mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
RECOGNIZING TREASURE COUNTY
Steve Daines (Republican, MT) \u2014 2019-3-27

this week I have the honor of congratulating Treasure County for 100 years of as one of Montana's 56 counties. prgtoken Although one of the least populous counties in Montana, Treasure boasts many historic buildings that incorporate the rich history of Big Sky Country from the Yucca Theater with its beautiful Spanish mission style architecture that provided hope and entertainment during the Great Depression, to the 1950s contemporary style courthouse in Hysham. With a population less than a thousand, Treasure County's rich lands provide a bounty for ranchers and farmers alike. prgtoken Treasure County is an important part of Montana's cherished history and remains a vital part of our State's landscape. I congratulate the folks down in Treasure County on celebrating 100 years of excellence in local government.
SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019--MOTION TO PROCEED--Resumed
Shelley Moore Capito (Republican, WV) \u2014 2019-3-27

it is my honor to be here with my fellow woman Senator from the State of Iowa. I enjoy learning more about Iowa and about the strength of Iowan women and in our Nation. prgtoken I join my colleague to highlight and celebrate not only the women leaders in the Senate but the millions of women throughout history and across the country who have made and continue to make a difference in their homes, in their communities, and in society in general. prgtoken I am very proud to represent the State of West Virginia--a State with a long and rich history of female trailblazers. It is a State that respects and celebrates those women. Maybe you have heard that phrase ``mountain mamas.'' Well, Mother's Day was actually originated in West Virginia by Grafton resident Anna Jarvis in 1908. President Woodrow Wilson made it an official national holiday in the year 1914, and it is an annual reminder today to cherish and thank one of the, if not the, most influential women in many people's lives--their mothers. prgtoken I miss my mother every day. I know my mother, who was the First Lady of West Virginia, was an incredible role model for me and an inspiration. Seeing all she did for our State and for our fellow West Virginians through her public service was a driving force throughout my life. Not only that, she was a great and loving mother, and as I said, I still miss her every day. prgtoken Another West Virginia woman who has been an incredible inspiration is Katherine Johnson. Katherine was born in White Sulpher Springs, WV, in 1918. In her being brilliant with numbers, she attended West Virginia State College and was later one of the first Black students to integrate West Virginia University's graduate school in 1939. That is pretty notable in and of itself, but Katherine didn't stop there. prgtoken In 1953, she took a job at NASA and began working as a human computer. She literally calculated how to get men into space. Remember, with the launch of the Soviets' satellite Sputnik in 1957, the space race was on. America needed a win, and Katherine Johnson played a major role in facilitating that win. Her work put John Glenn into space and into history. The success of that mission marked a turning point in the space race altogether, and it made a significant impact in the future of space travel and exploration. Some may better recognize Katherine's name from the movie ``Hidden Figures.'' prgtoken I am proud to say that in tribute to Katherine and her incredible legacy at NASA, I introduced legislation to rename West Virginia's only NASA facility after her. President signed that bill into law last year, and Fairmont, WV, is now the home of the Katherine Johnson Independent Verification & Validation Facility. At 100 years young, Katherine still serves as a tremendous role model to me and to women everywhere. prgtoken Of course, all of our States are home to brilliant women. My home of West Virginia is home to num
SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019--MOTION TO PROCEED--Resumed
John Boozman (Republican, AR) \u2014 2019-3-27

I am pleased to join my colleagues in recognizing Women's History Month and celebrating the countless women who have shaped our Nation and those who continue to devote their time and energy to the pursuit of equality here at home and abroad. prgtoken Women have demonstrated incredible perseverance in the face of adversity. Their stories of fighting for equal opportunity are ingrained in the history of our country. We wouldn't be the great Nation that we are without those who paved the path for a more promising future for women. prgtoken We honor the individuals whose remarkable courage and dedication to challenging the status quo helped advance women's rights and those who followed their dreams while breaking the glass ceiling. prgtoken In 1932, Arkansas elected Hattie Caraway to the U.S. Senate, which made her the first woman elected to this body. She broke barriers, changed norms, and helped lay the foundation for the new role women were beginning to be recognized as deserving to play in the Senate throughout her legislative career. prgtoken Senator Caraway served nearly 14 years in the Senate, where in 1933 she was the first woman to chair a Senate committee and in 1943 became the first woman to preside officially over the Senate. prgtoken Arkansans are particularly proud that our legacy in the U.S. Senate includes electing the first woman to serve in this Chamber. The path that Hattie Caraway trailblazed for more women to enter the ranks of the world's greatest deliberative body has, without a doubt, made the Senate a better, stronger institution and has benefited our Nation immensely. prgtoken Today, more women are serving in Congress than ever before. We need to look no further than Hattie Caraway to understand the magnitude of her decision to step forward and serve her State and country. prgtoken More women are also answering the call to serve our Nation in uniform. Women are the fastest growing demographic of veterans, but many Department of Veterans Affairs facilities don't have the ability to provide equitable care or services to our women veterans. prgtoken This Congress, Senator Tester and I have reintroduced legislation to eliminate barriers to care and services that many women veterans face. The legislation is appropriately named for Deborah Sampson--the Deborah Sampson Act--which honors the service and sacrifice of the American Revolution hero who actually disguised herself as a man in order to serve in the Continental Army. prgtoken We can be proud of Deborah Sampson and the countless women patriots who have followed in her footsteps. prgtoken We must update VA services to support the unique needs of our entire veteran population, including the growing number of women relying on VA for care. prgtoken While opportunities remain to advance women's equality, the United States recently took an important step to empower women worldwide. Congress approved and President signed into law th
MUELLER INVESTIGATION
Daniel Meuser (Republican, PA) \u2014 2019-3-27

