mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
FREE SPEECH
Todd Young (Republican, IN) \u2014 2020-8-5

``Freedom is the freedom to say that two plus two makes four. If that is granted, all else follows''--so wrote novelist George Orwell. prgtoken In the late 1980s, I traveled to the former Soviet Union as part of a youth soccer program. Now, decades have passed since that trip, of course, but the memories to me are still vivid. The shelves were barren. Citizens drank from communal water fountains. The items most in demand and hardest to find were American items: blue jeans--Levi Strauss--and bubble gum. prgtoken Of course, those weren't the only things common in Indiana that were contraband behind the Iron Curtain. For decades, news, literature, art, or entertainment that was not broadcast or approved by the state was scarce and available only by bootleg. prgtoken The monuments towering over Russia were built to honor those who controlled it, the same men who regularly erased parts of Russia's history to suit their own political purposes, not to serve others. prgtoken This was a society where ideas and dialogue existed only underground, where watching American movies was a jailable offense, where free thinkers weren't found in newspapers or airwaves but locked away in labor camps, where information protected the State instead of empowering the individuals, where history was constantly purged and revised. prgtoken By the time I visited, though, Soviet leadership, in self- preservation mode, had gradually allowed citizens access to information and media as new technologies emerged. It was only a ray of sunlight through a very small crack, but through it, people all across the former Soviet Union and the Eastern Bloc could finally see and hear what had long been hidden from them: jazz, rock `n' roll, Star Wars, Chuck Norris, Dr. Zhivago, and Robinson Crusoe. History once erased was restored. The truth of Stalin's murders was revealed. prgtoken Inevitably, the fatal conceit of a centrally planned Communist economy was exposed, and large numbers of Russians realized just how poorly their quality of life compared to the free, Western alternative. They were even permitted rights to express dissatisfaction with their circumstances. prgtoken A totalitarian regime's greatest ally is darkness and silence. Keeping a people in the dark is the surest way to guarantee they never demand their God-given rights. But just a trickle of information, just a hint of truth, a small offering of differing perspectives, and a touch of freedom of expression helped lead to the Soviet Union's demise--``the freedom to say that two plus two make four.'' prgtoken Free people become and stay free through open dialogue because of the free exchange of information and ideas--even ones we disagree with; because of patience with perspectives that are not our own; because we study our history, celebrate its highs, and learn from its lows. prgtoken That is why--that is why--it was painful to read recently that over 60 percent of Americans ar
NATIONAL DEBT
Rick Scott (Republican, FL) \u2014 2020-8-5

I rise today to address a topic that Washington has been ignoring for decades. For years, s fought against wasteful spending under the administration. My party argued that our debt and deficits were unsustainable, and they were leaving a burden that our children and grandchildren simply can't afford. Unfortunately, my party has shown an almost equal disregard for the dangers of a growing national debt and annual deficits, as have the . prgtoken Congress spends taxpayer money with no accountability--something you would never do in business or in your personal life--and our Federal Government is borrowing an unprecedented amount of money. Congress borrows money with no plan to pay it back. Our families and our businesses cannot do that. Congress is leaving debt for the next generation. Parents and grandparents don't do that. prgtoken This year, between mid-March and late June, the Treasury's total borrowing rose by about $2.9 trillion, and the Federal Reserve's holdings of U.S. Treasury debt rose by about $1.6 trillion. The Federal Reserve is creating an artificial market for treasuries to keep interest rates low. This is not sustainable and will have dire consequences. There will come a time when they can't purchase any more treasuries and rates will increase. prgtoken When the Federal Reserve can no longer keep interest rates low, everything from car loans to student loans prgtoken to mortgages become more expensive for the American people, and the interest on our debt, which is already the fourth largest expenditure in the Federal budget, will become our largest expenditure. For every 1 percent increase in our interest rate, we are going to spend almost $2 trillion over 10 years. That is more money the taxpayers get no return on. prgtoken Even during the economic boom we were experiencing, our Federal Government could not live within its means. Our Federal Government was set to spend approximately $4.6 trillion while collecting only $3.6 trillion in taxes in one of our greatest economies ever. prgtoken Now, as we continue to address the coronavirus pandemic, the Federal Government this year will spend more than $7 trillion and collect much less than $3 trillion. The market is telling us that lenders are not confident this pandemic is being handled in a fiscally responsible manner. We are seeing the price of gold at a record high and the dollar devaluing, and this is just the beginning. prgtoken Now Congress wants to spend more, even though we still don't know how much has already been spent from previous relief packages. What is happening in Washington, DC, is wrong. It is unfair to Americans who work hard every day to take care of their families. prgtoken For months, I made a weekly video called ``Washington Waste Wednesday'' to highlight all the ways Washington is currently wasting taxpayer dollars. It wasn't hard to find examples. Officials in Washington have failed
COVID-19 HEROES
Roy Blunt (Republican, MO) \u2014 2020-8-5

