mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
Dan Newhouse (Republican, WA) \u2014 2018-3-20

. Madam , I want to thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Burgess), as well as the good gentleman from Florida (Mr. Hastings), because I want to take just a minute. prgtoken I think it is appropriate at this time during this debate on a rule to remember Ms. Louise Slaughter, our ranking member of the Rules Committee, a historical position. She was the very first woman to be the chairman of the Rules Committee. She gave three decades of service to our Nation through the U.S. Congress. As importantly--or, to me, more importantly--she was someone whom I consider a personal friend. prgtoken Louise was an individual who I said yesterday could really transcend between politics and personal relationships. We had some very heated debates--a good example is today--and very strong differences of opinions, but we can do that. That is our job to do that. But Louise also taught us that we could do that without being negative to each other in a personal way. She was great at that. She embodied and personified the ability to have an objection without being objectionable, and I admired that greatly about her. prgtoken She was a senior Member and I was a very junior Member. She didn't have to do this, but in many ways she took me under her wing when I became a Member of Congress. We served on the Rules Committee together, and I very much relished that relationship that we had. prgtoken Another thing that we had in common was we joined a very exclusive club, one that several other Members of this body belong to, and that is those people who have lost their spouses. When I was going through that very personally difficult time, Louise prgtoken had the similar experience. She was very gracious to me to be able to help me through that very difficult time. We exchanged books. Many Members of Congress have read books by C.S. Lewis. Louise and I had many discussions about some of the things in some of his writings. In kind of a funny way, as she would do in manipulating me into thinking I was helping her, she was actually having me help myself through that very challenging time. I will always be forever grateful to her for doing that. prgtoken She stood strong, and she was a formidable opponent. When she was managing the rule for the on the other side of the floor, it was always a challenging task, and you had to be on your game when you were on this side making the debate with her. prgtoken I count myself very fortunate to have been able to know her and to have been able to work with her. I join together with all of my colleagues and her family to be able to remember her and honor her memory; and I will continue to do so, as she has truly left a large mark on this institution.
AUTHORITY FOR COMMITTEES TO MEET
Bob Corker (Republican, TN) \u2014 2018-3-20

. Mr President, I have 9 requests for committees to meet during today's session of the Senate. They have the approval of the Majority and Minority leaders. prgtoken Pursuant to rule XXVI, paragraph 5(a), of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the following committees are authorized to meet during today's session of the Senate: Committee on Armed Services prgtoken The Committee on Armed Services is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, March 20, 2018, at 9:30 a m. to conduct a hearing. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources prgtoken The Committee on Energy and Natural Resources is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, March 20, 2018, at 10 a.m. to conduct a hearing. Committee on Finance prgtoken The Committee on Finance is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, March 20, 2018, at 10:10 a.m. to conduct a hearing on the following nominations: John J. Bartrum, of Indiana, to be an Assistant Secretary, and Lynn A. Johnson, of Colorado, to be Assistant Secretary for Family Support, both of the Department of Health and Human Services. Committee on Foreign Relations prgtoken The Committee on Foreign Relations is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, March 20, 2018, at 10:30 a.m. to conduct a hearing. Committee on the Judiciary prgtoken The Committee on the Judiciary is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, March 20, 2018, at 10 a.m. to conduct a hearing entitled ``The Need to Reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act.'' Select Committee on Intelligence prgtoken The Select Committee on Intelligence is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, March 20, 2018, at 2:30 p.m. to conduct a closed hearing. Subcommitee on Seapower prgtoken The Subcommittee on Seapower of the Committee on Armed Services is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, March 20, 2018, at 2:30 p.m. to conduct a hearing. prgtoken Subcommitee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, Insurance, and Data Security prgtoken The Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, Insurance, and Data Security of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, March 20, 2018, at 2:30 p.m. to conduct a hearing entitled ``Update on NHTSA and Automaker Efforts to Repair Defective Takata Air Bag Inflators.'' Subcommitee on Clean Air and Nuclear Safety prgtoken The Subcommittee on Clean Air and Nuclear Safety of the Committee on Environment and Public Works is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, March 20, 2018, at 10 a.m. to conduct a hearing on the nomination of John L. Ryder, of Tenness
Lee M. Zeldin (Republican, NY) \u2014 2018-3-20

