mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
RELATING TO A NATIONAL EMERGENCY DECLARED BY THE PRESIDENT ON FEBRUARY 15, 2019
Susan M. Collins (Republican, ME) \u2014 2019-3-14

. Thank you. prgtoken , later today, the Senate will make a significant decision with implications for our constitutional system of government. prgtoken We will vote on a resolution to reverse the President's ill-advised national emergency declaration that funds the construction of a border wall using money that Congress has appropriated and the President has signed into law for other purposes, such as military construction. prgtoken I want to thank Senator Udall, the Senator from New Mexico, for working together with me. We introduced a companion resolution to overturn the President's declaration, and I commend Senator Udall for his leadership. prgtoken By declaring a national emergency, the President's action comes into direct conflict with Congress's authority to determine the appropriation of funds, a power vested in Congress by the Framers of our Constitution in article I, section 9. That is why this issue is not about strengthening our border security, a goal that I support and have voted to advance. Rather, it is a solemn occasion involving whether this body will stand up for its institutional prerogatives and will support the separation of powers enshrined in our Constitution. prgtoken Throughout our history the courts have consistently held that ``only Congress is empowered by the Constitution to adopt laws directing monies to be spent from the U.S. treasury.'' prgtoken For the past 65 years, the courts have determined the boundary of Presidential authority vis-a-vis Congress under the doctrine of Youngstown Sheet & Tube, the 1952 Supreme Court case that reversed President Truman's seizure of U.S. steel companies during the Korean war. prgtoken As Justice Robert Jackson explained in his profoundly influential concurrence in that case, the question of whether a President's actions are constitutionally valid should be determined by examining the source of the President's authority. In this concurrence, the Justice goes through three scenarios in which he assesses the President's power. prgtoken According to Justice Jackson, when acts taken by the President are against the express or implied will of Congress, the President's power is at its lowest ebb. President 's declaration clearly falls in that category. prgtoken The President rests his declaration on the National Emergencies Act, and that act fails to define precisely what constitutes an emergency. There is a commonsense rule we can apply. It is a five-part test that was used by the Office of Management and Budget under prgtoken former President George Herbert Walker to determine whether requested funding merited an emergency designation under our budget rules. Under that test, a spending request was designated as an emergency only if the need for spending met a five-part test. It had to be necessary, sudden, urgent, unforeseen, and not permanent. prgtoken Whether one agrees with President that more should be done to secure our s
CONGRATULATING FIRST SERGEANT IAN McCLURE
Liz Cheney (Republican, WY) \u2014 2019-3-14

I rise today to congratulate First Sergeant Ian McClure, U.S. Army, for being named the 2018 Allied Command Operations Military Member of the Year. prgtoken A 2003 graduate of East High School in Cheyenne, Wyoming, First Sergeant McClure went on to serve in the Army Special Forces in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Mali, and he is now stationed at NATO Special Operations headquarters in Belgium. prgtoken First Sergeant McClure was selected for this award because of his superior performance and professional excellence. I am proud that General Scaparrotti recognized First Sergeant McClure's significant contributions to the success of alliance operations. prgtoken Sergeant McClure exemplifies the best that Wyoming and our country has to offer, and I thank him for his service and his sacrifices for our freedom. prgtoken Again, , I am proud to congratulate First Sergeant Ian McClure on this prestigious honor and for being a brilliant example for the entire State of Wyoming.
IN HONOR OF EDWARD WINFIELD TAYLOR
David Rouzer (Republican, NC) \u2014 2019-3-14

