mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
Socialism (Executive Session)
John Cornyn (Republican, TX) \u2014 2019-6-12

I confess that my fascination--or maybe ``obsession'' is another word to describe it--with what some people proclaim to be their newfound belief in socialism is really a mystery to me. It is something prgtoken I have thought and read quite a bit about just so I could try to understand what they could possibly be thinking. prgtoken A recent poll found that 4 in 10 Americans say they prefer living in a socialist country to a capitalist country--40 percent. For those of us who have witnessed the rise and fall of socialism over the course of our lives or who have even read about it in the history books, that is a major cause for concern. Yet today's socialists try to distinguish themselves from those countries that have actually implemented socialism--Venezuela, the Soviet Union, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, and other failed socialist nations. They are saying that they are democratic socialists. prgtoken As a matter of fact, one of our Senate colleagues who is running for President--the junior Senator from Vermont, not the distinguished Senator on the floor--is speaking today at an event in defense of democratic socialism. I have to say, if you ask me, that is an oxymoron. You can't support democracy and socialism at the same time. Those two ideals are completely at odds with one another. Yet what we see happening is people who use labels to confuse the American people and who claim to be what they are not--literally being Trojan horses for ideas that have been demonstrated to have failed throughout the world's history. prgtoken Many of these so-called democratic socialists have gotten into the habit of suggesting that Scandinavian countries are successful models for their ideology. They will point to the economic successes of these countries, combined with their expansive government-run programs--free higher education, universal healthcare, subsidized childcare. They will say: ``Look, it works.'' Robust welfare programs are not the cornerstones of socialism, although many seem to think that this is the case. prgtoken The poll I mentioned earlier found that there is a broad disagreement about what exactly constitutes socialism. To me, one of the most interesting findings of some of the polling is when you ask some people what ``socialism'' is, they say, ``Well, that is being social.'' They also say, ``Well, it is universal healthcare, tuition-free education, and a living wage.'' Only two-thirds of the people say it involves a state-controlled economy, and fewer still believe socialism involves the state control and the regulation of private property, the media, and communications. prgtoken Let me be clear. The most fundamental aspect of socialism isn't the social benefits it provides; it is having the government in control. It is the surrendering of your individual freedom and choices to government coercion and brute force. That is the only way people can be forced into limiting their freedom, th
DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2020
Dan Newhouse (Republican, WA) \u2014 2019-6-12

. Mr. Chair, I rise in support of the amendment that I introduced with my friend from Oregon (Mr. DeFazio) to prevent Federal funds from being used to close or transfer the operations of the U.S. Forest Service Job Corps Civilian Conservation Centers. prgtoken Mr. Chair, I am a strong supporter of this administration's demonstrated commitment to rural prosperity for communities often ignored or forgotten across this country. Their focus on promoting policies to protect rural communities is so important to regions of the country like my own district of central Washington. prgtoken Unfortunately, the recent proposal to close many Forest Service Job Corps facilities and remove the Forest Service-based mission from the remaining centers will hurt rural America. prgtoken It is for this reason that I have been working with a bipartisan coalition of Members from across the country, both in the House and in the Senate, to prevent this proposal from moving forward. prgtoken The three centers in central and eastern Washington are critical to supporting our rural communities, which are on the front lines of facing ever-worsening impacts of catastrophic wildfires. prgtoken I have met the students who aid active management efforts in our Nation's forests and help restore communities devastated by wildfires. The public service they provide is worthy of our support. prgtoken Mr. Chair, I include in the Record letters from the National Association of Home Builders to Pelosi and Leader McCarthy. National Association of Home Builders, Washington, DC, June 12, 2019. Hon. Nancy Pelosi, , House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Pelosi: On behalf of the more than 140,000 members of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), I write in support of Amendment #13 (#95 for Division A, sponsored by Representatives DeFazio, Newhouse, Schrader, and Gianforte) to H.R. 2740, the Fiscal Year 2020 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, Legislative Branch, Defense, State, Foreign Operations, and Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act. This bipartisan measure would prohibit funds appropriated for Job Corps from being applied towards the closure of any of the 25 Job Corps Civilian Conservation Centers currently operating. The recent termination of the Department of Agriculture's training partnership with Job Corps and subsequent announcement by the Department of Labor (DOL) of nine center closures is deeply concerning to NAHB and its workforce development arm, the Home Builders Institute (HBI), which has trained and placed thousands of students for careers in residential construction through its 45-year partnership with Job Corps. HBI Job Corps programs are offered at 65 centers
MULTIEMPLOYER PENSIONS
Chuck Grassley (Republican, IA) \u2014 2019-6-12

