mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
ADVANCED GEOTHERMAL INNOVATION LEADERSHIP ACT OF 2019--Motion to Proceed--Continued
Lamar Alexander (Republican, TN) \u2014 2020-3-3

I am on the floor to speak about the coronavirus, but first let me express to the families in Tennessee my heartfelt concern for them as the result of a tornado that swept through Middle Tennessee last night while people were sleeping. prgtoken The number of deaths is 22 so far in Nashville, and in Wilson, Putnam, and Benton Counties. I have seen floods, and I have seen fires. The damage they cause is terrible, but there is nothing quite like seeing what a tornado can do. It can arrive in 30 seconds or 1 minute and be gone and leave behind it death and buildings laid flat to the ground. I can't imagine what it must be like for that to happen at 1 in the morning when nobody knows it is coming. prgtoken I will be in Tennessee on Friday when the Senate concludes its business this week and will be visiting those areas. Our office has been in touch with mayors in all of the counties and communities affected. Senator Blackburn and I are working together, along with the rest of the Tennessee delegation in the House, to make certain that we give full Federal support to Governor Lee. The President talked to Governor Lee today, and, as a result of that call, the White House put out a statement indicating the President may be in Tennessee on Friday. That would be welcomed as well. Coronavirus prgtoken , let me speak for a moment about the coronavirus. The country was transfixed by the impeachment process for about a month, and now they are transfixed by the coronavirus, but this is different. This is personal. This could affect each of us. When I am home--and I am sure when the Presiding Officer is home--there are lots of questions about the coronavirus. prgtoken I want to speak this morning about a hearing that we had in the Senate's Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee that was reassuring to me and, I think, to the as well as the s there. It was reassuring because we had four respected professionals from the government with broad experience in dealing with public health crises--whether it is anthrax, Ebola, or other coronaviruses. We have had all of that in the United States in the last 25 years, and we have dealt with that. prgtoken At the end of the hearing, Senator Murray, the ranking on the committee, and I, and the on committee who aren't bashful, and the s on committee who aren't bashful, but I think I can speak for them in saying those four professionals, many of whom have worked for 25 or 30 years in terms of helping our country deal with health crises, continue to earn our respect. We believe what they tell us, and they promised to tell us the truth. prgtoken When I saw the Vice President earlier today, I said to him: Mr. Vice President, I am glad that you have been placed in charge of this. As a former Governor, I think it makes sense to place a Vice President--that indicates the highest l
RIGHTS FOR TRANSPORTATION SECURITY OFFICERS ACT OF 2020
Peter A. DeFazio (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2020-3-4

I thank the gentleman for yielding. prgtoken As a little bit of history, the gentleman from Alabama wasn't here when we created the Transportation Security Administration. It was created in the Aviation Subcommittee of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. I was the ranking member; John Mica was the chair. The provisions he referenced were not intended to oppress the workforce. prgtoken Before 9/11, all of the securities were provided by the airlines, and they never met a low bidder they didn't like. We had people who were felons and people who were in the country illegally who were doing the screening. prgtoken By the way, it was the lowest entry-level job in the airport, and we had testimony from the Screener of the Year, once, who said: Hey, you know, people just move through these jobs because they got to go to McDonald's. They'll do better. prgtoken Now, we aren't treating these professionals much better than that. They are the lowest paid Federal employees, providing security to the billion people who flew last year. They worked through the shutdown with no pay. prgtoken They don't earn much money, so they don't have a lot of savings, but they worked through the shutdown. prgtoken These people deserve not only a pay raise, but they also deserve workers' rights and whistleblower protections from abusive management. prgtoken The gentleman expressed concern about $1.8 billion over 10 years. Well, join me on my FASTER bill; that is, this administration is diverting $2 billion a year in passenger security fees. Passengers pay the fee. It is supposed to provide security. No, it is going into the maw of the Federal Government and being spent somewhere else. Reclaim that money. prgtoken Don't worry about the stupid scoring stuff. Oh, it is making the deficit look smaller. Whatever. We are charging passengers for security. Give them the security. Give these workers a pay raise, and give them decent workers' rights and protections.
REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE FOR WOMEN
Rashida Tlaib (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2020-3-4