I want to talk about two topics today. One topic I was reminded of when I was in St. Joseph and Joplin, MO, over the weekend, talking to healthcare providers and volunteers of all kinds who are trying to do what they can to help us emerge from this pandemic stronger than we were to start with. prgtoken Certainly, what first comes to mind is the healthcare workers themselves--the medical workers, doctors, nurses, and support staff whom we have relied on from the very first moments that we began to realize that this virus was bigger than any health issue we have dealt with in a long time. We are still depending on them today. At some point someone can run out of some of the capacity and steam that you have to do the job that needs to be done, but we see these heroes continuing to step up, and some giving their lives. prgtoken Billy Birmingham, in Kansas City, was an emergency medical technician. He was with the Kansas City Fire Department, and he died of coronavirus in April. His son described Billy as selfless. He said Billy had decided he wanted to find new ways to help people. So he reinvented himself as an EMT when he was in his 40s so he could help others. He was an EMT for about 22 years. prgtoken We see the emergency medical technicians and first responders out there saving lives, bringing people into the hospital who are in a desperate situation, infectious, as many of them can be, and at sort of the height of suffering and unable to do much to help you help them, but we see that happening. We are benefited by it, and we see a lot of sacrifice in the community. prgtoken There are people such as Heather Black at the Harry S. Truman Memorial Hospital in Columbia, MO. She donated 623 hand-sewn masks for her colleagues and the veterans at the facility whom they care for. She brought her sewing machine to work so that she could make masks during her free time before and after her shift and during her breaks. One of her colleagues said: You have to be just literally awed by somebody that dedicated to helping people. Remember that she is making masks, and between the breaks she is helping care for the patients at the veterans hospital. prgtoken We see people finding different ways of being heroes in their communities. Dozens of people in Cape Girardeau, in May, decided to put a parade together for residents of the veterans home who were unable to have visitors. The veterans got to the windows and the dozens of people came by doing what they could to present a Memorial Day kind of parade. There are groups in St. Louis and other places, but particularly the one I was thinking about in St. Louis. They went around and collected food and personal care items, and they took those to people who had lost their jobs, who were suffering from the pandemic, who were isolated in their efforts. prgtoken I talked today to a number of people in the behavioral health area who understand that, at moments like this
CORONAVIRUS
Lisa Murkowski (Republican, AK) \u2014 2020-8-5

I appreciate the remarks of my colleague, Senator Blunt, and the effort he has made to really focus in on how we can ensure there are appropriate levels of testing as we respond to this COVID pandemic. We recognize that the technologies, treatments, and vaccines are what will get us there. prgtoken In the meantime, there are many men and women across the country who are doing extraordinary work responding on the healthcare side, as well as responding as we deal with the economic impact and the economic fallout due to the COVID-19 pandemic. prgtoken There are a lot of challenges--incredible challenges, all over the country--challenges to the health sector, to our economy, and to our everyday life. I think it is fair to say that the last 6 months have been emotionally exhausting for people. prgtoken We have heard this before. We are all ready for COVID-19 to be over, but the virus is not ready to be over with us. prgtoken We are adjusting to a new normal, and as we deal with it, I think it is important to acknowledge the individuals--really, the heroes--in so many of our communities who have saved lives and really provided a level of care and compassion throughout it all. prgtoken Like all States in the Nation, Alaska has been severely impacted by this pandemic. Last week was a pretty rough week for us. We were included among the States with the fastest growing numbers in terms of rates of transmission. Fortunately, that seems to be tapering a little bit right now but only with very aggressive measures. prgtoken In my hometown of Anchorage, our mayor has resumed the hunker-down mode for us in terms of restaurants and bars being closed to indoor dining or a recognition that many of the advances we had been able to move forward on are now being ratcheted back. There are also additional travel restrictions. prgtoken For us, it is a time of year when our communities all over the State would be welcoming droves of tourists, all coming to enjoy the best of Alaska, but this year, our season is all but eliminated, almost nonexistent. Certainly, when it comes to recognizing the volume of tourists the cruise industry provides to Alaska, those have all been canceled. The flights that people would make to the State have been made more difficult by mandatory quarantine for our travelers. It has not impacted just the tourism sector; it has impacted the oil industry, the service industry, and our fisheries. prgtoken As I mentioned, as difficult as these economic times are, the most important thing we all need to be focused on is the health and safety of our people. prgtoken I have tremendous appreciation and gratitude for all the healthcare workers and the individuals who work to protect Alaskans on a daily basis. prgtoken In Alaska, we are extremely fortunate to have our COVID-19 health response led by Dr. Anne Zink. She is our State's chief medical officer. She, along with her team at the Division of Public Health,
AUTHORITY FOR COMMITTEES TO MEET
James Lankford (Republican, OK) \u2014 2020-8-5