Congress needs to address the crisis facing multiemployer pension plans. The Finance Committee is continuing its work on retirement income security, including those issues with the multiemployer plans. prgtoken While we work to enact the first round of reforms in the retirement savings accounts, known as RESA, which is now before the Senate, there is still more work to do. We have the benefit of the joint select committee's work on multiemployer plans last year. We know what is going on, we know what is broken, and we know the various options for repairing the system. prgtoken It is time to put pen to paper and fix these plans that will protect the workers who have paid into them. prgtoken . prgtoken .
HONORING BRUCE BURNHAM
Ross Spano (Republican, FL) \u2014 2019-6-12

I rise today to honor Mr. Bruce Burnham, a retired member of the military police who served in the Vietnam war and was awarded the Bronze Star. prgtoken After retiring from the military, Mr. Burnham began teaching at Armwood High School, where he taught history, social studies, and classes on the Vietnam war for 30 years. prgtoken Known affectionately as the mayor of Armwood, Mr. Burnham continues to dedicate his retirement to the students. He serves as the announcer for the Armwood varsity football team and continues to give speeches to high school students on the Vietnam war. prgtoken Mr. Burnham was placed on the front lines of history, and he has spent the last 30 years retelling that history to his students. prgtoken , Mr. Burnham clearly has the love of our community. He also has the respect of our country.
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
Bill Cassidy (Republican, LA) \u2014 2019-6-12

today I wish to acknowledge the 150th anniversary of the founding of Tangipahoa Parish in my home State of Louisiana. It is a parish filled with hard-working and patriotic citizens who work day in and day out to better our State and our Nation. prgtoken Tangipahoa Parish is located in the section of the State known as the Florida Parishes. The word Tangipahoa means ``those who gather corn'' and refers to a sub-Tribe of Native Americans called the Acolapissa. The parish is 823 square miles, with the Mississippi State line serving as its northern border and Lakes Maurepas and Pontchartrain at its southern border. prgtoken This part of our State is rich with history. The Natives used this area as part of a route to travel between Mobile and Pensacola and through Pass Manchac to Illinois and the Great Lakes. The Acolapissa Tribe also led Bienville and Iberville through Manchac, where they named two nearby lakes ``Maurepas'' and ``Pontchartrain'' to honor the French finance ministers who supported the New World colony, which Bienville named New Orleans. prgtoken The French and Spanish controlled their Louisiana territory for some time. However, the British controlled the Florida Parishes. The Louisiana Purchase gave Louisiana to the United States, but the Florida Parishes were not a part of the purchase. It was an international boundary between the Spanish and the United States until 1812 when Louisiana was named a State. prgtoken In the mid-1800s, the railroad industry brought development into the area. However, people felt inconvenienced by the distance they had to travel to conduct business in the nearby parishes. To solve this, citizens carved out their own parish from the four surrounding parishes. The boundaries were solidified by law in 1869, which created Tangipahoa Parish. prgtoken Tangipahoa Parish is home to the State's third largest public university, Southeastern Louisiana University. It is also known for its many festivals, including the Strawberry Festival, the Sicilian Heritage Festival, the Italian Festival, and the Oyster Festival. The pop icon Britney Spears is from the town of Kentwood, in Tangipahoa Parish. prgtoken Happy 150th anniversary to Tangipahoa Parish. You are etched in our colorful and rich history. Thank you for all of your contributions to our beautiful State that we are fortunate to call home.
DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2020
Andy Harris (Republican, MD) \u2014 2019-6-12

. Madam Chair, this is a good cause. This is a good idea. But, you know, we have $10 billion in unspent CHIP funds sitting in a fund. prgtoken So the question is: Why take this from the Secretary's office? I get it. Some people don't like the Secretary. Some people don't like the administration. prgtoken But there is $10 billion sitting there that could be spent on programs like this, unspent CHIP funds. prgtoken So I have to oppose this amendment because, again, let's prioritize. This is an important fund. Don't take it out of the Secretary's office. prgtoken I get it. You don't like the administration. You don't like the Secretary. Don't take it out of his office. prgtoken Madam Chair, .
DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2020
Virginia Foxx (Republican, NC) \u2014 2019-6-12

