mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
BLUE GRASS ARMY DEPOT
Andy Barr (Republican, KY) \u2014 2019-6-25

I rise today to speak on behalf of my constituents at the Blue Grass Army Depot in Richmond, Kentucky. prgtoken Established as an ammunition and general supply storage depot in 1941, the Blue Grass Army Depot is now one of two remaining Army installations in the United States that stores and destroys chemical weapons. prgtoken The important work of the employees at the depot ensures America's worthy task of destroying our chemical weapons stockpiles and making good on our commitment to the Chemical Weapons Convention. prgtoken I am proud that operations to get rid of these stockpiles began earlier this month, a process that will result in the destruction of thousands of chemical rockets and projectiles over the next several years. prgtoken This vital task could not be achieved without the support and input of members of the Madison County community who serve on the Kentucky Chemical Demilitarization Citizens' Advisory Commission. prgtoken I want to personally thank community leaders like Craig Williams--who has literally worked for decades on the safe destruction of these chemical weapons--and County Judge Executive Reagan Taylor, who have continually advocated for the safety of their community and have made an enormous impact on the operations of the depot. prgtoken I look forward to seeing my district continue to set the international standard for chemical demilitarization.
SIX-MONTH REVIEW OF THE 116TH CONGRESS
Daniel Meuser (Republican, PA) \u2014 2019-6-25

I rise today to offer some observations regarding my first 6 months as a new Member of the 116th Congress. prgtoken 2019 began with leadership denying the existence of an illegal immigration crisis at our southern border during a 35-day government shutdown. On 17 separate occasions since then, House s have attempted to pass legislation that would provide $4.5 billion in humanitarian assistance. prgtoken While ic leadership is considering H.R. 3401 this week to discuss humanitarian aid at the southern border, their proposal will not direct funds toward expanding detention centers, nor will it provide resources to correct the crisis, which is precisely where this kind of funding is needed. prgtoken While this bill is fundamentally flawed, at least, at this point, there is a bipartisan majority that admits we have a real crisis that requires action. prgtoken Recent figures at the border are staggering. U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced officers have apprehended or turned back nearly 700,000 migrants in the past 8 months. Further, apprehensions in May marked the highest monthly total in 13 years near the southern border, with U.S. authorities detaining or turning away more than 140,000 people. prgtoken It is our sworn duty to put the American people over politics, especially in the people's House. As elected Representatives, it is our responsibility to deliver on issues that are important to the American people. prgtoken This year's ic leadership agenda has focused on policy proposals that incentivize illegal immigration. ic leadership thought H.R. 1 was important to pass, though refused to support a motion that would have expressed that allowing illegal immigrants to vote be prohibited as it devalues and diminishes the voting power of an American citizen. prgtoken How would leadership expect this to pass in Congress, let alone get signed by the President? prgtoken This is certainly not in the spirit of compromise but is most certainly a dead-end bill. prgtoken Further, leadership passed H.R. 6, which includes various blanket amnesty provisions. Amnesty should never be passed by this House, especially when that bill includes no improvements to border security. prgtoken Not only is putting illegal immigrants ahead of legal immigrants wrong, but to propose an amnesty bill is an obvious incentive for illegal immigrants to cross over the U.S. border. prgtoken Another example is H.R. 987, a bill originally focused on lower prescription drug costs which was politicized so it, too, has no chance of becoming law. prgtoken The provisions of propping up failed aspects of Care and banning association health plans is contrary policy to what will drive down healthcare costs, which is choice, competition, innovation, and State's jurisdiction. prgtoken Making the Federal Government a monopoly over healthcare is exactly the wrong thing to do if we want to ac
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2020--Continued
Kevin Cramer (Republican, ND) \u2014 2019-6-25

