mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
STRENGTHENING AMERICA'S SECURITY IN THE MIDDLE EAST ACT OF 2019--MOTION TO PROCEED--Resumed
Rob Portman (Republican, OH) \u2014 2019-1-23

I am here today to talk about the ongoing government shutdown and the need to provide more security on our southern border and to try to put a little perspective around it. prgtoken The President just issued his own proposal. It is a reasonable proposal, I think, and a constructive proposal to try to end this shutdown and reopen the government and strengthen the southern border. I am told we are going to vote on that plan tomorrow here in the Senate. It includes a lot of the ideas that I have been discussing with colleagues on both sides of the aisle, and s, over the past few weeks. Some of these ideas are ones that support more, and some the s support more. It is the basis for a compromise. prgtoken I am going to vote for the President's plan, and I am going to explain here in a minute why I would hope that colleagues on both sides of the aisle would support that plan tomorrow as a way to take a step forward and to take a step back from the partisanship and the division that is keeping our government shutdown. prgtoken My hope is that even if the proposal cannot pass with a 60-vote majority, which, unfortunately, seems likely right now, it will spark good-faith negotiations to enable us to quickly end the government shutdown and move forward. prgtoken Unfortunately, some of the partisanship and division I talked about has made that harder. It is interesting that even before the President made his announcement, but on the day he was making it, the of the House, Nancy Pelosi, said the proposal was a nonstarter before she knew what was in it. That is not serious. That is not the basis for a serious negotiation and certainly not responsible for us in the middle of a partial government shutdown. prgtoken I think there is in this body--and, I think, in the House, as well--a general consensus that we need to do more to protect the southern border. The ic leadership of the House and the of the House just presented a billion-dollar plan, for instance, for more border security. prgtoken I call it a crisis, but call it what you want. Here are the facts. During October and November of last year, the most recent months for which we have good information, Customs and Border Protection agents apprehended more than 100,000 people trying to enter our country illegally. That is nearly double the number of people who were apprehended a year ago in 2017. That is twice as many people. prgtoken The big increase, as you know, is with families and kids, unaccompanied children. According to the Department of Homeland Security, there has been a 50-percent increase in the number of families coming across the border illegally and a 25 percent increase in the number of children during fiscal year 2018. Along with that, there has been a 2,000-percent increase over the past 5 years in asylum claims. That increase has primarily come from three Central American countries: Gua
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 648, CONSOLIDATED APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019; PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.J. RES. 31, FURTHER CONTINUING APPROPRIATIONS FOR DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY...
Rob Woodall (Republican, GA) \u2014 2019-1-23

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , I wasn't kidding when I said I was looking for the olive branch in what my friend had to say. I genuinely believe, if you lock me and the gentleman from Massachusetts in a room together for 24, 48, maybe 72 or 96 hours, we could come to a solution and get us out of this box. But it does take sitting down with people that you trust to get a hard negotiation done. prgtoken I shared in the Rules Committee the other night, , and I will share with you today, the story of one of my constituents. His name is Doug Jenkins, and this is his story: prgtoken Jeanette Jenkins, age 76, of Lawrenceville, Georgia, passed away on Saturday, April 28, 2018. Jeanette was a member of Hebron Baptist Church for over 25 years and currently a member of First Baptist Church of Atlanta. Jeanette had a passion for serving in many capacities of the ministry, as a Sunday school teacher and volunteering in various activities. She was an avid reader and enjoyed sewing. She is survived by her loving husband of 57 years, Doug. prgtoken Jeanette didn't die of natural causes on April 28, . She was just running out to pick up some drugs at the drugstore. Her husband stayed at home. She was leaving the subdivision, waited for the light to turn green, and pulled out, when a van full of gentlemen who should not have been in this country, who were not in this country legally, ran that red light and killed her. She never recovered consciousness; died in the hospital later on that evening. prgtoken We can describe the President of the United States and his commitment to border security as a temper tantrum, but it is not true. We can describe the President of the United States and his commitment to border security as some sort of political fixation, but it is not true. prgtoken The stories that my friends tell about Federal employees missing paychecks, those are painful, those are hard, and we can do better. But the stories that each and every one of us have about members in our community who have lost loved ones, not for a week, not for 2 weeks, but forever, because we didn't do our job protecting American borders-- I want to do better. prgtoken I was pleased to see the President talk about agricultural visas and how he wanted to expand those programs. It is important to us in Georgia. I am excited about EB visas, trying to get more investment in this country. We need more. I come from a community of immigrants. America's history is founded in immigration, and our future is founded there, too. prgtoken But nobody else could have protected Jeanette Jenkins. Nobody. My local law enforcement can't do it. My governor can't do it. That responsibility falls to the national government and the national government alone. The President campaigned on it; the President was elected on it; and we have an opportunity to come together and do it. prgtoken I don't want to kick the can down the road for another year.
CONSOLIDATED APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019
Jeff Fortenberry (Republican, NE) \u2014 2019-1-23

