mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
ORDERS FOR TUESDAY, JULY 17, 2018
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2018-7-16

I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 10 a.m Tuesday, July 17; further, that following the prayer and pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, and morning business be closed. I ask that following leader remarks, the Senate proceed to executive session and resume consideration of the Blew nomination, under the previous order, and that at 11:45 a.m. all time be yielded back and the Senate then vote on confirmation of the nomination with no intervening action or debate, and that if confirmed, the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table and the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action; further, that following disposition of the Blew nomination and notwithstanding rule XXII, the cloture motions filed on Thursday, July 12 ripen; finally, that following the cloture vote on the Quarles nomination, the Senate stand in recess until 2:15 p.m. to allow for the weekly conference meetings.
TRADE POLICY
Darin LaHood (Republican, IL) \u2014 2018-7-16

on the national security issue and premising much of this on national security, I didn't serve in the military, but national security is not something that should be used lightly. So when I saw that being used by this administration, I went to the experts and talked to people in our military. I think we saw early on that General Mattis was interviewed. He didn't think very highly that this was a national security risk. prgtoken Talk to any of our top brass in the military and I don't think you will find anybody that supports this. I don't think you have seen anybody in the administration from the military that has come out to support this as a national security threat, because it is not, in my view. I think it is a faulty premise to go forth on this. I think, eventually, when it gets to the WTO, I don't think it is going to stand up. prgtoken I think that, again, gets back to our credibility in going about this. We have got to be very careful when we put our prestige of the United States out there and rely on national security when you can't even find our own defense apparatus and our security folks out there who think this is a proper basis to do this. prgtoken So that concerns me, moving forward, and I think, again, puts us in a tough position, again, being more isolated and not having other like- minded allies to help us.
Nomination of Brett Kavanaugh (Executive Session)
John Cornyn (Republican, TX) \u2014 2018-7-16

last week I had the chance to reconnect with Judge Brett Kavanaugh, the President's choice to be Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, succeeding Anthony Kennedy, who has announced his retirement effective at the end of this month. I say reconnect because I actually met Judge Kavanaugh back in 2000, when, as attorney general of Texas, I had the great privilege to represent my State in front of the U.S. Supreme Court in an oral argument. prgtoken As part of my preparation for that argument--something that is sort of like the Super Bowl for lawyers--I had a chance to practice that argument in a moot court, as it is called, in front of three distinguished Supreme Court advocates, including Brett Kavanaugh, who at that time was a private lawyer. I am sure I benefitted from his help, as I did from the help of the other two. prgtoken I have followed Judge Kavanaugh's career closely in the 18 years since I met him. Of course, in the last 12 years, he has served with distinction on the DC Circuit Court of Appeals, which some have called the second most powerful court in the Nation, since most of the controversial litigation involving the Federal Government tends to come up through that appellate court from the district courts here in the District of Columbia. prgtoken Based on what I know of Brett Kavanaugh, I am pleased with the nominee the President has chosen. After talking to him again, I look forward to supporting his nomination and doing everything I can to ensure his bipartisan confirmation. prgtoken On the issue of bipartisanship, let me just point out that Justice Gorsuch was confirmed by 54 votes, a bipartisan vote of confirmation. I would expect, based upon his similar qualifications in many ways-- outstanding academic record, outstanding experience, and demonstrated ability on a circuit court of appeals--that I would think and expect that Justice Kavanaugh would get a bipartisan confirmation vote, much as Justice Gorsuch has. Obviously, they are two different individuals, but in terms of their experience, education, preparation, and judicial philosophy, I think it would be difficult to explain why one would vote for Justice prgtoken Gorsuch's confirmation and vote against Justice Kavanaugh. prgtoken I know Members of the Senate take our responsibilities to provide advice and consent very seriously. I know a number of our colleagues who don't have the benefit of 18 years of familiarity with the judge will want to do their homework, and that is exactly as it should be. prgtoken A bipartisan questionnaire has now gone out to the judge from the Judiciary Committee. Senator Feinstein, the ic ranking member, and Senator Grassley, the chairman, have sent a questionnaire, asking him to answer a litany of questions necessary for the Judiciary Committee to prepare for the hearing, which I hope will occur sometime in mid-August or so. We know also that nominees for judicial offi
TAX REFORM
James E. Risch (Republican, ID) \u2014 2018-7-16