. Madam , we, our country, over the past 2 years have lived through persistent and daily accusations against our President of Russian collusion in his election, accusations made by many and the media. Our President was accused of nothing short of high crimes and misdemeanors. prgtoken A 2-year, thorough investigation was carried out. Last Friday, perhaps the most thorough investigation in recent history concluded. The investigation enjoyed not only complete, unlimited access to witnesses, but the resources of the entire Federal Government, including the Department of Justice, the FBI, and the intelligence community. prgtoken The Mueller investigation reached a conclusion that no Russian collusion took place nor was there any evidence of any participation by any persons in the campaign. prgtoken The verdict is in. Nevertheless, our colleagues continue to talk about a further investigation. Any further investigations would not have the fraction of resources of the Mueller investigation. prgtoken I ask: Seriously? Another investigation? This one was not enough? Or are we prolonging for the sake of prolonging this issue? prgtoken We owe it to the American people to accept the facts from a 2-year investigation, move on, and do the work we were sent here to do. We owe this to the American people.
SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019--MOTION TO PROCEED--Resumed
Joni Ernst (Republican, IA) \u2014 2019-3-27

we rise to celebrate Women's History Month. prgtoken This month is, of course, very personal to me as a woman, a daughter, and a mother. One of the sayings I love is: ``Well-behaved women seldom make history.'' This is so true. I want to reflect on a few of these fearless females--trailblazers--who have made history and who have shaped our future. prgtoken These are women like suffrage leader Carrie Chapman Catt. She founded the League of Women Voters in 1920, which was 2 years after she helped women gain the right to vote. Catt relocated to Iowa when she was 7 years old, and she graduated from what is now Iowa State University, my alma mater. She was so committed to the cause of women that she helped found the International Woman Suffrage Alliance to help spread rights for women all around our globe. prgtoken I fast-forward to today, when one can see the fruits of her labor. In Iowa, we just elected our first female Governor--my friend and a fearless female, Kim Reynolds. We also gained two new women lawmakers with the election of Abby Finkenauer and Cindy Axne and a record number of women in the Iowa State House, led by of the House Linda Upmeyer. In Congress, we have a record number of women who serve in the U.S. House and 25 who serve in the U.S. Senate. While we come from differing backgrounds and political stripes, I admire these women for jumping into the arena. prgtoken I also reflect on a woman named Deborah Sampson. Sampson is credited as the first woman to serve in the U.S. Army. This hero, who couldn't serve openly as a female, disguised herself as a male and joined the Continental Army in 1781. She led forces on a mission that helped to capture 15 enemy soldiers. She served as a scout, dug trenches, and endured battle wounds. She even extracted a pistol ball from her own leg so no one would know she was a female. prgtoken Fast-forward to today, when thousands of women are serving in the military and are taking on bigger and badder roles. They are all brave, fierce, and honorable. They are modern-day Deborah Sampsons. prgtoken I think of the wonderful women with whom I served in the Army and of all of those whom I commanded--my wonderful mechanics, my truckdrivers, my admin specialists. I think of my daughter, who is a cadet at West Point, as well as Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson, and so many other women who serve in Active Duty, as reservists, and as National Guardsmen. They all serve our great Nation. prgtoken Finally, I reflect on Gertrude Dieken. Dieken was from Grundy County, IA. She was an editor and the first woman vice president of the Farm Journal--a renowned magazine that is dedicated to farming. Savvy in business, economics, and journalism, Dieken established a book publishing division and became the first female member of its board of directors. prgtoken Iowa women are today exercising their girl power, making it happen on the shop floor, in the boardroom, on the fa
PAYCHECK FAIRNESS ACT
Virginia Foxx (Republican, NC) \u2014 2019-3-27

