mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
ENERGY AND WATER, LEGISLATIVE BRANCH, AND MILITARY CONSTRUCTION AND VETERANS AFFAIRS APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019
Brian Schatz (Democrat, HI) \u2014 2018-6-19

I am pleased to join my colleague from Arkansas, the chairman of the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee in presenting this bill for consideration before the full Senate. I thank him for his work to create a fair and bipartisan bill. I also thank the Appropriations Committee chairman and vice chairman for their leadership and commitment to an orderly process to bring these bills and all the appropriations bills to the floor. This is the first set of appropriations bills before the Senate this year. We are making good progress, and in the next few days, we are going to set the tone for the rest of our work this year on appropriations. prgtoken This bill builds on the progress we made in the omnibus by providing critical funding to support our veterans, servicemembers, and their families. It also funds military construction projects that are needed to continue our work to address years of budgetary risk-taking that have led to neglected facilities tied to military readiness. prgtoken In total, the bill provides the VA with nearly $5 billion more than last year's bill and adds more than $200 million for military construction. prgtoken I am particularly pleased that we were able to fund $500 million worth of unfunded military construction requirements. While increased funding must continue to be requested and sustained in future years, this funding makes progress to restore military readiness across the joint force, including, importantly, for the Army and Air National Guard that have served as an prgtoken operational reserve for nearly two decades of war. prgtoken The increased funding for the VA will go where it will do the most good for our veterans and their families, and that includes $400 million to combat the opioid epidemic, which is $18 million above the budget request; $365 million above the budget request for the caregivers program; nearly $500 million above the omnibus for mental health services; an additional $87 million to increase staffing to process veterans' disability claims appeals; and an additional $30 million to help deliver telehealth services to remote and rural areas. prgtoken We also add funding for VA medical care above the fiscal year 2019 advance appropriation that we provided in the omnibus. This includes an additional $750 million for VA in-house care and $1 billion to pay for privately provided care through VA's traditional community care programs. prgtoken We all agree that VA's community partners are essential to serving veterans and ensuring access, especially in rural areas, but privately provided care cannot come at the expense of VA's in-house medical services or other programs that are core to VA, and that is where the administration is trying to take us. Without budgetary relief, their efforts will leave a $38 billion hole at VA and undermine its ability to serve our veterans and their families. prgtoken I know that the chair
WHAT HAS AMERICA BECOME?
John Garamendi (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2018-6-19

. Mr. Kihuen, I don't want you to stop. I want you to stay strong. I want your voice to be heard. I want your experiences to be known. prgtoken Eight years old, coming to America with your parents. In this room, there are very few who would share such an experience, who could understand first the excitement of being in America, and then the potential terror of being taken from your parents. prgtoken I want you to make your voice heard because it is the voice of experience. It is the voice of a recent family coming to America. prgtoken So as we go through these days, please come to the floor, tell the experience again, not only of your family, but also what you saw in those shelters, in those cages. prgtoken Will the gentleman do that?
FAMILY SEPARATION
J. Luis Correa (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2018-6-19

in late May of this year, a 5-year-old boy named Jose and his father arrived in El Paso, Texas. Together, they had braved the dangerous trek from Honduras to the United States in search of freedom from gang violence, poverty, and hardship. prgtoken They came as asylum seekers and put themselves at the mercy of American laws. Instead, they were treated like criminals. prgtoken They journeyed across the continent for a life free of violence and a life free of crime. It is a human right enshrined in international law. prgtoken When Jose arrived at the border, he was ripped away from his father and detained. Neither one of them were told when, or if, they would see each other again. prgtoken Jose was assigned to a host family he had never met, taken to a house he had never lived in, and was treated like a prisoner in the land of freedom. prgtoken According to his host family, every night he placed a handwritten picture of his family under his pillow, holding out hope that they would someday be reunited. prgtoken This is the picture that he drew. prgtoken This is immoral, illegal, and an un-American practice that will not go unchallenged.
MEDICAID PROVIDERS ARE REQUIRED TO NOTE EXPERIENCES IN RECORD SYSTEMS TO HELP IN-NEED PATIENTS ACT
Joseph P. Kennedy III (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2018-6-19

