mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
AMENDING THE WHITE MOUNTAIN APACHE TRIBE WATER RIGHTS QUANTIFICATION ACT OF 2010
Jerry Moran (Republican, KS) \u2014 2018-4-16

thank you for your remarks on the floor earlier this afternoon. I rise to have the Senate consider and to have a conversation about S. 140, a package of three bills that will have positive benefits on Indian Country. prgtoken Two bills in the package--the Senator from Arizona was talking about one of them. Two bills in this package, S. 140, the White Mountain Apache Water Rights Quantification Act, sponsored by Senators Flake and McCain, and S. 249, a bill to provide that the Pueblo of Santa Clara may lease for 99 years certain restricted land, sponsored by Senators Udall and Heinrich of New Mexico, have already received unanimous consent from the Senate. prgtoken The third bill in the package, the Tribal Labor Sovereignty Act, was attached as a message from the House to S. 140 in January. I am the sponsor of this legislation in the Senate, which should be noncontroversial in a chamber where Members of the Senate profess to be supportive of Tribal sovereignty. This concept has been around since 2005, and I became interested in this topic and introduced legislation in 2013--now 5 years ago. prgtoken I suppose all of us, from time to time, may introduce legislation that is a messaging point or a talking point. In this and in most every other case, when I introduce legislation I work hard to see that it becomes law. I work in a bipartisan way to bring s and together and for rural and urban Members of the Senate to work together. This is an example of that. There is nothing about this legislation that is a messaging to Tribes or to others. It is not an introduction of a piece of legislation designed to make a point. It is a piece of legislation designed to become law. prgtoken This bill has passed the House and is now pending here in the Senate today. I hope to use this opportunity to convey to my colleagues that this legislation is not a radical proposition but rather a restoration of the sovereign status of Tribal governments. Indeed, by moving forward with this legislation, we can enshrine the status quo that existed for 70 years after the passage of the National Labor Relations Act, until the National Labor Relations Board stripped Tribes of their government status under the NLRA. By making explicit that Tribal governments are distinct and sovereign and capable of making their own decisions, we will correct a decade-old error made by the NLRB. (Mr. YOUNG assumed the Chair.) prgtoken The Tribal Labor Sovereignty Act is simple and narrow. It amends the NLRA to exempt tribally owned entities operated on tribally owned lands--no more, no less. Businesses owned by individual Tribal members or operations off Tribal lands still remain subject to the scrutiny of the NLRB. prgtoken Many of those who have expressed opposition to this bill will say: I support Tribal sovereignty--but. If you have to qualify your support for Tribal sovereignty in order to protect your own interests inst
AMENDING THE WHITE MOUNTAIN APACHE TRIBE WATER RIGHTS QUANTIFICATION BILL
James M. Inhofe (Republican, OK) \u2014 2018-4-16

I am delighted the Senate has decided to take up S. 140, a bill to amend the White Mountain Apache Tribe Water Rights Quantification Act of 2010 to clarify the use of amounts in the WMAT Settlement Fund which, in part, includes a bill I have cosponsored, S. 63, the Tribal Labor Sovereignty Act of 2017. prgtoken S. 63 is a much needed reform measure aimed at correcting excessive government overreach by the National Labor Relations Board, NLRB. In 2004, the NLRB overturned longstanding precedent by asserting its authority over Native American Tribes. The NLRB never should have expanded its authority to Indian Tribes located on Tribal land. This decision has caused tremendous legal confusion and stagnation of Indian business development. Fortunately, with passage of S. 140, the Congress is acting to address bureaucratic overreach by the NLRB. I urge my colleagues to support its passage.
TAX REFORM
Matt Gaetz (Republican, FL) \u2014 2018-4-16

tax day is a frustrating day for most Americans because filing taxes is hard. The Tax Code is extremely long and complex, and filing taxes is a complicated mess of forms and paperwork. prgtoken American families spend $378 billion a year on tax preparation. That is enough money to send every U.S. family to Disney World. As a Floridian, I think that would be fantastic. prgtoken The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will make things easier next year. This simple system will allow American families to see rising income and more economic opportunity. It will allow businesses to grow and expand and achieve even greater economic potential. prgtoken I am proud that the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was passed, and I look forward to the continuing progress of the American people.
AMENDING THE WHITE MOUNTAIN APACHE TRIBE WATER RIGHTS QUANTIFICATION ACT OF 2010
Jeff Flake (Republican, AZ) \u2014 2018-4-16

