mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
RECOGNIZING JIM SARGENT OF GREAT FALLS
Greg Gianforte (Republican, MT) \u2014 2019-5-23

. Madam , I rise today to honor Jim Sargent of Great Falls, a strong, reliable advocate for Montana's agricultural and veterans organizations as well as Montana Special Olympics. As a media and public relations professional, Sarge has volunteered countless hours to promote outreach and fundraising efforts for these and other civic groups. ``Sarge,'' as he is known to his friends and radio listeners, grew up on a farm near Chester, in northcentral Montana. He began his media career 28 years ago covering agriculture news and sporting events. Sarge says the strength of Montana's close-knit communities grounds his connection to ag and civic organizations. In his service to Montana's agricultural organizations, Sarge is closely involved with the Montana FFA Association and Montana 4-H, helping promote and host events for both groups. He also helped launch the Electric City FFA chapter. Both organizations have recognized Sarge with distinguished service awards. ``Jim has always jumped in with both feet where ever we needed him,'' said Jim Rose, state advisor for Montana FFA. ``He's invaluable as a promoter, but I think his biggest contribution is in the support and encouragement he gives our youth. He helps them gain confidence in their abilities and develop their leadership skills.'' A member of the Montana Farm Bureau Federation, Sarge served as membership director, and he served as vice president of the Cascade County Farm Bureau. For the past five years, Sarge has helped promote and host the Stand Down in Great Falls. The event is a benefits fair for Montana veterans and active-duty members of the military. Organizations at the event provide services, including clothing, health care services, and other resources and benefits. Sarge also contributes his time and talents to Montana Special Olympics. A past president of the Great Falls chapter, Sarge regularly hosts events and fundraisers for the organization. Jim and Sue, his wife of 35 years, also sponsor the Exceptional Rodeo for the group. In 2018, the organization recognized Jim as its Media Personality of the Year. Madam , for selflessly dedicating his time and talents to Montana's civic organizations, from our agricultural and veterans groups to Montana Special Olympics, I recognize Jim Sargent for his spirit of Montana.
BUDGET ENFORCEMENT LEVELS
Michael B. Enzi (Republican, WY) \u2014 2019-5-23

section 251 of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, BBEDCA, establishes statutory limits on discretionary spending and allows for various adjustments to those limits. In addition, sections 302 and 314(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 allow the chairman of the Budget Committee to establish and make revisions to allocations, aggregates, and levels consistent with those adjustments. prgtoken The Senate will soon consider S. Amdt. 250 to H.R. 2157, Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2019. This measure provides appropriations to address recent natural disasters and contains spending that qualifies for cap adjustments under current statute. prgtoken This measure includes $19,121 million in budget authority that is designated as being for emergency purposes pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of BBEDCA. Of that amount, $2,693 million is for spending in the security category, and $16,428 million is for nonsecurity spending. CBO estimates that this budget authority will result in $5,364 million in outlays in fiscal year 2019. prgtoken As a result of the aforementioned designations, I am revising the budget authority and outlay allocations to the Committee on Appropriations by increasing revised security budget authority by $2,693 million, revised nonsecurity budget authority by $16,428 million, and outlays by $5,364 million in fiscal year 2019. Further, I am increasing the budgetary aggregate for fiscal year 2019 by $19,121 million in budget authority and $5,364 million in outlays. prgtoken I ask unanimous consent that the accompanying tables, which provide details about the adjustment, be printed in the Record.
SETTING EVERY COMMUNITY UP FOR RETIREMENT ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 2019
Jason Smith (Republican, MO) \u2014 2019-5-23

