mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT
James E. Risch (Republican, ID) \u2014 2019-6-25

I rise today to discuss the proposed Udall amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act. It is not pending, but it has been filed, and thus I do want to talk about it for a few minutes. prgtoken First, let me be clear: The United States is not responsible for Iran's reckless activity and its violent ways. It is time once again to thrust Iran's long, shameful record of malign behavior back into the spotlight. prgtoken For the past 40 years, Iran has refused to behave as a responsible member of the international community. Indeed, the magnitude of the Iranian regime's caustic behavior both at home and abroad is overwhelming. Responsible nations do not threaten the sovereignty of their neighbors by funding terrorists. Responsible nations do not catalyze sectarian identities and provoke violence in the region. Responsible nations do not prop up the murderous regime of Bashar al- Assad in Syria. Responsible nations do not carelessly spread dangerous missile technology to violent extremist groups that threaten the lives of civilians. Responsible nations do not attack embassies and hold hostages. Yet the Iranian regime has done all of these things and persists. prgtoken Make no mistake. The Iranian regime has American blood on its hands. We all recall the dark days in Iraq and the Iranian roadside bombs that took the lives and maimed our servicemen and women. prgtoken Today, America's sons and daughters deployed abroad are again at risk. The amendment in front of this body will tie the hands of our commanders and prevent our troops from even acting in self-defense. Additionally, this amendment unnecessarily takes options off prgtoken the table, telegraphs our foreign policy to our adversaries, and emboldens those who wish us harm. prgtoken No one seeks a conflict with Iran--not the President of the United States, not this body, and not the American people. The U.S. Government has made clear our willingness to negotiate with Iran. prgtoken The Iranian people are a proud people. They have a proud history. They are the descendants of the Persian culture, one of the greatest cultures on the face of the earth. The Iranian people deserve better than what they are getting from the regime in power now in Iran. prgtoken The fact remains that the Iranian regime is faced with a sharp choice. The regime must choose between continued terrorist activity and behaving as a responsible member of the international community. The Iranian regime should sit down and think about the road that they are pursuing. prgtoken Like all countries, they want national security for their people. Is the road to national security trying to develop a nuclear weapon that the world has told them they can't develop? Is it continuing funding terrorists? Is it continuing the malign activities that it continues within Syria? None of these things gives them the national security they want. prgtoken They should take a lesson from North Korea.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2020--Resumed
James Lankford (Republican, OK) \u2014 2019-6-25

I started working on election security with Senator Klobuchar in 2017. At the time, I served on the Senate Intelligence Committee. We have worked together, from the beginning, to make this a bipartisan--in fact, nonpartisan--issue. Elections are an American event. They have partisan results, but the act of voting is an American event, not a partisan event. prgtoken We had a hearing in the Rules Committee. We worked through the process. We continue to get feedback. In fact, she and I worked incredibly hard to be able to reach out to and have multiple meetings with secretaries of State from all over the country to be able to hear as much feedback as we could from the States, because elections are run by States. Elections are not run by the Federal Government. Each State runs their own election. Each county or precinct or parish has its own structure for doing elections. In fact, one of the strengths of our system is the diversity of how elections are actually done. So we had to do a lot of work behind the scenes with all of these different States, to meet with their leadership, to meet with Governors, and to meet with as many groups as we possibly could to get it. prgtoken The basic goal from the beginning was to achieve a piece of legislation that had a couple of features in it. prgtoken First, ensure timely information sharing between the Federal Government, State, and local officials because we learned in 2016 it was not timely information that was shared. The Federal Government had visibility on what Russia was doing; the States and the precincts did not. It took up to 14 months for the States to find out what the Russians were doing. That can never happen again. prgtoken Second, we must expedite security clearances for the State and local election officials. Again, we had this issue in 2016 when Federal officials saw what was going on by the Russians but said that the State individuals didn't have enough security clearance. So, instead, they got a nebulous memo that said to watch out for these IP addresses, with no explanation as to why. That can never happen again. prgtoken Third is a way to verify the results of our elections. That should be straightforward. Every State, every precinct should be able to verify that--to go back to the people in the area and say: This is how you voted, and this is how we verified that the number is accurate, that there aren't additional ballots showing up later that the machines didn't count, that suddenly pop up from nowhere. There are no hanging chads. There are no inconsistencies. So people can look and say: That was done efficiently and professionally. prgtoken The administration is taking steps on the first two of these. In fact, we had multiple hearings with DHS to talk about what they are doing to get security clearances. Now every single State has individuals within their State who have security clearances. Every State has greater cooperation now wit
FINANCIAL SERVICES AND GENERAL GOVERNMENT APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2020
Kay Granger (Republican, TX) \u2014 2019-6-25

