mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
ACKNOWLEDGING LACK OF TRANSPARENCY IN FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS POSES A THREAT TO NATIONAL SECURITY
Maxine Waters (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-3-13

as we join together during this Sunshine Week to highlight the importance of transparency in our economy and our national security, and the preservation of our rule of law, we cannot ignore the insidious harm that is being done by institutions like Deutsche Bank, Danske Bank, and others that facilitate money laundering and financial crime. prgtoken Kleptocracy and corruption around the world and here at home, as the family and its companies have proven, can only thrive with the cooperation or willful blindness from financial institutions that move, hide, and launder their ill-gotten money, money that can come in and out of the financial system through investments in real estate, art, and other luxury markets across America. prgtoken I hope my colleagues on both sides of the aisle would agree that we need to close loopholes that allow criminals and terrorists to hide from sunlight and scrutiny, and I urge the House to support H. Res. 206, as amended. prgtoken , .
Judicial Nominations (Executive Session)
Mazie K. Hirono (Democrat, HI) \u2014 2019-3-13

two weeks ago, the Senate broke a century of precedent and confirmed a judge, Eric Miller, to the Ninth Circuit over the objection of both home State Senators. prgtoken Last week, the majority leader filed cloture on two circuit court nominees, Paul Matey for the Third Circuit and Neomi Rao to replace Brett Kavanaugh in the DC Circuit. prgtoken Yesterday, Paul Matey became the second person in Senate history, after Eric Miller, to be confirmed without blue slips from both home State Senators. By eliminating the blue slip--a century-old policy that requires meaningful consultation between the President and home State Senators on judicial nominations--Senate s have been able to speed through confirming partisan judges with strong ideological perspectives and agendas. prgtoken appointed 30 circuit court judges in his first 2 years in office. That is 17 percent of the Federal appellate bench. By contrast, President appointed only 16 circuit court judges in his first 2 years in office, and President appointed 17. prgtoken and the majority leader, with the help of the chair of the Judiciary Committee, are breaking nearly every rule that stands in their way to stack, at breakneck speed, the Federal courts with deeply partisan and ideological judges. prgtoken And why are they doing this? They are packing the courts to achieve, through the courts, what they haven't been able to accomplish through legislation or executive action--undermining Roe v. Wade, dismantling the Affordable Care Act, eliminating protections for workers, women, minorities, LGBTQ individuals, immigrants, and the environment. prgtoken The courts, with non- judges, have been the constitutional guardrails stopping the administration's deeply questionable policies and decisions, such as separating immigrant children from their parents, summarily ending DACA protections, and asking whether census respondents are U.S. citizens. All of these administration decisions have been stopped, for now, by Federal judges. prgtoken 's judicial nominees have extensive records of advocating for rightwing, ideologically-driven causes. In fact, these records are the reasons they are being nominated in the first place. prgtoken The nominees tell us to ignore their records and trust them when they say they will follow precedent and rule impartially, but after they are confirmed as judges, they can ignore promises made under oath during their confirmation hearing because they can. Short of impeaching these judges, there is nothing we can do about it--great for them, not great for Americans. prgtoken By the way, the average judge tends to be younger, less diverse, and less experienced. They will be making rules that affect our lives for decades. prgtoken This week we are considering yet another nominee, Neomi Rao, who should make us seriously ask how far the majority leader is willing
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H. CON. RES. 24, EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF CONGRESS THAT THE REPORT OF SPECIAL COUNSEL MUELLER SHOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC AND TO CONGRESS, AND PROVIDING FOR...
Mark DeSaulnier (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-3-13

I want to thank my friend for pointing out that I am not a poker, that I might actually be trying to be thoughtful. Maybe it is because I was once registered as a . I don't regularly admit that sometimes, at least not in my district. prgtoken But I do think this conversation is important on multiple levels, and I appreciate the fact that the gentleman is here to present his side of the aisle's position. prgtoken I think there is a danger here for us to resume to our corners, and this is an instance where I really think it is important--and, hopefully, it is newsworthy--to the media and to the general public that we are coming to this moment. Although it is a resolution, I still think it is significant without indulging in hyperbole. prgtoken , I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Perlmutter), my friend and a distinguished member of the Rules Committee.
IN RECOGNITION OF KATHY LEROUX
Jackie Speier (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-3-13

