mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
ANTI-BORDER CORRUPTION REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2017
Martha McSally (Republican, AZ) \u2014 2017-6-7

I rise today in strong support of my bill, H.R. 2213, the Anti-Border Corruption Reauthorization Act of 2017. prgtoken U.S. Customs and Border Protection has two key missions: securing the border and facilitating cross-border commerce that powers the Nation's economic growth. In order to accomplish those missions, they need enough agents and officers to be able to make arrests, interdict drug loads, screen cargo from countries of concern, or move legitimate commerce and passengers through an air, land, and sea port of entry. prgtoken U.S. Border Patrol agents and CBP officers are, at the end of the day, the most important border security and trade resource we have. Unfortunately, they are in short supply these days, which has created a national security and economic vulnerability that this Congress must address. prgtoken CBP is critically understaffed and remains well below its congressionally mandated staffing levels by more than 1,000 CBP officers and 1,800 border patrol agents. The manpower shortage is getting worse. We are losing ground every single month, and there is no end in sight as we continue to lose experienced agents and officers through attrition without the ability to efficiently hire new ones. For example, CBP has invested $200 million in a port of entry infrastructure in Arizona, alone, over the last 8 years, but there is simply not enough staff to open up every lane that is available. prgtoken I want to emphasize this point: officer and agent shortages did not happen overnight. The U.S. Border Patrol has not met its congressionally mandated hiring numbers since fiscal year 2014, and CBP has been losing officers to man our ports since early in fiscal year 2016. prgtoken At the current hiring rate, approximately 113 applicants go through the process in order to hire a single officer or agent. That means CBP needs to have hundreds of thousands of people apply just to meet their current needs. We need more manpower to properly secure our border, screen passengers at our Nation's airports who arrive from overseas, and facilitate cross-border commerce that powers our economy. prgtoken There are several underlying issues that are responsible for these current staffing woes. For starters, it takes more than 292 days for these 12 distinct steps, on average, to hire a new officer or agent. And even with the newer expedited system that is supposed to condense these steps into just several days, it still takes an average of 160 days to complete the process. Very few people can wait somewhere between 6 months to a year for a job. We are losing very experienced and already vetted applicants. prgtoken Several years ago, the committee began working directly with the previous administration to find solutions to these staffing problems and the hiring process. The bill under consideration today represents the fruits of that bipartisan work and, as a result, was passed out of the Homeland Security Committee un
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 10, FINANCIAL CHOICE ACT OF 2017
Stevan Pearce (Republican, NM) \u2014 2017-6-7

. I thank the gentleman for yielding. prgtoken , one of the most deceptive things that Congress does is regulate one part of an industry for the problems created by another part. prgtoken The community banks had nothing to do with the collapse in 2008. It was Wall Street, the people in New York, the big banks. Yet the Dodd- Frank regulation kind of let them scoot by and prgtoken gave them permits to continue operating, while many of the Main Street businesses and many of the Main Street banks have closed down. prgtoken My friend just mentioned Wells Fargo. CFPB stood on the sidelines silently and mute while they were conducting their affairs. It was a county prosecutor who actually uncovered it. prgtoken So this idea that we here in Congress are going to do things that are going to get it in check simply is not true. What is true is that the agency created by Dodd-Frank, the CFPB, or the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, was so annoying that it put New Mexico's most sparsely populated county, with about 8 people per square mile, to be regulated the same as New York City. That is how much CFPB understood. prgtoken In the process of their regulating, they shut down the loans for manufactured housing. That means nothing to the people in New York, but in New Mexico, that is 50 percent of the homes in my district. The CFPB didn't much care. prgtoken They also limited the ability of regular banks to make loans on mortgages, establishing something called qualified mortgages. They simply said all balloon notes are prejudicial. Those things were hurting and penalizing the rural parts of this country. The people who suffered most were the people at the lowest end of the economic spectrum. prgtoken Our credit agencies, our credit system in the U.S has done much in order to make credit available, no matter where you are in the political and income spectrum.
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 10, FINANCIAL CHOICE ACT OF 2017
Bill Huizenga (Republican, MI) \u2014 2017-6-7

this important legislation also holds Washington bureaucrats accountable by creating constitutional checks and balances for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau so that it can more effectively do its job. No government agency should be unaccountable to the American people. prgtoken Lastly, this commonsense legislation protects taxpayers by eliminating too big to fail, something that my colleague had just talked about, and requires failing institutions to liquidate through a streamlined bankruptcy process, not taxpayer-funded bailouts. The process that she was talking about, this orderly liquidation authority, the government runs the bank for 5 years, and that is unacceptable. prgtoken So I hope you will join me in supporting this rule and supporting the underlying bill.
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
Bill Cassidy (Republican, LA) \u2014 2017-6-7