I thank Representative Pressley for her incredible leadership on this important prgtoken issue across the world and not just here in the United States. prgtoken Also, this has been a wonderful experience for all of us new Members to experience a Special Order that has been coordinated and created by the Congressional Progressive Caucus to help many of us be able to give a voice to many folks at home. prgtoken , from Massachusetts (Ms. Pressley) for closing remarks.
TRIBUTE TO ALGENE SAJERY
Benjamin L. Cardin (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2020-3-4

today I rise to thank Algene Sajery, a senior member of my foreign policy legislative staff, for her incredible service to the State of Maryland, our country, and by virtue of her foreign policy and national security legislative achievements, to the international community. I am incredibly grateful for all that we have accomplished during her tenure. prgtoken Algene has served as my senior foreign policy and national security advisor since 2012 and concurrently as democratic policy director for the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations from 2015 through 2018. Over the years, Algene has served as my lead staff author and/or negotiator of several landmark national security and foreign policy laws, including the Global Magnitsky Human Rights and Accountability Act, P.L. 114-328; the Foreign Aid Transparency and Accountability Act, P.L. 114-191; the African Growth and Opportunity Act and Millennium Challenge Act Modernization Act, AGOA and MCA Modernization Act, P.L. 115-167; the Global Food Security Act, P.L. 114-195; and the Electrify Africa Act, P.L. 114-121. These accomplishments demonstrate the wide- ranging policy areas over which Algene has extensive knowledge. Her ability to leverage her knowledge to help negotiate and advance such policies into law and her passion for doing so are what set Algene apart from most others in this highly competitive field. prgtoken But Algene's accomplishments do not end with advancing landmark human rights, transparency, foreign assistance, and international development legislation. Algene has also worked tirelessly at my direction on several bills related to human rights in conflict zones, including the Syrian War Crimes Accountability Act and the Elie Wiesel Genocide and Atrocities Prevention Act P.L. 115-441. Algene's efforts have helped cement my legacy in these arenas and as Special Representative for Anti-Semitism, Racism, Intolerance for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe--OSCE--Parliamentary Assembly, to help propel my work to create a world where the promise of ``never again'' in response to genocide will one day bear truth. prgtoken Our work together has transcended several Presidential administrations. We have observed Executive overstep with regard to war powers on numerous occasions. We have opened our eyes to the use of U.S. manufactured weapons to commit war crimes and repress human rights around the world. In response, Algene and I also developed my signature arms sales oversight legislation, the Enhancing Human Rights Protections in Arms Sales Act of 2019, and numerous bills, resolutions, and amendments on authorization of use of military force, conflict prevention, peace and reconciliation, and community resiliency policies. prgtoken Algene's successful legislative record is testament not only to her expertise on foreign policy and national security issues but also to her keen negotiating skills, ability to work across
SHORTAGE OF MEDICAL DEVICES
Bradley Scott Schneider (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2020-3-4

. Madam , we are all concerned about the growing spread of coronavirus, and these concerns are not relieved by troubling stories of shortages of critically needed medical devices, including respirator masks. prgtoken Concerningly, as our healthcare system responds, it is exposing serious weaknesses in the supply chain for medical devices. These are products providers depend on to deliver lifesaving care. prgtoken That is why, today, with my colleagues Jan Schakowsky from Illinois and Jody Hice from Georgia, I am introducing important, bipartisan legislation to help the FDA combat the threat. prgtoken My bill would allow the FDA to act expeditiously to address shortages, including by importing medical devices as needed. It would ensure that the manufacturers are communicating with the FDA about expected shortages of medical devices and that this information is shared transparently with the public. prgtoken The FDA already has these authorities to act during drug shortages, and we should grant them the same ability to respond to shortages of medical devices. prgtoken Madam , I urge all of my colleagues to join us in supporting this commonsense bill.
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 1140, RIGHTS FOR TRANSPORTATION SECURITY OFFICERS ACT OF 2020; PROVIDING FOR MOTIONS TO SUSPEND THE RULES; AND WAIVING A REQUIREMENT OF CLAUSE 6(A) OF RULE XIII...
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2020-3-4

