mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
BORDER SECURITY
Jodey C. Arrington (Republican, TX) \u2014 2019-1-14

. Madam , I would like to say that I am very concerned, to my friend and the gentlewoman from Arizona, to put it mildly. I am troubled that our Nation and our Nation's leaders here in this great body of the United States House of Representatives would not put politics aside and put our country and our citizens' safety first. It is the number one job. It is the most important job, to provide for a common defense and to ensure the safety of the United States citizens. We can never be distracted from that, and we can never allow partisan politics from fulfilling that first responsibility and duty. prgtoken I thank the gentlewoman for her leadership and for bringing this discussion to the floor so that we can speak directly to the American people about our strong support for our Commander in Chief who is simply asking for the tools and resources to do that which he ran for the Presidency on, was elected to do, and is now doing everything with unwavering commitment to follow through on that promise to secure the border. Border walls and barriers are a fundamental component of security. prgtoken As a Texan, I can tell you being on the front-lines--and the gentlewoman knows this as well being on the front-lines as well from the great State of Arizona--that this is costing our States billions of dollars, $12 billion in the great State of Texas. We see the drugs that are flowing in, the gangs, the crimes, and the criminal activities. prgtoken Here is a statistic: since 2011, 186,000 illegal immigrants were charged with more than 290,000 criminal offenses costing $1 billion, tearing apart families and devastating communities. And this President is asking for the resources necessary to secure our border. prgtoken Madam , I say to Mrs. Hartzler, I find it ironic that have spoken in favor and have even supported physical barriers. I find it hypocritical that Pelosi has talked about walls being immoral when she has spent probably half of her life being protected by those very walls. I find it disingenuous that prgtoken have said that they actually want to do something to secure the border; they just don't want to have anything to do with walls or fencing. prgtoken Madam , I have got a list--and I don't have enough time--but last Congress, which was my first term in Congress, we put several bills to do just that, to secure the border and stop illegal immigration, from Kate's Law to No Sanctuary for Criminals Act, and Securing America's Future. prgtoken For the No Sanctuary for Criminals Act, 188 voted no; Kate's Law, 166 voted against it; Securing America's Future Act to give DACA recipients peace of mind, 190 voted against it. prgtoken Then they were crying out saying that we have to abolish ICE, abolish the people who risk their lives to keep us safe. Then we put a very simple resolution: we support you, we love you, we are behind you, we know what a tough job you have; an
REJECTING WHITE NATIONALISM AND WHITE SUPREMACY
Pramila Jayapal (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2019-1-15

. Madam , it has been an open secret for too long that Representative Steve King of Iowa has made his trade in saying and pushing fundamentally racist and unacceptable ideas. While I am glad that my colleagues on the other side are speaking out and have taken this important act of stripping Mr. King of his committees, let us be very clear that those of us who have served with Mr. King on the Judiciary Committee, those of us who are African American, Latino, immigrant, those of us who are Caucasian and steeped in our country's history of slavery and racism, we all know that the record of these kinds of comments is long. prgtoken In 2013, Mr. King said that, for every Dreamer who is a valedictorian, there are another 100 undocumented immigrants who have calves the size of cantaloupes because they are hauling 75 pounds of drugs across the border. prgtoken In 2017, he said that we couldn't restore civilization with ``somebody else's babies.'' Madam , how dare he. I was born in India. I am somebody else's baby, and I am a proud American. prgtoken Just last year, Mr. King met with a Nazi-linked party in Austria. He is a Member of Congress who continuously makes these comments that cause the deepest of harm to real people, physical harm in the form of hate crimes, and psychological harm.
STRENGTHENING AMERICA'S SECURITY IN THE MIDDLE EAST ACT OF 2019--Motion to Proceed--Continued
Thomas R. Carper (Democrat, DE) \u2014 2019-1-15

for his comments. As Senator Cornyn lives down at the border and as his State is on the border, he is well familiar with that part of the world. prgtoken As it turns out, as the former chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, I have had a chance to visit the borders in the Senator's State and in other States along the Mexican border. Not that long ago, there were a whole lot of Mexicans coming into the United States, as he knows, and not so many Mexicans going back to Mexico. In the year 2000, when illegal immigration peaked, huge numbers of Mexicans came in--not so much today. As the Senator knows, they are coming from Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador. prgtoken I am a huge advocate of border security. I think fencing makes sense in a lot of places. We have hundreds of miles of fencing, and in a lot of places, fences alongside roads make sense. We have very sophisticated surveillance equipment that can look from different platforms. We have drones, fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, stationary towers, and mobile towers that can look down 20, 25 miles into Mexico and pick up people who are coming up from the south. Motion detectors make sense, and tunnel detectors make sense. There is a lot of stuff that makes sense. prgtoken I am all for investing there. I think and s can find common ground, and I think we have. The appropriations bills that we have passed will actually fund that kind of stuff. They are not just ic ideas, and they are not just ideas. They are good ideas, and a lot of them come from our Border Patrol personnel, as the Senator knows. prgtoken We can do all of this and more on the southern border with Mexico, but if people in Honduras, in Guatemala, and in El Salvador continue to live lives of misery because we are complicit in our addiction to drugs, they are going to still want to come up here. So we need to be able to walk and chew gum at the same time and also provide, through Alliance for Prosperity, which is, really, a modern-day planned Colombia, a little bit of hope and opportunity so they will feel less compelled to come to this country to have a better life. prgtoken Thank you.
REJECTING WHITE NATIONALISM AND WHITE SUPREMACY
Eric Swalwell (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-1-15

