mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
RECOGNITION OF THE MINORITY LEADER
John Hoeven (Republican, ND) \u2014 2020-2-4

I rise today to speak regarding the impeachment of President . prgtoken For more than 2 weeks now, the Senate has listened as both the House managers and the President's counsel presented their cases. Nearly 28,000 prgtoken pages of documents, including testimony from 17 witnesses gathered as part of the House investigation, will be part of the Senate record. Over the course of 2 days, Senators asked 180 questions of the House managers and the White House counsel. The Senate took its constitutional duty very seriously. prgtoken After carefully listening to the House managers, President's counsel, reviewing the documents and testimony, and asking questions, it is clear to me that the House should not have impeached President , and the Senate should vote to acquit the President. prgtoken The House process did not provide the President with important due process rights. On the other hand, the Senate trial was conducted using past precedent of the Clinton trial as the framework. At the start of the Senate trial, the Senate agreed that the House evidence could be admitted into the record. We provided ample opportunity for both the House managers and White House counsel to make their arguments and ensure that Senators had substantial time to ask their questions. As I said, in fact, Senators asked 180 questions over 2 full days and received lengthy answers from both--and detailed answers from both President's counsel and the House managers. prgtoken The American public has seen the transcript of the call between President and President Zelensky. President Zelensky has said on several occasions that he did not feel pressured to do anything in return for the security assistance. Further, the military aid was provided to Ukraine without any investigations being conducted. Given these facts, the House's allegations do not rise to the level of an impeachable offense. prgtoken Our Founding Fathers believed that impeachment should not be used as a partisan weapon and that the President serves at the will of the people. With an election to be held in coming months, it should be up to the American people to decide who will lead the country. prgtoken We need to put this impeachment behind us. We need to get back to work advancing measures to help improve the lives of Americans. These legislative priorities, delayed while the House and Senate focused its attention on partisan impeachment, include important items like addressing our Nation's infrastructure, lowering prescription drug costs, providing middle-class tax relief, promoting American energy development, supporting our military and veterans, upholding our trust and treaty obligations to our Tribal communities, securing our borders, and continuing to fight for our farmers and our ranchers. These should all be areas where we can work together on a bipartisan basis for the American people. prgtoken With these important priorities in mind, I loo
RECOGNIZING THE DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS 100TH ANNIVERSARY
J. French Hill (Republican, AR) \u2014 2020-2-4

I rise today to congratulate and thank the Disabled Veterans of the World War, now the Disabled Veterans of America, on its 100th anniversary. prgtoken It was founded in 1920 and headed by World War I veteran and Cincinnati Judge Robert S. Marx. The DAV has stood as an organization of disabled veterans serving veterans as they make that critical transition from military life to civilian life. prgtoken As Marx said of the need of the DAV, ``We had a common experience which bound us together, and we ought to continue through an organization of our own . . . an organization of us, by us, and for us.'' prgtoken With 1.2 million members, the DAV has grown into one of the foremost veterans' service organizations in our country. prgtoken Arkansas DAV Commander Charlie Brown, who served for more than 26 years in the U.S. Air Force, in both Desert Storm and in Vietnam, has helped lead our State's fight in support of America's injured veterans and their families. prgtoken I would like to extend my congratulations to the entire Disabled American Veterans family and wish them continued success for generations to come.
HONORING RYAN DEHAAN
Sam Graves (Republican, MO) \u2014 2020-2-4

. Madam , I proudly pause to recognize Ryan DeHaan. Ryan is a very special young man who has exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by taking an active part in the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 1692, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout. Ryan has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Ryan has been involved with scouting, he has not only earned numerous merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community. Most notably, Ryan has contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project. Madam , I proudly ask you to join me in commending Ryan DeHaan for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.
RECOGNITION OF THE MINORITY LEADER
Steve Daines (Republican, MT) \u2014 2020-2-4

