mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
EXECUTIVE CALENDAR--MOTION TO PROCEED
Richard Burr (Republican, NC) \u2014 2018-9-26

. I want to drive home what Senator Gardner said. This is not the first time we have been here. Almost 100 days ago, after that event we had outside, we came inside and moved to reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund. prgtoken I just pulled out my drawer and found three instances. All of those speeches start like this: ``At this time, we are only 66 days until September 30.'' ``At this time today, we are only 45 days.'' ``Today, we are only 38 days until expiration.'' prgtoken We continue to drive this with our colleagues. Why? Because the American public supports this program so much and because this is effective and impactful in every community of every State in the country. I know my colleagues agree with me. We are going to be relentless in how many times we come to the floor. prgtoken Sometimes, Senator Gardner, when you have been here as long as I have, you learn that sometimes you have to wear down the people who might find a reason to disagree with you. But, you know, nobody has disagreed with us because it costs money. Nobody has disagreed with us because it wasn't effective. Maybe they disagree with us because they haven't utilized it the way so many other Americans have. I can't think of a better legacy we can leave for generations to come than to permanently reauthorize that, and I believe it will happen this calendar year. prgtoken I thank the gentleman for yielding.
COMBATING WILDFIRES IN THE WESTERN UNITED STATES
Greg Gianforte (Republican, MT) \u2014 2018-9-26

I rise today to bring the Chamber's attention to the wildfires that have devastated our country this year, consuming nearly 7.7 million acres across 12 States. This figure, however, doesn't account for the lives tragically lost, the homes destroyed, or the livelihoods that went up in flames. This doesn't account for the smoke from these wildfires that swept from many of our Western States into the Midwest, creating poor air quality. prgtoken The House has passed measures to reduce the severity of our wildfires and improve the health of our forests. Last November, the House passed the Resilient Federal Forest Act, written by my friend from Arkansas (Mr. Westerman). The legislation provides commonsense reforms that will benefit our forests, economy, and the environment. prgtoken Conservationists, organizations, foresters, stakeholders, and local leaders throughout Montana recognize the need for reforms to get us managing our forests again. Unfortunately, the other Chamber, mired in obstruction, has not taken up the bill. The House, however, has not lost our focus, including critical forest management reforms into other legislation. prgtoken Looking across the West and seeing the devastation of the wildfires this year, I know we can't afford to wait. I am honored that many of my colleagues are joining me here tonight who recognize the threat of catastrophic wildfires and want to do something about them. I look forward to hearing from them. prgtoken At this time, from Utah, John Curtis.
CHILDHOOD CANCER
David Kustoff (Republican, TN) \u2014 2018-9-26

I rise today in support of families and children everywhere who have been affected by childhood cancer. prgtoken This month, September, is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. As I think about the meaning behind this month, I realize that childhood cancer has had a significant impact on my district in west Tennessee. prgtoken According to the American Childhood Cancer Organization, more than 15,000 children under the age of 21 are diagnosed with cancer each year. It is heartbreaking that any family must endure the pain caused by childhood cancer. prgtoken Thanks to the countless efforts by doctors, nurses, and researchers, the childhood cancer survival rate has now reached over 80 percent. prgtoken Back home, we are fortunate to have state-of-the-art facilities dedicated to childhood cancer research with personnel working each and every day to see that our children are receiving the best possible care. prgtoken St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis provides top-notch cancer treatment to nearly 7,500 patients from all over the world each year. prgtoken From medical personnel to volunteers to families sharing their testimonies, my area is filled with many who have dedicated their lives to the pursuit of an end to childhood cancer. prgtoken Now, here in Congress, I have supported numerous initiatives to fight so that all children have a chance of survival. Most recently, I cosponsored and voted for the Childhood Cancer STAR Act, which was signed into law by President this past summer. prgtoken The great Danny Thomas, the founder of St. Jude, believed that no child should die in the dawn of life. We have come so far to increase the odds of survival and recovery. But we won't stop there. I feel fortunate knowing that each day we are one step closer to finding cures and ensuring that every child has the chance to live.
RECOGNIZING MARC GALLAWAY, WASHINGTON PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR
Dan Newhouse (Republican, WA) \u2014 2018-9-26

