mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
MOTION TO GO TO CONFERENCE ON H.R. 6172, USA FREEDOM REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2020
Warren Davidson (Republican, OH) \u2014 2020-5-28

. Madam , I thank the gentleman for yielding. prgtoken Madam , as the majority leader well knows better than most of us in the room, for a bill to become law, the President of the United States must sign it, and he has made clear that he is not going to sign this product. So, it is a complete waste of everyone's time to send over a bill that has no chance to become law. prgtoken Rather than make this bill better, rather than make this bill something that could become law, we are going to run out the clock on more broken process. Why are we going to do that? We are going to do that because the people who are working to preserve the broken status quo of warrantless spying on American citizens want to keep that status quo in place. prgtoken So, rather than allow real reform, we have had a process that bypassed the Judiciary Committee. When Chairman Nadler realized he didn't have the votes to move his own product through the committee, he pulled the whole committee process. In a committee process, amendments would be able to be offered, and because they knew the amendments would be offered in accordance with the rules of the House and would be adopted if they were given a chance to vote, they had to pull it. prgtoken So, they didn't run it through the committee. The people who are represented by all 435 of us in this body had no chance to have their voices heard in a regular process. Leadership jammed through this broken bill to try to put some window dressing of reform on it. prgtoken Some of them are important; they are better than the status quo. But they are just modest reforms. That is why they had so much support from the people who want to preserve it. Then, when there was a real reform, you saw that drop off. Then, when there was the Lofgren-Davidson amendment that really would reform it and stop warrantless spying on Americans' internet browser data, when it was spying on Americans, they stopped it--not a single vote on an amendment in the people's House of the United States of America to preserve and protect the freedoms guaranteed in the Fourth Amendment. prgtoken Yes, we must make our Nation secure. But we must do it constitutionally in full compliance with the prgtoken Bill of Rights. No one is exempt, Article I, Article II, or Article III.
MOTION TO GO TO CONFERENCE ON H.R. 6172, USA FREEDOM REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2020
Jim Jordan (Republican, OH) \u2014 2020-5-28

. Madam , such time as I may consume. prgtoken I just want to correct a couple of things that the majority leader said. You guys are the ones that let the FISA law lapse. There was a 75-day extension sent over here. You guys got the majority. You let it lapse. prgtoken We want to fix it. We want to correct it. We want to make sure it is not abused like it has obviously been abused. We didn't let it lapse, you guys did. prgtoken And frankly, if you guys got the votes for this bill, you got the majority, you could pass it today. You don't have the votes because we need more work to be done on this to correct it. prgtoken The leader also said something that was not accurate. He said the President had no basis for the tweet he issued yesterday. prgtoken Are you kidding me? Are you kidding me? prgtoken They spied on two American citizens associated with his campaign, and he has got no basis for the tweet he did yesterday? prgtoken They used a dossier to go to the secret court to get a warrant to spy on one of those individuals; a dossier that they knew was false; a dossier they knew was paid for by the Clinton campaign; a dossier that Jim Comey said--not me--Jim Comey said was salacious and unverified; a dossier where the author had already told the Justice Department that he was desperate to stop prgtoken from getting elected, and they used it to go spy on the campaign. prgtoken And the President has no basis for the tweet he issued yesterday? prgtoken Are you kidding me? You guys let it lapse. We are trying to fix it because we know how bad it is. prgtoken Finally, I would just reiterate 29 cases where American citizens were surveilled by the FBI, and every single one of those was a major problem when they went to the FISA court. As I said before, four of those cases, they couldn't even find the Woods File. prgtoken We want to fix this, and we are willing to take as long as it takes. prgtoken I agree with the chairman of the Judiciary Committee. There are good things in the legislation. I said that yesterday at the Rules Committee. But what I also said at the Rules Committee is: Let's get it right. prgtoken If the President is saying that we are not going to do this until we figure out everything that went wrong, I agree with him 100 percent. More importantly, the American people agree with that. They want this fixed. They don't want anything done on this until we get to the bottom of everything that took place in the Comey FBI.
HONORING JACK ``JD'' BARNES SHAW
Glenn Thompson (Republican, PA) \u2014 2020-5-28

