mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
ANTI-BORDER CORRUPTION REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2017
Michael T. McCaul (Republican, TX) \u2014 2017-6-7

I rise in opposition to the Lujan Grisham amendment. prgtoken Let me say, first, that the Secretary of Homeland Security testified before my committee this morning, a decorated four-star general serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. He is the head of SOUTHCOM. This man knows the border. Secretary Kelly supports this legislation. prgtoken I find it a bit offensive that decorated veterans who have already received clearances somehow would present a threat to the security of the United States, so I reject that argument. prgtoken This amendment strikes me as an unnecessary and harmful delay tactic that would prevent CBP from implementing the much-needed flexibility provided for in the underlying bill. prgtoken If the delays called for in this amendment were put in place, CBP would have to sit and wait until certain unnecessary obstacles were overcome, some of which are completely out of their control. All the while, they would continue to hemorrhage officers and agents, threatening the Nation's border security and the flow of commerce in and out of the country. This could put our national security at risk and would be, further, detrimental to the flow of legitimate trade and travel. prgtoken CBP has missed hiring targets for Border Patrol agents for 4 years and CBP officers for almost 18 months. We need additional officers and agents now, simply to meet the congressionally mandated CBP staffing levels that have been put in place for a year. We cannot wait for more reports and evaluations. prgtoken Sadly, this amendment looks to me like an attempt by opponents of the bill to prevent the important provisions of this bill from going into effect in a timely manner, thus preventing the hiring of already trusted and vetted individuals who have served their Nation and the military with honor and distinction. prgtoken It is also important to underscore two points here: one, that all applicants will continue to be fully vetted, including a rigorous tier 5 background investigation, which is equivalent to the investigation performed for all servicemembers who hold a top secret clearance; and second, the authority granted under this bill is discretionary. If the CBP Commissioner wishes to require a polygraph examination for any applicant for any reason, he can and should still do so. prgtoken , we cannot afford to wait any longer. As the knows, who is briefed on the threats, as do I, in a classified setting, the threats are real. This Nation is at risk, and we cannot afford to wait. prgtoken So, for these reasons, I oppose the amendment, and I urge my colleagues to reject it. prgtoken Let me just close, again, by saying I oppose the amendment. The men and women wearing the uniform on the front lines of our ports and borders need relief now, and any delay tactics should be rejected. Therefore, I urge opposition, and .
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
Chuck Grassley (Republican, IA) \u2014 2017-6-7

this week, I am introducing a bill known as the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2017. I want to thank Senators Feinstein, Cornyn, Klobuchar, Corker and Rubio for joining as original cosponsors. I also want to thank the many organizations that support this bill and worked so closely with us on its development; they include Rights4Girls, Polaris, the ATEST Coalition, Shared Hope International, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the National Association of VOCA Assistance Administrators, and the National District Attorneys Association. prgtoken As its title implies, our legislation is aimed at combating the terrible scourge of human trafficking in the United States. To call trafficking victims' suffering a grave violation of our most basic human rights would be an understatement. Trafficking is a life- shattering crime that too-often goes unnoticed, despite the profound injury it inflicts on its victims and our society. Traffickers typically operate in the shadows, making it hard to identify them as well as their victims. That invisibility makes it harder still to rescue the victims and bring the perpetrators to justice. prgtoken But there are some things we do know about human trafficking, and we know them with some certainty. We know, for example, that trafficking is happening in rural areas, in cities, and in the suburbs. It is not confined to any prgtoken one area, because it has become so profitable. It has become a problem of national significance. prgtoken To be sure, we have made some strides in combating this terrible crime since the passage of the original Trafficking Victims Protection Act, or TVPA, over 15 years ago. The TVPA, last reauthorized in 2013, authorizes some very important programs to help victims. The bill I'm introducing this week updates and extends a number of these programs, which are under the jurisdiction of the Departments of Justice and Labor. Senator Cornyn this week is introducing a complementary bill that would reauthorize other TVPA programs, including those at the Departments of Health and Homeland Security. prgtoken This is not the first time we have collaborated on this subject. Two years ago, Senator Cornyn sponsored, and I cosponsored, another important measure, known as the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act. As chair of the Judiciary Committee, I made that 2015 law's passage a top priority for our Committee and fought for its enactment. It established a new fund to help cover survivors' services and also equipped law enforcement with new tools to fight traffickers. The services authorized under this 2015 statute are crucial to helping survivors rebuild their lives with dignity. prgtoken The bill that I am introducing this week is a critical next step in ensuring that human trafficking is prevented, its perpetrators prosecuted, and its victims protected. This bill, drafted with bipartisan support, would require more training f
NATIONAL GEORGE C. MARSHALL MUSEUM AND LIBRARY
Dave Brat (Republican, VA) \u2014 2017-6-7