once again, it is wrong to discriminate, including with respect to pay, based on sex. It is also illegal to do so under both the Equal Pay Act of 1963 and the Civil Rights Act of 1964. prgtoken Everyone, s and alike, supports equal pay for equal work because, when workers thrive, America thrives, but H.R. 7 does not further this goal. prgtoken claim H.R. 7 will improve upon these existing and bipartisan laws to create new avenues for women to fight pay discrimination. What H.R. 7 actually does is create new avenues for trial lawyers to earn higher paychecks--while dragging countless women into unwanted lawsuits. prgtoken Of the 2.8 million jobs created in the past year, more than 58 percent have gone to women. prgtoken Today, there are 74.9 million working women in the United States, more than ever before; and one in five employer businesses, nationwide, is owned by women. prgtoken We celebrate workers who choose to give priority to professional success and promotion, but it is equally important to show that we value freedom and diversity of choice in the workplace. prgtoken It is not the job of Federal lawmakers to tell American workers of either sex what their priorities should be. A number of economic studies conducted by government and private entities alike consistently show that women make more holistic and discerning choices than men about managing work-life demands. prgtoken The new government studies mandated by H.R. 7 will likely tell us what we already know and that our colleagues will not acknowledge: that prgtoken work patterns and life decisions are key to explaining the wage gap, and that the wage gap shrinks considerably when factors such as hours worked per week, industry, occupation, work experience, job tenure, and preferences for nonwage benefits are considered. prgtoken In addition to opening countless avenues for trial lawyer payouts while limiting employer defenses, H.R. 7 mandates intrusive and elaborate data collection from employers, breaking down compensation, hiring, termination, and promotion data by sex, race, and national origin of employees--that will cost about $700 million a year. prgtoken Rather than expending taxpayer dollars on expanding studies, Federal lawmakers should promote a continued focus on strong economic policy, education, and innovation that will create opportunities and expand options for all American workers. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment, and .
SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019--MOTION TO PROCEED--Resumed
Chuck Grassley (Republican, IA) \u2014 2019-3-27

yesterday, we had debate on the Green New Deal. I wonder how many Americans realize that this debate on the Green New Deal was not on a bill before the Congress that would become law but was on nothing but a nonbinding resolution. Rather than working on specific changes in the law, the authors chose vague aspirations for dramatic action in the future. That is the difference between an active environmentalist and an environmental activist. prgtoken I am proud of my accomplishments that have had a real, positive impact on the environment. For instance, I authored the production tax credit for wind energy back in 1992. During my leadership on the Senate Finance Committee in the 2000s, I oversaw the establishment, enhancement, and renewal of numerous clean energy tax incentives. prgtoken My point is not to say that I made some impact on the environment but to say that there is a difference between offering a bill and, in turn, just a nonbinding resolution, which--the haven't put forth any real law. prgtoken . Recognition Of The Majority Leader
PAYCHECK FAIRNESS ACT
Christopher H. Smith (Republican, NJ) \u2014 2019-3-27

. Madam Chair, I rise today in support of H.R. 7, the Paycheck Fairness Act--a modest, common-sense solution to the problem of pay inequity. prgtoken Equal pay for equal work is not only a core value of mine and others--it's the law. Full implementation of that principle, however, remains elusive. prgtoken The Paycheck Fairness Act, which was first introduced in 1997 and passed the House of Representatives with bipartisan support in 2009, is a serious initiative to realize the noble goal of true equality. prgtoken Among its provisions, this legislation would: prgtoken Encourage businesses to rely on information about the market value of a position, industry standards, the duties of the job, and their prgtoken budgets in order to set salaries, by prohibiting reliance on the prior salary history of prospective employees. prgtoken Allow workers to share their personal salary information free from retaliation, with commonsense exceptions for FIR professionals. prgtoken Improve research on the gender pay gap by instructing Department of Labor (DOL) to conduct studies and review available research and data to provide information on how to identify, correct, and eliminate illegal wage disparities. prgtoken Assist the DOL in uncovering wage discrimination by requiring the collection of wage data from federal contractors, and direct the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to conduct a survey of available wage information and create a system of wage data collection. prgtoken Support small businesses with technical assistance by providing support to all businesses to help them with their equal pay practices. prgtoken Momentum has continued to build, with more than 260 diverse organizations signing a letter in support of the bill, including the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce, which represents business associations and groups across the country, and the Main Street Alliance, a national network of small business owners. prgtoken Madam Chair, according to the National Partnership for Women and Families, if the disparity in median annual earnings for women and men working full-time, year-round were closed, women would have over $10,000 more in earnings each year. For millennial women, closing this gender wage gap could add up to more than $1,000,000 in lost income over a career. prgtoken This not only impacts these women immensely, but also directly impacts those with families. Over 62 percent of two-parent, married households with children, have both parents employed, which means these families would add $10,000 more to their family's total earnings per year. prgtoken Madam Chair, this bill makes good economic sense. Companies are recognizing the benefits and the power of women's increased economic participation, and some have already enacted policies similar to those outlined in the Paycheck Fairness Act. Companies like Staples and Amazon have ended inquiries into job applicants' salary histories to avoid importing prior pa
CONGRATULATING WHEELING PARK HIGH SCHOOL SPEECH AND DEBATE TEAM
David B. McKinley (Republican, WV) \u2014 2019-3-27

