mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
FAA REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2018
Donald S. Beyer, Jr. (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2018-4-26

with great respect to the chairman of the committee, the many conversations I have had with the general who runs the Washington Military District, with the Air Force and Army colonels, with the Marine major, and with many of the helicopter pilots, none of them have suggested for a moment that national security, homeland security, or law enforcement were at risk here. In fact, the pilots said: We would be happy to fly higher as long as we have permission from the FAA. prgtoken We are not interfering in the slightest with their ability to accomplish their mission. We understand their mission. We respect it. prgtoken No one is saying that we can't protect not only our Nation's top executives, but also the military officers who need to fly in and around this region. What we are simply saying is that, in many cases, 300 feet, 500 feet, 700 feet is a more logical place to fly. prgtoken We have had testimony that people have been in apartment buildings in Crystal City, looked out their window, and seen the helicopters fly below their window. This happens in Rosslyn, also. prgtoken What we are simply asking is that the FAA responsibly look at whether--with lots of feedback from the Army, Air Force, Marines, from law enforcement, from the Secret Service--they couldn't, in fact, fly a few hundred feet higher than they fly right now. If they can't, we will accept that and do our best to move some other way. But, really, this is at the recommendation of our military leaders that the FAA examine this and find a way to move forward. prgtoken Mr. Chair, .
MEDICARE FOR ALL
Keith Ellison (Democrat, MN) \u2014 2018-4-26

I want to thank the gentleman again for his comments. We can talk about statistics. We can talk about the way the program is going to work. We can talk about all these things. But there is nothing that can replace the precious life of the young woman whom you talked about. She had people who loved her. She had people who knew her. She had everything to look forward to. prgtoken She just needed her society, her community, to step forward for her and to help her. And because we don't have the kind of healthcare system we could have, we weren't there for her. But in her memory, we have to be able to make it right for the young people and the people who are still with us. In her memory, we will fight for Medicare for All. prgtoken I thank the gentleman. Would the gentleman like to make any final comments?
Nominations and the Appropriations Process (Executive Session)
Gary C. Peters (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2018-4-26

I rise to oppose the nomination of CIA Director Mike Pompeo to be the Secretary of State. prgtoken I voted against confirming Mike Pompeo to be the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency because he lacked the experience and the qualifications for the position. His time at the CIA has done nothing to ensure me that he now has the capabilities to lead the State Department. prgtoken As a Member of the House of Representatives, Mike Pompeo made repeated discriminatory remarks about Muslim Americans. He has argued that the Muslim American leaders have a ``special obligation'' to denounce terrorist attacks, and he has falsely claimed that they have failed to do that. I am proud to represent dynamic Muslim and Arab- American communities in Michigan. I have seen that these patriotic communities are often the first to denounce senseless acts of violence that pervert the Islamic faith. prgtoken Mike Pompeo also has close ties to a group that is a Southern Poverty Law Center ``designated hate group'' because of its anti-Muslim rhetoric and conspiracy theories. I seriously question the judgment of an elected official who would work with such a group, and I do not believe it shows the type of character required in an individual who is nominated to be our country's top diplomat. How can someone with this attitude work effectively with our allies and partners in the Middle East? I don't think he can. prgtoken Mr. Pompeo has also supported bringing back waterboarding and other torture measures that do nothing to keep America safe and go against our Nation's core values. We now have a President who has said that he believes that torture ``absolutely'' works. prgtoken We can do better than this. America is better than this. I voted to ban the use of waterboarding and other so-called enhanced interrogation measures because they do not work, and in fact, they violate basic human rights, undermine our Nation's counterterrorism missions, and place our own servicemembers at risk. prgtoken Confirming a Secretary of State that has condoned torture is just another step in our Nation's current retreat from being what President Ronald Reagan called ``a shining city on the hill.'' prgtoken I am concerned that Mike Pompeo will also continue the United States' retreat from a leadership role in addressing climate change--an existential moral and economic issue that will impact our planet for generations to come. Director Pompeo has criticized the Paris climate agreement and has prgtoken made statements that contradict the overwhelming scientific events on climate change. prgtoken Our Nation faces serious global challenges: Russian aggression, North Korea's nuclear weapons program, instability in the Middle East, and China's ongoing efforts to expand their power and influence. The world is looking to the United States for leadership. This is a time when skill and experienced diplomacy is essential to advance our interests an
REAUTHORIZING THE FAA
Brian Higgins (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2018-4-26

