mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
Introductory Statement on S. 1793
Tim Kaine (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2019-6-12

Our Nation's public health system needs high quality, timely, and accurate data to protect the public from health threats like opioid overdoses, influenza, measles, and more. Effective prevention and response to health threats requires coordinated efforts between health care providers and public health officials across all levels of government. prgtoken Unfortunately, the public health data systems we rely on for our health and safety are antiquated and fragmented. Systems lack the interoperability needed to facilitate timely, secure information exchange. Too often, public health departments are forced to rely on systems with manual processes that are time consuming and error prone, such as paper records, faxes, and phone calls. Only two jurisdictions have begun the process to receive electronic case reports directly from health records, and only for a small number of diseases. Our public health data infrastructure lacks the automation, security, interoperability, and skilled workforce we need to confront the public health threats of today and tomorrow. prgtoken Today, I am pleased to introduce with my colleagues, Senator Isakson and Senator King, the Saving Lives Through Better Data Act to assist in building the 21st Century public health data infrastructure our Nation needs. The Saving Lives Through Better Data Act awards grants to State, local, Tribal, and territorial public health departments to improve data collection and analysis, simplify provider reporting, enhance interoperability, promote electronic case reporting, and support earlier disease detection and response. Grant recipients must support interoperability standards endorsed by the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology or those adopted by the HHS Secretary. prgtoken The Saving Lives Through Better Data Act also requires the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to conduct activities to improve its public health data systems. The CDC must also develop and utilize public-private partnerships to support State, local, Tribal, and territorial public health departments in modernizing and expanding electronic case reporting and public health data systems. The legislation calls for reporting on barriers public health authorities may face in implementing electronic case reporting or interoperable public health data systems as well as an assessment of the potential public health impact of making such improvements. We make the necessary investment to improve our public health infrastructure by authorizing $100 million per year for each of fiscal years 2020-2024. prgtoken The Saving Lives Through Better Data Act will strengthen our public health data systems so we can be well-equipped to identify and respond to public health threats, which will save lives.
DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2020
Marcy Kaptur (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2019-6-12

I thank our able Chairwoman Nita Lowey and Ranking Member Kay Granger for leading our Appropriations Committee in doing the real work of America on a bipartisan basis. prgtoken Our Energy and Water bill makes critical investments in energy and water systems to sustain life on Earth by combating climate change, advancing energy science to yield innovation, building water infrastructure and flood control systems, and investing in necessary nuclear security programs. prgtoken First, I would like to thank our ranking member, Mr. Simpson, who has been a very constructive and able partner, and also thank our staff, including Jaime Shimek, Angie Giancarlo, Mark Arnone, Mike Brain, Marcel Caldwell, Scott McKee, Farouk Ophaso, and Matt Kaplan, for their hard work in putting this good bill together. prgtoken This bill rejects the President's drastic and shortsighted proposed cuts that would harm our Nation's interests. Instead, our bill increases investments to meet serious national priorities in energy and water and, of course, nuclear security. prgtoken Addressing the needs of the future, economically and environmentally, requires that our Nation be at the forefront of global innovation. Our bill moves our Nation forward on that front. prgtoken Further, American companies require means to ship goods efficiently in a highly competitive global marketplace. Our bill helps them succeed. prgtoken Finally, ensuring water and electricity for millions of Americans is fundamental. We provide additional support toward those priorities. prgtoken How do we achieve this? By providing $7.4 billion for the Army Corps of Engineers, an increase--yes, an increase--of $357 million above 2019 and $2.5 billion above the budget request. To understand why, simply listen to any news program and what is happening across this country. prgtoken This bill invests in key water priorities across our Nation by funding countless regional priorities, including robust funding for the Soo Locks construction project, and by starting the pathway for the Brandon Road invasive species Asian bighead carp control project to, literally, save the Great Lakes. prgtoken This bill's robust funding for the Army Corps of Engineers is critical to this Nation's economic vitality. prgtoken We provide $1.63 billion for the Bureau of Reclamation, an increase of $83 million from 2019 and $523 million above the budget request. prgtoken Overall, our bill provides $37.1 billion for the Department of Energy, an increase of $1.4 billion from 2019 and $5.6 billion above the budget request. prgtoken We recognize the difficulties of serving a rising population with all of the climate change challenges facing this and the next generation. Within the Department of Energy, the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy program receives $2.65 billion, $273 million above 2019 and $2.3 billion above the budget request. prgtoken This includes robust funding for the Weatherization Assista
Medicaid (Executive Calendar)
Debbie Stabenow (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2019-6-12