today we rise to honor the service and sacrifice of seven airmen fallen in the line of duty last week on the Iraq-Syria border. prgtoken There are no words that fully describe the profound sorrow and immense gratitude that consume us today. There are no words to describe the emptiness this loss leaves in the hearts of communities all across our Nation. There is, however, no shortage of ways to describe these seven servicemen: selfless, heroes, patriots, and everything we aspire to be as a people, as a nation, and as Americans. prgtoken These fallen airmen are the best of who we are. They are the embodiment of what makes this country the greatest in the world, the willingness to make the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our exceptional Nation. prgtoken There is no doubt these brave men, and the so many who have fallen before them, are the reason we have the opportunity to stand here today in the well of the House of Representatives, in the heart of the United States Capitol, which should always serve as a beacon of hope and freedom for so many in our country and around the world. prgtoken Each and every day, these seven Americans answered the call of duty, to defend the liberties on which our Nation were founded, to defend their neighbors and communities, but, most selflessly, to defend the millions of Americans whom they would never know. prgtoken Four of these airmen served with the 106th Rescue Wing in Westhampton Beach, New York, located in the First Congressional District. This amazing unit is made up of the best of the best our Nation has to offer, with a long, rich history of service and sacrifice. prgtoken , the families of these seven great airmen have the unwavering thanks and appreciation of every American across our country, but, most of all, they have our utmost respect. We stand shoulder to shoulder with every one of them as they go through, undoubtedly, the most difficult moment of their lives. prgtoken Captain Andreas B. O'Keefe, Center Moriches, New York; Captain Christopher T. Zanetis, Long Island City, New York; Master Sergeant Christopher J. Raguso, Commack, New York; Staff Sergeant Dashan J. Briggs, Port Jefferson Station, New York; Captain Mark K. Weber, Colorado Springs, Colorado; Master Sergeant William R. Posch, Indialantic, Florida; Staff Sergeant Carl P. Enis, Tallahassee, Florida. prgtoken , I request that the House now observe a moment of silence in memory of these seven dedicated, selfless, and courageous airmen.
ALLEVIATING STRESS TEST BURDENS TO HELP INVESTORS ACT
Randy Hultgren (Republican, IL) \u2014 2018-3-20

I want to thank my good friend from Maine, Bruce Poliquin, for sponsoring this bipartisan legislation. prgtoken The Alleviating Stress Test Burdens to Help Investors Act amends the Dodd-Frank Act to make some commonsense changes to stress testing requirements for asset managers and the investors whom they serve. prgtoken Congressman Poliquin has worked very hard to make sure this bill is bipartisan. In fact, he was able to win the support of two-thirds of the on the Financial Services Committee. prgtoken I believe this is one of the many bills that Chairman Hensarling has suggested be part of our negotiations with the Senate on their regulatory relief package. I agree. Why shouldn't a bill with such strong bipartisan support at least be part of the conversation? prgtoken The idea behind the stress testing for financial institutions under Dodd-Frank is to make sure that they have enough capital on hand to cover losses in the case of a market disruption like the one that was encountered during the financial crisis. However, registered funds have a very different business model than banks. They do not guarantee any return to investors or promise that investors will get their principal back. Furthermore, these funds are not on the adviser's balance sheet. prgtoken The idea that an asset manager should hold capital like a bank does not comport with its business model. Or in the words of Mark Flannery, a former chief economist of the SEC, there is a false parallel for stress testing asset managers: ``The parallel to bank stress tests is really extremely misleading. It is as if Dodd-Frank said `stress test the big banks, and, oh, you might as well go ahead and do the asset management companies.' '' prgtoken Fortunately, Bruce Poliquin has sponsored commonsense legislation to provide some regulatory relief in a way that I think and s should be able to agree. prgtoken The Alleviating Stress Test Burdens to Help Investors Act would eliminate the bank-like stress testing requirements in Dodd-Frank but would empower the SEC, the primary Federal regulator of the asset management industry, to require stress testing as it deems appropriate. prgtoken In short, what this bill says is that we should only stress-test asset managers as their primary regulator determines is in the best interest of the investors instead of arbitrarily applying bank-like stress testing requirements as proposed by the Federal Reserve. prgtoken It comes as little surprise that the SEC, including under the leadership of Mary Jo White, seems to agree. The SEC has not been able to come up with stress testing standards that are consistent and comparable with those of the Federal Reserve and other banking regulators, likely because there is no way to account for capital adequacy in these companies. prgtoken Furthermore, this bill does nothing to undermine the significant regulatory authority to the Financial Stability Oversight Cou
Michael C. Burgess (Republican, TX) \u2014 2018-3-20