I rise today to recognize Cathey Anderson for the compassion she demonstrated aboard a flight from Nevada to central Washington. prgtoken Cathey did not think twice before springing into action when she noticed a man in his 70s who was traveling alone. He appeared confused and then lost consciousness. prgtoken Cathey recognized the signs of a seizure, and she took the initiative to help. She and two other nurses administered medical treatment until the flight landed, and they were greeted by medical crews upon arrival in Yakima. prgtoken Cathey is a registered nurse and the occupational health supervisor at Energy Northwest. She was awarded the CEO Lifesaving Award for her actions. prgtoken To Cathey's family and friends, her quick action was not a surprise, because it wasn't the first time she comforted a stranger in distress. prgtoken I thank Cathey for her willingness to help others around her everywhere she goes. Please join me in recognizing Cathey Anderson for receiving this prestigious award.
EXECUTIVE CALENDAR--MOTION TO PROCEED
Cindy Hyde-Smith (Republican, MS) \u2014 2018-9-26

this is my first time to address this body. Senate tradition is for new Senators to observe, listen, and learn before delivering a maiden speech, but there is precedent, during matters of great importance and critical times for the future of our country, to make remarks prior to a maiden speech. I will reserve my maiden speech for a future date, but today I am compelled by duty to our country and the people of Mississippi to speak in strong and unyielding support for Judge Brett Kavanaugh. prgtoken The Constitution entrusts the Senate with the duty to provide the President the advice and consent for a lifetime appointment on the U.S. Supreme Court. It is a serious responsibility, but the process has devolved into a purely political effort by those who want to keep Judge Kavanaugh off the Court by destroying his reputation and his character. prgtoken I have had conversations with several colleagues who tell me they have never seen such chaos and hatred as we are witnessing in this confirmation process. The fact that accusations against Brett Kavanaugh were suspiciously withheld until the eleventh hour really is not surprising. We expected something, but we didn't know what it would be, and we never expected the opposition to stoop to this level. prgtoken Let me articulate what is going on here. prgtoken Judge Kavanaugh, who has gone through multiple background checks over the years, was unscathed by additional vetting, 31 hours of questioning under oath, and more than 1,200 written questions--all exceeding anything ever experienced by any Supreme Court nominee. When it became clear that Judge Kavanaugh had a clear path to confirmation, the opposition chose to introduce accusations of alleged misconduct that have yet to be backed by verified facts or any evidence. It seems that in their desperation, knowing he was about to be confirmed with no obstacle stopping him, they panicked. In the past 2 weeks, when was the last time you heard talk of federalism or philosophy of jurisprudence? They lost the fight on the issues. They had to try something else-- thus, these eleventh-hour accusations. prgtoken Now, I want to be clear. My heart breaks for victims of assault and abuse. It is an issue that must never be taken lightly. That is why unproven accusations are so very unjust. prgtoken Faced with these disturbing accusations, Judge Kavanaugh quickly and convincingly refuted them without mincing any words. Throughout this exhaustive process, he has been very straightforward in shooting down these allegations--all under the penalty of law. I believe Judge Kavanaugh when he says these humiliating events never happened--not three decades ago, not ever. prgtoken It seems that opponents of Judge Kavanaugh are engaged in character assassination to destroy the reputation of a devoted public servant and a loving husband and father. I for one will not stand by and just watch this happen. It is an honor to serve in t
CORRECTING MISCALCULATIONS IN VETERANS' PENSIONS ACT
Steve Russell (Republican, OK) \u2014 2018-9-26

