mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
Edward J. Markey (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2018-9-28

today I would like to honor the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts--the oldest chartered military organization in the Western Hemisphere--on its 381st Fall Field Day Tour of Duty. Its charter was signed in 1638 by John Winthrop, then-Governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. The Ancient and Honorables continue to serve the Commonwealth as a vital part of its militia, subject to the direction of the adjutant general of the Massachusetts National Guard. prgtoken Although the Ancient and Honorables have long served as the honor guard for the Governor of the Commonwealth, they continue to play an integral role in the State's civic rituals. Among their responsibilities, they participate in the inaugurals of State constitutional officers, the annual State of the Commonwealth address, and the yearly celebration of the Constitution of the United States from the historic State house in the heart of old Boston, but most importantly, they stand ready to assist in times of peril or emergency. prgtoken May the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts long continue its role in fostering, supporting, and preserving the civic life of the city of Boston, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the United States of America. The Ancients serve as world ambassadors of the United States, where, on their Fall Field Day Tour of Duty, they pay their respects to fallen soldiers of all nations who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in defense of freedom. prgtoken Today I would like to recognize the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts for their civic responsibilities, patriotic duties, and community service. May they continue their proud traditions for many years to come.
IN RECOGNITION OF DR. RANDALL L. O'DONNELL
Emanuel Cleaver (Democrat, MO) \u2014 2018-9-28

I rise today to commemorate Dr. Randall L. O'Donnell as a champion of pediatric health and wellness in the greater Kansas City community for his work in improving the quality of care for children both in the Kansas City region and beyond. In 1897 two sisters, Dr. Alice Berry Graham and Dr. Katharine Berry Richardson, began treating children at no cost to families and without public assistance or donations. What began with the treatment of one little girl soon grew to a dozen children and then to hundreds more. Over 120 years later, Children's Mercy Hospital is a pillar in Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, treating 500,000 children annually and offering exceptional family and childcare services. prgtoken In 1993, Dr. O'Donnell became the Chief Executive Officer of Children's Mercy, the region's only pediatric hospital, marking the beginning of a long streak of innovative leadership and remarkable pediatric healthcare services. His desire to help children has significantly contributed to the expansion of the hospital's scope of services. In the last twenty-five years since its inception, Children's Mercy has extended their facilities to Overland Park, nearly doubled the size of their available beds, and expanded the downtown branch. prgtoken Throughout his tenure with Children's Mercy, Dr. O'Donnell has been an advocate for research and education. Under his leadership, the nonprofit secured necessary donations to launch the construction of a new nine-story research tower to further study pediatric medicine. It is no surprise that the hospital is recognized as one of the largest employers in the Fifth Congressional District and has become a renowned teaching hospital for students. Moreover, the hospital has earned countless honors and top-rankings such as the 2012, 2013, and 2015 Healthiest Employers Program and fifth in the Top Area Acute-Care General Hospital List. Most importantly, the hospital has a standing reputation locally and nationally for putting children first. Sticking to his personal mantra that ``Children aren't little adults,'' Dr. O'Donnell spearheaded a complete remodel of the hospital's interior design to create a fun, colorful, and welcoming environment for children. Unsurprisingly, from 2014 to 2017, Dr. O'Donnell was named one of the most influential people in the Kansas City community by the Kansas City Business Journal's Power 100. prgtoken Furthermore, it is my belief that the dedication and altruism Dr. O'Donnell has given the children and the Kansas City community is worthy of appreciation. His outstanding direction to lead Children's Mercy has solidified the preparedness of the nonprofit for future medical care. His devotion, passion, and hard work are demonstrative of the legacy the Berry sisters had when they founded the hospital. The entire district, myself included, is grateful to have such a distinguished doctor assisting the needs of children and families. prgtoken
PROTECTING FAMILY AND SMALL BUSINESS TAX CUTS ACT OF 2018
Bill Pascrell, Jr. (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2018-9-28

