mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
BIPARTISAN BACKGROUND CHECKS ACT OF 2019
Steve Scalise (Republican, LA) \u2014 2019-2-27

. So now we have identified areas where law-abiding citizens can become felons. We tried to fix it; they wanted that to stay in place. prgtoken So what is that motivation? prgtoken But then we identified another problem. If someone who is in this country illegally goes to buy a gun and the system flags them, and it says: Wait a minute, this person is not even here legally. They are breaking Federal law trying to buy a gun. We said that we should notify ICE so at least our Border Patrol agents in the interior can deport them. They blocked that amendment. prgtoken So now a law-abiding citizen can become a felon under their bill, but someone who is here illegally trying to buy a gun in violation of the law can't be turned over to authorities. This is a bad gun control bill, and we ought to reject it.
Proposed Rules Change (Executive Session)
Chuck Grassley (Republican, IA) \u2014 2019-2-27

I come to the floor to talk about the IRS and tax issues and the tax bill last year, but following on what Senator Perdue said, I want to, first of all, compliment him for not only this speech but several times he has talked about how the Senate has stalled time after time on nominees. prgtoken I want to bring to my colleagues' attention that at one time, there was a lot of concern by President that his nominees were not being confirmed fast enough. We started hearing that in January 2013. All of a sudden, there was a feeling that we ought to have a bipartisan solution to this issue to speed along President 's nominees. At one time, the ic leader then was talking about using a nuclear option to accomplish a change in rules. Both s and thought that wasn't a very good idea, so s and got together and agreed to reduce postcloture debate time for the rest of the 113th Congress, although, before that Congress ended, Senator Reid decided to use the nuclear option anyway, and he did that at a later time. prgtoken If s and could get together in the 113th Congress to speed up the time and have less postcloture debate time, why can't we do it now? The problem, of course, is for the nominees being held up in the Senate, the time is far worse than it was under President or, for that matter, any other President before that. prgtoken It seems to me, as we are talking about changing the post-debate time again--because there is a resolution out of our Rules Committee--I think it is about time that we think that what is good for the goose is good for the gander, and we ought to reinstate that bipartisan agreement. I hope we can get the support of to do that like they had the support of s to do that when we had a ic President. prgtoken I thank Senator Perdue for what he spoke about on a longer basis than I just did, but I want to back him up fully.
BUDGET SCOREKEEPING REPORT
Michael B. Enzi (Republican, WY) \u2014 2019-2-27

I wish to submit to the Senate the budget scorekeeping report for February 2019. The report compares current-law levels of spending and revenues with the amounts the Senate agreed to in the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, BBA18. This information is necessary for the Senate Budget Committee to determine whether budgetary points of order lie against pending legislation. The staff of the Budget Committee and the Congressional Budget Office, CBO, prepared this report pursuant to section 308(b) of the Congressional Budget Act, CBA. prgtoken This is my second scorekeeping report this year. My last filing can be found in the Congressional Record for January 10, 2019. The information included in this report is current through February 25, 2019. prgtoken Since my last filing, two bills with significant budgetary effects cleared Congress, the Medicaid Extenders Act of 2019, P.L. 116-3, and the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2019, P.L. 116-6. prgtoken Budget Committee staff prepared Tables 1-3. prgtoken Table 1 gives the amount by which each Senate authorizing committee exceeds or is below its allocation for budget authority and outlays under the most recently adopted budget resolution and the fiscal year 2019 enforceable levels filing. This information is used for enforcing committee allocations pursuant to section 302 of the CBA. Over the current 10-year enforceable window, authorizing committees have increased outlays by a combined $3.4 billion. For this reporting period, as in my last report, 8 of the 16 authorizing committees are not in compliance with their allocations. Two of these committees, Finance and Judiciary, further exacerbated their violations during this work period with the passage of Medicaid Extenders and the authorizing division, Division H, of the final 2019 appropriations bill, respectively. For the Finance Committee, P.L. 116-3 was estimated to increase budget authority over each enforceable period for its allocation, with the largest violation, $120 million, occurring in 2019. For the Judiciary Committee, Division H of P.L. 116-6, which included various immigration extenders, was estimated to increase budget authority and outlays by $30 million over the next 10 years. prgtoken Table 2 provides the amount by which the Senate Committee on Appropriations is below or exceeds the statutory spending limits. This information is used to determine points of order related to the spending caps found in sections 312 and 314 of the CBA. Appropriations for fiscal year 2019, displayed in this table, show that the Appropriations Committee is compliant with spending limits for fiscal year 2019. Those limits for regular discretionary spending are $647 billion for accounts in the defense category and $597 billion for accounts in the nondefense category of spending. prgtoken The fiscal year 2018 budget resolution contained points of order limiting the use of changes in mandator
GREATER BRANDON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Ross Spano (Republican, FL) \u2014 2019-2-27