. Madam , I rise today to speak about a broken agreement and a missed opportunity to help families save for their children's education. prgtoken In April, the Ways and Means Committee marked up this bill in a very bipartisan manner. We heard ideas from both sides of the aisle to help Americans save for the future and their retirements. prgtoken Like all good negotiations, there was give and take. No side got everything they wanted, but we reached an agreement where we could pass the bill unanimously. In short, this is how the American people expect their government to work. prgtoken Madam , unfortunately, it became clear that this agreement was not in good faith. At the last minute, decided to undermine our bipartisan work on the Ways and Means Committee and stripped out an issue many s feel strongly about: helping families afford everyday K-12 education costs. prgtoken Expanding 529 education savings accounts to cover common K-12 expenses would help all families save for their children's education and their unique needs, no matter where they attend school, whether it is public school, private school, religious school, homeschool, and so on. prgtoken Madam , I want to know, what is so controversial about helping families afford educational therapies for students with disabilities? What is so controversial about making it easier to pay for tutoring, books, and standardized testing fees? prgtoken This is a missed opportunity to help families afford education costs no matter where they send their children to school, and it is a shame that partisan politics is getting in the way of helping families everywhere.
OBSERVING THE 101TH ANNIVERSARY OF AZERBAIJAN'S REPUBLIC
Steve Chabot (Republican, OH) \u2014 2019-5-23

. Madam , I rise today as a Co-chair of the Congressional Azerbaijani Caucus, to honor the Republic of Azerbaijan as it celebrates its 101st Republic Day on May 28, 2019. This important milestone marks the very first time a parliamentary democratic republic was established in any predominantly Muslim country. prgtoken Unfortunately, Azerbaijan's independence was short-lived, as it was soon occupied by the Soviets. Many Azerbaijanis lost their lives in 1920, trying to keep their independence alive and after years of living under Soviet rule re-gained their independence in 1991. prgtoken Since regaining its independence, Azerbaijan has become a key ally to the United States in a strategically important region. It is a secular state with a predominantly Muslim population that has been home to vibrant Christian and Jewish communities for over a millennium. prgtoken Azerbaijan continues to offer critical support for NATO operations in Afghanistan, particularly by enabling supplies to reach Coalition forces. Azerbaijan also provides vital support to U.S. nonproliferation efforts in a very tough neighborhood. prgtoken In addition to supporting U.S. security interests in the region, Azerbaijan plays an important role in contributing to the energy security of our European allies and Israel. It is very remarkable that roughly 40% of Israel's oil is provided by Azerbaijan. prgtoken I believe the U.S. should stand with Azerbaijan and work with them to strengthen their independence as our proven partner is subjected to substantial pressure from Russia and Iran. prgtoken It is my pleasure to encourage my colleagues to join me in honoring Azerbaijan on its 101st Republic Day and celebrate the robust U.S.- Azerbaijan partnership.
IN RECOGNITION OF BRYNN BROWN AND ELI STOWERS
Michael C. Burgess (Republican, TX) \u2014 2019-5-23

. Madam , today I rise to congratulate Guyer High School sophomores Brynn Brown and Eli Stowers, who recently won gold medals at the 2019 UIL Texas State Track and Field meet. prgtoken The students' victories are well-earned. Following her regional meet, Ms. Brown was a self-proclaimed underdog. At the beginning of her mile run, Ms. Brown was seeded fourth in a competitive array of runners. Despite these circumstances, she finished first with a mile time of 4.28 minutes. Impressively, Ms. Brown won a second gold medal in the 3,200-meter run. prgtoken In the high jump competition, Mr. Stowers reached a remarkable 6 feet and 10 inches to claim the gold medal. Persevering through inclement weather, he rose to the challenge--a testament to his hard work and diligent preparation. prgtoken I commend Guyer High School track and field coaches Jonathan Ponsonby, Megan Hardesty, and Aaron Roberts for their leadership and dedication. It is a privilege to represent Guyer High School in the U.S. House of Representatives. I am pleased to recognize the achievements of Brynn Brown and Eli Stowers, and I wish them continued success in their athletic and academic endeavors.
SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019
John Thune (Republican, SD) \u2014 2019-5-23