this is the sequel to ``Weekend at Bernie's.'' But this doesn't work. prgtoken The headline yesterday in The Washington Post was: GOP Campaigns Ditch Touting Tax Law in Ads. The first one stunk. This is even worse. prgtoken economist Douglas Holtz-Eakin, a good, good guy, said this past May: ``There's just no evidence that the tax cuts actually pay for themselves.'' prgtoken Of course they don't. That is why you are targeting healthcare. That is why you are targeting Medicare. That is why you are targeting Social Security. You already targeted Medicaid. prgtoken In New Jersey--we are still a State--the average SALT deduction claimed in 2016 was more than the $10,000 limit. In my district, the average is over $18,000. One of the counties in my district is $24,000. prgtoken What have you done? That means the average taxpaying household--New Jersey, listen up--now has to pay income tax on an additional $14,000 worth of income. prgtoken We may have 12 by the end of the election. prgtoken If they are a middle-class family being taxed at 24 percent, that is an extra $3,400 they have to come up with at tax time.
JUDGE THOMAS-ANITA HILL V. JUDGE KAVANAUGH-CHRISTINE BLASEY FORD
Rosa L. DeLauro (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2018-9-28

the United States Senate is about to embark on a misguided journey. How can there be a vote to place Judge Kavanaugh in a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court under this cloud? prgtoken To be sure, a person is innocent until proven guilty, but without a full and public hearing about the veracity of these very serious charges of sexual harassment, a decision today to elevate Judge Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court casts doubt on the entire process. prgtoken Allegations of sexual harassment are serious charges which deserve serious consideration. The Justices of the Supreme Court must demonstrate respect for the law and for individual rights. prgtoken To impugn the integrity of Professor Christine Blasey Ford, to elevate that of Judge Kavanaugh, is not appropriate prgtoken nor is it a credible tactic. The American people deserve more than a dismissal of Professor Ford's charges. They deserve to know the truth. prgtoken , let us take time to uncover the truth. I gave this same exact speech on October 8, 1991. The only difference was the substitution of Clarence Thomas' name for Brett Kavanaugh's and Anita Hill's for Christine Blasey Ford's. prgtoken s attempted to censure me for that speech. History is repeating itself before our eyes, and women are once again being ignored instead of being believed. prgtoken We must do better than that in the United States of America and in the United States Congress.
HONORING THE MEMORY OF THOSE WHO DIED AT THE ROUTE 91 HARVEST FESTIVAL
Jacky Rosen (Democrat, NV) \u2014 2018-9-28

I rise today to honor the memory of the 58 innocent souls who were taken on October 1. prgtoken No words can describe the devastation and heartbreak my community experienced that night. So many families in Las Vegas and across the Nation are still grieving from this unspeakable tragedy, and their lives will never be the same. prgtoken I am forever grateful to our first responders, medical professionals, hotel and security staff, and the kindness of strangers who helped the wounded to the hospital and stood in line for hours to donate blood. prgtoken We will never forget the selfless and heroic acts by men and women who risked it all and gave their lives for others that night. prgtoken As we continue to heal, what we have always known about our community remains true: We are Vegas strong; we are resilient; and even in our darkest hour, we come together united.
PROTECTING FAMILY AND SMALL BUSINESS TAX CUTS ACT OF 2018
Danny K. Davis (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2018-9-28

I rise in strong opposition to another tax giveaway to the wealthiest in this country who need it the least. prgtoken The s' tax cut already has damaged the health of the Medicare trust fund. This bill is more of the same. prgtoken After decades of wage stagnation, when over 41 million laborers earn less than $12 an hour, when almost none of their employers offer health insurance, when more than one-quarter of Americans struggle to cover housing costs, this bill helps millionaires giving an average tax cut of over $39,000 to the top 1 percent. prgtoken The plan will permanently double tax over 40 million families due to the cap on the State and local income tax deduction. prgtoken The plan permanently takes away critical personal exemptions from millions of families with children which we need to help. We need to help hardworking, middle-class citizens. We don't need to give $39,000 tax breaks to the wealthy.
DARK MONEY RULE
Ron Wyden (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2018-9-28