. Madam , I rise today to call attention to the Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce, an institution that has helped small businesses and business owners in the Tampa Bay area succeed for over 60 years. prgtoken I think specifically of Ron Pierce, a very good friend of mine who started his own consulting firm 10 years ago. Over the past decade, he has grown his small business to include four other consultants and now provides advice to some of the largest interests in Tampa, including the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Port of Tampa Bay. prgtoken On top of managing his own successful business, he is also an upstanding member of our community. He regularly volunteers to bring food and clothing to families in need. He has worked on youth drowning prevention and provided advice to leaders in Tampa Bay on how to improve our local economy. prgtoken In recognition of his service, the Chamber recently bestowed upon him the Community Leadership Award, the highest honor granted by the organization. prgtoken The Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce is a model organization in my district, and it helps small businesses succeed in their work so that they can then help others. prgtoken I am proud to be a member of the Brandon Chamber of Commerce. As a member of the Small Business Committee, I look forward to working with them to create a stronger economy for Tampa Bay.
The Green New Deal (Executive Session)
John Thune (Republican, SD) \u2014 2019-2-27

in a document later removed from her website, one of the Green New Deal's sponsors had this to say about the Green New Deal: ``The question isn't how we will pay for it, but what we will do with our new shared prosperity.'' ``The question isn't how we will pay for it . . .'' That was the quote. That is a pretty staggering statement when you consider that the Green New Deal plans to upend most of American society as we know it, from transportation to healthcare, but I suspect there was a simple reason the Green New Deal authors didn't want to talk about how to pay for it--because they couldn't figure out how. prgtoken This week, one think tank released a first estimate of what the Green New Deal would cost, and here is the answer: between $51 trillion and $93 trillion over 10 years--between $51 trillion and $93 trillion. Those numbers are so large that they are almost impossible to process. prgtoken Just for perspective, consider the fact that the entire Federal budget for 2019 is less than $5 trillion. That is the entire Federal budget--defense spending, domestic priorities, Medicare and Medicaid, Social Security, everything. prgtoken The Green New Deal could end up costing $9.3 trillion each year-- double the current Federal budget--and the government would still have to pay for a lot of other priorities on top of that. That money wouldn't cover defense spending, or Social Security, or a number of other urgent needs. prgtoken The Green New Deal would assuredly raise Americans' energy bills, but that is just a tiny fraction of what ' Green New Deal, which goes far prgtoken beyond mere energy policy, would cost American families. It is difficult to even imagine the staggering tax hikes that would be required to pay for this plan. prgtoken This plan would never be paid for just by taxing the well-off. That is always the argument we hear. Taxing every household making more than $200,000 a year at a 100-percent rate for 10 years would leave the far short of $93 trillion. Taxing every family making more than $100,000 a year at a 100-percent rate for 10 years would still leave far short of $93 trillion. In short, actually implementing this so-called Green New Deal would involve taking money not just from the well-off but from working families in this country-- and not a little bit of money either. prgtoken Ninety-three trillion dollars breaks down to over $600,000 per household. That is over 10 times the median household income in my State of South Dakota. prgtoken Should the ic Green New Deal come to pass, ordinary Americans would see incredible tax hikes. Middle-class Americans would see a substantial and permanent reduction in their standard of living. prgtoken When we talk about ' socialist fantasies, we tend to quickly fasten on the staggering costs of these programs, but it is important to also remember what else they would cost Americans. prgtoken Sociali
BIPARTISAN BACKGROUND CHECKS ACT OF 2019
Debbie Lesko (Republican, AZ) \u2014 2019-2-27

. Mr. Chair, such time as I may consume. prgtoken Mr. Nadler, in his statement, said that my amendment would allow dangerous people to get guns. I have to say I disagree. prgtoken I am the ranking member on the Committee on Homeland Security subcommittee that deals with TSA, and the TSA PreCheck system is more stringent than the background check currently required to obtain a gun, when you purchase it. Again, it requires a fingerprint background check and an individual interview. Neither of those are required right now. prgtoken We had offered a number of amendments to help this bill become less burdensome on law-abiding citizens, and so I am happy that one was at least ruled in order, this TSA one, and I would ask my colleagues to please vote ``yes'' on it. prgtoken , I urge adoption of this commonsense amendment, and .
Disaster Relief (Executive Calendar)
David Perdue (Republican, GA) \u2014 2019-2-27