the House will vote tomorrow to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration. prgtoken In 2010, Congress approved landmark flight safety legislation after flight 3407 crashed outside of Buffalo, New York, in 2009. The National Transportation Safety Board concluded that pilot error was the cause of that tragedy. prgtoken The bill the House will vote on tomorrow must uphold and reaffirm our commitment to those safety standards. The Southwest Airlines emergency landing 2 weeks ago is an urgent and inspiring reminder of the importance of pilot training to keep the flying public safe. prgtoken The Southwest pilot, Tammie Jo Shults, piloted that plane to a safe landing in a calm, controlled, and competent manner borne out of one thing: excellent pilot training.
Remembering Matthew Pollard (Executive Session)
Robert Menendez (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2018-4-26

we are about to vote on cloture on the nomination for Secretary of State. I, once again, just to summarize, express my opposition to Mike Pompeo serving as this Nation's top diplomat. prgtoken As I said earlier this week in committee, I am genuinely disappointed to be casting a vote against the Secretary of State nominee. I believe the United States needs an effective leader on the global stage, but at the end of the day, as I considered Director Pompeo's nomination, including his hearing, his past statements, and recent revelations, I have lingering concerns, which I outlined in detail yesterday on the floor and will not go through in detail here again. prgtoken I do want to say, though, in listening to the remarks of some of my colleagues this week, I was struck by how easily some characterize legitimate concerns about a nominee as a purely partisan act. I was struck by suggestions that somehow obstructed this nomination. prgtoken on the Foreign Relations Committee agreed to every request of the chairman in the process of considering this nomination. We held hearings on the date the chairman requested. We held the business meeting to vote on the nomination on the date the chairman requested. We sent the nomination to the floor. Yesterday, we had an opportunity to debate the nomination on the Senate floor, and today we will vote. That is not obstruction. That is a fair and appropriate process--agreed on in a cooperative manner. prgtoken have worked with s in a constructive manner to confirm a wide range of nominations. We voted for the President's nominees for Cabinet members. Nikki Haley was confirmed as the U.N. Ambassador, 96 to 4; John Kelly was confirmed as the Secretary of Homeland Security, 88 to 11; and Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan was confirmed, 94 to 6. This body confirmed Secretary of Defense Mattis by a vote of 98 to 1--98 to 1. prgtoken It seems s complain about ic votes only when they don't get what they want. I would say it is the President who is politicizing many of these nominees by nominating people he must know cannot draw broad bipartisan support. There are many qualified candidates this President could have nominated for this critical position, whom I am sure my colleagues and I--as well as others--would have been happy to confirm. prgtoken Let me close by providing more actual facts. In the Senate Foreign Relations Committee alone, we have sent 86 nominees to the Senate floor, and 77 of them have been confirmed, mostly through unanimous consent. It is the administration that has failed to keep pace on nominations. Of the 172 Senate-confirmed positions at the State Department, our Embassies, and USAID, the administration has not nominated anyone to fill 76 of those vacancies. They include ambassadorial vacancies left unfilled, which include critical countries of great strategic importance li
ADAPT ACT
Bradley Scott Schneider (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2018-4-26

in 2016, more than 63,000 people died from drug overdose, more than 30,000 of these from opioids. We also know that 80 percent of heroin users started with prescription opioids. Reducing opioid-related deaths will take a broad, multifaceted effort, and everyone has a role to play, including physicians. prgtoken In congressional hearings and community conversations, I constantly hear that enhancing continuing education for prescribers on the risks associated with opioid medication and indications and treatment of addictive behaviors can help reduce dependence and abuse of these drugs. prgtoken This week, I was proud to partner with Congresswoman Susan Brooks of Indiana to introduce the bipartisan ADAPT Act. Our bill would help ensure prescribers have continuing medical education on safe prescribing, opioid risks, pain management alternatives, early detection of drug abuse, and treatment options for patients suffering from addiction. prgtoken We know more about opioid addiction today than we did 20 years ago. With ongoing research, we will continue to gain new insights and understanding. We need our doctors to be equipped with the latest tools and best practices when treating patients. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to join us in support of this effort to equip those on the front lines of the opioid crisis with the latest and best training to help our communities.
100TH ANNIVERSARY OF VISTA HOUSE
Jeff Merkley (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2018-4-26

