mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
ENHANCED BACKGROUND CHECKS ACT OF 2019
Tom Rice (Republican, SC) \u2014 2019-2-28

. Madam Chair, Dylann Roof is a monster. Dylann Roof should never have been able to buy a gun. Dylann Roof walked into a church in my hometown of Charleston, South Carolina, my birthplace of Charleston, South Carolina, and he slaughtered nine people in a Bible study. I can't imagine a more horrific crime. We all, naturally, look for a response. prgtoken My friend, Mr. Clyburn, and the majority have noted that thousands of people have wrongfully acquired guns because of the failure of our background check system under what has become known as the Charleston loophole. prgtoken The stated purpose of this underlying legislation, Mr. Clyburn's legislation, is certainly noble: to close the Charleston loophole. The only problem is that it does not carry out that purpose. prgtoken Too often here, we take up noble causes; we create legislation with noble names; we pass this legislation to feel better; but the legislation fails to solve the problem in the title. prgtoken After these horrific murders, the families of the victims sued the Federal Government for allowing this monster to buy a gun. prgtoken Charleston Federal District Court Judge Gergen wrote a lengthy opinion in which he laid bare the Federal background check process and its failures in this case, the case of Dylann Roof. His opinion is available for anybody to read. prgtoken And in his 22-page opinion, he lays out the various structural flaws in the background check system. Most notably, that the FBI maintains four criminal databases. And under the background check system, the background checker is allowed to check only three of those. prgtoken Why? I assume because those are the three that existed in the nineties when the background check came into place. prgtoken There is a fourth one. It is more extensive and it is more detailed. It is called N-DEx. In this file was all the information that Dylann Roof's background checker needed to know to deny him the right to buy the gun. This N-DEx system contained that information, and it is maintained by the FBI. All they had to do was allow this background checker to look at that. The FBI has admitted had they been able to do that, this man--this monster--would never have been able to buy a gun. prgtoken My amendment would actually fix the Charleston loophole. The problem is that I cannot support the underlying legislation. Why? Because it creates an undue amount of time to be able to buy a gun. prgtoken And number two, the thing that bothers me the most, is that it shifts a part of the burden to the American citizen trying to exercise his Second Amendment rights. It requires him, in the event that you don't hear back from the government, to file a petition with the Federal court. I think this is an undue interference with his Second Amendment right; therefore, I cannot accept this underlying legislation. prgtoken The Senate has indicated it will not be taken up in the Senate; and the President has indicated that, if it
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
Chuck Grassley (Republican, IA) \u2014 2019-2-28

another very important point I want to make has to do with the question about whether an extender package should be offset or not. Around here, the word ``offset'' means if you have tax provisions that might lose revenue, then do you have other revenue coming in to take its place? The House has decided that is what you should do--pay as you go, or PAYGO, as they might call it. It is a rule of the House. prgtoken I have a long record of promoting budget responsibility, and I am as concerned about the deficit and debt as anyone. However, we also have bipartisan precedent for treating the extension of temporary tax policy, like these extenders, just as we treat the extension of annual spending policy. In neither case do we need offset for such extensions. In other words, it is all right to spend more money or continue to spend the same amount of money after a program has expired, and you don't have to offset it when you have tax law that has been on the books for a couple of decades, and it is sunset. Why should you have to sunset that? There are a few people around here who think it is all right to spend money without offsets, but it is wrong to do tax policy unless you have offsets. prgtoken There are a few specific items in this legislation that I want to take time to mention. Significant work has already been done to provide long-term solutions on two extenders--the short line railroad tax credit and the biodiesel tax credit. prgtoken The bill I am introducing extends those credits at their current levels for 2018 and 2019. I want my colleagues to prgtoken know that I still remain committed to enacting the compromises that several of our colleagues and I worked with the stakeholders to achieve. prgtoken The bill also includes an extension of a proposal adopted last Congress that would extend the 7.5-percent floor for itemized deductions of medical expenses. Without this provision, the floor on deductions will be 10 percent for 2019. This means that without this provision, individuals with chronic illnesses and high medical expenses would have to pay more for healthcare before that excess can be deducted in the expenses on their 2019 tax returns. prgtoken This proposal is a very important priority for one of our best colleagues, Senator Collins. She deserves a lot of credit for getting what has turned into a bipartisan proposal to help many Americans facing catastrophic medical expenses. prgtoken Finally, the legislation includes provisions to assist Americans who have been affected by natural disasters in 2018. This package includes proposals that we have adopted in prior years to help Americans recover from natural disasters across our country. For example, the package would allow increased access to retirement funds and relax restrictions around charitable giving. I am sure everyone here would like to help people affected by these natural disasters as soon as we are able to. prgtoken I don't wa
IN COMMEMORATION OF JUDGE JAMES DEAN
Ross Spano (Republican, FL) \u2014 2019-2-28