. Mr. Chair, I thank Mr. Graves for yielding. I appreciate the work that he and Chairman Quigley have done to craft a Financial Services and General Government bill for fiscal year 2020. prgtoken The bill includes many priorities of Members on both sides of the aisle, such as support for small businesses, prgtoken drug control programs, and the Treasury Department's counterterrorism and financial intelligence efforts. prgtoken However, I am concerned that there are several controversial items in the bill regarding immigration policy, the border wall, collective bargaining, and many other provisions that will tie this administration's hands. prgtoken Regarding the District of Columbia, this bill fails to provide appropriate oversight. It is disappointing that the bill does not include a longstanding pro-life provision regarding the use of D.C. local funds. prgtoken I am also troubled that my colleagues on the other side of the aisle rejected an amendment offered in committee by Dr. that would prevent the District of Columbia from legalizing solicitation of prostitution or profiting from the sex work of others. prgtoken The possibility of the bill pending before the D.C. Council becoming law is appalling, and Congress must make it clear that this is unacceptable. Congress should not allow prostitution to be legalized in our Nation's capital. prgtoken Additionally, the bill includes an 8 percent increase in spending above the current year. This level of spending is excessive, and as I have said before, this bill is written using an unrealistic top line funding level. prgtoken In order for our work to be meaningful and produce bills that can be signed into law, leaders from both parties and the administration must come together and develop a mutually agreeable funding framework. Then we can turn to drafting appropriations bills with bipartisan support that can be signed into law. prgtoken In closing, I would like to thank Chairwoman Lowey, Chairman Quigley, Mr. Graves, as well as all of the subcommittee members and the staff for their hard work on this bill.
EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS FOR HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE AND SECURITY AT THE SOUTHERN BORDER ACT, 2019
Kevin McCarthy (Republican, CA) \u2014 2019-6-25

. Madam , I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. I appreciate that. prgtoken I have spoken to the leader on the Senate side, and they will bring it up tomorrow. They had passed this bill in committee 30-1. prgtoken I ask the gentlewoman: What would be the problem--and I know we have only had 3 hours with this bill. Why would we not take up the Senate bill when it is bipartisan and the President would sign it?
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2020--Continued
Marsha Blackburn (Republican, TN) \u2014 2019-6-25

in 1831, a young Frenchman who sought to understand the motivating principles behind the world's newest independent Nation mused: In America, the principle of the sovereignty . . . is not either barren or concealed, as it is with some other nations; it is recognized by the customs and proclaimed by the laws; it spreads freely, and arrives without impediment at its most remote consequences. prgtoken Alexis de Tocqueville had come to America on a research mission. He had had no special training in government or political science, but he had been fueled by a desire to know if the principles that had guided the early American Republic could help his fellow Frenchmen. Even as an outsider, de Tocqueville had seen freedom, not a lone figurehead or compulsory philosophy, as the foundation to build upon. Freedom had been what he had seen as an enduring foundation. prgtoken Today, however, the belief in a moral right to self-governance is more often than not portrayed as quaint and the kind of fierce independence that drove our Founders to the battlefield as outdated in comparison to modern concepts of so-called global governance and polite codependence. prgtoken Yet, when I look at the state of the world and all of its competing philosophies, I am very grateful for our bold commitment to self- defense. That is why I come to the floor today--to express my thoughts on our National Defense Authorization Act and to say a thank-you to Chairman Inhofe for his leadership in pushing the Senate Armed Services Committee to present ideas, to bring forward amendments, and to work through this process together. I am looking forward to the couple of days in front of us in this Chamber with Members from both sides of the aisle. prgtoken It cannot be understated that the importance of maintaining a regular budget for our military cannot be diminished. The failure to do so will put our troops at a disadvantage. Look no further than the ongoing tension right now between the United States and Iran and how this has magnified the part that deterrence plays--the importance of deterrence--in our defending our security without our resorting to the use of military force. prgtoken Last week, I spoke at length about two emerging warfighting domains that challenge the way we think about modern defense. These are cyber and space. That is why this year's NDAA expands beyond legacy programs to include the recognition of emerging threats and our responses to those. prgtoken The next great threat to our sovereignty may be more subtle than a bomb's being dropped on American soil. It could undermine our cyber security or slowly compromise the supply chain that provides us with needed microelectronics. It might cause us to question our position in the world or to rethink our influence in the international community. It is important to understand that these attacks aren't only meant to undermine our relationshi
REMEMBERING JAMES A. ``BUD'' CODY
Johnny Isakson (Republican, GA) \u2014 2019-6-25

