mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
CONGRATULATING THE RAINES AND MANDARIN HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL TEAMS
John H. Rutherford (Republican, FL) \u2014 2018-12-19

I rise today to congratulate the Raines High School football team for winning the Florida 4A State championship and, also, the Mandarin High School football team for winning the Florida 8A State championship. prgtoken Raines High School now has won two straight State titles, while Mandarin just captured their first State football championship ever. This marks the first time in history that two public schools from Duval County, Florida, have won the State championship in the same season. prgtoken Football is a big part of Florida culture. Many kids grow up with dreams of winning the championship under those Friday night lights, and these student athletes have demonstrated the commitment and work ethic to be successful both on the field and in the classroom. prgtoken I congratulate them for bringing home some hardware to northeast Florida where it belongs, and I look forward to more championships to come. prgtoken Congratulations once again to Mandarin and Raines football on a victory these players will remember for the rest of their lives.
U.S. TROOP WITHDRAWAL FROM SYRIA
Marco Rubio (Republican, FL) \u2014 2018-12-19

earlier today, this morning, the administration announced the intent to remove all American troops--not a large presence, but all Americans troops--from Syria. I want to be clear, as I have been all day about this, that I believe it is a catastrophic mistake that will have grave consequences for the United States, for our interests, and our allies in the months and years to come. I want to take a moment to come here and explain why. prgtoken The rationale behind the decision we were given today by the administration is that there is no longer a need for U.S. presence in Syria because ISIS has been defeated. Just a week ago, the President's own envoy to the global coalition on ISIS said this, and I want to quote from the statement that he gave last week to the press. He said: [T]he end of ISIS will be a much more long-term initiative. Nobody is declaring a mission accomplished. We know that once the physical space is defeated we can't just pick up and leave. prgtoken This was a quote from the President's own envoy to the global coalition on ISIS--not 6 months ago, 6 days ago. We don't have time here or I could take up all the time of the Senate to outline statement after statement from military and diplomatic officials in the administration basically echoing the same point. prgtoken The point that we are making is this. ISIS still controls territory, particularly, in the Euphrates River valley of Syria. From the territory they still control, they generate money, they control the population, and they produce propaganda videos. Even if that is taken away, ISIS is on its way to turning into an insurgency--meaning, no longer an organization that prgtoken controls vast spaces of land or has a capital city--an insurgency like we saw in Iraq, an insurgency like what al-Qaida operated like and continues to operate like. Insurgencies in many ways are even harder to defeat because they don't wave a flag and tell you where they are, because they meld into the population by day and then wreak havoc and suffering by night. prgtoken I am not here to deny there hasn't been true progress made against ISIS. There absolutely has. If you look at what ISIS had, what ISIS controlled when this administration began and where they are today, this has been a substantial achievement, but we have to finish the job. The job is not finished. prgtoken Why has ISIS's presence in Syria been degraded? It is because the United States, with a very limited military presence--we are not talking Afghanistan here with tens of thousands of troops. We are not talking Iraq here with a massive surge. We are talking about a very capable but light footprint of American primarily trainers and people there to assist, although they most certainly can fight and have done so in the past. prgtoken Working alongside a ground force made up of the Syrian ic Forces--primarily Arabs--and the Kurdish forces from the YPG,
MODERNIZING RECREATIONAL FISHERIES MANAGEMENT ACT OF 2018
Garret Graves (Republican, LA) \u2014 2018-12-19

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , I reiterate that this is bipartisan legislation. I thank my friend from Arizona for the cooperation in ensuring that we get text that everyone agrees is a step in the right direction in improving that balance in the management of commercial and recreational fisheries, in ensuring that we have the best science informing our decisions and that our resource managers have access to that information and are allowed to use it. I thank the 24 bipartisan cosponsors from States like Georgia, South Carolina, Florida, Texas, and many other coastal States in the United States that worked with us on this to ensure that we move in the right direction. And I thank the dean of the House and the king in the North, Congressman Don Young, for all of the work that he has done for decades in progressing Federal fisheries management policy. prgtoken , I want to thank Bill Ball, Dustin Davidson, and the many staff who helped to work on this legislation, and .
FAREWELL TO CONGRESS
Ryan A. Costello (Republican, PA) \u2014 2018-12-19