. Madam , I rise today to bring attention to an unsung hero in Florida's history. prgtoken In 1858, James Dean was born into slavery in Ocala, Florida. In pursuit of his dream to enter public office, Dean entered Howard University School of Law working part time as a clerk to put himself through school. prgtoken He earned a bachelor's and master's of law, graduating as the valedictorian in both degrees. After graduating, Dean returned home to Florida in 1887, taking a position as a school principal and establishing a law practice in Key West. prgtoken His practice grew so quick that he had to resign from the school within a year to care for his clients. As his business grew, so did his standing in the community. In 1888, just a year after moving to Key West, he was nominated to serve as a county judge. prgtoken This didn't sit well with many White political leaders in Key West who conspired to have him removed from the bench. They fabricated a story that Judge Dean illegally married an interracial couple and the Governor of Florida removed him from office. prgtoken As Black History Month comes to a close today, it is important to not shy away from uncomfortable moments in our history. And while Governor posthumously reinstating his judgeship in 2002 can never make up for the harm suffered, remembering his story makes us all more sensitive to current injustices suffered by our friends in the Black community.
SENATE PERMANENT SUBCOMMITTEE ON INVESTIGATIONS RULES OF PROCEDURE
Ron Johnson (Republican, WI) \u2014 2019-2-28

Senate Standing Rule XXVI requires each committee to adopt rules to govern the procedure of the committee and to publish those rules in the Congressional Record not later than March 1 of the first year of each Congress. On February 25, 2019, a majority of the members of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs' Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations adopted subcommittee rules of procedure. prgtoken Consistent with Standing Rule XXVI, today I ask unanimous consent that a copy of the Rules of Procedure of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations be printed in the Record.
ENHANCED BACKGROUND CHECKS ACT OF 2019
David P. Roe (Republican, TN) \u2014 2019-2-28