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , I rise to speak on H.R. 5801, the Medicaid PARTNERSHIP Act. prgtoken This legislation requires Medicaid providers to have a program that requires providers to check a qualified prescription drug monitoring program, a PDMP, before prescribing a schedule II controlled substance and encourages integration of the PDMP into a provider's clinical work flow. prgtoken Today, , more than 30 States have some form of mandated provider PDMP check. This legislation would require all Medicaid programs to have such a policy in place. prgtoken Integrating PDMPs with Medicaid is a critical tool in this crisis for our providers to be able to prevent opioid addiction. prgtoken Research has demonstrated that these types of mandates can encourage registration and use of a State's PDMP by providers. That is why I support investing in our PDMPs so that they are good realtime systems that our providers can actually check easily. prgtoken Importantly, this legislation preserves the ability of States to work with providers to design a mandate that best meets the needs of all involved. prgtoken State flexibility and proper financing of our PDMPs is critical to achieving the intent of this legislation, which, if enacted, I will closely monitor going forward. prgtoken , .
ENERGY AND WATER, LEGISLATIVE BRANCH, AND MILITARY CONSTRUCTION AND VETERANS AFFAIRS APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019--Continued
Benjamin L. Cardin (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2018-6-19

tomorrow, June 20, is World Refugee Day. The United Nations General Assembly in 2000 declared June 20 to be World Refugee Day so we can have public awareness and support for refugees, asylum seekers, and displaced people. prgtoken The numbers are now out as to the number of displaced people in the year 2017, and that number is kind of shocking. It is record-setting for recent times--65.6 million people are displaced from their homes today. Over 22 million are refugees, over 40 million are displaced in their own country--internally displaced individuals, and almost 3 million are asylum seekers. These numbers rival the number of displaced people we saw after World War II. prgtoken Fifty-five percent of the refugees come from three countries: Syria, Afghanistan, and South Sudan. We have seen recent additions to the number of displaced people. In Burma, the Rohingya Muslims were forced out of their homes, and 650,000 had to flee. In the Central African Republic, we saw, again by reason of conflict, a lot of people being displaced. In our own hemisphere in Venezuela, there are 1.5 million people displaced from that conflict, and of course we all are familiar with the problems in Central America and El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras--countries which have been plagued by violence, from which a lot of families have tried to escape in order to save their children. prgtoken In Syria, there are 12 million displaced people. That is over half the population of Syria as a result of the conflict and the ISIS campaign. Over half the people in that country are displaced. When we talk about the impact it has on other countries when individuals seek to leave and become refugees--in Lebanon, for example, 1 million Syrians have fled to Lebanon. In Jordan, 660,000 Syrians have fled to Jordan. These countries have been prepared to take in these refugees. The impact, of course, is immediate to the individuals who are displaced. There is also an impact on the region, and as far away as we have seen the distances people will go in order to seek safety, there has been a major impact on the Continent of Europe. prgtoken I will be introducing a resolution for the U.S. Senate to go on record recognizing World Refugee Day. It will reaffirm the U.S. Government commitment to uphold international leadership, our strong support for humanitarian assistance, particularly in helping host countries' living conditions. I just saw the press accounts of the Rohingya population living in tent cities during the monsoon season who are at great risk. We need to join the international community that is working to help these vulnerable people. prgtoken The resolution speaks to us partnering with our international communities. This is an international effort, with U.S. leadership. We are reaffirming our longstanding tradition of resettling refugees in the United States. prgtoken I have worked on this issue since I have been in Congress, and
SUPPORTING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FOR FIRST RESPONDERS ACT
James R. Langevin (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2018-6-19

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , I rise in support of H.R. 4991, the Supporting Research and Development for First Responders Act. prgtoken , H.R. 4991 would authorize the National Urban Security Technology Laboratory, also known as NUSTL, within the Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology Directorate. prgtoken Established in 1947, NUSTL has a long, rich history of supporting the first responder community. This laboratory, located in New York City, is central to the research and development of technologies that give first responders the tools to mitigate, respond to, and recover from national security threats. prgtoken In recent years, NUSTL's work has fostered the emergence of thousands of innovative radiation detectors for use in the Securing the Cities program. NUSTL's engagement with homeland security stakeholders has ensured that as technology is developed, the particular concerns of end users, such as first responders, are taken into consideration. With the homeland security threat evolving daily, the importance of this lab to national security cannot be overstated. prgtoken While the good work of NUSTL is evident to myself and my colleagues on the House Homeland Security Committee, President , unfortunately, does not have the same level of appreciation. In the last two budget cycles, the administration, in its efforts to free up resources to build a wall along the southern border, has proposed completely cutting funding for NUSTL. The elimination of this laboratory as a first responder resource is absolutely senseless. prgtoken I am glad to see that our committee worked in a bipartisan fashion to craft this legislation, which would ensure that the work being performed at NUSTL will continue. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues to join me in advancing research development of technologies for first responders by supporting H.R. 4991. prgtoken , NUSTL's work is integral to protecting our Nation's first responders from threats. prgtoken On the one hand, it is unfortunate that the administration's proposal to cut spending for NUSTL is what prompted the creation of H.R. 4991 in the first place; however, it has given this Chamber an opportunity to recognize the value of NUSTL and push for it to maintain its place at the Department of Homeland Security. prgtoken So I encourage my colleagues to support H.R. 4991, and across the aisle for his work on this important bill. prgtoken , .
ENERGY AND WATER, LEGISLATIVE BRANCH, AND MILITARY CONSTRUCTION AND VETERANS AFFAIRS APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019--Continued
Sheldon Whitehouse (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2018-6-19