. Madam , it is an honor to bring to the attention of this distinguished body Mr. Edward Winfield Taylor of Clinton, North Carolina, who recently celebrated his 90th birthday. Mr. Taylor is a dedicated community leader in Sampson County and in commemoration of Mr. Taylor's outstanding achievements and service to the community, Mayor Lew Starling of Clinton proclaimed Saturday, February 9, 2019, as ``Edward W. Taylor Day.'' prgtoken This is a well-deserved honor. Mr. Taylor helped shape countless lives during his 36-year tenure as an admired teacher and band director at Clinton High School. He even went on to earn induction into the North Carolina Bandmasters Association Hall of Fame in 2011. Mr. Taylor helped make a small-town band competitive with some of largest bands across the state, marching in several national parades such as the Lion's International Parade in New York and the Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C. prgtoken Mr. Taylor's service to the community extended beyond his role as a teacher and band director. He taught Bible school at Graves Memorial Presbyterian Church for twenty years and coached baseball and football at the Clinton Recreation Department for fifteen years. Not only has he dedicated his life to serving his community and youth, he also served in the United States Air Force where he was a drum major for the marching band. prgtoken Edward Taylor and many others just like him brought liberty to millions throughout the world during a very dark time of world-history, and he is one of the giants of his time who made America great by doing his part day in and day out to influence the lives around him and serving our country every step of the way. prgtoken Congratulations to Mr. Taylor on 90 great years. May God continue to bless him. prgtoken Madam , I include in the Record the proclamation of the mayor of Clinton. ``Edward W. Taylor Day'' Happy 90th Birthday Whereas, family and friends will come together at Coharie Country Club, 101 Coharie Lane, Clinton, NC, on this day, Saturday, February 9, 2019, and celebrate the life of MR. EDWARD W. TAYLOR; and Whereas, February 12, 2019, will mark the 90th birthday of this outstanding man of Clinton, Sampson County, North Carolina; and Whereas, Mr. Edward W. Taylor was born February 12, 1929 in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina; and Whereas, he has been blesed throughout the years and others have been blessed by him in many ways. He has contributed much to the City of Clinton and surrounding areas as a band director at Clinton High School for 36 years that won titles at the state and national levels in some of the most prestigious events; and Whereas, his name is known throughout the land: he led Clinton High School bands that marched the Lion's Club Parade in New York, Atlanta, and New Orlea
REMEMBERING THE EIGHTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SYRIAN CONFLICT
Alexander X. Mooney (Republican, WV) \u2014 2019-3-14

I stand here today in remembrance of the eighth anniversary of the Syrian conflict, which resulted in the tragic loss of many human lives and the destabilization of the entire region. prgtoken This is all because of the dictator Bashar Assad, who is unwilling to step aside and heed the Syrian people's call for freedom. After destroying Syria, Assad is now attempting to attract economic investment. But in addition to killing over 400,000 Syrians of the Muslim faith, Assad has also failed to protect the religious minority of Christians in Syria. prgtoken Having personally met with the Syrian Christians for Peace, I have heard firsthand how Assad repeatedly targeted Syria's most vulnerable populations. prgtoken Few Christians continue to live in Assad's Syria, due to brutality by pro-Assad militias. That is why we must support the administration's isolation of the regime and its allies in Tehran and Moscow. That is why the Senate must follow the House and pass the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act.
SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019--Motion to Proceed
Lisa Murkowski (Republican, AK) \u2014 2019-3-14

I am here on the Senate floor today to talk about a sporting event--an event that captures the attention of people not only in my State of Alaska but around the country and around the globe. I am talking about the ``Last Great Race on Earth.'' It is a pretty fancy, big, and impressive title for what really happens--the ultimate challenge with man, woman, and dogs--a 1,100-mile sled dog race from Anchorage to Nome, up north. prgtoken I will share with you all a picture that was taken at 3:39 a.m. on Wednesday morning, March 13. Obviously, it is the middle of the night. I know everybody thinks that it is always dark in Alaska this time of year, but it is not. This is at 3:39 a.m. on Wednesday, March 13. It is pitch dark. You can't really see it in this picture, but the snow is coming down. The wind is blowing. It is pretty dang cold. Temperatures are down in the teens, but you have some wind blowing. So it gets your attention. prgtoken What you are seeing here is Front Street in Nome, AK. At 3:30 in the morning, the street is packed. It is lined with hundreds of people who are cheering loudly. These are people from all over the country--fans, friends, and family who have come from across Alaska and flown into Nome. Some of them chartered an aircraft coming out of the YK Delta. They flew into Nome, a community of about 4,000 people, to witness this moment--to witness the moment that Pete Kaiser, born and raised in Bethel, AK, came into town with eight dogs in harness and came down the street to cross the finish line and claim victory as the 2019 Iditarod champion. He was just 12 minutes ahead of the defending champion, Joar Leifseth Ulsom, who is originally from Norway but who now lives with us in Alaska. This is probably one of the closest Iditarod races we have in some time. prgtoken Jessie Royer, of Fairbanks, a friend of my family and a great lady, came in at third place. prgtoken When you talk about the ``Last Great Race'' of 1,100 miles across extraordinary terrain, Pete Kaiser took 9 days, 12 hours, and 38 minutes to complete this--9 days, 12 hours, and 38 minutes. prgtoken Think about how you cover 1,100 miles on the back of a dog sled. Typically, with dogs, when you are moving prgtoken really fast, you are moving along at about 10 miles an hour, but you are going over some incredible terrain, and you are doing this not just between 8 and 5, but you are running the trail over the course of days and weeks. prgtoken Here is Pete Kaiser. He has just crossed the finish line. He has his hands thrown up in the air in celebration. He hugged his family. He wiped the tears from his face. It is one of those moments that he will always, always remember. The feeling is probably hard to fathom, but for Pete, a young man who grew up in Western Alaska, somebody who is often referred to as an encyclopedia of racing knowledge, somebody who is known in his community for his hard work and dedication, somebody
SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019--Motion to Proceed
Deb Fischer (Republican, NE) \u2014 2019-3-14