this article references events that occurred in 2008. prgtoken In 2002, this individual was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. By October of 2008, his doctors were telling him that prgtoken he had just days to live. They also offered a glimmer of hope. There was perhaps one chance of therapy. It was an unproven therapy that might, in fact, be helpful to him. prgtoken The family made inquiries, made entreaties, but they were not successful until they invoked the then- of the House, Nancy Pelosi, who actually helped this lawyer get access to this medication. Unfortunately, it was not successful. His disease spread to a point where the therapy was not helpful. But the family observed, ``Nancy figured out a way.'' prgtoken How about that. The of the House figured out a way to get this medication to an individual who was dying of a disease, who obviously was very important--a large ic donor, and I get that. prgtoken But the of the House intervened because the clinic where he was being treated felt that they did not have the authority to give him the medication. The company that was manufacturing the medication did not feel that it was in anyone's best interest to give him the medication. But Nancy found a way. prgtoken Well, , today, we are going to find a way. The President asked us, and we are going to find a way for those millions of Americans who are asking for that same chance. prgtoken So today's rule provides for consideration of two important consumer- driven pieces of legislation: prgtoken H.R. 4566, by Mr. Poliquin, will help alleviate some of the regulations that were put in place under the Dodd-Frank Act. prgtoken H.R. 5247, the right-to-try bill which garnered a majority of bipartisan support last week, will give patients who have nowhere else to turn another option to fight the potentially fatal health conditions with which they have been diagnosed. prgtoken I do want to thank President and Vice President for their leadership on this issue and helping us understand here in this body how important it is to move forward with this patient-centered legislation. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to support today's rule and the two underlying pieces of legislation.
CREATING TRANSPARENCY THROUGH DISCLOSURE
Joe Wilson (Republican, SC) \u2014 2018-3-20

today I introduced the Foreign Influence Transparency Act, which requires organizations, such as the Confucius Institute, to register under the Foreign Agents Registration Act, FARA, if they promote the political agenda of a foreign country. prgtoken The goal of this legislation is to increase transparency between foreign governments, universities, and students. Americans have the right to know if they are consuming propaganda that is produced by a foreign government. prgtoken Currently, FARA contains a technicality that allows foreign governments or organizations to push their political agenda under the facade of an ``academic pursuit.'' The Foreign Influence Transparency Act will clarify the intent and ensure that all propaganda funded by foreign governments at least contains a disclaimer. prgtoken The Foreign Influence Transparency Act also decreases the monetary threshold of foreign donations that universities are required to disclose. Currently, universities only report on donations they receive of $250,000 or more, while organizations, such as the Confucius Institute, operate below that level. This results in a lack of disclosure to students and parents. The goal of this legislation is simple, and that is to create transparency through disclosure. prgtoken In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September the 11th in the global war on terrorism.
BRAIN INJURY AWARENESS DAY
Glenn Thompson (Republican, PA) \u2014 2018-3-20

today is Brain Injury Awareness Day, and I welcome those who are in Washington today to share their stories. prgtoken This issue is near and dear to my heart. For nearly 30 years, this was my area of practice and expertise as a therapist and rehabilitation services manager. I served as a board member for the Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania and helped form a brain injury support group. prgtoken The theme for this year's campaign is Change Your Mind. This public awareness campaign strives to destigmatize brain injury; empower those who have survived, as well as their caregivers; and promote the many types of support available. prgtoken The need to raise awareness is great. More than 2.8 million Americans sustain traumatic brain injuries in the United States each year. prgtoken The 13 million Americans living with brain injuries want what we all want: to be defined by who they are as people, not by their injury. prgtoken , everyone recovers at a different pace, and we should do everything in our power to support and encourage brain injury survivors. They deserve no less.
ISSUES OF THE DAY
Steve King (Republican, IA) \u2014 2018-3-20

it is my honor to be recognized to address prgtoken you here on the floor of the United States House of Representatives. prgtoken I come before this floor to address a topic that has been front and center in this country since 1973: when the Supreme Court came down with the decisions known as Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton, then the subsequent case in the early 1990s, Planned Parenthood v. Casey. prgtoken This is a nation that has traditionally--and from the very beginning of the very first founding document, the Declaration of Independence-- respected and revered life. prgtoken As our Founding Fathers put that language together, and as John Adams coached Thomas Jefferson, and Thomas Jefferson put his pen to the Declaration of Independence: ``We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.'' prgtoken Now, , it wasn't an accident that the order of these rights that come from God be started out with life, then liberty, then the pursuit of happiness. prgtoken Of all the scholars that I have talked to and the times that I have sat in the classroom and in my readings, it just never really claim clear. It is not educating our young people about what they were thinking about when they drafted that language in the Declaration: ``We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights,'' but the right to life is listed first. It is not second or third. prgtoken They didn't put together a list of four or five or seven or ten different rights. They laid three out in the Declaration. And those three start with life, because life is the most paramount right. prgtoken The former Governor of Pennsylvania, Governor Bob Casey, a , who has since passed away, was denied an opportunity to speak at the ic National Convention some years ago because he was a pro-life Governor and he would speak in favor of life. He said this: ``Human life cannot be measured. It is the measure itself against which all other things are weighed.'' prgtoken The measure itself. prgtoken Now, what does that mean and how do we think about this, ? prgtoken It would be this: when the Frenchmen devised the metric system, they set up a distance that was divided out to mean a ratio of the circumference of the Earth in whatever manner of calculation they had. And they came down to--however many times they divided that around, it came down to the length of the meter. prgtoken Then they produced this meter that was a platinum rule that was set at precisely the length of the meter. And, in controlled temperature and pressure, at standard temperature and pressure, what would the length of this platinum rule be? Exactly a meter. prgtoken Now, how long is a meter? I guess I could tell you, we can measur
HONORING CLINTON COUNTY FIREFIGHTER'S ASSOCIATION ON ITS 70TH ANNIVERSARY
Elise M. Stefanik (Republican, NY) \u2014 2018-3-20