I was looking to my colleagues because I think we all understand and are trying to accommodate each other's schedules and have the opportunity to speak on the floor. So I appreciate the opportunity to say a few words. I first thank Senator Casey for organizing this very important discussion on the floor, and Senator Cardin and Senator Wyden for their passion, and I want to join them in speaking out about protecting Medicaid. prgtoken We are talking about people, the majority in nursing homes. We have three out of five seniors in Michigan who have nursing home care and get that through Medicaid, which is critically important, as well as children and families. So I want to lend my support to them, and then I wish to expand the talk about another very important piece of healthcare and how we bring down costs for people. prgtoken I have always believed that healthcare is a basic human right and everyone should be able to afford the medicines they need. We have seniors in nursing homes that are there. We talked about Medicaid. In fact, they are more likely than not going to be involved in needing prescription drugs, some kind of medicines, and I am deeply concerned that people are not able to get their medications at a price they can afford to get what they need. Unfortunately, that is certainly happening in Michigan right now. prgtoken As we know, over the past decade or so, the costs of medications have really skyrocketed. It is actually shocking to see the numbers going up. Between 2008 and 2016, prices on the most popular brand-name drugs have gone up over 208 percent. I know that in Michigan most people's salaries haven't gone up 208 percent. And if someone is living on a pension or Social Security, that certainly hasn't gone up 208 percent. prgtoken So these are huge increases. And according to AARP, the average price of brand-name drugs that seniors often take rose at four times the rate of inflation just in 2017--four times the rate of inflation. So even if you are getting a small little increase, an inflationary increase in your salary or in a pension, your medicines could have gone up four times higher. prgtoken I hear from seniors all over Michigan about what a struggle this is. I know we all hear this. Some people are forced to cut back on other necessities, like groceries or paying their bills. Others cut their pills in half or skip doses. You know, this has gone on and on for too long. Some folks stop filling their prescriptions altogether, risking their health. prgtoken Suzanne lives in Howell, MI. She takes several medications, including insulin, and she shared her story with me. Unfortunately, for Suzanne, the price for insulin has gone from $21 a month to $278 a month to $410 a month--the same medicine. The same medicine was $21 a month and now is up to $410 a month. prgtoken Suzanne isn't alone. In fact, insulin prices overall have tripled in the past 15 years, and let me just add
Nominations and Border Security (Executive Session)
Sheldon Whitehouse (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2019-6-12

I came here to make my climate remarks, but I can't resist the opportunity--both as a Senator who actually gets quite a lot of bipartisan legislation passed with my friends but also somebody who sits on the Judiciary Committee--to point out that there actually are quite a few firsts happening that I think help explain why the floor has become a battleground for so many of these nominees. prgtoken One first has been that this is the first time, I think, in anybody in the Senate's lifetime experience in which the blue slip is not honored for circuit court judges, in which a judge on the circuit court of appeals associated with the Presiding Officer's State of Oklahoma or my State of Rhode Island--we get rolled. We do not have the ability to approve or disapprove those judges. That is a long tradition of the Senate summarily thrown out. prgtoken This is the first time, I think in the history of the United States, in which the selection of judges is being done by a private group funded with anonymous money. That is a very bizarre way to go about picking judges. That is the way it is taking place right now. In fact, the gentleman named Leonard Leo from the Federalist Society who is doing the picking was admitted by 's legal counsel to have been insourced for the selection process. That is a first. We never had a private organization pick our Federal judges funded with anonymous money. prgtoken Finally, there are some qualified appointees to the bench. I voted for a considerable number, when I thought they were qualified. The problem is, when the unqualified ones come through, they get stuffed through just like anyone else. It is a rarity when we get somebody so flagrantly unqualified as the lawyer who did not know what a motion in limine was--a standard motion before any trial in a Federal court--had no idea what it was. It was actually a Senator who was able to determine that and asked further questions because, frankly, it is pretty astounding to want to be a trial judge and not know what that is. So there have been some firsts, and if we could go back to where we were beforehand, I think we would see a smoother process.
DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2020
Angie Craig (Democrat, MN) \u2014 2019-6-12