. The following Senators are necessarily absent: the Senator from Tennessee (Mr. Alexander), the Senator from West Virginia (Mrs. Capito), the Senator from Wyoming (Mr. Enzi), the Senator from Kansas (Mr. Moran), the Senator from South Dakota (Mr. Rounds), and the Senator from Pennsylvania (Mr. Toomey). prgtoken Further, if present and voting, the Senator from Tennessee (Mr. Alexander) would have voted ``yea'' and the Senator from West Virginia (Mrs. Capito) would have voted ``yea.''
HONORING THOSE WHO MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE ON MEMORIAL DAY
Michael Guest (Republican, MS) \u2014 2019-5-23

our Nation has been built on democratic ideas. Over the course of our Nation's history, these principles have been threatened by forces that do not share our ideas of democracy. Due to the heroic efforts of the men and women of our military, our Nation has stood against these threats. prgtoken Memorial Day is the time to honor these men and women who gave their lives in defense of our country and the blessings of liberty that we enjoy today. This Memorial Day, I hope that all will join me in remembering the soldiers who laid down their lives for this Nation and to celebrate the rights, liberties, and institutions that they preserved.
IN HONOR OF KARL W. MICHLER
Andy Barr (Republican, KY) \u2014 2019-5-23

. Madam , I rise today to honor the life of a special man, Mr. Karl Michler of Lexington, Kentucky. Mr. Michler is part of a special group of heroes that served our nation during World War II. Mr. Michler celebrates his 99th birthday on June 5. prgtoken Mr. Michler enlisted in the service at the age of 22. He was a proud member of the United States Army. He served as a medical corpsman. His assignments took him to locations in the United States, France and Germany. He served for 4 years and was honorably discharged in February of 1946. prgtoken Mr. Michler returned home and married Jean Vogt. Following his service in the Army, he took over the family business, Michler's, which was started by his grandfather Carl Michler in 1900. He continued that very successful business for many years. His son, John, and later his grandson, Robin, kept the business growing and thriving. prgtoken Mr. Michler and his fellow veterans are true heroes. As members of the ``Greatest Generation'', they willingly served to protect and defend the freedoms that we enjoy today. I am humbled to honor the service of Mr. Karl W. Michler and to celebrate his upcoming 99th birthday before the United States Congress.
TOBACCO-FREE YOUTH ACT
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2019-5-23

earlier this week, Senator Kaine and I introduced new legislation to raise the national minimum age for purchasing tobacco products to 21. Now, it has generated some attention that Senators from Kentucky and Virginia--States with some connection to tobacco farming and production--are sponsoring this legislation, but, as I said Monday, Kentucky farmers don't want their children forming nicotine addictions in middle school or high school any more than anyone else. prgtoken Well, it turns out a lot of people across the country feel the same way we do. We have already seen more than a dozen experts, advocates, and public health groups come to rally around our legislation. One such organization said that the proposal would ``support smoking prevention among a population that is particularly susceptible to addiction, whose brains are still developing, and among whom nicotine use can have long- term developmental harms.'' prgtoken When you consider the design of our approach, it is hardly surprising that leading voices in this area are lining up with enthusiasm. It is practical, it is within our reach, and it can become law. Our legislation simply works from the foundation of existing law. We take the existing mechanisms that are in Federal statute today to enforce the 18-year minimum standard and replace ``18'' with ``21.'' It is simple, it is straightforward, and it builds on what we know works. prgtoken Not only does this approach streamline implementation for addressing a widely acknowledged public health crisis, but it also preserves the freedom of individual States to go even further in their efforts to protect vulnerable youth. Yet it ensures States cannot enact anything less protective than the Federal T21 standard. prgtoken As I said earlier in the week, all youth below the age of 21 deserve the same protections from the public health crisis of nicotine addiction. Anyone who actually reads our bill will see that our intentions are clear and above reproach. Partisan griping will not save lives, nor will it prevent even more middle schoolers from yielding to potentially deadly addiction. As one advocate put it, ``Every extra day it takes to put this important legislation into effect is an opportunity for thousands more kids to access a tobacco product that can damage their developing brains.'' prgtoken Now is the time for us to join together in a bipartisan manner and actually get a result that our Nation's youth so obviously need. In just 3 days since introduction, I have been encouraged by the support the Tobacco-Free Youth Act has received. I look forward to working with each of our colleagues to make it a reality and fight back against the scourge of addiction among America's young people. prgtoken .
CONGRATULATING HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES ENLSITING IN OUR ARMED FORCES
Brian J. Mast (Republican, FL) \u2014 2019-5-23

