mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
John Thune (Republican, SD) \u2014 2020-3-11

yesterday afternoon, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem notified me that multiple residents of South Dakota have tested positive for the coronavirus. While this is obviously something we had hoped to avoid, we knew this was a possibility, and South Dakota has spent weeks preparing to deal with an outbreak. prgtoken Over the next few days, public health officials will be checking into where these individuals have been so that anyone with whom they came in contact can be notified. My staff and I are working closely with the Governor and her team, and I will continue to carefully monitor the situation. prgtoken At the Federal level, I am focused on making sure that State and local governments have the resources they need to deal with the virus. Last week, I was proud to support bipartisan legislation committing significant Federal resources to the coronavirus fight. prgtoken I am praying for all of the South Dakotans who are affected by the virus, and I want to thank the healthcare workers who are on the frontlines of this fight. We are lucky to have you.
COMBATING THE INHUMANE PRACTICES AT PUPPY MILLS
Brian K. Fitzpatrick (Republican, PA) \u2014 2020-3-11

I rise today to bring attention to the concerning issue of puppy mills throughout the State of Pennsylvania and across America. If we all care for our canine companions, we cannot continue to support the horrifying practices at puppy mills. prgtoken , it is well-documented that puppy mills supply pet stores with puppies. My home State of Pennsylvania is no exception. prgtoken Cutting off the puppy mill to pet store supply chain will decrease the demand for puppies raised in puppy mills. The inhumane practices at most puppy mills are shocking, appalling, and unacceptable. We have all seen the images on television. prgtoken Stores that sell commercially-raised puppies operate based on an outdated and socially unacceptable business model. We need to work to shift the pet markets towards humane sources, including shelters and rescues that are burdened with finding families for homeless pets, thousands of which have to be euthanized in Pennsylvania each year. prgtoken President Truman once said: If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog. prgtoken , let's show our best friends the love they deserve by combating the inhumane practice of puppy mills. Celebrating Hour of Code
ELECTION SECURITY
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2020-3-11

now on another matter, yesterday, both the House and Senate were briefed by top intelligence community officials on the state of ongoing efforts to protect the security of American elections. prgtoken I was glad that so many Members took the chance to hear directly from the experts. This issue is very important, and it is bad for our democracy that some have sought to politicize it. prgtoken All of us should acknowledge the threat, and all of us should applaud the unprecedented step this administration has taken to protect against it. These significant efforts undertaken by the administration and funded by the Congress are actually working. prgtoken Since 2017, the hundreds of millions of dollars we have directed to help State and local election officials reinforce their systems have been finding their mark. prgtoken In all 50 States and across thousands of jurisdictions, new tools, more resources, and greater coordination have our Nation's defenses in a stronger place. This includes far greater coordination with the social media companies to combat foreign disinformation, as well as close collaboration between the Federal Government and State and local jurisdictions on protecting electoral infrastructure. prgtoken And to date, the intelligence community reports they have not seen any foreign interference that aims to change vote tallies or prevent Americans from voting. So the American people are absolutely right to have confidence in the integrity of our voting systems, and they actually do. prgtoken As I mentioned yesterday, one new survey has found that more than 70 percent--70 percent--of Americans are confident their State and local authorities will oversee a fair and accurate election this November. That is 70 percent of the American people who have confidence in the fairness of the elections this November. prgtoken As an aside, this is worth remembering as our ic colleagues try to claim that election security demands things like an unprecedented Washington power grab over the nuanced details of how States and localities conduct elections or addressing things like campaign finance. These are longtime leftwing goals that have basically nothing whatsoever to do with the actual threats now before us. prgtoken But the American people's confidence in the key institutions of our democracy does not mean they are complacent; they aren't. The same survey shows the American people understand full well that foreign adversaries like Russia want to divide our country and distort our discourse through disinformation. prgtoken The intelligence community confirms that as well. Our intelligence experts have publicly assessed that Russia and other adversaries will continue looking for ways to warp our public debate from overseas. prgtoken We all need to be aware that our adversaries seek to exploit the openness of our society to turn Americans against ourselves. Adversaries like Russia want to exacerba
REMEMBERING DICK AMBROSIUS
Mike Rounds (Republican, SD) \u2014 2020-3-11

