mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
NATIONAL ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE STRATEGY
Will Hurd (Republican, TX) \u2014 2020-12-8

I rise today in support of H. Res. 1250, to create a national artificial intelligence strategy. prgtoken For decades, American leadership in emerging technologies has created prosperity and security across the world, but this leadership is no longer guaranteed. As the Chinese Communist Party continues to use any means possible to become the next world power and world's leader in AI, it is all the more vital that the U.S. have our own strategic plan. prgtoken For almost a year, Representative Robin Kelly and I worked with policy experts, stakeholders, and the Bipartisan Policy Center to develop guidelines that will prepare America's workforce, counter our adversaries, promote research and development, and shape the ethics of AI based on America's values. prgtoken This resolution outlines specific steps and actions the Federal Government should take to ensure our global leadership in this emerging technology. If we don't take advantage of AI, Mandarin and the yuan-- not English and the dollar--could dominate the global economy. prgtoken Vladimir Putin once said that whoever masters AI will master the world. That is why America--not Russia and not China--must be at the helm. prgtoken I came to Congress to make our Nation safer, and I am proud one of my last pieces of legislation before this body will do just that. prgtoken , I want to thank my good friend, Robin Kelly, for partnering with me on this critical effort and our staffs for making this happen. I hope all of our colleagues will join us in supporting this resolution.
Tribute to Cory Gardner (Executive Session)
John Thune (Republican, SD) \u2014 2020-12-8

I rise today to recognize and pay tribute to two Senators whom I had hoped to serve with longer: Cory Gardner and Martha McSally. prgtoken One of the first things that became clear about Cory Gardner when he came to the Senate is that he is an incredibly hard worker. He is tireless. Cory has not only a great sense of humor; I remember back during impeachment when we were working some really late nights, he left 5-hour ENERGY drinks for all of us in our mailboxes. prgtoken I have to say, you kind of need a 5-hour ENERGY drink to keep up with Cory. Seriously, though, Cory has a tremendous amount of energy and focus and drive, and he has left it all on the field during his time in the Senate. prgtoken I think he knew when he was elected that he might not be here forever, and he has made every moment over the past 6 years count. He is a results-oriented person. He is interested in getting things done, and he has built an impressive record. prgtoken Serving the people of Colorado has been the first thing on his mind every day. He spent a lot of time working on Colorado priorities, from protecting our public lands to improving wildfire preparedness, to expanding healthcare access for veterans by ensuring the completion of the VA hospital in Aurora, CO. prgtoken He has also been a leader on foreign policy issues, specifically on the issue of holding North Korea and China accountable for their lack of freedom and their human rights violations, such as China's mass incarceration of Uighurs and its targeting of Chinese citizens who dissent from the Communist Party line. prgtoken Cory has also been a great friend to Taiwan. Among other things, he authored the TAIPEI Act, which the President signed into law earlier this year, legislation that makes it U.S. policy to support Taiwan's efforts to strengthen its relationships with countries in the Indo- Pacific and around the world. A free, prosperous, and safe Taiwan is in the interest of the United States, and Cory understands this well. prgtoken In addition to being one of the hardest working people you will ever meet, Cory is also one of the most pleasant. He has an upbeat personality and a contagious cheer, and committee hearings and meetings are always more enjoyable when he is around. prgtoken He has been called a happy warrior. I think it is a fitting title. He is an eternal optimist. I don't mean that in a naive, wide-eyed sort of way. Cory is well aware of the challenges we face in our Nation and around the world, but he genuinely believes in our country and in our ability as citizens and as Members of Congress to make life better for our fellow Americans. prgtoken And over his 6 years here in the Senate, he has helped make life better for his constituents in all four corners of his State and for the American people. Nobody could have worked harder for Colorado over the past 6 years--nobody--and he has done more for his State in a single term than many h
REMEMBERING DEE BENSON
Mike Lee (Republican, UT) \u2014 2020-12-8