these are fine Americans. Many of them are former military, and they support their families. To give them the opportunity to, first of all, have a right to grievance, to ensure that they have nonreduction on pay and compensation, that they have preservation of their civil rights--there is no right to strike. But it is a right to have the ability to engage their employer and to be able to be respected. prgtoken , I am enthusiastic about this. Names like Bill and Patrick and Alfred, other men and women of the Transportation Security Administration, the TSOs' names, I am sure, that we could call in our respective airports, the people we know every day, our neighbors. They do a great and fine job. prgtoken We must pass this bill, and I hope we pass it in a bipartisan way. Think about not paying those who are saving your lives every single day in the Nation's airports. Think about how you are treating them. Think about the low pay. Think about the compensation that does not allow them to have high morale. prgtoken , I am grateful for the show of support for passing this bill, and I ask my colleagues to support it.
RECOGNIZING BERTA CACERES
Henry C. "Hank" Johnson, Jr. (Democrat, GA) \u2014 2020-3-4

today indigenous environmental activist, Berta Caceres, would have been 49 years old, but on March 2, 2016, she was viciously murdered in her own home by a coordinated effort between greedy corporate and government thugs. prgtoken She died defending the land of the Lenca indigenous people. Berta, along with countless other Honduran activists, was the victim of a government wracked with corruption and impunity. Drug traffickers have littered the highest ranks of Honduras' Government, and its military remains weaponized against its own people, all of whom are targets of victimization by this government, which is aided by U.S. security assistance. We turn away our brothers and sisters at the border, but we abet the very crimes they are fleeing. prgtoken Berta Caceras' legacy should serve to remind us of this, and enough is enough.
REMEMBERING HAROLD HOWARD ``SONNY'' HOWELL II
Joe Manchin, III (Democrat, WV) \u2014 2020-3-4

I rise today to honor a proud West Virginian, a dedicated public servant, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and a dear friend to all who had the pleasure of knowing him. It is a privilege to recognize the life and legacy of Mayor Harold Howard ``Sonny'' Howell II for his many years of dedicated service to the city of Madison, Boone County, and to our entire home State. prgtoken Gayle and I are heartbroken to learn of the passing of our dear friend Sonny. My uncle, the late A. James Manchin, and Sonny were the closest of friends. I first met Sonny in the 1970s and he remained an absolute unconditional, lifelong friend. I have met many unique people throughout the years, but nobody compared to Sonny. He was a true example of what it means to be a public servant, having served in the U.S. Army, as justice of the peace, Boone County Circuit clerk, and for many years as mayor of Madison. prgtoken Born and raised in Madison, Sonny was a member of the Madison United Methodist Church for more than 80 years. He was a 1956 graduate of Scott High School, and he attended West Virginia Wesleyan College, Morris Harvey College, and West Virginia State College. He was a member of the Masonic O'Dell Lodge, Beni Kedem Shrine, Royal Order of the Jesters, Madison Rotary Club, Paul Fellow for Rotary International, Member of the Municipal League, and a recipient of the 35th Star from my uncle A. James Manchin. He and his wife Onia have been the owners of Howell Rental, a family business started by Sonny's father in 1940. prgtoken There is a lot to be said of someone who bravely serves our Nation, then returns home to continue giving back to the community that made them who they are. When visitors come to West Virginia, I jump at the chance to tell them we have fought in more wars, shed more blood, and lost more lives for the cause of freedom than most any State. We have always done the heavy lifting and never complained. We have mined the coal and forged the steel that built the guns, ships, and factories that have protected and continue to protect our country to this day. I am so deeply proud of what West Virginians have accomplished and what they will continue to accomplish to protect the freedoms we hold dear. That is Sonny's legacy, and his courage, loyalty, and humility will never be forgotten. prgtoken Put simply, Sonny represented the very best of West Virginia, which is saying quite a lot. In the Mountain State, if you are hungry, you will be fed. If you are lost, someone will not only give you directions but will offer to drive you to your destination. That is just who we are, and that is who Sonny was. We have lost a shining star in Boone County, but his impact, vision, and his passion for this special community will last forever. It was an honor to have known him and to call him my friend. He never met a stranger and always had time to share a story. prgtoken What is most important is that S
JUDGE MARVA CRENSHAW--BLACK HISTORY MONTH
Kathy Castor (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2020-3-4