I am submitting two letters into the Congressional Record in order to clarify the application of the Congressional Review Act, CRA, to the recent rule Rev. Proc. 2018-38, issued by the Treasury Department and the IRS, to dramatically weaken the disclosure rules for large contributions to certain tax-exempt organizations, including many that engage in political activity, what I and others call the dark money rule. In doing so, I also want to take the opportunity to comment on the rule itself and on the inappropriate and irresponsible approach that the administration is taking to the application of the CRA to the dark money rule. prgtoken By way of background, in 1971, as part of a general effort to improve the ability of the IRS to assure that tax-exempt organizations are complying with the tax and election laws, the Treasury Department promulgated a legislative regulation requiring certain tax-exempt organizations to disclose to the IRS, as part of their annual filing, the identity of those who contribute $5,000 or more to the organization. This information is not made available to the public, except in certain cases, but it is can be used by the IRS, State tax administrators, and other Federal agencies. prgtoken In recent years, this disclosure requirement has become controversial. Some, particularly conservative groups, have called for the rule to be repealed in an attempt to keep donor information out of the hands of State tax administrators and law enforcement. Others have urged that the disclosure rules be strengthened. I am one of them. Following the 2010 Citizens United decision, more and more dark money has flooded into secretive tax-exempt organizations and into election campaigns in the form of such things as anonymous ``issue ads.'' I have urged that the contributor information be made available to the public and, further, that the IRS improve its application of the rules designed to prevent tax-exempt organizations from engaging in excessive political campaign activity under false pretenses of ``social welfare.'' For example, I have been particularly concerned about reports that a group that is tax exempt under Tax Code section 501(c)(4) that is associated with the National Rifle Association, which has engaged in extensive political activity, may have received large contributions from foreign sources. prgtoken In the midst of all of this controversy, on July 16, without any public notice and comment or any consultation with me as ranking ic member of the Finance Committee, the Treasury Department and the IRS issued Rev. Proc. 2018-38, which invokes a narrow provision that allows the Treasury Secretary to waive particular reporting requirements in appropriate situations, to effectively repeal the entire 1971 regulation requiring the disclosure of large contributions. Perhaps coincidentally and certainly ironically, this was done late in the evening of the day in which th
NOMINATION OF BRETT KAVANAUGH
Mazie K. Hirono (Democrat, HI) \u2014 2018-9-28