I thank Carlos for his service to this country, to his constituents. He has been an exemplar of what it means to be a gentleman, somebody who comes in to work here every day in the Halls of Congress, serving the people, doing his best, giving it 110 percent. prgtoken What I would like to do, if I could, is just thank those residents in my congressional district residing in Chester prgtoken County, Pennsylvania; Montgomery County, Pennsylvania; Berks County, Pennsylvania; and Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, for the opportunity to serve you here in Congress for 2 terms. prgtoken This was always, admittedly, a dream of mine, and it is something that I took great pride in doing. It has been a very humbling experience. In some respects, it has been a very rewarding experience. In other respects, it has been challenging and frustrating at times. But when you are someone who puts your name on a sign and gets elected to this institution, you carry with yourself a certain humbleness and a certain sense of purpose that every single one of the 434 Members that I have served with--probably more since there has been resignations and reelections--but everyone who I have served with in this institution takes their job very, very seriously, and I just hope the American people realize that even as we have differences here, we have a lot more that binds us together as Americans, and everyone is here trying to do their very best. prgtoken I would also like to, real briefly, just thank my parents, Sherry and Tony, for their support through the years; my wife, Christine; my children, Ryan and Caroline; and the many great members of my staff who have just done an absolutely wonderful job. I think one thing that every single Member of Congress can universally agree to is that the staff is underappreciated, undercompensated; but without them, this institution would not run, and we would not be able to be as effective as we are day in and day out. prgtoken I would particularly like to recognize Lauryn Schothorst and Dante Cutrona, my chiefs of staff through the years; Kori Walter, my district director; Jason Carver, my constituent services director; and if I start naming all the other staff persons, I would probably forget one. But I just want each and every one of them to know how personally grateful I am for their service to Pennsylvania's Sixth Congressional District, this country, and myself. prgtoken And for all those whom I have served with, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for being a friend and being an advocate for this country and for your constituents all across this country. prgtoken This is a very special institution. It has been a real privilege to serve in it. God bless each and every one of you, and God bless America.
Tribute to John Cornyn (Executive Session)
James M. Inhofe (Republican, OK) \u2014 2018-12-19

I have a message to deliver this morning, but after sitting here and listening through and enjoying the comments that were made, I wanted to at least make one comment about the Senator from Texas. prgtoken In my real life, for a number of years, I was a builder and developer in South Texas. I know South Texas very well. I know the border well. That is why I have been down there so much and am so interested in, of course, the border wall, which we are going to have. But we have a wonderful friend and a person who has been a good friend. You would think he is dead, but he is not. He is very much alive, and he is back doing his full-time job. prgtoken I want to say that the time I spent with him down there in Texas long before he was even in the position he is in today--he has been a great hero down there not just to the people in Texas but people all over the country.
HOUSE FREEDOM CAUCUS
Jim Jordan (Republican, OH) \u2014 2018-12-19

everyone knows the old line: Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me. But we are going to have to change that line. We are going to need a new one. The new line should be: Fool the American people four times, shame on Congress. prgtoken Remember what we did in March? The March big omnibus spending bill? We said: Oh, no. We are not going to put the border wall funding on this bill because we are going to do it in September. prgtoken Then we get to September and say: Do you know what? Wait a minute. We are not going to put it on this bill because we are going to do it on December 7. prgtoken And then December 7 has come: Wait a minute. We are not going to keep our promise. We are not going to put the border wall funding money on that bill. We are going to do it December 21. prgtoken And what did we learn today? Now they are talking about kicking it to February 8. You have got to be kidding me. Really? prgtoken I mean, February 8, when Nancy Pelosi is , I am supposed to believe--we are supposed to believe that we are then going to build the border security wall and keep our promise from the 2016 campaign? No way. prgtoken Four different times we promised something and then kicked the can down the road. I will tell you this: You know when else we should have done it? March, September, December 7. prgtoken And now do you know when we really should have done it? Last week. Last week when the President of the United States stood in the Oval Office and told Congresswoman Pelosi: Nancy, this is fine. This is fine. We don't need to go behind closed doors. Transparency is a good thing. prgtoken Let's do what we said. Let's build the border security wall that we should have passed last week. Instead of taking a 6-day weekend, we should have passed it last week. prgtoken So I am sick of the games. The House Freedom Caucus is sick of the games. More importantly--most importantly--the American people are sick of the games. prgtoken So just like Congressman Perry said, let's do what we said. We make this job way, way too difficult. It is pretty simple. What did you tell the voters you were going to do? What did they elect you to do? Go do that. prgtoken , tomorrow, the Freedom Caucus is going to do that. We have an amendment. We have an amendment that says $5 billion for the wall, reform our asylum laws, fix the problem--a commonsense, basic amendment that everyone in this country knows needs to be done. prgtoken And now is the time to do it. We didn't do it the four times before, but now is the time to do it. So let's get it done this week. Let's do what we said. prgtoken , I appreciate the chairman's leadership of our group. I appreciate his Special Order tonight. We know what we have to do. Let's just do it.
AUTHORITY FOR COMMITTEES TO MEET
John Thune (Republican, SD) \u2014 2018-12-19

