mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
Election Security (Executive Session)
Marsha Blackburn (Republican, TN) \u2014 2020-2-11

I would like to articulate the reason for the objection to the legislation brought forward by the minority. prgtoken You would think that, after spending weeks in this Chamber litigating the finer points of their disagreements with the President's foreign policy, our friends in the minority would be weary of picking another partisan fight. But here we go again. prgtoken They are attempting to bypass this body's Rules Committee on behalf of various bills that will seize control over elections from the States and take it from the States. And where do they want to put it? They want it to rest in the hands of Washington, DC, bureaucrats. prgtoken As I have said on this floor before, I served on a local election commission. I know how hard our friends and neighbors and our local election commissions and our State election commissions work to ensure the integrity of the ballot box. prgtoken What would these bills that are going to be brought forward this morning do? They would centralize control over the vote, and what we have seen is big centralized out-of-control government. We would end up having a less safe electoral process. It would be more vulnerable to attack. prgtoken It is absolutely baffling to me that the minority would fight so hard for such a disastrous vision, but, as I said, here we go again. Their actions show complete contempt for the progress that Congress, the intelligence community, and State-level authorities have made to protect our elections without resorting to a Federal power grab. prgtoken Since fiscal year 2018, Congress has invested $805 million in protecting the vote. This is the largest investment in elections since the 2002 Help America Vote Act. And do you know what? It is making a difference. It is making a difference. prgtoken Why, then, would the minority continue to demand changes that would redirect that investment to support groups like the Iowa ic Party, whose mishandling of their own caucus ended in what has been termed by everyone as an unmitigated disaster? prgtoken They know it is not necessary, and yet time and again they are trying to force this issue. They feel like only the bureaucrats in Washington, DC, can handle this. prgtoken So in response to this gross hypocrisy, today I am filing my own bill directing the Government Accountability Office to look into the debacle in Iowa. prgtoken I send a bill to the desk, and I ask that it be appropriately referred. prgtoken This is not an attack. This is a recognition that any complex process comes with the risk of mistakes or mismanagement. We are all vulnerable. We must recognize this. We must investigate allegations of fraud and mismanagement, and, of course, there should be lessons learned from the past. To ignore these problems is to resign ourselves to a fatally flawed democratic process. prgtoken On that note, I do object to the motion, and I ask my colleagues to remember that we have reached a bipartisan
ECONOMIC GROWTH
John Thune (Republican, SD) \u2014 2020-2-11

last Tuesday, the President delivered his State of the Union Address. He discussed some of our biggest accomplishments over the past 3 years, and, of course, chief among those accomplishments is the economic progress we have made. prgtoken During the administration, our economy spent years in the doldrums. American families and American workers struggled to advance in a historically slow recovery that left some experts predicting that a weaker economy would be the new normal. Yet s didn't believe we should be resigning ourselves to that future. In fact, we knew that the real strength of the American economy, American business, and American workers was still there. prgtoken But we also knew that burdensome regulations and an outdated tax code were preventing our economy from thriving the way it should, so we took action. We cut burdensome regulations and passed historic reform of our Tax Code. We cut tax rates for families, doubled the tax credit, and nearly doubled the standard deduction. prgtoken Then we took aim at the parts of the Tax Code that were holding back American workers and American businesses. We lowered tax rates across the board for owners of small and medium-sized businesses, farms, and ranches. We lowered our Nation's massive corporate tax rate, which was the highest corporate tax rate in the developed world. We expanded business owners' ability to recover the costs of investments they make in their businesses, which frees up cash they can reinvest in their operations and their workers. We brought the U.S. international tax system into the 21st century so that American businesses are not operating at a competitive disadvantage next to their foreign counterparts. prgtoken Tax reform is working. Unemployment is near its lowest level in 50 years--50 years. Think about that. For the past 12 months, unemployment has been below 4 percent, a record that was last achieved in the 1960s. African Americans, Hispanic Americans and Asian Americans all saw record low unemployment in 2019. Strong economic growth has also given discouraged workers the confidence to come off of the sidelines and to join the workforce. prgtoken Currently, the labor force participation rate is at its highest level in 7 years. Last month, the economy created 225,000 jobs, well above market expectations. All told, the economy has created an average of 171,000 jobs per month over the past 12 months--a strong number. prgtoken Wages are growing. For the past 18 months, wage growth has been at or above 3 percent. And as the President said in his State of the Union Address, this is a ``blue-collar boom.'' In contrast to the administration, in this economy, it is blue-collar workers who are seeing the strong wage growth. prgtoken Gains in the stock market have been good news for American workers' 401(k)s and pensions. The list goes on. prgtoken Of course, while we have made a lot of progress, our work
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
Kevin Cramer (Republican, ND) \u2014 2020-2-11