. Madam , I rise to reject white nationalism, to reject white supremacy, and to reject anyone who supports these immoral ideas. prgtoken I reject Steve King. So does America. prgtoken Do you know what? So do the people of Iowa's Fourth Congressional District. prgtoken How do I know that? Because I was born there to a police officer as a father and a mom who raised four boys. The way that they raised us is the way that every family in cities like Ames, Algona, and Sac City raised their kids: to love each other, to love God, to work together, and to believe that, in a community, we come together and that love always conquers. They reject the bigotry that they hear day after day from their Representative. prgtoken I want to make sure that every person in the United States knows that what was expressed by our colleague is an exception and does not define the hardworking people of western Iowa.
STRENGTHENING AMERICA'S SECURITY IN THE MIDDLE EAST ACT OF 2019--Motion to Proceed
Chris Van Hollen (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2019-1-15

the issue here is that, under the U.S. Constitution, the Senate really does need to do its job as a separate and coequal branch of government. prgtoken Last week, Senator Cardin and I were right where we are today--here on the floor of the Senate, asking consent that the Senate immediately take up and vote on the two House bills that are on the Senate calendar as we speak and pass them and send them to the President to reopen the government. Last week, the majority leader blocked a vote on that. He blocked consent to take up those bills to reopen the government. Since last week, much has changed, and much has stayed the same. Here is what has changed. prgtoken The impact and harm of the shutdown is growing by the day. It is metastasizing around the country. Here are some headlines: ``The cascade of shutdown problems grows each week.'' Another headline: ``This is ridiculous: Small-business owners can't get loans as shutdown enters Day 20.'' That was day 20. We are now on day 25. ``FBI operations damaged as shutdown continues.'' ``FBI Agents Group Says Shutdown Affects Law Enforcement.'' They point out it is putting those on the job at greater risk because those are who are furloughed who support them can't give them the backup they need. prgtoken The FDA continues to not do its routine food inspections, and American veterans--and veterans make up 30 percent of the Federal workforce--are being disproportionately hurt by the shutdown. prgtoken We just heard it reported that the White House economists are doubling their estimate of the harm being done to our economy each week. It is already in the billions of dollars, and they are saying it looks as though it will be twice that much as this thing grows exponentially. prgtoken Services have been shut down for the American people. There were 800,000 Federal employees, as of last Friday, who received pay stubs like the one I am holding in my hand. This is one that was for an air traffic controller. Starting last Friday, 800,000 Federal employees did not get paychecks. Hundreds of thousands of them are on the job, working, and hundreds of thousands of them have been locked out of work. What they tell us is they just want to get back to work and do their jobs for the American people. If you look at this pay stub, at the net pay, it reads ``zero''--a big, fat goose egg. I can tell you these Federal employees are getting bills. They are getting their mortgage and rent bills. They don't say zero. They stay the same. So here you have 800,000 Federal employees who are unable to make do-- missing mortgage payments, missing rent payments, missing their monthly installments on community college payments. On top of that, you have all of these small businesses that do work for the Federal Government that are beginning to go belly-up, and their employees are being told not to go in to work. prgtoken Since Senator Cardin and I were here on the floor just last week,
MOURNING THE LOSS OF GDANSK MAYOR PAWEL ADAMOWICZ
Marcy Kaptur (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2019-1-15