I rise today to recognize the Wheeling Park High School Speech and Debate Team, which has won the West Virginia State championship for 40 years in a row. prgtoken Think about that. prgtoken Their uninterrupted string of victories began when Jimmy Carter was President, and now has extended through the administrations of Presidents Reagan, 41, Clinton, 43, President , and now President . prgtoken Their winning streak is longer than most of my staff has been alive. Their 40-year record may very well be the longest in the country's history. prgtoken Their students are part of a dynasty. Some even have a personal family legacy because they are following the footsteps of their parents, who also won when they competed in the high school competition at Park. prgtoken Look, Generation Z suffers from a lot of negative stereotypes, but the team members on the Wheeling Park Speech and Debate Team are examples of a great new generation and what they can do. prgtoken These students are dedicated. They work year-round and compete in competitions to hone their skills. They are able to convey emotions and sway an audience while passionately arguing today's most pressing topics. prgtoken We couldn't be prouder of these students. There is no doubt in my mind, they have a bright future ahead of them, and that has everything to do with their work ethic and dedication. prgtoken I would also like to congratulate and thank their coaches, Bill Cornforth, Kayla Nelson, Isabella Droginske and Brigitte Mazure, as well as the team's founding coach, Fran Schoolcraft, who led them through their first 25 victories. prgtoken Congratulations on their first 40, and here's to the road to 41. Congratulating American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019--MOTION TO PROCEED--Resumed
Patrick J. Toomey (Republican, PA) \u2014 2019-3-27

I rise today to mark a very special day for the Sikh religion and the Sikh community across America and in Pennsylvania--and this is the holiday of Vaisakhi. prgtoken Although the youngest among the major religions of the world, Sikhism has emerged as a distinct socio-religious community. By the numbers, it is, I believe, the sixth largest religion in the world, with 30 million adherents worldwide, and approximately 700,000 Sikhs have chosen to make their home in the United States. prgtoken A large number of those Sikhs live in my State of Pennsylvania. In fact, there are several Sikh places of worship across Pennsylvania. They are known as a Gurdwara, and they are located in and around Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown, and Erie. prgtoken Sikhism itself was founded in the 15th century in South Asia on the principles of equality, justice, and respect for all human beings. prgtoken Sikhs pray twice a day--in the morning and in the evening--and they pray for the welfare of mankind. prgtoken Over a period of 239 years, Sikhism was established by 10 gurus. The first among them was Guru Nanak. These gurus were learned, spiritual guides devoted to improving the moral well-being of their followers and the communities in which they lived. prgtoken In 1699, the 10th and final guru--Gobind Singh--founded a fellowship of soldier saints called the Khalsa Panth. Today, Sikhs celebrate this occasion with the holiday that they call Vaisakhi. This year, Sikhs across the United States and around the world will celebrate Vaisakhi on April 14. prgtoken For Sikhs, Vaisakhi is a very special time. It is a special time to celebrate and share their faith with their friends and their neighbors. The occasion is marked by dancing and parades. Everyone is welcome to attend these celebrations, and they attract Americans from all religious, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds. prgtoken Vaisakhi celebrations are a really vibrant affair, and members of the Sikh community wear bright orange or yellow festive clothes to mark the occasion. These colors represent the spirit and the joy of the celebration. prgtoken It is interesting to note that when Vaisakhi is celebrated in the Sikh homeland of Punjab, the gold and yellow wheat fields are ready to be harvested. prgtoken This year, the Sikh Coordination Committee East Coast has organized a parade in Washington, DC, on April 6 to commemorate Vaisakhi as National Sikh Day. The theme of the parade is Sikh identity, Sikh culture, and the Sikh way of life. Thousands of Sikhs from all over the United States will be here participating and celebrating. prgtoken I came here this morning because I want to add my voice as one wishing the Sikh community great luck and great joy at this parade and in the very joyous celebration of Vaisakhi. prgtoken .