mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
S.J. RES. 54--MOTION TO DISCHARGE--Continued
Robert Menendez (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2018-3-20

I come to the floor with a series of my colleagues on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on the ic side to enter into a colloquy about this administration's chaotic and incoherent approach to foreign policy--an approach that has left our allies confused and our adversaries emboldened and undermines the standing of the United States on the global stage. prgtoken To be fair, the President's own national security strategy echoes decades of bipartisan recognition that the founding values of the United States--democracy, the rule of law--should continue to drive our foreign policy. Yet the President himself has shown a fundamental disrespect for these very principles: declining to publicly champion the importance of human rights and good governance, refusing to condemn dictators around the world who brutally repress their own citizens, sow instability across the world, or even attack those who attack the United States--something I fear will ultimately weaken our ability to promote the security and prosperity of all Americans. prgtoken Last week's unceremonious firing of our Nation's top diplomat was the President's latest and brazen example of disrespect for the role of diplomacy, diplomats, and of the State Department itself. While I had my differences with Secretary Tillerson, the reality is, it does not serve the interests of the United States when the President undermines his top diplomat on major foreign policy initiatives, from the crisis in the gulf to, ironically, his outreach to North Koreans. prgtoken Secretary Tillerson's legacy will be shaped not just by the President's misguided efforts but also his own ill-advised attempt to dismantle the State Department, leaving the United States without key voices to advance our interests around the world. prgtoken The administration has failed to even nominate critical, high-level positions--Under Secretaries, Assistant Secretaries--leaving a void of empowered voices. Meanwhile, there are gaping vacancies in some of the world's most troubled regions. For example, as we confront a nuclear- armed North Korea, the President has yet to nominate an ambassador to South Korea, our critical ally on the peninsula--one that has historically relied upon American assurances and allegiance. prgtoken Similarly, the President took more than a year to nominate an Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs. The impact of these vacancies was on full display last week when the President-- without the knowledge of his top diplomat--announced a meeting with North Korean Dictator Kim Jong Un, an assertion that was then ultimately walked back and modified by his Secretary of Defense and his White House Press Secretary. prgtoken In the Middle East, as the President continues to send more and more American troops and we face an emboldened Iranian regime creeping further into Syria, facilitated by the Kremlin's military support, he has yet to appoint Am
KAYLA McNIERNEY
Ed Perlmutter (Democrat, CO) \u2014 2018-3-20

I rise today to recognize and applaud Kayla McNierney for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Kayla McNierney is a student at Warren Tech North and received this award because her determination and hard work have allowed her to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Kayla McNierney is exemplary of the type of achievement that can be attained with hard work and perseverance. It is essential students at all levels strive to make the most of their education and develop a work ethic which will guide them for the rest of their lives. I extend my deepest congratulations to Kayla McNierney for winning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. I have no doubt she will exhibit the same dedication and character in all of her future accomplishments.
S.J. RES. 54--MOTION TO DISCHARGE--Continued
Patrick J. Leahy (Democrat, VT) \u2014 2018-3-20

it is about time we had a debate, if only for a few hours, on the participation of the U.S. military in the civil war in Yemen. Frankly, I cannot comprehend nor am I able to explain to my Vermont constituents the ongoing involvement of U.S. troops in support of the Saudi-led coalition as it flies U.S.-origin planes and drops U.S.-made bombs--purchased at a discount thanks to American taxpayers--amid continued reports of indiscriminate targeting and horrific civilian casualties. prgtoken These are not isolated incidents in Yemen. They have occurred time after time over the past 3 years. Houses, health clinics, and markets are destroyed, millions of people uprooted from their homes. Whether extreme negligence or intentional and a war crime, the effect is the same for those who are killed, wounded, or displaced. There is no evidence that U.S. military involvement nor the recurrent appeals of international humanitarian and human rights organizations has improved the situation. prgtoken This is not just a matter of the carnage we have observed. It is that we are supporting these military operations at all. Only Congress has the power to declare war, and the ongoing participation of U.S. forces in the Saudi-led coalition's war against the prgtoken Houthis in Yemen clearly meets the definition of the ``introduction of United States Armed Forces into hostilities'' under the War Powers Resolution. The War Powers Resolution also authorizes Congress to direct the removal of U.S. forces if their introduction has not been authorized by law, as is the case in the war against the Houthis. prgtoken That is why I support the resolution before us, S.J. Res. 54, which would exercise Congress's prerogative to limit the involvement of U.S. forces, in this case to the narrow purpose of combatting al-Qaida, which does serve our national security interests in the region. I recognize, as some others have pointed out, that the war in Yemen is part of a larger conflict of interests and ideology between Iran and Saudi Arabia. If there are other legitimate and compelling national security interests that justify the deployment of U.S. forces in that region, let us debate them. prgtoken We should also be doing more to demand greater transparency and accountability for civilian casualties in Yemen, regardless of the context in which they occur. If the Saudis want U.S.-taxpayer subsidies, they need to focus their efforts on terrorists, take effective steps to minimize civilian casualties, and credibly investigate such casualties when they occur. prgtoken I have heard Senators who oppose this resolution say they intend to hold hearings and focus more attention on what is happening in Yemen. I welcome that, but I have to wonder why it has taken so long and whether anything will change as a result. Yemen has been a humanitarian disaster for years, and there is no end in sight. The Foreign Relations Committee should have held hear
S.J. RES. 54--MOTION TO DISCHARGE--Continued
Benjamin L. Cardin (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2018-3-20