from Wyoming for his comments and all those who have worked so hard to bring this legislation to the floor, which we will be voting on later tonight. prgtoken Indian water settlements are an invaluable tool to ensure that Tribes receive the water rights they are entitled prgtoken to and that other water users are given the certainty they require. prgtoken In States like my home State of Arizona, water rights have a substantial impact on the lives and livelihoods of so many residents. So these measures are critical to communities around the great State of Arizona. prgtoken I rise today to support the legislation I introduced aimed at ensuring that the previously enacted White Mountain Apache Tribe Water Rights Quantification Act of 2010 is properly interpreted by the Department of Interior. This bill clarifies that settlement funds awarded to the Tribe may be used for a critical rural water system. This new system is essential for the Tribe and will allow them to deliver drinking water to their members. prgtoken The measure I am proposing today is also time sensitive. The White Mountain settlement includes an enforceability date that means if this water system project is not completely approved by May 2021, it becomes void. In order to realistically meet this deadline, this bill must pass as soon as possible so that the Tribe has time to complete the necessary project studies. prgtoken This bill also corrects an issue with the National Labor Relations Act. For nearly 70 years, Tribal governments were exempt from the act, just like local and State governments and the Federal Government. However, in 2004 the NLRB inappropriately ruled that Tribes were no longer exempt. This measure would create parity for Tribal governments, giving them the same employer rights afforded to other Federal, State, and local governments. prgtoken Importantly, this element of the bill also applies to Tribal employers on Tribal lands, meaning any tribally owned and operated institution not on Tribal land would be treated as normal, private- sector employers. This bill also offers two important clarifications-- one of which is desperately needed to allow the White Mountain Apache Tribe to move forward on a vital rural water system project. prgtoken I urge the bill's passage so that we can ensure that Tribes are best able to serve their people and to improve their communities. prgtoken .
KISSIMMEE RIVER WILD AND SCENIC RIVER STUDY ACT OF 2018
Tom McClintock (Republican, CA) \u2014 2018-4-16

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , H.R. 3961 would designate the Kissimmee River for study for potential addition to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. prgtoken I must admit, I have become highly skeptical of wild and scenic designations on our rivers after I watched the Merced River's designation used as an excuse to severely restrict traditional recreational amenities at Yosemite National Park in my district, including bicycling, horseback riding, river rafting, lodging, and many other amenities that long predated the wild and scenic designation. The iconic Curry Village Skating Rink was lost to these restrictions. prgtoken Not only are the designations used to severely restrict public access and to restrict the enjoyment of the public's lands, even the existence of a study has often been used as an excuse to forbid longstanding and traditional enjoyment of these rivers. prgtoken , I thank the bill's author, Mr. Soto, for agreeing to amendments that will assure that the conduct of the study authorized by this measure cannot be used as justification for any restrictions on the public's use of the Kissimmee. prgtoken It should be very clearly understood that, with this bill, Congress is authorizing a study and nothing else. In no way is it authorizing any restriction on the public's use of this land while it is being studied or because it is being studied. prgtoken Any further actions forthcoming from the result of this study is for the Congress and the Congress alone to decide. prgtoken With that very clear understanding, I support adoption of the measure. prgtoken , .
AMENDING THE WHITE MOUNTAIN APACHE TRIBE WATER RIGHTS QUANTIFICATION ACT OF 2010
Sherrod Brown (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2018-4-16

I strongly encourage my colleagues to reject this anti-worker bill masquerading as an issue of Tribal sovereignty. prgtoken I strongly support Tribal sovereignty. I can't speak for everyone in this body, but I am virtually certain that every single ic Member of this body supports Tribal sovereignty, and I am pretty certain that most Members of this body support Tribal sovereignty, but that is not what this bill is about. This is just the latest battle in the decades-long war that so many in this town have been waging to undermine the rights of prgtoken American workers. This bill strips away the rights of 600,000 employees at Tribal casinos, so 600,000 employees at casinos on Tribal lands will lose their right to collective bargaining. We know what that means to their wages and their benefits. Seventy-five percent of these 600,000 employees are not members of a Tribe. So when these casinos all over the country, on reservations, these casinos on Indian lands--most of the 600,000 employees at the Tribal casinos have the right to collectively bargain, to form unions if they choose, to collectively bargain if they choose, and to get better wages and benefits if that is what brings them to it. Again, 75 percent of these workers are not members of any of these Tribes. There are other Federal laws that apply to workplaces on Tribal lands. prgtoken The Fair Labor Standards Act, the Occupational Safety and Health Act, the Employment Retirement Income Security Act--so-called ERISA--and title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act all apply on Tribal lands, but this bill only goes after collective bargaining rights, only goes after those workers. There is no reason Congress should single out and attack the rights of these workers to organize and advocate for themselves in the workplace. prgtoken We can protect Tribal sovereignty. I want to do that. I am leading the charge against this bill. I want to protect Tribal sovereignty, but you can also protect workers' rights at the same time. You don't have to jettison workers' rights. You don't have to hurt these workers. We don't have to take rights away from these workers--the right to organize and bargain collectively--in order to protect Tribal sovereignty. Our laws do that right now. prgtoken Some of my colleagues will say they want to make sure that Tribes have the same rights as States, whose workers are carved out of the National Labor Relations Act, but Tribal government employees are already exempted from the National Labor Relations Act. This bill eliminates the Federal labor rights of workers at for-profit businesses, like casinos. prgtoken So who is behind this? The national chamber of commerce wants to go after unions every chance they get and take away collective bargaining rights. Do you know what that means when companies do that? It means higher profits. It means they can pay less to workers. It means they can strip wor
RECOGNIZING THE SECOND ANNUAL MARCH FOR SCIENCE
Eddie Bernice Johnson (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2018-4-16

