mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
GRID SECURITY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ACT
Frank D. Lucas (Republican, OK) \u2014 2020-9-29

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , last week when the House considered the massive Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act, I expressed my disappointment with the partisan policies in the bill, with the rushed and irresponsible process of writing it, and, most of all, with the sheer number of missed bipartisan legislative opportunities it represents. prgtoken This week, I am glad to see that my friends across the aisle have taken heed of those words. prgtoken The Committee on Science, Space, and Technology has one of the best track records in Congress for passing productive, bipartisan legislation, and I am pleased to see us upholding that tradition once again. prgtoken H.R. 5760, the Grid Security Research and Development Act is a truly bipartisan Committee on Science, Space, and Technology product. It is sponsored by vice-chairman Ami Bera and Energy subcommittee Ranking Member Randy Weber. It has gone through regular order, and is the result of thoughtful consideration, careful analysis, and substantial debate. I support its passage today. prgtoken Currently, the U.S. energy sector and its aging electrical grid faces many critical challenges, like higher demand, vulnerability to cyberattacks, and increased integration of new energy sources. It is our job in Congress to set the priorities to meet these challenges and to focus our limited Federal funds where we can see the best return on investment. prgtoken To deliver effective solutions, we must take the long-term and big- picture approach. We must support early-stage research that will spur innovation over a broad range of energy applications and provide for R&D to mobilize and defend our critical energy infrastructure. prgtoken The bipartisan Grid Security Research and Development Act will strengthen our Nation's electric grid against rapidly changing technological challenges. It authorizes the Department of Energy's vital cybersecurity and emergency response R&D activities and directs DOE to work with relevant Federal agencies to develop cybersecurity best practices. prgtoken Through the committee markup process, we were able to improve this legislation by adding key research infrastructure provisions from my legislation, H.R. 5685, the Securing American Leadership in Science and Technology Act. prgtoken This provision requires the Secretary to carry out a program of research, development, and a demonstration of technologies and tools to help ensure the resilience and security of critical integrated grid infrastructures. prgtoken It also requires the Secretary to establish and operate a critical infrastructure test facility that allows for both physical and cyber performance testing to be conducted on large-scale infrastructure systems. This test facility will amplify and accelerate the high- priority research and development activities authorized in the original text and maximize the return on investment of taxpayers' dollars. prgtoken , I
CYBER SENSE ACT OF 2020
Robert E. Latta (Republican, OH) \u2014 2020-9-29

I thank the gentleman, my friend, the ranking Member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, for yielding. prgtoken I rise in support of my legislation, H.R. 360, the Cyber Sense Act. prgtoken This legislation is one of two bipartisan bills that my friend from California, Congressman McNerney, and I have worked on over the past two Congresses to improve the resiliency of our Nation's electric grid against cyberattacks. The second, H.R. 359, will be considered following this debate, and I urge my colleagues to also support it. prgtoken , over the last quarter century, we have seen incredible changes in the way we communicate with the rest of the world and the way we engage in commerce. Along with these changes, we have also seen innovations in technologies that power society, resulting in a more efficient and streamlined electric grid. prgtoken Our country's grid has maintained a high level of reliability as our society has undertaken these changes, which is a fact that should not be taken for granted. prgtoken Unfortunately, the promise of a more interconnected society also means we must also address the challenges and vulnerabilities that arise with it. Every day, malignant actors, ranging from individuals, hackers, and foreign states, are attempting to exploit vulnerabilities in our electric grid to cause chaos or for other nefarious purposes. prgtoken To improve and protect our Nation's grid, I introduced the Cyber Sense Act, which would create a voluntary Cyber Sense program within the United States Department of Energy to identify and promote cyber- secure products for use in the bulk-power system. It would also establish a testing process for the products along with a reporting process of cybersecurity vulnerability. prgtoken This legislation was unanimously reported out of the Energy and Commerce Committee last year and is supported by the Department of Energy, and industry. prgtoken , I thank the full committee Chairman Pallone, Subcommittee Chairman Rush; the full committee Ranking Member Walden, and also subcommittee Ranking Member Upton; and both the majority and minority E&C staff for helping us get these bills where they are today. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues to support the Cyber Sense Act as well as H.R. 359.
REAFFIRMING THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES' COMMITMENT TO THE ORDERLY AND PEACEFUL TRANSFER OF POWER CALLED FOR IN THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES
W. Gregory Steube (Republican, FL) \u2014 2020-9-29

