This current impeachment process has never been about the truth, justice, or the rule of law. For my colleagues across the aisle, this is only about overturning the 2016 election, impacting the 2020 election, and gaining the Senate majority. prgtoken From the start, this House process has been totally illegitimate. The Articles of Impeachment that the House of Representatives presented to us last month were nothing more than the fruit of a poisonous tree. prgtoken In America, we believe in the rule of law. In America, we believe in due process. In America, we believe anyone has the right to a fair trial. In America, we believe anyone is innocent until proven guilty. However, House violated each of these foundational precepts in using the impeachment process as a partisan political weapon. prgtoken Throughout the course of the House impeachment investigation, repeatedly denied President due process and the fundamental rights of the accused in America. Simply put, what they did was not fair. They denied him the right to have counsel, the right to have witnesses, the right to cross-examine their witnesses, the right to see the evidence, and, lastly, the right to face his accuser. prgtoken Contrast that with the last two Presidents to face impeachment. The grand jury investigation of Clinton and the Watergate investigation of Nixon were conducted in a fair manner, with rights for the accused. No action was taken by the House of Representatives until the facts were clear and indisputable in both of those trials. When these investigations were complete and those two Presidents were found to have committed a crime, impeachment had bipartisan support, unlike this time. prgtoken This investigation is entirely different. It was rushed and was totally partisan, with not one single House voting for these two pitiful Articles of Impeachment. prgtoken The impeachment trial in the Senate has been going on for the past 11 days. Unlike in the House, the Senate upheld its constitutional duty to conduct a fair trial. The ic House managers had the opportunity to present their case. Then, for the first time in this sad affair, the President and his team--his lawyers--had an opportunity to present their
CONGRATULATING THOMAS SINCLAIR AS THE ARKANSAS SPELLING BEE CHAMPION
Bruce Westerman (Republican, AR) \u2014 2020-2-4

. Madam , I rise today to congratulate Thomas Sinclair of Garland County for his recent victory at the Arkansas State Spelling Bee. He will be moving on to compete in the Scripps National Spelling Bee in May 2020. prgtoken Thomas is ten years old and is a fifth grader at Jessieville Elementary School. After placing 11th in last year's state bee, he finished last week as the state's top speller among 50 students in third through eighth grades from around the State of Arkansas. prgtoken Seeing the story of Thomas' perseverance from last year and during this year's competition, I am reminded of the resilience of much of the Fourth District of Arkansas. His is an outstanding example of everything that academic excellence and hard work can accomplish. prgtoken I know that he will represent the Fourth District and the State of Arkansas well on the national stage. I wish him well in his future studies and in his efforts at the Scripps National Spelling Bee.
RECOGNITION OF THE MINORITY LEADER
John Boozman (Republican, AR) \u2014 2020-2-4

I rise today to address the topic that has consumed this body for the past several weeks, which is, of course, the impeachment trial of the President of the United States. prgtoken After the passage of two Impeachment Articles in the House, Pelosi waited nearly a month to transmit the articles to the Senate. Once she finally did, the trial took precedence, and the wheels were set in motion to conduct the proceedings and render a verdict. prgtoken Since it became clear that the House would vote to impeach the President, I have taken my constitutional duty to serve as a juror in the impeachment trial with the seriousness and attention that it demands. prgtoken In light of the extensive coverage the situation received, it was impossible not to take notice of the process that unfolded in the House over the course of its investigation. Its inquiry was hasty, flawed, and clearly undertaken under partisan pretenses. prgtoken Having rushed to impeach the President ahead of an arbitrary deadline, as well as failing to provide adequate opportunities for the President to defend himself, the impeachment investigation in this case specifically was contrived, at least partially, and was a vehicle to fulfill the fierce desire among many of the President's detractors that has existed since before he was even sworn in to remove him from office. prgtoken Be that as it may, the Constitution makes clear that the Senate has a duty to try all the impeachments. As such, the chief concern I had, as I know many of my colleagues also shared, was for the process in this body to be fair. It was clear to me that what transpired in the House was incredibly partisan and unfair. prgtoken I believed the Senate must and would rise to the occasion to conduct a trial that was fair, respectful, and faithful to the design and intent of our Founders. I believed that the organizing resolution that we passed was sufficient in establishing a framework for the trial and also would address the outstanding issues at the appropriate times. prgtoken Throughout the course of the trial, I stayed attentive and engaged, taking in the arguments and the evidence presented to the Senate, which included the testimony of over a dozen witnesses and thousands of documents as part of the House investigation. prgtoken The House impeachment managers were emphatic that their case against the President was overwhelming, uncontested, convincing, and proven. The President's counsel made an equally forceful case in his defense, countering the claims made by the House and underscoring the grounds on which the Senate should reject the articles and, by necessity, the attempt to expel him from office and a future ballot. prgtoken Based on the work done by the House--or maybe, more accurately, the work not done and the inherently flawed and partisan nature of the product it presented to the Senate--I was skeptical that it could prove its case and convince anybody, apa
REMEMBERING THE LIFE OF SHELDON WHITEMAN
Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (Republican, GA) \u2014 2020-2-4

I rise today to remember the life of Long County Deputy Sheriff Sheldon Whiteman, who died in the line of duty on January 23 at the age of 44. prgtoken Deputy Whiteman was assisting in a vehicle pursuit in the First Congressional District of Georgia when his vehicle left the roadway. Deputy Whiteman had been with the Long County Sheriff's Office for only 4 months at the time of the incident. prgtoken Previously, Deputy Whiteman worked with the Chatham County Police Department and was a POST Certified Peace Officer since 2016. prgtoken Deputy Whiteman is survived by his wife, Alisa Ann, and his three sons. prgtoken It is, unfortunately, times like these when we remember the risks that our law enforcement officers take every day that they put on their uniforms. I encourage everyone to take some time to thank our law enforcement officers for the work they do to keep our communities safe. prgtoken Deputy Whiteman's family and friends, as well as the Long County and Chatham County police departments will be in my thoughts and prayers during these most difficult times.
CONGRESS SHOULD GET BACK TO WORK
Doug LaMalfa (Republican, CA) \u2014 2020-2-4

tomorrow will be the culmination of a very predictable series of events. prgtoken There were never 67 votes to convict the President. There was never any bipartisan support for impeachment. This contrived process was never going to be successful, and everybody knew it. prgtoken When House , first in a hurry in December to get the articles through, and then after a month's delay sent the articles over to the Senate, they claimed their case was compelling and overwhelming, yet their case had zero actual evidence and was made only of opinion or speculation or third-hand comments. prgtoken Then the impeachment managers asked for more witnesses in order to prove their case that they had rushed through the House. Pure hypocrisy. The same has surrounded this entire so-called process. prgtoken From quid pro quo to extortion to bribery, they have continuously grasped for straws--the same straws they try to ban in California, by the way--that would make their narrative more compelling. prgtoken Here we are, over 4 months since this inquiry was announced, yet they found not a way to convince Americans that the President has committed an actual crime. prgtoken Once the Senate votes to acquit the President, we must get back to work and do actual things.