Job Corps is meant to be an outlet to help disadvantaged youth gain the skills necessary to achieve a good education and the skills needed for the workforce, but the failures of the program do a disservice to students, staff, and the American taxpayers who pay for the programs. prgtoken For years this federally funded program has struggled to ensure the safety and security of students. There is ample documentation about the systemic deficiencies in Job Corps, and over 30 different government reports and audits have raised concerns over the safety and security of participants. prgtoken The administration's proposed changes to Job Corps are an important first step in reforming the program so that it actually works for students and efficiently utilizes taxpayer funds. prgtoken The Department of Labor's mission of preparing at-risk youth for meaningful participation in the workforce and skills development for career success makes them a better choice for running the 25 Job Corps Centers that have previously been operated by USDA. The transition of these Civilian Conservation Centers, or CCCs, will allow USDA to strengthen its focus on improving our Nation's forests and grasslands while also remaining a key partner in the DOL-run Job Corps centers going forward. prgtoken In short, the administration's efforts would allow more students to participate in the Job Corps program at high performing centers and in doing so protect taxpayer money. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to support a Job Corps program that actually protects and serves students and to vote ``no'' on this amendment.
DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2020
Mike Kelly (Republican, PA) \u2014 2019-6-12

. Madam Chair, first off, I thank Representative Foster and also his acting chief of staff, Samantha Warren, for the great work on this and for working along with two of the people on my staff, Kevin Dawson and Brendan Fulmer. It is this type of collaboration that proves to the American people that we can do things together and do them right. prgtoken Everything the gentleman just said, it really rings true with me. prgtoken My father was 86 years old when we had to admit him into the hospital for some work to be done. As I was sitting there visiting with him one morning, the nurses brought in his medication. prgtoken He said, ``What are you giving me?'' The nurse said, ``Well, this is what the doctors prescribed for you.'' So he said, ``Could I have the chart at the end of the bed, please?'' The nurse said, ``Why would you want that chart?'' He said: ``Because what you are giving me today is something I can't take. If you look at the chart, you will find out that I am right, and what you are giving me is wrong.'' prgtoken I thought it was amazing that an 86-year-old man knew enough to look at what he was being given without just saying, ``Fine, if you think I should take it, I will take it.'' prgtoken When we look at what is happening today, we are at a point right now where there is no reason for us to be having these problems. prgtoken According to the 2016 study that the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Foster) talked about, healthcare executives say that misidentification costs the average healthcare facility $17.4 million per year in denied claims and potential lost revenue. prgtoken Without the ability for clinicians to correctly connect a patient with their medical record, medical errors have needlessly occurred and lives have been lost. These are situations that could have been entirely avoidable had patients been able to be accurately identified and matched with their records. prgtoken This is a problem that is so dire that one of our Nation's leading patient safety organizations, the ECRI Institute, named patient misidentification among the top 10 threats to patient safety. prgtoken There is no reason for that to occur, not today, not in this world, not with what we have available to us. prgtoken Passing the Foster-Kelly amendment and removing this outdated ban would help bring our healthcare system into the 21st century, improve patient safety, and save millions of dollars. prgtoken I would hope that every Member shares the same concerns that the gentleman and I have and that we make sure to look at what is available to us in the 21st century to make sure these types of mistakes don't happen. We have the ability to do it. Why hold back? prgtoken .
IN CELEBRATION OF ISIDORE SHAPIRO
Peter T. King (Republican, NY) \u2014 2019-6-12

. Madam , I am honored to recognize my longtime friend, prgtoken Isidore Shapiro, on the occasion of his 100th birthday this past February 2, 2019. prgtoken After graduating with a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1952, Mr. Shapiro committed his career to helping those who were struggling. During his storied career of public service, starting with serving as the Executive Director of the Queens County Mental Health Society and concluding as the first social worker to be appointed Commissioner of the Nassau Country Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation, and Developmental Disabilities, Mr. Shapiro continually displayed both compassion and respect for the people he served and a devotion to seeing them attain success. During my years as Special Assistant to the Chief Deputy County Executive and then as County Comptroller I worked closely with Isidore. He is a true friend and dedicated public servant. prgtoken After his time as Commissioner, Mr. Shapiro, along with his loving wife Goldie, happily retired to sunny Tuscan, Arizona. For his and Goldie's service to Nassau County, it is a privilege to wish him a happy 100th birthday.
AUTHORITY FOR COMMITTEES TO MEET
Susan M. Collins (Republican, ME) \u2014 2019-6-12