I rise today to congratulate Jack ``JD'' Barnes Shaw of Russell, Pennsylvania, for accepting a fully qualified appointment to the United States Naval Academy. prgtoken Jack is the son of James and Ruth Shaw and a senior at Agora Cyber Charter School. During his time in school, Jack was very involved with the Boy Scouts, Civil Air Patrol, and fencing. prgtoken Over the years, Jack has held many leadership positions, including senior patrol leader in his Boy Scout troop and a Sea Scout National Quarterdeck, a representative on the Sea Scout National Committee. He is an Eagle Scout and has been recognized as the 2018 Northeast Region Sea Scout of the Year. prgtoken Jack's dedication and discipline are two traits that will lead to his success at the U.S. Naval Academy. Jack is a proven leader. I wish him the best in this exciting new chapter of his life.
REMEMBERING SAM JOHNSON
Doug LaMalfa (Republican, CA) \u2014 2020-5-28

I rise in sadness today, acknowledging the news I received late last night of the loss of our former colleague from Texas, Mr. Sam Johnson, a great American. prgtoken I had the pleasure of knowing him personally. His story is amazing of his life serving our country. Of course, he is known as being a Vietnam POW, held 7 years in what is known as the Hanoi Hilton. prgtoken He wrote a book about his exploits, including that part, called ``Captive Warriors: A Vietnam POW's Story.'' I would highly recommend everybody get that and then pass it along. prgtoken My sweetest memory of him is Leader McCarthy invited a group of about 10 of us Members to go have dinner with him one night and just sit and listen to this man talk about his life, not only the negative of being a POW, but what we always saw here in his positive, upbeat spirit all the time. prgtoken This guy was a true cool guy. He was a Thunderbird aerobatic team member and also later directed the Air Force Fighter Weapons School, which is known as the Top Gun version of the Air Force. prgtoken This was an all-around great American. We will miss him badly.
PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM FLEXIBILITY ACT OF 2020
Garret Graves (Republican, LA) \u2014 2020-5-28

I thank the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Chabot) for his hard work; and I thank the chairwoman, as well, for working together in a bipartisan manner. prgtoken But most importantly, I thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Roy), my friend, for working together, for identifying the problems with the Paycheck Protection Program, in helping to perfect this program that is an incredible lifeline to small businesses and, importantly, Mr to the employees. prgtoken Millions and millions of businesses, billions of dollars in loans in a program that didn't even exist. Within 1 week, they stood this program up, and within 2 weeks, , handed out more money than the SBA had done over the previous 14 years. It is absolutely remarkable what Treasury and SBA have done with this program. prgtoken And, as I said, the work that Mr. Roy and Mr. Phillips have done to come together on a bipartisan basis to help to fix, to provide flexibility to businesses, to give them more time, to give them more flexibility on the use of funds, to ensure that these businesses aren't just open for 8 weeks but are truly sustainable businesses that can continue providing employment to millions and millions of Americans for years to come. prgtoken Now, , I want to pivot. The other legislation, the TRUTH Act, , looking at the comparison of numbers, here we are giving out billions of dollars and millions of loans, looking at the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program, the EIDL loan program. This program is a complete disaster itself. The program is not getting money out the door. Whoever is running this program needs to be replaced. prgtoken Look at the statistics. They brought in an outside contractor to do the advances. The advances are taking off, but the loans, themselves, are not. We are not offering operating expenses and other needed loans to these small businesses. prgtoken This bill doesn't fix a single problem that is out there that is delaying, that is preventing this program from actually providing operating expense assistance to these small businesses. prgtoken , this bill is a complete whiff. I urge that we pull back the TRUTH Act. Rescind it. Let's sit back down again and work together on a bipartisan basis, as we have done on this bill, on the PPP Flex bill, and provide true solutions to where the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program can help these small businesses, can truly provide a hand up. prgtoken , I urge rejection of that bill.
MOTION TO GO TO CONFERENCE ON H.R. 6172, USA FREEDOM REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2020
Louie Gohmert (Republican, TX) \u2014 2020-5-28

. Madam , one of the advantages we have seen from having a typed speech is you don't forget things like I often do that are important points, but one of the weaknesses is you can't respond to the myriad of points that somebody just made explaining why we need massive reform to the FISA bill and the information that has come out. prgtoken Now, I got here 15 years ago, and I was part of the reauthorization back in those days. We got lied to by the Justice Department about how this would be used. They came back in the private meetings: Oh, we don't go after Americans. prgtoken We have seen from the information that has come out in recent weeks that they do exactly what they told us by behind closed doors they never did. prgtoken This thing needs to be massively reformed. prgtoken What happened in the last 24 hours? Something called a Rules Committee, and it wouldn't allow our reforms. It wouldn't allow this body to vote on important reforms. prgtoken Go reread the Fourth Amendment. We are not supposed to authorize searches and seizures against Americans without the proper due process, without a probable cause, and without particularly describing the places to be searched and what to be seized. And the FISA court has violated that. prgtoken Oh, some say, we just add an amicus in there and that will take care of it. prgtoken The FISA judges did not even have the honor of their courts after finding out they were lied to repeatedly and fraud was committed against them to do something about it. That tells you we need massive reform. prgtoken A vote to go to conference is a total abdication of this body's job to put out a good bill that does reform. prgtoken Madam , I ask everybody, vote ``no'' to go to conference so that we can force this House to do its job.
Nomination of John Leonard Badalamenti (Executive Session)
John Thune (Republican, SD) \u2014 2020-6-1