these are the remarks I would have given at this morning's Judiciary Committee markup after the perfunctory and dismissive way the chairman treated the minority members of the Judiciary Committee. I walked out in protest. Here are the remarks I would have given at the committee markup. prgtoken I am in disbelief that we are here today voting on Brett Kavanaugh's nomination to the Supreme Court. Outrageous does not begin to describe the present circumstances. Yesterday we heard from Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, who spoke with genuine and raw emotional power about being sexually assaulted by Brett Kavanaugh. Even though it was more than 30 years ago, her memory of the assault was clear and vivid. This kind of recall is typical of sexual assault survivors. She was sincere and authentic. She was 100 percent credible, and I believe her. prgtoken By contrast, Brett Kavanaugh came to this committee and refused to give us straight answers. He would not call for an FBI investigation. He repeatedly stated that the other people who were at the gathering where Dr. Ford was attacked had ``rebutted her testimony.'' That is not true. His alleged accomplice in the attack, Mark Judge, claimed he didn't remember--a far cry from rebutting her statement. He claimed he didn't remember, refused to testify, and then went into hiding. Patrick Smyth and Leland Keyser said they simply don't remember--again, hardly a rebuttal. prgtoken Dr. Ford said yesterday: I don't expect that P.J. and Leland would remember this evening. It was a very unremarkable party. It was not one of their more notorious parties, because nothing remarkable happened to them that evening. prgtoken In fact, even though she doesn't remember, Leland Keyser said she believes Dr. Ford's account. prgtoken In addition to making misleading statements--which is a pattern with Judge Kavanaugh--he accused ic Senators of coordinating a plot to sabotage his nomination. Clearly, he was speaking to an audience of one: President . A nominee for the Supreme Court so rattled that he would buy into a vast conspiracy theory is astounding and dangerous. Let's not forget his exact words. Judge Kavanaugh said: This whole two-week effort has been a calculated and orchestrated political hit fueled with apparent pent-up anger about President and the 2016 election, fear that has been unfairly stoked about my judicial record, revenge on behalf of the Clintons, and millions of dollars in money from outside left-wing opposition groups. prgtoken With that nakedly political screed, Brett Kavanaugh showed us who he really is: a partisan political operative with an agenda--the very worry that kept him from confirmation to the DC Circuit for 3 years. His own words reinforced a concern that I and many of us here have that he cannot be a fair and impartial judge. prgtoken Setting aside the unvarnished politic
HONORING THE CHILD CARE COUNCIL OF WESTCHESTER
Nita M. Lowey (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2018-9-28

I rise today to honor the Child Care Council of Westchester as it hosts its 50th Anniversary Celebration on October 18, 2018. prgtoken The Child Care Council of Westchester promotes quality child care and education to support the healthy development of children and families. For children, the Council is a safe space to learn and grow. For parents, the Council eases the financial burden of child care by providing high quality, affordable child care for working families. For child care professionals, the Council acts as an information hub on running a business, providing quality care, and meeting legal obligations. Finally, for Westchester employers, the Council provides parents with resources and referrals to have successful employment and careers. prgtoken The Child Care Council's continued success in Westchester can be largely attributed to its Executive Director Kathy Halas. Since 2003, Ms. Halas has led the Council as it advocates for the importance of healthy childhood development and quality child care. Ms. Halas' unwavering activism is an inspiration to us all and can be credited with the care of countless children throughout Westchester County and beyond. prgtoken , I am proud to have worked alongside Kathy Halas and the Child Care Services of Westchester to support quality early care and education for all children. I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing this incredible organization and applauding its 50 years of service to Westchester County as it celebrates this golden anniversary.
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
Jack Reed (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2018-9-28

I am pleased to be joined by a group of members on both sides of the aisle and in both bodies in introducing legislation today to renew the law that expands the reach of libraries and museums and enables them to better serve their communities. These vital institutions educate, inform, engage, and connect people from all walks of life. prgtoken Our legislation, the Museum and Library Services Act of 2018, is similar to legislation I also introduced on a bipartisan basis in December. That legislation was developed with input and insights from the library and museum communities. Since that time, it became apparent in the library community that a vital change was needed to ensure that funding increases for the State formula grant program would be more broadly shared by States around the Nation. Under the current formula, smaller States have seen little in the way of new funding even as funding significantly increased over the last few years. The last time we addressed this issue was in 2003, and an update, while ensuring no State would lose funding, is needed today so that more communities can benefit from increased investments in our Federal library program. prgtoken I am grateful our revised bill has the support of the American Library Association, the American Alliance of Museums, and many of their affiliated associations. I thank Senators Collins, Gillibrand, Murkowski, and our many colleagues who are joining us in introducing this bill today. I look forward to working with them and the entire Senate on moving this bill swiftly to passage.
Recognition of the Minority Leader (Executive Calendar)
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2018-10-1