. Madam , I rise to honor Katharine S. Leroux for almost three decades of outstanding public service to the town of Hillsborough, California, the last three years as the first female city manager. Kathy is a remarkable community leader and a force to be reckoned with. prgtoken After leaving her career in the telecommunication industry, Kathy started her public service career as a water rationing coordinator in 1990, in the midst of a severe drought. She credits that job with deeply connecting her with Hillsborough residents. When her second child was born in 1991, she took some time off to focus on her family and then returned to the city in 1992 as an account clerk in the Finance Department. In 1995, she was promoted to City Clerk in which role she updated the city council agenda process and the municipal code. She also attained her Certified Municipal Clerk designation. prgtoken In 2003, Kathy was promoted to Assistant to the City Manager and then two years later to Assistant City Manager where her responsibilities increased tremendously. She oversaw the office she formerly held, City Clerk, and Human Resources. She led labor negotiations, developed annual operating budgets and served as the Acting Director for the Building and Planning Department and the Public Works Department when there were vacancies. prgtoken Working in and with all of these departments perfectly prepared Kathy to become City Manager and to effectively run the town's business. In May 2015, she became Interim City Manager and the following January City Manager. She maintained Hillsborough's fiscal stability and General Fund reserves, navigated State mandated water use reductions, developed a process for small wire development, revamped the website, developed the Climate Action Plan, expanded management teambuilding and employment recognition, and enhanced communication with residents--an impressive list of accomplishments that has benefitted the town and will continue to do so long after her retirement. prgtoken Kathy says she was afforded amazing growth opportunities by taking two life-changing educational programs. The first one was Continuing Education for Public Officials which she completed in Santa Barbara in the late 1990s. The second was the Senior Executives in State and Local Government program at the Harvard University Kennedy School which she completed in 2007. prgtoken During her tenure, Kathy served on several boards including The Cities Group, San Mateo County Telecommunications Authority, and the Association of Bay Area Governments. She was also the Administrative Officer for the Central County Fire Department. prgtoken Born in San Francisco, Kathy grew up in South San Francisco and attended El Camino High School. She took classes at San Diego State University, Michigan State University, Skyline College and the College of San Mateo and then spent three years working in the private sector for PacTel InfoSystems in San Fran
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H. CON. RES. 24, EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF CONGRESS THAT THE REPORT OF SPECIAL COUNSEL MUELLER SHOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC AND TO CONGRESS, AND PROVIDING FOR...
Peter Welch (Democrat, VT) \u2014 2019-3-13

I thank the gentleman for yielding. prgtoken , I don't know what is in the Mueller report and neither do you. The American people don't know what is in the Mueller report, but they want to know. And I want to know, as you do, and why not? prgtoken , 81 percent of the American people polled say they want to know, and that includes 79 percent of the s. That is good news. prgtoken Because what we do know, without knowing the details of the Mueller report, is that really bad stuff happened in the last election. Some of it was in a campaign, and some of it was in a foreign country that is our severe adversary; and I speak, of course, of Vladimir Putin's Russia. prgtoken But the bad stuff: a former campaign foreign policy adviser indicted and convicted, Mr. Papadopoulos; a former campaign manager on his way to jail, Mr. Manafort; a former campaign aide and Manafort's long-time junior business partner indicted; a former foreign policy national security adviser pleaded guilty, Mr. Flynn. prgtoken This is the high level of a campaign where crimes are not just being discussed; there have been convictions and guilty pleas. What is behind all of that? We need to know. prgtoken And, incidentally, , the American people are footing the bill for this--about $25 million, as far as we can tell. They have got a right to know. prgtoken But, in addition to whatever happened in the campaign, really bad stuff happened in Russia. We know from our own intelligence agencies that Russia made a concerted effort and a determined effort and a well- financed effort to interfere in our election.
HONORING ALOK K. VERMA FOR RECEIVING THE TIDEWATER CHAPTER HUMANITARIAN AWARD
Elaine G. Luria (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2019-3-13

. Madam , I rise today to honor and recognize Dr. Alok Verma on receiving the 2019 Humanitarian Award for the Tidewater Chapter of the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities. This is an amazing accomplishment. prgtoken This award recognizes Dr. Verma's lifetime of service and commitment to the promotion of respect among people of diverse backgrounds. Dr. Verma generously serves the students of Old Dominion University and the community as a whole. His input at international conferences and in scholarly publications is exceptional. His service to the Norfolk Sister City Association, World Affairs Council, and Asian Indians of Hampton Roads demonstrates his heart for service. prgtoken Dr. Verma's dedication to strengthening bonds among people of different racial, ethnic, and religious backgrounds is truly inspiring. I am proud to honor and recognize Dr. Verma's leadership and the role he plays in making our community a better place. The Tidewater Region has significantly benefited from his presence.
CENTENNIAL OF THE THERMOPOLIS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
John Barrasso (Republican, WY) \u2014 2019-3-13