I thank the ranking member, Ms. Granger, for her indulgence in letting me speak today. Let me thank our chair, Mrs. Lowey, as well for at least the ability today to have a discussion. prgtoken , no one wins in a government shutdown. No one wins if the border is not secure. That is where we are. prgtoken On my way here yesterday, as I was scrambling to get to the airport-- and I live in Nebraska, a relatively small State, so we all kind of know one another or at least kind of recognize one another. As I checked in with my boarding pass and showed the TSA agent my ID, he looked at me and he said: Can you vote for the bill? prgtoken Now, given it is the Senate bill that is dominating the headlines, because it is a reasoned attempt to reach some type of consensus here, I looked at the TSA agent and I said: Yes, I can. I know this has been tough. How long can you hold out? prgtoken He said: It is tough. I don't want to miss another paycheck, but I can hold out about 30 days. prgtoken He said please. I thanked him for his service. Right now, I would like to thank all of the people who have come back to work without pay, who have done their duty, many under some hardship, because they know it is the right thing to do. prgtoken Yet, what is also the right thing to do is to get past this logjam, this impasse, and to leverage this moment and to actually get an outcome, a bipartisan outcome, that secures our border. prgtoken This weekend, the President, I thought, laid out a reasoned proposal that included a spectrum of immigration issues, most of which enjoy robust bipartisan support, including border security. And what do we need there? Personnel. We need technology, and we need enhanced barriers. prgtoken Now, there is the possibility of some movement on these important questions of reopening the government and getting the right type of border security that now sits in the United States Senate. But I thought Senator Lankford made a good comment as well. He said this isn't a yes or a no proposition, on that particular bill. It is the starting point, again, for a reasoned debate about how we find some consensus. prgtoken , America is a just and generous Nation, and we have opened our arms to people who wish to come here and embrace the values, people who have fled political or economic persecution and want to rebuild their lives. That is the hallmark of who we are. prgtoken But charity cannot flow out of chaos. When you have disorder at the border, you have an inability to have a just and humanitarian system that is beneficial to America and to people in need all around the world. prgtoken And that, fundamentally, is what is at issue here today--not necessarily finding a compromise, but a consensus. A compromise implies that somebody may win and somebody may lose. Let's all win here. Let's get the government reopened with the right type of package that includes robust border security that can make America proud.
STRENGTHENING AMERICA'S SECURITY IN THE MIDDLE EAST ACT OF 2019--MOTION TO PROCEED--Resumed
Susan M. Collins (Republican, ME) \u2014 2019-1-23