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 33, a resolution that designates the George C. Marshall Museum and George C. Marshall Research Library in Lexington, Virginia, as the National George C. Marshall Museum and Library. prgtoken George C. Marshall was one of America's most distinguished soldiers, a dedicated statesman, and a genuine peacemaker. General Marshall served as Army Chief of Staff during World War II, Special Ambassador to China, and Secretaries of both the Departments of State and Defense. He was promoted to General of the Army in 1944--one of only nine individuals in our Nation's history to rise to the rank of a five-star officer--and was also awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in 1946. prgtoken In addition, General Marshall was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1953 for developing the European economic recovery strategy known as the Marshall Plan, which was essential to bringing peace to the postwar European continent. prgtoken To honor the legacy of such an accomplished man, the George C. Marshall Foundation was created in 1953, to pay tribute to General Marshall's contributions to our Nation and the world during some of the most perilous and tumultuous times of the 20th century. The Marshall Foundation preserves this legacy through educational facilities and scholarship programs. prgtoken The George C. Marshall Foundation opened the George C. Marshall Museum and George C. Marshall Research Library in 1964, in Lexington, Virginia, on the post of the Virginia Military Institute, the alma mater of General Marshall. The library provides scholars with a documented record of the life of General Marshall and his public service, and the museum shares his inspiring story with visitors through exhibitions, artifacts, and educational programs. prgtoken General Marshall's contributions to our Nation and our world cannot be overstated, and I hope to see this resolution adopted to designate the George C. Marshall Museum and George C. Marshall Research Library as the National George C. Marshall Museum and Library. prgtoken Both institutions work tirelessly to highlight and share General Marshall's work and service, and this is a fitting tribute to a man who spent a lifetime faithfully and courageously serving his country at home and abroad. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues to support this resolution, and .
CONGRATULATING BLOUKE CARUS ON 90TH BIRTHDAY
Adam Kinzinger (Republican, IL) \u2014 2017-6-7

I rise today to congratulate a constituent of mine, Blouke Carus of Peru, Illinois on turning 90 this month. Mr. Carus is Chairman Emeritus of Carus Corporation a Peru-based company that assists municipalities and industries with utilizing products for environmental cleanup. Before that, Mr. Carus served as the Chairman of Carus Publishing Company, which published educational magazines and books for children. Because of his lifelong interest in education, Mr. Carus served as a Presidential appointee on the National Council on Education Research, and continued his work as a community leader by helping to establish the Illinois Valley Community College. Mr. Carus obtained a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the California Institute of Technology in 1949, after having served his country honorably in the U.S. Navy. He is married to Marianne Carus, and they have three children and four grandchildren on behalf of the Sixteenth Congressional District, I would like to sincerely congratulate Mr. Carus and the rest of his family on this amazing milestone and life achievement.
COUNTERING IRAN'S DESTABILIZING ACTIVITIES ACT OF 2017--MOTION TO PROCEED
John McCain (Republican, AZ) \u2014 2017-6-7