today I wish to celebrate the centennial of the Thermopolis, WY, Chamber of Commerce. prgtoken On March 23, the Thermopolis Chamber of Commerce celebrates their 100th anniversary at an annual banquet. What was once called the old Thermopolis Commercial Club incorporated in Hot Springs County as the Thermopolis Chamber of Commerce on February 4, 1919. prgtoken The future of the chamber was entrusted to elected directors: President Guy J. Gay, Vice President C.C. Beaver, and Directors Peter Sill, I.W. Wright, Woods, A.W. Harrigan, and C.E. Stewart. Their guidance laid the foundation for a chamber that continues to foster the growth of business and sense of community in Thermopolis. prgtoken In an article dated February 7, 1919, the Thermopolis Independent Record wrote of the intended mission of the new chamber of commerce. ``We wish to create better business, better homes, better government, a better community and, in general, create a better brotherhood of man. We ask only what is fair. All who live here are the owners of our community and our community is our biggest asset.'' prgtoken This spirit has driven Wyoming's people, businesses, and communities since its inception and will continue for generations to come. To further expand the chamber's embrace of community, on November 13, 1987, the Thermopolis Chamber of Commerce passed a resolution to change its name to the Thermopolis Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce. This combined all of Hot Spring County's corner of the Big Horn Basin into the chamber's mission. prgtoken The citizens of Thermopolis and Hot Springs County are blessed to live in a beautiful environment. Located in northern Wyoming and nestled on the world's largest mineral hot spring, Thermopolis is bordered by the Hot Springs State Park and the Wind River Canyon. The Owl Creek Mountains lie to the South while the Absaroka Range is to the West. The hot springs have been free to the public since purchase of the land from Native Americans in 1896. prgtoken The construction of the railroad had a major impact on the development of Hot Springs County. In 1910, the Burlington Railroad reached Thermopolis from the north. In 1911, the Burlington completed its line through Wind River Canyon to the south. This gave the entire Bighorn Basin much better connections with the rest of Wyoming. On February 9, 1911, the legislature approved establishment of Hot Springs County with Thermopolis as county seat. County government was organized in January 1913. The Thermopolis Chamber of Commerce was organized just a few years later in an office on South 5th Street. prgtoken For 100 years, the hard-working people at the chamber welcomed visitors to the area. One of today's main attractions is the rich prehistoric areas of Hot Springs County. The Wyoming Dinosaur Center offers a professional paleontological experience for the whole family. The center is an impressive 16,000-square-foot complex. It inc
The Green New Deal (Executive Session)
Steve Daines (Republican, MT) \u2014 2019-3-13

I would like to start by talking about one of the best things we are known for in Montana, and that is our great outdoors, whether it be our national parks, our iconic wildlife, hunting, or fly fishing. Like all Montanans, I want the peace of mind that I can continue to enjoy these opportunities with my kids and grandkids, just as my dad and my grandpa did with me growing up in Montana. prgtoken In Montana, we know how to foster commonsense, locally driven conservation to protect our environment. I am here to tell you today that there is nothing common sense about the so-called Green New Deal. In fact, the Green New Deal is a representation of everything that is wrong with Washington, DC. It is a radical, top-down idea that disregards the impacts on hard-working Montanans and Americans across our country. prgtoken You see, in Montana, we rely on a diverse portfolio of energy and fuel sources to help grow our economy, to create good-paying jobs, and to preserve our Montana way of life. In order to live where you also like to play--that is what we call Montana--you need a good-paying job. Montana is still a State where a mom or a dad, a grandma or a grandpa, or an uncle or an aunt can take a child down to Walmart and buy an elk tag over the counter and be at a trailhead to start elk hunting within 30 minutes. We need our ag production. We need clean coal. We need sustainable timber production. These are all part of our Montana way of life. They are all important to the great State heritage we have. This Green New Deal would uproot all of that. prgtoken This Green New Deal sounds more like a socialist wish list than it does some great, bold conservation plan. Calling for an end to air travel, getting rid of all of the cows, and ceasing all production of coal would literally destroy our State's economy. The Green New Deal flat out doesn't work. Montana's rural communities would be left without any power or electricity. In fact, just this month, we saw record cold temperatures in Montana. I was trying to fly back to Washington, DC, a week ago Monday. When I got to our airport there in Bozeman, it was minus-40 degrees. We had to hold the plane for nearly 3 hours because deicing fluid only works at minus-25 and warmer temperatures. prgtoken The data that we have now looked at from during that cold snap shows that it was coal-fired generation--in particular, our Colstrip powerplant--that picked up the slack during those low temperatures. It kept the heat on for families across Montana. prgtoken Our wind turbines have difficulty working in subzero temperatures, and that is regardless of whether the wind blows. One of the challenges in a State like Montana is that when a high-pressure system moves in, whether in the wintertime or in the summertime--let's take the winter for example. When high pressure moves in, oftentimes that is associated with low temperatures. That usually is when we have a spike in
The Green New Deal (Executive Session)
John Thune (Republican, SD) \u2014 2019-3-13