the balance of my time. prgtoken Mr , let's be clear: The real threat to our democracy are the attempts to undermine the election process. prgtoken Universal mail-in voting is not the same as absentee ballots like we do in Florida. When a voter requests an absentee ballot, she knows to expect it. Universal mail-in voting is when States mass mail ballots to voters, whether or not a voter has moved, has died, or is otherwise no longer eligible to vote or is even a citizen of our country. Universal mail-in voting increases the risk of election crime or administrative error because States are providing prepaid return envelopes for election ballots. prgtoken The U.S. Postal Service does not typically postmark premarked mail, and although it has a policy to postmark election-related mail, its policy is not foolproof, as we have seen in some primary elections over the summer. prgtoken All of these last-minute changes will harm the integrity of the election process and risk chaos in the general election. We are already seeing the disastrous results of the ' last-minute process changes. prgtoken Last week, the Justice Department found that several military ballots were discarded in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. Seven of the nine ballots were cast for President --not surprising. prgtoken This month, the Georgia Secretary of State revealed that at least 1,000 Georgians voted twice in the June 2020 primary, once via mail-in balloting and once in person. prgtoken In New York, Governor Cuomo's last-minute shift to all-mail voting cost thousands of ballots in Chairwoman Maloney's primary to be discarded for lacking postmarks. Election officials took 6 weeks to certify the results of the primary. prgtoken In a New Jersey municipal election, a last-minute shift to all-mail voting resulted in the Postal Service still delivering ballots to election officials weeks after the election. prgtoken If these problems occurred in local primary elections, the risk to a national general election is even greater. The President is right to highlight these problems, and I fail to understand why won't. prgtoken The best and surest guarantee of electoral integrity is for Americans to vote in person where safe and possible, with absentee ballots available for those who legitimately cannot make it to the polls or have voter ID safeguards in places like we have in Florida. prgtoken This resolution is nothing but political messaging and creating a narrative without any facts to base it, just like the Russia collusion hoax. prgtoken There is no question that every single American, including President , wants a peaceful transfer of power after a free and fair election, but this rhetoric and fear-mongering by our friends across the aisle must end. The liberal mainstream media and should stop this nonsense and let the American people speak. prgtoken , .
TRIBUTE TO CHRISTINA MILLER
Cindy Hyde-Smith (Republican, MS) \u2014 2020-9-29

I commend Christina Miller, a healthcare hero and someone who puts her life in danger every day to help save lives. Christina is an emergency room nurse at Kings Daughters Medical Center in Brookhaven, MS. prgtoken Christina demonstrates a remarkable selflessness and level of compassion for her patients and coworkers. As more Americans became infected with COVID-19, hospitals began to fill up and staffing became a challenge. Christina immediately stepped up and volunteered to orient on the ICU floor to help with staffing needs to help care and treat the sickest patients. prgtoken Not only does Christina give the utmost care to her patients, she also realizes the physical and emotional strain all healthcare workers are feeling during these unprecedented times. Christina wanted to help encourage her colleagues, so she began an employee appreciation program among the emergency room nurses. This gave the nurses something to look forward to when they arrived at work. prgtoken Throughout our Nation's history, everyday Americans bravely emerge in times of turmoil to aid their neighbors. In the case of Christina, she has fought on the frontlines as a nurse by stepping into harm's way to provide care for patients affected by the virus. prgtoken Mississippi first responders and healthcare providers have experienced a drastic change not only in their professional life but also in their home life. The COVID-19 pandemic has been demanding of their time, taken them away from their loved ones, and caused their worlds to totally change. These heroes, such as Christina, are walking examples of what selfless service looks like.
Cloture Motion (Executive Session)
Rand Paul (Republican, KY) \u2014 2020-9-29