from New York for yielding, as well as for the tremendous work she and our staffs have done together on the Flood Insurance Affordability and Sustainability Act of 2017. prgtoken There is a capriciousness of flooding which makes the National Flood Insurance Program so important. You can have a mountaintop village next to a dry gulch. If there is a sudden flash flood, folks who have lived there 100 years suddenly find their 100-year-old homes destroyed. The NFIP helps rebuild the lives of those who are so affected. prgtoken The Flood Insurance Program is critical, not just to that mountaintop village but, by extension, our entire country. The economic impact of flooding extends far beyond real estate transactions to the fundamental vitality of communities and the workforce that operates our ports, develops and refines our domestic energy, and produces our seafood and agriculture for global consumption. It just makes sense. prgtoken Most towns started on the coast and on riverways because that is how goods were transported, and the history of these waterside communities is what makes them, one, economically vital, but, two, also makes them susceptible to flooding. I will note that the Presiding Officer's State of Pennsylvania, I believe, has among the most incidents of flooding in our country--principally because there are so many riverine systems. There is a valley with a river. If the water rises quickly, that riverside community is flooded. Look at my State of Louisiana. It relies on an accessible and affordable flood insurance program, but that benefits the country. prgtoken Louisiana is the No. 1 producer of offshore oil and gas, producing over 15 percent of our Nation's domestic energy supply. That is 15 percent of our Nation's domestic energy supply. It is home to the second largest refining capacity in petrochemical industry. The Gulf of Mexico is home to 11 of the top 20 U.S. ports by cargo volume, and we have one of the largest seafood industries in the world. After Hurricane Katrina, when our port facilities were affected and the farmers in the Upper Missouri suddenly could not get their crop to international markets, it shows the importance of our ports for our entire economy. prgtoken The National Flood Insurance Program allows folks in my State to participate in a working coast that gets that energy inland and gets those products in the international market, and this is what provides the value-added contribution to our domestic economy. Since the creation of the National Flood Insurance Program, people in Louisiana paid over $5 billion in flood insurance premiums, but, unfortunately, we have suffered some of the greatest losses after Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Gustov, Isaac, and the flooding of the great Louisiana floods of last March and August. prgtoken While the NFIP has a deficit of $24 billion--according to FEMA's premium and payout data--the NFIP would have
DEFEATING THE ISIS ENEMY
Kevin Yoder (Republican, KS) \u2014 2017-6-7

I rise today to stand shoulder to shoulder with our friends and allies in Great Britain, who have suffered three horrific terror attacks in a period of less than 3 months. prgtoken These attacks at the hands of Islamic State in Iraq and Syria are barbaric, evil, and must be condemned by the entire world. These cowards have used vehicles, knives, and bombs to rein terror down on London and Manchester, even targeting innocent young girls at a concert hall. prgtoken Radical Islamic extremism is a vile ideology that must be stamped out at every corner of the world. This is a time for unity of purpose and strong leadership. prgtoken The United States, our NATO allies, and our allies in the Middle East must chart a unified course towards complete destruction of ISIS. As we begin to succeed in the fight, their resolve to attack us will only grow stronger, but we cannot be deterred. prgtoken , freedom and liberty must win over hatred and extremism. We must defeat this enemy, and this Congress stands ready to support this administration in its efforts to do so.
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
Jeff Flake (Republican, AZ) \u2014 2017-6-7

I rise to speak in support of the Customs and Border Protection Hiring and Retention Act, or CBP HiRe Act. prgtoken In recent years, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, or CBP, has had a lot of trouble recruiting, hiring, and retaining personnel to adequately staff the border and our ports of entry. Today, CBP is nearly 1,000 officers below the mandated staffing levels. The Border Patrol, whose duty it is to secure 6,000 miles of borderlands, suffers from a shortage of more than 1,800 agents. These shortages persist, despite ample backing and funding from Congress and the threat they pose to both national security and trade-reliant communities and economies, particularly in my State of Arizona. This has been frustrating for border communities across the country, but it is especially problematic for Arizona, a State that depends on both border security and a lot of cross-border trade. prgtoken For example, the Nogales port of entry in Southern Arizona is one of the busiest ports in the United States. It processes approximately $2.5 billion worth of produce each year. Arizona alone does about $15 billion in trade with Mexico alone, every year. Mexican shoppers spend about $8 million in stores in Arizona every day. prgtoken However, the port currently is suffering from a 23-percent shortage of CBP officers. Our ports cannot effectively and efficiently facilitate the flow of commerce across the border without adequate staffing. prgtoken One of the biggest challenges in both retaining and hiring new officers and agents for frontline positions has been the remoteness of CBP installations. CBP officers and border agents are often stationed in geographically remote and isolated locations. This likely contributes to the fact that, of those leaving the agency, nearly 30 percent of Border Patrol agents and over 10 percent of CBP officers are lost to other agencies. prgtoken Massive staffing shortages aside, CBP is barely able to hire fast enough to fill the jobs left by departing agents and officers. So we have great needs that are not being filled, but we also have attrition we simply can't replace. In fact, CBP hires only 1 out of every 64 applicants for officer positions, and 1 out of every 113 applicants for Border Patrol agent positions. This means that less than 2 percent of applicants manage to get through CBP's hiring process. The situation at CBP today is simply unsustainable. prgtoken Congress can't sit idly by as slow hiring rates and accelerating attrition threaten the security of our borders and the underpinnings of our economy. To that end, I am pleased to introduce my CBP HiRe Act with Senator prgtoken Heitkamp from North Dakota. This legislation would streamline the hiring process and allow the CBP to finally bring more agents and officers into frontline positions. prgtoken Importantly, this bill gives CBP new tools to recruit and retain personnel in remote and hard-to-fill locations. This in
ARMS SALES NOTIFICATION
Bob Corker (Republican, TN) \u2014 2017-6-7