. The following Senators are necessarily absent: the Senator from Tennessee (Mrs. Blackburn), the Senator from North Carolina (Mr. Burr), the Senator from North Dakota (Mr. Cramer), the Senator from Montana (Mr. Daines), the Senator from North Dakota (Mr. Hoeven), the Senator from Kansas (Mr. Moran), the Senator from Alaska (Ms. Murkowski), the Senator from Kansas (Mr. Roberts), the Senator from South Dakota (Mr. Rounds), and the Senator from Nebraska (Mr. Sasse). prgtoken Further, if present and voting, the Senator from North Dakota (Mr. Hoeven) would have voted ``Yea'' and prgtoken the Senator from Kansas (Mr. Moran) would have voted ``Yea.''
PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM FLEXIBILITY ACT OF 2020
Chip Roy (Republican, TX) \u2014 2020-6-1

I would like to clarify the intent of some of the language in H.R. 7010, and especially the language in the Bill as to loan forgiveness. prgtoken Section 3 adds new paragraph 8 (Limitation on Forgiveness) that states that: To receive loan forgiveness under this section, an eligible recipient shall use at least 60 percent of the covered loan amount for payroll costs, and may use up to 40 percent of such amount for any payment of interest on any covered mortgage obligation (which shall not include any prepayment of or payment of principal on a covered mortgage obligation), any payment on any covered rent obligation, or any covered utility payment. prgtoken The intent of this provision is to reduce the portion of the forgivable amount that must be spent on payroll cost, to provide employers more flexibility to bring back and retain employees in a manner that allows compliance with state and local reopening restrictions and the business reality of individual borrowers. prgtoken The SBA, as set forth in the ``Interim Final Rule 1'' issued on April 2, 2020, has determined that the forgivable portion of the loan (that which is spent during the covered period) must be allocated at least 75 percent to payroll costs. In the event a borrower is unable to spend in that ratio during the covered period, the loan is eligible for partial forgiveness. prgtoken The IFR in section 2(o) states clearly that a PPP loan can ``be forgiven in whole or in part.'' o. Can my PPP loan be forgiven in whole or in part? Yes. The amount of loan forgiveness can be up to the full amount of the full principal amount of the loan and any accrued interest . . . The actual amount of loan forgiveness will depend, in part, on the total amount [of payroll and non-payroll costs] . . . over the eight-week period following the loan . . . However, not more than 25 percent of the loan forgiveness amount may be attributable to non-payroll costs[.] prgtoken The overall spending of the loan is similarly limited in a 75/25 ratio. Section 2(r) states ``at least 75 percent of the PPP loan proceeds shall be used for payroll costs.'' prgtoken The intent of this Bill is to retain the existing structure set forth by the SBA, but to amend the ratios in both IFR sections from 75/25 to 60/40 (along with extension of covered period, maturity date and other changes) to preserve borrower flexibility and the ability to obtain partial or proportional forgiveness of the loan if less than 60 percent of covered period expenditures are payroll costs, provided that the borrower must spend overall loan proceeds subject to the 60/40 ratio.
REMEMBERING GEORGE FLOYD
Chuck Grassley (Republican, IA) \u2014 2020-6-1

our Nation is hurting. George Floyd's death was horrific, and justice must be served. The Justice Department has opened an investigation, and the officer has been charged with murder. prgtoken A single act of violence at the hands of an officer is one too many. George Floyd deserved better. All Black Americans do. Indeed, all Americans do. The last thing we need is more pain, more devastation, and more injustice. prgtoken As a country, let's strive for compassion and listening to others. The best way to honor George Floyd is to engage with all members of our community, including Members of this body, on how to heal these wounds. This is an opportunity for Congress to discuss what reforms can and should be made to address police use of force. Let's move forward and protect our communities together. prgtoken .
PROTESTS
Josh Hawley (Republican, MO) \u2014 2020-6-1