as you may know, I enthusiastically supported the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that passed the Senate and was signed into law 6 months ago. Over the past 6 months, the law's positive impact on our country's economy has not gone unnoticed. Companies, both large and small, are distributing bonuses, raising wages, and investing in their businesses. While many observers recognize the positive ways in which the law is increasing economic confidence and lowering rates for individual taxpayers, the benefits to small businesses are sometimes overlooked. As chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, I strongly supported the tax law because I believed it would reduce taxes for small businesses responsible for employing millions of Americans, allowing small business owners to invest in their businesses and increase economic growth. I recently began this series of speeches to bring attention to the benefits this law provides for small businesses. prgtoken While many reports over the past 6 months focus on the new tax law's impact on large corporations, I rise today to bring attention to how tax reform is benefiting HBM Technology Partners, a small business in Reno, NV. HEM Technology Partners provides computer hardware, information technology systems, and computer services prgtoken to businesses throughout the Reno area. HBM Technology Partners, incorporated by Harry Foote in 1929 as Harry's Business Machines, originally sold typewriters and various office supplies. After weathering the hard years of the Great Depression and World War II, Harry's son, Gordon, became active in the business after returning from serving our country in the Armed Forces. In the early 1980s Gordon's son, Gary, continued the family tradition of working in the business, and the company began selling electronics, computers, and printers. During this time, the company also started providing specialty plastic- card printing machines to customers in the gaming industry and servicing Hewlett-Packard products. The company now sells several different types of computer hardware and software, cybersecurity products, data backup systems, and specialty printers. I commend HBM Technologies for their ability to continually evolve to meet their customers' needs and adapt as new technologies are introduced. prgtoken Because of last year's tax law, this third generation family-owned small business recently distributed bonuses to its seven employees. These bonuses allow the workforce at HBM Technologies to have more financial freedom to provide for their families. Stories like this exist all over the country. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act opens the door for small businesses to invest in their businesses, hire new workers, and increase wages. Additionally, the new law increases small businesses' confidence and allows them to reward their longtime employees, while also lowering small businesses' taxes and encouraging new capit
ANIMAL DRUG AND ANIMAL GENERIC DRUG USER FEE AMENDMENTS OF 2018
Michael C. Burgess (Republican, TX) \u2014 2018-7-16

I thank the gentleman for yielding. prgtoken , I rise to speak in support of this critical bill to reauthorize the Animal Drug User Fee Act and the Animal Generic Drug User Fee Act for an additional 5 years. Among other things, these user fees provide critical resources to the Food and Drug Administration's Center for Veterinary Medicine to ensure efficient and timely review of animal drug applications, quality assurance measures for animal feed, and surveillance of the safety and efficacy of animal drugs on the market. prgtoken In addition to reauthorizing these user fee programs, this legislation also includes new authority to facilitate greater innovation in the animal drug space. prgtoken , these user fee programs must be reauthorized by September 30 to avoid a major disruption of the operations of the Center for Veterinary Medicine. The clock is ticking. The agency must start sending pink slips to employees 60 calendar days before the end of the fiscal year. That is the end of this month. prgtoken We are talking about real consequences for animal health and for the American people. House passage of this bill today is an important step, and I urge the Senate to do its work and promptly take up and pass this bill so that President can sign it into law. I thank the gentleman for the recognition.
TRUMP-PUTIN SUMMIT
Ben Sasse (Republican, NE) \u2014 2018-7-16

I come to the floor today to talk about what happened in Helsinki today. prgtoken Let's not mince words. Today was a terrible day for the American brand, for the American people, and for all of our allies. We did not negotiate from a position of strength. We acted from a position of weakness. As a result, one of the world's worst despots walked away today from Helsinki with a win. prgtoken Vladmir Putin is walking away from Helsinki with an undeserved legitimacy. The United States took a loss today when we backed away from our longstanding commitment to principled American leadership and, frankly, basic reality. prgtoken Today the press asked the President of the United States whom he believed on the subject of Russia's information operation in the United States in 2016. Did he believe in the men and women of the U.S. intelligence community or did he believe in Vladimir Putin, a member of the Russian intelligence community, a thug turned Russian despot? prgtoken The choice here was between the people who are risking their lives on behalf of our freedom and people who go around the world taking people's lives to limit freedom. The President of the United States-- how did he answer? He answered that he didn't see ``any reason'' why Putin would have interfered in the U.S. election. prgtoken Make no mistake. Putin has a reason. The reason is clear to all those who have been watching growing Russian authoritarianism in recent years. Putin wants to weaken the U.S. Government. Putin wants to make the American people believe that our system of government isn't any different than his ``thugocracy.'' Putin wants to destroy NATO, which isn't just an alliance. It is, arguably, the most important military alliance in two millennia. prgtoken Putin wants to undermine confidence in self-government, not only in this country but around the world. That is why Putin, a Soviet-style dictator who thinks a lot more about American elections than he ever thinks about his sham elections, attacked us in 2016. It is why he is planning to attack us this fall in 2018. It is why there are ongoing information operations against the United States and against our public at present, as everyone who goes into a SCIF and reads their intelligence briefing knows. It is why Putin is planning to attack the U.S. 2020 election already. prgtoken That is why the men and women of the U.S. intelligence community unanimously and without any regard to party understand that Putin waged an information operation against the United States in 2016. prgtoken That is why Dan Coats, an esteemed former Member of this body, went to the press today--not 6 months ago--and reaffirmed: ``Our assessments of Russian meddling in the 2016 election and their ongoing pervasive efforts to undermine our democracy'' remain the opinion of the U.S. intelligence community. prgtoken This isn't a question of versus . This is a question of patriotism versus
HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MR. NATHANIEL REED
Alcee L. Hastings (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2018-7-17