it has been 150 years since bighorn sheep have roamed the Tribal lands of the Fort Berthold Reservation in northwestern North Dakota. At the end of January, the sheep returned. prgtoken Their re-introduction to lands they had inhabited for centuries was a long-held goal of many tribal leaders and state wildlife professionals. Their dream was realized when the Mandan Hidatsa and Arikara Nation and the North Dakota Game and Fish Department worked out a cooperative agreement, which they signed last month. prgtoken Thirty bighorn sheep from the Rocky Boy Reservation in north central Montana were brought to Fort Berthold and released near Mandaree and Twin Buttes on reservation habitat known to be ideal for the sheep. Their management and maintenance will be shared between the state and tribe. prgtoken The rarest big game species in my state, bighorn sheep are found only on steep terrain near the North Dakota Badlands. With these new sheep, their total population in the state is now approximately 360. prgtoken Bighorn sheep are historically significant to the Mandan Hidatsa and prgtoken Arikara Nation. Hunted with bow and arrows and used in traditional ceremonies for years, they were recorded as being seen in what is present-day North Dakota in scientific journals of the Lewis and Clark Expedition of 1804-1806. Paintings by well-known artists like Karl Bodmer depict tribal chiefs, including the prominent Mandan Chief Four Bears, wearing their valued hides. prgtoken The return of the bighorn sheep to native habitat honors the past and enriches the future of the residents of Fort Berthold. It is a remarkable example of the profound impact a collaboration of like minds can have on a mutual goal. prgtoken I have long admired the rugged beauty of the bighorn sheep and am among many North Dakotans who appreciate their historical significance in my state. I applaud all who had the vision to bring the bighorn sheep back to the Fort Berthold Reservation and wish them every success in ensuring they thrive in this new habitat.
IN HONOR OF COURTNEY KETCHIE SILVER FOR BEING NOMINATED AND NAMED AS HONOREE FOR THE STEP AHEAD AWARD
Richard Hudson (Republican, NC) \u2014 2020-2-11

. Madam , I rise today to honor and congratulate Courtney Ketchie Silver for being nominated and named as Honoree for the Manufacturing Institute's Step Ahead Award. prgtoken Courtney is the CEO of Ketchie Incorporated, an ISO-certified, woman- owned corporation operating machine shop. She joined the company in 2008 and became the CEO after her husband lost his battle with brain cancer in 2014. Despite the devastating loss she took her knowledge from supply chain management and continued to propel the company forward. prgtoken I was pleased to have the opportunity to meet Courtney and take a tour of Ketchie in 2017. I was blown away by her focus on craftsmanship as well as her emphasis on, and providing of, an ideal work environment for her employees. prgtoken In addition to being CEO, Courtney remains active in the community. She is passionate about sharing her knowledge with others and encouraging woman to be leaders. In fact, she hosts community college students and participates in Manufacturing Day activities with local high school leaders. When she isn't working or mentoring, she can be found volunteering. Whether it's preparing meals for youth at local shelters or participating in church activities, there are no bounds to her generosity in our community. prgtoken The Manufacturing Institute launched the STEP women's initiative to support women in science, engineering, production, and technology careers and inspire others to join them. I cannot think of a more deserving person of this honor. prgtoken Madam , please join me today in congratulating Courtney Ketchie Silver and her STEP AHEAD award nomination and as being named an Honoree.
WAR POWERS RESOLUTION
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2020-2-11