I rise today to emphasize the importance of this year's National Defense Authorization Act--both why it is important and what we must accomplish this week while we are still here. prgtoken The primary obligation of Congress is to provide for the common defense. For the past 57, 58-plus years, Congress has met this obligation primarily through passage of the NDAA. With this bipartisan legislation, we have provided our Armed Forces the resources and authorities they need to defend our country. This bill keeps America on track by confronting the readiness crisis in our military branches. prgtoken I am the first North Dakotan ever to serve on the Senate Armed Services Committee, and I consider this a great honor. North Dakota is home to two Air Force bases: Minot, which is home to two of the three legs of the nuclear triad, the B-52 bombers and Minuteman ICBM missiles; and one in Grand Forks, home to the RQ-4 Global Hawk mission and, effective in just a few days, on Friday, the 319th Reconnaissance Wing. prgtoken We are also home to multiple Army and Air National Guard units and missions, ranging from construction and combat engineers to security forces, to ISR and launch and recovery Reaper operations. Our Army National Guard, in fact, has an air defense artillery regiment that regularly protects us right here in the Capital region as part of Operation Noble Eagle. prgtoken Our military community is a foundational element to our State as it is to many States. To us, the NDAA is not just arbitrary funding numbers for abstract aircraft and equipment. This legislation supports those in my State and across the country who defend our Nation at home and around the world. prgtoken We are honored by the outsized role our patriots play in defense of our Nation and the cause of liberty. Our commitment to them and their families must be clear. When they are called into action, they will have every resource they need to carry out successful missions. prgtoken I want to address a fundamental aspect to this week's debate. Apparently, there are some in this body who would rather bypass budget negotiations and pass a continuing resolution. There are others who want to delay passage of this important priority until later in the year. prgtoken We cannot simply kick this can down the road. Passing a CR is handing our military community months of uncertainty and anxiety and could nullify much of the good work that we are doing here today and this week, such as improving the livelihoods of our servicemembers. Delaying passage to accommodate the political ambitions of a few of our ic colleagues is simply unacceptable and should be dismissed as quickly as it was suggested. prgtoken Those who offer their lives in service to our country represent the best of what America has to offer. What they give us, we can never repay, but we can do our best to help as they serve and transition back to civilian life. prgtoken F
EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS FOR HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE AND SECURITY AT THE SOUTHERN BORDER ACT, 2019
Charles J. "Chuck" Fleischmann (Republican, TN) \u2014 2019-6-25

. Madam , I thank the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Granger), the ranking member. prgtoken As the ranking member of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Appropriations, I know all too well the challenges we are facing on the border. I have the utmost respect for Chairwoman Roybal-Allard and her work to address these issues and work with all the members of the subcommittee. prgtoken At the time we crafted the fiscal year 2019 regular appropriations bill, we could not have predicted the sheer mass of people pouring across the border this spring and summer. But this fiscal year, Customs and Border Patrol has already encountered almost 700,000 people. That is double the amount in all the previous fiscal years, and we still have 3 months to go. prgtoken Further, we are not talking about separating children. We are talking about children coming to this country without parents who can care for them. We can't just let kids wander the streets. We need to ensure that HHS has the space and the capacity to find sponsors or suitable homes for these kids. prgtoken DHS cannot wait another month for funds, and DHS definitely cannot wait on Health and Human Services to receive more funds. We need a complete border supplemental bill providing relief and resources for all agencies working at the border and within the country to work through the number of migrants coming across the southern border. That includes Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and that also includes the Department of Defense. prgtoken Further, we need a supplemental bill that does not throw up roadblocks to implementing the aid we are trying to deliver. Madam , I urge the House to, instead, take up a more bipartisan bill that would also pass the Senate and get signed by the President on Friday. prgtoken Time is of the essence. We need to work with the Senate and the President to get a bill enacted. Madam , I urge a ``no'' vote on this bill. Let's take up a bill that could deliver the humanitarian aid by the end of this week.
TRIBUTE TO CHANSE JONES
Deb Fischer (Republican, NE) \u2014 2019-6-25