I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Mr. Nathaniel Reed. Nathaniel was a stellar supporter of national parks, a staunch environmental advocate and co-author of the Endangered Species Act. Nathaniel was a powerhouse of Florida politics, but more than that, he was a dear friend and a mentor to me, as well as to countless others. prgtoken In a long career spent both in and out of government service, Nathaniel played a role in stopping construction of the world's largest airport in Big Cypress Swamp, helped establish a national park in Biscayne Bay, and assisted in preserving more than 100 million acres of parks and wildlife refuges in Alaska. prgtoken During his six decades of activism, he was a tireless crusader for the environment and the Everglades. Nathaniel inspired generations of conservationists, and what he did for America's River of Grass is immeasurable. prgtoken Mr. Reed is survived by his wife of 54 years, Alita, three children, Adrian, Nathaniel Jr. and Lia, and five grandchildren. I offer my thoughts and prayers to Alita, his family, and all who called Nathaniel a friend during this great time of sadness. I am so pleased to honor his life and legacy. He will be dearly missed.
EXECUTIVE CALENDAR--Continued
Catherine Cortez Masto (Democrat, NV) \u2014 2018-7-17

I rise to speak out against the nomination of Randal Quarles to be a member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. prgtoken Mr. Quarles served in the administration's Treasury Department in the years that led up to the financial crisis of 2008. His failure to take action to prevent this crisis led to hundreds of thousands of foreclosures and evictions in my home State of Nevada. Nevada was ground zero for the financial crisis. We were the hardest hit of any State in the country. We had the highest foreclosure rate for 62 months straight, and we had the highest number of underwater mortgages. Banks took the homes of more than 219,000 Nevada families. Anyone driving through parts of Las Vegas and Reno in 2009 could see boarded-up houses, ``for sale'' signs, and empty lots everywhere. On many streets, you would see more houses in foreclosure than not. prgtoken I was attorney general in Nevada at this time. My team and I did everything we could to fight for homeowners and help them save their homes. We sued the big banks and secured $1.9 billion to create the Home Again: Nevada Homeowner Relief Program to help Nevadans stay in their homes. prgtoken As all of this was going on, I knew there was only so much we could do at the State level. We needed real change at the Federal level to prevent the financial crisis from ever happening again. The Federal regulators should have protected Nevada homeowners, but instead they protected the big banks. I ran for a seat in the Senate because I wanted to change the system. I wanted to put rules in place that protected Nevadans, not Wall Street bankers. That is why I cannot, in good conscience, support Randal Quarles' nomination to a 14-year term as a member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve. prgtoken Randal Quarles was one of those policymakers in the administration who let the big banks write their own rules. Maybe things would be different if he had learned the lessons of the financial crisis, if he had demonstrated any understanding that radical financial deregulation only helps the big banks, but Randal Quarles has been sitting on the Fed's Board of Governors since October of last year. Since then, he has advocated for policies that weaken oversight of the financial system, let big banks gamble with depositors' money, and undermine protections for consumers and homeowners. prgtoken Over a decade has passed since the rules he helped write caused hundreds of thousands of Nevadans to lose their homes, and he still hasn't learned his lesson. He is pushing the same agenda that led to the financial crisis in 2008. The mistakes he made as a member of the administration devastated families and communities in my home State. prgtoken Now the Senate is about to reward him with a position--the Vice Chair of Supervision--that he will hold for the next 14 years. He will be the lead on writing the rules that govern Wall Stre
Trump-Putin Summit (Executive Calendar)
Jack Reed (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2018-7-17