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , I urge support of H.R. 4431, the Correcting Miscalculations in Veterans' Pensions Act, introduced by Congressman Carter of Georgia. prgtoken Civilian Federal employees earn an annuity as a part of their service to the country. Newly hired civil servants with prior Federal service, such as members of the military or the Peace Corps, can pay a deposit to count their prior service toward that annuity. This allows an individual to increase their pension upon retirement by counting previous, noncivilian service in the annuity calculation. prgtoken Under Federal retirement rules, there is a set period of time in which the individual can pay the service deposit. If a deposit isn't paid within this period of time, interest is assessed. prgtoken For example, someone wishing to pay a military service deposit must do so within 2 years of starting civilian service. On the third anniversary of civilian employment, interest will begin to accrue annually until the deposit is paid in full. prgtoken From time to time, agencies make mistakes that can cause an individual to be assessed interest that would not otherwise be owed. Most commonly, the problem arises when an agency provides inaccurate information about the amount or due date of the deposit. But under current law, agencies cannot fix those mistakes, meaning the civil servant has to pay the cost of the agency's mistake. prgtoken A 1996 opinion by the Government Accountability Office found the Department of Energy was prohibited from paying the interest assessed as a result of an agency's mistake on a military service deposit without a change in the law. The agency made a mistake, and the agency wanted to pay the difference. But under the restrictions of current law, the individual had to cover the interest payments that accrued through no fault of his own. prgtoken This bill fixes that problem to ensure civil servants do not pay the cost of agencies' mistakes. Specifically, the bill authorizes Federal agencies to pay interest assessed on military service deposits, AmeriCorps service deposits, and Peace Corps service deposits, if the interest is a result of an agency error. prgtoken I thank the gentleman from Georgia, my friend, Mr. Carter, for his work on this important bill. I look forward to hearing from him in a moment. prgtoken I would also like to thank Chairman Harper from the Committee on House Administration for their support in bringing this bill to the floor. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and . House of Representatives, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Washington, DC, June 26, 2018. Hon. Gregg Harper, Chairman, Committee on House Administration, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear : On November 16, 2017, the Committee on Oversight a
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 6157, DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019; PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H. RES. 1071, RECOGNIZING THAT ALLOWING ILLEGAL...
Tom Cole (Republican, OK) \u2014 2018-9-26

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , I want to begin by thanking my good friend, my colleague on the Rules Committee, for her kind words and her acknowledgment of how many accomplishments there are that both parties have worked hard to achieve in this particular legislation. That is why I am confident that once the bill comes to the floor, we will have a substantial majority of my friends on the other side of the aisle voting for it and a substantial majority of my friends from my side of the aisle joining them in that. That is a good thing. America should be exceptionally pleased with that. prgtoken I also want to thank the President, because he is a participant in this. While this bill does represent a compromise, the reality is, particularly in the defense area, we essentially gave the President most of the things that he asked for and worked for, and we brought this. So I think he can take considerable pride in the achievements of restoring the military, because that was his suggestion, his proposal, and he worked to that end. prgtoken There are also particular initiatives in the Labor-H portion of the bill that the President deserves credit for. My friend cited the apprenticeship program, a great program. That was a Presidential-level proposal. A lot of the training programs are. prgtoken It was this President who declared opioids as a national healthcare emergency. I am proud Congress, on both sides of the aisle, have responded. As my friend knows, there was a budget agreement last year between the administration, the Senate, and the House that actually put an emphasis on more money at the NIH, more money for opioids. prgtoken I am the first to acknowledge there is good work and good praise here to go all around for everybody. My friends in the House worked very hard. I have always joked with my good friend, the ranking member, that we always start out on different sides, but for four times in a row now, we have come together for the final package and both supported the legislation that authorized Health and Human Services, Labor, Education, and related agencies. Again, that wouldn't be possible without the leadership of the full committee. That wouldn't be possible without friends across the rotunda. prgtoken Far be it from me to overpraise the Senate of the United States, but I have to say that they deserve a lot of praise in this instance, because the leadership of Chairman Shelby and Ranking Member Leahy on that side was exceptionally important to us in reaching a resolution and working through some of the knotty issues. prgtoken Finally, I want to thank the President of the United States. We make Presidents go first in their budget proposals, largely so then we can pick them apart later and do what Congress should do, and that is to make the final decisions in this area. But we took the President's recommendations very, very seriously. prgtoken There are many good things in this
PERIPHERAL ARTERY DISEASE PATIENTS
Erik Paulsen (Republican, MN) \u2014 2018-9-26

I rise in support of H.R. 6757, the Family Savings Act, which includes a provision that I authored that improves 529 college savings plans. prgtoken Now, we all know that 529 college savings plans are a popular saving tool to help families save for college costs tax free. But today, student loan payments are not a qualified expense. Withdrawing any funds from the 529 for any other reason results in those funds being taxed as ordinary income, as well as a 10 percent penalty. prgtoken That is why I authored legislation to solve and address this problem, and it was included in the Family Savings Act. By expanding the list of 529 qualified expenses to also include student loan payments, this will allow a 529 savings plan to be used to pay up to $10,000 in student loans. It will certainly help make it easier now to pay off loans and mitigate the anxiety that comes for a new graduate who is starting a career.
REMEMBERING FRANK BRADLEY
Marco Rubio (Republican, FL) \u2014 2018-9-26