today I rise in recognition of the second annual March for Science which took place this past weekend on Saturday, April 14, 2018, in Washington and at locations across the globe. I want to voice my strong support for it. While it is somewhat disheartening that there is a need for this march, I am proud to see the public celebrating the role science plays in our daily lives, supporting the future of evidence-based science, and promoting it as the foundation of our policies. prgtoken Over the past year, we have seen a troubling increase in anti-science attitudes by some in government. We have also seen assaults on policies underpinned by widely supported and verified scientific findings. The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy remains leaderless. Polarizing individuals have been nominated for key science agencies, breaking with the tradition of nominees who can garner bipartisan support. Furthermore, the Environmental Protection Agency is being dismantled from within and restructured to cater to the needs of industry rather than the American public, and the role of science has been severely undercut. prgtoken This assault on science has done great harm to policy makers' ability to develop appropriate and sustainable solutions to our Nation's challenges. Our research and development enterprise plays a crucial role in protecting the public's health and our nation's environment, expanding our knowledge of the universe, and inspiring a diverse new generation of scientists. prgtoken , it's time to restore the public trust and ensure the integrity of science in the policymaking process. I want to thank all of those who continue to stand up in support of the toll science can and should play in addressing the serious issues facing our Nation, and I want to extend our best wishes to all the marchers.
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
Tim Kaine (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2018-4-16

. . As the opioid epidemic continues to challenge the Nation, the statistics on this public health crisis show the toll it is taking on communities across the country. In Virginia in 2016, there were over 1,400 deaths from overdoses, a 38 percent increase over 2015. Eighty percent of these deaths involved opioid use. Opioid overdoses are now the leading cause of accidental death in Virginia, surpassing car accidents and gun violence. prgtoken While we must focus on prevention and treatment to stem the tide of addiction and overdose deaths, it is also critical that our efforts include helping people recover from addiction and return to their families, the workforce, and their lives. That includes improved access and oversight Medication Assisted Treatment, wraparound services like peer recovery supports, and ensuring that ``recovery residences'' are safe. prgtoken After treatment, many people in the early recovery stages choose to enter recovery residences. These facilities give people a stable and sober environment as they transition back into society. While these residences are growing in number due to the epidemic, we are learning that these facilities often lack oversight or regulation. There have been deaths at recovery residences due to the lack of trained professionals and standards. prgtoken Currently, no national standards or guidelines are in place to ensure that recovery homes are providing a safe environment. This situation leaves families and victims in the dark about whether the facility that is looking after their loved one is qualified. The bill I am introducing today would authorize the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to develop best practices for recovery living facilities. It would also authorize SAMHSA to provide technical assistance and support to States willing to adopt best practices. Additionally, the bill would require States that use SAMHSA grants for recovery residences to meet established best practices, direct SAMHSA to provide best practice information directly to patients and ensure that SAMHSA consults with other relevant Federal agencies on drafting guidelines. prgtoken I would like to thank Senator Warren and our other cosponsors for working on this legislation, and Congresswoman Chu for championing legislation on this topic in the House.
HONORING THE LIFE OF JOHN RICHARD SCHMIDHAUSER
Salud O. Carbajal (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2018-4-16

today I rise to celebrate the life of John Richard Schmidhauser. Mr. Schmidhauser was born in the Bronx, NY. He lost his father when he was a teenager and lived through the Great Depression with his mother in Maryland, an experience that shaped his work ethic and created a lifelong support for issues related to social justice. prgtoken Following his high school graduation, Mr. Schmidhauser enlisted in the U.S. Navy at the outbreak of WWII. He worked as a Communications Officer and French hornist in the ship's band and, following VJ-Day, as a member of the occupying force in Japan. prgtoken He later enrolled in college under the GI Bill and earned a BA from the University of Delaware and a MA and PhD from the University of Virginia, in Political Science, with honors. Mr. Schmidhauser also served as a professor at the University of Iowa, where he was highly respected and admired amongst students. prgtoken Mr. Schmidhauser produced groundbreaking scholarly work on the U.S. Supreme Court. He authored numerous books and articles on the judiciary and public and constitutional law. He was active in politics and public service throughout his life and was known by many as a pioneer in his field. prgtoken , I am honored to join with the nation and the Schmidhauser family in celebrating this special life, which ended peacefully on February 21, 2018.
INDIAN AFFAIRS LEGISLATION
Tom Udall (Democrat, NM) \u2014 2018-4-16

