mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
Nomination of Andrew P. Bremberg (Executive Session)
Robert Menendez (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2019-10-22

I come to the floor to express my opposition to the nomination of Andrew Bremberg to be Representative of the United States to the Office of the United Nations in Geneva. He is not qualified for this position, and his views on women's rights and access to reproductive healthcare conflict with longstanding positions of the U.S. Government and more than three-quarters of the American public. prgtoken I take my position as ranking member for the Foreign Relations Committee seriously. I have a duty to thoroughly vet all nominees who come before the committee whether they be political nominees like Mr. Bremberg or career civil servants. prgtoken The criteria I use to determine their fitness to represent our country abroad include their foreign policy experience, their core values, and whether they will be responsive and honest with Congress as we conduct our oversight. I am disappointed to say that Mr. Bremberg fails even these basic criteria. He has no relevant foreign policy experience. prgtoken I repeat, the nominee to represent the United States at Geneva has no foreign policy experience. Mr. Bremberg has served as Assistant to the President and Senior Advisor for Domestic Policy at the White House and as a political appointee to the Department of Health and Human Services in the administration. prgtoken When it comes to Mr. Bremberg's core values, his nomination hearing left me deeply troubled. Our voice at Geneva must stand up for the core principle that reproductive rights are human rights; yet Mr. Bremberg made clear that he opposes access to reproductive health services for women and girls who are victims of sexual violence in conflict in the world. This radical view of women's rights and access to reproductive healthcare is totally outside the mainstream, not just for the ic Party but the Party and the American people at large. That is why 40 reproductive health groups wrote a joint letter opposing Mr. Bremberg's nomination. prgtoken Moreover, in his positions at the White House, Mr. Bremberg led and advanced divisive and incendiary policy proposals, such as the infamous Muslim ban Executive order and the addition of a citizenship question on the census. prgtoken When questioned on these subjects, Mr. Bremberg frequently cited confidentiality interests and declined to elaborate further. When pressed by Senators on whether he was exerting any form of privilege or executive privilege, he insisted he was not; yet he continued to refuse to answer questions. Clearly, we cannot rely on this nominee to be honest and forthright with this body. prgtoken Beyond Mr. Bremberg's lack of experience, his extreme far-right views, and his lack of respect for Congress, there is the issue of his erroneous declarations on government documents. Indeed, his nomination was significantly delayed because my staff discovered Mr. Bremberg's claim that he had terminated from his political consu
CALLING ON THE GOVERNMENT OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION TO PROVIDE EVIDENCE OF WRONGDOING OR TO RELEASE UNITED STATES CITIZEN PAUL WHELAN
Haley M. Stevens (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2019-10-22

I thank the gentleman for yielding. By bringing up my resolution today, H. Res. 552, we are making clear to the Russian Government and President Putin that Congress will not tolerate the indefinite detention of a U.S. citizen without evidence. prgtoken For nearly 10 months, my constituent, Paul Whelan of Novi, Michigan, has been held in a Moscow prison without adequate due process. Paul was detained last December and continues to be held in a horrifying prison. prgtoken We have repeatedly asked the Russian Government to provide Paul with a fair and transparent judicial process, to no avail. The State Department has been unwavering in their work on Paul's behalf, especially Ambassador Huntsman. prgtoken The Russian Government has not provided timely updates about Paul's case. They have not let him select his own attorney. And they have not provided unrestricted consular access. Next week will be Paul's fourth pretrial detention hearing. Enough is enough. prgtoken After many months in prison, Paul's health is deteriorating. Paul's family is wondering. Everyone is in the dark, but most especially Paul. It is long past time that we bring Paul home to his family and get him the medical care he needs. prgtoken This bipartisan resolution calls on the Russian Government to provide evidence of his wrongdoing or else release Paul immediately. This is our sense of Congress. It must be our sense of Congress, for we stand up for Americans abroad. prgtoken I thank my friend, Mr. Walberg, for joining me and for the Michigan delegation. And I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to pass this timely resolution.
Election Security (Executive Session)
Amy Klobuchar (Democrat, MN) \u2014 2019-10-22

. I appreciate the words from my colleague from South Dakota. I point out that the act is a bipartisan bill, with the other cosponsor being the chair of the Judiciary Committee, and I think we should be focused on election security instead of protecting these social media companies. I think we should be protecting the American people. prgtoken We need to be a united front. I appreciate his words, and I look forward to working with him to get this bill to the floor. prgtoken . prgtoken .
RECOGNIZING MICHAEL J. WILLIAMS
Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democrat, DC) \u2014 2019-10-22

