mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
Agriculture (Executive Session)
Cory Gardner (Republican, CO) \u2014 2019-12-10

I come before the Senate today to recognize a historic milestone in the Colorado agricultural community. The Colorado farm bureau is celebrating 100 years of representing farmers, ranchers, rural communities, and every aspect of agriculture in Colorado. prgtoken I grew up in the Eastern Plains, the very heart of agriculture. In fact, the county I grew up in is one of the largest corn-producing counties in the country and, certainly, economically speaking, one of the top agricultural communities in the State. prgtoken Our livelihood, our neighbors--everything--depend on agriculture. In fact, when there is a downturn in agriculture, it is not just the next day that our community feels that. It is that next hour that the community feels the impact. It is the same with a good agriculture economy. It is not just tomorrow that we will feel the impact, but immediately we will feel the impact. prgtoken I grew up working in a family farm equipment dealership where you got to prgtoken know everybody in the community, not because of the kind of operation they had but because of the kind of person they were, the kind of relationships you built, and then, of course, the opportunities to do business in those communities. prgtoken There are ebbs and flows, good times and bad times, times of prosperity and times of difficult predicaments in rural America, in agriculture. In the 1980s, I grew up watching one of the hardest times agriculture faced--watching a number of banks face foreclosures, a number of farmers face foreclosures. I watched as people I knew my whole life sold their farms, gave up farming, and closed their businesses. prgtoken It wasn't that long ago--in fact, just a few years ago--that we saw some of the highest priced commodities this country had ever seen for a very long time. The golden years of agriculture occurred just a couple of years ago because of all-time high prices. That is not the situation we are facing today. prgtoken Once you have worked in the agriculture industry, I think you develop a very deep understanding and appreciation for the men and women who have our farmers' backs through the good times and the bad times, like the Colorado Farm Bureau. The Farm Bureau plays a vital role in the wellbeing of all aspects of agriculture. It gives rural communities a prominent voice when the government is debating policies that impact their farms, their finances, and their families. prgtoken The Colorado Farm Bureau began in 1919, when a group of farmers, ranchers, veterinarians, rural doctors, shopkeepers, and tradesmen in 10 local counties met to form what was termed a ``Farm Bureau.'' Their goal was to make the business of farming more profitable and the community a better place to live. The organization struggled through the years and almost died out in the 1930s. prgtoken In the late 1930s and early 1940s, a group of people across Colorado organized to breathe new life into that Farm Bu
TRIBAL COASTAL RESILIENCY ACT
John Katko (Republican, NY) \u2014 2019-12-10

I urge adoption of my amendment, but I will note that my colleague from Hawaii is right in that this needs to be properly administered if it is, in fact, made into law. prgtoken One of the problems we have in the Great Lakes in general is the high water levels. What we have on Lake Ontario is something called the International Joint Commission, which I would argue is not properly administering the water levels and is contributing greatly to the problem. prgtoken This amendment is meant, in part, to address that and to have more uniformity with respect to the application of water levels and considering more the impact on the coastal shorelines from those regulations. prgtoken .
MR. EDDIE ROBINSON BIRTHDAY RECOGNITION
Kay Granger (Republican, TX) \u2014 2019-12-10

. Madam , I rise today to recognize Mr. Eddie Robinson who is celebrating his 99th birthday on December 15, 2019. Eddie was born William Edward Robinson in Paris, Texas in 1920. He is best known for his 13-year Major League Baseball playing career from 1942 to 1957. During that time, he also served three years in the U.S. Navy, and married the love of his life, Bette, in 1955. Eddie has what is described as charisma. It starts with an infectious smile that is always there for every story he tells and those he hears. He can remember the smallest detail that makes everyone lean forward in their chairs to make sure they hear every word. Eddie is constantly telling stories from his Major League Baseball days that thrill the hearts and minds of his listeners. He is such a gifted story teller it is as if we are all reliving the times of his ``Boys of Summer'' baseball days. His more humorous side sometimes comes out with stories that he would never tell in public but shares with his close breakfast group known as ``The Eastside Mafia''. Eddie particularly loves telling stories of his days playing golf at Woodhaven Country Club in Fort Worth. It has been said that he was always so complimentary of a fellow's drive by saying, ``Man what a beautiful drive!'', only to follow up with his famous baseball trajectory of a line drive which would put his well past the shot of his competitors. Eddie is also a person that shares his good fortunes in life. Besides taking his friends to the Texas Rangers games, he was also instrumental in several projects around Fort Worth. He established the Woodhaven Neighborhood Golf Association's annual golf tournament, proving scholarships for local high school students in Fort Worth. He also helped his wife Bette raise funds to construct a clock tower and research library--East Regional Library of Fort Worth--which I had the pleasure of supporting during my time as Mayor of Fort Worth. On behalf of Texas' 12th Congressional District, I offer my congratulations and best wishes on this special occasion.
TRIBUTE TO MARY HULSMAN ALLGEIER
Rand Paul (Republican, KY) \u2014 2019-12-10

