mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2019--Continued
Robert Menendez (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2018-6-12

at the G-7 Summit in Charlevoix, Canada, on June 9, 2018, President stated the following in regard to the Russian Federation rejoining this group of the world's seven most industrialized and powerful nations: ``It would be an asset to have Russia back in. I think it would be good for the world. I think it would be good for Russia. I think it would be good for the United States. I think it would be good for all of the countries of the current G-7. I think the G8 would be better.'' prgtoken Such a statement, even for this President, is stunning. prgtoken On March 24, 2014, the current group of G-7 states suspended the Russian prgtoken Federation, in response to its illegal invasion and occupation of the Ukrainian territory of Crimea. Since then, the Government of the Russian Federation continues to illegally occupy Crimea and has utterly failed to fulfill its obligations under the Minsk Agreements to end its violent aggression in eastern Ukraine. Russia has failed to respect a full ceasefire; it has failed to pull back its heavy weaponry; it has failed to permit the monitoring and verification of a ceasefire regime; and it has failed to ensure access for humanitarian aid to conflict- affected individuals. prgtoken The story does not stop with Ukraine. Since 2014, the Government of the Russian Federation has greatly expanded its aggression around the world, including against the United States with the attack on our 2016 election. The Kremlin continues to interfere in elections, wage cyber attacks, engage in corruption and political meddling, and spread lies and disinformation--all with the goal to divide societies, undermine the rules-based international order, and break up longstanding transatlantic alliances. Our intelligence community has repeatedly asserted that the Kremlin will likely target our elections again this fall. The very ideal of democracy as a system of government is under constant assault from a Kremlin bent on destroying the international rules-based order. prgtoken Upon considering these facts, no observer could seriously think Russia deserves to be welcomed back into the G-7 club. Any such suggestion is ludicrous and must be dismissed out of hand. prgtoken The United States is a country long governed by the rule of law, where breaking the rules has consequences. More broadly, the United States has helped to create the rules-based order in the international community that has undoubtedly served the interests of the American people and benefited the world since the end of WWII by fostering peace and prosperity. The United States is bound with other G-7 nations not just because of the size of our economies, but because of our shared values and common cause to foster societies in which our citizens can live freely, peacefully, and prosperously. Inviting the current Government of the Russian Federation to rejoin the circle of G-7 world leaders when President Vladimir Putin's re
2-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF PULSE NIGHTCLUB SHOOTING
Val Butler Demings (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2018-6-12

we are here tonight to honor the victims of Pulse. They deserve to be remembered. Their families deserve recognition, and they also deserve action. The men, the women, the mothers, the fathers, the sons and daughters, the brothers and sisters gunned down in our country deserve remembrance. prgtoken They also deserve courage from their leaders. They deserve action from us. prgtoken As we utilize the last, I guess, 11 minutes now, I will yield to Congressman Soto to just kind of wrap up his thoughts and leave with us some words that, hopefully, will carry us to the right direction.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2019--Continued
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2018-6-12

this is the first I am aware of this amendment. It was given to me this afternoon to take a look at. I don't have any history with it. prgtoken It is interesting and coincidental that today is the 94th birthday of President George Herbert Walker , the first President of the United States to ever live to the age of 94, a World War II decorated veteran, a man who served this country in so many different ways. prgtoken This effort to eliminate the expenses--an amount that is paid to him as a former President--I had not seen before today. I am told this amendment would save the Treasury $4.3 million a year. So I would like to suggest to the Senator from Iowa--I am going to make an official request in this regard. We can do much better than $4.3 million a year in deficit reduction. prgtoken I am going to ask the Senator from Iowa if she will modify her request to shave $404 million over 10 years by ensuring that millionaires across the United States--in Illinois and in Iowa--don't receive generous crop insurance subsidies. prgtoken Big agribusiness in Iowa and Illinois receive government subsidies to the tune of nearly $600 million. A GAO study found that 4 percent of the most profitable farmers in America accounted for 33 percent of all the Federal premium support. prgtoken My legislation that I am asking to be added to the Senator's amendment would reduce premium support for producers with an AGI, adjusted gross income, higher than $750,000 a year, and it will only reduce it by 15 percent. prgtoken So I ask the Senator to modify her request so the text of her amendment be modified with the changes at the desk.
HONORING THE LIFE AND WORK OF SAL VENTURA
Zoe Lofgren (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2018-6-12