. Madam , I rise today to celebrate one of Florida's most distinguished jurists--and one of the highest integrity. Judge Marva L. Crenshaw was born in 1951 in DeFuniak Springs, Florida, one of seven children. A child of faith, naturally reflective in her calm demeanor, she would epitomize a commitment to justice and the judicial temperament that would distinguish her service on the bench. She is married to Norman Campbell and together they raised their two daughters, Kalinda and Kamaria. prgtoken Growing up in the segregated south, Judge Crenshaw attended segregated schools during her formative years. She excelled in language arts and became inspired by the impact of the rule of law, an appreciation she acquired spending time with her grandfather as he attended his affairs in her small town's courthouse. She earned her bachelor's degree with honors in 1973 from Tuskegee Institute, where she pledged as a Delta Sigma Theta and also became active in voter rights. She then achieved her childhood dream by earning her law degree from the University of Florida in 1975. prgtoken Judge Crenshaw began her dedication to public service as a prosecutor with the State Attorney's Office under Richard Gerstein in Miami-Dade County, Florida. She was hired by Janet Reno, who would later become the U.S. Attorney General. She served in that capacity until arriving to the Tampa Bay community in 1978 to join Bay Area Legal Services. She put her skills and legal acumen to work for families who often faced financial barriers to the courthouse and the legal system. She provided important legal services to disadvantaged neighbors across Tampa Bay and was named the organization's Deputy Director a decade later. prgtoken In 1989, Governor Bob Martinez appointed her to the Hillsborough County Court. In 2000, Governor Jeb appointed her as the first African American woman to serve on the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Court. There she was assigned to civil, family, criminal and juvenile divisions--furthering her lifelong dream to serve the public and her community. In 2009, Governor Charlie Crist appointed her to the Second District Court of Appeal, where she presided until retirement in 2018. prgtoken Judge Crenshaw broke barriers and charted a course for others who are committed to equal justice to follow. She set the highest of standards in her courtroom and in service to our community to ensure fairness. While retirement marks the end of one chapter in her life, she continues to explore other opportunities to impact people's lives through service. prgtoken Judge Crenshaw has been extensively involved in bar activities and was recognized as recently as 2019 with both the Hillsborough County Bar Association's Robert W. Patton Outstanding Jurist Award and the Hillsborough Association of Women Lawyers' Trailblazer Award. prgtoken Madam , on behalf of the Tampa Bay community, I am humbled to honor Judge Marva L. Crenshaw during this Black
ADVANCED GEOTHERMAL INNOVATION LEADERSHIP ACT OF 2019
Christopher Murphy (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2020-3-4

I am coming to the floor today as we have just passed the 1-year mark since H.R. 8, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act, passed the House of Representatives. This is a piece of legislation supported by 90 percent of the American public. It is hard for anything to enjoy 90 percent support in this country these days. prgtoken The data shows us that this is a piece of legislation that, if enacted, would save lives. We have begged and pleaded for this piece of legislation to come before the Senate. I understand that there may not be 60 votes in the Senate to pass the exact piece of legislation supported by the House, but we could engage in a process of amendment, a process of compromise, and that could end up saving lives and getting a piece of legislation passed that is supported, as I mentioned, by 9 out of 10 Americans. prgtoken I have some remarks after what I expect will be an objection to my motion from the majority party. prgtoken I will ask unanimous consent of my colleagues that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 29, H.R. 8, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act; I further ask that the bill be considered read a third time and passed, and the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table, with no intervening action or debate.
RIGHTS FOR TRANSPORTATION SECURITY OFFICERS ACT OF 2020
Dina Titus (Democrat, NV) \u2014 2020-3-4