Mary Hulsman Allgeier was selected as the #1 Citizen of Schnitzelburg, a historic neighborhood in Louisville, KY. Mary has been a lifelong community advocate and volunteer. She has given to and supported those in need as a leader in Holy Family Parish for many years. In addition, Mary is a role model for women in leadership and is instrumental in ensuring members of her community understand their civic rights and responsibilities. Mary has served her community faithfully from education to civic engagement and is an example for us to follow. I am proud to join the people of Schnitzelburg in honoring Mary Allegeier as their #1 Citizen.
FOSTERING UNDERGRADUATE TALENT BY UNLOCKING RESOURCES FOR EDUCATION ACT
Dusty Johnson (Republican, SD) \u2014 2019-12-10

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , in August, I was at Sitting Bull College, and I had an opportunity, over the course of half a day or so, to speak with the instructors, the professors, the administrators, and, most importantly, the students there. The stories of these students brought such a smile to my face. prgtoken If anybody is having a bad day, you have got to go to one of these Tribal colleges. You have got to hear from the students who are seeing the prospects for a better tomorrow improve every single day they sit in the classroom; to see these facilities, which are not the fanciest campuses in America, but are places where people with large hearts and with limited resources have built a center of learning and economic opportunity. prgtoken One student had had a very difficult life, and I asked her: So why do you persevere? Why are you here? Why are you doing homework late into the night so you can be prepared for class? Wouldn't it be easier to go do something else? prgtoken She said: Congressman Johnson, the life I have had isn't the life that I want to have. My children deserve better, and, sir, I am going to give it to them. prgtoken Hard work alone can only do so much. Hard work, when paired with education, can unlock the universe. This is happening in our country, and it is worth investing in. prgtoken , .
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Richard Burr (Republican, NC) \u2014 2019-12-10

I reluctantly rise in opposition to this legislation, and I have worked with Senator Isakson over the years on FDA legislation. prgtoken I want to be perfectly clear that I agree with all of the reforms that are in this piece of legislation within the over-the-counter division at FDA. I simply disagree with the way in which this legislation provides the resources to achieve these reforms because I don't believe it will result in what the expectations are of the authors. prgtoken When the drug industry first agreed to user fees in 1993, the fee to file a new drug application was $100,000. Today that fee is $2.1 million. To that end, the FDA has struggled to uphold its end of the bargain, falling behind in its commitment to hire the number of employees the agency needs to actually review the applications that cost millions of dollars to file. prgtoken The FDA continues to increase the amount of user fee dollars it requires to review applications, eroding the balance of congressional oversight provided by the appropriation of taxpayer dollars. prgtoken I encourage my colleagues that what Johnny is trying to do is the right thing to do, but it is the wrong way to pay for it. prgtoken . prgtoken The bill was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading and was read the third time.
Nomination of Lawrence VanDyke (Executive Session)
John Cornyn (Republican, TX) \u2014 2019-12-10

let me begin by commending our friend from Oklahoma for his patience. It takes a lot of patience to get things done around here. It also takes a lot of perseverance. Sometimes I think that if you can't convince people, maybe you can just wear down their resistance over time. But this is an idea whose time has come, and I congratulate our friend from Oklahoma and Senator Hassan and would love to join them in supporting their effort. Thank you.
TRIBAL COASTAL RESILIENCY ACT
Rob Bishop (Republican, UT) \u2014 2019-12-10

. Madam Chair, . prgtoken Madam Chair, one of the things that the other side has been talking about is how we need a vision and need to plan for the future, which is true. The only problem is that the stuff we have before us isn't it. This is a collection of minor programs that already exist and changing them in ways that sometimes make no difference but sometimes have some negative counterpoints. prgtoken There is one bill that was just talked about here that if there is a default on that bill, all of the sudden now, the Federal Government is on the hook to pay for that. It was never that way before. prgtoken Those are minor changes that if we were handling these bills separately, if they were actually being done in an appropriate way, we could talk about those minor changes in there. But once you put them all together in a package with a couple of really good things to lead the way, everything kind of falls in place. prgtoken Let me give you another example. One of the issues that comes in the folderol of bills that are underneath this is the Sea Grant Fellowship Program, which is currently discretionary. This bill would make it mandatory. Sounds kind of nice. prgtoken The program places fellows in the executive branch. We have no problem with that whatsoever, but what this bill would do, one of the things in the weeds of this concoction of bills that has been cobbled together, is it would use taxpayer dollars to supply free staff for Members of Congress. That concept is just plain wrong. prgtoken The underlying program is not bad. Reauthorizing is not bad. That one change in there is wrong. If we were doing these bill-by-bill, talking about them one-by-one instead of trying to add them all together in a big package of nothing, if we were dealing with that, we could be talking about those specific issues and making those kinds of decisions. prgtoken That is the way legislation ought to be done. This is not the way legislation ought to be done. prgtoken Madam Chair, .
THE BLESSINGS OF FREE ENTERPRISE AND CAPITALISM
Mike Johnson (Republican, LA) \u2014 2019-12-10