I join my colleagues on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and under the leadership of Senator Menendez to point out that now--I guess it has been 14 months under President 's leadership--we have seen a dramatic shift in U.S. foreign policy that jeopardizes our standing globally and our national security. It starts with this administration's hollowing out the State Department and our capacity to participate in diplomacy. prgtoken As my colleagues have pointed out, so many vacancies exist today, unfilled by this administration. It is not the slowness of the Senate in confirming the positions. Many of these positions are not even positions that require Senate confirmation. We have seen an exodus of the most experienced people in the State Department, and the capacity of the State Department has been dramatically reduced. President 's budget speaks volumes about his support for diplomacy, as we see 30-percent reductions in the State Department budget being proposed by this administration. prgtoken The role of diplomacy in solving international issues is at an all- time low. There are many times I disagreed with Secretary Tillerson, but he at least was an independent voice in the White House as it related to certain issues on Iran or climate change. Now his voice has been silenced in this administration. prgtoken America first is America alone. It is the isolation of our country. We have seen that with the United States under prgtoken President and pulling out of the climate talks--the only country in the world. We see it now, potentially, in Iran, with reports that the President may unilaterally withdraw the United States from the nuclear agreement, putting the United States as the outlier where we should be putting our attention on Iran. This is reflected in the Gallup polls, showing that the global opinion toward the United States has dropped dramatically. We see the President embracing oppressive leaders around the world, such as the leaders of Russia, China, Turkey, and Egypt, and embracing the autocratic practices of the President of the Philippines. Then, he attacks our closest allies, calling into question the transatlantic partnership. prgtoken Perhaps more than anything else, this administration has trampled on America's values. As Secretary Tillerson said early in this administration, America's interests will no longer be dictated by our values. That is not what the trademark of America is about. The President over and over has questioned universally what America stands for when he gave space to hate in his response to Charlottesville and when he implies that people who come to our country of certain religions or certain races are less favored than others. When he suggests he cannot have a conflict because he is President of the United States and does not have to divest of his business interests or when he says things that we know are not true and the President of the
ALLEVIATING STRESS TEST BURDENS TO HELP INVESTORS ACT
Maxine Waters (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2018-3-20

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , I rise to oppose H.R. 4566, the so-called Alleviating Stress Test Burdens to Help Investors Act, which would make it harder for regulators to identify and mitigate hidden systemic risks at nonbank financial companies before they undermine our economy. prgtoken Last Wednesday marked 10 years since global investment bank Bear Stearns imploded as a result of its failure to manage risk associated with its highly leveraged balance sheet and exposure to the subprime mortgage market. American taxpayers were forced to come to the rescue to prevent the firm's collapse from spreading to other overleveraged Wall Street institutions. prgtoken The demise of Bear Stearns was the canary in the coal mine for the ensuing financial crisis, which ravaged the United States economy, destroyed trillions of dollars of wealth, and put millions of Americans out of their jobs and their homes. prgtoken responded to the 2008 financial crisis by passing the Dodd- Frank Act, which, among other reforms, required rigorous stress tests of the Nation's largest financial institutions. The Dodd-Frank Act also gave the Federal Reserve Board the discretion to quickly intervene and stress-test firms that could pose financial stability risk. prgtoken If regular stress testing had been conducted on firms like Bear Stearns from 2006 to 2008, it might have revealed major threats to the economy sooner, giving both the companies and Federal financial regulators a better chance to take remedial action to avoid a catastrophic near collapse of the global financial system. prgtoken H.R. 4566 would eliminate the Federal Reserve's authority to stress- test nonbank financial companies, even in situations where the firm's designation as systemically important is pending before the Financial Stability Oversight Council, FSOC. prgtoken Additionally, the bill would weaken the Dodd-Frank mandate that large financial companies under the SEC and CFTC's purview conduct internal stress tests to determine the company's ability to withstand a recession. prgtoken Combined, these rollbacks would allow the Bear Stearns of the world to take on increasing amounts of risk while regulators are tied up in lengthy administrative processes. prgtoken As former SEC Chair Mary Jo White stated in a December 2014 speech: ``Stress testing is an important tool routinely used by banking regulators. Implementing this new mandate in asset management, while relatively novel, will help market participation and the Commission better understand the potential impact of stress events.'' prgtoken I agree with Chair White's comments about the importance of stress testing and think that it simply does not make sound public policy to eliminate this tool. prgtoken Members of the asset management industry have also recognized that stress testing is critical to effectively managing risk. In a 2015 letter to the SEC, the Asset Management Group of
HONORING PETER G. DAUSEN
Jimmy Panetta (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2018-3-20