today I would like to remember the life of Dick Ambrosius. Mr. Ambrosius passed away on January 24, 2020, at the age of 73. prgtoken Dick Ambrosius was born in Huron, SD, and graduated from Huron High School in 1964. He attended the University of South Dakota, USD, in Vermillion, SD, where he earned a master's degree. He was actively involved in the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity and the Reserve Officer Training Corps during his time at USD and continued to advocate for the value of Greek life and the importance of military service throughout his career. prgtoken Following his college graduation in 1968, he was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Army, where he ultimately attained the rank of captain prior to his separation from service. He served in Vietnam and was awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart medals. prgtoken In life, Mr. Ambrosius was a tireless advocate for senior citizens and disabled veterans. He served as executive director for Warriors Never Give Up, a nonprofit organization that provides outdoor adventures for disabled veterans. prgtoken I commend Mr. Ambrosius for his devotion to his community, disabled veterans, and seniors. I offer my sincerest condolences to his family and friends, including his wife Karen, daughter Jennifer, sons Matt and Jacob, sister Nancy, and numerous grandchildren.
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF S.J. RES. 68, DIRECTING THE REMOVAL OF UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES FROM HOSTILITIES AGAINST THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN THAT HAVE NOT BEEN AUTHORIZED BY CONGRESS...
James P. McGovern (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2020-3-11

. Madam , when the Committee on Rules filed its report (H. Rept. 116-415) to accompany House Resolution 891, the Committee was unaware that the waiver of all points of order against consideration of the H.R. 6172 included a waiver of Clause 9 of rule XXI, which requires a list of all earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits contained in the measure, or a certification that the measure does not contain any of those items. However, per Chairman Schiff's statement submitted for printing in the Congressional Record on March 11, 2020, the provisions that warranted a referral to the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence in H.R. 6172 do not contain any congressional earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as defined in Clause 9 of rule XXI. prgtoken The text of the material previously referred to by Mrs. Lesko is as follows: Amendment to House Resolution 891 At the end of the resolution, add the following: Sec. 12. Immediately upon adoption of this resolution, the House shall resolve into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for consideration of the bill (H.R. 6177) to require Members of Congress to disclose delinquent tax liabilities and wage garnishments, and for other purposes. The first reading of the bill shall be dispensed with. All points of order against consideration of the bill are waived. General debate shall be confined to the bill and shall not exceed one hour equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on House Administration. After general debate the bill shall be considered for amendment under the five-minute rule. All points of order against provisions in the bill are waived. When the committee rises and reports the bill back to the House with a recommendation that the bill do pass, the previous question shall be considered as ordered on the bill and amendments thereto to final passage without intervening motion except one motion to recommit with or without instructions. If the Committee of the Whole rises and reports that it has come to no resolution on the bill, then on the next legislative day the House shall, immediately after the third daily order of business under clause 1 of rule XIV, resolve into the Committee of the Whole for further consideration of the bill. Sec. 13. Clause 1(c) of rule XIX shall not apply to the consideration of H.R. 6177.
CORONAVIRUS
Cory A. Booker (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2020-3-11

as of today there are over 1,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases in 35 States and Washington, DC. The World Health Organization has now declared COVID-19 a pandemic. Thirty-one people have died in the United States already because of this virus. This includes one person in the State of New Jersey. Communities across the country, and most recently New Jersey, are confronting the possibility of seeing a spread of this virus. We also know that it is possible that, due to delays and lack of availability of testing, the actual number of those infected here in the U.S. is likely higher than what has been reported. prgtoken Every day that passes during the spread of this virus--every single day, every single hour, every single moment is critical. We must act urgently to slow its spread, to mitigate its impact. We all have a role to play in fighting the virus, each and every one of us, from our personal hygiene habits to those of us in positions of authority and the roles we can play to protect each other and to protect our communities. One of the most significant ways to do this is actually by encouraging people to stay home. Members of Congress have self- isolated. For people who have symptoms or who have severe coughs or who may have been exposed, there is an importance in social isolation, staying home when you are sick. prgtoken The challenge for us as a country is that for millions and millions of Americans this idea of staying home is not an option. Tens of millions of Americans know that if they stay home, they miss a paycheck. If they miss a paycheck, that can mean financial devastation or ruin for their family. prgtoken We are now the only industrialized nation in the world that doesn't have paid family sick leave for workers. This is an unwelcome and, unfortunately, this is a dangerous distinction now in the time of a global pandemic. This literally punishes people who are struggling, low-income workers. prgtoken Right now the choice for millions of Americans is really this: Choose between your next paycheck and caring for your sick child. Choose between going to work sick or having to skip a meal. Choose between your health and well-being or your family's financial security. That choice, unfortunately, even before this pandemic, was a choice that many Americans knew--that the people who are handling our food, the people who work in our restaurants, and the people who work with our elderly often go to work sick in this country helping the normal flu and other illnesses spread. In the case of a pandemic which has a mortality rate of potentially five or ten times that of the flu, this is, unfortunately, a tragic choice that families are trying to make. prgtoken According to the National Partnership for Women and Families, 70 percent of the lowest income workers do not have a single paid sick day. They also report that 81 percent of people working in the food service industry--let me say that again:
TRIBUTE TO HERCHEL WOODY WILLIAMS
Joe Manchin, III (Democrat, WV) \u2014 2020-3-11