I have 7 requests for committees to meet during today's session of the Senate. They have the approval of the Majority and Minority leaders. prgtoken Pursuant to rule XXVI, paragraph 5(a), of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the following committees are authorized to meet during today's session of the Senate: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation prgtoken The Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, June 12, 2019, at 10 a.m to conduct a hearing. Committee on Foreign Relations prgtoken The Committee on Foreign Relations is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, June 12, 2019, at 10:15 a.m to conduct a hearing. Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs prgtoken The Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, June 12, 2019, at 2:30 p.m to conduct a hearing on the following nominations: Chad F. Wolf, of Virginia, to be Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Plans, Jeffrey Byard, of Alabama, to be Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and Troy D. Edgar, of California, to be Chief Financial Officer, all of the Department of Homeland Security, John McLeod Barger, of California, to be a Governor of the United States Postal Service, and B. Chad Bungard, of Maryland, to be a Member of the Merit Systems Protection Board. Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship prgtoken The Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, June 12, 2019, at 2:30 p.m to conduct a hearing. Subcommittee on Fisheries, Water, and Wildlife prgtoken The Subcommittee on Fisheries, Water, and Wildlife of the Committee on Environment and Public Works is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, June 12, 2019, at 10 a.m to conduct a hearing. Subcommittee on International Trade, Customs, and Global Competitiveness prgtoken The Subcommittee on International Trade, Customs, and Global Competitiveness of the Committee on Finance is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, June 12, 2019, at 3 p.m to conduct a hearing. Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights prgtoken The Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights of the Committee on the Judiciary is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, June 12, 2019, at 2:30 p.m to conduct a hearing.
PROVIDING FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 2740, DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2020
Christopher H. Smith (Republican, NJ) \u2014 2019-6-12

the bill under consideration today reverses several--at least nine--life-affirming, pro-life policies, including conscience protection, Title X reform, the Protecting Life in Global Health Assistance, and more. prgtoken This is a pro-abortion piece of legislation on steroids. But passage won't be the last word. prgtoken will veto it and we will sustain that veto. prgtoken No one, including doctors, nurses, and LPNs, , and no entity, like hospitals or health insurance plans, should ever be compelled against their will into performing, facilitating, or subsidizing abortion. prgtoken This bill eviscerates the administration's conscience protection rule. In late February, HHS promulgated the Protect Life rule to reassert portions of President Reagan's original Title X regulation to end colocation of abortion clinics with family planning clinics under Title X. It also requires financial separation. That, too, is reversed by this piece of legislation. prgtoken Among its provisions, the Protect Life rule also seeks to protect against child abuse, child molestation, sexual abuse, and human trafficking. prgtoken H.R. 2740 also guts the Protecting Life in Global Health Assistance policy, which ensures that our foreign aid holds harmless unborn children. It, again, is a Ronald Reagan policy expanded and reiterated, and it prevents taxpayer funds from going to--and this is grant money-- foreign NGOs that perform or promote abortion as a method of family planning. prgtoken , the shocking number of unborn children killed in America is unconscionable--approximately 61 million dead babies since 1973--a death toll that equates to the entire population of Italy. All of this when our knowledge about unborn children and the breathtaking miracle of life before birth is unparalleled. prgtoken , anyone here, parent or grandparent, knows that the first baby pictures today are of the child in the womb, the ultrasound pictures that go up on our refrigerators, so proud of the new baby. It is not that you are going to be a parent; you are a parent during those 9 months. prgtoken Yet the pro-abortion movement, like a modern day Flat Earth Society, continues to cling to outdated, indefensible arguments cloaked in euphemism. prgtoken Even the seemingly benign word ``choice'' withers under scrutiny. Choice to do what? Dismember an unborn child piece by piece. Anyone who watched the movie ``Unplanned'' saw an ultrasound-guided abortion where the child was decimated right on the screen for all to see. prgtoken Then there is, of course, RU-486, which first starves the baby to death, and then the baby is expelled from the womb. Then there are injections of chemical poisons--all of it violence against children. prgtoken That is what the choice is all about: the choice of killing an innocent, defenseless, unborn child.