I rise to talk about a crisis in my home State and indeed five other States across the Southeast. I rise to talk about disasters in California and to talk about our friends in Puerto Rico. prgtoken On October 10, 2018, Hurricane Michael made landfall on the Florida Panhandle as a category 4 hurricane. It was one of the strongest storms to ever hit the United States. Over the next few hours, Hurricane Michael barreled through Florida and tore through southwest Georgia. In a matter of minutes, homes were flattened, tracks of timber were destroyed, and farmers' crops lay down in the field. People's lives were radically affected forever. prgtoken This hurricane hit at exactly the time of year when most crops were ready for harvest. It doesn't matter if they were peanuts, cotton, or pecans--they were all just beautiful this year. As a matter of fact, in the State of Georgia, I grew up working on our family's farm there, and I have to say the cotton crop last year was probably the best I had ever seen. It was almost cruel. Today, agriculture is Georgia's top industry and our No. 1 economic driver. Before the hurricane, farmers in my State were expecting a record harvest. Instead, their crops were completely destroyed. prgtoken Shortly after the hurricane hit, President , Vice President , and Secretary of Agriculture Perdue all came down to Georgia. Together, we toured the devastation and heard from farmers and local officials about the tough road of recovery ahead. Some farmers said they could clean up, replant, and have a crop next year as long as they had adequate resources. Other farmers were not so lucky. prgtoken Georgia is the top pecan-producing State in the country. One of our largest pecan farms is owned by two brothers in Bainbridge, which the Vice President and I personally visited. We personally saw the damage in their fields. Some 800 acres of pecan trees were gone. I cannot describe to you what that looks like. On the ground was a solid carpet--if you can imagine this--of mature, beautiful, inch-long pecans that were ready to be harvested but were on the ground, ruined. prgtoken One brother said: The farmer in me wants to farm this land, but there's no way I can make it. Next year is the year I'll lose it, because we're not like the cotton guy. Nothing against them, but they get to replant a seed next year and have a crop. I don't. prgtoken The problem is that the pecan crop can be annually insured, but there is no insurance product for insuring pecan trees. If these two brothers replant, it could take 7 to 10 years for the trees to mature enough to even generate a minimum revenue. Most likely, full production would take over 12 years. For them, this is truly a generational loss. prgtoken The other brother said: My brother and I built this business from nothing. We will make it. We may not be in the pecan business anymore, but we wi
REQUIRE NICS TO REPORT TO ICE
Ben Cline (Republican, VA) \u2014 2019-2-27

. Madam , I was disappointed in the passage of H.R. 8 just a few moments ago, which will do nothing to address the rash of mass shootings that have occurred across this country in recent years but will place impediments in the way of law-abiding citizens acquiring firearms and in defense of their Second Amendment rights. But I was pleased that the motion to recommit was adopted. prgtoken That motion was based on an amendment I offered in committee to require the national instant background system to report to ICE when an illegal immigrant tries to obtain a firearm in violation of current law. I was pleased that it received 220 votes. prgtoken I have drafted it as a standalone bill. I will offer it for cosponsorship. I hope my colleagues will join me in cosponsoring the bill and ensuring those not here legally who try to purchase a gun are reported to ICE and deported before they commit additional crimes.
RECOGNIZING DELEGATES OF THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR LEARNING DISABILITIES
Bruce Westerman (Republican, AR) \u2014 2019-2-27

I rise today to recognize a very impressive group of individuals visiting the Capitol this week. prgtoken Delegates of the National Center for Learning Disabilities have traveled from all over the country to advocate for themselves and their peers. prgtoken When it comes to learning, each of us must deal with our own unique challenges. These young people face some particularly difficult obstacles, including dyslexia and dysgraphia, which interfere with the brain's ability to interpret information. prgtoken But they have not let these obstacles prevent them from doing great things. They have persevered, working hard, not just for their own success but for the future success of others. prgtoken By traveling to Washington to share their stories and discuss opportunities for governmental and societal change, these young adults have demonstrated deep commitment to the community of those who have learning disabilities. prgtoken I admire their dedication and hope to use my role as co-chair of the Congressional Dyslexia Caucus to help them in these efforts. May they be encouraged to keep up their great work.
RECOGNIZING THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA-LINCOLN
Deb Fischer (Republican, NE) \u2014 2019-2-27