. Madam Chair, I thank the gentleman for yielding. prgtoken Madam Chair, I rise today to fight for the rights of the brave men and women who have risked their lives fighting for our rights. prgtoken The bill we are debating, H.R. 1112, would have a significant impact on veterans' Second Amendment rights. A little-known and poorly understood provision of H.R. 1112 would amend the law to make it unlawful for an individual who has been ``adjudicated with mental illness, severe developmental disability, or severe emotional instability'' to purchase, to possess a firearm. It would make it illegal to sell a firearm to such an individual. prgtoken Let's put this in perspective. There are over 1.6 million disabled veterans with service-connected adjudication by VA of mental illness, including 1 million veterans with PTSD. H.R. 1112 has the potential to add all those names of veterans to the FBI NICS list and prevent those veterans from being able to purchase or possess a firearm. prgtoken Now, I know that may not have been the intent of the author of this bill, but that is a lot of veterans who will be impacted if this becomes law. prgtoken I offered an amendment at the Rules Committee to clarify that veterans with VA PTSD, diagnosed mental illness, and other affected adjudications would be exempted from the bill's standards, but it was ruled out of order. prgtoken VA already sends the names of veterans who have a VA fiduciary for inclusion on the NICS list--not because there is a concern that the veteran might be a harm to themselves or others, but because the VA has determined that the veteran needs assistance handling his or her financial benefits. prgtoken I am concerned that the expanded definition proposed in H.R. 1112 would infringe on the Second Amendment rights of over 1 million veterans solely because they receive benefits from VA that they have rightly earned through their service to our great country. prgtoken The last thing any of us in this room want to do is to discourage veterans from seeking VA benefits and treatment because they are afraid it might cost them a constitutional right. Think about that. prgtoken Although there may not have been a finding by a judicial authority that a veteran poses a danger to themselves or society, these veterans will be told that they were good enough to use a firearm to fight for our freedoms, but they are not good enough to have the freedom to bear arms as a civilian. prgtoken That is wrong, Madam Chair. Even criminals must be convicted in a court of law before their names are added to the NICS list. prgtoken Of all Americans who deserve their constitutional rights, the most deserving are those who fought for our country. Madam Chair, that is why I strongly oppose H.R. 1112, and I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this bill.
IN RECOGNITION OF FIREFIGHTER DOUG HOPE
Ted S. Yoho (Republican, FL) \u2014 2019-2-28

. Today, I would like to recognize the kindness and generosity of one of my constituents, High Springs firefighter Doug Hope. prgtoken Last week, Doug responded to a Life Alert emergency call for an elderly woman who lives alone. prgtoken Thankfully, the alert was a false alarm, but while assessing the woman, Doug noticed that her microwave wasn't working, so she was unable to heat up the Meals on Wheels food that she relies on to get by. When he realized how long it had been since she had eaten a warm meal, Doug decided to go out and buy her a new microwave. prgtoken The High Springs Fire Department shared the story on Facebook, and it has since been viewed by more than a million people. prgtoken Despite this attention, Doug has remained humble. He says he just hopes people who hear about this story are inspired to pay attention to one another and do something for someone else. prgtoken Well done, Doug. Your compassion and selflessness are an inspiration to all. And, Doug, thanks for being a great example of passing it forward.
Remembering Otto Warmbier (Executive Session)
Rob Portman (Republican, OH) \u2014 2019-2-28

in the context of the ongoing negotiations with North Korea, there has been a lot of discussion today in the media about Otto Warmbier. prgtoken Otto Warmbier was a young man from my hometown of Cincinnati, OH. This is an emotional issue for me because, through the process of trying to bring Otto home, I got to know his family very well. prgtoken He was a young man with a lot of promise, 22 years old, and a college student at the University of Virginia. He had gone as a tourist to North Korea. He was pulled out of the line at the airport. prgtoken Here he was, a kindhearted college kid, found himself a prisoner in North Korea. He was there for about 18 months. His detainment and his sentence were appalling; unacceptable by any standards. At some point soon after being sentenced to 15 years of hard labor, from what we know, Otto suffered a severe brain injury. What happened? We may never know the details, but we do know one thing, and that is he was severely mistreated. prgtoken Who did the North Korean Government tell about the fact that he had this brain damage? No one. Unbelievably, for the next 15 months of his life, they kept this a secret. They denied him access to the best medical care he deserved, which of course we would have provided. prgtoken I was in communication with the North Korean Government during this time through their offices at the United Nations in New York. They didn't even tell us about the terrible mistreatment he had suffered and the condition he was in. They refused repeated requests for consular access that normally would have been provided to someone who has been detained, regardless of their health situation. This included denying requests, of course, from me, from others in this body and other bodies of Congress but also from the administration, the administration, the Red Cross, also from the Government of Sweden, which typically acts for us in North Korea as a consular service. I say that because while I support engagement with North Korea--in fact, in my experience with Otto Warmbier, it makes me even more convinced we need to have communication because we had no good lines of communication. prgtoken I support the ongoing talks with North Korea, specifically about denuclearization. I want to make clear that we can never forget about Otto. His treatment at the hands of his captors was unforgivable, and it tells us a lot about the nature of the regime. We can't be naive about what they did to Otto, about the brutal nature of the regime that would do this to an American citizen. prgtoken Of course, it is not just about Otto or other visitors. It is about how the people of North Korea are treated, many of whom also have had their human rights violated. No one should have to go through what the Warmbier family has gone through. They have been incredibly strong, by the way, through this whole ordeal. I watched them channel their grief into something constru
ENHANCED BACKGROUND CHECKS ACT OF 2019
Debbie Lesko (Republican, AZ) \u2014 2019-2-28

