mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2020--Resumed
Tammy Duckworth (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2019-6-25

the past week has lain bare just how dangerous it can be to have a President who approaches foreign policy as if it were a reality show, when the worst thing that can happen is to get kicked off before the next episode airs--a President who doesn't seem to recognize that his words and his decisions can have life-and- death consequences for the brave Americans who wear our Nation's uniform. No matter your political party, what we have seen from the White House of late should worry every single one of us. prgtoken In one breath, is beating the drums of war, thumping his chest, and pushing for a conflict that would kill an unimaginable number of people--servicemembers and civilians alike. In the next breath, he tries to act like a peacemaker who wouldn't even think prgtoken of starting a new war. It is gaslighting, plain and simple. Yet it is the closest thing to a foreign policy doctrine since his inauguration. prgtoken So, while I am glad he called off a military strike last week, it hasn't made me forget that he and aides like John Bolton are the ones who brought us to the brink of war in the first place. will not get any points from me for taking a small step to avert a disaster he himself created, and I have no confidence whatsoever that his carelessness will not lead us right back to that same brink today, tomorrow, or a week from now because, when it comes to Iran, 's erratic, incoherent strategy isn't just worrisome, it is potentially deadly for the men and women who are willing to sacrifice everything to keep the rest of us safe. prgtoken Look, I ran for Congress so that when the drums of war were sounded, I would be in a position to make sure our elected officials would fully consider the true costs of war not just in dollars and cents but in human lives. That was the vow I made to the troops with whom I deployed and to all those who have served since I hung up my uniform. I am standing here today, on the floor of the U.S. Senate, to keep that promise. prgtoken Right now, more and more Americans are preparing to head to a war zone that is 6,000 miles east in order to protect this Nation. They are ready to do their jobs no matter what, just as they have done time after time, even as their President and, yes, the Representatives in this very Chamber have neglected theirs. prgtoken Again and again, this administration has laid out two scenarios it says would justify war with Iran. Then it has taken actions to make sure those circumstances become a reality, which sets us on a collision course that has life-and-death stakes and no easy off-ramp. prgtoken The first scenario is if Iran edges closer to making a nuclear weapon. Well, you don't need to be a physicist to understand that himself made that possibility more likely by unilaterally pulling the United States out of the nuclear agreement. In doing so, he freed Iran from having to abide by the deal that limited it
EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS FOR HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE AND SECURITY AT THE SOUTHERN BORDER ACT, 2019
Lucille Roybal-Allard (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-6-25

. Madam , I rise in strong support of H.R. 3401. prgtoken We have all seen the tragic pictures of immigrants held in extremely overcrowded CBP facilities never designed to hold families and tender- aged children. I and many colleagues have been to the border and witnessed firsthand the horrific, indisputably untenable and intolerable conditions. prgtoken This bill addresses this humanitarian crisis and sets forth strong oversight provisions and requirements to ensure the basic human care of migrants in custody, especially the children. prgtoken Funding for the Department of Homeland Security totals nearly $1.5 billion, $150 million above the Senate committee bill. prgtoken This crucial funding will directly address the humanitarian crisis at the border by supporting temporary CBP holding facilities to relieve dangerous overcrowding and by providing medical and transportation support, blankets, food, water, and other consumables for migrants. prgtoken Combined with funding in title III for unaccompanied children, the bill also provides resources needed to reduce time in CBP custody and to ensure their facilities are safe, sanitary, and humane. prgtoken The bill also includes $200 million for an innovative multiagency pilot program to better address the medical and legal needs of families and unaccompanied children. It will also improve the Department's efficiency in migrant processing without compromising migrant legal protections. prgtoken This pilot will co-locate Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Citizenship and Immigration Services, Office of Refugee Resettlement, and nonprofit humanitarian organizations into a single facility. This will reduce overall processing time, provide consistent medical assessments and treatment, and offer legal orientation much earlier. Nonprofit organizations will provide assessments of migrants' needs and vulnerabilities and help families transition to local shelters or alternatives to detention. prgtoken The bill also includes $60 million to help nonprofits and local jurisdictions continue their efforts to provide assistance to migrants released from DHS custody. prgtoken The Office of Refugee Resettlement is nearly out of money. Without additional resources for sheltering capacity, children will continue to be held for weeks or longer in ill-equipped CBP holding facilities never intended to hold children for more than a few hours. prgtoken Let me be clear: Without passage of this bill, the only alternative is the Senate bill, which has insufficient oversight provisions and leaves the door open for further abusive behavior by the administration. H.R. 3401 takes a constructive, balanced approach with the right mix of funding and oversight. prgtoken Madam , Congress simply cannot adjourn without providing the funding needed to address the humanitarian crisis and trauma of migrants and their children at the border. The only way to ensure the inclusion o
CONGRATULATING SUSAN ACKERMAN, WILLIAM McGINNIS, AND JEREMY JACKSON ON ELECTION TO NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
Scott H. Peters (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-6-25