section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act requires that Congress receive prior notification of certain proposed arms sales as defined by that statute. Upon such notification, the Congress has 30 calendar days during which the sale may be reviewed. The provision stipulates that, in the Senate, the notification of proposed sales shall be sent to the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. prgtoken In keeping with the committee 's intention to see that relevant information is available to the full Senate, I ask unaminous consent to have printed in the Record the notifications which have been received. If the cover letter references a classified annex, then such annex is available to all Senators in the office of the Foreign Relations Committee, room SD-423.
IN MEMORIAM OF SPECIALIST ETIENNE J. MURPHY
Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (Republican, GA) \u2014 2017-6-7

I rise today to remember the life of Army Specialist Etienne J. Murphy, who died on May 26 when his vehicle overturned in Syria as part of Operation Inherent Resolve. prgtoken Specialist Murphy was raised in Loganville, Georgia, where, from an early age, he showed a keen interest in the American Armed Forces and for serving his country. He enlisted in the Army at 18 years old, and 2 years later he joined the 1st Battalion of the 75th Ranger Regiment, stationed at Hunter Army Airfield. prgtoken Murphy was just 5 days into his first deployment in Syria when his vehicle was involved in a nontactical rollover-related accident which is still under investigation. prgtoken Murphy's wife and two young sons continue to reside in Savannah, Georgia, where he was stationed. prgtoken Only a short time after Memorial Day, Specialist Murphy's passing reminds us all that freedom comes at a high price, and servicemen and - women face danger daily when fighting to preserve American values against terrorism. prgtoken I want to share my deepest condolences to his family and thank Specialist Murphy for his service, bravery, and sacrifice.
REMEMBERING BARBARA McCALLAHAN
Debbie Stabenow (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2017-6-8

it is with very great sadness today that I honor the life of my longtime staff member and dear friend, Barbara Wise McCallahan. Barb passed away on May 26, 2017. prgtoken Barb has worked in my congressional and Senate offices for over 20 years, joining my team on my very first day in Congress in 1997. She was a volunteer on my campaign for the U.S. House and worked many subsequent campaigns. She staffed my Howell and Flint Township offices when I served in the U.S. House. Over the years, she represented me in Livingston, Washtenaw, Monroe, Wayne, and Oakland Counties as a regional manager in the Senate. For over 20 years, she has been an anchor for me in southeast Michigan. prgtoken Barb loved to tell the story of when she first walked into my campaign office to volunteer when I ran for the U.S. House of Representatives. Coming from the hometown of my opponent, she would laugh that my team suspected that she was a spy. This couldn't have been further from the truth. Barb has been fiercely loyal and steadfastly protective of me for over two decades. prgtoken I cannot think of anyone who has spent more time over the years driving in a car with me. We have survived blizzards, avoided countless speed traps, identified the fastest drive-through restaurants, and I have never seen anyone who could bypass construction better than Barb. The countless hours we spent together over the years deepened my appreciation for her resolve and determination and cemented a lasting friendship. prgtoken Barb was a fighter. She faced many challenges early in her life. She took that fighting spirit and tenacity and fought throughout her career for so many individuals, families, and communities she helped represent. She was committed, tough, proud, and resilient. prgtoken I watched Barb struggle with the debilitating effects of Parkinson's disease in recent months and, along with her family, friends, and coworkers, was deeply affected by her losses earlier this year. While we will all continue to mourn her death, we also celebrate her life, her accomplishments, and her enduring spirit. prgtoken Barb is an example of the amazing and talented professionals who commit themselves to congressional service. She has served the State of Michigan and her country with distinction and honor. prgtoken No tribute to Barb can be done without including her family. I remember many community events and parades over the years with Barb and her young sons. Although a private person, Barb would light up when talking about her family; she was especially proud of her boys Patrick, Ian, and Brian and her grandson, Shane. On behalf of all of Team Stabenow, you will always be part of our family. prgtoken Please join me and countless others as we honor the life of my longtime staff member and dear friend, Barbara McCallahan.
TRIBUTE TO DR. JAMES JACOBS
Gary C. Peters (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2017-6-8