. Madam , this motion to recommit will not kill the bill or send it back to committee, to be clear. If adopted, the bill will immediately proceed to final passage as amended. prgtoken My ic colleagues are set to pass this bill despite the fact that the ACLU opposes it. prgtoken Let me repeat that. The ACLU opposes H.R. 1112 because it is so sweeping and improperly perpetrates unfounded assumptions that people with mental disabilities should be considered dangerous and are prone to violence without any meaningful due process. prgtoken As most of you know, I am a survivor of domestic violence, and that is why this motion to recommit is so personally important to me. This motion to recommit, in contrast, is narrowly tailored. It would simply allow victims of domestic violence who go through a NICS check to receive their firearms in 3 days, which is the status quo, if NICS has not responded with a denial or approval in 3 business days--again, the status quo. prgtoken Do we really want to tell victims of domestic violence they have to wait up to 20 business days, which is under this bill, before they are allowed to adequately defend themselves? prgtoken Do we really want to tell them: Sorry. I know you are purchasing a firearm to protect yourself, but you have to wait 20 business days? prgtoken Should we tell them: Hopefully you can hide from your abuser for the next month? prgtoken The Judiciary Committee recently heard testimony from a young woman who was raped on her college campus. She did not have a gun on campus because the State did not allow her to carry a gun in order to defend herself. This is a clear example of how law-abiding citizens, not criminals, follow the law and how this law-abiding young woman was harmed by gun control laws. prgtoken Another specific example related to this bill of a well-intentioned law gone wrong is Carol Bowne, a New Jersey woman stabbed to death while waiting to be approved for her firearm application. She already had an order of protection from the courts, but that wasn't enough for her. She needed more than just that piece of paper. She needed to protect herself, so she went and tried to get a gun to defend herself, but because of the waiting period, she was killed. prgtoken Let me repeat that. Carol Bowne had an order of protection. She attempted to purchase a firearm, and she was tragically murdered by her abuser while waiting to be approved. prgtoken H.R. 1112 will make the realities of Carol's story happen across the country, putting millions of women and law-abiding citizens in danger. Women who seek avenues of protection will be forced to wait almost a month, like Carol. prgtoken How many women will potentially suffer like Carol? And what will the say: Sorry; we hope you can hide from your abuser for a month? prgtoken Madam , that would be foolish as well as heartless. It would be an infringement of Second Amendment rights for someone who needs them the mos
Nomination of Andrew Wheeler (Executive Session)
James M. Inhofe (Republican, OK) \u2014 2019-2-28