. I truly thank my friend, Congressman Barr, for hosting this Special Order. I applaud the sentiments that he just shared. I associate myself with them and the conviction that he has. I certainly share it, and I know so many of my colleagues, at least on this side of the aisle, do as well. prgtoken In 1923, there was an average, middle-class family man named Roy Otis Martin, who bought a rundown lumber mill in Alexandria, Louisiana. He worked hard. He established it, he expanded it. He ultimately transformed it into one of the largest economic generators for our State. prgtoken This is what makes America great. This is true freedom. This is real opportunity. And it is a story that has been repeated so many countless times throughout our Nation's rich history. However, many Americans, particularly our younger generation, seem to be losing hold of these values. prgtoken There was a survey that just came out this past March; we all lamented the findings: 49.6 percent--almost 50 percent--of millennials and members of Generation Z responded to this poll and said that they would, ``prefer living in a socialist country.'' It is shocking. prgtoken Just last month, there was another poll that came out. It found that 70 percent of millennials say they are likely to vote socialist; 15 percent of millennials think the world would be a better place if the Soviet Union still existed. Only 57 percent of millennials believe the Declaration of Independence better guarantees freedom and equality over the Communist Manifesto. These are just shocking numbers, and they are really frightening, because it is this mindset that is the antithesis of everything that our Founders fought for. prgtoken What do we stand for in America? We stand for core American principles, the principles of individual freedom and limited government and the rule of law; things like peace through strength, fiscal responsibility, free markets, and human dignity. And those are all of the values that socialism steamrolls. Those are the ideals that this country was founded on, and they have to remain the foundation for everything we do because it is central to our identity. prgtoken Unfortunately, now more than ever, there is this false message that has taken root, one that says government is better, that more government is even greater. Most of those running for President in 2020 on the side of the aisle are promising free healthcare and free education, and some are going as far as actually promising free money to every American on a monthly basis for those who put their trust in the government. prgtoken The problem is, the government was never intended to be our savior. Our Founding Fathers built this Republic on strong convictions that every American is entitled to individual freedom and they should never be controlled or owned or dictated to by the government. In fact, Thomas Jefferson said the following during his first inaugural address: ``What mo
LOWER DRUG COSTS NOW ACT OF 2019
Frank Pallone, Jr. (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2019-12-11

. Mr. Chair, such time as I may consume. prgtoken Mr. Chair, this week, we will fulfill a promise we made to the American people to make prescription drugs more affordable. No American should be forced into choosing between putting food on the table for their family and taking a lifesaving drug, but, all too often, that is exactly what is happening. prgtoken The American people are getting ripped off because drug companies have a monopoly on their drugs until generics come to market. They can charge Americans whatever they want, and they do. prgtoken H.R. 3, the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act, finally gives the Federal Government the power to negotiate lower prescription drug prices for the American people. Other developed countries negotiate with the pharmaceutical companies, and prices in those countries are four or five or ten times less for the exact same drugs. This simply isn't fair, and the American people are rightfully fed up. prgtoken It is time that we finally level the playing field and empower the Federal Government to negotiate a better deal. These negotiations will not only lead to lower prices for consumers, it will also result in significant savings to the Federal Government. H.R. 3 takes the resulting $500 billion in savings and reinvests it in the American healthcare system and the search for new cures. prgtoken We cap out-of-pocket costs for seniors in the Medicare Part D program for the first time, giving seniors the peace of mind of knowing that their drug cost will not bankrupt them or empty their retirement accounts. prgtoken We make transformational investments in the Medicare program--adding for the first time benefits for dental, hearing, and vision coverage. These new benefits are going to make a huge difference in the lives of our Nation's seniors. prgtoken We invest $12 billion in the search for new cures and treatments by boosting funding for the National Institutes of Health and the Food and Drug Administration. NIH, as we know, plays a critical role in the research and development of new drugs, and this investment will ensure that these cures and treatments become a reality. We also invest in combatting the opioid crisis, community health centers, and maternal healthcare. And finally, beyond the negotiation, we are holding pharmaceutical companies accountable for when they jack up prices, bringing much-needed transparency to the process. prgtoken , the status quo is simply unacceptable and unsustainable. It is time to negotiate a better deal for the American people. It is time to pass H.R. 3. prgtoken Mr. Chair, .
CONFERENCE REPORT ON S. 1790, NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2020
Peter A. DeFazio (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2019-12-11