first, let me thank the senior Senator from New Jersey for those remarks. It was a privilege and a pleasure to be here to hear them delivered. We had a hearing in the Judiciary Committee this morning with a representative of Homeland Security who was virtually incapable of explaining any of what they were trying to do here. I think we now have five or six different explanations from the administration. One is, the Bible made me do it--the Attorney General; the other is, the made me do it; the third is, we are actually not doing it; the fourth is, we are doing it to build legislative leverage; and the fifth is, we are doing it in order to deter people from coming to our shores. prgtoken I doubt any of those are true, but, for sure, they can't all be true. It is a mess, but it is nothing like the mess of the images the Senator from New Jersey called to the conscience of the country today.
CONGRATULATING PRESIDENT-ELECT IVAN DUQUE OF COLOMBIA
Joe Wilson (Republican, SC) \u2014 2018-6-19

congratulations to President-elect Ivan Duque on being elected the new president of Colombia on Sunday, achieving 10 million votes, with one of the largest voter turnouts in the history of Colombia. prgtoken At 41, President-elect Duque will be one of the youngest presidents in the country's history. The father of three is married to Maria Juliana Ruiz. prgtoken I know firsthand of the talented people of Colombia, as former co- chairman of the Partners of Americas program, hosting students from Colombia with two of my sons as exchange students to Colombia. prgtoken The South Carolina National Guard, headed by General Bob Livingston, is grateful to be training with Colombia's military and the State Partnership Program. prgtoken This election was the first to be held since a peace deal was reached that ended the murderous, leftist insurgency in Colombia. prgtoken I am grateful that President-elect Ivan Duque plans to work closely with the United States in the tradition of former President Alvaro Uribe. He will be successful in creating jobs, increasing security for the population, and leading Colombia to a more prosperous future. prgtoken In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September the 11th in the global war on terrorism. We will remember Otto Warmbier on the anniversary of his death.
NATIONAL PTSD AWARENESS MONTH
Glenn Thompson (Republican, PA) \u2014 2018-6-19

during the month of June, we raise awareness for those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. prgtoken After a trauma or a life-threatening event, it is common to have reactions, such as upsetting memories, increased jumpiness, or trouble sleeping. If these reactions do not go away or if they get worse, you might suffer from PTSD. prgtoken There are organizations and resources that can help both individuals and professionals discover ways to identify and to manage PTSD symptoms and explore effective treatments. prgtoken PTSD is especially prevalent for those who have served in the military, affecting nearly 30 percent of Vietnam veterans and up to 20 percent of veterans who served during the global war on terror. prgtoken A nonservicemember may be exposed to a single trauma--for example, a car accident--that can also cause PTSD. prgtoken , before I came to Congress, I worked as a rehabilitation therapist, and I have seen incredible strides that people with injuries can make with access to appropriate rehabilitation. prgtoken I applaud all of the organizations that raise awareness about this important issue during June. There is help and support for those who have PTSD.
ENERGY AND WATER, LEGISLATIVE BRANCH, AND MILITARY CONSTRUCTION AND VETERANS AFFAIRS APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019
Richard C. Shelby (Republican, AL) \u2014 2018-6-19

