mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019
Alcee L. Hastings (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2018-6-7

. Mr. Chair, let me say at the outset to the chairman and ranking member, that I do not intend to ask for a recorded vote on this measure. I thought earlier today that I would withdraw the amendment, but in light of the fact that we are here in the middle of the night, I decided I may as well make my point. prgtoken , my amendment would increase funding for cybersecurity of the electric power grid by $5 million, offset by reductions in fossil energy research and development. prgtoken Like almost everyone in this body, I am deeply concerned about the cybersecurity of our Nation's electric power grid. prgtoken I don't know how many of you know that yesterday there was a major outage--that hadn't reached the news, for some reason--of the Comcast telephone network. I don't think there was anything untoward with reference to it, at least it hadn't been reported. prgtoken The mere fact is that we are more reliant than ever on this Nation's power grid to provide electricity to the massive amount of technologies that contribute to our country every single second: cellular communications equipment; heating and cooling to our workplaces-- especially cooling in this particular workplace that seems to be overused, in my opinion--and homes; lights to guide us at night on highways; and on and on. prgtoken While we have never been more dependent on electricity, our electric energy grid has never been as vulnerable as it is today. prgtoken With the rise of nation-state-supported computer hackers in countries like Russia, China, Iran, North Korea, and the rogue hackers, the computers that control our power networks are increasingly seen as the most impactful targets for those who wish to do us harm. prgtoken Outages from such attacks will cause harm not only to our national security, but our economic stability as well. They will hurt, to name just a few, hospitals, banks, factories, financial networks, water systems, telecommunications, and military bases. prgtoken I believe that we must work with those who operate our grid to give them the tools they need to detect and prevent malicious actors from causing damage to our electric system and critical infrastructure. prgtoken This funding of $5 million that I would request, and will again somewhere, is just a fraction of what is needed, but it sends a signal at least that we are serious about addressing this vulnerability, and that is my purpose here this evening. prgtoken Mr. Chair, .
ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019
Scott H. Peters (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2018-6-8

I rise today to offer an amendment to division C of the Appropriations bill related to the Department of Veterans Affairs. prgtoken In September 2017, the VA issued a plan to shift funding away from programs that helped homeless veterans. After national outcry, the proposal was tabled, but that attempt is the reason for my amendment. prgtoken Its goal is simple: It prohibits taking funding from VA programs that provide services to homeless veterans, including the Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem program, a clinical rehabilitation and treatment program, the Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program, and HUD- VASH housing vouchers. prgtoken Congress has made money available in a bipartisan way to reduce homelessness for veterans. It is unconscionable that the VA would use funds specifically intended for that purpose on another purpose. prgtoken San Diego County has the third-largest veterans population nationwide, behind Los Angeles and Maricopa Counties. This is why, since being elected, I have worked with my colleagues to provide more funding and services to veterans who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. I have furthered this work over the last year and a half as a member of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs. prgtoken These vets took an oath to protect our country, and now America must keep its promise to take care of them. They should not be struggling, and they most certainly should not be living on the streets. prgtoken San Diego has achieved some progress in getting vets off the streets and into housing in recent years. Other cities, like Salt Lake City, New Orleans, and Houston, have reached functional zero, which means that homelessness among veterans is rare, brief, and nonrecurring. But across the country, the problem is still far too prevalent. prgtoken I ask my colleagues to support this amendment that will help protect valuable resources that our veterans desperately need, and I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to fund veterans homelessness programs and to make sure that Federal dollars committed to that purpose are used for that important need. prgtoken , .
ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019
Gerald E. Connolly (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2018-6-8