I rise in support of Countering Iran's Destabilizing Activities Act of 2017. For too long, a myopic focus on the Iran deal blinded the United States to Iran's persistent campaign to destabilize the Middle East and undermine America's national security interests. Iran has been given a free pass to detain U.S. sailors in clear violation of international law, conduct ballistic missile tests in violation of the United Nations resolutions, support terrorist groups across the region, and prop up the murderous Assad regime in Syria. prgtoken It is long past time for the United States and the international community to hold Iran accountable, not just for its commitments under the nuclear deal but for its destabilizing behavior across the Middle East. This legislation begins to do just that by imposing new sanctions on Iran's ballistic missile program, applying terrorism sanctions to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, imposing sanctions on Iranians engaged in human rights abuses, and tightening enforcement on arms embargoes on the Iranian regime. prgtoken I thank the chairman and ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee, Senators Corker and Cardin, for ringing this bill to the floor. They recognize that the United States must not stand idly by when hostile regimes undermine and attack our interests and that of our allies. They recognize that regimes that aid and abet crimes against humanity must be held accountable. They recognize that weakness in the face of aggression is provocative. prgtoken These are the reasons we must pass this legislation, but these are also the very same reasons this legislation must be amended to strengthen and expand sanctions against Vladimir Putin's Russia. prgtoken In just the last 3 years under Vladimir Putin, Russia has invaded Ukraine, annexed Crimea, threatened NATO allies, and intervened militarily in Syria, prgtoken leaving a trail of death, destruction, and broken promises in its wake. prgtoken Last year, Russia attacked the foundations of American democracy with a cyber and information campaign to interfere in America's 2016 election. It has been 8 months now since the U.S. intelligence community publicly concluded that the Russian Government had attempted to interfere in our last Presidential election. prgtoken On October 7, 2016, the Department of Homeland Security and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence stated that the ``U.S. intelligence community is confident that the Russian government directed the recent compromises of e-mails from U.S. persons and institutions, including from U.S. political organizations.'' The statement concluded that ``only Russia's senior-most officials could have authorized these activities.'' prgtoken On January 6, 2017, the U.S. intelligence community went even further, concluding: Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered an influence campaign in 2016 aimed at the United States presidential e
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 2213, ANTI-BORDER CORRUPTION REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2017
Liz Cheney (Republican, WY) \u2014 2017-6-7

I rise in support of House Resolution 374, which provides a structured rule for consideration of H.R. 2213, the Anti-Border Corruption Reauthorization Act, and makes in order one amendment. prgtoken H.R. 2213 is a commonsense, bipartisan bill, introduced by Ms. McSally from Arizona, that will help ensure we have sufficient Border Patrol agents to secure our border. At this point in prgtoken time, where we are facing tremendous challenges overseas, where we are facing tremendous national security challenges, our Customs and Border Protection is understaffed and unable to meet the congressionally mandated staffing levels for Customs officers and Border Patrol agents. prgtoken With these ever-increasing threats to our national security, it is vital that we ensure CBP can quickly hire capable and trustworthy individuals to secure our border. Currently, prospective officers and Border Patrol agents are required to undergo a background check that includes passing a polygraph test. This process has been very long and has drastically delayed the CBP's ability to hire officers and Border Patrol agents. prgtoken H.R. 2213 simply provides a limited, voluntary exemption to the pre- employment polygraph requirement for State and local law enforcement officers that are in good standing and who have already passed a State and local law enforcement polygraph test, for Federal law enforcement officers who are in good standing, and members of the armed services or veterans who have received or who are eligible to receive an honorable discharge and have held a security clearance and undergone a thorough background check in the past 5 years. prgtoken , this exemption is very narrow and only applies to men and women that we already trust to protect and defend us at home or abroad: men and women who have already been through relevant security background checks. The CBP would not be required to use this waiver authority; and, if there is anything in any applicant's history that warrants further investigation, the CBP Commissioner is fully authorized and encouraged to use a polygraph test to resolve any outstanding questions. prgtoken , for years, the CBP has struggled to recruit and vet potential employees. There is no more urgent need that we have right now than securing our border and making sure we have the resources there to be able to do that job. prgtoken H.R. 2213 is a commonsense approach that will help address this issue and ensure the CBP has the men and women it needs to keep our borders and our Nation secure. Therefore, , I urge support for the rule to allow for consideration of H.R. 2213, and .
RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF FALLEN MISSISSIPPI ARMY NATIONAL GUARD SERGEANT (SGT) KYLE CLAYTON THOMAS
Trent Kelly (Republican, MS) \u2014 2017-6-7

