mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2018
Amy Klobuchar (Democrat, MN) \u2014 2017-9-14

I first thank Senator McCain and Senator Reed for their leadership, a model of bipartisanship at this incredibly important time with the rest of the world and the need to have a strong military. We know that. I think that is why we see this bill proceeding, but this bill will be so much stronger if we make sure that we not only defend our shores and stand by our troops but if we also defend the security of our democracy. prgtoken I so appreciate Senator McCain and Senator Reed supporting this amendment I have with Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina. This must be included in this bill. We are having a situation where one or two Members on the other side of the aisle are not allowing it to proceed. The timing is critical. The 2018 election is only 400-some days away, which is why you see us pushing this bill and doing everything we can to get it either included in the managers' package or to get a vote. prgtoken This amendment is supported by the Freedom Caucus, and in the House is led by the head of the Freedom Caucus. You may ask why. There are a lot of s who would like to see States be able to keep running their own elections. I agree with that. I like the fact that we have decentralized elections, but the hacking was so real in this last election that our intelligence agencies have now established there were 21 States where there were attempts made to hack into their election software. We know this is going to happen again, and we must stand ready. We must protect our democracy. prgtoken Instead of having a successful hack attack in this next election, why don't we prepare ourselves so we can keep the decentralized nature of our elections? That is why we see such broad support for this amendment. prgtoken I came to the floor yesterday to fight for a vote--a simple up-or- down vote--on the bipartisan Klobuchar-Graham amendment. I also thank Senator Lankford of Oklahoma, as well as Senator of California, for their bipartisan work and support for this amendment. This amendment has support, but one or two Members are blocking it--an amendment which has the support of the chairman and ranking member of the Armed Services Committee because they understand that election security is national security. prgtoken This provision simply says that it is the policy of the United States to defend against and respond to cyber attacks on our democratic system. You prgtoken have to have your head in the sand if you don't know that this has been a problem, whether you are in business and have had information stolen, whether you are someone who has been scammed or have had stuff sent to you on your email, or whether you are a voter who is concerned simply that when you are exercising your freedom to vote, someone is going to come in and steal your own private information or--worse yet--change what you did and change the result of an election. prgtoken In the words of Bruce Fein, a former Reag
EQUIFAX DATA BREACH
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2017-9-14

on the Equifax data breach, what has transpired over the past several months is one of the most egregious examples of corporate malfeasance since Enron. Equifax has exposed the most sensitive personal information of over half of the citizens of the United States--names, addresses, Social Security numbers, driver's licenses, and, in some cases, even their credit histories. Clearly, there were inadequate data security standards at Equifax, which is deeply troubling on a number of levels. prgtoken When you are a credit agency like Equifax, you have two principal jobs: calculating and reporting accurate credit scores and protecting the sensitive information of individuals that is funneled through that process. Stunningly and epically, Equifax failed to perform one of its two essential duties as a company--protecting the sensitive information of the people in its files. That is unacceptable, and there is no other word for it. prgtoken Even following the failure by Equifax--this huge, massive failure-- the company and its leadership failed to effectively communicate this breach to the public and, in the aftermath of the announcement, failed to address public concern. The company knew about the breach and did not notify consumers that their information had been compromised for far too long a period. Because Equifax waited so long to report the breach, consumers were put behind the eight ball. Their information was potentially compromised without their knowledge, and they had no ability to protect themselves. Meanwhile, hackers could attempt to take out loans in their names and potentially use the information for identity fraud or they could perpetrate a number of fraudulent schemes with the sensitive information that these horrible hackers had obtained. prgtoken Once the breach was eventually announced, consumers found themselves being forced to provide sensitive information to Equifax in order to verify whether they were impacted by the breach. In order to sign up for the company's credit monitoring services, customers were forced to agree to terms prohibiting their ability to bring a legal claim against Equifax. Isn't that disgusting? prgtoken Equifax creates the problem and then says: Customer, if you want to solve it, you have to give up your rights. prgtoken That is outrageous. prgtoken Equifax is saying: We royally screwed up, but trust us. We will not screw up again, but if we do screw up, you cannot sue us. prgtoken To make matters worse, in the weeks leading up to the announcement of its breach, while customers were in the dark, several executives at Equifax sold off their stock in the company. They claim that they had no knowledge of the breach. If they did, it would be one of the most brazen and shameful attempts of insider trading that I can recall. prgtoken We need to get to the bottom of this--the very bottom, the murky bottom, the dirty bottom. The Senate must hold hearings on the Equifax b
NORTH KOREA
Benjamin L. Cardin (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2017-9-14