I rise today to recognize over three decades of the dedicated work and compassionate leadership of Mr. Sal Ventura in service of improving the lives of working families in our community. prgtoken Sal was born in San Jose in the late 50's. Raised and educated in Santa Clara County, he completed the San Jose City College Labor Studies Program and started his long and storied career with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) with an apprenticeship in 1981. Sal was hired as IBEW staff in the Organizing Department in January, 1995, and by May, 1997, he was appointed as Business Agent. prgtoken In all, Sal spent 36 years as a member of the IBEW and 32 years as a member of the IBEW Local 332 Political Action Committee, serving as Chairman for 14 years. Over the course of his career, Sal served as an elected Executive Board member and as Vice President of IBEW 332. As he retires, Sal is the current President of the South Bay Labor Council executive board and the assistant manager of IBEW Local 332. prgtoken During his career, Sal expanded his efforts beyond IBEW and served on many labor and community boards and committees, including as Former Executive Board Member of the South Bay Labor Council, Delegate and former Trustee of the Santa Clara/San Benito Counties Building Trades, and Chairman of the South Bay Labor Council Community Services Committees. Additionally, Sal has served on the Board of Christmas in April/Rebuild Together Silicon Valley and with our community radio station, KKUP. prgtoken , I hereby recognize and commend Sal Ventura for his lifelong work and commitment to work in the best interest of our community. I congratulate him on his impressive career and commend him on his invaluable service. As Sal continues his life in San Jose with his wife, Jenny, his two daughters, two puppies, and a parakeet, I wish him a restful and fulfilling retirement. We have been lucky to have him.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2019
Bill Nelson (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2018-6-12

while the Senator from Kentucky is here, I want to get his attention and say that the very laudatory comments the majority whip has said about the Senator--I can add to the accolades for the Senator from Kentucky by pointing out that he and I have a common trait, a common denominator between us: We both married above ourselves. His wife, the Honorable Elaine Chao, now our Secretary of Transportation, former prgtoken Secretary of Labor--they are truly one of the remarkable couples of political leadership in the Nation's Capital. I congratulate him on the comments by the majority whip today. Gun Violence prgtoken , I am wearing this ribbon because the Orlando community is mourning once again. Last night, there was another shooting, and a number of people have been killed again. Today marks 2 years since the tragic massacre at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, 2 years since a gunman walked into the club with a Sig Sauer MCX assault rifle and killed 49 innocent people. They were there celebrating Latin American night at a gay nightclub. It was one of the deadliest mass shootings in modern U.S. history with 49 deaths, only to be eclipsed by the massacre of 58 people a year ago in Las Vegas. In the carnage, a number of people were severely wounded, and those who did not actually have physical wounds have the mental and emotional wounds that are not unlike the PTSD that our soldiers suffer from and have to be treated for for years and years. That is true in the Orlando community as a result of the massacre at the Pulse nightclub. Orlando is mourning again at this 2-year mark. prgtoken There were some incredible things that came out of this. I have never seen the Orlando community so united, with the leadership of the entire community, regardless of their politics, wearing these kinds of ribbons to point out their unity and using the phrase ``Orlando Strong.'' prgtoken Today is a day to pause and honor the victims and the survivors and to once again thank the first responders who put their lives on the line to save so many more. Law enforcement was magnificent. The SWAT team was magnificent. I talked to the SWAT team. There was one of the SWAT members who actually had stitches across his forehead. But for millimeters, he would have been dead. That was one of the rounds from the assault rifle. prgtoken I talked to the trauma team at the Orlando regional hospital. A trauma unit just so happened to be about 10 or 15 blocks from the Pulse nightclub. But for that trauma unit, those trauma surgeons and their courage in trying to get victims stabilized, there would have been more deaths. prgtoken This is a day to look back on what we have actually done to prevent another such tragedy from ever happening again. Unfortunately, not much had happened until a bold, very courageous group of students after the massacre in Parkland, FL, at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High Schoo
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2019--Continued
Kirsten E. Gillibrand (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2018-6-12