on another matter, this week, we expect the Senate will take up a War Powers Resolution by the junior Senator from Virginia that would severely limit the U.S. military's operational flexibility to defend itself against threats posed by Iran. I will strongly oppose our colleague's effort and urge the Senate to defeat it. prgtoken First, let's discuss what prompted this: the President's successful decision to remove Soleimani from the battlefield last month. This limited yet decisive precision strike eliminated the terrorist mastermind who had been responsible for more American military casualties than anyone else alive. prgtoken This was not some reckless act. It was a calculated and limited response to a significant, growing threat of attack against U.S. personnel in Iraq by an emboldened adversary. Years ago, Soleimani had concluded America was a paper tiger whose people he could kill with relative impunity. It was a strike designed to stop an escalation cycle we all knew was underway and to restore deterrence and reduce the risk of war. prgtoken Yet, when Soleimani's record of brutality was brought to an end, some Washington immediately suggested President was leading us into World War III. While the Middle East masses rejoiced at the death of a principal architect of Iran's campaign of terror, the Washington elites fretted. prgtoken Yet, thus far, it appears the Soleimani strike has, indeed, had the intended effect. As I observed back in January, ``We appear to have restored a measure of deterrence in the Middle East. So let's not screw it up.'' Well, I am afraid that is just what our colleague's resolution would do. Just as we have successfully sent Iran the strong signal of our strength and resolve, a blunt and clumsy War Powers Resolution would tie our own hands. prgtoken With China's and Russia's watching, is it really a good idea to suggest that we are willing to let a meddling power like Iran push us around? This self-flagellation and self-limitation would be tantamount to snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. prgtoken For 8 years, President and Senate , like my friend the ic leader himself, frequently said that, when it comes to Iran, we should never take the military option off the table. Yet, now that someone else is in the Oval Office, they seem to want to remove all options from the table. Lest we forget, the fact is that we are not conducting ongoing hostilities with Iran. This was a one-off operation to disrupt and deter planned attacks--not a campaign, not a conflict, not a war. prgtoken This discrete and limited exercise of American power pales in comparison to the ways in which past Presidents of both parties have routinely used Presidential authorities to utilize our military might without their having the prior consent of Congress--President Clinton in Kosovo, President in Libya, and so on. prgtoken Do most of my distinguish
Nomination of Joshua M. Kindred (Executive Calendar)
Lisa Murkowski (Republican, AK) \u2014 2020-2-11

I have come to the floor this evening to speak in support of the nomination of Joshua Kindred to be a U.S. district court judge for the District of Alaska. We were able to move forward with the first step toward the confirmation of Mr. Kindred, but I just wanted to take a couple of minutes and speak as to why I believe he is well qualified to serve in this capacity and deserves to be confirmed by the Senate with, hopefully, broad bipartisan support. prgtoken I am glad and I am pleased that he has been willing to step into a new role for our State. Josh Kindred comes from Anchorage, where I am living. He currently serves as Alaska's regional solicitor for the Department of the Interior. He has been doing a good job, a strong job, for us there. Before joining the Department, Mr. Kindred served as the environmental counsel for the Alaska Oil and Gas Association, as well as an assistant district attorney and violent unit supervisor for the State of Alaska. He also served as a law clerk to Chief Justice Paul De Muniz of the Supreme Court of the State of Oregon. prgtoken One way that you know that Mr. Kindred has good judgment is that he went to the same law school I did. So it can't be all bad there. He earned his juris doctorate from Willamette University College of Law. He served as editor in chief of the Willamette Law Review and certainly demonstrated great skills and abilities at that level. prgtoken I think it is important to speak to Mr. Kindred's biographical details to illustrate that his experience is both considerable and is really relevant. It is directly relevant for this new role that he is seeking. It is that experience in a host of different areas that matters for our State, and I believe that will help him as a Federal jurist. prgtoken Mr. Kindred's experience in civil, criminal, and administrative law at both the State and the Federal levels, in both the public sector as well as the private sector, is exactly what we should be seeking in a nominee for a court of original jurisdiction, such as the U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska. prgtoken Josh Kindred is no stranger to the courtroom. He has extensive trial experience, which is, of course, important for operating in the courtroom. His background also brings a welcomed and valuable understanding of Alaska's unique Federal laws and landscape. He has extensive experience in Federal lands, mining, natural resources, oil and gas laws, and environmental laws and permitting. These are all things--all things--that are constantly litigated back home and that apply to so many of the important priorities that we have in Alaska. prgtoken You often hear me talk about the fact that Alaska is different. It is unique, and, certainly, some of our laws--many of our laws--reflect that. Not many are truly knowledgeable about ANCSA, about ANILCA. These are critically important to understand, and Mr. Kindred certainly understands them. Tha
SMITHSONIAN WOMEN'S HISTORY MUSEUM ACT
Jenniffer González-Colón (Republican, PR) \u2014 2020-2-11