I rise today to congratulate the Clinton County Firefighter's Association on its 70th anniversary. prgtoken The Clinton County Firefighter's Association and Mutual Aid System were established by Fire Chief Levi Todriff of the Chazy Fire Department with their first meeting taking place on July 18, 1948. Clinton County's Mutual Aid System is proud to be the only Mutual Aid System in the United States that is inter-county, inter-state, and international, as it spans not only throughout upstate New York, but also to Vermont and Canada. prgtoken For 70 years, firefighters and other first responders throughout the region have been risking their lives to protect their communities. They have battled large fires, some in subzero temperatures, aided in flooding relief efforts, and saved both people and livestock. prgtoken In my district, we are proud of our first responders and respect the sacrifices that they make to ensure our communities are safe. On behalf of New York's 21st District, I want to thank the Clinton County Firefighter's Association for its dedication to serving Clinton County and beyond. Our courageous firefighters have provided a crucial service for the past 70 years, and I look forward to hearing about their success in the years to come.
BEST BUDDIES FRIENDSHIP WALK
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (Republican, FL) \u2014 2018-3-20

I rise today to congratulate Best Buddies International for a successful 5K walk in downtown Miami this past Saturday, March 17. prgtoken Best Buddies International was founded in 1989 by one of my constituents, Anthony K. Shriver, and it promotes the idea that every person has a gift and that every person can contribute. This message is emblematic of what makes America successful, and it has made Best Buddies a thriving global organization serving thousands of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. prgtoken The Best Buddies Friendship Walk allows those who are often excluded because of their differences the opportunity to create one-on-one friendships that last a lifetime. It is that model that has allowed Best Buddies to make extraordinary advancements in the autism community to increase understanding and acceptance of the disability. prgtoken I would like to extend my congratulations for a successful Best Buddies Friendship Walk. I am so delighted to see my constituents giving the gift of friendship to individuals in south Florida with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
OMNIBUS APPROPRIATIONS
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2018-3-20

on a final matter, later this week, the Senate will consider an omnibus spending package to address a number of critical priorities, from rebuilding America's infrastructure to fighting the opioid epidemic. In particular, building on the funding agreement passed in February, the measure will deliver the resources and certainty that America's military deserves. To be specific, this legislation will provide the largest year-on-year increase in defense funding in 15 years. After years of disproportionate cuts to our armed services, Congress has begun to provide adequate resources to put an end to the harmful decline in combat readiness, to fulfill our commitments to American families who sacrifice through service--many of them in my home State of Kentucky. prgtoken For our men and women in uniform, this means a well-deserved pay raise. For our veterans back home, it means increased oversight and modernization in the Veterans' Administration care system, thanks to a record level of VA funding. Our warriors on the frontline deserve to be trained to the highest standards, as do the units that replace them. Now our commanders can work to restore combat readiness--and not a moment too soon. Threats around the world are only growing in number and intensity. By strengthening our investment in missile defense, by funding new weapons systems, by scaling up shipbuilding and aircraft procurement, and by investing in our all-volunteer servicemembers, we will send a strong message to our allies and our foes alike that America's military is regaining dominance. prgtoken This week, my colleagues will have the opportunity to follow through and address the pressing needs of the defense community. I hope each of them will join me in voting to swiftly pass the omnibus, thus giving our Armed Forces the resources they need and deserve. prgtoken .
ALLEVIATING STRESS TEST BURDENS TO HELP INVESTORS ACT
Bruce Poliquin (Republican, ME) \u2014 2018-3-20

who says that a terrific Representative from one of the most urban areas in the country, Los Angeles, California, cannot get together with a Representative from one of the most rural parts of America up in the great State of Maine? prgtoken I thank Ranking Member Waters for her extension of bipartisanship. I also thank Chairman Hensarling very much for brokering this. This is going to be a great day for America, a great day for Maine, and a great day for California.