I rise today because in 1869, 150 years ago, the Nebraska Legislature unanimously passed and our Governor signed legislation that established the University of Nebraska. prgtoken The Morrill-Land Grant Colleges Act, signed into law by President Abraham Lincoln in 1862, provided Nebraska with land to establish colleges focused on agriculture and the mechanic arts. The university opened its doors in our State capital, Lincoln, where we honor President Lincoln's namesake. prgtoken Since then, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln has grown to an enrollment of over 25,000 students, providing over 5,000 new graduates to the workforce each year and over $2 billion in annual economic impact for Nebraska across our 93 counties. prgtoken The university holds a special place in my heart. I am a graduate of the university. Staying true to its roots, UNL remains a national leader in water, agriculture, and rural development research, helping to transform our State, which was once called the Great American Desert, into one of the greatest agricultural exporting regions in the world. prgtoken On top of equipping Nebraskans with the skills to feed the world, the university has emerged as a leading institution for early childhood education and national security and defense research. prgtoken The university's sports teams unite our Nebraska communities, and they fuel our pride in our great State. Whether it is to cheer on our five-time national championship winning football team at Memorial Stadium or at the Devaney Center to support one of our State's treasures, the five-time national champion women's volleyball team, Lincoln is filled with a sea of Husker red on game days. prgtoken What is more, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln leads the Nation with 333 Academic All-Americans across our Cornhusker sports teams. prgtoken The university is also important to the culture of our State, showcasing some of the best of the good life--attractions such as the State Museum, which is the largest natural history museum in Nebraska or the Larsen Tractor Test and Power Museum or the East Campus Dairy Store known across our State for its wonderful cheese and, of course, ice cream. prgtoken The university, like our State, has grown and accomplished much over the last century and a half, and that is why my colleague from Nebraska and I have introduced a Senate resolution recognizing UNL's 150th anniversary on February 15 of 2019. prgtoken This is a formal way for this body to extend our congratulations to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln on this special milestone in its history. I urge my colleagues to support the passage of the resolution because, as my colleague and I know so well, there is no place like Nebraska. prgtoken Here is to the next 150 years and beyond for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. prgtoken , I yield some time to my colleague from Nebraska so that he may make remarks on this resolution as well.
RECOGNIZING THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA-LINCOLN
Ben Sasse (Republican, NE) \u2014 2019-2-27

I thank my senior Senator, Deb Fischer, for her leadership and drawing attention to the 150th anniversary of the University of Nebraska. Senator Fischer is a tireless champion of our State and of this special university, her alma mater. prgtoken I am sad to admit in public that I am not a graduate of the University of Nebraska, but I had lied about my age for many, many years to be able to vend and sell concessions at Huskers sporting events before I was old enough to do it so that I could be deeply affiliated with this institution, even though I didn't graduate from there. prgtoken I salute my senior Senator and her leadership in drawing attention to this. I want to tell stories about Coach Osborne, who was my boyhood hero, about crying as a 12-year-old after the January 2, 1984, national championship game in Miami, about Scott Frost and how he is going to soon lead us back to the promised land, but I have already been warned by the Presiding Officer that the Senate has some informal unwritten rules that actually prohibit football evangelism on the floor. prgtoken I will move along to celebrate, with my senior Senator, our volleyball national championships, our bowling national championships, and the fact that Nebraska is or was once known as the Great American Desert, and we are now the most trade-dependent, export-dependent State per capita in the Union precisely because we live on the great Ogallala Aquifer, the most productive land anywhere on Earth and at any point in the history of the Earth. prgtoken We grow so much more food than we can ever conceivably consume that we feed the world from Nebraska, and a huge part of that is because of the ag extension programs of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. There are a lot of great Americans and great patriots who serve at the University of Nebraska on the faculty, in the administration, and donors and alumni and our current students, and the 150th anniversary is a great moment for our State. All 50 States have colleges and universities they are proud of, but there is no State that is more identified with its university than Nebraska. I would like to join my senior Senator and applaud her for her leadership in bringing this resolution today.
BIPARTISAN BACKGROUND CHECKS ACT OF 2019
Christopher H. Smith (Republican, NJ) \u2014 2019-2-27

. Mr. Chair, when I voted for the Brady Law in 1993--which took effect on February 28, 1994--it was to keep firearms out of the hands of dangerous persons including felons and abusers. prgtoken Twenty-five years later--and 300 million background checks that have blocked 3 million purchases to dangerous individuals--few if any today seriously suggest that the Brady law should be repealed. prgtoken I support the Second Amendment. Universal background checks prescribed in H.R. 8 are an attempt to ensure that firearms are procured, owned and used by responsible, law abiding citizens. prgtoken According to the Brady Campaign, about 1 in 5 guns now sold in America are done so without a background check. That's a significant loophole. prgtoken According to the CDC, there was a record 39,773 deaths from firearms in 2017--higher than in any other year--23,854 were self-inflicted and 14,542 were homicides. prgtoken To mitigate gun violence in America, H.R. 8 expands Brady background checks to transactions by private sellers not currently covered by the law. prgtoken Multiple school shootings have led to robust, comprehensive action at every level to make classrooms safer. I have visited many schools in my district--and I have found that while the threat is being taken seriously, no one policy, program or initiative can ensure the level of protection our students need and deserve. prgtoken Mr. Chair, no constitutional right is absolute including the Second Amendment. The First Amendment's freedom of speech, for example, has reasonable limits including the promulgation of slander and libel law. prgtoken To preserve public order, we accept reasonable restrictions on the freedom to assemble. Even freedom of religion isn't without some modest boundaries. prgtoken In like manner, universal background checks don't erode Second Amendment rights but do help ensure much needed protection from gun violence for everyone.