Oregon is renowned for our beautiful places, and the view of the Columbia Gorge from Interstate 84 is one of the most stunning drives in the country. Oregonians and travelers alike are fortunate that, for a century now, we have been able to break from driving and take in the entire stunning view of the gorge from the Vista House. prgtoken The idea came from Samuel Lancaster, supervisor of the Columbia River Highway project, who proposed to construct a building on the summit of Crown Point. He wanted travelers along the highway to feel inspired, and to make the wonders of the gorge accessible. prgtoken The Vista House was built as a rest stop observatory on the old Columbia River Gorge Highway and as a memorial for Oregon's settlers, particularly those whose journey took them along the Columbia River. Described by its architect, Edgar M. Lazarus, as ``a temple to the natural beauty of the Gorge,'' Vista House has long been recognized for its historic significance and was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. prgtoken From its vantage point 733 feet above the Columbia River, millions of travelers have enjoyed a step back in time and one of Oregon's most inspiring views. With the help of thousands of dedicated volunteers from Friends of Vista House, who tell visitors the fascinating history of the Vista House, this Oregon treasure has found its place in our Nation's history. prgtoken I join all Oregonians in looking forward to another 100 years of celebrating Oregon's beauty and its history at the Vista House.
Nomination of Richard Grenell (Executive Session)
Jack Reed (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2018-4-26

I would like to address the nomination of Director Pompeo to be the next Secretary of State. I intend to vote against this nomination, and I would like to explain how I reached this conclusion. prgtoken This was a difficult decision. I supported Director Pompeo's nomination to be Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. Director Pompeo is a talented individual who has spent his life in public service, but the job of Secretary of State requires different skill sets and experiences than that of Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. prgtoken As such, the Senate has a constitutional responsibility to review Director Pompeo's qualifications anew with respect to this specific nomination. As I indicated, the role of the Secretary of State is significantly different from that of the CIA Director. The question before us is whether Director Pompeo has the right background, judgment, and independence to faithfully execute the duties of America's top diplomat. Using those criteria, I have to oppose this nomination. prgtoken One of the first tasks for the next Secretary of State will be to rebuild the capabilities and morale of the Department of State. Over the last year and a half, the Department has struggled with widespread vacancies, drastic proposed budget cuts, a Foreign Service treated with contempt by the White House, and a failed reorganization effort under Secretary Tillerson. The result has been the hemorrhaging of decades of foreign policy expertise, the demoralization of those who continue to serve at State, and the marginalization of diplomacy as an instrument of national power. prgtoken I question whether Director Pompeo is right for the task of reversing the damage wrought at the State Department. During his time in the House, then-Congressman Pompeo was a staunch supporter of Tea Party proposals to slash the very State Department programs that are critical for advancing our foreign policy and national security interests. During his confirmation hearing earlier this month, Director Pompeo declared his commitment to end the ``demoralizing'' vacancies at the State Department and strengthen the diplomatic corps. Even if Director Pompeo has had a late conversion on the road to his nomination for Secretary of State, it is not clear whether he will be any more successful than Secretary Tillerson was in gaining White House approval for his desired candidates for senior positions or convincing this President to listen to the advice of our experts at Foggy Bottom. prgtoken My deeper concern is whether Director Pompeo is the right choice to carry out the Secretary of State's role as the lead advocate for diplomacy as a means of advancing our national interests. prgtoken The need for effective diplomacy to solve our most pressing security challenges has never been greater. Today's national security threats are complex, including the reemergence of near-peer competitors Russia and China wh
Nominations and the Appropriations Process (Executive Session)
Elizabeth Warren (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2018-4-26

I rise to express my strong opposition to President 's nomination of Mike Pompeo to be the next Secretary of State. There are many reasons to oppose this nomination, but the main reason for me is pretty straightforward. Mike Pompeo is completely unfit to serve as America's chief diplomat. prgtoken During his time as a public servant, Mike Pompeo has embraced a variety of views that betray America's values. Whether it is his support for interrogation techniques that amount to torture, his preference for war over diplomatic solutions, or his hateful, blatantly discriminatory views about Muslim and LGBTQ Americans, Mike Pompeo's confirmation would degrade America's diplomacy and erode our moral standing on the world stage. prgtoken Let's start with his evolving position on torture. In 2014, then- Congressman Pompeo praised the interrogators who used torture as ``patriots'' and ``heroes,'' but when seeking confirmation to become CIA Director, Mr. Pompeo suddenly said he would ``always comply with the law'' prohibiting torture. prgtoken When asked if he would comply with a request from the President to use torture, he said he couldn't ``imagine being asked to do so.'' Never mind that as a candidate boasted about his desire to bring back waterboarding and ``a hell of a lot worse.'' In his later written answers, Mr. Pompeo suggested he could support bringing back waterboarding and other torture techniques if he thought they were necessary. prgtoken So, first, Mike Pompeo was for torture, but when he wanted to be CIA Director, he miraculously changed his position. Now he thinks the United States should reserve the right to torture people in the future. This position undermines our core values as Americans, and that alone should disqualify him from being America's Secretary of State, but there is more. prgtoken Mike Pompeo's hawkish views could quite literally lead us into another war. Just look at his views on Iran. The Iranian Government is a bad actor, no doubt about it. That is why the Iran nuclear deal was so important. It is easier to counter Iran's bad behavior if it has no nuclear weapons than it would be to keep Iran in check if it could threaten the region and threaten the world with a nuclear bomb. prgtoken The deal with Iran imposed strong limits and intrusive inspections on Iran's nuclear program so it cannot develop a nuclear weapon, and our intelligence community tells us it is working. That is very important to the security of our allies and the security of the whole world. prgtoken The Iran nuclear deal is a negotiated solution designed to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, and it was accomplished without resorting to military action. The deal is the product of putting diplomacy first. That is good for the security of the United States, good for our allies, and good for the world. prgtoken Mike Pompeo doesn't seem to understand that. He has called the Iran nuc
IN RECOGNITION OF THE 100TH BIRTHDAY OF JOSEPH P. SILVA
William R. Keating (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2018-4-26