I rise to urge my colleagues to join me in voting for a bipartisan amendment, No. 2294, the Military Justice Improvement Act. It will fix our broken military justice system. prgtoken I believe our servicemembers deserve a military justice system that is worthy of their sacrifice. That means one that is both professional and fair. I think every one of my colleagues in this Chamber agrees that this is a priority, no matter where you are from and no matter your background. Some of my newer colleagues may be less familiar with this issue. So I am going to tell them what I am talking about. prgtoken We all deeply revere our servicemembers, which means it is not easy to talk about problems within an institution that we treasure so greatly in this country. The fact is that the military has a problem with sexual assault. It is pervasive, it is destroying lives, and it has been going on for years. prgtoken Listen to these most disturbing numbers. prgtoken Since we first introduced this bill 5 years ago, the number of cases that commanders have moved forward has decreased despite an increased number of reports. In fiscal year 2013, 484 cases proceeded to trial, and in fiscal year 2017, only 406 cases proceeded to trial. It is estimated that there were close to 15,000 cases of military sexual assault in 2016. That doesn't even include spouses and civilians in that estimate. It is just an estimate of servicemembers. In a survey of Afghanistan and Iraq veterans--and supported by the Department of Defense's own data--7 out of 10 military sexual assault survivors said they had experienced retaliation or other negative behaviors because they had reported the crimes, and 14 percent of survivors declined even to participate in the justice process after their reporting. That is how little confidence they have in this current system. prgtoken This is after years of our committee's working with the Defense Department to fix this problem. I think we have passed every small- ball, incremental reform anybody has been willing to agree on, and it hasn't made a difference. This is even after every Secretary of Defense since was Secretary of Defense has said there will be zero tolerance for sexual assault in the military. Almost nothing has changed. Listen to these stories. prgtoken In one case, a woman was raped by a servicemember. She went to the hospital. She told a friend. An investigation then started. During the investigation, two more victims came forward to tell their stories. They said they had been raped by the very same servicemember. The military investigative team--the military police--recommended that the case proceed to a court-martial, but because of the way our military justice system works today, a military commander was in charge of the case, not a trained military prosecutor. That commander chose just to discharge the perpetrator--to send him right into the civilian world with no trial, with
COMPREHENSIVE OPIOID RECOVERY CENTERS ACT OF 2018
Gene Green (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2018-6-12

I thank my ranking member. prgtoken , I rise in support of H.R. 5327, the Comprehensive Opioid Recovery Centers Act. prgtoken The opioid epidemic is harming Americans in communities throughout our great country, including my hometown of Houston, Texas. In 2016 alone, over 42,000 Americans died due to an opioid-related overdose, based on data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. prgtoken More must be done to give Americans access to treatment and the full continuum of care they need to recover from substance abuse and live a full and healthy life. prgtoken For these reasons, I was proud to introduce the Comprehensive Opioid Recovery Centers Act with Representatives Brett Guthrie, Ben Ray Lujan, and Larry Bucshon in March. prgtoken This legislation will fund the designated treatment centers where Americans suffering from opioid abuse can receive comprehensive patient-centered care. Our bill would allow designated treatment centers to provide a wider variety of treatment options tailored to the specific needs of its clients. prgtoken Covered services under this bill would include mental health, medication-assisted treatment, counseling, recovery housing, peer support, and job training and placement to support reintegration into the workforce. These wraparound services have been shown to help many Americans who have successfully overcome opioid addiction. It is our intention that this bill will help develop world-class models for treatment and recovery that can be duplicated nationwide. prgtoken I would like to thank Congressmen Guthrie, Lujan, and Bucshon for their hard work on this bill. I would also like to thank our ranking member, Frank Pallone, and our chair, Greg Walden, for their support of our bill and their assistance moving this legislation through committee and on to the House floor today. prgtoken , I ask my colleagues to join me and vote in support of this important legislation.
MANDATORY REPORTING WITH RESPECT TO ADULT BEHAVIORAL HEALTH MEASURES
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2018-6-12