I rise today in the very Chamber where just three Presidential impeachment trials have been held over the course of our Nation's history--President Johnson in 1868, President Clinton in 1999, and now President . prgtoken In fact, I sat at this desk the past 2 weeks listening to over 65 hours of trial proceedings, and during that time, we heard from 13 witnesses, and we viewed 193 video clips and 28,000-plus pages of documentation. Senators, over a 16-hour period, asked over 180 questions. In the Senate, we took our solemn duty seriously. prgtoken If there is one thing to be remembered from this trial for generations to come, it is this: Sadly, over the course of our country's 244-year history, never has our Nation faced such a partisan abuse of power. Never has the Senate been faced with Articles of Impeachment that allege no crimes in an attempt to remove a duly elected President of the United States from office. Never before have we seen such a partisan Presidential impeachment process. prgtoken In 1974, when President Nixon faced impeachment--Nixon, a --177 House s joined in support of the impeachment inquiry. During President Clinton's impeachment--a --31 joined House s. But with President , there were zero. Not one supported it. In fact, there were some who opposed it. So, to be clear, there was actually bipartisan opposition. prgtoken This impeachment is an unprecedented, purely partisan threat to the Constitution. Our Founding Fathers, the Framers of our great Constitution, understood what the power of impeachment meant when they gave it to Congress after great deliberation. prgtoken Alexander Hamilton and James Madison feared--they feared-- congressional abuse of power and legislative tyranny as they debated whether to include the power of impeachment in the Constitution because the Founders knew the removal of a President from office amounted to a political death sentence. prgtoken In Federalist 65, Hamilton warns that the House could be ``intemperate,'' was the word he used, and abuse their majority. He proclaimed that the Senate would be--and I use his words--``unawed and uninfluenced,'' the ``independent'' institution to determine whether a House impeachment was warranted. prgtoken The Founders had the wisdom to establish a two-thirds Senate vote threshold to help ensure that removal could not be achieved by mere partisan politics. The Founders established that the thermonuclear option of impeachment must be bipartisan to safeguard not just the President from unwarranted removal but, importantly, to protect the will of the American people who elected the President in the first place. prgtoken Unfortunately, Nancy Pelosi, Adam Schiff, and House have done exactly what the Founding Fathers feared. They have ignored what House manager and the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, Jerry
RURAL AMERICANS NEED ACCESS TO EMERGENCY CARE
Mark E. Green (Republican, TN) \u2014 2020-2-4

over the past decade, more than 100 rural hospitals have been forced to close their doors, including 12 hospitals in Tennessee. These communities are now left without access to healthcare in general, let alone emergency care. prgtoken Many rural hospitals across the Nation continue to face significant financial difficulties. As this crisis continues at a growing rate, current Federal regulations stand in the way, only allowing a free- standing emergency department within 35 miles of a hospital. prgtoken My bill, the Rural ER Access Act, would repeal this ridiculous 35- mile rule to permit free-standing emergency departments to operate in the rural communities that need them the most. prgtoken As an emergency medicine physician, I believe that we should and can make sure that rural Americans are not left without access to emergency care because of some unnecessary bureaucratic regulation.
RECOGNITION OF THE MINORITY LEADER
Shelley Moore Capito (Republican, WV) \u2014 2020-2-4

I rise today to discuss why I will be voting to acquit President on both Articles of Impeachment tomorrow afternoon. prgtoken Our Constitution makes clear that only a particularly grave act-- ``treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors''--would justify a Senate voting to reverse the will of the people, the voters, and remove from office the person they chose to lead this Nation. prgtoken Besides making clear just how serious an offense needs to be in order to warrant impeachment, our founding document allows the President to remain in office unless two-thirds of our body--the Senate--votes for impeachment. To me, that underscores the need for a national consensus that runs across partisan lines before undoing an election. prgtoken The Senate has never in our history removed a President from office following an impeachment trial. prgtoken Our Founding Fathers recognized that impeachment should not be used as a blunt partisan instrument. prgtoken President was duly elected by the people of this country to be President of the United States in 2016. Nothing that I have heard in this process has come close to providing a reason that would justify my voting to overturn the choice made by nearly half a million West Virginians and tens of millions of other Americans and even further-- even further--to remove him from the ballot in 2020. prgtoken There is no doubt that the House impeachment process was partisan, politically driven, and denied President some of his most basic rights of due process. At the same time, the product that was brought to our Chamber was obviously flimsy, rushed, and contained incomplete evidence. prgtoken Time and again, House managers demanded that we do things here in the Senate that they neglected to do themselves during their House proceedings, such as calling witnesses they refused to call--witnesses they are now asking us to bring forward. prgtoken Regardless of the failings of the House managers, it is the Senate's job and, indeed, our oath to do impartial justice. In keeping with that oath, I supported a trial process that was modeled after the Senate's precedent in 1999, when it received the approval of 100 Senators. I am glad we conducted this trial under that process because I felt it was fair to both sides. prgtoken Both the managers and the President's attorneys were given 3 full days in the Senate to present their respective cases, and Senators spent 2 full days--16 hours--asking questions and receiving answers from the parties. Actually, I found that very instructive. The Senate heard testimony from witnesses in 192 video segments--some of them repetitive--and received more than 28,000 pages of documents. The House record, which we received here in the Senate, included the testimony of 17 witnesses. So there were witnesses. The House brought witness testimony into the Senate. prgtoken I keenly listened to these presentations with an open mi
COMMONSENSE GUN REFORM NEEDED
Raja Krishnamoorthi (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2020-2-4