I rise today to recognize Elliott Husseman, winner of the 50th annual San Diego Union-Tribune Countywide Spelling Bee and a participant in the 92nd Scripps National Spelling Bee. prgtoken As an active student at Inspire Charter Schools, Elliott is an inspiration to his peers and the Poway community. Inspire Charter Schools teach students to be independent, critical thinkers and responsible San Diego citizens. prgtoken Elliott upheld the pillars of Inspire admirably, showing integrity and confidence under pressure. He demonstrated tenacity and levelheadedness beyond his years while competing in a record-breaking field of 562 spelling bee contestants. prgtoken Since 1925, the Scripps National Spelling Bee has cultivated a passion for learning among young Americans, reaching 11 million students each year. It offers a platform for students like Elliott to engage with like-minded students and represent their communities in an encouraging environment that fosters sportsmanship and respect. prgtoken The valuable experience of competing allows these young students to build prgtoken confidence and showcase their academic abilities, skills that are key to their future success. prgtoken Elliot's achievements in the Scripps National Spelling Bee represent the future of San Diego and the 52nd District. Please join me in congratulating Elliot here at home and on the national stage.
PEACE CORPS
John Garamendi (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-6-25

today I am proud to introduce the Peace Corps Reauthorization Act of 2019. prgtoken I want to thank my returned Peace Corps volunteers; Joe Kennedy and Donna Shalala, the co-chairs of the Peace Corps Caucus; as well as Mr. Graves, Mr. Sires, Mrs. Radewagen, and Ms. Shalala for their support as original cosponsors. prgtoken Like successive generations of young Americans, my wife, Patti, and I answered President John F. Kennedy's call and served in the Peace Corps in Ethiopia from 1966 to 1968. This foundational experience inspired our lifetime of service that continued into State government in California, the Clinton administration, and now the United States Congress. prgtoken Since the establishment of the Peace Corps in 1961, more than 230,000 Americans have volunteered and have served in 141 countries around the world. When the Africans fought for their independence, the Peace Corps volunteers came, and they were there to assist in the transition in countries throughout that continent. They were there as teachers, community development, and agriculture, and so that tradition carried on in countries all around the world. Today there are some 8,000 Peace Corps volunteers in 65 countries. prgtoken Now more than ever, Congress should and must support the Peace Corps mission and realize President Kennedy's vision of generations of young Americans, ready to serve their Nation and make the world a better place and return home to America and continue to educate all Americans about what is going on around the world. prgtoken Our Peace Corps Reauthorization Act of 2019 would do just this by providing additional Federal resources to better support current, returning, and former Peace Corps volunteers by doing the following: First, since 2002 the Peace Corps has not been reauthorized. So we would pick up that and make the Peace Corps reauthorization good for the next 5 years. We would authorize $450 million per fiscal year for the Peace Corps, an increase over the flat $410 million that has been provided in the current year. prgtoken We would also direct the Peace Corps to establish new volunteer opportunities that promote internet adoption and development in countries and engage tech savvy American volunteers. prgtoken We would increase the monthly allowance for Peace Corps volunteers and leaders to $417 per month of service completed to reflect the increase in the cost of living and provide $10,000 for the 2-year full term of service. prgtoken We would reform the Peace Corps National Advisory Council that has been in abeyance since 1980 by providing that donated funds from a qualified nonprofit organization would cover all administrative costs for the advisory council with no cost to the taxpayers. prgtoken We would include Respect for Peace Corps Volunteers Act, H.R. 1411, sponsored by Congressman Sires of New Jersey since 2013, allowing use of the Peace Corps logo in headstones and other funeral materials, in reco
COMMERCE, JUSTICE, SCIENCE, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2020
Pete Aguilar (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-6-25