today I wish to recognize Dr. James Jacobs on the occasion of his retirement as president of Macomb Community College. Dr. Jacobs has worked at Macomb Community College for nearly 50 years and was named president in 2008. He previously taught social science, political science, economics, and served as director for the Center for Workforce Development and Policy at the college. Under his leadership, Macomb Community College has grown to be one of the Nation's leading community colleges, providing an education to nearly 48,000 students a year. I appreciate the opportunity to recognize Dr. Jacobs' success as an education leader, as well as the contributions he has made to his community. prgtoken Dr. Jacobs has long been at the heart of Macomb Community College, an educational institution founded in 1954. The college has been growing ever since. With three campuses, the Lorenzo Cultural Center, and the Michigan Technical Education Center, Macomb Community College has grown into one of the leading community colleges in the Nation. It ranks in the top 2 percent for number of associate degrees awarded by community colleges and is the largest grantor of associate degrees in Michigan. prgtoken Under Dr. Jacobs, the education platform and course offerings have flourished. Today Macomb Community College offers precollegiate and graduate degrees, workforce training, and professional education. One such program that has prospered is the Macomb University Center. The University Center partners with other colleges and universities throughout the State of Michigan to offer students the opportunity to earn bachelors, masters, and doctoral degrees in over 80 fields. Thanks to Dr. Jacobs, the university center has become a national model for educational partnerships. prgtoken Dr. Jacobs has grown Macomb Community College around a vision and mission that put the student at the forefront. With a focus on student success, efficiency and effectiveness, and community engagement, Macomb Community College has dedicated itself to provide learning opportunities and support services that enable students to achieve their educational goals. prgtoken Dr. Jacobs is also leader in Macomb and the region, both on and off campus. He is widely known for delivering the Macomb County Economic Forecast annually for the last 29 years. He also serves on numerous boards, including the Center for Automotive Research, Metropolitan Affairs Council, and the Detroit Institute of Arts. prgtoken I would like to congratulate Dr. Jacobs on his retirement as president of Macomb Community College and thank him for his decades of service to his community. It is certainly my hope that in retirement he will continue this type of work because we need his expertise and knowledge.
VOTE EXPLANATION
Robert Menendez (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2017-6-8

today I would have cast my vote in favor of Scott Brown to represent the United States as Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa. New Zealand has been a treaty ally of the United States since the signing of the Australia-New Zealand--United States Treaty in 1951. As a crucial partner and ally, the United States and New Zealand share core values of democracy, human rights, and liberty, and I believe it is imperative for the United States to maintain strong allegiance to our longstanding friends throughout the world.
HONORING MR. JOHN MILLINGTON
Elizabeth H. Esty (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2017-6-8

I rise today to honor and pay tribute to the life of my friend Mr. John Millington and to recognize his extraordinary contributions to our nation's understanding of global affairs, and his public service to the State of Connecticut and the Town of Washington, Connecticut. John passed away on December 16, 2016 at the age of 90, after a long life of dedicated service. prgtoken John was born in Gwynedd Valley, Pennsylvania and developed a love of nature early in his life. He began working in publishing and embarked on a diverse career connecting his interests in global affairs and journalism. John began his career with Time, Inc and later moved to Bangkok, Thailand to manage the Bangkok World newspaper. With his experience working in international journalism and publishing, John joined the Council on Foreign Relations to support the organization's business development and membership growth. prgtoken In addition to his distinguished career in journalism and foreign affairs, John was a well-known and active member of his community in Washington. A lifelong advocate for conservation and environmental issues, John chaired Connecticut's Council on Environmental Quality during Governor Weicker's administration and was an instrumental champion of the campaign to protect the Shepaug River. Locally, he served as a board member of the Washington Community Housing Trust. The Town of Washington recognized John's tremendous contributions and passion for service in 2014 with the Stephen Reich award, the town's highest honor for citizenship. prgtoken , John Millington led a remarkable career and enthusiastically lent his talents to improve Washington, Connecticut, and our country. Therefore, it is fitting and proper that we honor his life and memory here today. John Millington was a friend and a mentor, and I miss his wise counsel. My condolences go out to his wife, Edwina, and to his children and grandchildren. Those of us who knew John will cherish his memory, and his legacy will live on in our community.