I rise today to honor Judge Dee Benson, who passed away this week after a heroic battle with cancer. Dee had a remarkable and far-reaching legal career, making an impact throughout Utah and the country. But even more than that, he has made an indelible mark as a beloved teacher, mentor, role model, and friend. prgtoken Dee grew up on small farm in Jordan, UT, across from the old Jordan High School. He served a 2-year mission in Sweden for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and afterwards attended BYU, graduating in 1973 with a degree in physical education. After a brief stint as a student teacher and soccer coach at Hillcrest High, he decided to change career paths and on a whim applied to law school. prgtoken Dee stumbled onto what would become a brilliant vocation in law. He was one of the very first law students at Brigham Young University, when my late father, Rex Lee, was founding BYU's J. Reuben Clark Law School. Dee quickly took to law, grasping legal concepts with speed and ease, and soon became a star of his class, even without spending all his time in the libary. He was an equally affable student, loved by all of his classmates. A gifted athlete, he still managed to participate in school activities and sports while in law school, even playing for the soccer team during his final year and finishing near the top of his class. prgtoken After graduating in 1976, Dee spent a few months playing professional soccer prgtoken with the Utah Golden Spikers of the American Soccer League, and then turned to his law career. He started out in private practice, first at Marineau and Mack and then at Christensen and Martineau. He would later be appointed to positions at the highest levels of law by Presidents, Chief Justices, and Senators. prgtoken He came to Washington first to work as counsel for the Senate Judiciary Committee. Dee was then-Senator Orrin Hatch's chief of staff for 2 years and while there served as counsel on the Iran-Contra Congressional Investigating Committee. He worked as U.S. attorney from 1989 until 1991, when he was appointed by President George H.W. to serve on the U.S. District Court for the District of Utah, where he served for nearly three decades. prgtoken As Federal judge, he was appointed as one of the seven judges to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act Court by Chief Justice William Rehnquist, frequently flying to Washington to review requests for warrants and wiretaps against suspected spies and terrorists. He was also appointed by Chief Justice John Roberts to serve on the Judicial Conference of the United States, a policy-making body within the Federal judicial system. prgtoken Dee had a deep love of the law and true impartiality as a jurist. In all of his duties, he never sought to impose his own agenda but simply to get the law right--not according to his own personal beliefs or feelings but as he understood it. And as much as Dee loved the la
UAE ARMS SALES
Dan Sullivan (Republican, AK) \u2014 2020-12-8

I want to echo what the chairman of the Armed Services Committee said with regard to this upcoming vote. It is, actually, a very important vote, and I think that when you look at the leadership of the UAE and what they have done, we are seeing major peace agreements between our traditional Gulf Arab allies and Israel. This is really significant. This is a whole different approach to addressing some of the long-term challenges with regard to the Middle East, and it is starting to work. prgtoken I think it is imperative that this body, particularly at this time, send a message of support to countries and leaders--the UAE, in particular, given this upcoming vote--that have taken risks. Leadership sometimes requires you to take risks, and we know that the history in the Middle East is sometimes--when you have countries and leaders who take risks with regard to peace with Israel, those leaders can actually have dire consequences. Look what happened in Egypt, after that peace agreement, with their leaders. prgtoken I think it is very important that we, as a body, in a bipartisan, strong way come down in support not just of the progress that has been made in the region but also the broader strategic realignment that is happening. prgtoken Why is that happening? Because we all recognize--the United States, Israel, our traditional Gulf Arab allies, our traditional Arab allies in the region--that the biggest challenge, the biggest threat in the region is the terrorist regime in Iran, which is the biggest challenge and biggest threat to peace and security in the region. prgtoken There has been enormous progress. The President and his team deserve a lot of the credit. Rebuilding our military deserves a lot of credit, which we have all done here. But we need to send a signal that policies that have been tried before, particularly policies that appease the largest state-sponsor of terrorism in the world, don't work. The policies of strength, the policies of standing together--Israel, United States, our traditional Arab allies--that is what is working, and that is what is bringing peace. prgtoken This vote that is going to happen soon is a lot more than just a vote on weapon sales. It is a vote on this body helping to cement the reorientation in the region toward peace and toward recognizing what the challenge is. prgtoken The challenge that we all face is the biggest terrorist regime in the world, which threatens the United States, threatens Israel, threatens the UAE, and threatens Saudi Arabia. That is why we need a strong vote in the way the chairman of the Armed Services Committee just talked about. I am fully supportive of where he is, and I am hopeful that this body will vote for continued peace and strength, particularly as it relates to the terrorist regime in Iran, and not send the wrong signal to our friends and allies, particularly when historic progress--yes, it has been historic progress--is bein
BENEFICIARY ENROLLMENT NOTIFICATION AND ELIGIBILITY SIMPLIFICATION ACT OF 2020
Jason Smith (Republican, MO) \u2014 2020-12-8