I rise today in honor of one of my constituents, an American hero, Medal of Honor recipient Herchel Woody Williams and all of the magnificent men who fought and died in the Battle of Iwo Jima on this the 75th anniversary. Iwo Jima was one of the most bloodiest and costly battles of WWII which saved thousands of lives in the future. Mr. Williams is the last Medal of Honor recipient living from that battle of 27 who received this honor.
DIRECTING THE REMOVAL OF UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES FROM HOSTILITIES AGAINST THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN THAT HAVE NOT BEEN AUTHORIZED BY CONGRESS
Barbara Lee (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2020-3-11

. Madam , let me remind you that the 2002 Iraq resolution was introduced to address weapons of mass destruction purportedly in Iraq. Now, this was a lie, it was put forth by the administration. And many of us who were here tried to halt the use of force and to allow the inspectors to complete their inspections. Unfortunately--and I had an amendment to do this--it received just 72 votes. prgtoken Now, regardless of how one voted, the 2002 authorization was specific to Iraq, not Iran, nor any other country. And so it is past time that Congress reassert our congressional authority on matters of war and peace. We must also return to diplomacy and peace and stop these endless wars. prgtoken So I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this. It is time that we do our job. Congress has been missing in action.
CORONAVIRUS
Sherrod Brown (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2020-3-11

I appreciate the comments of my friend from Texas. I only heard part of them, but I appreciate his interest and what we need to do to deal with this coronavirus. I hear so often in this body that it is about the economic issues, which to be sure it is, as you know in Utah and Senator Cornyn knows. But when I hear the President's response on what to do--first, I know that people are angry in Ohio and I think elsewhere that the President has waited so long to act. prgtoken I know people are angry when they find out that the President made major cuts to the Centers for Disease Control, which the Presiding Officer knows is the best public health agency probably in the history of the world, combined with our public health departments at NIH and the FDA and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health in Cincinnati--all of this incredible public health infrastructure safety net we have built in this country bipartisanly through decades and decades and decades. prgtoken I know people are unhappy when they learn about the President eliminating the position at the White House of the admiral physician who ran our effort to always be trying to anticipate a public health outbreak, a pandemic of sorts. I prgtoken don't know whether or not we are in one. I don't think we know that. prgtoken I am not an alarmist or panicky in any way, but I know people realize we had such a late start on this because of the President's actions over the last 3 years. prgtoken The issue is not to bail out more corporations. The issue is not to give money to the cruise ship companies, for gosh sakes, which is one part of the President's rhetoric tweet proposals. The cruise ship industry is almost exclusively foreign-owned. Why take tax dollars and shovel them into the cruise industry? prgtoken Instead of focusing on large corporations, which is something the President always does--I understand that is what he comes from, who he is, and who his supporters are--instead of focusing there, we should be focusing on individuals, and that means starting with a sick leave policy and sick days. prgtoken Think about how hard it is for all of us in this body--think about somebody making $12 an hour and living alone or living with a child or living with a spouse, whoever, making $12 an hour with no benefits and they get sick. They think, let's see, do I go to work--if I go to work sick, I may get worse, and I may infect my colleagues and other employees--or do I stay home and give up that $100 of a $12-an-hour job? I am paying $700 a month in rent. Can I give up that $100 or $200 or $300 over 2 or 3 days? prgtoken There are so many Americans who are sick who wrestle with that decision every single day. This is an opportunity. Senator Murray worked on a bill. I worked on this bill with her for a good while. I just spoke with Congresswoman DeLauro from Connecticut about working on legislation to provide emergency relief right now. We c
USA FREEDOM REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2020
Jerrold Nadler (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2020-3-11

. Madam , I include in the Record this letter from the chairwoman of the Committee on Oversight and Reform. House of Representatives, Committee on Oversight and Reform, Washington, DC, March 10, 2020. Hon. Jerrold Nadler, Chairman, Committee on the Judiciary, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear : I am writing to you concerning H.R. 6172, the ``USA Freedom Reauthorization Act.'' There are certain provisions in the legislation which fall within the Rule X jurisdiction of the Committee on Oversight and Reform. In the interest of permitting your Committee to proceed expeditiously on this bill, I am willing to waive this Committee's right to sequential referral. I do so with the understanding that by waiving consideration of the bill, the Committee on Oversight and Reform does not waive any future jurisdictional claim over the subject matters contained in the bill which fall within its Rule X jurisdiction. I request that you urge the to name Members of this Committee to any conference committee which is named to consider such provisions. Please place this letter into the Congressional Record during consideration of the measure on the House floor. Thank you for the cooperative spirit in which you have worked regarding this matter and others between our respective Committees. Sincerely, Carolyn B. Maloney, Chairwoman.
CLIMATE CHANGE
Sheldon Whitehouse (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2020-3-11