. prgtoken With the approach of the 2020 Census, the U.S. Census Bureau needs a strong infusion of resources to ensure a thorough and accurate count. prgtoken As a member of the Appropriations Committee, my colleague knows that the funding level provided for the Census Bureau in this bill is more in line with recent revised budget costs and estimates. This bill also supports critical funding of the Bureau as it embarks on the most technologically advanced Census in its history, including $1 billion in infrastructure that includes IT funding to enhance the Bureau's cybersecurity efforts and protect respondents' personal data and information submitted to the Bureau. Every dollar can be tied to an original plan, a cost estimate, or a recommendation submitted by the department. prgtoken There appears to be a growing attack on the Census out of fear of a demographically changing country and a concerning effort by the other side to skew the results in their favor. prgtoken We need every dollar in this Census because the administration is fear-mongering, because they are trying to force an undercount with the inclusion of the citizenship question, and, in reality, we are recommending a funding level consistent with what they indicated they need for a fair and accurate count. prgtoken Any proposal to decrease this amount increases the risk of undercounts of minority and hard-to-count communities, including rural parts of this country that lack broadband services. prgtoken Such an undercount would cause these areas to lose out on political representation and Federal funding. prgtoken Reduced funding for the Census also increases the risk of cyber intrusions and the release of protected personal data. prgtoken This bill already provides a strong increase for immigration judges, as the gentleman mentioned, consistent with the administration's request, an increase of over $110 million over the fiscal year 2019 level that provides for an additional 100 judge teams, which my colleague acknowledged in his remarks. prgtoken I am not aware of a Census slush fund, but I am aware that these are vital resources that will help count our communities, help ensure that this is done fairly, and help ensure that hard-to-count communities are counted. prgtoken The Justice Department is not able to hire any faster than that, as the gentleman acknowledged. prgtoken , I urge rejection of this motion. I urge my colleagues to vote ``no,'' and .
FINANCIAL SERVICES AND GENERAL GOVERNMENT APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2020
Mike Quigley (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2019-6-25

I support this amendment. prgtoken USF is an important and effective funding mechanism to ensure that all Americans have access to the broadband services necessary to fully participate in modern life. Not only does the USF subsidize broadband build-out in areas that would otherwise be too expensive to serve, but it includes Lifeline, a support program that ensures that communication services are not just accessible, but affordable. prgtoken This FCC proposal was nothing but an unpopular and ill-advised effort to undermine the USF, even as the country continues to face deep and lasting disparities and access to modern communication service. prgtoken Mr. Chair, for those reasons, I support the amendment.
REAUTHORIZE NUTRIA ERADICATION AND CONTROL ACT
Jim Costa (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-6-25

I rise today to recognize June as National Portuguese Heritage Month. prgtoken Representative Cox and I have introduced legislation, along with the Portuguese Caucus, to officially recognize the key role that Portuguese Americans have played in the growth of our Nation and highlight their valuable and significant contributions to our society. prgtoken Portugal was the first neutral nation to establish diplomatic ties with the United States over 240 years ago. They have contributed to every facet of American society, from manning the early whaling ships in New England to the introduction of agriculture throughout the country. prgtoken They have served with distinction and proudly in our military and have been leaders in government at every level in our country. In 1979, Tony Coelho, my friend from California, was elected as the first American of Portuguese descent to the United States House of Representatives. prgtoken In addition to lawmaking, Portuguese Americans have made lasting contributions to science, music, and in other areas of business, through people like former Secretary of Energy and nuclear physicist Ernest Moniz and the famous March King, John Philip Sousa, who wrote the iconic song ``Stars and Stripes Forever'' as he headed the Marine Corps band. prgtoken They are also leaders in agriculture throughout our Nation--in California, most notably in the dairy industry. prgtoken The Portuguese American story is the American story of immigrants past and immigrants present who have come here through generations to have a better life for themselves and their families. prgtoken Values that my own parents and grandparents instilled in myself and my sister have never been far from my heart, that family and tradition and that an ethic of hard work are important in our country for all immigrant groups, and realizing that with that ethic, anything can be accomplished in America. prgtoken , I ask my colleagues today to join me in recognizing and celebrating the many ways in which the Portuguese American communities have changed, shaped, and influenced our country through our industries and, most importantly, through their ideals and their love of family and becoming a part of that American Dream. prgtoken , I inquire as to how much time I have remaining.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2020--Continued
Richard Blumenthal (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2019-6-25

