mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
SAVE OUR SEAS ACT OF 2017--Continued
Lamar Alexander (Republican, TN) \u2014 2018-12-18

in 1976, it was not a particularly good time in the Party. Watergate had decimated the Party in 1974, and the hangover still existed in 1976. But one good thing that happened was the election of Orrin Hatch from Utah to the U.S. Senate. prgtoken He was a boxer as a kid. He grew up the hard way. He joined the labor union, moved to Utah, and won the Senate race that he wasn't supposed to win. prgtoken I happened to be here in 1977, in January, as an administrative assistant to Howard Baker, who was the newly elected leader of the Senate. There were then only 37 or 38 Senators, but I was impressed with their vigor and enthusiasm. No one impressed me more than the young Senator from Utah. prgtoken Here is what he was doing by 1978. I want to read a paragraph from the ``American Senate'' by Neil MacNeil and Richard Baker, which I think is the best history of the Senate. In the spring of 1968, Utah's Orrin Hatch and Indiana's Richard Lugar, both freshmen s, undertook a sophisticated filibuster to defeat organized labor's prime legislative goal, a complex bill to revise the nation's labor laws. First, they relied on traditional tactics--much talk, quorum calls, and all the other dilatory maneuvers. They copied the Southerners' old strategy of creating three platoons, each of a half-dozen senators, to spell each other over the next several weeks. Next they adopted Senator Allen's post-cloture strategy, introducing more than 1,200 amendments with which to continue their filibuster indefinitely. Robert Byrd [who was the majority leader] tried six times to invoke cloture and failed. This victory by conservative s was the most notable that they had so far achieved, and the editors of the Congressional Quarterly concluded that filibustering had changed the dynamics of the Senate's legislating. The s, they said, ``had retrieved for themselves a weapon of enormous legislative importance,'' so important that now, for practical purposes, the Senate could not approve any controversial measure without producing a sixty-vote super-majority. prgtoken So when we say you have to get 60 votes to get anything important passed around here, we can thank Orrin Hatch because, when he came to the Senate, in his first couple of years, along with Senator Lugar, he took on a task that nobody thought he could win--the primary objective of organized labor in a ic Congress, with a ic President, when s had only 37 or 38 votes in the Senate, and he stopped it. That is typical of Senator Hatch's persistence. prgtoken He later became chairman of three important committees in the Senate in his 42 years here: the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee; the Judiciary Committee; and the Finance Committe
TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY PROGRAM REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2018
Robert Menendez (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2018-12-18

I rise in support of the FIRST STEP Act. This legislation, as the title says, is an important first step toward desperately needed criminal justice reform. prgtoken I thank Senators Durbin, Grassley, and Lee, as well as my good friend and colleague, Senator Cory Booker, for advancing this bipartisan compromise. I want to particularly recognize the junior Senator from New Jersey, who has been relentless in his efforts to bring moral urgency to this issue, and I think we can thank Senator Booker for his passion and his devotion to justice. prgtoken The need for criminal justice reform was an issue constituents consistently and frequently raised with me as I crisscrossed New Jersey over the past year. From Woodbury to Paterson, to Newark, and everywhere in between, I heard from faith leaders calling for solutions to a mass incarceration crisis that has disproportionately torn apart communities of color. Indeed, the NAACP found that, nationally, African Americans and Hispanics make up approximately 32 percent of the U.S. population, but they represented 56 percent of all incarcerated people in 2015. prgtoken I also heard from young people pushing for drug policy reform so fewer students charged with marijuana offenses lose access to Federal financial aid. prgtoken I met with leaders like former New Jersey Governor Jim McGreevey, whose work with New Jersey Reentry Corporation helps formerly incarcerated individuals--especially those struggling with addiction-- find jobs and avoid ending up back in prison. prgtoken I met with African-American law enforcement organizations, like the Bronze Shields, about their efforts to build positive relationships in their communities and address challenges like racial profiling and uneven enforcement. prgtoken The FIRST STEP Act will not solve all of these problems--far from it. I certainly would have liked to see more concrete reforms to Federal minimum mandatory sentences. However, I am pleased to support a bill that reverses some of the most detrimental effects of Federal mandatory minimum sentences. prgtoken As a longtime proponent of the Second Chance Act, I am also glad to see provisions reauthorized under this bill that will give nonviolent, low-risk offenders and their families greater hope for a brighter future. Under the FIRST STEP Act, more Americans in the Federal prison system will finally get their second chance. prgtoken While most offenders are incarcerated at the State level, we know Federal mandatory minimums for drug offenses are among the harshest in the Nation. According to The Sentencing Project, half of the U.S. Federal prison population is serving time for a drug offense, the vast majority of them nonviolent. prgtoken Under this legislation, low-risk offenders will be able to earn credit by completing anti-recidivism programs that help better prepare them for life after prison. Inmates can then apply these credits for early placement in a halfway
SAVE OUR SEAS ACT OF 2017--Continued
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2018-12-18