. Madam , I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. prgtoken Madam , I rise today in support of H.R. 2477, which includes some legislation to improve Medicare coverage for kidney transplant recipients. prgtoken The administration has made increasing rates of kidney transplantation a priority. It is more cost-effective than dialysis and results in a dramatic increase in the quality of life for ESRD patients. However, these patients must continue taking medication for the remainder of their life so that they don't reject their organs. prgtoken Currently, Medicare will only cover the cost of these drugs for 36 months after a kidney transplant. Patients who do not have health insurance or lose their insurance coverage have to choose between paying thousands of dollars a month out of pocket or risk the chance of rejection of their organs. prgtoken If organ rejection does occur, these patients must once again endure the painful, time-consuming, and expensive dialysis treatments paid for by the Medicare program. By simply paying for the cost of these drugs and preventing patients from crashing back into dialysis, the Federal Government prgtoken can save hundreds of millions of dollars and improve thousands of lives. prgtoken We should not allow such unnecessary waste and suffering to occur. These Americans should not have to worry about how they will afford the cost of the medications that allow them to live a completely normal life. prgtoken Madam , I thank Representatives Kind and Burgess for their leadership and for working together on this commonsense bipartisan bill. prgtoken Madam , I urge the House to pass H.R. 2477.
Coronavirus (Executive Calendar)
James Lankford (Republican, OK) \u2014 2020-12-8

four different times in the last 4 months, we have had votes on this floor to talk about COVID relief. There is a real need to be able to give relief to a lot of people in my State, and, quite frankly, in States around the country. prgtoken There are individual items that need to be done that are unfinished. I think we need to actually finish them. We have this week and next week to finish the task at hand. We have 12 appropriations bills. We have a national defense authorization. But in my State, people want to know most what is going to happen with COVID relief. Where is that going to go? prgtoken Well, apparently, now we can actually have the debate. After the election was over, Pelosi announced that she was ready to actually negotiate the bill now that the election was finished. Well, great. Folks in my State have actually been waiting because four times in the last 4 months we brought up bills that were serious bills to be able to actually debate this out and to get the aid that is needed to be done, starting with additional money for distribution for vaccines. prgtoken The first vaccine will come on market by this Friday. It will be in arms by this weekend or at the latest, Monday, in my State, in Oklahoma. prgtoken As I visit with the people in my State who are in charge of the distribution, they have a terrific plan that they are engaged in to work with healthcare providers across the State to give them first access. For these folks who have been living in PPE for months and months and months, to now have the opportunity to get a vaccine will be a tremendous gift to them. It is incredibly important that this happen. prgtoken I do want to congratulate the folks in the science community, the folks who are at Operation Warp Speed in the White House, and so many other individuals who worked so incredibly hard to take a vaccine from first identification of the virus to a vaccine in 11 months. That is remarkable speed to get something done, though I have read recently that the New York Times is now putting out this quiet little accusation that the administration didn't buy enough of the Pfizer vaccine, and the rest of the world is going to get it. The Times just conveniently leaves out that the administration actually purchased 700 million doses of the vaccine from multiple different manufacturers very early on, taking the appropriate risk to say that we don't know which one is going to be successful, so let's try to purchase from all of them, not knowing if six of them will be successful or if one of them will be successful. It was the right strategy then. It remains the right strategy. prgtoken In addition to the fact that the Pfizer vaccine is coming out first-- which we are all very grateful for--it is 95 percent accurate as far as setting aside the virus. It is 100 percent effective against severe outbreaks of the virus. It is a remarkable vaccine, but it has to be stored at neg
PROVIDE ACCURATE INFORMATION DIRECTLY ACT
Ron Estes (Republican, KS) \u2014 2020-12-8

. Madam , I have no other speakers, and the balance of my time. prgtoken Madam , at a time when bipartisan solutions are becoming rarer, the PAID Act is a meaningful, commonsense measure that will provide financial stability and longevity to Medicare Advantage. prgtoken Medicare Advantage is the best way to give seniors the care they need without sacrificing quality and maintaining fiscal responsibility. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this bipartisan measure to allow this program to continue serving our seniors. prgtoken America is looking toward Congress for leadership through all of the new challenges we face. Throughout our history, the United States has rarely needed bipartisanship more than it does now. We must work together to improve healthcare, rebuild our economy, and deliver meaningful relief to our Nation. prgtoken Madam , I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and .
EN MASSE VOTING BY MAIL IS ILLEGAL
Mo Brooks (Republican, AL) \u2014 2020-12-8