I rise in strong support of H.R. 5583, a bill to Amend Title XI of the Social Security Act to Require States to Annually Report on Certain Adult Health Quality Measures. prgtoken The United States must affirm its role as a leader in domestic care by guaranteeing access to plentiful and accurate information regarding the health of its most vulnerable citizens. prgtoken , over 67.4 million individuals are enrolled in Medicaid as of March of 2018. prgtoken In Texas, Medicaid covers 1 in 14 adults under the age of 65, 1 in 3 low-income individuals, 2 in 5 children, 3 in 5 nursing home residents, and 1 in 3 people with disabilities. prgtoken There are currently over 717 thousand open Medicaid cases in County alone. prgtoken In addition, to doctor and hospital visits, Medicaid covers long-term services like nursing homes and community-based services that allow people with chronic conditions and disabilities to live independently. prgtoken Medicaid covers more than half of all nursing home residents. prgtoken H.R. 5583 requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to expand its core set of adult health quality measures for Medicaid- eligible adults to include measures specific to behavioral health. prgtoken A state Medicaid program must report annually on such measures. prgtoken This bill requires States to use all behavioral health measures included in the core set of adult health quality metrics, and any changes to such measures, to be reported regarding the quality of healthcare for Medicaid-eligible adults. prgtoken By passing this bill and instituting these reporting requirements, we can ensure equitable attention to healthcare for Medicaid-eligible men and women. prgtoken All Americans, no matter their financial circumstances, deserve access to healthcare, and this bill will ensure that discrepancies in care among low-income Americans can be identified and addressed. prgtoken Safeguarding the health and healthcare of our citizens is the best way to concretely demonstrate our dedication to their safety and well- being. prgtoken It is not only the right thing to do for our citizens; it is the smart thing to do for our nation. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to join me in voting for H.R. 5583, a bill that will ensure the healthcare of all Americans can be addressed and improved by requiring annual reports on the health quality of Medicaid- eligible Americans.
EMPOWERING PHARMACISTS IN THE FIGHT AGAINST OPIOID ABUSE ACT
Mark DeSaulnier (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2018-6-12

. Madam , I thank Mr. Pallone for yielding. prgtoken Madam , I rise today to support the Empowering Pharmacists in the Fight Against Opioid Abuse Act. prgtoken In 2016, over 53,000 people died of a drug overdose involving an opioid. These are more deaths in one year than the total number of Americans who died in the entire Vietnam war. prgtoken According to the CDC, on average, 115 people die every day in America from an opioid overdose. The United States is facing a clear opioid epidemic. We have a little over 4 percent of the world's population, but we consume over 80 percent of the opioids in the world. prgtoken There is no simple solution to this growing problem, but the Empowering Pharmacists in the Fight Against Opioid Abuse Act is a step towards addressing it. prgtoken This bipartisan bill will require the Department of Health and Human Services and the DEA to develop materials to increase the amount of education done to ensure that pharmacists, physicians, and the public understand that pharmacists have both a right and a responsibility to deny possibly fraudulent prescriptions. prgtoken Pharmacists are often the last line of defense in the fight against drug abuse. Pharmacists are currently allowed to exercise sound professional judgment when deciding whether a prescription is legitimate and should be filled. This bill would make sure that everyone in the prescribing chain, from doctors to pharmacists to patients, know what a pharmacist can and should do. prgtoken By empowering pharmacists to the fullest extent, we can help reduce the number of opioids on the streets, slow the flow of fraudulent prescriptions, and help fight back against one of the causes of this epidemic. prgtoken Madam , , Mr. Carter, from Georgia for his support and expertise as the only pharmacist serving in Congress, in making this bill a reality. prgtoken Additionally, I thank the National Community Pharmacists Association for their support, insight and help throughout the process of drafting this bill. prgtoken I also thank Chairman Walden and Ranking Member Pallone for their support of this legislation.
YEAR OF THE HAWAIIAN
Mazie K. Hirono (Democrat, HI) \u2014 2018-6-12