it was 1 week ago today that George Floyd died in the streets of Minneapolis at the hands of Minneapolis police officers exercising and employing incredible, illegal, unconstitutional violence ending in the loss of Mr. Floyd's life. prgtoken This afternoon, we have a medical report from examiners hired by Mr. Floyd's family. The words are just shocking. The report concludes: George Floyd was killed by asphyxia due to neck and back compression and died at the scene. Sustained pressure on the right side of Mr. Floyd's artery impeded blood flow to the brain, and weight on his back impeded his ability to breathe. prgtoken Then the report concludes: The independent examiners found that weight on the back, handcuffs and positioning were contributory factors because they impaired Mr. Floyd's diaphragm to function. From all the evidence, the doctors said it now appears Mr. Floyd died at the scene. prgtoken Words cannot begin to describe the injustice that this report puts into plain text: the violation of police procedures, the abuse of the law, the appalling, illegal, homicidal misuse of government authority. Words cannot begin to describe the injustice that this has done to Mr. Floyd, to his family, to his community, and to millions of Americans who feel caught up, who feel judged by, endangered by, imperiled by these actions and too many others like them over too many years for too long in this country. prgtoken I just want to say as the former attorney general of my State--a role in which I had the great privilege to work day in and day out with law enforcement across the State of Missouri, law enforcement who go to work every day to prevent this kind of illegal violence, to prevent this kind of illicit use of power--that the actions by the police officer and officers here in this case cast an incredible aspersion on those valiant and courageous and law-abiding police officers, Black and White and of every color across our country, who go to do their job every day to protect and uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States and to protect men and women like George Floyd. The actions of these officers in this case are an incredible betrayal of those standards of those officers and of justice itself. prgtoken I understand why so many Americans have assembled peacefully to witness to this abuse of power and to protest it and to demand that justice be done. They are right to do so, and they are right to demand that this pattern of violence exercised against African-Americans be acknowledged and it be confronted and it be stopped. prgtoken This is urgent work for us as a nation and for this Congress as we go forward. prgtoken I also believe that those who would turn this occasion into an opportunity for rioting and for looting and for more violence and for further attacks and for civil unrest do a great disservice to the memory of Mr.
ORDERS FOR TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2020
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2020-6-1

. Now, , I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 10 a.m.; 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, and morning business be closed; further, that following leader remarks, the Senate proceed to executive session to resume consideration of the Mercado nomination; finally, that the Senate recess following the cloture vote on Mercado until 2:15 p.m. to allow for the weekly conference meetings.
REMEMBERING GEORGE FLOYD
John Cornyn (Republican, TX) \u2014 2020-6-1

ours is a nation with a split screen of a battle on two fronts. One is the pandemic that we have been fighting now for many months, and the other is to continue the fight to defeat racial injustice that has sadly divided our Nation since its very inception. prgtoken One week ago today, George Floyd, a native Houstonian, tragically died in the custody of a law enforcement officer. As the gut-wrenching video of his death has spread, so has the passion and the anger among all of us who wonder, how can something like that happen? prgtoken Our Constitution guarantees every American the right to protest injustice, and I believe we all have a responsibility to stand up for what is right and condemn what is plainly wrong. prgtoken People of all colors, backgrounds, and ages are demanding that justice be served in the case of George Floyd. The first step in that process came on Friday when the officer who had him in custody was himself arrested and charged with third-degree murder. prgtoken Devastating events like the death of George Floyd remind us that we have a long way to go in the fight for equal justice under the law, but we cannot yield to the temptation to fill the void created by this tragedy with violence. prgtoken Too many protests across our country have turned into riots with looting and vandalism and destruction, hurting innocent people and tearing our cities apart. In response to these escalating protests last night, there were more curfews in place than at any other time since the assassination of Martin Luther King. prgtoken One man who experienced that period of American history firsthand is our colleague on the other side of the Capitol, Congressman John Lewis. He fought and marched alongside Dr. King, fighting for equal rights, and continues fighting today for equal justice. prgtoken Over the weekend, he denounced the rioting and looting that occurred and said: ``Be constructive, not destructive. History has proven time and time again that non-violent, peaceful protest is the way to achieve the justice and equality that we all deserve.'' prgtoken I understand and share the passion and the anger that have spread across the country and support those who are peacefully protesting and demanding that justice be served. There should never be a time in which the color of someone's skin determines whether they live or die, and we have to do everything in our power to prevent these tragedies from occurring in the first place. But that change can't happen when businesses are being looted, when vehicles are being set on fire, or when innocent people are being harmed. It only can happen when we come together and learn to empathize with one another and understand the struggles our neighbors are facing. prgtoken I would note that there is good evidence that many of these acts of violence are being instigated not by victims of injustice but by outsiders determined to stoke the rage t