I would conclude simply by thanking my friend from Florida for detailing that horror story. Unfortunately, these aren't isolated incidents. This is a pattern of shoddy care for our veterans at this center, and we need the IG to be doing his work over time to make sure that these deficiencies are corrected, and corrected as soon as possible. That is the intent of this amendment. prgtoken Again, I thank my friend from Texas, but I especially thank my good friend Debbie Wasserman Schultz from Florida for their support on this amendment. prgtoken I include in the Record two letters from the Department of Veterans Affairs inspector general. Department of Veterans Affairs, Inspector General, Washington DC, March 23, 2018. Hon. Phil Roe, M.D Chairman, Committee on Veterans' Affairs, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear : Enclosed is a response from the Office of Inspector General (OIG) to a question for the record received from Congressman Mike Bost following the February 15th hearing before the Committee on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Budget Request for Fiscal Year 2019. We request that it be added to the hearing record. Thank you for your interest in the OIG. Sincerely, Michael J. Missal. Enclosure. Office of Inspector General, Department of Veterans Affairs Response to prgtoken Questions for the Record From House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Hearing on U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Budget Request for Fiscal Year 2019 65. The budget includes a request for $172 million for the Office of Inspector General to strengthen accountability. Will this level of funding be sufficient to properly enforce accountability throughout the VA? VA Office of Inspector General Response: The budget request for the Office of Inspector General (OIG) for fiscal year (FY) 2019 of $172 million will not be sufficient for the OIG to fully meet its mission of effective oversight of the programs and operations of VA. While that amount would represent an increase over the OIG's funding of $164 million for FY 2018, it falls short of even the OIG's actual FY 2018 operating budget of $175.5 million (which includes $15.9 million of carryover due to a late hiring cycle that was out of synch with the budget cycle). There will not be a carryover of that size for FY 2019 as those funds will have been expended led primarily on new hires to conduct our oversight work. In addition, we are now funding our Office of Contract Review approximately $5 million that was previously paid by VA through a reimbursable agreement, and there are
WORLD OCEANS DAY
Tulsi Gabbard (Democrat, HI) \u2014 2018-6-8

water is life. Growing up in Hawaii, we have a unique appreciation for the protection of our resources, from our mountains all the way down to our oceans. It is something that we grow up with, that we have a responsibility to take care of our home, to keep it clean, not only for us, but for future generations. prgtoken Today is World Oceans Day, and we have the opportunity to celebrate the beauty of our world's oceans and also commit to keeping them clean. prgtoken Right now we see all over the world that our oceans are under siege. Temperatures are rising, pollution riddles our waters and beaches, coral reefs are dying off, and marine life are being killed. prgtoken So as you recognize World Oceans Day, we can think about how, in our own lives--individually, as a family, as communities--we can do our part to take care of our planet by changing things like making sure we are not using toxic sunscreens that kill off our coral reef or the single-use plastics that pollute our waters. prgtoken We cannot wait for the tide to change. We have got to take action to make sure that our oceans and our planet are safe and clean for all life for generations to come.
IN MEMORY OF ARLENE BEVERLY HALLIGAN
Jared Huffman (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2018-6-8

I rise today in memory of Arlene Beverly Halligan, who passed away on April 1, 2018 at the age of 82, after a lifetime of public service to her community. prgtoken Mrs. Halligan was born on March 30, 1936 in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, and later moved to San Francisco in the late 1950s, looking .to enjoy the single life in a big city. Not long after, she would meet and marry Jim Halligan, and settle in Marin County to raise their children Shea and Kelly. prgtoken Known in and around Marin County as a prominent philanthropist, Mrs. Halligan's most recent, treasured venture was the restoration of Mt. Tamalpias Railroad's historic Gravity Car Barn and Depot, where she once held the position of Project Director for the Mount Tamalpias Association. Working on her passion project to the very end, just weeks before her passing, Mrs. Halligan helped to secure the final steps to bring back to Marin County the No. 9 Heisler from where it has been located in Scotia, California. It was the only remaining locomotive from the Mt. Tamalpias Scenic Railway. prgtoken In addition to her extensive community service, Mrs. Halligan was well known around Marin and beyond for her famous Christmas Eve parties, which many residents looked forward to all year long. Mrs. Halligan could also be found playing a lively game of tennis, traveling around the world, passionately discussing politics, or voraciously reading anything she could get her hands on. prgtoken Mrs. Halligan is survived by her son Shea Halligan, daughter Kelly Halligan and son in-law Don LeBuhn, and her three grandchildren Samantha, Andrew, and Mackenzie LeBuhn. prgtoken , the depth of Mrs. Halligan's service to her community has left a positive legacy across Marin County and the entire Bay Area, and she will be profoundly missed. It is therefore appropriate that we pay tribute to her today and honor her memory.
RECOGNIZING THE RIBBON CUTTING OF THE NEW SARAH MILDRED LONG BRIDGE
Chellie Pingree (Democrat, ME) \u2014 2018-6-8