this is my fifth speech in a series on voter fraud, election theft, and the Presidential election. prgtoken For emphasis, Congress is the judge, jury, and final arbiter of the 2020 Presidential election contest. Further, America's election system is plagued by systemic flaws that promote voter fraud and election theft. prgtoken exploited one such flaw when he brazenly promised more than 10 million illegal aliens that he will give them amnesty and citizenship if they help elect President. prgtoken The Constitution's Election Clause, Article I, Section 4, is very clear. Congress has absolute authority over the ``times, places, and manner of holding elections'' for Federal offices. prgtoken Pursuant to the Election Clause, and title 2, United States Code, section 7, Congress set November 3 as the 2020 ``day for the election.'' prgtoken For emphasis, Congress set a ``day for the election'' on which citizens vote. Congress did not set an election week, an election month, or an election season during which citizens can cast votes. Also, pursuant to the Election Clause, Congress created limited exceptions to its ``vote within a 24-hour window'' mandate, to wit: prgtoken Alternative voting means for persons with disabilities; prgtoken Overseas persons may vote by absentee ballot; prgtoken Persons to be absent from their voting location or State on election day may vote by absentee ballot. prgtoken Any voting schemes that allow voting outside of congressionally mandated times and means are illegal under the Constitution and Federal statute. prgtoken Congress' reasons for limiting voting to one 24-hour period are described by the 2005 bipartisan Commission on Federal Election Reform, co-chaired by President Jimmy Carter and former White House Chief of Staff and Secretary of State James Baker. They strongly cautioned against overly broad absentee ballot and vote-by- mail schemes because they ``increase the risk of fraud.'' prgtoken The bipartisan commission found that absentee voting has been one of the major sources of fraud in American elections and that vote by mail ``is vulnerable to abuse in several ways: Blank ballots mailed to the wrong address or to large residential buildings might get intercepted. Citizens who vote at home, at nursing homes, at the workplace, or in church are more susceptible to pressure, overt and subtle, or to intimidation. Vote-buying schemes are far more difficult to detect when citizens vote by mail.'' prgtoken , Congress passed laws to prevent voter fraud and election theft by establishing, with minor exceptions, a 24-hour window in which to vote. In contrast, socialist use bureaucratic allies or engaged in rigged lawsuits involving conspiratorial parties and inattentive judges to obtain sham settlement agreements that blatantly violate the Constitution and Federal law to promote voter fraud and election theft with the singular goal of stealing
Farewell to the Senate (Executive Calendar)
Roy Blunt (Republican, MO) \u2014 2020-12-8

well, some farewell speeches are different than others. I think this farewell speech should very much be just a momentary pause for us to think about what comes next. prgtoken Cory Gardner is incredibly accomplished. He has been good for the Senate. He has been great with his colleagues, and he has been, beyond that, even more constantly focused on Colorado. prgtoken He has become, for me, a valued personal friend. Our families, for whatever reason, from almost the first time we spent any time together, sort of gravitated toward each other and continued to do things together. And why not? Jaime is great. Cory is that beam of sunshine that Senator Bennet and Senator Collins both have talked about, 365 days a year. He is optimistic. He is determined. He is realistic. Those are all three pretty doggone good characteristics for a successful legislator. He also continues to figure out, OK, that didn't work and what can we do that makes that work in some other way, to be determined to get the job done, to be realistic about how an obstacle can be in the way and understand how to come together and make all those things work. prgtoken Now, Senator Collins, particularly, mentioned that long list of truly great legislative fights that Cory has successfully led in. One of them we worked together on has been the effort to be sure that people who weren't able to get broadband--people in rural areas and people in urban areas who maybe had broadband but couldn't afford it. By the way, I think that is the next big fight about broadband. It is not just accessibility but also, even though it may be running right by where you live, how do we work in ways that assure you are part of it. prgtoken In little towns like I grew up in or Cory grew up in, it is the difference in whether you can compete or not. We have seen that so dramatically in the last few months, where kids going to school without the ability to have that access were dramatically hampered by that. People who couldn't use broadband for mental health or telehealth and people who just couldn't live where they prefer to live because they didn't have the connectedness they need to have are hampered by that. That is a fight that Cory has been in the middle of, and he understood it only maybe as you would understand it if half of your State is vertical and the other half is horizontal. You have got to figure out how to get the connectedness you would like to have. prgtoken The second century of the National Park System, one of the truly great American miracles, will be dramatically different than it would have been otherwise because of the legislation that Cory led on. In thinking about the future of that system and thinking about the future of the country, I remember one of the first stories I heard Cory tell, after he got here, in a small group of people. I think his son Thatcher was headed out the door that he wasn't supposed to be going out, and Cory