today I rise in memory of Mississippi Army National Guard Sergeant (SGT) Kyle Clayton Thomas who paid the ultimate sacrifice while training to defend our great nation on May 29, 2017, at the National Training Center (NTC) at Fort Irwin, California. SGT Thomas died in a rollover accident while he and three other soldiers were conducting combat maneuver operations in a M1A2 SEPv2 Abrams Main Battle Tank. The soldiers with him were treated and released from Loma Linda University Medical Center in Loma Linda, California. prgtoken SGT Thomas, an Amory native and 2011 Amory High School graduate, was assigned to Company A, 2nd Battalion 198th Armored, 155th Armored Brigade headquartered in Tupelo, Mississippi. prgtoken SGT Thomas joined the Mississippi Army National Guard in 2012. His mother, Jo Ann Boussouar, says her son was always interested in the military. As a young boy, SGT Thomas would say that he wanted to be a tank driver. Her son was able to fulfill his dream to serve in the military, and she is proud of his willingness to sacrifice his life for the safety of his family. ``Kyle has a tattoo that said, `For those I love, I will sacrifice,' '' she said. ``That's what he did.'' prgtoken SGT Thomas divided his time between his assembly job at NauticStar Boats manufacturing plant in Amory and the Mississippi Army National Guard. SGT Thomas's obituary describes him as a compassionate person who loved life and spending time with his family. It says when his daughter, Devina Jayde Smith, was born, an incredible bond was formed. SGT Thomas's father, Eddie Thomas, says the whole family is proud of SGT Thomas's commitment to his family and to the defense of our nation. ``I was very proud,'' Mr. Thomas said. ``His service made me feel wonderful.'' prgtoken In a statement issued by the Department of the Army and Air Force, Colonel (COL) Doug Ferguson, Commander of the Tupelo-based 155th Armored Brigade Combat Team, expressed his sympathy over the loss of SGT Thomas. ``Our deepest sympathies go out to SGT Thomas's family and friends,'' said COL Ferguson. ``We have lost a valuable member of our team and this loss will be felt across the brigade.'' prgtoken SGT Thomas's awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, Mississippi Magnolia Cross, Mississippi Emergency Service Medal, Mississippi Longevity Medal, and the Mississippi War Medal. prgtoken SGT Thomas died on Memorial Day--the day our nation sets aside to honor the service men and women who fought and died to protect the freedoms we all enjoy. We cannot forget what this national holiday means to families who have experienced that loss. prgtoken SGT Thomas is survived by a daughter, Devina Smith; parents, Eddie Thomas (Sheryl) and Jo Ann Boussouar (Hachemi); sisters, Joni Edmonson (David),
BUDGET SCOREKEEPING REPORT
Michael B. Enzi (Republican, WY) \u2014 2017-6-7