as I and many of my colleagues feared, the -Putin summit was disastrous, prgtoken and their press conference amounted to a disinformation operation in which President played the willing participant. The propaganda, dissembling, and denials are part of Russia's hybrid operations against our country, our allies, and our partners that are an ongoing and persistent threat to our national security. prgtoken By failing to challenge Putin's fabrications on Russia's interference with U.S. democracy, its annexation of Crimea, its role in Syria, its use of chemical agents against civilians, or its violations of its armed control obligations, President acquiesced in Russia's lies and alternative facts and undermined our security in the process. prgtoken A low point was President siding with Putin, over our own intelligence community's assessment, on Russian election interference. It was the unanimous judgment of the intelligence community that Putin directed an attack on our 2016 elections with the intent of undermining public faith in our democratic process. That assessment was just reaffirmed unanimously by the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. prgtoken Furthermore, last Friday, the Justice Department indicted 12 Russian military intelligence officers on charges of ``large-scale cyber operations to interfere with the 2016 presidential election.'' Despite being briefed on these developments, President chose to side with Putin on election interference. prgtoken It is unconscionable that an American President, standing on foreign soil, chose to play Putin's press secretary rather than take the word of his own intelligence officials--career professionals who put their lives on the line for the safety and security of all Americans. prgtoken President 's words hurt our national security. Nations or potential sources may no longer trust the United States. They may hold back in fear that their highly classified secrets could be revealed to Russia, a foreign adversary, as has done in the past. prgtoken Yesterday, President also made a moral equivalency between the United States and Russia. This is an unfathomable and dangerous break from the actions of past Presidents of both parties. prgtoken President 's actions this week and throughout his Presidency have undermined the once bedrock belief around the globe that the United States is a beacon of hope and reliability. prgtoken Further, moral equivalency is a longtime Russian narrative used by Putin to justify his continued oppression of his people and suppression of democratic impulses within Russia. prgtoken On a more basic level, President is undermining that which makes us strong. The world order that the United States created after World War II is something we have benefited from for decades. We draw strength from our allies and from participation in international institutions. The United States is not w
ELIE WIESEL GENOCIDE AND ATROCITIES PREVENTION ACT OF 2018
Brad Sherman (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2018-7-17

such time as I may consume, and I rise in support of this measure. prgtoken , this bill passed our committee by unanimous, bipartisan voice vote. It is named for Elie Wiesel, the Holocaust survivor and author who spent decades leading the fight to bring Nazis to justice. prgtoken First, I thank the gentlewoman from Missouri, Ambassador Wagner, and the chairman of the ic Caucus, the gentleman from New York, Joe Crowley, for their work in bringing forward this very important bill that improves our capacity to prevent and respond to genocides and mass atrocities. I am pleased to be an original cosponsor of this legislation. prgtoken Millions of innocent civilians have died in mass atrocities and genocides. I would like to take just a second to remind everyone of a few of these tragedies: prgtoken The first genocide of the 20th century, the Armenian genocide, which killed approximately 1.5 million people; prgtoken The Holocaust, from 1933 to 1945, more than 9 million people were killed, including over 6 million Jews; prgtoken Cambodia in 1975, which saw the slaying of 2 million people; prgtoken Rwanda in 1990, which saw the deaths of 800,000 in just 100 days; and prgtoken Sudan, Darfur, and the tragedy there. prgtoken Tragedies and crises like this are not just in the past. Today, we are witnessing mass killings of innocent people in many places around the globe. prgtoken In Burma, the military has inflicted horrific violence against the Rohingya people. Thousands have been killed. This is ethnic cleansing, and it appears on the verge of genocide. prgtoken Now, 700,000 refugees have been pushed into Bangladesh, 80 percent of them are women and children. And as I mentioned, in Darfur, some 300,000 are dead, 3 million displaced. prgtoken This measure gives us the tools to detect the warning signs of a mass atrocity or genocide so that we can respond quickly and improves interagency coordination. Overall, this measure will make our government better equipped to handle the growing threats of genocide and crimes against humanity. prgtoken This is a good bill. The prevention of genocide and mass atrocity should be a core objective of our Nation's national security and foreign policy missions. The bill passed, as I said before, our committee by a unanimous bipartisan voice vote. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues to support it, and .