. Madam , as co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional Caucus on Poland, it is with a truly heavy heart that I rise this morning to express deepest sympathy to our NATO ally, Poland, and its countrymen and women on the brutal slaying of visionary Gdansk Mayor Pawel Adamowicz. prgtoken Mayor Adamowicz had served his city since 1998 as it championed the values of liberty, equality, and democracy. I hold profound respect for his enduring dedication, perseverance, and honorable service to his community and nation. He loved Gdansk as a beacon for a free Poland and gave his life to it. prgtoken What a deep tragedy this is for his grieving family, his wife, his children, his associates, for the Polish nation, and for freedom-loving people everywhere. prgtoken Far too much blood has been shed on Polish soil for the world to ignore such a heinous crime that took his life. prgtoken I visited Gdansk in both 2009 and 2013, and through these visits, I gained an even deeper respect for its noble history and its place on Earth, including the location where Nazi shelling at Westerplatte began the cataclysmic invasion of Poland starting World War II. prgtoken This year, we will commemorate the 80th anniversary of that moment. prgtoken Then more recently, Gdansk's redemptive transformative role in world history with the courageous Solidarnosc worker strikes that trip-wired the collapse of tyranny across Central Europe, imposed by the Soviet Union, ushering in the possibility of freedom for the millions who suffered under dehumanizing repression for over half a century. prgtoken In our modern era, Gdansk became that symbol of liberty. It formally partnered with the city of Cleveland, Ohio, which I am privileged to represent, along with Congresswoman Marcia Fudge, in a sister-cities relationship. As part of my own congressional district, I am deeply honored and proud of this relationship. prgtoken In Mayor Adamowicz's memory, I and this Congress must stand ready to strengthen this alliance of liberty, certainly at this moment in history. In his memory, our Poland Caucus must pursue an annual liberty exchange in his name to nurture aspiring young Polish leaders who follow in his footsteps in pursuit of liberty and security for Poland. prgtoken Let his death serve as a constant reminder of how precious freedom remains. I am certain Polish law enforcement officials will examine the circumstances surrounding the perpetrator's actions with a diligent eye. They must ascertain whether there are any linkages that exist with outside influence or propaganda that might have catalyzed this heinous crime. prgtoken I know I speak on behalf of all Americans and of millions of Polish Americans across our country, including in Ohio, to remind all freedom- loving people that the United States stands with Poland now at this hour of mourning. prgtoken During these uncertain times, we must work to strengthen our transatlantic and NATO alliances through increas
REJECTING WHITE NATIONALISM AND WHITE SUPREMACY
Jerrold Nadler (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2019-1-15

. Madam , such time as I may consume. prgtoken Madam , this resolution stands for one very simple proposition: White nationalism and white supremacy are hateful expressions of intolerance that have no place in the United States of America. prgtoken Unfortunately, what should be an obvious statement in 2019 has been challenged in recent days, and not for the first time, by one of our own colleagues. As those elected to represent all of America, Members of Congress should be the first to condemn white nationalism and white supremacy, which are the source of so much violence, so much hatred, and so much divisiveness throughout our Nation's history. These hateful ideologies are diametrically opposed to what America is supposed to be. prgtoken But, as the New York Times reported last week, Mr. King of Iowa was quoted as saying: ``White nationalist, white supremacist, Western civilization--how did that language become offensive?'' prgtoken Well, I will tell him, and anyone else who may be confused. prgtoken This language has always been offensive. We fought a civil war to establish that. But this language and the philosophy it represents persisted. It motivated the Ku Klux Klan to terrorize African Americans; it sparked Jim Crow laws that oppressed African Americans through institutionalized racism; it inspired the murder of nine Black congregants in a Charleston, South Carolina, church; and the murder of 11 Jewish worshippers in a Pittsburgh synagogue; and it inspired racists, anti-Semites, and other assorted bigots at the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, that spread fear, hatred, and, ultimately, violence in celebration of white supremacy. prgtoken These hateful ideologies are dangerous, not because they too often lead to violence. These noxious views can also infect the policies that govern our Nation, sowing more division, and leading to more injustice in our society. When we establish Muslim bans; when we try to build walls to keep out those who do not look like us; and when we reverse a half century of progress on voting rights and civil rights, we are putting these hateful views into action. prgtoken I thank the distinguished majority whip, the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Clyburn), for bringing this resolution forward. He knows from his experience--both as a leader in the civil rights movement, and as a Member of Congress whose own constituents were recently targeted in a vicious attack motivated by white supremacy--that when we see bigotry and hatred expressed in any form, we must condemn it, loudly and forcefully. prgtoken We can pretend that these sentiments do not exist in our country, in this Congress, or in the White House. We can try to sweep them under the rug, and to convince ourselves that we have moved past our shameful history on race. But we ignore white supremacy at our peril. If we do not speak out now, collectively as a Congress, clearly and without rese
JODI READINGER, A TAX PREPARER
Chrissy Houlahan (Democrat, PA) \u2014 2019-1-15