. . prgtoken Yesterday, our colleague Senator Cornyn, a from Texas, came forward and said that his State of Texas and other States are showing that they can reduce recidivism--in other words, committing another crime after you are released--by treating prisoners differently in their State prisons. As I said on the floor, you may be shocked to think that Texas would be a leader in this, but they have been, and they have seen a reduction in the incidence of crime and a reduction in the incidence of incarceration--things we like to see happen. Reduce the cost to taxpayers of the prisons, but reduce crime on the streets too. Make sure you do both. prgtoken He believes they have achieved it. What they did was they looked at programs that work. So what we did was the same thing. Senator Grassley and I, as well as, as you mentioned, Senator Cornyn and Senator Whitehouse, looked at these prison reform programs in the States and said: What can we learn from them? prgtoken What we did was to establish the obligation of the Attorney General-- this prgtoken is not the obligation of social workers but the obligation of the Attorney General of the United States to take a hard look at the programs that work for prisoners. What can we do to make sure they don't commit another crime, create another victim, and come back to prison? prgtoken We spell out exactly what we are looking for: the most effective and efficient, evidence-based recidivism-reduction programs. That is a long title. What that basically means is that we don't want to waste any more time here. We want to focus tax dollars on programs that have proven results, and unless they commit one of the crimes that make them ineligible, we offer these to prisoners. By participating in them, they can reduce the time they serve or be released to a halfway house or something similar to that. That is what this is all about, start to finish, and we believe this will work. prgtoken What if they mess up in the course of being enrolled in the program? We have a provision in here that says: You are done. You are either going to do this in good faith, positively, without any violations of your responsibilities as a Federal prisoner--we will give you a chance for less time but no nonsense. prgtoken Good program. Good participation. We hope good results, and we are going to measure it. We are going to come back. The General Accounting Office is going to give us a report on our success--of those who are released, how many turned around and committed another crime? So we are going to take a hard look at this--an honest look, I might say. I believe this is the best way to do it. Make sure it is evidence-based. Make sure it is a fair opportunity for those who want to participate and turn their lives around to do just that. prgtoken , .
SAVE OUR SEAS ACT OF 2017--Continued
Tom Udall (Democrat, NM) \u2014 2018-12-18

thank you for the recognition. prgtoken I rise on the Senate floor as a Senator from a border State--a State that borders with the country of Mexico--with a message from my State's proud border communities: We will not stand by as the President threatens to shut down the government in an act of political extortion, as the President tries to force the American people to pay for his border wall--a wall that would run right through New Mexico and through so many of the communities and ecosystems that define our State. prgtoken I am joining with New Mexicans all along the border and all across our State who are calling on the President to stop playing politics with our border communities, with the Federal budget, and with taxpayer dollars. prgtoken New Mexico and other border States have the most at stake in this fight, and we will be heard. prgtoken Last week, we learned of a terrible tragedy along the border. On December 7, a 7-year-old girl from Guatemala, Jakelin Caal Maquin, died from septic shock, fever, and dehydration while in Customs and Border Protection custody. The sadness of the loss of this little girl coming to our country with her father in search of safety cannot be overstated. It is truly heartbreaking. prgtoken I have called upon Secretary Nielsen, Customs and Border Protection Commissioner McAleenan, and the Office of Inspector General to immediately and thoroughly investigate the circumstances of Jakelin's death. All facts must be brought to light so that no families ever have this kind of tragedy again. prgtoken Jakelin and her father turned themselves in to CBP near a remote port of entry in New Mexico. That port of entry, called Antelope Wells, was closed at the time. By the time Jakelin received adequate medical care, it was too late. prgtoken Instead of demanding massive resources for an ineffective wall, the President should direct the Department of Homeland Security to provide border stations and CBP officers with the resources necessary to meet the basic needs of children and other vulnerable individuals. prgtoken The administration's cruel policy of delaying immigrants at commonly used ports of entry for weeks and months at a time inevitably results in asylum seekers taking more dangerous routes in remote areas. prgtoken Instead of creating a humanitarian crisis at the border by refusing to process asylum seekers, the President should direct DHS to meet the spirit of the asylum laws and begin treating those fleeing persecution and violence with the dignity and respect they deserve. prgtoken This administration has failed repeatedly to live up to our values as a nation when it comes to immigration. Sadly, there are tragic human consequences to the administration's inhumane immigration policies. prgtoken This week, we in Congress find ourselves in a familiar position. Once again, the President says he will shutter the Federal Government unless we appropriate billions of doll
125TH BIRTHDAY OF THE NEVADA SAGEBRUSH
Catherine Cortez Masto (Democrat, NV) \u2014 2018-12-18