government shutdowns, regardless of which party controls Congress or the White House, are always harmful to Federal employees and their families, who struggle to pay their bills without paychecks, to Americans who need help from closed government Agencies, and to our economy, which is damaged by the decline in consumer spending and consumer confidence. Ironically, they also always end up costing taxpayers more money than if government had been funded on time. That is why I have always worked to end shutdowns. prgtoken In 2013, for example, I convened a bipartisan group, of which the Presiding Officer was the very first member, that produced the plan that led to the reopening of government after a 16-day shutdown. prgtoken During the past month, I have had numerous discussions with colleagues on both sides of the aisle, as well as with White House officials, on what we can do to reopen government. At the same time, I have been working to mitigate the impacts of this shutdown as much as possible for the hundreds of thousands of Federal employees and their families. These families are being unfairly and seriously harmed, and they have no idea when they will receive their next paycheck. prgtoken Right around Christmas, I worked closely with the White House to ensure that the Coast Guard received pay for their work prior to the shutdown, when an anomaly in the pay system put their paychecks at risk. In addition, ic Senator Ben Cardin and I sponsored a bill to guarantee backpay to Federal workers affected by the shutdown. Our legislation was passed by both chambers and was signed into law by the President. prgtoken I have also joined Senator Ron Johnson from Wisconsin in introducing the Shutdown Fairness Act, which would ensure that Federal workers who are deemed essential and required to come to work each day are paid on time despite the partial government shutdown. It is simply not fair to force employees to work and not pay them, and I hope that this bill, too, will become law. prgtoken As the Presiding Officer is well aware, after 33 days--the longest shutdown in history--it is long overdue for all sides to come together to engage in constructive debate and compromise to end this standoff. Shutdowns represent the ultimate failure to govern and should never be used as a weapon to achieve an outcome. prgtoken Here is what does not reopen government. Political ads do not end shutdowns. Overheated and inflammatory statements do not end shutdowns. An unwillingness to budge and a lack of specific proposals do not end shutdowns. What will end this shutdown? Remembering the real harm that this shutdown is causing, putting specific proposals on the table so that the administration and s and in both the Senate and the House can see signs of good faith and compromise, voting on specific proposals and trying to get to yes--that is what is necessary to end shutdowns. prgtoken Final
ORDERS FOR THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2019
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2019-1-23

I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 11 a.m Thursday, January 24; further, that following the prayer and pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, and morning business be closed; finally, that following leader remarks, the time until 12:30 p.m. be equally divided between the two leaders or their designees.
CONGRATULATING MR. JOHN ELLIOTT
Jim Banks (Republican, IN) \u2014 2019-1-23

. Madam , I rise today to congratulate Mr. John Elliott on retiring from his position as Vice President and Senior Trust Officer of 1st Source Bank in Warsaw, Indiana. For nearly fifty years, John has served the northeast Indiana community with distinction as an engaged citizen, cherished friend, and valued trust officer. prgtoken John graduated with a business degree from The Ohio State University in 1966, and immediately began his storied career as a trust officer at First National Bank of Warsaw. To further his education, John enrolled at the ABA Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin, as well as the National Graduate Trust School at Northwestern University. John also spent countless hours consuming information at the Warsaw Public Library, with the ultimate goal of providing the best customer service possible. prgtoken Using his foundation in academia, John Elliott devoted himself to his clients, ensuring they made sound decisions that would provide future financial security. John built a reputation for honesty, integrity and service. He was known as someone who could be counted on, day or night, to provide exceptional support. When First National Bank was purchased by National City Bank, John partnered with Steve Wessell to open a 1st Source Personal Trust Office where he continued to serve clients with honesty and integrity. prgtoken John has held numerous board positions and is a longtime member of the Warsaw Educational Foundation, Right to Life Advisory Board, and the Warsaw Plan Commission. In 2008, John Elliott was awarded the Earnestine M. Raclin Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Warsaw/ Kosciusko County Man of the Year for his service to the community. In 2018, he was awarded Optimist of the Year by the Warsaw Optimist Club. prgtoken I wish John, his wife Elaine, and their family all the best in this new chapter of life. Warsaw, Indiana thanks him for over 50 years of dedication and service.
HONORING THE LIFE OF DIONNE BAGSBY
Kay Granger (Republican, TX) \u2014 2019-1-23