have put forward proposals claiming that it is the duty of the Federal Government to create a so- called Green New Deal. prgtoken My colleagues have listed a variety of goals, like net-zero greenhouse gas emissions within a decade, good jobs for all, and a sustainable environment and infrastructure, but they haven't proposed any specific policy changes or a roadmap of how to reach these goals. The reason for that is clear. As the resolution's authors have said, these proposals would require a massive Federal Government takeover and reorganization of our country as a whole. We are learning that what it would take to accomplish these goals is unrealistic. We should call the Green New Deal exactly what it is--an attack on what should be the limited role of the Federal Government in our lives. prgtoken I want to address Nebraskans directly, and I want to analyze a few details that are part of this resolution's attack on rural America, which is an attack on Nebraska because our State's economy and the well-being of all Nebraska families is reliant on a strong agricultural economy. prgtoken One section of the resolution speaks to our Nation's agriculture sector. Properly managing our environment is important, and Nebraska's agricultural producers who feed and fuel our world know better than anyone about conservation and stewardship. This is a serious issue, and it deserves a serious and a sensible approach. prgtoken The early fact sheets that came out describing the Green New Deal offered mind-boggling proposals, like eliminating cows. This idea was so ridiculous that the balked and distanced themselves from this concept. In fact, while the Nebraska ic Party announced their support for the Green New Deal, Nebraska's ic Party chairman recently apologized to fellow Nebraskans for the anti- agriculture ideas that are included in it. prgtoken Tom Vilsack, a former Iowa Governor and former Secretary of Agriculture in the administration, was spot-on with his comments about the greatness of American agriculture during a congressional hearing in 2016. He pointed this out: Every one of us that's not a farmer, is not a farmer because we have farmers. We delegate the responsibility of feeding our families to a relatively small percentage of this country. Eighty-five percent of what's grown in this country, it's raised by 2- to 300,000 people. It is an incredible freedom that we take for granted . . . and rather than being criticized, we ought to be celebrating these people . . . and we don't do it enough. prgtoken I could not agree more. Nebraska farmers and ranchers feed a hungry world. Our soybeans, dairy, wheat, pork, eggs, and potatoes reach family dinner tables around the globe. prgtoken Nebraska is known as the Beef State. We are the No. 1 exporter of beef in the Nation. In 2017, Nebraska exported well over $1 billion in be
HONORING THE LIFE AND SERVICE OF CAPTAIN JAKE RINGERING
Rodney Davis (Republican, IL) \u2014 2019-3-14

I rise today to honor the life and service of Captain Jake Ringering, a beloved member of the Godfrey Fire Protection District who tragically lost his life in the line of duty on March 5. prgtoken While responding to a fire in Bethalto, members of the Godfrey Fire Protection District were attempting to suppress the fire from outside when the building partially collapsed. Captain Ringering and Firefighter Luke Warner both sustained injuries from the collapse. prgtoken Captain Ringering served as a firefighter for more than 18 years, beginning with the East Alton Fire Department before joining the Godfrey Fire Department in 2010. He was promoted to captain in May 2014. prgtoken The Godfrey fire chief described him as ``gold'' and leaving a legacy that will be remembered for a long time. Godfrey's mayor, and my friend, Mike McCormick, said his passing leaves ``hard boots to fill.'' prgtoken Captain Ringering is survived by his wife and three young children. Please join me in keeping his family, as well as the Godfrey community, in your thoughts and prayers.
GENERAL LEAVE
Will Hurd (Republican, TX) \u2014 2019-3-14

I thank the chairman for his indulgence. prgtoken , I rise in support of this resolution because I want the whole truth and nothing but the truth to come to light in this matter; I want to know what Vladimir Putin did to our electoral process; I want to know the failures of the administration in reacting to this attack in real time; I want any Americans complicit to face severe consequences; and I want the American people to know as much as they can and see as much as they can. prgtoken As a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, I support the efforts and the request for all information pertaining to this investigation to be open to the public. That includes all witness lists, every interview transcript, and every document provided. prgtoken The taxpayers paid millions for this information, and they should get to see all of it and not just the assessment of one person. prgtoken This resolution should have been broader; it should have been deeper; and it should have covered everything dealing with the investigation. But it is a step in the right direction. prgtoken I hope my colleagues on the other side of the aisle accept the calls for all the information to be made public because full transparency is the only way to prevent future speculation. Full transparency is the only way to prevent future innuendo. prgtoken , I urge a ``yes'' vote.
RECOGNIZING THE AMERICAN LEGION
Mike Crapo (Republican, ID) \u2014 2019-3-14