I would like to thank our chairman for bringing this bill and his leadership on this issue. prgtoken I have the honor of representing Nevada's First Congressional District in the heart of Las Vegas. Every week, as I travel to and from Las Vegas through McCarran International Airport--just like more than 50 million travelers do each year--I see our TSA employees very hard at work screening passengers, baggage, and cargo. They play a critical role in allowing Las Vegas to be a truly international city with an economy that thrives on tourism and visitors who come to work, hike, and play. prgtoken More broadly, Transportation Security officers have the immense responsibility of making sure passengers from all over the world, on hundreds of flights a day, make it safely to their destinations, wherever they may be. Yet, Federal law prohibits them from collectively bargaining for better pay, better benefits, and better working conditions. This shortcoming has led to a high level of turnover at TSA which threatens our security. prgtoken It is time for that to change. That is why I strongly support this long overdue piece of legislation that will improve TSA agents' pay and boost their collective bargaining power, not to mention their morale. prgtoken So let's come together today to give them the rights that other Federal employees have and that they so rightly deserve. Let's respect them and give them this privilege so they can do what they do and keep us all safe. It is the least we can do to recognize that sacrifice. prgtoken , I strongly support this bill, and I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of it.
ADVANCED GEOTHERMAL INNOVATION LEADERSHIP ACT OF 2019
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2020-3-4

on average, we lose 100 Americans every single day to firearms. prgtoken Last week marked 1 year since the House of Representatives passed H.R. 8. It was a bipartisan bill. Both and s supported it. The bill stood for a very basic proposition, and the proposition is this: Whatever your constitutional rights or God-given rights--if you make that argument--to a firearm might be, we as a society cannot allow people who are convicted felons or who are shown to be mentally unstable to legally buy firearms in this country. We are supposed to have background checks to make sure this doesn't happen. It turns out that more than one out of five firearms are sold in America without there having been background checks on the purchasers. prgtoken So H.R. 8, this bipartisan bill, passed the House to close the gaps in our background system. What kind of gaps are we talking about? We have terrible gun violence in the city of Chicago. Some of the critics of Chicago like to say: You have the toughest gun laws and the most gun deaths. Well, they don't tell you the whole story. Many of those guns start off not in Chicago and prgtoken not in Illinois but at gun shows in Northwest Indiana, where they are sold sometimes in volume without there being any background checks made on the purchasers. prgtoken It has been 1 year of nothing in the U.S. Senate in responding to this national crisis--not one thing. It is within the power of the majority leader, Senator Mitch McConnell, of Kentucky, to at least let us address the issue and debate it. prgtoken He has a majority. Nothing is going to pass here without support. We know that. But don't the American people deserve a debate? One man, the majority leader, says no. He styles himself as the Grim Reaper of the Senate. He takes pride in the fact that he has killed hundreds of bills passed by the House that will never, ever see the light of day in the U.S. Senate. prgtoken Well, I can tell the Senator from Kentucky that after attending so many funerals, after giving heartbreaking sympathy to the families of those who have lost their children and loved ones, after hearing about so many mass shootings--mass shootings that should shock our conscience--aren't we shocked when people just go to a movie theater in Colorado and are gunned down as they watch a movie? Aren't we shocked when a crowd in Las Vegas just wants to enjoy a country western concert and they are gunned down? Weren't we shocked at a high school in Florida or a first grade classroom in Connecticut when mass shootings take place? prgtoken What will it take, America? What will it take for this Senate, what will it take for this majority leader to realize enough is enough? prgtoken I believe in Second Amendment rights to bear arms for those who buy them legally, use them and store them responsibly, whether it is for self-defense, sport, or hunting. But none of the peop