. Madam , I would like to honor the life of a dear friend and true role model, Dionne Bagsby. Her advocacy and public service to Fort Worth pioneered the growth and development that we see in the community today. Dionne was a trailblazer for minorities and women in the city of Fort Worth. With her dynamic personality and straight talk, she was able to break unprecedented racial and gender barriers throughout her life and career. Dionne was the first woman and African-American to be elected to the Tarrant County Commissioners Court. During her tenure on the court, she hired the first Tarrant County African-American precinct administrator and greatly enhanced minority employment and participation at the county level. When she retired from the commissioner's court in 2005, the Texas Legislature honored her community service in a resolution stating, ``a distinguished 16-year tenure that has been characterized by integrity and excellence.'' Even after her retirement, she refused to stand on the sidelines. She always encouraged young women to speak with confidence and helped them aspire to careers that challenged the norm. Dionne served with a purpose, making it her mission to leave Fort Worth a better place than she found it. Dionne Bagsby leaves behind a legacy that will impact and empower not only the Fort Worth community but the state of Texas for generations to come. I am lucky to have known someone as inspirational and dynamic as Dionne. My thoughts are with her family during this difficult time.
HONORING GLEN WOOD
H. Morgan Griffith (Republican, VA) \u2014 2019-1-23

. Madam , I offer these remarks in honor of Glen Wood, a founder of the legendary Wood Brothers prgtoken NASCAR racing team, who died on January 18, 2019 at the age of 93. Glen Wood was a giant of auto racing, an owner and driver on the longest- running team in NASCAR history. prgtoken Stock car racing has a long and storied heritage in Southwest and Southside Virginia, and Glen Wood, a native of Stuart in Patrick County, made notable contributions of his own to the sport. A trip to Daytona Beach in 1947 fired Mr. Wood's passion for racing, but he earned his place in racing history three years later when he founded Wood Brothers Racing with his brother Leonard. As he recalled to the Associated Press, ``We started racing in 1950 with a car we bought for $50. We put No. 50 on the side of the car because it just seemed like the right thing to do.'' prgtoken Wood Brothers Racing eventually changed the number to 21, and they became a powerhouse, winning 99 victories in over 1,500 starts in NASCAR's top division. Glen Wood earned four of them himself as a driver. Many of the others were won by some of the sport's greatest competitors, including Cale Yarborough, Curtis Turner, A.J. Foyt, and David Pearson, driving for the Wood Brothers team. The Wood Brothers also brought innovation to the pit stop, drastically reducing its average length. These accomplishments garnered Glen Wood many accolades, including a place in the NASCAR Hall of Fame and recognition as one of NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers. prgtoken Glen Wood was known for his success on the race track and for his gentlemanly demeanor off it. In his later years, he could be found at the Wood Brothers Racing Museum in Stuart greeting fans with his wife Bernece. Wood Brothers Racing remains a family business to this day, with Glen's oldest son Eddie now its president. Glen Wood was a towering figure in auto racing, and his legacy still endures. I offer my condolences to Mr. Wood's family on their loss.
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
Richard Blumenthal (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2019-1-23

