mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
Alaska (Executive Session)
Lisa Murkowski (Republican, AK) \u2014 2019-7-31

. My colleagues have been to the floor here for the past little bit talking about various road trips in their State and destinations, including their favorite destinations. When you think about where your favorite place is, it is like saying which son is your favorite son. We all have our favorite places all around our State. prgtoken I got to thinking about road trips. I thought, well, road trips in Alaska perhaps take a little bit of a different meaning than in other States. We all know the State I come from because we talk about it a lot. Senator Sullivan and I come from a big State. We have over 663,000 square miles, but within those 663,000 square miles, we don't have a lot of roads. Over 82 percent of the communities in the State of Alaska are not connected by roads. We are not part of the road system. So traveling in Alaska can be a little bit of an adventure. Flexibility is always key. prgtoken More often than not, when you are in a big State, you move around from town to town, and you rely on the commercial carriers. You rely on Alaska Airlines. You rely on Ravn. You rely on some of the others. We pretty much move around by air. prgtoken But sometimes it is impossible to get around by air all the time. Sometimes we have what I call ``forest road trips.'' It is not that I don't want to be on our roads, but once you get on the roads, you are on them for a fairly long time. Sometimes the jets don't fly. Sometimes the jets don't fly because you have bad weather. Sometimes the jets don't fly because you have a volcano that goes off. prgtoken I was holding a field hearing in Fairbanks and needed to get down to Anchorage, and Pavlof blew. Pavlof is one of our more active volcanos, and it shuts down the air space. What was going to be a 45-minute trip home turned out to be a 359-mile drive home--7 hours--that evening. prgtoken We had another trip going out of Valdez to Anchorage, and we needed to get back to Anchorage that night, but the fog and the wind in Valdez said there are no planes coming in to take you out, and they might not be there the next day and they might not be there the next day after that. There is bad weather. The pass is shutting down so you better move now. When that happens, you get in a car and 300 miles later--5 hours later--you are in Anchorage. prgtoken I had Senator Manchin with me just over the Fourth of July break. We were headed from Anchorage to King Salmon to attend a ribbon-cutting for a National Park Service facility. We got fogged out in the morning and waited for hours in the airport, and then we got word that the fog had lifted, and we were getting ready to get on a plane and they called a mechanical. If there is a mechanical, I am with you, and we just don't fly. Senator Manchin turned to me and said: I know it is a long way, but can't we just drive there? prgtoken That was my opportunity to turn to my colleague in another learning moment and tell him: No, this is one of thos
CONFIRMATION OF HEATH P. TARBERT
Pat Roberts (Republican, KS) \u2014 2019-7-31

today I applaud the Senate's bipartisan confirmation of Dr. Heath Tarbert to head the Commodity Futures Trading Comission. I am confident that Dr. Tarbert, who is no stranger to public service, will lead the CFTC well. As the former acting Under Secretary for International Affairs at the Department of the Treasury, Dr. Tarbert has exactly the right experience, at the right time, to lead the CFTC. The CFTC needs a strong leader like Dr. Tarbert. He understands how the markets are impacted by actions taken by Congress and U.S. Federal regulators, as well as those of our legislative and regulatory partners around the world. His experience clearly demonstrates appreciation of what led to the financial crisis 10 years ago. Dr. Tarbert also has the support of a range of agricultural groups, all voicing strong sport and appreciation for his experience in the financial sector, the effort demonstrated to understand priority issues, and the commitment to visiting agricultural operations to reinforce the importance of these markets to farmers, ranchers, growers, and agribusiness. prgtoken The CFTC is charged with fostering open, transparent, competitive, and financially sound markets, while working to prevent systemic risk. The regulation and oversight provided by the CFTC allows end users-- farmers, ranchers, commercial companies, municipalities, energy companies, pension funds, and others--to hedge commercial risk using the derivatives market. These markets allow companies to generate jobs and produce goods and services for our economy. I look forward to working with Dr. Tarbert in his new role. Thank you.
BLM Headquarters Relocation (Executive Session)
Cory Gardner (Republican, CO) \u2014 2019-7-31