today I wish to address one of the most pressing and most challenging national security issues facing our Nation: North Korea's growing nuclear and ballistic missile programs and its continued belligerent behavior. prgtoken North Korea has developed an active nuclear weapons program and is making considerable progress in developing nuclear-capable ballistic missiles that can reach our allies and partners in the region, including South Korea and Japan, U.S. territories like Guam, and, likely, the continental United States as well. prgtoken The time for illusions about North Korea's programs, or wishful thinking about our policy options, is past. prgtoken With each passing day, North Korea's continued defiance of the international community makes it clear that the administration's policy of maximum pressure is yielding minimal results. prgtoken If the United States continues on the path laid out by President , there are only two realistic outcomes, both bad: North Korea becomes a nuclear power or a large-scale conventional war breaks out on the Korean Peninsula that would result in the loss of hundreds of thousands and possibly millions of lives. prgtoken If our policy options leave us with only capitulation or war as possible outcomes, those policies are deeply flawed. There should be a lot of space between war and capitulation on the Korean Peninsula. prgtoken I strongly believe that we must therefore adjust our strategy to fill that space with an all-out ``diplomatic surge,'' one that results in serious, hard constraints on North Korea's nuclear ambitions and a more peaceful, stable, and prosperous Northeast Asia for all. prgtoken The initial objective of this surge would be to begin a diplomatic process, with Pyongyang first verifiably halting prgtoken their nuclear and ballistic missile testing and the United States and our allies taking steps to deescalate the current tensions on the Korean Peninsula. prgtoken We have not arrived at the current situation with North Korea overnight. Where we are today is an outgrowth of two decades of steady progress by North Korea's nuclear and ballistic programs. The tense situation on the Korean Peninsula highlights the failure of the international community and multiple administrations, and ic alike, to end North Korea's nuclear and missile programs and to promote greater security and stability in the region. prgtoken This year alone, North Korea has conducted at least a dozen ballistic missile tests, including ICBM tests, and now a nuclear test of what is likely a thermonuclear weapon. prgtoken We may not like this reality, but we must face the fact that North Korea already has a small but nonetheless operational nuclear arsenal. prgtoken At this critical moment, the President, instead of providing responsible leadership, has engaged in bluster and provocative statements about nuclear war with North Korea. He continues to show he lack
Nuclear Weapons (Executive Session)
Sherrod Brown (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2017-9-14

I rise to speak about the nomination of Pam Patenaude to be Deputy Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Ms. Patenaude comes to this nomination with valuable experience in the field of housing and community development and a history of affordable housing advocacy. In her previous work at HUD, she helped administer the Department's disaster relief efforts following Hurricane Katrina. prgtoken While I don't agree with Ms. Patenaude on every element of housing policy, I respect her experience, and I respect her government service in her recent work to raise awareness about the affordable housing shortage facing so many families. prgtoken I agreed with her in her testimony in front of the Banking Committee that ``as a nation we must recognize that housing is not just a commodity but a foundation for economic mobility and personal growth.'' That is why I was so troubled that during her nomination hearing, Ms. Patenaude defended the administration's terrible budget for the agency she has been nominated to help lead. The President would cut more than $7 billion, 15 percent, from HUD's budget, right in the midst of a shortage of affordable housing, about which she so articulately spoke. This budget cut prgtoken would eliminate programs like community development block grants and the HOME Program. These grants help our cities and small towns repair their infrastructure, retrofit homes for seniors and people with disabilities, combat homelessness among families, veterans, and people struggling with mental illness and substance abuse. prgtoken Just last week, Congress approved new CDBG funds to speed up disaster recovery assistance to communities upended by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. Ms. Patenaude came in front of this committee and defended those budget cuts--programs for which she has advocated but doing, apparently, the dirty work for the administration and for the HUD Secretary, she agreed with this budget. prgtoken This budget would devastate public housing. It would cut funding for major repairs by some 70 percent. Again, in the face of substandard housing, unavailable shortages of affordable housing, it would cut funding for repairs by 70 percent, and it would expose more families to poor building conditions and health hazards. prgtoken I have told this story before on the floor. My wife and I live in Cleveland, OH, in ZIP Code 44105. Ten years ago, in 2007, that ZIP Code had more foreclosures than any ZIP Code in the United States of America. Within a not very great distance from my home, there is block after block of homes that are in need of repair--rentals and people living in homes they own--far too much devastation, crying out for some help from this HUD budget. Yet this administration turns their back on them. prgtoken It reduces funding for lead hazard control and healthy housing grants. Secretary Carson, whom I voted for--and not many did--I voted for him
WE STAND WITH THE DREAMers
Raja Krishnamoorthi (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2017-9-14