. Madam , I rise for Jodi Readinger, a tax preparer in Pennsylvania's Sixth District. She and her organization, the Berks Community Action Program, provide a range of services to over 2,500 low-income individuals and families in my community. For example, her team works for free to help people navigate the complicated process of filing their taxes. prgtoken During a weekend town hall in Berks County this weekend, Jodi shared with me that she has been unable to reach the IRS to access tax preparation software due to the shutdown. Her work is responsible for bringing $1 million worth of tax refunds back to my community and for saving $80,000 for her customers. prgtoken I am a third generation veteran. Border protection is imperative and a real issue. I am certain that there are measures to protect our borders that we can come to an agreement on in this brand-new Congress, but a shutdown is not the answer. prgtoken Madam , I rise for the people like Jodi, because shutting down the government is failed policy.
A SHUTDOWN IS NOT THE ANSWER
Julia Brownley (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-1-15

. Madam , President is forcing more than 37,000 Californians, including many veterans, to go without pay. From Coast Guard members at Naval Base Ventura County and Channel Islands Harbor to local air traffic controllers, Ventura County residents and their families are trying to make ends meet without their paychecks. prgtoken On the first day of this Congress, I joined my ic colleagues to pass legislation to reopen the government and provide for sensible border security. prgtoken The President should not use people's lives and our economy as hostages to build a campaign slogan. The President closed the government. A shutdown is not the answer. prgtoken , reopen our government now.
FEDERAL EMPLOYEE ANTIDISCRIMINATION ACT OF 2019
Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democrat, DC) \u2014 2019-1-15

. Madam , in the meantime, I want to lay before the House the easiest of compromises. When I was a tenured professor of law at Georgetown University Law School, I taught negotiations. We usually worked with a number of issues in a negotiation at the same time. However, the easiest compromise to reach is one that involves a number. The number the President clings to is $5 billion. I can think of endless ways--and I am sure every Member can--to compromise that number. prgtoken So in the name of a mounting number of Americans who are beginning to feel the consequences of the shutdown, though they are not Federal employees--not to mention the Federal employees themselves--I am asking even for my side to make a more concerted effort to reach an agreeable number, even though the polls show that the American people are with the on this issue. prgtoken As a suggestion, I ask that the appoint a subcommittee and that the administration do the same to sit down and hammer out an acceptable compromise. prgtoken For more than two centuries now, we have operated under a separation- of-powers government to make tyrannical rule nearly impossible. Even is hesitating to declare an emergency to get his border wall. That throws the ball in our camp, we who are who control this House. I ask that we accept it, use it, run with it, and settle this matter now. prgtoken Madam , I thank the gentleman for yielding.
AN IMPORTANT VICTORY FOR DEMOCRACY
Carolyn B. Maloney (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2019-1-15

. Madam , today, we had an important victory for democracy. A Federal judge in New York ordered the administration to remove a planned citizenship question from the 2020 Census in response to a lawsuit filed by the State of New York, which was joined by 17 other States in support. I am proud to have led an amicus brief of 126 Members of Congress, also in support of this lawsuit. prgtoken The court affirmed what we already knew: adding a citizenship question was driven by partisan politics, in violation of the law. The Constitution requires that the Census count every person living in our country, and the administration's attempt to add a citizenship question was a deliberate effort to scare away noncitizens and their families in order to undercount this community. prgtoken Fortunately, the court agreed, but there will likely be an appeal. That is why I will be introducing legislation to remove the citizenship question. We must act quickly. prgtoken Our democracy depends on a full and accurate count of our Nation, and we cannot allow the administration to compromise that
REJECTING WHITE NATIONALISM AND WHITE SUPREMACY
Eddie Bernice Johnson (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2019-1-15

. Madam , I rise today to support the gentleman from South Carolina's resolution condemning the recent remarks of our colleague Steven King. prgtoken As we celebrate the 90th birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr he indicated that ``there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must take it because conscience tells him that it is right.'' prgtoken Unfortunately, the recent rhetoric of Mr. King not only highlights the wrongs of our nation's dark past, but it promotes a spirit of division, bitterness and fear. prgtoken At a time when our nation is looking to its leaders to bring confidence and security, we must take the steps toward unity and seek out understanding and denounce thoughts that are divisive. prgtoken There is no room for such rhetoric in the most diverse Congress ever and I stand with my colleagues to censure Congressman Steven King.
REMEMBERING THE LIFE OF ANTHONY JOHN YORK
Tim Ryan (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2019-1-15

. Madam , today I rise to remember the life of Anthony John York, age 35, who passed away on Friday, December 7, 2018. prgtoken Anthony was born on August 3, 1983 in Youngstown, Ohio to Denise DeBartolo York and John York. After graduating from Cardinal Mooney High School, he attended Tulane University. Tony resided in Sausalito, California where he founded the company Koda. The company focuses on preparing young people for their first jobs after college. His passion was philanthropy, and he always looked for ways to serve those around him. prgtoken He is survived by his parents, brother Jed, sisters Jenna and Mara, and nephews Jaxon and Brixton. prgtoken I extend my deepest condolences to Tony's family and friends