on Friday, Senators Flake, Collins, and Murkowski, joined by ic Senators Coons, Klobuchar, and others, made the only fair move to demand that the FBI investigate the credible allegations of sexual misconduct by Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. It was the right thing to do. It was fair to both Dr. Blasey Ford and to Judge Kavanaugh. prgtoken For too long s have rushed this process forward and likely would have rushed to a final vote if not for the prudent and bipartisan effort of those Senators to demand a full FBI investigation. prgtoken What is important now is for the FBI investigation to be serious, impartial, and thorough, to ferret out the facts and do so quickly. That means interviewing all--all--of the relevant witnesses and accepting corroborating accounts when they come forward. It also means following up on any leads that emerge from the process of the investigation. prgtoken The FBI has ample resources to do this within the 1-week period requested by the members of the Judiciary Committee. No one is asking that it take longer than a week, but everyone is asking that it be done thoroughly and completely within that week. prgtoken There is concern that the White House has placed severe constraints on the investigation. Until today, the President tried to dodge that responsibility, with the White House even saying the Senate is somehow responsible for the scope of the investigation. Let me be clear. The Senate has no control over the scope of an FBI investigation of this sort--only the White House. prgtoken A few hours ago, I was glad to hear President say he would like to see Dr. Ford and Judge Kavanaugh interviewed by the FBI as part of this investigation and that the FBI should be able to interview anyone--anyone--appropriate. We have to now make sure that those comments reflect what the White House has officially told the FBI. prgtoken ic Senators, led by Ranking Member Feinstein, have asked the White House what parameters it is giving to the FBI, but we haven't yet received the reply, so we need an official document from the White House made public so the whole country knows what the scope is, and it should outline the scope of the investigation. prgtoken We told the President: If you are truly giving the FBI the ability to follow the facts wherever they lead, show us; show us what White House Counsel Don McGahn has instructed the FBI. Because prior to President 's off-the-cuff comments in the Rose Garden, there were rumors that the majority staff of the Judiciary Committee were drawing up limited interview lists for the FBI and otherwise circumscribing the investigation. Partisan staffers on the Judiciary Committee should not exercise any constraints over this investigation. prgtoken ic staffers asked the majority staff to get on the phone with Counsel McGahn to discuss what should be the parameters, and they were told: F
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
Jack Reed (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2018-10-1

today I am introducing, along with my colleagues Senator Whitehouse, Senator Blumenthal, and Senator Murphy, legislation to designate river segments within the Wood-Pawcatuck watershed as part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. prgtoken Following more than three years of intense study, this legislation would formally recognize the recreational, natural, and historical qualities of portions of the Beaver, Chipuxet, Green Fall-Ashaway, Pawcatuck, Queen-Usquepaugh, Shunock, and Wood Rivers in Rhode Island and Connecticut while providing access to Federal resources and promoting strong partnerships for their restoration and protection. prgtoken The Wood-Pawcatuck watershed is a national treasure that not only holds natural and scenic value, but is also an important economic driver for the area. Indeed, the twelve local river communities experience direct economic benefits from their proximity to these rivers through increased recreation and tourism. The watershed provides a range of opportunities for visitors, from viewing early industrial mill ruins, to trout fishing, to bird watching, to kayaking. prgtoken I have long been a supporter of protecting and restoring these rivers, which is why I sponsored the Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed Protection Act in 2013. The study that was initiated by that legislation has been a critical tool for bringing together stakeholders from Rhode Island and Connecticut including representatives from State agencies, local governments, and conservation groups in order to develop a collaborative path forward. The resulting stewardship plan, which was formally adopted by the study committee and supported by all twelve local river communities, builds upon currently existing efforts to preserve and manage the river ecosystems while also considering what steps will need to be taken collectively in the future to protect them. prgtoken I would like to commend Representatives Langevin, Cicilline, and Courtney for introducing companion legislation. It is particularly fitting this week, as we commemorate the 50th anniversary of the landmark Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, that we are continuing our work to protect these special places. I look forward to working with all of my colleagues to pass this legislation so that we can preserve the rivers of the Wood-Pawcatuck watershed for the enjoyment of future generations.