I rise today to recognize the service and character of a great American on the occasion of his retirement from civilian service with the United States Navy. Peter G. Dausen, or simply Pete as he is known to all, has given his entire adult life to the service of his family and country. He has set a towering example to all of us fortunate to know him. As Pete steps down from the position of Deputy and Technical Director for the Naval Support Activity Monterey, we all know that his influence has reached far beyond the strict confines of the job title. Pete graduated from Kent State University in 1974 and commissioned as a Second Lieutenant into the United States Army. He served in uniform for nearly 30 years as a signals officer with tours of duty across the United States and abroad. He oversaw signals operations in Somalia during the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu. He served as a peace keeper in Bosnia. He led soldiers and mentored young officer and NCOs. Along the way he earned two Masters Degrees and graduated from the Army War College, in Strategic Studies. Upon promotion to Colonel, Pete came to the Monterey Peninsula to serve as the Garrison Commander Presidio of Monterey, home of the Defense Language Institute and Ord Military Community. Although at first Pete was reticent to shift from warrior to city manager, he excelled in this last Army command. Upon retirement from active duty at the conclusion of his Garrison Command, Pete transitioned into the civilian position managing the facilities for the Naval Postgraduate School also located in Monterey. This role, which grew into the fully fledged Naval Support Activity Monterey during his tenure, became vital to the success of the military missions located in Monterey. He successfully advocated for new investments in the facilities at the NPS, the Fleet Numerical Meteorological and Oceanographic Center, the Navy Research Lab and the Navy War College. These efforts included helping to secure over $212 million in MilCon funding to update and improve facilities and advance these missions. He was also instrumental in standing up the new RCI housing and strengthening MWR programs for military families. Pete takes particular pride in the new academic fence that rings the public frontage of NPS. Pete has been a tireless advocate of the broader military mission in Monterey. He has played a vital role in the mission of TEAM Monterey, which has been crucial in advancing our national security interests by fostering long-term, positive community relationships between military facilities and public officials. Throughout his career, Pete has been a role model for the men and women who have been lucky enough to serve under him, as exemplified by his recent selection as a recipient of the Superior Civilian Service Award. In honor of his service, I would like to express my gratitude for Peter G. Dausen for his dedication to this country and our community. I
DESIGNATING THE U.S. POSTAL OFFICE AT 1320 AUTUMN AVE. MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE AS THE ``JUDGE RUSSELL B. SUGARMON POST OFFICE''
Steve Cohen (Democrat, TN) \u2014 2018-3-20

I rise in support of the bill I introduced today to designate the U.S. Postal Office at 1320 Autumn Ave. Memphis, Tennessee as the ``Judge Russell B. Sugarmon Post Office.'' prgtoken Born in Memphis, Tennessee in 1929, Judge Russell B. Sugarmon is heralded for his contributions to the City of Memphis and his work to reverse the tide of racism in Tennessee, paving the way for future black leaders in the area and inspiring their efforts to increase their representation in elected, ic bodies. prgtoken In 1959, Russell Sugarmon became the first African-American in Memphis to run for a major city office when he ran for Public Works Commissioner. Sugarmon's tenacity to overcome racial opposition to his candidacy paved the way and inspired other African-Americans in Memphis to seek public office. In 1966, he was elected to the Tennessee General Assembly, becoming the second African-American in Tennessee to be elected to the Assembly post Reconstruction. From 1976 to 1987, Sugarmon was a Referee in the Memphis Juvenile Court System before being appointed to serve as a judge for the General Sessions court. Judge Sugarmon was subsequently elected and re-elected to the bench and held his seat for 20 years until his retirement in 2006. prgtoken Working alongside notable Memphis pioneers and leaders in the fight for racial justice and equality, Judge Sugarmon was instrumental in using the courts to desegregate public transportation, restaurants and public facilities and the desegregation of Memphis public schools. Both the NAACP and ACLU have honored Judge Sugarmon for his contributions to Memphis. He was most recently awarded the 2014 be the Dream MLK Legacy Award. prgtoken As a trailblazer for African-American stewardship in public office and a leader in the Civil Rights Movement, it is only fitting that we enshrine our recognition of his contributions to the City of Memphis and the African American community by naming the 1320 Autumn Ave. Post Office in Memphis, TN in honor of his legacy. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to support this measure in honoring Judge Russell B. Sugarmon, an exemplary American and titan of his time.
S.J. RES. 54--MOTION TO DISCHARGE
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2018-3-20