reserving the right to object, I have no problem with asking unanimous consent at this point to pass the legislation with a few amendments. Since this will not be going through committee, we ought to, like you say, examine the legislation and think about what it involves. I think having a few commonsense amendments would make sense. prgtoken It is about 200,000 or 270,000 Venezuelans. I think we can accommodate them. We are a big, great country, and America has room for them. We should make sure, though, that they don't overburden the welfare system, and there should be rules that people, as part of this program, do not come to the country to receive welfare. That is my first amendment. prgtoken My second amendment would say that at the end of the 18-month period, Congress should vote on whether or not to extend the period. In the past, we have granted this temporary status, and it has been renewed decade after decade and become just sort of this lost zone for people for whom we can't figure out a permanent solution. prgtoken My third amendment would actually create an ability to absorb more people in our country and would be more of a permanent solution. My third amendment is called the BELIEVE Act, and it is a bill that I have had out there for several years. What it would do is to take the merit- based employment in our country, employment-based visas, and double these visas. So, if you want to accommodate the 200-some-odd thousand Venezuelans, we need more green cards, ultimately, for permanent status. This would be increased employment-based visas. prgtoken So, my unanimous consent request would be to pass your bill with these three amendments: One, to prohibit welfare; two, to make it Congress's prerogative to decide that this term needs to be extended and it would have to be a vote by this body; and then the third thing would be that we expand our employment-based visas in order to accommodate folks like this in our country. prgtoken I would ask unanimous consent that your bill be passed, and, also, including my three amendments to the bill, and at this point, I ask unanimous consent for that.
Cloture Motion (Executive Session)
Rick Scott (Republican, FL) \u2014 2020-9-29

the Communist Party of China is committing a genocide against the Uighur people. Let me say that again. The Communist Party of China is committing a genocide against the Uighur people. prgtoken Under General Secretary of the Communist Party Xi, 1 million Uighurs have been placed in concentration camps simply because of their religion. The Xi regime is reportedly performing forced abortions and forced sterilization of Uighur women. prgtoken The Communist Party of China is harvesting organs from Uighurs and members of the Falun Gong. The Communist Party assigns male Han Chinese to regularly sleep in the same beds as the wives of Uighur men detained in the camps. prgtoken In addition to these disgusting human rights abuses, the Communist Party of China is stripping away the freedom and autonomy that the people of Hong Kong were guaranteed. They are threatening Taiwan, building up their military to compete with us, arresting and detaining foreign journalists, and punishing anyone who disagrees with them. prgtoken General Secretary Xi has established a surveillance system in Beijing that tracks every movement you make online and in person. The actions of Xi and the Chinese Communist Party fly in the face of the fundamental values that unite freedom-loving countries around the world--values that the Olympic Games are meant to foster and promote. Yet, in just 2 years, Communist China is slated to host the 2022 Olympic Games. The International Olympic Committee's Charter states: ``The goal of Olympism is to place sport at the service of the harmonious development of humankind, with a view to promoting a peaceful society concerned with the preservation of human dignity.'' prgtoken The host city contract the IOC adopted in 2017 requires that hosts protect and respect human rights. Unfortunately, but not by accident, the contract does not take effect until after the 2022 Beijing games. Think about that. It was 56 years ago that the International Olympic Committee took a historic step and stood up to the Government of South Africa and its racist apartheid system and banned the country from participation in the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games. South Africa was also excluded for the 1968 Mexico City games, and in 1970, the IOC indefinitely expelled South Africa from Olympic competition. prgtoken Germany and Japan were banned from participating in the 1948 Olympic Games for their roles in World War II. Afghanistan was banned in 2000 because of the Taliban's discrimination against women, and South Korea was pressured by the IOC to enact democratic reforms before it hosted the 1988 games. prgtoken Should Communist China, which places no value on human life or freedom, be allowed to host the 2022 games? Absolutely not. Doing so will threaten the safety of athletes and attendees and financially reward the dictatorship responsible for its genocide against its Muslim population. prgtoken My colleague from Massachusetts, Sena
SENATOR KAY HAGAN AIRPORT TRAFFIC CONTROL TOWER
Steve Daines (Republican, MT) \u2014 2020-9-29