I have 8 requests for committees to meet during today's session of the Senate. They have the approval of the majority and Minority Leaders. prgtoken Pursuant to rule XXVI, paragraph 5(a), of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the following committees are authorized to meet during today's session of the Senate. committee on banking, housing, and urban affairs prgtoken The Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, August 5, 2020, at 2 p.m. to meet in Executive Session to vote on the following nominations: The Honorable Hester Peirce, of Ohio, to be a member of the Securities and Exchange Commission; Mrs. Caroline Crenshaw, of the District of Columbia, to be a member of the Securities and Exchange Commission; and Mr. Kyle Hauptman, of Maine, to be a member of the National Credit Union Administration Board. committee on commerce, science, and transportation prgtoken The Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, August 5, 2020, at 10 a.m. the committee will hold a full committee hearing titled ``Oversight of the Federal Trade Commission.'' committee on energy and natural resources prgtoken The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate in order to hold a hearing on Wednesday, August 5, 2020, at 10 a.m. The purpose of the hearing is to examine Federal and industry efforts to improve cyber security for the energy sector, including how to improve collaboration on various cyber security and critical infrastructure protection initiatives.
COVID-19 HEROES
John Hoeven (Republican, ND) \u2014 2020-8-5

I rise to join my colleagues in honoring those who have helped their communities to overcome challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. prgtoken There are many everyday heroes who deserve recognition. We have seen the efforts of our first responders, law enforcement, teachers, postal and delivery employees, and store workers, among others, who have continued providing essential services in spite of the challenges brought on by the coronavirus. prgtoken As the chairman of the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee, I have spoken many times about the critically important work of our farmers and our ranchers. prgtoken I see I am joined here on the floor by our Agriculture Committee chairman. I know he has been down here as well pointing out how our farmers and ranchers are continuing to provide food, fuel, and fiber for our Nation even during this pandemic. We are working to help and support them during this challenging time. Every American benefits every day from the work of those farmers and ranchers, who provide the highest quality and lowest cost food supply in the world in tough times and even in times when we face something like a pandemic. prgtoken Today, I would like to recognize the valiant efforts of the healthcare professionals in my State and across this country and highlight some of the work our North Dakotans are doing--doctors, nurses, and many others working in hospitals and clinics across our State. prgtoken North Dakota's healthcare professionals have been working around the clock to prevent the spread of this virus and to treat those affected by COVID-19. prgtoken One example is Dr. Chris Pribula, a graduate of the University of North Dakota Medical School, who worked with a team to set up the COVID Care Unit at Sanford Hospital in Fargo. He was on duty when the first COVID patient arrived at the hospital and remained on duty for the next 18 days straight to make sure that staff and patients had everything they needed. prgtoken Over the past several months, I have held a number of roundtables with healthcare professionals in North Dakota. As we have discussed issues and challenges, one thing is clear: Our healthcare providers are diligent and dedicated in their efforts to prepare for and prevent the spread of coronavirus and to provide patients with the best possible care. prgtoken Another individual highlighted by his colleagues is Dr. Kremens, a critical care physician at Essentia Health who intubated and managed multiple critically ill patients at once. Dr. Kremens is a good example of the many intensive care and emergency department physicians and nurses who have fought on the frontlines of the pandemic and continue to do so. prgtoken We are grateful for the dedicated service of the many healthcare professionals in North Dakota and recognize that they and their loved ones have made many sacrifices during this health emergency. prgtoken We worked to provide our health provid
Introductory Statement on S. 4460
Susan M. Collins (Republican, ME) \u2014 2020-8-5