today, I am honored to recognize in the Record the life of James A. 'Bud'' Cody, who selflessly served Georgians for decades and recently passed away in Ocean Springs, MS. prgtoken Bud Cody was born in Willachoochee, GA on November 27, 1938. From an early age, he loved being active, finding friends, and making a difference. He played on the legendary Valdosta High School football team under his mentor, Coach Wright Bazemore. He was part of the State winning 4x4 track relay team. prgtoken Bud started his career at a young age, working full time at the Boys Club in Valdosta, GA, at the age of 18. He attended college at night over the next several years while helping his wife care for their children. prgtoken After graduating and establishing Boys Club facilities from Louisiana to Texas, Bud was hired by the Georgia Sheriffs' Association as their first executive director and returned home to Georgia in 1966. His career with the sheriffs' association also included his becoming director of the Georgia Sheriffs' Youth Homes located at the Boys Ranch in Hahira, GA. Bud continued to serve in these roles for the next 46 years. As executive director, he also assumed control of the Sheriffs' Retirement Fund of Georgia, leading the organization's assets from $9 million in 1982 to more than $97 million to take care of Georgia's retired sheriffs. prgtoken Bud retired in September 2012 with many lasting accomplishments thanks to his principled leadership and values. He expanded the Georgia Sheriffs' Youth Homes to provide a safe haven and education opportunities for thousands of Georgia's abused, abandoned, and neglected children. He also led the initiative to establish the Georgia Sheriffs' Youth Homes Foundation, which provides ongoing funds for its youth homes. prgtoken Our public safety officers also have Bud to thank for the excellent training they receive to help keep them safe while protecting Georgians. Bud believed that every officer should receive the best training possible, so he helped found the Georgia Public Safety Training Center in Forsyth, GA, working with State leaders, criminal justice practitioners, and sheriffs to establish a world-class public safety training facility that trains more than 2,000 students daily. Over the course of his career, nine Georgia Governors routinely sought his advice and counsel. prgtoken Bud's reach went beyond Georgia, too. He helped establish the National Sheriff's Association Committee of Presidents and Executive Directors in 1980 to ensure the office of sheriff had a professional code and standards. prgtoken Bud joined his friend and business partner Claude Grizzard to form the company CFR. In all, they provided assistance to more than 30 States from New York to Texas to California, raising tens of millions of dollars for the purpose of helping officers and youth homes nationwide. If you ever see a car tag from a State sheriff's association, this is thank
AUTHORITY FOR COMMITTEES TO MEET
John Thune (Republican, SD) \u2014 2019-6-25

I have 7 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 Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry prgtoken The Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, June 25, 2019, at 9:45 a.m to conduct a hearing. 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 Tuesday, June 25, 2019, at 10 a.m to conduct a hearing. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources prgtoken The Committee on Energy and Natural Resources is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, June 25, 2019, at 10 a.m to conduct a hearing. Committee on Foreign Relations prgtoken The Committee on Foreign Relations is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, June 25, 2019, at 2: 15 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 Tuesday, June 25, 2019, at 2:30 p.m to conduct a closed roundtable. prgtoken Subcommittee on Communication, Technology, Innovation, and The Internet prgtoken The Subcommittee on Communication, Technology, Innovation, and The Internet of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, June 25, 2019, at 10 a.m to conduct a hearing. Subcommittee on Transportation and Safety prgtoken The Subcommittee on Transportation and Safety of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, June 25, 2019, at 2:30 p.m to conduct a hearing.
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 3401, EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS FOR HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE AND SECURITY AT THE SOUTHERN BORDER ACT, 2019
Debbie Lesko (Republican, AZ) \u2014 2019-6-25

being from Arizona, this issue is very important to me, and it has been for years. prgtoken I am glad that my ic colleagues are finally acknowledging that prgtoken there is a crisis at the border, because we have known there was a crisis for, what, 20 years now, and it keeps growing and growing. prgtoken The reason I say that: I know, today, everyone is standing up and saying, ``Let's help everyone.'' And I am glad of that, but it wasn't that long ago, on national TV, that Pelosi and Senator Schumer went in front of the public and said: This is a manufactured crisis. and the s are making it all up. prgtoken Well, if anyone goes to the border, like I have gone to the border, you will see that it is a real crisis and it is growing each and every day. That is why President asked for humanitarian aid on May 1. prgtoken Then, the Department of Homeland Security and HHS sent all of us this letter--all of us Congressmen and Congresswomen--saying: We need help now. We are running out of funds. This is a crisis. prgtoken So, the s made motion after motion after motion--17 times-- asking for humanitarian aid. prgtoken And what did my colleagues do? They said no. No. They rejected every one. prgtoken So, here I am in Rules Committee last night--it is almost midnight-- and we thought we were going to vote on this bill, on the humanitarian aid. Nope. Pulled out. Nope. I guess they couldn't get the votes over on the ic side. prgtoken So, then they did a change. From what the media said, some of their more progressive members demanded some requirements and changes. prgtoken So we were supposed to meet at rules at 11 a.m. this morning with a new bill. Nope. That was pulled. prgtoken So, here we are. We got the new version of the bill at 5:00 tonight. We had the rules meeting at 5:30. Then we started the rules debate at 6:00. We didn't even have time to read the bill. prgtoken So, I have some major concerns with this bill. I wish we had worked on a bipartisan basis. prgtoken To give you one example, there was a young girl who died in Arizona-- actually, was found dead--7 years old. And guess who helped rescue the other members of the party? It was the Arizona National Guard. prgtoken Yet, the bill prevents any funding from going to the Department of Defense that will help with the Arizona National Guard and other national guards that are helping at the border. prgtoken I really wish that we could work together in a bipartisan fashion, get something done, go back to rules. prgtoken Let's do a clean bill. Let's send it to the Senate tonight. Let's help solve this crisis now.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2019-6-25