several years back, at a committee hearing of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Director Neil Kornze of the Bureau of Land Management under the administration was testifying before our committee on a regulation that was coming out of the BLM that most, if not all, of the county commissioners and various organizations in Colorado were opposed to. In fact, the opposition was so uniform in Colorado and throughout the West that I couldn't understand why the BLM was going forward with that regulation. prgtoken Out of frustration, at one point during the committee hearing, I said: Director Kornze, if you were just located in the West, if you were just out west, you would understand why this rule is a bad idea. prgtoken The response at the time, several years ago, was kind of a chuckle and a laugh, and, yes, well, we should talk about that. prgtoken It planted the seeds of an idea that actually was made into reality just last week with the announcement that the headquarters of the Bureau of Land Management will be moving out west and, indeed, to Grand Junction, CO. prgtoken This announcement was made on July 16, and I commend the efforts of Secretary Bernhardt and the Department of the Interior for listening to the people of the West. prgtoken This isn't a issue. This isn't a partisan issue. In fact, this idea to move the BLM headquarters out to the land that it regulates and oversees has been embraced by and s across Colorado and throughout the West. prgtoken They also talked about their intention in this announcement to reorganize the Bureau of Land Management and to relocate a significant number of headquarters jobs throughout the West, not just in Grand Junction but in Lakewood, CO, in Montana, in Utah, and beyond. prgtoken I think it is important to talk about the reasons why it makes so much sense to have this particular Agency located in Colorado, in the West. prgtoken Look at this map here. The red on this map is a combination of both mineral rights and surface lands. You can see the red. Forty-seven percent of all the land out west is where 93 percent of all Federal land is located. The Federal Government owns roughly 47 percent of this land out west. It is where 93 percent of the Federal land is located. Think about that. Ninety-three percent of all Federal land, here in the red, makes up 47 percent of the land ownership in the West. prgtoken Nationwide, the Bureau of Land Management is responsible for managing approximately 700 million acres of Federal mineral estates located underground. That is the entire country, of course, but 245 million acres are surface acres, or Federal surface lands. All but 100,000 acres of those surface acres--all but 100,000 of those acres--are west of the Mississippi River, and located predominantly in the 11 westernmost States and Alaska. prgtoken One of the frustrations I hear from local and county officials and environ
ORDERS FOR THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 2019
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2019-7-31

I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 9:30 a.m Thursday, August 1; 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, morning business be closed, and the Senate proceed to the consideration of H.R. 3877 under the previous order.
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
Cindy Hyde-Smith (Republican, MS) \u2014 2019-7-31

in my maiden floor speech on May 9, I spoke on behalf of thousands of Mississippians suffering from consecutive months of catastrophic flooding in the South Mississippi Delta. prgtoken Today I rise again to speak on behalf of thousands of Mississippians who are still suffering from catastrophic flooding, which started in January and continues to disrupt the lives of residents in the Mississippi Delta and my State overall. prgtoken Floodwaters must recede before damages can be fully assessed, but we already know that more than 600 households have suffered severe damage, nearly 400 families have been displaced since February, and agricultural losses will likely exceed $800 million. Much of the necessary infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and drainage culverts are beyond repair. prgtoken In June, LaTamela Taylor--13 weeks pregnant--and Darron Wilson died when their car lost control and sank into the floodwaters. Something must be done. prgtoken My colleagues might ask: How could an area more than 11 times the size of Washington, DC, remain underwater for nearly 7 months? How could floodwaters swamp more than half a million acres of homes, businesses, highways, forests, and farmlands spanning six Mississippi counties for so long? prgtoken The answer is quite simple. Similar to New Orleans, a complex system of levees and floodgates constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers protected the roughly 1,446-square-mile Yazoo Backwater area in West Central Mississippi. This levee system protects the areas when the Mississippi River is high and the floodgates are closed. However, these same protections become the problem when the river is high, floodgates are closed, and excess rainfall occurs. The interior creeks and rivers have no way to drain, and the result is a bathtub-like effect. prgtoken Unlike New Orleans and numerous Federal flood control projects up and down the Mississippi River, there is no mechanism to remove the trapped water from the Yazoo Backwater area. Aside from evaporation, pumping is the only viable option for removing vast amounts of water that have no place to go. prgtoken This year, the Mississippi River remained above flood stage longer than anytime in recorded history. The floodgates to prevent the Mississippi River from backing up into the Yazoo Backwater area were closed in January. Above-average rainfall occurred in the months thereafter, and here we are today with a disaster on our hands. prgtoken For nearly 7 months, more than a half million acres of land--866- square-mile area--has been underwater. Little attention outside of Mississippi was paid to the lives lost, the destroyed homes, or the displaced families. prgtoken Roughly, 225,000 acres of agricultural crops have been destroyed or will go unplanted this year. Hundreds of thousands of acres of Timberland ruined. Whitetail deer, black bear, turkey, and other wildlife are starving to death and spreading the dis
VOTE EXPLANATION
Tim Kaine (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2019-7-31