. Thank you very much, . prgtoken , we are going to vote in just a few minutes to confirm Andrew Wheeler to be Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. There is no one better to serve in this role, and I would know. Andrew worked for me for 14 years in both my personal office as well as in my capacity as chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee. prgtoken He was with the committee back when President nominated Andrew as Deputy Administrator. I said: There is no one more qualified. There is no one more qualified anywhere in America to handle this job than Andrew Wheeler. prgtoken He has been Acting Administrator for the last 7 months. Let's keep in mind that he was the most qualified person 7 months ago, and now he has had 7 months on the job, and he has done a really great job. He has been the Acting Administrator. prgtoken It didn't really start when he came on board with any of the governmental Agencies. He has always been concerned about nature and the environment. The guy was an Eagle Scout. prgtoken In fact, I remember the discussions of people who were with him when he was actually climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. It was with a group of people who were interested in nature and the environment. This came early on with him. So he has the ability to lead the Agency. prgtoken I have always enjoyed following his career. After earning a law degree at Washington University in St. Louis, he joined the EPA as a special assistant in the Agency's Pollution Prevention and Toxics Office in 1991. I am talking about 30 years ago. This guy has been there for a long time. For all practical purposes, he has grown up in that particular discipline. prgtoken He was an EPA employee for 4 years, transitioning to the George H. W. administration and then the Clinton administration after that, where he earned three Bronze Medals for commendable service along the way. prgtoken By the way, I doubt if there are too many people in this Chamber who know what that is. So I am going to read it to you. prgtoken The Bronze Medal is given for ``significant service or achievements in support of the Agency's mission or for demonstration of outstanding accomplishments in supervision and leadership.'' prgtoken That is Andrew Wheeler. He received three of those. prgtoken I know you have heard a lot of people opposing him. Regretfully, there are a lot of people opposed simply for the reason that this is a nominee of the President. We went through this with Mr. Kavanaugh. We heard all of these things, and people now look back, and many of them regret that they said the things that they said. prgtoken It is awfully hard to be critical of Andrew because he is such a nice guy. prgtoken He left the Agency. He brought the sense of service and leadership with him to the U.S. Senate, where I had a front-row seat because he worked for me for 14 years. prgtoken He just did really tremendous work. There were
Economic Growth (Executive Session)
John Thune (Republican, SD) \u2014 2019-2-28

just in getting started this morning, I wanted to take a minute to mention the good news on economic growth we received this morning. prgtoken While headlines mentioned the very solid 2.9 percent growth number for prgtoken 2018, if we use the measure that economists prefer, the news is even better--3.1 percent growth from the fourth quarter of 2017 to the fourth quarter of 2018. This is just more evidence that economic policies are working. prgtoken We lifted burdensome regulations and passed a comprehensive reform of our Tax Code to put more money in Americans' pockets and make it easier for businesses to grow and expand jobs. Now we are seeing the effects. prgtoken Unemployment is low. January marked the 11th straight month that unemployment has been at or below 4 percent. That is the longest streak in nearly five decades. The number of job openings hit a record high in December, and, once again, there were more job openings than job seekers. Wage growth has accelerated. Wages have now been growing at a rate of 3 percent or greater for 6 straight months. The last time wage growth reached this level was in 2009. Median household income is at an all-time, inflation-adjusted record of $61,372. The list goes on. prgtoken What does all of this mean? It means more money in American families' bank accounts, more jobs and opportunities for American workers, more Americans feeling hopeful about their future. prgtoken economic policies are making life better for American families, which is why it is particularly disturbing that are currently advancing policies that would not only destroy the economic progress we have made but would severely damage our economy for the long term.
ENHANCED BACKGROUND CHECKS ACT OF 2019
Doug Collins (Republican, GA) \u2014 2019-2-28

. Madam Chair, I appreciate my chairman, but I disagree, because there is still the 30-day limitation. The 30-day limitation is not done here, and so there is and could be a problem if it was done. I still have my time, and there is no time remaining. prgtoken The issue here is that if it is approved after the 30 days, then this bill does not fix it. The easy fix here was an amendment we offered that simply extended it for 60 days. That is your fix. Instead, we go through this where there can be, as all good things lawyerly, we can have lawyerly disagreements. I think in the end, when you actually go back and look at this, you will see that there is an interpretation problem here. The 30 days still exists. prgtoken Why could we have not just simply extended the NICS date for 60 days instead of 30 days instead of going through this exercise of legal interpretation? prgtoken Madam Chair, .