I wish to submit to the Senate the budget scorekeeping report for June 2017. The report compares current-law levels of spending and revenues with the amounts the Senate agreed to in the budget resolution for fiscal year 2017, S. Con. Res. 3. This information is necessary for the Senate Budget Committee to determine whether budget points of order lie against pending legislation. The staff of the Senate Budget Committee and the Congressional Budget Office, CBO, prepared this report pursuant to section 308(b) of the Congressional Budget Act, CBA. prgtoken My last filing can be found in the Record on April 27, 2017. The information contained in this report captures prgtoken legislative activity since that filing through June 5, 2017. prgtoken Budget Committee staff prepared Tables 1-3 of this report. prgtoken Table 1 gives the amount by which each Senate authorizing committee exceeds or is below its allocation for budget authority and outlays under the most recently adopted budget resolution. This information is used for enforcing committee allocations pursuant to section 302 of the CBA. For this reporting period, 13 of the 16 authorizing committees are in compliance with their allocations. Legislative activity involving the appropriations process, continuing resolution and omnibus, during the last reporting period includes provisions, such as changes to health benefits for miners and Medicaid funding, charged to the Committee on Finance that caused it to breach its allocation. The other two committees in breach, as previously reported, are the Committee on Veterans Affairs and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. In total, authorizing committees are estimated to increase outlays by $292 million more than they were allocated over the fiscal year 2017-2026 period. Of that $292 million in violations, $91 million stems from the Finance Committee's violations during this reporting period. prgtoken Table 2 gives the amount by which the Senate Committee on Appropriations exceeds or is below the statutory spending limits for fiscal year 2017. This information is used to determine points of order related to the spending caps found in sections 312 and 314 of the CBA. H.R. 244, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017, P.L. 115-31, provided full-year appropriations for the current fiscal year. These appropriations, $551.1 billion for defense and $518.5 billion for nondefense, were consistent with the statutory limits imposed by the Budget Control Act of 2011. prgtoken Table 3 tracks compliance with the fiscal year 2017 limit for overall changes in mandatory programs, CHIMPS, in appropriations bills, established in the fiscal year 2016 budget resolution. CHIMPS in the Consolidated Appropriations Act were consistent with this year's limit of $19.1 billion. This information is used for determining points of order under section 3103 of that resolution. prgtoken In addition
ORDERS FOR THURSDAY, JUNE 8, 2017
Thom Tillis (Republican, NC) \u2014 2017-6-7

I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 9:30 a.m Thursday, June 8; further, that following the prayer and pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, and morning business be closed; further, that following leader remarks, the Senate resume consideration of the motion to proceed to Calendar No. 110, S. 722, postcloture; finally, that all time during recess, adjournment, morning business, and leader remarks count postcloture on the motion to proceed to S. 722.
HONORING THE LIFE AND MEMORY OF ROY HERTEL
Rodney Davis (Republican, IL) \u2014 2017-6-7

I rise today to honor the life and memory of my friend Roy Hertel, who passed away Thursday, May 25, at the age of 68. prgtoken Roy was a true public servant and community leader in Montgomery County, Illinois. Throughout his life and career, he held many roles in the region and had an immeasurable impact on countless lives, including mine. prgtoken As a teacher, circuit clerk, county board chairman, and administrator for the county's Department of Health and Human Services in the State of Illinois, Roy's career was defined by his dedication to bettering the lives of those not only in Montgomery County, but also throughout central Illinois. prgtoken His involvement in the region went far beyond his career. Roy was an active member of the Disciples of Christ in Hillsboro; a 45-year member of the Lions Club, where he had held all offices, the district lieutenant governor and district governor in 1991 and 1992; a member of the Mt. Moriah Masonic Lodge Number 51 A.F. & A.M. in Hillsboro; president of the Circuit Clerk's Association; a member of the Hillsboro Moose Lodge Number 1377; part of the Hillsboro Sports Association; and served as chairman, until his death, of the Montgomery County Board. prgtoken Roy also served as a coach for both youth baseball and soccer leagues, and was a dedicated fan and supporter of every sports team that his son played on and every child played on in Hillsboro, Illinois. He was especially fond of the Hillsboro Junior High Dragons that his son started on, clear up until his son played for the Gateway Grizzlies. prgtoken My thoughts and prayers are with Nanci and the rest of Roy's family and friends, as central Illinois has lost a leader whose presence will be tremendously missed.