. Madam , I rise today to ask the House of Representatives to recognize and honor Children's National Hospital Board Chair Michael J. Williams for his leadership and dedication to the health and well-being of children and families in the District of Columbia and the national capital region. prgtoken Mr. Williams' service to Children's National and the children and families of the District of Columbia, the national capital region and beyond has been notable and profound. During his five years as Chair, Children's National has served 22,000 patients in its hospital and 650,000 through its clinics. prgtoken Through his leadership, Children's National has continued to achieve and improve its ranking by US News & World Report as one of the Top 10 Pediatric Hospitals in the country and for three years in a row it has been ranked as the country's No. 1 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Further, Children's National achieved Magnet designation for Outstanding Nursing Care during Mr. Williams' last year as Chair. prgtoken During Mr. Williams' tenure as Chair, Children's National launched the creation of the Children's National Research & Innovation Campus at the former Walter Reed Medical Center. This will be the first of its kind in the nation to focus on pediatric research and innovation. It will also be the home to JLABS @ Washington, DC, a collaboration with Johnson & Johnson Innovation LLC, providing incubation space for companies that are seeking to advance the development of new drugs and medical devices, including applications in pediatrics. Children's National also entered into another key partnership aimed at improving access to health care for a unique patient population when it integrated with the HSC Health System. prgtoken Even though Mr. Williams retired as Chair of the Board on October 1, 2019, I am pleased that he will continue his service to children by remaining on the Children's National Board through June 2020. In addition, he will be a Director on the board of the HSC Foundation. prgtoken As Chair, Mr. Williams has skillfully and successfully guided Children's National through a period of significant change. prgtoken Madam , I ask the House of Representatives to honor Michael J. Williams for his leadership and service to Children's National, and for the exceptionally valuable contributions he has made to the health and welfare of children and families of the District of Columbia and the national capital region.
TAX LEGISLATION
Michael F. Bennet (Democrat, CO) \u2014 2019-10-22

tax legislation in 2017 was completely misguided. Despite our best efforts, the bill passed in the middle of the night. It was completely partisan, not a single hearing. There wasn't a single ic amendment, and this is what that bill looked like. prgtoken As I repeatedly pointed out, the taxpayers gave 572,000 taxpayers, with incomes over $1 million, more in tax cuts than the 90 million Americans who had incomes below $50,000 a year, making income inequality worse in this country. prgtoken In all, 43 percent of the benefits of the GOP bill went to the top 5 percent, households with incomes over $319,000 per year. It is why I came down to this floor repeatedly to oppose that tax bill. prgtoken Since 2001, the United States of America has borrowed $5 trillion from the Chinese for the privilege of giving tax cuts mostly to the wealthiest people in our country. We never paid for any of it. We said the tax cuts would pay for themselves. They never have paid for themselves. prgtoken Instead, we issued bonds, and we issued debt. The Chinese bought most of that debt to finance tax cuts for the wealthiest people in America. Over that period of time, we actually made income inequality worse during a time when income inequality is the highest it has been since 1928. We have had no economic mobility for 50 years for the bottom 90 percent of Americans--for 9 out of 10 Americans. prgtoken If I had to summarize my townhall meetings in Colorado, a place with one of the strongest economies in this country, it would be that people come to the townhalls and they say: Michael, we are working incredibly hard, and no matter what we do, we can't afford housing, we can't afford healthcare, we can't afford higher education, and we can't afford early childhood education. ``We can't afford a middle-class life'' is what they are saying to me, the vast majority of people. prgtoken I have said that in an editorial board recently, and somebody said: Do you mean the vast majority? And I said: Yes, the vast majority. That is what it looks like when you have an economy that is not driving growth from the bottom up, when only the people at the very top are the ones that are benefiting from it. prgtoken There are people who don't come to my townhalls because they are too busy working two and three jobs, like the people I used to work for when I was superintendent of the Denver Public Schools, a school district where most of the kids live in poverty and most of the kids are kids of color. I know what their parents would say if they weren't too busy to come to my townhalls. This is what they would say: We are killing ourselves. We are killing ourselves, and no matter what we do, we can't get our kids out of poverty. prgtoken That is straining our democracy. It is straining the whole idea that we are a land of opportunity, when there is no economic mobility for 90 percent of Americans and when people wh
LYNCHING WARRANTS AN ENHANCED SENTENCE UNDER HATE CRIME STATUTES
Bobby L. Rush (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2019-10-22

. Madam , between 1882 and 1968, 3,446 African Americans were lynched in this Nation. This fact appears to be completely lost on the President, who just this morning conflated constitutionally mandated oversight with the horrific act of lynching. prgtoken The heinous nature of lynching is why I have introduced H.R. 35, The Emmitt Till Antilynching Act. Madam , this bipartisan bill would specify that lynching is a crime in and of itself, and that its vile nature warrants an enhanced sentence under hate crime statutes. prgtoken I would encourage all my colleagues to support this bill and to reject this President's vile rhetoric.
HONORING CONGRESSMAN ELIJAH CUMMINGS
Rashida Tlaib (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2019-10-22