I am pleased and honored to be on the floor with my colleague, the Senator from the great State of Rhode Island. We share a border, and we share many common views, one of them being a commitment to our environment. Senator Whitehouse has been a historic champion of action against environmental degradation, as well as climate change--global warming--which brings us to the floor today. prgtoken We are here to call attention and call for action in connection with the effects of climate change on the waters off our State and the east coast of our Nation. prgtoken There is a palpable, historic consequence to the warming of those waters, among others, to drive fish populations northward in search of cooler waters. The Northeast has already experienced some of the highest levels of ocean warming and sea level rise in the United States. They are only projected to exacerbate and exceed the present levels. prgtoken There are storms our States--Rhode Island and Connecticut, and others up and down the East Coast and all around the country--have experienced. Those new superstorms are becoming the new normal in our Nation, the most recent being the unprecedented hurricane and then Superstorm Sandy. prgtoken Connecticut and Rhode Island are poised to lose land to sea level rise. Scientists predict an almost 2-foot increase in the level of Long Island Sound by 2050. My colleague Senator Whitehouse has been here more times than I can count--I think more than 200 times--to call our attention to the effects and the causes of this historic and catastrophic trend of climate change in our Nation and on our planet. prgtoken What brings us here today is the very discrete and disastrous consequence of those waters warming and changing fish populations that are available to a group of our citizens and residents who have been an economic mainstay and backbone for our States. They are the fishermen who carry on a great profession and way of life, despite an outdated and Byzantine quota system that has failed to adapt to those movements of fish stock, like black sea bass, summer flounder, and scup from their waters northward and then new fish populations from the Mid- Atlantic States to our waters. prgtoken These fish quotas fail to take account of changing fish populations. The fish are smart biologically. They know when the waters are warming. They seek cooler waters further north, but the quotas fail to keep track. So the fish that are caught by our fishermen are not the same kinds as they caught before, and they are not the same kinds that are contemplated by the present quotas. They are catching fish they are required to throw back even after they are dead. So this quota system is failing at every level. It is failing environmentally if the goal is to enhance and save fish populations; it is failing economically because it is driving these fishermen out of their way of life; and it is failing in public policy by failin
HONORING SUSAN LLOYD YOLEN ON THE OCCASION OF HER RETIREMENT
Rosa L. DeLauro (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2019-6-25

. Madam . It is with great pleasure that I rise today to join family, friends, and colleagues in extending my heartfelt congratulations, deepest thanks, and sincere appreciation to Susan Lloyd Yolen as she marks her retirement after thirty-two years of dedicated service to Planned Parenthood of Southern New England. prgtoken Susan has dedicated her professional life to ensuring that those served by PPSNE have had access to the health care and services that they need. As Vice President of Public Policy & Advocacy, Susan has also been a strong voice on both the local and national stages for Planned Parenthood and the families they serve. prgtoken Throughout her thirty-two-year career, she spent countless hours leading the organization's efforts to fight for quality, affordable healthcare, as well as reducing teen birth rates and reducing racial and ethnic health disparities by removing barriers to services and information. Susan's steadfast commitment has earned her the respect and admiration not only of her colleagues at PPSNE, but that of the legislators and community activists who had the opportunity to work with her. prgtoken I would be remiss if I did not take a moment to extend a special note of thanks to Susan for her friendship and support over the years. She has been an invaluable resource to both myself and my staff. Susan has only ever been a phone call away and I, like so many others, consider myself fortunate to call her my friend. I am confident that I speak for everyone who has had the opportunity to work with Susan over the years when I say her passion, compassion, tenacity, and commitment will be deeply missed. prgtoken Planned Parenthood of Southern New England stands as a model for affiliates across the country and that is in large part because of Susan Yolen. Advocate, mentor, and friend, she has left an indelible mark on this outstanding organization and a legacy that will continue to inspire others to ensure that everyone has access to the affordable, quality reproductive health care they need and deserve. I am honored to stand today to extend my heartfelt thanks and congratulations to Susan, for her outstanding leadership and good work, as well as my very best wishes for many more years of health and happiness as she enjoys her retirement.