on July 30, 2019, I was absent for the following rollcall votes due to a commitment in Williamsburg, VA, for an event surrounding the 400th commemorative session of the Virginia General Assembly. prgtoken Had I been present I would have voted ``nay'' on confirmation: Sean D. Jordan, of Texas, to be U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Texas--rollcall vote 241, PN205; ``nay'' on motion to invoke cloture: Mark T. Pittman to be U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Texas--rollcall vote 242, PN207; ``nay'' on motion to invoke cloture: Jeffery Vincent Brown, of Texas, to be U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of Texas--rollcall vote 243, PN510; ``nay'' on motion to invoke cloture: Brantley Starr, of Texas, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Texas-- rollcall vote 244, PN512; ``yea'' on motion to invoke cloture: Stephanie L. Haines, of Pennsylvania, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Pennsylvania--rollcall vote 245, PN453; ``yea'' on motion to invoke cloture: Ada E. Brown to be U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Texas--rollcall vote 246, PN524; ``yea'' on motion to invoke cloture Steven D. Grimberg, of Georgia, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Georgia--rollcall vote 247, PN566; ``nay'' on motion to invoke cloture on Jason K. Pulliam, of Texas, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Texas--rollcall vote 248, PN454; ``yea'' on motion to invoke cloture on Martha Maria Pacold, of Illinois, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Illinois--rollcall vote 249, PN780; ``yea'' on motion to invoke cloture on Steven C. Seeger, of Illinois, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Illinois--rollcall vote 250, PN782; and ``nay'' on motion to invoke cloture on William Shaw Stickman IV, of Pennsylvania, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Pennsylvania--roll call vote 251, PN727.
CLIMATE CHANGE
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2019-7-31

on climate, I am pleased to share that the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works did something amazing and groundbreaking yesterday. It passed the first ever climate title in a transportation reauthorization bill. prgtoken Thanks to the Senate on the committee and to particularly Ranking Member Carper's hard work, the highway bill actually includes $10 billion that will be dedicated to climate-focused programs and policies in order to reduce emissions and improve the resiliency of our transportation infrastructure to climate change and natural disasters. It includes funds for States to reduce carbon emissions, support for electric and alternative-fuel vehicles, reductions in emissions from ports and roadways, and investments in climate-resistant infrastructure. prgtoken Less than a year ago, I said, in moving forward, the would demand that climate change be addressed in any infrastructure bill. This bill, with its $10 billion investment in climate, is a product of that demand. This will be the first time serious money has been included in an infrastructure package to fight climate change, but it certainly will not be the last. prgtoken The clock is ticking when it comes to climate change. We need to make progress whenever we can and as quickly as we can. If the leader will not bring legislation to the floor, the will be prepared to take the lead and fight for climate progress at every opportunity we get. That is precisely what this $10 billion climate investment in the highway bill represents. Again, I thank Senator Carper for his leadership, his skill, and his persistence in getting it done. prgtoken Protecting our country and the world from the threat of climate change is no less than a moral obligation. When we return from the recess, the will continue to look for more opportunities to make progress on climate change.
E-FRONTIER ACT
Ron Wyden (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2019-7-31

today I wish to give notice of my intent to object to any unanimous consent agreement regarding S. 918, the E- FRONTIER Act. prgtoken In January of 2018, media reports revealed that officials in the National Security Council were considering a proposal for the Federal Government to pay for and build a national 5G telecommunications network. This proposal was then widely criticized by top administration officials, including Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai and White House Economic Adviser Larry Kudlow. The President himself subsequently distanced himself from the proposal and made it clear that he favored a 5G strategy that is private-sector driven and led. prgtoken In response to this controversial proposal, a Senator introduced the E-FRONTIER Act. This bill prohibits the Federal Government from constructing, operating, or offering retail or wholesale services on broadband networks absent congressional authorization. prgtoken My colleague stated the bill is intended to ``protect commercial 5G broadband networks from nationalization without authorization from Congress.'' While I agree that there is no need, at the current time, for the Federal Government to offer commercial wireless service in well-served urban markets, I do not believe that Congress should be taking any options off the table when it comes to delivering high-speed wireless broadband to rural communities that have long been ignored by the private sector. prgtoken This bill is also drafted so that its impact would extend significantly beyond its stated goal. Not only would my colleagues' proposal prohibit the Federal Government from operating commercial wireless networks without explicit congressional authorization, but it would also prohibit the government from operating wireline networks, such as fiber and cable networks. prgtoken Passing this legislation would bar the Federal Government from offering fiber-to-the-home connectivity to the tens of millions or Americans who currently have no meaningful option for high-speed broadband internet access at home. In effect, it would tell Americans in rural and low-income communities across the country that, if the private sector does not think it can make a profit offering service in their communities, that is the end of the line for them. Outside of providing subsidies, the Federal Government would be barred from addressing these market failures by contracting to build the infrastructure itself. prgtoken Time and time again, Congress has, on an overwhelmingly bipartisan basis, maintained the critical importance of delivering broadband to all Americans, and not just those in big cities. This body should not ban any option for internet connectivity without fulsome debate and regular order. prgtoken Unfortunately, this need case is far from a hypothetical. As many as 162 million Americans across the country do not have access to internet service at broadband speeds, a
Election Security (Executive Session)
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2019-7-31