. Madam , today I will vote against the Conference Report to Accompany S. 1790, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year (FY) 2020. prgtoken This legislation includes a number of provisions that I strongly support, including giving servicemen and women a well-deserved raise of 3.1 percent--the largest pay raise for our troops since the last ic House majority in 2010. Those who serve in uniform have made extraordinary sacrifices for our country and have earned and deserve a pay raise. prgtoken I am also strongly supportive of the inclusion of twelve weeks of paid parental leave for federal employees. However, the omission of, at least, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and United States Postal Service (USPS) employees from this coverage is an inexcusable oversight, and I look forward to working with House and Senate leaders to enact a legislative correction. prgtoken Moreover, I am pleased that this Conference Report ends the unfair Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP)/Indemnity Compensation (DIC) offset--also known as the ``widow's tax''--which currently reduces spouse survivor benefits by an average of $1,250 per month. The families of the men and women serving in the Armed Forces make significant sacrifices and deserve the full benefits they have earned from their spouses' service. prgtoken Unfortunately, this final package is a little more than a continuation of the status quo, and it falls well short of the NDAA bill the House passed earlier this year. The final legislation strips out a number of policy priorities that were included in the House- passed NDAA, which I strongly supported, and includes yet another massive spending increase to an already bloated Pentagon budget. prgtoken I believe this legislation could have made responsible cuts to our defense budget without jeopardizing the safety of our troops, preventing a pay increase, or undermining our national security. For years, Congress has continued to increase the Pentagon's budget despite overwhelming evidence of its waste and abuse of taxpayer money. This year's legislation--with its outrageous topline defense budget of $738 billion--is yet another example of Congress's habit of increasing the defense budget every year. While this administration has cut SNAP benefits, Medicaid, reproductive health services, and more, Congress has thus far boosted the Pentagon's budget by more than $130 billion during President 's first term. prgtoken I have long supported a financial audit of the Pentagon, and for the second year in a row, the Pentagon has spectacularly failed its comprehensive audit. While I am pleased the Pentagon is finally undergoing comprehensive audits in order to identify waste, it is ridiculous to provide the Department of Defense (DoD) another massive spending increase when they cannot even account for how it spends taxpayer money. prgtoken In particular, I have always opposed the DoD's Overseas Contingency Operation
CONFERENCE REPORT ON S. 1790, NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2020
Anthony G. Brown (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2019-12-11

. Madam , I thank Chairman Smith for his hard work, as well as the committee staff on an NDAA that affirms our values and delivers progressive wins for the American people. prgtoken The NDAA tackles the pressing security challenges facing our country and makes important investments in our warfighters and their families. prgtoken We confront Russian aggression by bolstering the European Deterrence Initiative and providing our allies in Ukraine with additional military support. prgtoken We make a commitment to a diverse and inclusive military by: Increasing defense spending at historically Black colleges and universities; incentivizing more minority and women-owned businesses to be part of our defense industrial base; and finally, gender integrating basic training for the Marine Corps. prgtoken This NDAA makes good on the commitments to address serious problems with private military housing; and give military families a pathway to seek justice, if they suffer from medical malpractice. prgtoken Yet, this NDAA is also a compromise. I am disappointed that we couldn't reverse the President's ban on transgender servicemembers or force Congress to reconsider the 2001 AUMF. But ultimately, this NDAA gets the job done, and I urge my colleagues to support it.
SUPPORT IMMIGRATION REFORM FOR FARMWORKERS
Jim Costa (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-12-11

I rise today to support the Farm Workforce Modernization Act. prgtoken Let me first thank Chairperson Zoe Lofgren and Ranking Member Dan Newhouse for their hard work in forming this bipartisan compromise. prgtoken Farmworkers are some of the hardest working individuals you will ever meet. I know. As a farmer's son, I have done that work. It is hard, but it is skilled work. It is simply wrong that they are subject to living and working in the shadow of uncertainty and fear of deportation. prgtoken Just last month in the city of Madera in my district, I met with members of the United Farm Workers organization to tell them of the promise of this bill. I spoke with these hardworking men and women and their young children who work to put food on America's dinner table every night. prgtoken I could see the hope in their eyes, hope for a normal life free from the dread of possible family separation and deportation that hangs over them every day when they leave to go work and hope for a chance to change their reality and reshape their story. prgtoken We owe it to these individuals who do so much for us. This monumental, bipartisan compromise is a unique opportunity to provide us with the first meaningful reform in the immigration system in over four decades. prgtoken Many of us would like comprehensive immigration reform for our Dreamers and to fix our broken immigration system. For now, that is not possible, but this legislation that would provide legal status for seasonal and year-round farmworkers is. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues to stand with me and support the Farm Workforce Modernization Act that we will vote on later today. Lower Drug Costs Now