I have 3 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 Veterans' Affairs prgtoken The Committee on Veterans' Affairs is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, December 19, 2018, at 2 p.m to conduct a hearing. Select Committee on Intelligence prgtoken The Select Committee on Intelligence is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, December 19, 2018, at 2:30 p.m to conduct a closed hearing. Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights prgtoken The Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights of the Committee on the Judiciary is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, December 19, 2018, at 2:30 p.m to conduct a hearing.
STIGLER ACT AMENDMENTS OF 2018
Raúl M. Grijalva (Democrat, AZ) \u2014 2018-12-19

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , H.R. 2606 seeks to amend the 1947 Stigler Act by removing the arbitrary blood quantum levels it established for Indian land ownership. This will ensure that lands currently owned by the citizens of the Five Tribes of Oklahoma will remain in restricted fee status, regardless of their blood quantum levels or that of their heirs. prgtoken The House has already passed this measure once, and I am happy to agree to the changes that the Senate made to Mr. Cole's bill. prgtoken Upholding the sanctity of a Tribe's land base should be of utmost importance to Congress and the Federal Government as a whole. A tribal land base is not just about tax-exempt status or economic development, both of which are vitally important to tribal communities. It is also about construction of housing, schools, clinics, and eldercare facilities, things that are extremely vital to the health and the well- being of tribal members. prgtoken It is also about recognizing a tribe's historical, cultural, and spiritual connection to the land, land that they called their own until it was forcibly or wrongly taken from them. prgtoken We need to ensure that tribal sovereignty and self-governance are more than just talking points. There are real-world decisions that we make that have very real consequences, so it is shameful that a dark chapter in history is now repeating itself. I am referring to the dire situation that is facing the Mashpee Tribe of Massachusetts. prgtoken The Mashpee have inhabited present-day Massachusetts and eastern Rhode Island for more than 12,000 years. Their ancestors are the ones who welcomed the Pilgrims who landed at Plymouth Rock, as well as the people who aided these Pilgrims through the hard times of 1621 that we now refer to as our First Thanksgiving. prgtoken Like many tribes, the Mashpee were intentionally and systematically rendered landless through various actions by the States and the Federal Government. prgtoken They have fought long and hard since that time to reestablish that which was taken from them: their homeland. They fought first for Federal recognition, which they finally received in 2009 after a 30- year struggle. They then fought to establish a homeland for their people, which they finally did in 2015, when Interior approved their application to take 320 acres into trust for the Tribe. prgtoken Things were looking optimistic for the Mashpee people. They constructed a government center, which includes a school, courtrooms, and multipurpose rooms, and they established a medical clinic facility. They were planning to embark on economic development opportunities that would help sustain the Tribal people and ensure their prosperity for future generations. Then the rug was cruelly pulled out from beneath them. prgtoken In 2017, the Department of Justice, under the administration, inexplicably refused to continue to defend the status of the Tribe's r
REMEMBERING DONALD DOHERTY
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2018-12-19

McHenry, IL, lost one of its favorite sons on November 21. Donald Doherty was the mayor of McHenry from 1961 to 1973. He was a county board member for 20 years. He was a husband, a father, grandfather, a veteran of the U.S. prgtoken Army, and someone who truly loved his community. He was 91 years old. prgtoken If you go down Green Street in McHenry, you will come to the intersection of Pearl Street and Green Street and a sign for Honorary Donald P. Doherty Drive. Donald loved living in McHenry. People could always find Donald along Green Street at St. Patrick's Church or at city hall or at his family's drug store, Bolger Drugs. McHenry and his family were his life. prgtoken Before Donald became mayor in 1961, he ran the Bolger Drug Store. He was famous for going out of his way to help customers. If his store didn't have it, he would make sure the customer got it. The community rewarded him by choosing him to be mayor for 12 years. prgtoken His love of the community continued well after his time as mayor. He went on to serve as a member of the county board, the Knights of Columbus, and the McHenry Area Chamber of Commerce where he received the chamber's highest honor, the Frank E. Low Award. Donald often would consult succeeding mayors if they needed help. During McHenry Fiesta Days, you could find him as the parade marshal. prgtoken Donald helped make McHenry a better place to live for people. He loved car rides, playing bingo with his friends at the McHenry Country Club, and he missed playing Scrabble with his late wife, Rosalie. He leaves behind 10 children and 21 grandchildren.
FIRST STEP ACT
Ron Wyden (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2018-12-19