this afternoon there is going to be a vote on the Senate floor which is of historic importance. It is rare that I use those words to describe what is going on in the Senate Chamber. It is equally rare for us to actually take up an issue and debate it in this Chamber, but this afternoon we will face a critical vote. prgtoken I can recall, as can most Members, many votes we have cast in the course of service in Congress, both in the House and the Senate, but the votes that cause loss of sleep and worry, time and again, are votes involving war. You see, part of my responsibility in the Senate, shared by my colleagues, under article I, section 8, is to actually vote to decide whether the United States of America shall go to war. prgtoken The Founding Fathers were explicit. They wanted to give to Congress that responsibility so Members of Congress could represent their constituents--House districts and States--whom we all represent. That created an opportunity--in effect, an obligation--for us to really measure this grievous, important, historic decision against the feelings of the families who would be asked to support a war with their tax dollars or with the lives of people they love. prgtoken I can recall, back in 2001, what occurred on 9/11. Those of us alive on that date will never forget it, but I also recall that a year later we faced a decision right here in the Senate Chamber about whether, as a result of 9/11, we would go to war against Iraq and Afghanistan. prgtoken There was a long debate about whether we should invade Iraq. If you will remember, the leaders of the government told us there were weapons of mass destruction which threatened the region and the world, including the United States, and if we didn't move into Iraq and take out Saddam Hussein in his capacity, we would leave the United States in danger. prgtoken The debate went on for a long period of time, and the final vote was cast in the early morning hours in October of 2002. I remember it well and, for reasons I can't explain, I stayed on the floor after the vote. There were only two or three Members of the Senate still here. It was one of those moments where we had voted to go to war and weren't certain about what the next step would be. There were 23 of us--1 and 22 --who voted against the invasion of Iraq. I think it was one of the most important votes I ever cast. prgtoken The representations about weapons of mass destruction turned out to be false. We had no intelligence to back up that assertion. Yet that was the reason we were off to war. Well, here we are, some 16 years later, still engaged in a war in Iraq. I don't believe there is a single Member of the Senate who that night cast a vote for the invasion of that country who believed that 16 years later we would still be engaged in a war in Iraq. prgtoken Subsequently, there was a vote on the invasion of Afghanistan. It was a different circumstance.
S.J. RES. 54--MOTION TO DISCHARGE
Jeff Merkley (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2018-3-20

America is very involved in a war in Yemen, and it is time we have a debate as envisioned under our Constitution. prgtoken Our Constitution did not lay out the power of deciding when to go to war with the executive branch. It places it prgtoken very clearly here, with article I, Congress is to act, but we have participated very directly, in partnership with Saudi Arabia, in the assault on Yemen, on the Houthis, and the result is a dramatic, dramatic humanitarian crisis. So we should absolutely hold that debate on this floor, as envisioned in our Constitution. prgtoken Article I, section 8 states, unequivocally, that ``the Congress shall have Power . . . to declare War.'' It is only Congress that is given this power under our Constitution. prgtoken If anyone has any doubts, then let's pay attention to the other words of our Founders, James Madison himself: ``In no part of the constitution is more wisdom to be found, than in the clause which confides the question of war or peace to the legislature, and not to the executive department.'' prgtoken The Founding Fathers' vision was reinforced by the War Powers Resolution of 1973, also often referred to as the War Powers Act. That act was necessary because the executive branch tends to put our forces into conflict without the permission of Congress, in violation of the Constitution. So it is important to lay out the parameters under which they are allowed to do so under emergency action and the circumstances under which they are not allowed to do so. prgtoken The War Powers Act says: ``It is the purpose of this joint resolution to fulfill the intent of the framers of the Constitution of the United States and insure that the collective judgement of both the Congress and the President will apply to the introduction of United States Armed Forces into hostilities.'' prgtoken It goes on to say that ``the constitutional powers of the President as Commander-in-Chief to introduce United States Armed Forces into hostilities . . . is clearly indicated by the circumstances, are exercised only pursuant to (1) a declaration of war, (2) specific statutory authorization, or (3) a national emergency created by attack upon the United States.'' prgtoken In the case of the Saudi war we are participating in against the Houthis, it is not triggered by an attack upon the United States, nor is there any specific statutory authorization--that is why we are going to have this debate today--nor is there a declaration of war. prgtoken So the standards of the War Powers Resolution have not been met, and I call upon my colleagues to shoulder your constitutional responsibility to have this debate and hold the Executive accountable when they are violating the law of the United States of America. prgtoken There are two components to our presence in Yemen which should not be confused. One is where we are directly involved against forces associated with al-Qaida. This debate is not about tha