. Madam , I rise today to honor our chairman, Elijah Cummings. prgtoken He was my first chairman. Chairman Cummings believed in the possibility of better from this institution. He understood that our squad was big and embraced the new era of social justice movement in our country. Congressman Cummings' presence was iconic, and I am humbled and honored to have served with him. prgtoken I pray that Congressman Cummings' wife and family find peace during this very difficult time in knowing that he has left a powerful legacy that has been centered on truth and justice. prgtoken I have a picture of my son with Congressman Cummings. He always said that children are the messages we send in the future. And so I wanted to honor Congressman Cummings by showing and displaying just the beautiful smile I remember that he provided for my 14-year old boy.
Appropriations (Executive Session)
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2019-10-22

the leader in recent days has charged that because the House of Representatives is now engaged in its constitutional duty to examine Presidential wrongdoing, that somehow are not interested in legislating. prgtoken It is a curious criticism coming from Leader McConnell, not interested in legislating, from the man who proudly calls himself the ``grim reaper.'' Since the midterms, the ic House majority has passed hundreds of bills with bipartisan support while Leader McConnell has deliberately focused the Senate on anything but legislation. He has turned this Chamber into a legislative graveyard. prgtoken want to vote on things. Gun safety, how about it? Healthcare, how about it? Infrastructure, how about it? Improving our democracy. On none of these things will Leader McConnell even dare put a bill on the floor, let alone the House bills, which would have a chance of getting something done. prgtoken This very week, we have an example of how plan to work with our colleagues to advance legislation. The leader has indicated, finally, alas, that he may bring several appropriations bills to the floor this week. want to move forward and debate those bills in an open and vigorous fashion. prgtoken There are several appropriations bills that don't have any bipartisan support. The leader knows why. We need to have bipartisan support on the 302(b)s, the allocations to the various agencies, to move forward on bills like Homeland Security and Health and Human Services, Military Construction, and Defense. That negotiation, to succeed, must be bipartisan. That is what the history of this Chamber shows. That is what commonsense and logic shows. House leaders have suggested a conference-- and s, House and Senate--on these 302(b)s. That is a good idea. If s are willing to engage with us on 302(b)s, we get negotiations back on track to fund the government. prgtoken In the meantime, want to move forward on the noncontroversial appropriation bills--the bills that have had bipartisan agreement--and we hope Leader McConnell will allow a fair and robust amendment process. It would be nice to consider something on the floor besides an endless parade of rightwing judges--who side with a special powerful interest, time and time again, not working Americans--and Executive appointments.
CONGRATULATING THE HISTORIC ONCE-IN-A-CENTURY WIN OF THE WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2019-10-22

. Madam , I accept the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia's--my dear friend--challenge. prgtoken While I congratulate the historic once-in-a-century-win of the Nationals, let me be very clear: The Houston Astros have won the most games of any of the Major League Baseball teams. prgtoken Let me thank the owner and management, but also the team, the unifying team, the team that does not have one icon, one star, but all of them are stars. Let me thank them for the great work they do in charity throughout our community helping our young people. prgtoken Madam , might I take you down memory lane, when the Astros-- can you imagine that late-night game on Saturday night when you thought there was not any hope and there was going to be another game with the Astros and the Yankees? prgtoken But what happened? My friend, Altuve--what happened? You didn't even see the ball go. He hit a home run and two came in. prgtoken I know this is going to be a great game, and the new world champions of baseball will be the Houston Astros. prgtoken Go `Stros. Go Astros. prgtoken I accept, Madam , and if we win, she will wear this shirt with her staff.
TRIBUTE TO KAITLIN GAFFNEY
Jeff Merkley (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2019-10-22