today I pay tribute to the memory of Frank Bradley, a lifelong Tallahassee, FL, resident who owned a famed local country store and was well regarded as a consummate southern gentleman. prgtoken Frank Bradley was born on July 11, 1925, in Tallahassee and served his country honorably in the U.S. Navy during World War II. When he came home from the war, he began working in his father's family store, Bradley's Country Store. In 1970, Frank added a packinghouse to the store, with products still made from his grandmother Mary's 1910 recipe. prgtoken He also began to host the store's annual Old Fashioned Fun Day, which brings in thousands of visitors each year. Frank retired from the store in 2008, leaving it in the hands of his daughter Janet. His lesson for her was to treat their customers with respect as if they are always right. prgtoken Frank was dedicated to improving his community and worked to address issues affecting residents, including leading the charge to pave a portion of Old Centerville Road. While he sought for the entire road to be paved to the Georgia line, he accepted a compromise of 2 miles. prgtoken I express my sincere condolences to his wife Lillian, two daughters Janet Bradley Parker and Julie Bradley Obrecht, six grandchildren, and one great-grandson. May God bless his family during this time of loss.
REQUIRING UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE TO ESTABLISH NEW ZIP CODES
Lee M. Zeldin (Republican, NY) \u2014 2018-9-26

I thank the gentleman for yielding. prgtoken , I rise in strong support of H.R. 6846, which would create a new, unique ZIP Code for the hamlets of Flanders, Northampton, and Riverside, located in Suffolk County, New York, in my district. These three hamlets currently share the same ZIP Code with the nearby town of Riverhead, where there are at least 18 identical street names and 32 similar street names. This causes a number of issues, including the delay of mail and packages, which can hold important goods like medications. Shared street names can also delay the response for emergency and medical personnel in situations where every second counts. prgtoken This could all be avoided by assigning a new and unique ZIP Code to Flanders, Northampton, and Riverside, which is why I have been working closely with committee and House leadership to ensure this important issue does not go unresolved. prgtoken Last Congress, I brought then-Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz to my district to hear from my constituents firsthand regarding how important this issue is to us. I then worked with Chairman Chaffetz to secure House passage last Congress, but, unfortunately, the Senate failed to act. prgtoken I urge my colleagues in the House to pass this bill tonight, and I implore the Senate to take this bill up immediately. This legislation will have an immediate, on-the-ground, positive impact on the lives of so many of my constituents. prgtoken I would like to thank, especially, Ron Fisher, chairman of the Flanders, Riverside, Northampton Citizens Advisory Council and president of the Flanders, Riverside, Northampton Community Association. I would also like to thank Vince Taldone and Vicki Farruggia from the Flanders, Riverside, Northampton Community Association. prgtoken I thank the chair of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee and his great staff. I appreciate their support and urge a ``yes'' vote.
AUTHORITY FOR COMMITTEES TO MEET
John Cornyn (Republican, TX) \u2014 2018-9-26

I have 13 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 Commerce, Science, and Transportation prgtoken The Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, September 26, 2018, at 10 a.m to conduct a hearing entitled ``Examining Safeguards for Consumer Data Privacy.'' Committee on Environment and Public Works prgtoken The Committee on Environment and Public Works is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, September 26, 2018, at 10 a.m to conduct a hearing entitled ``Cleaning up the Oceans: How to Reduce the Impact of Man-made Trash on the Environment, Wildlife, and Human Health?'' Committee on Finance prgtoken The Committee on Finance is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, September 26, 2018, at 10:30 a.m to conduct a hearing entitled ``Impact of Tariffs on the U.S. Automotive Industry.'' Committee on Foreign Relations prgtoken The Committee on Foreign Relations is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, September 26, 2018, at 11 a.m to conduct a business meeting. Committee on Foreign Relations prgtoken The Committee on Foreign Relations is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, September 26, 2018, at 11 a.m to conduct a hearing on the nomination of Francisco Luis Palmieri, of Connecticut, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Honduras, Department of State. Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs prgtoken The Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, September 26, 2018, at 10 a.m to conduct a hearing on pending legislation and the nomination of Peter T. Gaynor to be Deputy Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Committee on Indian Affairs prgtoken The Committee on Indian Affairs is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, September 26, 2018, at 2:30 p.m to conduct a hearing. Committee on Indian Affairs prgtoken The Committee on Indian Affairs is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, September 26, 2018, at 2:30 p.m to conduct a hearing entitled ``Justice for Native Youth. The GAO Report on `Native American Youth Involvement in Justice Systems and Information on Grants to Help Address Juvenile Delinquency.'' Committee on Rules and Administration prgtoken The Committee o