I come forward today to recognize the prgtoken 125th birthday of the Nevada Sagebrush, the independent student newspaper of the University of Nevada, Reno. Born out of a rebellion against the university's board of regents, the Nevada Sagebrush has been a strong and independent voice for the student body since October 19, 1893. prgtoken The paper has gone through several name changes throughout its long history. It was first known as the Student Record, then changed its name to the Sagebrush before the 18th volume was published in 1910 and finally, in 2004, became known as the Nevada Sagebrush. The newspaper has received an Associated Collegiate Press Pacemaker Award several times, most recently during the 2014-15 school year, and the ACP Online Pacemaker Award in 2011. prgtoken The Nevada Sagebrush alumni have gone on to pursue successful careers in a variety of prominent fields. Its editorial alumni have distinguished records in journalism, literature, education, business, the military, and public service from the local level to the highest levels of State and Federal Government. prgtoken Among distinguished Sagebrush alumni, Alan Bible, the paper's managing editor in 1929, went on to become a U.S. Senator for Nevada from 1954-1974. Eva Adams, the woman who ran Bible's Senate office, was the Sagebrush business manager in 1928 and was appointed by President Kennedy to head the U.S. Mint, a position she held until 1969. Jim Joyce, the newspaper's editor from 1957-1958, served as the press secretary and later executive assistant to Senator Howard Cannon. Edward Allison, the news editor in 1960, served as chief of staff for Senator Paul Laxalt. Sig Rogich, an editor of the Sagebrush from 1965- 1966, served as a senior assistant to President H.W. and was also the U.S. Ambassador to Iceland in 1992. prgtoken Many more Sagebrush alumni have gone on to serve and make an impact in the State of Nevada. Ruthe Deskin and Dondero Elementary Schools in Las Vegas were named after Ruthe Deskin, assistant to the publisher of the Las Vegas Sun for 50 years, and Harvey N. Dondero, a teacher and school principal in Nevada, both of whom wrote for the Nevada Sagebrush. Rollan Melton Elementary School and Earl Wooster High School in Reno also owe their namesake to alumni of this great newspaper. prgtoken Today, I celebrate the many contributions of the Nevada Sagebrush to the University of Nevada, Reno and to the State of Nevada. It is with pride that I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the Nevada Sagebrush for giving students a strong and independent voice.
TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY PROGRAM REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2018
Amy Klobuchar (Democrat, MN) \u2014 2018-12-18

I come to the floor to urge my colleagues to join us in supporting the FIRST STEP Act, a bipartisan legislation that will make needed changes to Federal sentencing rules and prison reforms. A number of us have been working on this issue for years, but I do want to thank Chairman Grassley, who is here with us today, and Senator Feinstein for their leadership in getting it through the Judiciary Committee as well as Senator Durbin, who has been a longtime leader on this issue, and Senator Booker, who has worked so hard on this, as well as Senator Whitehouse and Senator Cornyn, who is here with us today, and many others. Senator Lee took on this cause at a time when it wasn't as easy as it is right now at the end of the year. I also want to thank the administration for working with us on this bill as well. prgtoken As a former chief prosecutor in Minnesota's largest county, I understand the need to use our resources to target the most serious offenders to maintain public safety. You have to make decisions in those kinds of jobs every day: decisions about your priorities, where you are going to put your criminal justice money, what is the safest thing to do for the community, knowing that a number of our offenders do reenter into society, what is the best way to make sure that if they do come back into society, they are going to be functioning members of society; that they are not going to go back to drugs or they are not going to commit additional crimes. prgtoken It is fine to pretend that it is not happening and people are going away forever, and some people rightfully do. Violent criminals and murderers don't come out again, but a number of offenders do come out again. So the question is, What do we do to make it the most safe for our community but also to allow them to become functioning members of our society? That is what this bill is about at its core. prgtoken We need a justice system that both protects the victims of crime and punishes those who break the law. Someone once said that prosecutors-- my old job--were ministers of justice. That is what we are doing with this bill. We are acknowledging that there are issues with our criminal justice system that we have to deal with. We are not just closing our eyes and pretending it is fine to pretend everyone goes away forever when we know they don't. Some people are coming out, and they should come back out again, and the FIRST STEP Act gets at those hard issues. prgtoken Our criminal justice system must administer justice fairly. The sentencing laws on low-level drug offenders were implemented decades ago, and in a number of cases they have diverted limited law enforcement resources away from important public safety initiatives that would allow us to actually go after violent criminals. This has resulted in prison sentences that actually don't fit the crime. Today our country has over 20 percent of the world's incarcerated people, even thou
SAVE OUR SEAS ACT OF 2017--Continued
Cory A. Booker (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2018-12-18