this week, with my support, the Senate passed the FIRST STEP Act of 2018. This is a groundbreaking step toward long overdue criminal justice reform in our country. Too many people have unnecessarily spent decades behind bars for nonviolent offenses or because of disproportionately harsh mandatory minimum sentences. When these individuals are finally released, if ever, they are met with loads of challenges stemming from the lack of rehabilitative help available before and after their release. prgtoken The FIRST STEP Act begins to address these issues. It allows for less prison time for nonviolent offenders, reduces harsh mandatory minimums, works to eliminate some racial disparities in sentencing, provides for meaningful education and job-training programs for inmates, and raises the chances that the incarcerated return to society for good. In short, this legislation is an important and overdue course correction from laws that, for years, created and amplified serious inequities in our criminal justice system. prgtoken However, the FIRST STEP Act is not perfect. I would like to offer a few thoughts on a particular component of the legislation. This legislation requires that the Attorney General develop what is called an evidence-based risk and needs assessment tool. If all goes right, it will be a data-driven software program designed to help incarcerated individuals reintegrate into society upon release. This tool is intended to take into account a person's ability to earn time off their sentence, how likely a person is to reoffend, their most effective treatment plan, access to resources like educational and work programs, and their housing assignment after release. prgtoken I am fully in support of fresh ideas. Ones that can help individuals reenter society are important and this bill contains a lot of them. But the fact is, some existing software programs, similar to the one proposed in this legislation, have been plagued by racial and class bias. Inherently biased software and algorithms can harm the vulnerable, especially if they are not deployed and monitored carefully. Oversight is necessary to ensure the FIRST STEP Act reforms, once implemented, do not inadvertently establish a new form of the same old discrimination. prgtoken Some safeguards have been put in place to ensure this software is developed without those biases. That includes establishing specific transparency requirements and an independent review committee made up of experts to advise the process. The rest is up to oversight. I am committed to closely monitoring how these reforms are implemented and put into practice. Given the broad support this legislation has on both sides of this body, I am hopeful that and s alike will be able to work together to ensure it is implemented the right way.
U.N. FRAMEWORK CONVENTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE
Thomas R. Carper (Democrat, DE) \u2014 2018-12-19

I rise today with two of our colleagues, Senator Ed Markey and Senator Jeff Merkley, to reflect on the 24th session of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change that concluded just this last weekend in the country of Poland. prgtoken This important conference, which is better known as COP24, refers to Conference of Parties 24. I think they have been meeting for 24 years. They met there for 2 weeks as leaders from nearly 200 nations, working to reach an agreement on how our world will actually implement the Paris climate agreement. prgtoken The stakes could not be higher. I am not one, as my colleagues know, given to hyperbole, but the future of our planet and the future of our children and grandchildren may well hang in the balance. prgtoken Was it a positive step forward that the international community could come together and agree to meaningful action to combat climate change on a global scale by finally getting to implement the Paris Agreement? Yes, it was. prgtoken Having said that, this agreement is not perfect, they know it, and we know it. No one is pretending that it is. It falls well short of the steps that the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the IPCC, determined just 1 month ago are needed to avoid the most catastrophic effects of climate change over the next decade. prgtoken The entire world needs to do even more to address this problem. That includes setting much more aggressive emissions reduction targets going forward to address the challenges of climate change in the years ahead. While we certainly can and should be doing more, though, this agreement is cause for hope that bolder future agreements are achievable, but reaching bolder future agreements is going to require real leadership from leaders and from nations across the world. After all, leadership is the biggest key to success for almost any organization or endeavor, and that includes saving this planet. prgtoken Unfortunately, our President, along with many in his administration, continue to reject climate science and deny the reality and the magnitude of the challenges we are facing. Well, here is the reality. prgtoken According to NOAA, the United States experienced 16 extreme weather- related disasters in 2017 that exceeded $1 billion apiece. In the past year alone, Americans paid $306 billion in damages due to storm surges, flooding, wildfires, crop freezes, and droughts--a new record. prgtoken Thirteen of our Nation's leading scientific Federal agencies recently reported to us in a National Climate Assessment that if we do nothing to address our climate emissions, today's extreme weather-related events will pale in comparison to what lies ahead. prgtoken Here is a sampling of what we can look forward to if we do nothing-- if we don't do enough. In the future, we can continue to expect rainfall or precipitation as measured by the foot, not by prgtoken the inch. We can continue to expect more wildfires