desperate to distract from the $93 trillion price tag of their so-called Green New Deal, the ic leadership here in the Senate has been coming down to the floor to claim that s are ignoring climate change. prgtoken On February 14, the ic leader came to the floor and said: ``Since s took control of this Chamber in 2015, they have not brought a single bill to meaningfully reduce carbon emissions to the floor of the Senate. Not one bill.'' That is a quote from the ic leader just a month ago. prgtoken That would be news to me, and I think it would be news to some ic Senators here, as well. On January 14 of this year, for example, the President signed into law the Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act. That legislation, led by Senator Barrasso and cosponsored by both s and , paves the way for new advanced nuclear technologies, which will help further reduce carbon emissions. prgtoken Here is what the ic ranking member of the Environment and Public Works Committee had to say about this bill: Nuclear power serves as our nation's largest source of reliable, carbon-free energy, which can help combat the negative impacts of climate change and at the same time, foster economic opportunities for Americans. . . . This is another important step in our fight against climate change. prgtoken That is from the ic ranking member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. Let me repeat that. ``This is another important step in our fight against climate change.'' That is coming from a key on a key committee that deals with this issue. That is not a talking; that is the ic ranking member of the Environment and Public Works Committee. prgtoken Then, of course, there is the Furthering Carbon Capture, Utilization, Technology, Underground Storage, and Reduced Emissions Act. Granted, that is a fairly long title. Several s are original cosponsors of that. It became law as part of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018. The FUTURE Act, as it is referred to, extends and expands tax credits for facilities with carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration technologies, which are referred to as CCUS technologies. prgtoken Here is what the Clean Air Task Force had to say about this legislation: [T]he U.S. Congress took a landmark step by passing one of the most important bills for reducing global warming pollution in the last two decades. prgtoken That is a quote from the Clean Air Task Force and what they had to say about that legislation. prgtoken Then there is the Nuclear Energy Innovation Capabilities Act, led by Senator Mike Crapo, which prgtoken became law in September. This legislation will help support the development of advanced nuclear reactor designs, which will increase America's supply of clean and rel
THE GREEN NEW DEAL
Rick Scott (Republican, FL) \u2014 2019-3-13

when it comes to bankrupting our country, the Green New Deal puts all other ideas to shame. It calls for rebuilding or retrofitting every building in America in the next 10 years, eliminating all fossil fuels in 10 years, eliminating nuclear power, and working toward ending air travel. This Green New Deal is not a serious policy idea; it is a unicorn. prgtoken failed to grasp something basic: s and Independents care about the environment. We want clean air, we want clean water, and we want to take care of our environment and natural resources. At the same time, we also care about our economy, jobs for families in our States, and making sure that everyone in our country has the opportunity to succeed. We believe that taking care of the planet and working to create a better economy are objectives that can and must be pursued at the exact same time. prgtoken You can't afford to take care of the environment if you don't have a strong economy. The Green New Deal would destroy our economy. To embrace this Green New Deal plan is to be an enemy of the American economy and the American worker because when you stop and think about it, the Green New Deal is, in reality, the green job killer. prgtoken Some will say: Why bother picking on this plan? It is not like it has any chance of being enacted. prgtoken Here is the problem: A socialist from New York City with a massive Twitter following introduced this nonserious plan, and every single major running for President immediately embraced it. Let that sink in for a moment. prgtoken Climate change is real and requires real solutions, but the ic Party has accepted this economy-destroying new deal as a new commandment to go alongside single-payer healthcare and higher taxes on job creators. prgtoken For most Americans, this plan is a declaration of war on the economy, our prgtoken way of life, and the standard of living for working class families across our great country. prgtoken What does this mean for Florida? Well, it would mean the end of the tourism industry; that is, 1.4 million jobs, massive job loss, and unemployment. prgtoken As for me, I love and cherish the environment. It is what makes the great State of Florida so great. What I don't love are naive plans that would destroy Florida's economy. prgtoken During my time as Governor of Florida, we made record investments in our environment, and we were able to do that only because Florida's economy was booming and we had the resources to make these investments. The Green New Deal would reverse every ounce of progress we have made. prgtoken The most incredible part of the Green New Deal plan is the statement that they will provide ``economic security for all people of the United States.'' No government can ever do that. To argue otherwise is a disservice to all hard-working Americans and nothing more than phony political posturing. prgtoken I look forward to a time when we do