every day, dozens of Americans lose their lives to guns. If a virus killed dozens of Americans each day, we would treat it as a public health emergency. But despite that loss of life from gun violence, our country has failed to implement commonsense gun reform. prgtoken One of those solutions is my bill, the COOL OFF Act, which would establish a 3-day waiting period on all handgun sales, to take the passion out of crimes of passion. prgtoken Research has shown waiting periods reduce murders by 17 percent and suicides by 10 percent. A national waiting period would save hundreds if not thousands of lives each year by preventing handgun sales to those motivated toward crimes of passion. prgtoken Thousands of Americans have died as we have waited to pass gun reform. By passing the COOL OFF Act, we can ensure that a wait of just 3 days starts to save lives.
RECOGNITION OF THE MINORITY LEADER
Robert P. Casey, Jr. (Democrat, PA) \u2014 2020-2-4

as I rise today to discuss this impeachment trial, I am reminded of an inscription above the front door of the Finance Building in burg, PA, from the 1930s. Here is the inscription: ``All public service is a trust, given in faith and accepted in honor.'' prgtoken I believe that President and every public official in America must earn that trust every day. That sacred trust is given to us, as the inscription says, ``in faith,'' by virtue of our election. prgtoken The question for the President and every public official is this: Will we accept this trust by our honorable conduct? The trust set forth in the inscription is an echo of Alexander Hamilton's words in Federalist No. 65, where Hamilton articulated the standard for impeachment as ``offenses which proceed from the misconduct of public men, or, in other words, from the abuse or violation of some public trust.'' prgtoken Over the past 2 weeks, I have listened carefully to the arguments put forward by the President's defense lawyers and the House managers. In light of the substantial record put forth by the managers in this case, I have determined that the managers have not only met but exceeded their burden of proof. prgtoken President violated his duty as a public servant by corruptly abusing his power to solicit foreign interference in the 2020 election and by repeatedly obstructing Congress's constitutionally based investigation into his conduct. prgtoken President 's clearly established pattern of conduct indicates that he will continue to be ``a threat to national security and the Constitution if allowed to remain in office.'' For these reasons, I will vote guilty on both article I and article II. prgtoken This impeachment was triggered by the President's conduct. We are here because the President abused his power--the awesome power of his office--to demand that an ally investigate a political opponent, proving his contempt for the Constitution and his duties as a public official. prgtoken The House managers provided substantial evidence of wrongdoing. First, as to article I regarding abuse of power, many of the facts here are undisputed. For example, there is no dispute that the President has said, when referring to the Constitution itself: ``Article II allows me to do whatever I want.'' This is what the President of the United States of America said. prgtoken Then he withheld congressionally authorized military assistance to Ukraine in a White House meeting with President Zelensky and conditioned that military assistance and the meeting on Ukraine publicly announcing investigations into Vice President and his son, as well as a debunked conspiracy theory about the 2016 election interference. The memorandum of the July 25 phone call in which President asked President Zelensky ``to do us a favor though,'' after Zelensky brought up in the conversation military assistance, that evidence is compelling eviden
RECOGNIZING TELEMACHUS ORFANOS WHO WAS KILLED IN THE BORDERLINE SHOOTING
Julia Brownley (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2020-2-4

during National Gun Violence Survivors' Week, I stand before you to call attention to the tragic impact of gun violence on our Nation. prgtoken On November 7, 2018, Ventura County was forever altered by the Borderline shooting, which took the lives of 12 individuals. prgtoken Telemachus Orfanos, a U.S. Navy veteran, survived the Las Vegas shooting only to be killed 1 year later at Borderline. Tel died a hero, rushing to save others when gunfire erupted. prgtoken Today, I am joined by his mother, Susan, whose presence is a reminder of the far too many families grieving the loss of their loved ones. prgtoken Since the Borderline shooting, an estimated 45,000 people have died from gun violence, and the Senate still refuses to act. Tel and all victims of gun violence deserve better. They deserve much better. prgtoken The Senate must act. The lives of every American depend upon it.
RECOGNITION OF THE MINORITY LEADER
Jeanne Shaheen (Democrat, NH) \u2014 2020-2-4