today I want to recognize my deputy communications director, Chanse Jones, who is leav1ng my office in early July after more than 4 years of service to the State of Nebraska and to me. prgtoken Although he is a Mississippian by birth, Chanse has become an adopted son of Nebraska. He started with me in Washington as a press assistant in 2015. I quickly learned he was someone with a big personality, big ideas, and a lot of creativity, so I promoted him to the role of deputy press secretary. He worked hard, and it wasn't long before he became my press secretary and then my deputy communications director. prgtoken As the years went by, Chanse came to love and be loved by so many communities across the State of Nebraska. He joined me for many road trips all across the Good Life. These trips took us from Omaha to Scottsbluff, to my ranch outside of Valentine, to the northeast part of the state, and many places between--the stories he could tell about our ``adventures.'' prgtoken During these journeys, Chanse endeared himself to Nebraskans with his charming nature. He is a delight, and he made friends just about everywhere he went. While on the road, he also captured Nebraska's beauty in many ways, including through wonderful photographs that I will forever cherish. prgtoken When carrying out his job responsibilities whether in Nebraska or in Washington, Chanse always brought a sense of fun to every task. He has been a dear friend to me and a fierce protector. He is also an original ``Friend of Fred'' and godparent of my goldendoodle, Fred Fischer. In fact, he helped us find Fred and was with us when we rescued him a few years ago. prgtoken The three of us, Fred, my husband Bruce, and I, are certainly going to miss Chanse's company. prgtoken I want to thank Chanse for his friendship and his service to the people of Nebraska over the years. I wish him all the best in this next chapter of his career, and I am excited to see what life has in store for him.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2020--Continued
Richard Burr (Republican, NC) \u2014 2019-6-25

I want to thank Chairman Inhofe and Ranking Member Reed for accommodating the Intelligence Committee's intelligence authorization bill for 2020 to be included in the NDAA. I want to thank Leader McConnell and Senator Schumer for their understanding of why this is important to do. prgtoken The Senate Select Committee on Intelligence is a unique committee. We uphold the secrecy and the confidentiality of intelligence programs that keep our Nation safe every day. We ensure our intelligence community has the tools and resources to protect America at home and abroad. prgtoken So I am pleased that the Senate is considering our intelligence authorization bill as part of the NDAA. Our bill is 3 fiscal years in the making. In May, the Senate Intelligence Committee unanimously passed the bill with a vote of 15 to 0. Let me say that one more time. We unanimously passed the intelligence authorization bill 15 to 0. prgtoken I appreciate Vice Chairman Warner's work and his collaboration to achieve that unanimous support of all 15 Members of the Intelligence Committee. The bill is a genuinely bipartisan product that protects the United States, strengthens our national security, and supports the activities of the men and women who are serving in uniform around the clock and around the globe. I would remind the Presiding Officer and the Members that it is the 15 Members of the Select Committee on Intelligence who give the other 85 Members of the Senate and the American people the assurance that our intelligence activities operate within the Constitution and/or the Executive orders of the President. prgtoken The last intelligence authorization bill for fiscal year 2017 was enacted May 5, 2017. We have gone too long without critical resources and authorities that our intelligence agencies need to do their work and to keep our country safe from ever-expanding national security threats. Not only does our bill fund the U.S. intelligence activities across 17 agencies, but it enables congressional oversight of the intelligence community's classified activities. The prgtoken bill ensures financial accountability for the programs we authorize and supports development of future capabilities to stay a step ahead of our adversaries. We do not have time to waste as the threats increase in scope and scale. prgtoken All of this bipartisan oversight and accountability can exist only when we have a current, enacted intelligence authorization bill. Our intelligence agencies need the authorization, the direction, and the guidance from Congress to protect and defend America, its allies, and its partners. The agencies need these authorizations to collect, analyze, and utilize intelligence and to recruit and retain the personnel they need. Equally important, our authorization bill ensures that those activities abide by our Constitution and privacy laws. prgtoken I would like to mention some specifics in the bill. First, it deters Russ
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 2722, SECURING AMERICA'S FEDERAL ELECTIONS ACT; WAIVING A REQUIREMENT OF CLAUSE 6(a) OF RULE XIII WITH RESPECT TO CONSIDERATION OF CERTAIN RESOLUTIONS REPORTED...
Rodney Davis (Republican, IL) \u2014 2019-6-25