. Now, , on a related matter, this week the Senate is considering the National Defense Authorization Act. The current situation with Iran is a stark reminder of our urgent responsibility to ensure our military remains equipped and ready to deter threats and defeat potential challenges to our security. prgtoken When we pass the NDAA this week, the Senate will extend a 58-year tradition of authorizing the resources U.S. forces need to stay on the cutting edge. And I hope we will do so with wide, bipartisan support. prgtoken This year's NDAA directs $750 billion to fund the priorities of the Department of Defense, from the Navy's fleet strength to missile defense capabilities. It increases procurement for critical weapons systems, doubles down on research and development of next-generation technologies, and makes new investments in training and support services for servicemembers and their families. prgtoken In short, this is legislation that sends a clear signal to our men and women in uniform and to the rest of the world. Here is what it says: The United States prgtoken takes today's challenges seriously. We take our commitments seriously. And we take our defense seriously. prgtoken So especially in light of current events, I was incredulous to hear the ic leader call yesterday to postpone moving forward with the NDAA. Apparently, some of our ic friends need to go hit the Presidential campaign trail. They can't be here because they have to go campaign for not 1 day but 2 this week. They are too busy to stay in the Senate and authorize the resources that our All-Volunteer Armed Forces rely on. Postpone legislation on our national defense to accommodate the Presidential race in the middle of this ongoing crisis overseas? Come on. Come on. prgtoken I am sorry our ic friends feel compelled to skip out so they can compete for the favor of ``the resistance.'' The rest of us, the majority--we are going to be right here. We are going to be right here working and voting to make America stronger and safer. prgtoken Of course, the NDAA does not exhaust the urgent priorities we should attend to this week. As my colleagues and I have been arguing for 2 months now--2 months--Congress must address the humanitarian crisis down on the southern border. The situation is well documented. Nobody is in doubt. prgtoken For months, record numbers of people have arrived at the border, overwhelming--completely overwhelming agencies and facilities. The Department of Homeland Security has had to redirect resources and personnel from other critical missions to assist the Border Patrol. The Secretary of Health and Human Services has said: ``We are running out of money.'' This is the Secretary of Health and Human Services. ``We are functionally out of space.'' prgtoken I was encouraged last week when badly needed emergency funding finally garnered some momentum. Under the leadership of Chai
RECOGNIZING BLAIR GREINER
Brian K. Fitzpatrick (Republican, PA) \u2014 2019-6-25

I rise today to recognize two student athletes in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, that were recently honored at the 21st annual Kiwanis-Herald Scholar-Athlete Awards Banquet in Langhorne. prgtoken Jessica Wilcox and Alex Goldsby, seniors at Conwell-Egan Catholic High School, my alma mater, were recently selected as recipients of the Levittown-Bristol Kiwanis Club Dick Dougherty Scholarship. prgtoken A 4-year starter on the Conwell-Egan girls volleyball team, a 4-year member of the softball team, and a two-time first-team all-Catholic selection in bowling, Jessica also served as a member of the student council for 2 years. prgtoken As a 2-year starting quarterback for the Conwell-Egan football team, Alex was named the 2018 Philadelphia Catholic League Paul Bartolomeo Top Scholar-Athlete and was a member of the 2018 Archdiocese of Philadelphia Scholar-Athlete Honor Roll. As a starter, Alex threw for 1,972 yards and 21 touchdowns, and he also rushed for over 1,100 yards and 25 touchdowns. prgtoken , I wish Jessica and Alex all the best as they continue their studies at Bucks County Community College and Ursinus College, respectively, and I congratulate both of them and my alma mater on this amazing distinction.