. Madam , I thank the gentleman for yielding. prgtoken Madam , I am here today standing in support of H.R. 1980, because I firmly believe in honoring women trailblazers who have shaped history and the story of our country, women who demonstrate leading by example. prgtoken It is just what Brenda Lawrence was saying: we need to demonstrate how we can achieve that empowerment tool, and I think this museum is going to be just that. prgtoken Women like our first female Supreme Court Justice from Puerto Rico, Sonia Sotomayor; our first Supreme Court Justice, Sandra Day O'Connor; civil rights activist Rosa Parks; astronaut and astrophysicist, Sally Ride; the first Latina to be elected to Congress, former Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen; and Representative Jeannette Rankin, the first woman elected to Congress; are the better examples. prgtoken Each of them in her respective field illustrated the strength and the commitment of women when they set themselves a goal. They are just a few of the women who transformed the American landscape, making it possible for me to be here today as the first female representative of Puerto Rico and now the vice-chair of the Congressional Women's Caucus. prgtoken According to the Census, women are 50 percent of the total population of the country--165 million women in America--yet there is not one comprehensive museum dedicated to the history of women in the United States; and of the 2,400 national monuments, only 120--just 5 percent-- honor women. prgtoken The role of women in the building of this Nation was not properly recognized while it was happening. We must create a space where that history that was not told in their own time can be studied, propagated, and given the high relief it deserves. prgtoken Madam , I support this bill because I think it is time to honor how women shaped what is America today.
REPUBLICAN STUDY COMMITTEE'S GEAR TASK FORCE
Rick W. Allen (Republican, GA) \u2014 2020-2-11

. Madam , I thank my friend from Montana, the chairman of this committee. It was a real privilege to serve on this committee. prgtoken Over the years, the size of the Federal Government has ballooned. While it excels in some ways, like keeping our Nation safe, oftentimes, it does not serve the American people well, and that keeps my constituent services office very busy back in the district. prgtoken As a small business owner, I know how important it is to run effective and efficient operations. If you don't serve your customers well, you won't stay in business. But because the Federal Government is largely unaccountable, the only people who suffer from government inefficiency are the people it is intended to serve: the American people. prgtoken For far too long, we have let the executive branch seize authority and empower unelected bureaucrats. I am proud to serve on the Study Committee's Government Efficiency, Accountability, and Reform Task Force, whose goal is to develop reforms to improve the Federal Government in order to better serve American families. prgtoken Prior to my service here in Congress, I served as the Georgia co- chair for the Fix the Debt committee, which was a nationwide bipartisan effort to identify ways that we could balance our budget. prgtoken Our new report here in the GEAR Task Force highlights strategies to streamline government practices and remove waste, much like the Fix the Debt committee identified. prgtoken For example, we all know that Washington has a spending problem. If something isn't working, many of my colleagues would prefer just to throw more money at the problem. But when has that worked? We need serious government reform. prgtoken In my business, we emphasize the importance of streamlining processes so we can maximize every dollar. We have a 5-year lookback procedure where we look at every dollar we spend to make sure that we are using every dollar in an efficient manner so that those who invest--in this case, the American taxpayers--get the most bang for their buck. prgtoken Also, in our business, we have a balance sheet, an income statement, where we can actually run ratios that we can compare and see how we are doing against our peers. prgtoken I mentioned that to someone on the Budget Committee and they said: I don't think we have seen that in the Federal Government. prgtoken I come from the business community, and I came to Washington because we have to get down to business. I have identified, again, working on this task force, on the Budget Committee, and on the RSC, so many areas where, frankly, we can be much more efficient at spending every dollar. prgtoken Every taxpayer should be treated like a shareholder. They should know exactly where and how their money is being spent. prgtoken That is why I have a big problem with the appropriations process here in Congress. Yes, we kind of go through the motions here on the House floor, but we bog down, and it becom
REPUBLICAN STUDY COMMITTEE'S GEAR TASK FORCE
Greg Gianforte (Republican, MT) \u2014 2020-2-11

. Madam , I thank the gentlewoman, especially for bringing attention to this issue of immigration. It is top of mind for so many Americans, and having the judges necessary to pursue these cases to final outcome is so important. prgtoken from Georgia (Mr. Allen), from the 12th Congressional District, a task force member who helped bring forward many of the ideas that are in this collection of commonsense government efficiency ideas just published recently.
SMITHSONIAN WOMEN'S HISTORY MUSEUM ACT
Carolyn B. Maloney (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2020-2-11

. Madam , today we will pass this important bill, and I hope the Senate will quickly do the same. I am grateful for the leadership of Senators Collins and Feinstein who are leading this effort in the Senate. prgtoken My response to those who ask why this museum is so important is, if we do not even recognize women, how can we empower them? prgtoken We need the efforts and the ability to excel, but from all of our residents, male and female, to win in a competitive world. That is why this bill should be supported by every Member of this House and, hopefully, the Senate. prgtoken This is not about politics, it is not about partisanship, and it is not a or a issue. It is an American issue recognizing the contributions of our mothers, our sisters, and our daughters. This is about giving all women our rightful place in history. prgtoken Madam , I thank Zoe Lofgren so much, and I urge a strong, strong vote in support of this bill.