last weekend, we gathered in the Capitol Visitor Center to celebrate the 283rd birthday of King Kamehameha I, who, to the best of our knowledge, was born in Kohala, HI, in 1735. prgtoken Since 1871, generations of Hawaiians have formally celebrated King Kamehameha's birthday through annual celebrations--including floral parades and lei-draping ceremonies. Kamehameha Day is celebrated across the State and is an acknowledged State holiday. prgtoken These events recognize the many accomplishments of Hawaii's first King and his importance in unifying the Hawaiian Islands. prgtoken This year was no different, as this past weekend tens of thousands of individuals gathered in Washington, DC, and Hawaii to remember his legacy and celebrate his accomplishments. prgtoken However, this year's ceremonies came at another important time of reflection. prgtoken On February 17, 2018, Gov. David Ige proclaimed 2018 to be the ``Year of the Hawaiian, Ke Au Hawaii'' in Hawaii. The Governor's proclamation came after the Hawaii State Legislature made a similar proclamation for the year. prgtoken So as we gathered to remember King Kamehameha, we also reflected more broadly on the achievements and contributions of Hawaii's indigenous, Native Hawaiian community in the areas of politics and government, education and the arts, music, writing and literature, sports, business, medicine, law, and social work. prgtoken We reflected on the restoration and revitalization of Native Hawaiian language and traditions and the importance of promoting Native Hawaiian cultural practices. prgtoken We remembered great statesmen like Daniel Kahikina Akaka, U.S. Senator of Native Hawaiian ancestry, who served in Congress over the course of five decades and recently passed away. prgtoken We remembered philanthropists like Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop. prgtoken It has been 30 years since the last Year of the Hawaiian was celebrated in 1988, and important advancements by and for the Native Hawaiian community have been made since that time. prgtoken We have seen the creation and expansion of Native Hawaiian immersion schools and Hawaiian-focused charter schools. We have seen the establishment of a College of Hawaiian Language at the University of Hawaii. We have seen the continued revitalization of Native Hawaiian navigation practices, including through the Malama Honua Worldwide Voyage, which visited more than 150 ports and 23 countries and territories. prgtoken We have seen more than 14,000 Native Hawaiians serve in the U.S. military. We have seen the return of land and repatriation of Native Hawaiian cultural artifacts. We have seen the protection of Native Hawaiian burial sites. We have seen the expansion of Native Hawaiian healthcare services. We have seen the expansion of opportunities for Native Hawaiian businesses. prgtoken We have also seen the Federal Government reiterate its special political and legal relationship with the Hawaiian people b
IMMIGRATION SOLUTION
Pete Aguilar (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2018-6-12

. Madam , I thank the gentlewoman for her comments and her time. There are few people in this Chamber who have dug in deeper than the gentlewoman from New Mexico, Chairwoman Michelle Lujan Grisham, who actually, when the story of this discussion is told at some point in the future, it was her efforts that really highlighted and started to push us in a bipartisan way when we had conversations among and s. And one of those early individuals who stood up and said, I am willing to have a real conversation with you if this can genuinely be a bipartisan effort, was the gentleman from Texas, who I have learned a lot from and gained a lot of respect for throughout this process. prgtoken Madam , from Texas (Mr. Hurd).