. Madam , I am always glad to be here with my good friend from the House Administration Committee, the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Raskin). And he was right in committee during the markup of this bill that was posted late last week, and we marked it up earlier this week after the rules notice was already posted. It just shows you how rushed this process is. prgtoken The gentleman erroneously, and I know, because I had made a quick joke about it afterwards, mentioned we ought to have a mandated republican government or something like that. I said, ``You know what? That is one mandate I can be for in our State and local authorities,'' but I knew what he was talking about. prgtoken He knows what he is talking about when it comes to what we all have the same interest in doing, and that is protecting our election security. prgtoken My colleague mentioned about standing together. Well, we were trying to stand together, Madam . We were working in a bipartisan way to put together a bipartisan election security bill, and the majority walked away. They forced this vote. prgtoken These are areas that we can come together and find common ground. prgtoken I have been asked, what did the s do when we were in the majority? Well, we not only did $300 million in election security upgrades and cybersecurity protections, we did $380 million. And what was great was we were working over the last 2 years with DHS officials and our local election officials to ensure that 2018 did not suffer the same consequences as 2016. And it worked, even in an extensively high midterm turnout. prgtoken Then they said, well, what else did you do over the 2 years? Well, you know what we did? We waited for the $35-million Mueller report to come out and tell us what else we could do. prgtoken Now we are here today. We are here today to ensure that we put together an election security bill, not one that the want, not one that is going to be a top-down approach. It is not what our local secretaries of state want, it is not what our local election officials want, and they are on the ground. Let's listen to them, but let's make sure that we don't take away our ability to address cybersecurity concerns.
STOP BUSTING THE BUDGET CAP
Ross Spano (Republican, FL) \u2014 2019-6-25

. Madam , I rise today in opposition to the appropriations minibus that we will be voting on this afternoon. prgtoken Like the first appropriations package, this legislation is being considered without reaching a budget agreement, and it would bust the budget caps by over $350 billion in fiscal years `20 and `21. prgtoken Not only is the majority spending out of control on programs we currently have, but they are creating new programs in these bills. This circumvents the authorization process and compounds the debt problem. prgtoken Last week, I submitted an amendment to eliminate funding for one of these new pilot programs that would use Americans' hard-earned tax dollars to provide legal representation to those arriving at our southern border. My amendment would have reallocated that funding to assist victims of human trafficking and address school violence, both issues growing at the local level in our communities. prgtoken Unfortunately, on the Rules Committee voted along party lines to prevent my amendment from coming to the floor. I call on leadership to stop silencing commonsense proposals and let us debate those tough issues. It is what we were elected to do.
HONORING DR. ROBERT VARTABEDIAN
Sam Graves (Republican, MO) \u2014 2019-6-25