I rise today for ``Time to Wake Up'' speech No. 258 and my increasingly battered chart here to urge colleagues in the Senate to wake up and see the looming danger we face from climate change. prgtoken Just look at the recent climate effects in our Southern Hemisphere. The most devastating wildfires anyone can remember have ripped across Australia, burned more than a fifth of Australia's forests, destroying thousands of homes, killing an estimated 1 billion animals, and making a day of breathing air in Sydney like smoking 37 cigarettes. In the ocean off Australia, there are new warnings that the Great Barrier Reef--a Wonder of the World visible from space--is doomed. prgtoken The warmest temperatures ever were recorded in Antarctica--a 70- degree day when the average February temperature would be 33 degrees. prgtoken Here is the Thwaites Glacier. Here on Antarctica's Thwaites Glacier, scientists drilled through 2,000 feet of ice, down to the ocean water below, and discovered water 2 degrees above freezing. With 70 degrees above and 2 degrees above, it is a melting sandwich. Losing that glacier would trigger almost 3 feet of sea level rise, and that glacier is going. prgtoken Sea level rise brings me to the crash warnings that are the subject of this speech, crash warnings that are flashing throughout the economy. Sea level rise connects to these crash warnings because some of these crash warnings revolve around sea level rise in its crashing coastal property values. Other warnings are of a crash in what economists call the carbon bubble. prgtoken I have a binder of these warnings that I put together, and I sent this binder to every Member of the Senate in February of 2019. Every Senator has all of the warnings that are compiled in that binder. I have a letter, too, that follows up on the warnings in that binder-- just about the warnings that have emerged since February of 2019--in fact, mostly just from this year. I sent this letter to all of the members of the Senate Banking Committee because the economic crashes that are warned of are within the Senate Banking Committee's jurisdiction, and that committee has the responsibility to be the distant early warning system for the rest of us in the Senate about these warnings. prgtoken , I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record the letter to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, dated February 6, 2020.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2020-3-11

the United States has more than 1,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19, the coronavirus. The actual number, however, could be much higher. We don't truly know how many cases of coronavirus there are in the United States because our testing regime has been entirely inadequate. prgtoken The CDC took weeks to develop testing kits that worked properly, and the Federal Government was far too slow in allowing hospitals, medical labs, and public health clinics to conduct tests on their own. The New York Times this morning has a story about how doctors and clinicians in Washington State were forced to wait a period of weeks for samples of the coronavirus and approval to test patients for the virus, even after they had suspected cases. The virus was spreading in the United States for weeks, without our knowledge, because we could not reliably test for it. prgtoken Even now, the administration has been laggard about making sure that testing kits are available to all who need them, and the United States is trailing countries around the world in our testing capacity. We, who were supposed to have the greatest public health system in the world, are lagging behind many countries, and it is a matter of life and death. prgtoken Last night, I spoke with the mayor of New Rochelle, NY, where multiple infections have been confirmed and where residents are now living under a 3-square-mile containment area. The mayor told me that despite the best efforts of the State of New York--and they are doing a good job--there are not enough coronavirus testing kits for the community. I asked him what his major problem was. He said: Lack of testing kits, lack of testing. I fear that what is happening in New Rochelle will happen in cities and towns across the country. It is virtually certain that a limited quarantine or containment area will be imposed on other cities, like they were in New Rochelle, and we need to make sure the mistakes that have plagued the whole testing regime is not repeated when other cities have to be under some limited quarantine. Those cities have to able to get the tests and resources they need, and New Rochelle still isn't getting them because of the Federal Government. prgtoken I honestly don't know why it has taken so long for the administration to get a handle on testing, which is the most powerful tool in helping us respond to the spread of the virus. I honestly don't know why, after this issue with testing has been glaring and very public, the administration has still not announced anything resembling a coherent plan to fix the problem. prgtoken This morning, I am demanding that the administration do five prgtoken things to improve the Nation's ability to test for the coronavirus in the United States: prgtoken One, expedite the approval of labs that are ready and willing to provide testing. Every lab that is able to provide testing should be up and running as soon as possible. prgtoken Two