as Representative for Maine's 1st Congressional District, I rise to mark a historic occasion in my home state. Today is the official ribbon cutting of the newly built Sarah Mildred Long Bridge. prgtoken This span is one of three critical connections between Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and Kittery, Maine. Its predecessor, built in 1940, carried thousands of people between our states every day, bore a rail line used to refuel submarines at the Navy's Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, and lifted to make way for marine traffic on the mighty Piscataqua River. prgtoken Retired after 76 years, that structure did these jobs well. But the one dedicated today is designed to do them even better and last an incredible 125 years. It was built by the hardworking men and women of Maine company Cianbro Corp with the oversight of the Maine Department of Transportation and its counterparts at the New Hampshire Department of Transportation. It should be noted that a $25 million grant from the federal Transportation Infrastructure Generating Economic Recovery program helped bring the costs of this sizeable project within reach. prgtoken A time capsule bearing this statement, along with other mementos of 2018, will be buried with instructions to open in 125 years. Until then, may this bridge serve our communities well and bear current and future generations of travelers safely to their destinations.
IN RECOGNITION OF THE LADIES PROFESSIONAL GOLF ASSOCIATION'S INTERNATIONAL LEADERSHIP
Debbie Dingell (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2018-6-8

I rise today to recognize the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) for years of devoted and distinguished leadership as they are recognized by ATHENA International. The organization's devotion to the professional and athletic development of women is deserving of acclaim. prgtoken ATHENA International was founded in 1982 by Lansing businesswoman Martha Mertz to honor the contributions of those who help women to succeed. Ms. Mertz has long held the belief that it takes a village to help women in our communities thrive and has seen her small nonprofit grow exponentially over the years. Today, ATHENA International is a global organization that mentors and trains women in more than 500 cities and 8 countries around the world. The ATHENA Leaders of Huron Valley help develop and support women through various programming initiatives including entrepreneurial classes and one-on-one mentoring. The great work of Michigan's female leaders is honored at the ATHENA Awards each year. This year's winners include the Ladies Professional Golf Association, an organization dedicated to promoting women in sport. prgtoken Founded in 1950 by a group of female golfers dedicated to integrating women into the sport, the LPGA is the oldest women's professional sports organization in the country. The association's 13 founders are revered as trailblazers for standing up for equality in a time where women's sports organizations were not in existence. In the 78 years since LPGA was established, the tenacity and courage of the organization's founders has translated into today's leadership and programming. In addition to its publicized competitive tours, the LPGA supports golf teachers and develops young players through its qualifying school. The association is known for its dedication to the players of tomorrow and gives young golfers playing privileges on the LPGA tour. Their years of work have both equipped and inspired countless women to follow their dreams and reach their full potential as golfers and community leaders. prgtoken , I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the Ladies Professional Golf Association for their dedication to cultivating the athletes of tomorrow. We are grateful for their years of service.
TODAY IS WORLD OCEANS DAY
Suzanne Bonamici (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2018-6-8

in the time I make these remarks, 1 minute, prgtoken and every minute after, the equivalent of an entire garbage truck full of plastic will be dumped into the oceans. That is about 8 million metric tons a year, endangering marine life. prgtoken Today is World Oceans Day, a good time to recommit to protect, conserve, maintain, and rebuild our oceans and our ocean resources. prgtoken The health of our oceans reflects the health of our planet. We have work to do. Oceans absorb CO2 produced by human activities, and increasing carbon emissions are stressing the oceans and threatening the livelihood of coastal communities. prgtoken As oceans become more acidic, shellfish struggle to build shells. Oysters and clams are especially vulnerable. Harmful algal blooms produce acid that accumulates in shellfish, like Dungeness crab, and can be poisonous to humans. prgtoken We must invest in research to better understand the challenges to ocean health, like ocean acidification, harmful algal blooms, marine debris, and overfishing. prgtoken The ocean is resilient, but we cannot afford to wait. On World Oceans Day, I invite all of my colleagues to join the bipartisan Oceans Caucus. The time to take action is now.
INTRODUCTION OF THE FEDERAL PROTECTIVE SERVICE REFORM ACT OF 2018
André Carson (Democrat, IN) \u2014 2018-6-8