I come to the floor today to recognize Kaitlin Gaffney, a longtime member of my Senate team who, after nearly 11 years, is leaving to start a new chapter in her life. prgtoken Kaitlin has been a key part of Team Merkley since our earliest days. In fact, she was part of the original team that built our office and our constituent services operation from scratch. I don't know how many folks here have been part of opening a Senate office, but it is not easy. It is daunting. You walk into a completely empty office. There are no computers, no phones, not even the basics in terms of pens and paper, and you know you have responsibilities, and you need to start fulfilling them. prgtoken In the early days, we didn't have a computer system to track our constituents' thoughts or opinions, so Kaitlin and the team wrote everything down on paper before moving to spreadsheets. There was no training on how to serve constituents, but from day one, that is exactly what we were determined to do and she was determined to do. prgtoken So you have to hit the ground running, learning as you go, and Kaitlin did hit the ground running like an Olympic Gold Medalist. She built our constituent services operation from the ground up, and I am proud to say that today, 11 years later, it is an operation that is second to none and one that Oregonians across our State know they can rely on for help. prgtoken It is Oregonians who know that if they are in a bind, the team they can call on is my constituent services team, and often that is Kaitlin, specifically. In the beginning days, we were in the middle of the mortgage crisis, and that crisis was forcing Oregon families out of their homes--to where they couldn't afford the balloon payments or the doubling of the interest rate at the expiration of the teaser rate. They couldn't pay the high rate on the triple option loan. They were desperate, and they called Kaitlin. Kaitlin was the point person on our team fighting to keep roofs over their heads. She is the one who day after day had to consult with them in that very stressful situation where often a mortgage company was simultaneously telling a family they will be evicted for nonpayment and simultaneously saying we have this program in which you can sign up and don't worry. She is the one who brought together advocacy organizations, housing authorities, and local elected leaders to help assist a massive caseload of struggling Oregonians. Her direct involvement meant that a very large number of them were able to solve the challenge and stay in their homes. prgtoken Even today, as I go around the State, I hold a townhall in every county every year, and people will come up to me at those county gatherings and say: By the way, I just wanted to tell you that a decade ago a person on your team, Kaitlin, helped me out and I still have my home today and it is en route to being paid off. That meant so much to families. prgtoken There w
COPYRIGHT ALTERNATIVE IN SMALL-CLAIMS ENFORCEMENT ACT OF 2019
Mark Takano (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-10-22

please accept the following vote recommendations in my absence as I represent the United States at the formal ascension of the Emperor in Japan. Had I been present, I would have voted: ``yea'' on rollcall No. 571, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 572, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 573, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 574, ``nay'' on rollcall No. 575, ``nay'' on rollcall No. 576, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 577, and ``nay'' on rollcall No. 578.
CORPORATE TRANSPARENCY ACT OF 2019
Maxine Waters (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-10-22

the Burgess amendment would require an annual report to Congress that examines the aggregated submissions to the beneficial ownership database, thus providing a snapshot of the size, type, and location of reporting entities. prgtoken I agree that an examination of this data will be helpful to FinCEN as it contemplates rulemakings and to Congress should we consider future refinements of the law. So I would encourage Members to support the amendment. prgtoken .
Election Security Act (Executive Session)
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2019-10-22

the Mueller report made crystal clear that the Russian Government interfered in the Presidential election of the United States of America in the year 2016. They called it a ``sweeping and systematic fashion'' of interference. prgtoken I know this better than some because, in my home State of Illinois, the Russian intelligence service literally hacked into our State Board of Elections' voter file and gained access to a database containing information on millions of voters in my State. Then the Russians extracted the data on thousands of those voters. They also targeted other State election authorities, county governments, and election equipment and technology vendors. prgtoken Federal law enforcement and intelligence officers have repeatedly warned us that these interference efforts will continue into the election of 2020. In fact, former KGB Agent Vladimir Putin recently mocked us and openly joked that Russia would definitely interfere again in the U.S. elections. Congress cannot sit back and ignore this threat. We must take action to help State and local election officials prepare for the 2020 elections and those beyond. prgtoken I am pleased that the leader, Mitch McConnell, of Kentucky, finally relented on his opposition to any further funding to assist State and local election officials with election security efforts. Yet the $250 million included in the fiscal year 2020 Financial Services and General Government appropriations bill is clearly inadequate. We need to boldly invest in our election security. It is literally the cornerstone of our democracy, and we need to provide sustained funding to State and local election officials so they may respond prgtoken to these threats that are far beyond any State's capacity to deal with. prgtoken There are 40 of us who cosponsored the Election Security Act that Senator Amy Klobuchar, of Minnesota, introduced in May. I was proud to join her as one of the original cosponsors. prgtoken The legislation would provide critical resources to election officials through an initial $1 billion investment in our election infrastructure, followed by $175 million every 2 years for infrastructure maintenance. It would also require the use of voter- verified paper ballots, strengthen the Federal response to election interference, and establish accountability measures for election technology vendors. prgtoken Let me bring this down to Earth in simple words. If we cannot trust the outcome of an election to accurately reflect the feelings of those in America, we have lost the cornerstone of our democracy. There are nations, including Russia, that have proven they are doing everything in their power to stop us from having safe, accurate election counts. prgtoken The question for this Senate and for this Congress is, Do we care? Do we care enough to spend the resources so our States can protect the integrity of voters? I am not just talking about blue States from the Democra