since the President's decision last week to end the DACA program, DREAMers across the country have lived each day in fear. I have heard that fear from my constituents in Illinois, which hosts the fourth largest DACA population in the country. prgtoken One of my constituents came to this country when he was 3. Now 23 years old, he is a university student, works at the local senior center, and he helps out in his father's small business on the weekends. prgtoken In his letter to me, he said: ``It is during these trying times that each one of us demonstrates who we are and what we truly stand for.'' I couldn't agree more. That is why I urge Ryan and my colleagues on both sides to pass the Dream Act. prgtoken Passing the Dream Act will show our country's DREAMers that we stand with them and that we believe in their promise. It will also show who we are and what we truly stand for.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2018
Kirsten E. Gillibrand (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2017-9-14

I rise to urge my colleagues to vote for a bipartisan amendment, No. 1051, to protect transgender servicemembers in our military. prgtoken I want to thank my dear friend and colleague, Senator McCain, the chairman of the Armed Services Committee and his staff, for working with us on this bipartisan amendment to protect transgender servicemembers and for agreeing to support it here on the floor today. prgtoken The amendment, which I was so proud to write with my colleague from Maine, Senator Susan Collins, would prohibit the Department of Defense from discharging members of the military or denying them reenlistment opportunities because of their gender identity. It is essential that this Congress does not break faith with these brave servicemembers who have served their country honorably and with great sacrifice. prgtoken As Members of the Senate, one of our most serious responsibilities is to stand up for the men and women who serve in our armed services. We have an obligation to represent their interests, to value and respect their service, and to give them the tools and resources they need to defend our country. Kicking out thousands of servicemembers simply because of their gender identity doesn't make our military stronger, it makes our military weaker. It doesn't save taxpayer money, it wastes taxpayer money. We have spent millions recruiting and training these highly skilled servicemembers. prgtoken I want to be clear to those who misunderstand our U.S. military members, to those who somehow think our military cannot handle diversity among its servicemembers: Do not underestimate the men and women who serve in uniform. They represent the best and strongest among us. prgtoken An argument against diversity in the military is wrong. We heard this argument during the fight to end racial segregation. We heard it during the fight to allow women to serve. We heard it during the fight to end don't ask, don't tell, which I was proud to work on with the Senator from Maine once again. And here, once again, this argument is wrong. Our military is strongest when it represents the Nation it serves. prgtoken Rather than shrinking the talent pool and telling patriotic Americans that they cannot serve, we should be doing everything we can to encourage and support them. We should thank them for their devotion to service, for their willingness to leave their families for months at a time and risk their own lives and safety to protect us. prgtoken This transgender ban affects individuals who were brave enough to join the military, men and women who were tough enough to make it through rigorous military training, men and women who love our country enough to risk their lives for it, to fight for it and even die for it. To suggest these brave, tough, and selfless transgender Americans somehow don't belong in our military is harmful to our military readiness, and it is deeply insulting to
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2018
Dan Sullivan (Republican, AK) \u2014 2017-9-14