today I wish to recognize Dr. Steven M. Southwick on the occasion of his retirement. prgtoken For over 30 years, Dr. Southwick has dedicated himself to researching combat-related PTSD. His impressive work has helped make great strides in the efforts to alleviate suffering and promote resilience for veterans. Much of the necessary progress in this field is thanks to Dr. Southwick's diligent studies. prgtoken A graduate of Yale College, the George Washington School of Medicine, and the Yale Psychiatry Residency, Dr. Southwick served in the U.S. Army before attending medical school. During his service, he was stationed in Germany. His time in the military would shape the path of his future research. prgtoken In 1985, Dr. Southwick joined the faculty of the VA Connecticut Healthcare System and the Yale Department of Psychiatry. Throughout his career, he has worked not only with combat veterans, but also with a range of trauma survivors, including athletes, astronauts, civilians with PTSD, and former prisoners of war. prgtoken Some of his many notable accomplishments include leading the first mechanistic neurobiology study of PTSD and, along with his colleagues at the National Center for PTSD, being among the first to study the biological and cognitive underpinnings of resilience among U.S. Special Forces trainees. Through such research, Dr. Southwick pioneered the study of human resilience and introduced a new perspective on trauma. I have been fortunate to learn firsthand during visits to the center about the progress he and his colleagues are making on this complex but extremely critical condition that affects many veterans and first responders, and I commend them on their vital work. prgtoken He now serves as the medical director of the clinical neuroscience division of the VA National Center for PTSD and the Glenn H. Greenberg Professor of Psychiatry, PTSD, and Resilience at the Yale University School of Medicine. In these positions, Dr. Southwick has mentored countless future leaders in the field of PTSD research. prgtoken Dr. Southwick is the recipient of numerous honors and takes part in a number of journals, committees, and seminars in his area of expertise. Though he is recognized for his immense contributions to the realm of PTSD research, he is also highly regarded and beloved by his colleagues, students, and patients. prgtoken I applaud his lifetime of service and hope my colleagues will join me in congratulating Dr. Southwick on his well-earned retirement.
STRENGTHENING AMERICA'S SECURITY IN THE MIDDLE EAST ACT OF 2019--MOTION TO PROCEED--Resumed
Patrick J. Leahy (Democrat, VT) \u2014 2019-1-23

I hope the country has heard what the distinguished senior Senator from Maryland said. He sees this every day. He sees it when he goes home to Baltimore. He sees it when he talks with his neighbors. He sees it when he is in the grocery store. He sees it at the temple. He sees it everywhere because these are the people who are among our finest government workers, and they are out of work. They are not being paid. I suspect he also sees it with the contractors and subcontractors and those who are not on the Federal payroll but who would lose their jobs if the Federal Government is closed. So I compliment him for doing this. prgtoken I also appreciate what he said about the Appropriations Committee. The distinguished Presiding Officer is one of the hardest working chairs of the Appropriations subcommittees. I realize she cannot respond in her position as Presiding Officer, but I note that she moved her bill through. She did it in a way that got enormous support from s and across the political spectrum, which is the way we are supposed to do it. It certainly has prgtoken been the way we have seen it done with people from her State. We did it with her father. We did it with my dear friend, Senator Stevens, when he was chair of the Appropriations Committee. We did it when the distinguished senior Senator from Maryland, Ms. Mikulski, was chair of the overall committee. We got this done. prgtoken It is a lot of work. It is tremendous work for our staffs on both sides of the aisle--a lot of late nights and weekends--but it is done because the American people want the U.S. Government to work. prgtoken For a month now, much of the Federal Government has been closed for business while the President of the United States rants and raves about his personal obsession, the centerpiece of his extreme, anti- immigration agenda--a wall on our southern border. prgtoken For a month now, hundreds of thousands of dedicated public servants have gone without a paycheck, even while many of them showed up for work every single day. Many can no longer pay their bills. They worry about how they are going to put food on the table. Many are looking for temporary work. Many are standing in line at food pantries. These are professionals. They are trying to figure out: How do we pay for childcare or healthcare? How do we pay our student loans? How do we pay for our mortgage? prgtoken It is not just the individuals. It is also our institutions. Our Federal courts are running out of money. Our Federal courts are running out of money. TSA agents are calling in sick in droves after weeks on the job without pay. What is that doing with air traffic, especially during the winter, in America? prgtoken Thousands of people who are trying to buy new homes, which boosts our economy, with a Federal Housing Administration loan told: Come back later. prgtoken Come back when? prgtoken Well, we don't know. Whenever President Trum