. I thank the Presiding Officer for the recognition. prgtoken , I rise today as the ranking member on the Senate Indian Affairs Committee. In our parlance on the committee, it is called the vice chair. Normally, our committee is very bipartisan. It was not so in this case today. In the debate, it was mentioned that this was a negotiated package. It was not. I was not asked for input as the vice chair of the committee. Nothing about this bill sent over from the House was negotiated with me. prgtoken For the first time in 10 years, this body has just considered a bill from the Committee on Indian Affairs using a cloture filing and valuable floor time. Let me repeat that. For the first time in 10 years, this Chamber just debated an Indian Affairs bill using valuable floor time and not unanimous consent. prgtoken For a Senate majority, floor time and cloture filings are the coin of the realm, and this is the first time in 10 years that it is being spent on a Tribal issue. prgtoken Over this decade, during which both and s have held a majority, Indian Country has seen its priorities sidelined. Important legislation that touches the lives of Native veterans, Native families, and Native communities--from Maine to Hawaii, from Florida to Alaska--makes it out of the Indian Affairs Committee only to die waiting on the Senate legislative calendar, often due to objections by one or a small handful of Senators--legislation, for example, like the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Reauthorization Act, the Esther Martinez Native Languages Preservation Act, the PROGRESS for Indian Tribes Act, and the Indian Tribal Energy Development and Self-Determination Act Amendments of 2017. prgtoken These are all broadly supported bipartisan bills that have gotten stuck in the legislative process for 5, 10, or even 15 years--all broadly supported bipartisan bills that Indian Country needs. They address pressing issues like homelessness, language loss, and economic development, and all of these broadly supported bipartisan bills are central to fulfilling our solemn trust and treaty responsibilities. prgtoken My colleague, the senior Senator from Montana, tells the same story about his fight to gain Federal recognition for the Little Shell Tribe. This legislation is important to Montanans and Tribes he represents. This bill has been fighting for a day on the floor since 2008. prgtoken My distinguished colleagues from Washington first took up the fight to get the Spokane Tribe settlement act signed into law back in 2003. prgtoken I am honored to work with so many colleagues who dedicate themselves each and every day to fighting for Indian Country. But we can't do that if Indian Affairs legislation is not given equal weight to other bills. prgtoken It is shameful that this full body does not consider and resolve these and other important issues facing Indian Country. It is shameful that when
HONORING JENNIFER LESLIE GRAY GOLICK
Mike Thompson (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2018-4-16

I rise today to honor Dr. Jennifer Leslie Gray Golick and remember her life, which was tragically cut short on March 9, 2018. prgtoken Ms. Golick was born in Houston, Texas and moved to Calistoga, California when she was young. She graduated from Calistoga High School in 1994. Ms. Golick earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of California at Davis, her Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from Sonoma State University and her Ph.D. in Philosophy from Akami University. prgtoken I have known Ms. Golick for many years. Her mother and my wife worked together for over twenty years. I had the privilege of witnessing her grow into the beautiful and caring young woman so many in our community came to love. Ms. Golick's mantra of service and dedication is inspiring. She believed strongly that people could be healed by being heard. She was a compassionate listener for the veterans she served at The Pathway Home. When she began working at The Pathway Home in September of 2017, people there were excited for her fresh perspective, professional insight and most of all, her big heart and endless empathy. prgtoken She was also a champion for adolescent mental health and travelled the country speaking on the topic. Before she began working at The Pathway Home she worked at Muir Wood Adolescent and Family Services in Petaluma, California, where she was highly regarded. prgtoken Ms. Golick was a mother to her young daughter, Makena, and a wife to her husband, Marc. They were a picture-perfect young family. She also had a love of running and competed in Crossfit and Tough Mudders. prgtoken , Jennifer Leslie Gray Golick was a devoted wife and mother and dedicated psychologist and community member. It is therefore fitting and proper that we honor her here today.
JAMES K. POLK PRESIDENTIAL HOME STUDY ACT
Colleen Hanabusa (Democrat, HI) \u2014 2018-4-16

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , H.R. 443 authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to study the suitability of designating the James K. Polk home in Columbia, Tennessee, as a unit of the National Park System. The home is the only surviving residence of our 11th President, President Polk, and contains over 1,300 artifacts and original documents. prgtoken The National Park Service has previously testified in support of this bill. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the bill and helping us preserve an important part of our Nation's history. prgtoken , .