I come to the floor this afternoon to express my profound disappointment. This is a sad moment in our Nation's history. I, like all of us in the Senate, came to this body to try and make a difference for our constituents, to address the kitchen table issues that affect their everyday lives--lowering prescription drug costs, rebuilding our crumbling infrastructure, making college more affordable, protecting our environment, helping our veterans, supporting our small businesses--so many of the things that I and others here have worked on. prgtoken Critics have argued that the impeachment process is nothing more than a political attack orchestrated by those who have wanted to remove this President since his election. I flatly reject that argument. prgtoken I have repeatedly expressed my reluctance to the use of impeachment. Unfortunately, it is this President's disturbing actions that have put us in this position. prgtoken President went to great lengths to try and force the Ukrainian President to help smear , his political rival. This scheme included withholding military aid and withholding a meeting at the White House with the Ukrainian President. prgtoken Each of us here took an oath to support and defend the Constitution. The Constitution requires us to do this job. It tells us that the Senate shall have ``the sole Power to try all Impeachments.'' After the power to declare war, the power to impeach is among the most serious and consequential powers granted to Congress by our founding document. prgtoken When we all stood here at the beginning of this trial, we took an oath to do ``impartial justice.'' That should mean a commitment to seek all of the facts. A fair trial means documents and witnesses, facts that will help us better understand the truth. prgtoken Previous Senates understood this. In fact, every Senate impeachment trial in history included witnesses. Most recently, in the Judge Porteous impeachment trial in 2010, when I was one of the Senators who served on that impeachment committee, we heard from 26 witnesses, 17 of whom had not testified before in the House. We believed then that Senate witnesses were important for impeachment of a Federal district court judge. So why wouldn't we prgtoken want witnesses in something as important as an impeachment of a sitting President? prgtoken We know that documents exist that could help shed more light on this case. We also know of other witnesses with additional firsthand information whom we have yet to hear from. We have one witness, in particular--former National Security Advisor John Bolton, who has told the world he has relevant information and he is willing to testify. prgtoken Yet, despite all of that, the Senate, on a partisan vote, refused to listen to Ambassador Bolton or any other witnesses. Members of this institution have willfully turned their back on important, relevant, firsthand information. prgtoken On the Article
HONORING REVEREND DR. MARCUS DEMOND DAVIDSON SENIOR PASTOR OF NEW MOUNT OLIVE BAPTIST CHURCH ON HIS 10TH ANNUAL PASTORAL ANNIVERSARY
Alcee L. Hastings (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2020-2-4

. Madam , I rise today to honor Reverend Dr. Marcus Demond Davidson, Senior Pastor of the New Mount Olive Baptist Church, on his 10th Annual Pastoral Anniversary, which will take place during the month of March 2020. prgtoken This achievement truly is remarkable and a testament to Rev. Davidson's commitment to faith, leadership, and our community. Throughout his career, he has tirelessly served faith-based and secular groups by helping to transform and empower others to achieve their greatest potential. prgtoken Rev. Davidson is a graduate of Deshler High School in Tuscumbia, Alabama. In further studies, he received his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering Technology from Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University in Normal, Alabama; Master of Biblical Studies from Heritage Bible College in Huntsville, Alabama; Master of Divinity from Beeson Divinity School at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama; and a Doctor of Ministry with an emphasis in Black Church Leadership from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. He has studied at the Dallas Theological Seminary in Dallas, Texas; abroad at the Caribbean Graduate School of Theology, Kingston, Jamaica, West Indies. prgtoken At the age of six, Rev. Davidson accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior and united with the St. James Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of his father, Rev. Dr. Green Davidson, III. When he was sixteen years of age, Rev. Davidson acknowledged prgtoken his call into the preaching ministry. In 1999, he was elected and previously served for ten years as pastor of the Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Courtland, Alabama. prgtoken Rev. Davidson's move to the New Mount Olive Baptist Church continued his career as a young, spirited minister who's many achievements include his work as a gospel recording artist, entrepreneur, noted preacher, pastor, and teacher. Additionally, he has been an inspiring figure through his numerous other works and engagements within the community. prgtoken Madam , Rev. Davidson has long stated that ``worship is not so much style as it is substance.'' It is abundantly clear that over the last decade at New Mount Olive Baptist Church that this remains his ethos every single day. I once again want to congratulate Reverend Dr. Marcus Demond Davidson on his 10th Annual Pastoral Anniversary and wish him many more years of successful service to our community.