I rise today in recognition of Joseph Silva, a resident of New Bedford, Massachusetts, who turned 100 years young on Thursday, April 12th. prgtoken Joseph has dedicated his life to serving his community and country. In World War II he was drafted into the U.S. Army, serving two years in North Africa and another in Italy. During his service, Joseph attained the rank of staff sergeant for the 22nd Quarter Master Battalion, Company A. prgtoken Upon returning home, Joseph joined the New Bedford Fire Department, and remains the first and only Cape Verdean to achieve the rank of deputy chief. Joseph served at the Fire Department for thirty-six years, where he routinely encouraged other Cape Verdeans to apply, even inviting them into his home to study for the firefighter's exam. On his days off he worked as a longshoreman for nineteen years. prgtoken In 1950, Joseph married Julia Barros. The two would go on to have two daughters together and today Joseph is a proud grandfather. Joseph has remained active in his community, receiving the Marian Medal from the Dioceses of Fall River for his dedicated service, and serving on his church's Building and maintenance Committee until just five years ago. prgtoken Mr. Silva's children and grandchildren speak incredibly highly of him, noting the value he placed on education, as well as the importance of listening and understanding. prgtoken , I am proud to honor Joseph Silva on this joyous occasion of his 100th birthday. I ask that my colleagues join me in wishing him many more years of health and happiness.
FAA REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2018
Tom O’Halleran (Democrat, AZ) \u2014 2018-4-26

I would like to take a moment to thank the chairman and the ranking member for their support of my commonsense, bipartisan amendment that strengthens our commitment to rural America. prgtoken The Essential Air Service is a critical link for residents and businesses in small and rural communities by linking service to hub airports in 36 States. EAS serves as an important economic tool in local communities. prgtoken Page and Show Low, Arizona, in my district, are two communities that benefit from EAS, which allows businesses there to access larger markets and compete on a level playing field. My amendment simply requires the comptroller general to analyze the impact any proposed reforms to EAS it reports to Congress would have on the local communities that depend on the program. prgtoken At a time when rural America is still recovering from economic recession, we should be working together to revitalize communities and create jobs. EAS is a vital resource in many of these communities across America, and we must continue to protect it. I thank Congressman Don Young for cosponsoring this amendment and being a stalwart champion for EAS. prgtoken , I thank the chairman for including it in their en bloc package.
FAA REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2018
James R. Langevin (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2018-4-26

I thank the gentleman for yielding. prgtoken , I rise in support of the en bloc package, which includes my amendment to the FAA Reauthorization Act relating to air passengers with disabilities. I also want to thank the chairman and ranking member for including an air passengers with disabilities bill of rights in the manager's amendment. prgtoken The Air Carrier Access Act was enacted in 1986 to prohibit discrimination based on disability in air travel. Despite progress, travelers with disabilities still encounter significant barriers. My amendment requires the Secretary of Transportation to review and, if necessary, revise regulations issued under the act. In particular, it focuses on providing timelier and more effective assistance to people with disabilities, including by improving hands-on training for airline personnel. prgtoken Inadequate assistance for people with disabilities can lead to unacceptable delays, missed flights, and even passenger injuries. We can and must do better I have traveled all over the world, and I have dealt with those airlines who do things the right way and treat people with disabilities with respect and have good processes in place and other airlines that need more improvement and need to work harder at this. prgtoken These amendments and this bill will help us to get there. I thank the chairman and the ranking member for their hard work.