as those who are following on C-SPAN have probably noted, we are not overwhelmed with business on the floor of the U.S. Senate, nor have we been during the course of this year. prgtoken We have considered several bills--you could count them on one hand-- including the Defense authorization bill, and, of course, the momentous, historic legislation 2 weeks ago, the tax treaty with Luxembourg, which had been pending before the U.S. Senate for 9 years. It finally made it to the floor of the Senate. That was the highlight of the week, as we have watched the U.S. Senate ignore some of the most important issues of our time. prgtoken Let me tell you one that strikes at the heart of our democracy, which we should be focused on today and until it is resolved. Last week, former FBI Director and Special Counsel Bob Mueller testified before the House Judiciary Committee about his report on Russian interference in the 2016 election. The hearing clarified several important things. For example, President loves to claim that the Mueller report completely exonerated him. 's tweets, one after another, talk about how he was exonerated by that report. Director Mueller made clear that is ``not what the report said.'' prgtoken When asked by the House Judiciary chairman ``Did you actually totally exonerate the President?'' Director Mueller answered ``no.'' prgtoken President likes to say the Mueller investigation was a witch hunt. He has said that about 1,000 times. But the investigation actually led to 37 indictments and over $42 million in assets forfeited to the government. If this were a witch hunt, it certainly found a lot of wealthy witches. prgtoken Some members of the House Judiciary Committee tried to attack Director Mueller's credibility, but Mueller has a lifetime record of being a straight shooter, by-the-book investigator, and prosecutor. He did this country a service when he took on the role of special counsel. prgtoken One thing Director Mueller tried to remind the American people of is the reason the investigation was necessary. He said: Over the course of my career, I have seen a number of challenges to our democracy. The Russian government's effort to interfere in our election is among the most serious. prgtoken Mueller went on to say: ``This deserves the attention of every American.'' prgtoken One of the most important takeaways from the Mueller report is that Russia did successfully attack our democracy in 2016. Page 1 of the Mueller report says: ``The Russian Government interfered in the 2016 presidential election in sweeping and systematic fashion.'' prgtoken The report detailed numerous examples, including an ``intelligence- gathering mission'' that employees of the Internet Research Agency, known as the IRA, took in June of 2014. prgtoken The IRA was the Russian troll farm that waged information warfare against the 2016 election by using stolen identities, f
Opioid Epidemic (Executive Session)
Margaret Wood Hassan (Democrat, NH) \u2014 2019-7-31

I rise today to discuss the need to hold the pharmaceutical industry accountable for putting profits before the health and well-being of our people and our communities. prgtoken I know that my colleague, Senator Brown from Ohio, came to the floor earlier this week to call out bad actors in the pharmaceutical industry who have fueled our country's substance misuse crisis, and I am grateful for Senator Brown's leadership in calling attention to this issue, and I join him in the effort. prgtoken We are constantly learning more and more about the unconscionable ways that pharmaceutical companies fueled the substance misuse crisis-- a crisis that is killing more than 100 people a day in the United States. prgtoken Recent data released by the Drug Enforcement Administration showed that between 2006 and 2012, just 6 years, companies distributed 76 billion pills of oxycodone and hydrocodone throughout the country, including 290 million pills that were sent to New Hampshire, a State with only 1.3 million people. That works out to about 30 pills per person per year in the Granite State. prgtoken As they distributed those unfathomable amounts of opioids, pharmaceutical companies pushed these drugs with deceptive marketing tactics, despite the known risks of addiction, to maximize their profits. One of these tactics even included pushing the unproven concept of pseudoaddiction. This false claim asserted that patients showing signs of addiction weren't actually addicted but instead needed even higher doses of opioids. The solution that these scam artists pushed to address addiction was to encourage the prescribing of even more opioids. So instead of providing actual addiction treatment to those suffering from substance use disorder, some patients just received more drugs. prgtoken That kind of strategy enabled the pharmaceutical industry to dole out those billions of doses of opioids and profit enormously from it, leaving in prgtoken their wake an opioid crisis that is devastating communities. prgtoken Outrageously, as they have aggressively pushed doctors to prescribe these opioids, a tax loophole has enabled Big Pharma to write off the cost of television ads that blanketed the airwaves, encouraging more and more people to seek opioids from their doctors for pain relief, oblivious to the harm that these drugs could do. I have joined with Senator Brown, as well as Senator Shaheen, on legislation to close that loophole and end taxpayer subsidies for drug ads, and I am going to continue to push for transparency from these companies. prgtoken In addition to the devastating impact that Big Pharma has had in fueling the substance misuse crisis, the industry has also hurt patients by massively increasing the cost of prescription drugs. prgtoken One of the top issues I hear about from people in New Hampshire is that affording lifesaving medications is becoming more and more out of reach, and high drug costs are too ofte