. Madam Chair, education is at the core of our communities, but for too long, students have been told that traditional, 4-year degrees are their only option for finding good-paying jobs. prgtoken In reality, we have a major skills gap in Minnesota. We are unable to find skilled workers for the jobs that exist. prgtoken I have one son in high school, two in traditional 4-year colleges, and my last son, Josh, just graduated from a career training program. He is my son with multiple job offers. prgtoken Career and technical education needs to be a critical investment in order to connect workers with the right training to help keep our economy strong. prgtoken My amendment stresses the importance of Perkins funding in adult education to ensure that we are devoting adequate resources to job training programs. Expanding access to grants for career and technical education, including apprenticeships, is critical. prgtoken Minnesota's economy depends on bright, talented young people, and we need to make sure that they have the skills they need to succeed. That starts with taking a new approach to postsecondary education and training and expanding career and technical education opportunities. prgtoken Everyone should be able to get the skills and training that they need to find a good-paying job. To make this a reality, we need to take a fresh look at our job market, our education system, and the way we prepare students for the workforce. That starts by investing in these programs and helping our young people see 2-year degrees as part of their career path. prgtoken We have to change the way we think about postsecondary education in this country. We have to look at the economy in education, and a critical piece is investing in career skills and technical education. prgtoken Madam Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Ms. DeLauro).
Border Security (Executive Session)
Rick Scott (Republican, FL) \u2014 2019-6-12

Judge Rodney Smith has an impressive record of honorably serving the State of Florida, and I am proud to support his confirmation as a district judge for the Southern District of Florida. After receiving a bachelor's degree from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University and a law degree from Michigan State University, Judge Smith worked as a personal injury attorney. He then pursued a career in public service as a senior assistant city attorney for the city of Miami Beach, before his appointment to the Miami-Dade County Court in 2008. In my role as Governor of Florida, I had the honor of appointing Judge Smith to the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court in 2012. Judge Smith will continue to serve our State and Nation well on the Federal bench. nomination of thomas p. barber prgtoken , I am honored to support Judge Thomas Barber to serve as a district judge in the Middle District of Florida. Judge Barber graduated from the University of Florida in 1985 and received a law degree from the University of Pennsylvania Law School in 1992. Since then, Judge Barber has served as an Assistant State Attorney, an assistant Statewide prosecutor, and a circuit judge for the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit of Florida. Our citizens deserves judges like Judge Barber that are committed to enforcing our law, not legislating from the bench. With his long and distinguished history of public service, I have no doubt Judge Barber will serve Americans honorably as a Federal judge.
Election Security (Executive Calendar)
James Lankford (Republican, OK) \u2014 2019-6-12

we are 8 months away from the first primary of the 2020 election. There is a false belief that the 2020 election is a year and a half away when it is 8 months away. prgtoken In his May 29 speech, Robert Mueller made the statement that there were multiple systematic efforts to interfere in our election. That allegation deserves the attention of every American. FBI Director Chris Wray made the statement that the 2018 election was a dress rehearsal for the big show. prgtoken There are a few statements that we can argue about in this body. I find absolutely no one arguing in this body that the Russians didn't try to interfere in our election of 2016. If you go all the way back in history to 2012, the Russians actively engaged in the Ukrainian election. In that election, they found multiple ways to interfere and to change the stories on social media. They found multiple ways to interfere in their election internally. That interference in 2012 was their practice run for what they launched on the United States in 2016. prgtoken It is not just against us. The Russian Federation has attacked every single NATO country's election--every one of them. It just happened to come to us last. I have no doubt that this will not be the last time the Russians will try to interfere in our elections. prgtoken As I walk through the entire first section of it over and over again, what is clear from the Mueller report is they repeat what they have found and how they went through the process of what the Russians were trying to do in working with social media entities to try to create fake American accounts in order to put out fake information online and in trying to find as many different places as they could in order to put out stories to create confusion and chaos. prgtoken I have had multiple folks back in my State who have asked me, why would the Russians do this? It is because the Russians cannot match us militarily, economically, or culturally, so they use alternative ways of doing warfare. For them, their favorite type is just stirring up chaos. They look for every time Americans or any free democracy argues with another, and when they find democracies arguing with each other, they reach in and take both sides and try to elevate the arguments. prgtoken Basically, what I have told folks at home is that it is like two kids on the playground who are fighting. There is always a third kid on the edge of the playground who screams ``fight, fight, fight'' in trying to get as many people as possible to come to the fight. Well, the Russians are that other kid on the playground. They are not actually one of the kids fighting; they are just trying to make it louder and bigger. prgtoken The Russians have actively engaged in trying to stir up any kind of controversy, and elections are just one place in which a democracy has controversy. They stir up controversy just as much anywhere else they find it, but it is easier at election
AUTHORITY FOR COMMITTEES TO MEET
John Barrasso (Republican, WY) \u2014 2019-6-12