. Madam , I proudly pause to recognize Dr. Robert Vartabedian. Dr. Vartabedian is retiring as the President of Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri, after an exceptional career and distinguished tenure at Missouri Western State University. Dr. Vartabedian has taught at universities across the country. While each was a very different institution, there was one common thread to each of them--Dr. Vartabedian has made each of them better. If you set foot on the Missouri Western campus during his time there, even if you somehow managed to not see it, you could not have helped but felt it. That unspoken `thing' where a new level is being achieved, a new standard is being set, a new normal is being cemented into place. Of course, you can point to Craig Field at Spratt Stadium, the Craig School of Business Center for Entrepreneurship, the Kit Bond Science and Technology Incubator, the Walter Cronkite Museum, or the sea of red that comes with the Kansas City Chiefs training camp. While he deserves credit for those things and they will remain as reminders of his time here, they are not his true legacy. His true legacy is in his students. The next generation of entrepreneurs and thinkers. The new leaders for northern Missouri, the new educators who will carry along his legacy even further. Those students, those lives he has touched directly or indirectly are his true and lasting legacy. Madam , I proudly ask you to join me in recognizing Dr. Robert Vartabedian upon a well-earned retirement. I wish him the very best and a well-deserved rest. I am honored to represent him in the United States Congress.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2020--Continued
John Cornyn (Republican, TX) \u2014 2019-6-25

yesterday, the Senate overwhelmingly voted to proceed to the National Defense Authorization Act by a vote of 86 to 6. That is about as overwhelming a bipartisan vote as we have had lately, and it is for good reason. This bill represents one of our most fundamental duties as the U.S. Congress, which is to authorize military expenditures and to provide our men and women in uniform with the resources they need in order to protect the American people. prgtoken The Defense authorization bill would authorize funding for the Department of Defense to carry out its most vital missions, as well as support our alliances around the world and improve the quality of life for our servicemembers, including the largest pay raise in a decade. All of us have long understood the importance of passing this legislation each year, which is why for the past 58 years we have passed the Defense authorization bill each of those years without delay. The bill, of course, has gained broad bipartisan support in the Armed Services Committee and in the first procedural vote yesterday evening, but that doesn't mean that our colleagues across the aisle aren't eyeing it as the latest target for their obstructionist tactics. prgtoken We are hearing that our ic friends are actually threatening to filibuster this legislation in an attempt to force a vote on Iran, but this is really just a subterfuge. I don't buy it. In reality, the ic leader has urged the majority leader not to hold a vote on the Defense authorization bill this week because so many of his Members are running for President and need to be at the debate in Miami. He said the Senate should wait to have the vote until the full body is present. He said there is no rush to complete the National Defense Authorization Act. Just to translate, the minority leader wants the rest of us to stop working so that the Senators who are running for President can prepare for the debate in Miami instead of being here in Washington and doing their job. Instead of doing that, they want to audition for their next job--or so they hope. Well, the minority leader thinks we should delay giving our military families a pay raise so his Members can campaign for President. That is one of the more galling things I have ever heard proposed across the aisle. prgtoken The demand for a vote in relation to Iran is a smokescreen. It is a tactic being used to cover up for their colleagues who don't want to miss yet another vote. In the first 6 months of this year alone, Senate have played politics with nominees for important positions throughout the Federal Government and with border security funding in the midst of a humanitarian and security crisis that is occurring at the border. They dragged their feet on Middle East policy bills and now, apparently, on the National Defense Authorization Act. prgtoken Our constituents sent us here to Washington to cast votes--yes o
FINANCIAL SERVICES AND GENERAL GOVERNMENT APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2020
Tom Graves (Republican, GA) \u2014 2019-6-25

. Mr. Chair, I will close with this: This is not a political decision. This is a good-government decision. If this were a political decision, the Secretary of Agriculture, Sonny Perdue, from the State of Georgia, who was in the agriculture profession himself in the past, would have moved it to the State of Georgia, I would assume, if it was a political decision. prgtoken If everything had to reside in D.C I guess we wouldn't need research facilities of other agencies elsewhere. We wouldn't need the FBI located in other spots. We wouldn't have the majority leader proposing to move the FBI out of Washington, D.C might I add, to Maryland, of all places. Maybe that is a little more political, but maybe not. prgtoken This is not a political decision. This is about making a good- government decision, closer to the farmers, to the researchers, to the universities, and to the ranchers. It might save $300 million of taxpayer dollars. prgtoken Mr. Chair, because of those reasons, I oppose this amendment, and .