water is the most basic element of human life. In Montana, we depend on a steady supply of water to drink, to irrigate our crops, to water our livestock, and to provide energy through hydropower. Water is a precious resource, but there are still rural communities in Montana that face challenges to access and that are in dire need of Federal assistance. The health and economic risks associated with the lack of reliable water have increased because of the current pandemic. prgtoken I stand here today to highlight three bills that would ensure rural Montana communities have access to water. prgtoken S. 1882 would allow the 130 family farms in the Kinsey Irrigation Company and Sidney Water Users Irrigation District to continue the use of Pick-Sloan power, which they have reasonably relied on for more than 74 years. Thankfully, this bill has been passed out of the U.S. Senate and now awaits House consideration. I thank both Senate and House leadership for getting this bill to the finish line, and I urge my colleagues in the House to pass it. prgtoken Another Montana water priority is the bipartisan St. Mary's Reinvestment Act, which supports the St. Mary and Milk River Project by allowing the reconstruction and restoration of the over 100-year-old infrastructure. I am proud to be working with the entire Montana delegation on this important bill that supplies over 18,000 water users and municipalities along the Hi-Line, including the Blackfeet Reservation and Fort Belknap. prgtoken The catastrophic failure of a drop structure this past summer is proof that Congress must pass this bipartisan legislation. I spent time out there in July and saw firsthand the catastrophic failure of that drop and why it is so important to get this legislation passed. This bill is critical for Montana's families and Montana's farmers and ranchers along the Hi-Line. prgtoken I would also like to highlight my bipartisan bill, the Clean Water for Rural Communities Act. It is hard to believe that there are approximately 40,000 Americans across 12 counties in both Montana and North Dakota who currently do not have access to water that is safe to drink. In fact, I have brought with me today some examples of the drinking water that Montanans in the central and eastern parts of our State have shared with me. prgtoken Here is a sample that literally came from the tap of the Arnesons. It is hard to believe we are in 2020 and that a Montanan can open up a tap and see water like this. prgtoken This example came from the Good family. Again, it is yellow water, and this is black water. This is water that has literally come from the taps of Montanans who live in the eastern part of our State. prgtoken You see, iron content in these impacted areas is nearly five times the prgtoken Safe Drinking Water Act's standard, and nearly all residents must rely on bottled water. This water is so contaminated that it is corrosive to appliances, which
TRIBUTE TO JOHN SHIMKUS
Rodney Davis (Republican, IL) \u2014 2020-9-29

. Madam , I can't tell you how privileged I am to be here tonight, to be able to stand at this podium and recognize my fellow colleagues on both sides of the aisle to recognize somebody who I worked for, for 16 years. prgtoken I was talking to my wife, Shannon, about what I wanted to say about John tonight because I really couldn't think of anything really nice to say, after 16 years. She reminded me that I wouldn't be here without his mentorship. I wouldn't be able to have this privilege to serve in this institution with you, Madam , and with everybody who crowded the floor tonight to honor our friend, Mr. Shimkus. prgtoken She reminded me, you probably--his wife, Karen, who I am not supposed to recognize in the gallery, so I am not. I don't want to be chastised later. prgtoken But his wife, Karen, probably doesn't know this, but I am probably their fourth son. This is somebody who taught me to be a good worker, taught me that being on time matters, taught me that helping others is a privilege. prgtoken I can't say thank you enough to this man because I would not be serving in this great institution without you and your mentorship, your friendship, and your leadership. It wasn't without some hiccups, let me tell you. I am sure he wanted to fire me a few times, and I think he told me that a few times. prgtoken But I prevailed. You know why? Because we had a great team. And a great team is built with the leadership of somebody who gives people opportunities to not just survive in a workplace but to excel. prgtoken I can remember that I hadn't thought about running for Congress in a very long time when I got a call in 2012 one day when there was an opportunity to put my name into the mix to run for this office. In typical John Shimkus fashion--and his wife Karen could probably attest to this--John called me and said: Hey, have you ever thought about running for Congress? prgtoken And I said: Well, I guess maybe because I really enjoy watching you. prgtoken He said: Well, if there is ever a time to think about it, now is the time. prgtoken Okay. In typical John Shimkus fashion, he is like: All right, I have to go. Call Craig--Craig Roberts, his chief of staff, the godfather of my three kids. prgtoken What a team. What a team. The entire Shimkus team, including my prgtoken chief of staff since I got here who worked with me on the Shimkus campaign, in the Shimkus office, and is now my staff director on the committee that I am blessed to run, the House Administration Committee. What a legacy this guy leaves in this institution. prgtoken People will not understand the importance of John Shimkus serving as a Member of the House of Representatives until they look back in history and realize some of the things that our colleagues actually talked about tonight. prgtoken If you were in an emergency anywhere in this great Nation, and you have a cell phone that is a lot more ubiquitous today than it ever was when this guy came to
AMERICAN COMPETITIVENESS OF A MORE PRODUCTIVE EMERGING TECH ECONOMY ACT
Cathy McMorris Rodgers (Republican, WA) \u2014 2020-9-29

. Madam , I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Walden), our leader of the Energy and Commerce Committee, the former chairman. Madam , I thank him for his leadership. prgtoken As the subcommittee chairman, Jan Schakowsky, was just speaking, I was reminded and appreciated her words, and Mr. Walden has always led with integrity and forward thinking for our country.