I have 2 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 Armed Services prgtoken The Committee on Armed Services is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, June 12, 2019, at 10 a.m to conduct a hearing on pending nominations. 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 3:30 p.m to conduct a hearing on pending nominations.
PROVIDING FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 2740, DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2020
Tom Emmer (Republican, MN) \u2014 2019-6-12

I want to echo the concerns of my colleague and friend, Mr. Stauber, over the rejection of our reasonable amendment to this bill in the Rules Committee. prgtoken In their very last days, the administration ordered Federal control of Minnesota land in the form of a mineral withdrawal proposal. We were told it was a step to protect the environment when, in reality, it was nothing more than Washington telling Minnesotans that they can't be responsible for their own land and resources. prgtoken Blocking exploration and potential development has devastated the region. That is exactly what this bill will continue to do today if it passes. prgtoken I introduced the MINER Act 2 years ago to restore the rights and responsibilities back to Minnesotans as stewards of our lands. The House passed our bill last year, closely followed by action from this administration to restore our rights. Yet, bureaucrats from Washington are at it again, this time including a provision in this bill to create the ``study'' that is yet another barrier, another delay tactic outside of the normal regulatory review process. prgtoken The amendment I offered with Mr. Stauber would address this and simply allow the process to move forward. Let us be clear: Any proposed mine in the area would still need to go through a long and thoroughly detailed review through the National Environmental Policy Act and other regulatory processes. Leaseholders would be allowed to propose a mine plan of operation and demonstrate how they will protect the environment in the surrounding area. If that plan does not meet the high standards that our State and country require, it will be rejected. prgtoken Yet, I am disappointed by some of my Minnesota colleagues who do not have faith in the people of our great State. They don't have faith that our people would want to protect our own land while ensuring development and a better future for our children. prgtoken My colleagues don't want to entertain the potential for thousands of high-paying, labor-negotiated jobs for northern Minnesota and the surrounding region. These same men and women, these miners, are Minnesotans first.
Medicaid (Executive Calendar)
Shelley Moore Capito (Republican, WV) \u2014 2019-6-12

I stood before this body on December 11, exactly 6 months ago, to discuss what I called then ``an escalating crisis on our southwest border.'' Well, 6 months later, I don't think this is a subject for debate anymore. Not only is this a crisis, but it is one that has escalated and continues to do so. Congress must take action or I feel it will come to deeply regret our inaction. prgtoken When I called it a crisis in December, 50,000 migrants had been apprehended crossing our southwest border during the previous month of November. It is now June, 6 months later, and we are looking at the numbers for May that approach over 133,000 apprehensions--the highest 1-month total in 13 years. prgtoken In 6 short months, the numbers of encounters on the border have increased by more than 156 percent. Over the past 12 months, the number has increased by more than 229 percent. Those are staggering figures. prgtoken To put this in context for my fellow West Virginians, in the month of May alone, the Border Patrol apprehended a population that is larger than our capital city, Charleston; Huntington, WV, our neighbor; and Morgantown, WV, combined--three of our largest cities in 1 month. prgtoken As I said standing at this desk in December, the flow of people across the border is not only larger but is also changing. Twenty years ago, the vast majority of those crossing our border illegally were adult men from Mexico. In fact, in fiscal year 2000, 98 percent of those people caught at our border were Mexicans. Under U.S. law, migrants from Mexico can be immediately returned to Mexico by the Border Patrol, but today we are seeing families and not just adults. prgtoken Last month, of the over 133,000 people, nearly 64 percent of those who crossed our borders did that as a family unit, and the vast majority of them are from other places than Mexico. They are Guatemalan, Salvadoran, and Honduran. Of the more than 84,000 members of family units apprehended by Border Patrol last month, only 547, less than 1 percent, were from Mexico. prgtoken So unlike folks from Mexico, these folks who are coming cannot be sent home immediately under U.S. law. They remain in our country often for months or years as their cases work their way through the system. prgtoken To summarize, today we have significantly more people crossing our southern border, and because of who they are, whom they are traveling with, and where they are traveling from, each of these individuals causes us to have a more significant strain on our system. Our system makes it advantageous for migrants from places other than Mexico to cross the border with children. So more people than ever are making absolutely sure they are accompanied by a child on their long and often very dangerous journey from those places through Mexico. prgtoken All of these factors I have discussed have completely overwhelmed our system. Everybody in this Chamber ought to believe that and know