I congratulate the American Legion on its 100-year anniversary. prgtoken On March 15, 1919, the first American Legion caucus was held. Later that year, Congress established the American Legion as a federally chartered corporation with purposes that include ``to cement the ties and comradeship born of service; and to consecrate the efforts of its members to mutual helpfulness and service to their country.'' The original membership to the American Legion was extended to those who served in the Armed Forces during World War I, which had ended a few months before the organization was started. Over the past 100 years, its membership has grown to nearly 2 million, with more than 12,000 posts. prgtoken I recently joined fellow Senators in cosponsoring S. 504, the Let Everyone Get Involved in Opportunities for National Service, or LEGION, Act, which would enable the American Legion to establish its own membership criteria instead of requiring an act of Congress to change eligibility requirements. In this legislation, we recognize the American Legion ``provides invaluable services to its members and supports the community of veterans who sacrificed in service of the United States,'' and it ``has aided, assisted, and comforted the families of the men and women who were called to serve or volunteered to serve . . .'' prgtoken I join many others across our country, including local posts, in recognizing the American Legion's century of representation of American veterans. In Idaho alone, there are approximately 9,750 Idaho members of the American Legion as of 2018. prgtoken Thank you to the American Legion and its membership for your outstanding service to our country and America's veterans. Congratulations on 100 years of achievements on their behalf. I look forward to our continued work ahead to ensure veterans have access to the highest quality services worthy of their remarkable dedication to our Nation.
TRIBUTE TO SEAN O'DONNELL AND IVANNA FRITZ
Steve Daines (Republican, MT) \u2014 2019-3-14

this week I have the distinct honor of recognizing Sean O'Donnell and Ivanna Fritz of Flathead County for their recent induction into the Montana Forensic Educations Association Coaches Hall of Fame. prgtoken Sean O'Donnell, a lifelong Montanan has spent the majority of his life in Kalispell, MT. Mr. O'Donnell attended Carrol College in Helena, MT, and it was here that Sean fell in love with coaching high school speech and debate. After graduation, he went back to Kalispell to teach and went on to join the Flathead coaching staff in 1992. Over the past 22 years, Mr. O'Donnell has gone on to win 10 State championships, as well as winning Class AA coach of the year twice. prgtoken Ivanna Fritz, from eastern Montana, fell in love with speech and debate in college, which she took as a requirement for a communication degree. Ms. Fritz then went on to coach high school speech in debate, joining the Flathead coaching staff in 1995, until taking up a teaching position at Glacier High School in 2007, where she teaches and coaches today. Ivanna has won a total of 13 State championships, along with winning Class AA coach of the year. prgtoken I congratulate Sean O'Donnell and Ivanna Fritz, for their remarkable journey of 20 years of teaching and coaching in Flathead County. I look forward to seeing their continued success.
GOOD NEWS ABOUT THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC
Steve Chabot (Republican, OH) \u2014 2019-3-14

today I rise to address an issue that impacts all our congressional districts and communities: the opioid crisis. prgtoken For years now, it seems that the only news about it has been bad news: 70,000 overdose deaths in 2017, widespread importation of deadly drugs like fentanyl, families devastated, lives wasted. prgtoken But now, finally, some good news to report. In my district, specifically, in prgtoken Hamilton County, we have had a 20 percent decrease in opioid deaths in the first half of 2018. prgtoken The decline is the result of multiple prevention efforts, a task force of first responders, law enforcement, health officials, and community leaders all working together to tackle this deadly epidemic. Their efforts are truly saving lives in our community. prgtoken Most importantly, their successes can be used as a model to help save thousands and thousands of lives across the country. And I can't think of any better news than that.
COMMUNITY SERVICES BLOCK GRANT
Glenn Thompson (Republican, PA) \u2014 2019-3-14

I rise today in support of H.R. 1695, the Community Services Block Grant Reauthorization Act of 2019. prgtoken This bill renews our Nation's commitment to reducing poverty through locally driven, comprehensive approaches. prgtoken I am proud to lead this legislation with Congresswoman Betty McCollum. prgtoken , the Community Services Block Grant traces its roots back more than 50 years ago to the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964. This act established local committee action agencies to help people identify why people were in poverty and how to address it using public and private resources and partnerships. prgtoken Virtually every county in America has a community action agency. They act as a safety net for low-income individuals and families, but, more importantly, they help to create opportunities to raise people out of poverty--from poverty to independence. prgtoken The Community Services Block Grant is the only Federal program with the explicit goal of reducing poverty, regardless of its cause. Unfortunately, this program has not been reauthorized in more than 20 years, which is unacceptable. prgtoken It is time to reauthorize the Community Services Block Grant, and I urge all my colleagues to cosponsor and support this bill.