just 3 months ago, Congress passed and the President signed a $1.3 trillion omnibus spending package for the year 2018. No one had time to read it, much less an opportunity to amend it on the floor. The President vowed that never again would he sign such a measure. Collectively, we lamented the absence of process and the excess of partisanship that had led to that point once again. The collapse of regular order had become the new normal, despite our usual resolutions to revive it. prgtoken I am pleased to report today that the Senate Appropriations Committee has charted a different course in the months since the 2018 omnibus became law. In April of this year, I began working with Vice Chairman Leahy and our colleagues on the Appropriations Committee to put into motion an aggressive schedule to mark up all 12 appropriations bills before the July 4 recess. Thus far, the committee has passed seven of these bills. This week, the committee will mark up three additional bills, and in the final week of June, we will consider the remaining two. At the moment, we are right on schedule. prgtoken What has been truly remarkable, however, is not the speed of the 2019 appropriations process but the bipartisanship that has given it new life. All seven of the bills passed by the committee thus far have garnered overwhelming bipartisan support. Most of them, in fact, have been approved unanimously. This is no small accomplishment in today's partisan political environment. prgtoken At this point, I pause to recognize Vice Chairman Leahy's significant contributions to this effort. Senator Leahy and I have known each other for many decades now. In fact, our combined years on the Appropriations Committee exceed the ages of many of our colleagues. prgtoken On this basis, we came together at the outset of the process and determined that only by uniting would appropriations bills make it to the Senate floor and beyond. He and I made a deal, the essence of which POLITICO succinctly summarized in the headline of a recent article, entitled: ``Poison pills banished from Senate spending bills.'' That is what we hope. prgtoken As part of this deal, Vice Chairman Leahy and I agreed to reject not only partisan riders--our own too--but also new authorizations in the 2019 appropriations bills. We resolved that Senators on both sides who would be looking to authorize new law in appropriations bills would be referred to the appropriate authorizing committees. As the appropriations process has unfolded, I have honored this deal, Vice Chairman Leahy has honored this deal, and our subcommittee chairmen and ranking members have honored this deal. The results speak for themselves. prgtoken Last week, for example, the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies appropriations bill passed unanimously out of committee. One would have to go back nearly 10 years to find the last time the Interior bill garnered such strong bipartisan sup
SHIELDING PUBLIC SPACES FROM VEHICULAR TERRORISM ACT
Daniel M. Donovan, Jr. (Republican, NY) \u2014 2018-6-19

the balance of my time. prgtoken , I want to take a moment to recognize Sarah Jorgenson of my subcommittee staff. This is Sarah's last week with the subcommittee, and I thank her for her work on this bill and for all of her work on the subcommittee to enhance the security and resiliency of our Nation. I wish her the very best in her new role at the Department of the Interior. prgtoken , I once again urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4627, and .
100 YEARS AFTER WORLD WAR I
Ted Poe (Republican, TX) \u2014 2018-6-19

100 years ago this month, American marines forged their legend as the world's most effective fighting force as they halted the German advance in France at the Battle of Belleau Wood. Less than 6 months later, World War I came to an end, and this year we mark the centennial anniversary of the conclusion of the planet's first global conflict. prgtoken There was nothing like it before its time. It was the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month that all of the guns fell silent. After 4 years of war, 18 million people laid dead, 23 million others were wounded, and many of the old empires of Europe crumbled. prgtoken Often called the War to End All Wars or the Great War, the First World War left a long shadow over history which we can still feel today. But none experienced the horror of this war more than the 4 million Americans sent to fight over there in Europe and the families they left behind. Their lives were immediately changed forever. prgtoken The United States came late to the war, but when we arrived and restored hope to our European allies, we reached a defining moment in our history and world history. Until that time, America was not a great power as we are today, but with the arrival of our doughboys, they ushered in a new era of freedom in Europe. This was the beginning of the American century, the New World superpower, the United States. prgtoken Our military saw that it was their duty as champions of liberty to help our allies in need and to make the world safe for democracy. They went to liberate, not to conquer. Our enemy was shocked. Our allies were stunned by the tenacious doughboys. The American doughboys changed the course of the war forever. prgtoken Here in this photograph, we have Americans going over the top, as they prgtoken say, over the top of the trench, charging into the guns of the Germans. prgtoken When the Americans arrived, the Axis powers were slowly gaining power. With Russia's premature exit from the war, German troops from the Eastern Front were able to be redeployed to the Western Front. prgtoken In the Spring Offensive of 1918, the Germans threw everything they had at our British and French allies, hoping to end the war before the Americans entered that war. But they were too late. The U.S. troops rushed to the front, relieving their battle-weary comrades and stunning the Germans with the American fighting spirit. prgtoken World War I is often considered the first modern war. Military technology made rapid advances, making the battlefield more dangerous than ever in history. The trench warfare was horrifying and brutal. prgtoken Despite the dangers, our boys were eager to get into the fight. In June of 1918, the feared German Army was approaching Paris, France, but then they met the United States Marines at Belleau Wood. prgtoken , when the Americans, the Marines, arrived on the battlefield, they encountered retreating French troops. A French colonel ordered the Marines to re