. Madam , I rise today to commend and congratulate recent high school graduates from Palm Beach County who have made the decision to enlist in our Armed Forces. I would like to thank them for volunteering to serve our country. They include: Scott Carroll, Aspen Draeger, Gopal Harpalani, Tyler Huntoon, Ryan Keip, Michael Mee, Jaslyn Senger, Patrick Tierney, Devinity Salon, Deiontae Shannon, Andrew Hogan, Abigail Dasilva, Jaime Bustillo, John Dowd, Casey George, Peter Kanelidis, Stephen Manley, Andres Moreno, Ashton Skinner, Brandon Suh, and Skylar Thompson.
SETTING EVERY COMMUNITY UP FOR RETIREMENT ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 2019
Michael Waltz (Republican, FL) \u2014 2019-5-23

. Madam , as a combat veteran and as a Green Beret, this is personal for me. I know firsthand the seriousness of the call to serve our country, and I know that when soldiers take their place on the battlefield, they are prepared to defend America and lose their lives for our freedom. prgtoken The families of our servicemembers wait for their loved one's safe return nervously and anxiously await hearing their voice and feeling the comfort of their warm embrace once more. Unfortunately, for some, the knock on their door instead initiates them into a fraternity no family wants to join. That knock changes them forever and makes them part of the Gold Star family. prgtoken When our servicemembers pass, many of their spouses put their benefits in their children's name. As if the loss of a mother or a father isn't and wasn't painful enough, some of our Gold Star children's pain is worsened by an unintended oversight in our Tax Code which forces them to pay thousands in additional taxes on survivor benefits and raises their tax liability from 12 percent to nearly 40 percent. prgtoken This is not just a financial issue; it is a strategic issue for our Volunteer military. It affects recruitment and retention. Some people may not want to volunteer with the possibility of a large financial burden on their loved one if the worst happens. prgtoken The bottom line is, if our family support starts cracking, the entire foundation of our modern military is in trouble. We have an opportunity today to right this wrong and to fix this with the Gold Star Family Tax Relief Act, which is being included in the SECURE Act that is up for today's vote. prgtoken I would thank Chairman Neal and Ranking Member Brady for quickly recognizing this issue and for including this measure in the final bill. prgtoken Today, I call upon my colleagues in the House to make this right. I hope that Members will join me in supporting the passage of this legislation to show our country's appreciation to the Gold Star families for laying so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom.
Introductory Statement on S. 1657
Susan M. Collins (Republican, ME) \u2014 2019-5-23