. Would the Senator yield? prgtoken I wish to express my gratitude on the floor. I have been here in the Senate for almost exactly 5 years, and Senator Durbin and Senator Grassley have been nothing short of heroic, in my eyes, in consistently working the entire 5 years to get us to this point where we are, to use a football metaphor, on the 1-yard line in getting this over. Obviously, Senator Mike Lee and Senator Whitehouse have also been in that category. prgtoken You did an incredibly good job of laying out that we have amendments that go counter to the victims groups and to their interests and to their well-being, their often emotional well-being, being retraumatized, forced to be back out there. prgtoken But I want to ask you a question about that last amendment Cotton is making about that so-called exclusion list, people who won't be eligible for particular programs before they are released. In other words, there are programs they can enroll in while they are in prison that would ultimately shave a little bit of time off their sentences. These programs, though--I would like you to maybe go into them because they are evidence-based programs that actually lower recidivism rates, and they save taxpayer money. The idea behind this--maybe you could explain it--is to make sure that when people are released, they don't come back. In other words, if they don't get into these programs, it is more likely that those very people he has tried to exclude might come back. Can you explain why these programs are important and why they make sense?
SAVE OUR SEAS ACT OF 2017--Continued
Bill Nelson (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2018-12-18

I rise on behalf of S. 756, the FIRST STEP Act. It is a first step, and it is a mighty important first step. Hopefully, this bill is going to pass later today. prgtoken This revised FIRST STEP Act is long overdue. I am proud to see that the House, the Senate, and the President are all working together, as they should, to pass this important bill. This country of ours incarcerates more people than any other country in the world. The Federal prison population has grown by over 700 percent since 1980, and it consumes one quarter of the Department of Justice's budget. No one questions that some people deserve to go to prison for the crimes they commit--sometimes for a long time. Yet it is time to bring some common sense back into our criminal justice system. prgtoken This legislation will allow judges to do the job that they were appointed to do--to use their discretion to craft an appropriate sentence to fit the crime. There are numerous stories of judges who are forced, by strict mandatory minimums, to sentence people to decades in prison for low-level drug offenses. How many times have we heard of a judge who says, ``I don't think that this sentence ought to be imposed, but I have no other choice for this is what the sentencing guidelines say''? prgtoken We have seen examples of people who have been sent to prison for more than 50 years for selling $350 worth of marijuana--a drug that is now legal in some States. In my State of Florida, the use of marijuana for medical purposes is legal. It was passed by three-quarters of the people in a constitutional amendment. These rigid sentences that do not fit the crimes ought to be turned around, and that is exactly what this legislation does. If we don't start this first step of turning it around, it will be so wasteful, so unfair, so costly. It is not how our criminal justice system was intended to work. I am sure the senior Senator from Illinois has already told you about the wide swath of groups, people, and organizations from across the political spectrum who understand that the system is broken and want it to be repaired. prgtoken In addition to the much needed sentencing reform, this legislation includes prison reform ending cruel and inhuman practices in our Federal prison system. It is Federal juvenile solitary confinement, a practice that now the psychiatrists tell us gives long psychological damage. It also prohibits the shackling of pregnant prisoners. Doctors have told us about the harm that can come to a pregnant female and serious harm to the fetus if she is not appropriately looked after, and shackling can interfere with that appropriate medical care. The American Medical Association and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists strongly oppose the shackling of women who are pregnant. prgtoken This FIRST STEP Act also requires prisoners to be incarcerated closer to their home so family members can visit them. After all, do