today, I am pleased to introduce a bill to reform the Federal Protective Service (FPS) because I believe it is long overdue to improve the important organization. In the aftermath of the 1995 Murrah Building bombing, the Department of Justice (DOJ) assessed the vulnerability of Federal office buildings in the United States, particularly to acts of terrorism and other forms of violence. The DOJ report made several recommendations, including upgrading the Federal Protective Service (FPS) and bringing each Federal facility up to minimum standards suggested for its security level. When the Murrah Building in Oklahoma City was attacked, it was after careful planning that focused on gaps in the federal building security at the site to allow the massive destruction and the loss of life that touched all Americans. prgtoken The DOJ report noted that the FPS has the experience and historical character to provide security services in Federal buildings for much of the Federal workforce. But, the report also noted that FPS has limited resources to determine building security requirements to address terrorist threats. FPS, according to the report, needs to re-establish its role and take the lead in emphasizing the need for security. prgtoken Unfortunately years later, many of the reforms that DOJ found necessary have not taken place. Since the bombing of the Murrah Building, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and the Department of Homeland Security Inspector General have both issued numerous reports indicating where FPS needs to improve in order to prevent another tragedy and improve security in Federal buildings. The GAO has made very clear that FPS must increase its oversight of its contract guard force, improve screening practices, and be more nimble in responding to threats to Federal buildings. prgtoken The Federal Protective Service is a part of the frontline defense for thousands of Federal buildings, which include Federal courthouses, Social Security Administration buildings, Agency headquarters, and other buildings. FPS has approximately 1,300 employees, including approximately 1,000 Law Enforcement Officers (LEOs) or ``inspectors'' and 15,000 contract guards, also known as Protective Security Officers (PSOs). After the Oklahoma City bombings in 1995, FPS' authorized staffing level was 1,450. FPS maintained about the same level of staffing until it dropped to 1,100 in 2007. After concerns about the decrease and its effect on security, Congress, through the appropriations process, began mandating a minimum staffing level. Ultimately, this means that the FPS has fewer employees than it had in 1996, in the immediate aftermath of the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, while GSA has expanded its real estate holdings since 1996 by nearly 33 percent. prgtoken FPS spends about $1.3 billion in executing its mission while delivering security and law enforcement services for the
ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019
Peter A. DeFazio (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2018-6-8

. Mr. Chair, as the co-chair of the Northwest Energy Caucus, I was pleased to be a cosponsor of the Newhouse amendment. prgtoken Included in President 's Fiscal Year 2018 and 2019 budget requests were proposals to sell off transmission assets of the Power Marketing Administrations, including the Bonneville Power Administration. Previous presidents, of both parties, have proposed the same. The theory behind selling the assets is the U.S. gets a one-time influx of cash with no harm to ratepayers. prgtoken I recognize these proposals for what they are: budget gimmicks that will only serve to drive up energy costs for Oregon and other Northwest residents and businesses. It's important to note that BPA costs the federal government nothing; it is entirely funded by Pacific Northwest ratepayers. Any money BPA borrows from the U.S. treasury is repaid, with interest. prgtoken By law, BPA is required to sell power at cost. No private company would buy BPA's assets unless it was assured it would make a profit, which would translate into higher electricity costs. prgtoken Additionally, BPA serves millions of rural customers, and maintaining transmission infrastructure is costly. There is no guarantee that a private company would invest in less profitable lines that serve rural areas, harming rural communities. In fact, it could lead to serious neglect or complete abandonment of the lines. prgtoken In May, President thankfully listened to Northwest lawmakers and scrapped his FY19 proposal. This amendment would ensure that no funds could be spent to reconsider the idea
ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019
William R. Keating (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2018-6-8

I rise today to offer an amendment that would direct the VA to establish an opioid abuse kit for community healthcare providers. prgtoken We are fortunate to live in a time when, because of medical advancements, members of the military are surviving combat injuries at unprecedented rates. However, our duty of care for military veterans does not stop there. prgtoken As our Nation welcomes home thousands of veterans from missions all over the world, we must be better prepared to provide those who suffer from chronic pain with the help that they need. It is the responsibility of this Congress to do our part to ensure they are receiving the level of healthcare they deserve. prgtoken According to VA data, despite the number of opioid prescriptions at the VA declining--and that is the good news--since 2012, the number of veterans with opioid use disorders has spiked 55 percent between 2011 and 2016. prgtoken Additionally, the American Public Health Association found that veterans are twice as likely to overdose on prescription opioids as the general population. prgtoken The Veterans Health Administration has taken initial steps to combat the growing opioid crisis by rolling out its Opioid Safety Initiative for VA health settings, and the VA has also begun to publish toolkits for its community health providers so they better understand why veterans are looking to them for help. prgtoken My amendment provides the resources for the VA to take their efforts a step further. It would direct the VA to utilize the opioid safety resources already available at the VA and create a similar opioid toolkit for healthcare providers at civilian facilities who help veterans with opioid use disorders. This is even more important, , because of the establishment of the Veterans Choice Program. prgtoken The toolkit will provide safe prescribing practices provide additional resources for effective pain management, and it will ultimately save lives. prgtoken Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to join with me in support of this. prgtoken Mr. Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Wasserman Schultz).