I rise today with my colleague from Minnesota, Senator Tina Smith, to introduce the TICK Act. This stands for Ticks: Identify, Control, and Knockout Act. I would also like to recognize my colleague from Maine, Senator King, who is joining us as an original cosponsor. prgtoken Our bipartisan legislation would provide local communities and States with the resources needed to help prevent, detect early, and treat Lyme and other tick-borne diseases. prgtoken Tick-borne diseases like Lyme have become a major public health concern, with the incidence exploding over the past 15 years. The number of Americans with tick-borne diseases has been rising at an alarming rate. In 2003, Lyme disease infected approximately 30,000 Americans. Last year there were an estimated 450,000 cases--a staggering 1,400-percent increase. prgtoken In Maine, last year alone, there were 2,000 new cases of Lyme disease. That is a sharp increase from the 752 cases in 2010. prgtoken Other tick-borne diseases are also on the rise. Anaplasmosis, for example, has more than tripled. prgtoken Far too many Americans with Lyme disease experience a complex diagnostic odyssey that takes months or even years. One of my constituents, Paula Jackson Jones, from Damariscotta, ME, shared with me her harrowing tale that took 2 years, scores of tests, and 23 different physicians before she finally received the correct diagnosis that she had Lyme disease. Her journey started one afternoon 10 years ago after raking leaves in her backyard. A week later, unusual symptoms began to appear: anxiety attacks, pain, muscle spasms, and fatigue. These symptoms became debilitating. prgtoken Before receiving the correct diagnosis, Paula was diagnosed incorrectly with multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's, and other diseases. Once she finally received the proper diagnosis and treatment, Paula founded Midcoast Lyme Disease Support & Education, a nonprofit that raises public awareness about Lyme disease. prgtoken She told me: This has been a 10-year crusade for me with the first 5 years fighting for my life and the latter, fighting on behalf of others. prgtoken In addition to the physical and emotional toll that Lyme disease takes, it is also expensive. Paula is still paying off more than $250,000 worth of medical bills that she has incurred. Medical costs of Lyme disease are estimated at $1.3 billion per year. When accounting for indirect medical costs, including the loss of work, the annual cost balloons to $75 billion per year. prgtoken A correct and early diagnosis can reduce costs, as well as improve the prognosis, but we have a long way to go. When HIV became a public health crisis, fortunately, a gold standard for identification and treatment was developed within 10 years. Lyme disease, by contrast, was identified more than 40 years ago; yet there still is no gold standard treatment, and existing prevention, education, and diagnostic efforts have
100TH ANNIVERSARY OF 19TH AMENDMENT PASSING HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Guy Reschenthaler (Republican, PA) \u2014 2019-5-23

today I rise to recognize the 100th anniversary of the passing of the 19th Amendment in the U.S. House of Representatives. prgtoken One hundred years ago this week, right here on the House floor, Members began the process to recognize women's right to vote. prgtoken Pennsylvania, my home State, became the seventh State to ratify the Amendment, only 20 days after it passed the U.S. Senate. prgtoken One hundred years later, we honor the idea that our democracy works best when everyone participates. prgtoken One hundred years later, we recognize those who devoted their lives to prgtoken this worthy cause, such as Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Ida B. Wells. prgtoken We all have different perspectives, and by engaging with each other, we can develop the best policies to benefit all Americans and all freedom-loving people around the world.
SETTING EVERY COMMUNITY UP FOR RETIREMENT ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 2019
George Holding (Republican, NC) \u2014 2019-5-23

. Madam , this past Saturday, I had the great pleasure of addressing a number of homeschool graduates in Cary, North Carolina, 55 of them, in fact. prgtoken I was impressed by these students, and I was inspired by their parents, who have made so many sacrifices and who have dedicated immeasurable time to ensuring their kids get a good education. prgtoken Today, we were supposed to be voting on legislation that would help homeschoolers. Tens of millions of Americans choose 529 savings plans to cover K-12 expenses. This money can be used for public schools, private schools, and religious schools, but it cannot be used to cover homeschool expenses. prgtoken This bill was supposed to fix this inequity by enabling homeschool parents to use their 529 savings plans. This would help erase and ease the financial burden on homeschool parents and give homeschoolers the same opportunities and resources enjoyed by other kids who go to private and public schools. prgtoken As Chairman Neal said, s and on the Ways and Means Committee came together, passed this bill out of our committee. Then it went to the Rules Committee, and ic leadership intervened. At the last minute, the bill was changed, and the language ending this discrimination against homeschoolers was removed. prgtoken Why would anyone object to ending the wrongful discrimination against homeschool families? There are over 130,000 homeschoolers in North Carolina and 1.6 million across the country. They deserve fairness, and their incredible parents deserve our help. prgtoken Sadly, Madam , that is not going to happen today. Otherwise, this is a good bill, but it certainly could have been a better bill.