I rise today to introduce the State Veterans Homes Domiciliary Care Flexibility Act. This bill would address a current gap in care for veterans in Maine living with early- stage dementia. Specifically, it would ensure that the VA can waive certain eligibility requirements to allow veterans with early-stage dementia to be cared for in State veterans' homes when it is in the best interest of the veteran. prgtoken In Maine, we lead the way in caring for our veterans. For more than 40 years, Maine Veterans' Homes has been a vital part of our State's commitment to our heroes. My father, Donald Collins, a decorated World War II veteran, was cared for by the Veterans' Home in Caribou at the end of his life, so I know firsthand the compassion and care that Maine Veterans' Homes provide. In the land of the free, Maine Veterans' Homes help ensure that there will always be a home for the brave when they need care. prgtoken As chairman of the Senate Aging Committee and representing the oldest State by median age in the country, I have championed policies to help individuals living with dementia, such as Alzheimer's disease, as well as America's hidden heroes--our military and veteran caregivers. I cofounded the Senate Alzheimer's Task Force in recognition of the devastating impact prgtoken that disease has on individuals and families. prgtoken Our Nation owes America's veterans our deepest gratitude. We must honor our commitment to veterans by continuing to support their needs, including the needs of veterans who are living with early-stage dementia. prgtoken The State Veterans Homes Domiciliary Care Flexibility Act would require VA to implement a waiver authority, allowing the VA to grant domiciliary care per diem payments for veterans who meet at least half of the VA's current eligibility requirements and if such a waiver would be in that veterans' best interest. This will provide the flexibility to ensure this vulnerable group of veterans do not fall through the cracks and that VA can help address the growing needs for assistance for these patients. prgtoken , this legislation has the support of Melissa Jackson, the president of the National Association of State Veterans Homes, as well as Kelley Kash, CEO of Maine Veterans' Homes, and I urge all of my colleagues to join me in honoring and supporting some of our Nation's most vulnerable veterans by supporting its passage.
IMMIGRATION
Robert Menendez (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2020-8-5

I come to the Senate floor to speak about a topic that is very close to my heart. prgtoken As the son of Cuban refugees and as a first-generation American, the struggles of immigrant families are not something I read about in books or watched on television. I lived them. I saw with my own eyes what it meant to grow up in an immigrant family in a low-income tenement in Union City, NJ. My mother worked tirelessly as a seamstress and sacrificed everything to make sure that my siblings and I could have a better life and a better future, because that is the very essence of what we call the American dream. It is about ensuring that the next generation has it better than we do and that our children and grandchildren and their children and grandchildren have greater opportunities than we do to realize their full potential. prgtoken It doesn't matter who you are, where you are from, or when your ancestors came to this country. We are a nation built by immigrants. Every single member of this great and storied body is a descendant of those who came to America, seeking better lives for themselves and their loved ones. prgtoken The President is a second-generation American. His grandfather, Friedrich , came here from Germany. Our First Lady is herself an immigrant. Yet this administration and President have gone to painstaking lengths to deny, erase, and ignore the contributions of immigrants to American life and culture, innovation and ingenuity, economy and prosperity. They have worked overtime to deny the very fact that the immigrant story is America's story. prgtoken As an old saying in Spanish goes, (English translation of the statement made in Spanish is as follows): ``There is nothing worse than not wanting to see what is right in front of you.'' prgtoken 's endless lies and attacks on immigrants started long before he descended down that escalator in Tower to announce his run for the Presidency. They haven't stopped since. prgtoken The President recently took another aggressive step in his war to erase immigrants from the portrait of America when he issued an unconstitutional edict to exclude our undocumented brothers and sisters from being counted in the 2020 census for the purpose of determining representation in Congress. prgtoken His message was loud and clear to immigrant communities across the country: You are not welcome here. You don't belong here. You don't count. prgtoken His goal is to instill fear in immigrant communities, and that is shameful and un-American. prgtoken Let's be clear. The U.S. Constitution is explicit on this particular point. Article I, section 2 clearly reads: ``Representatives and direct Taxes shall be apportioned among the several States which may be included within this Union, according to their respective Numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole Number of free Persons.'' prgtoken The census requires an accurate count of all p
UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2020-8-5

. from Utah for his response to my proposal. My staff reviewed his amendment yesterday. We quickly reviewed the language, and I would like to share my reactions. prgtoken Senator Lee does not include my language to protect children of immigrant workers from aging out during the delay in early filing because of objections on his side of the aisle. I am disappointed. prgtoken Senator Lee's amendment would modify my proposal to allow immediate implementation of the 50-50 rule, so the rule would go into effect after 180 days. prgtoken Senator Lee would also provide that current H-1B employees may continue to change employers. My purpose is to prevent outsourcing from continuing to exploit the H-1B visa program by hiring new H-1B employees. Senator Lee's language would not allow these companies to import new H-1B workers to exploit, so that is not objectionable to me. Senator Lee's amendment also accepts my proposal to delay by 1 year the bill section changing the distribution of green cards to allow processing time for pending applications. prgtoken To sum up, this amendment currently being considered, for which unanimous consent has been asked, includes several key provisions I have advocated for that were not in Senator Lee's original bill, including early filing to protect immigrant workers and their families who are stuck in the backlog; an annual green card set-aside for immigrant workers who are ineligible for early filing because they are overseas; a 1-year delay in section 2 of the bill to protect immigrant workers with pending green card applications; and the 50-50 rule to protect American jobs and workers and to prevent the exploitation of immigrant workers, which helped to create the green card backlog. prgtoken Therefore, I am prepared to accept this amendment in the spirit of bipartisan compromise. I will not object to Senator Lee's request.