this week, we are debating the National Defense Authorization Act of 2018. It is very important, and Members of both sides have contributed to this very important legislation we pass every year. It funds our military and authorizes its spending and training. It is really one of the most important things we do in the Senate. prgtoken As have many others, I thank the members of the Armed Services Committee. I have the privilege of serving on that committee. I thank Chairman McCain and Ranking Member Reed for the hard work they and all of the members of the committee have put into this and for how seriously we take this responsibility. prgtoken You have heard the discussions. This bill is needed now more than ever. We are seeing accidents, in terms of training, that are killing the lives of young men and women who are serving in the military, and a lot of it is due to readiness. In fact, in the past 8 years, the U.S. military has seen its budget decline by almost 25 percent. It is a huge decrease--just pick up the paper and see what is going on in the world--when we know that the national security threats to the United States have dramatically increased. We have decreasing budgets and increasing national security challenges, and this NDAA begins the much needed process of changing that. prgtoken I would like to focus on one such threat that we need to address right now that is at the doorstep of our great Nation and what the NDAA is doing specifically about that threat. The threat is North Korea's nuclear intercontinental ballistic activity and capability. As the Presiding Officer knows, that has now literally become a threat to every city in the United States, not just to frontline States like mine, which is the great State of Alaska, or Hawaii, as they are closer to Asia than is any other place in the United States. This threat is now on the doorstep of every American city. prgtoken For years, a lot of the ``experts'' and intel officials were saying: Hey, don't worry about this. They are trying, but this threat is a long way off into the future. prgtoken Some of us were skeptical of those estimates, and now we know those estimates were wrong. It is no longer a matter of ``if'' but ``when'' the North Korean regime will have the capability of launching a nuclear intercontinental ballistic missile that will be aimed at the United States of America. prgtoken Recently, there was a disturbing article written in the Washington Post, the lead paragraph of which reads: North Korea will be able to field a reliable, nuclear- capable intercontinental ballistic missile as early as next year, U.S. officials have concluded in a confidential assessment, that dramatically shrinks the timeline for when Pyongyang could strike North American cities with atomic weapons. prgtoken This assessment was leaked by someone within the Pentagon's Defense Intelligence Agency, and it shaves al
CRIMINAL ALIEN GANG MEMBER REMOVAL ACT
Raúl R. Labrador (Republican, ID) \u2014 2017-9-14

such time as I may consume. prgtoken I rise today in support of H.R. 3697, the Criminal Alien Gang Member Removal Act. I introduced this bill with Chairman Goodlatte and Representatives Comstock and King for a very simple reason: the United States is facing an ever-growing danger from transnational gangs, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, better known as ICE, needs more tools to deal with this danger. prgtoken The Federal Government's most important responsibility is the safety and security of the American people. However, we are not fulfilling that responsibility when we allow gangs to illegally enter our country with the express purpose of victimizing innocent Americans. prgtoken In communities across our country, transnational gangs are using violence and the threat of violence to create a climate of fear that allows them to operate with near impunity. They regularly target local business owners and law enforcement officials. Innocent bystanders, those unlucky enough to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, are also paying a price. prgtoken According to ICE, these gangs ``have grown to become a serious threat in American communities across the Nation--not only in cities, but increasingly in suburban and even rural areas. Entire neighborhoods and sometimes whole communities are held hostage by and subjected to their violence.'' prgtoken Furthermore, ICE has found that, ``membership of these violent transnational gangs is comprised largely of foreign-born nationals.'' prgtoken The most infamous transnational gang, of course, is MS-13, which entered the U.S. in the 1980s. Today, it has over 10,000 gang members operating inside the United States alone. At every level, our enforcement officials are working to curb this growing threat with large-scale enforcement actions. These include Operation New Dawn, which netted almost 1,100 arrests over a 6-week period. prgtoken However, we all know that prosecution of criminal gang members is notoriously difficult. This is because victims and witnesses of gang crime are often reluctant to testify because of the quite reasonable fear of retaliation against them or their families, thus many gang members are never convicted of the crimes they have committed. prgtoken The question is often asked: Why should law-abiding Americans have to wait until an alien gang member has committed a deportable offense? Why not deport the gang member before he has a chance to victimize more innocent people? The answer is that current immigration law contains dangerous loopholes that alien gang members are exploiting. prgtoken Currently, an alien may not be deported, even if he is known to be a member of a criminal gang or participating in gang activities. ICE must wait for the gang member to be first convicted of a deportable offense. prgtoken H.R. 3697 changes that. For the first time, ICE will be permitted to place alien gang members into removal proceedings on the
THANKING ALL WHO RESPONDED TO HELP AFTER HURRICANE IRMA
Rick W. Allen (Republican, GA) \u2014 2017-9-14

this week, Hurricane Irma brought devastation to south Florida and many parts of the Southeastern United States, including the 12th District of Georgia. prgtoken In times of disaster, Americans come together and show their love and support for one another, and I thank all of our first responders, law enforcement, our military, and Good Samaritans for their extraordinary service in this time of need. Your selflessness saved countless lives in this unprecedented storm. prgtoken I thank Governor Deal, President , and FEMA, and all 19 counties in the 12th District of Georgia that were included in the Federal emergency declaration authorizing FEMA to provide direct Federal resources to our district. prgtoken Visit disasterassistance.gov to learn about the options available to you. It is the greatest honor of my life to represent the people of Georgia's 12th Congressional District, and my office is here to help in any way we can. If you need any help in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma, please do not hesitate to reach out. America is resilient. prgtoken The American people are resilient when we come together as one, and now we must assess the damage and help each other rebuild our communities.