mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
Nomination of Richard Grenell (Executive Session)
Amy Klobuchar (Democrat, MN) \u2014 2018-4-26

I rise today to discuss the nomination of Mike Pompeo for Secretary of State. prgtoken After closely reviewing Mr. Pompeo's record and past statements, I have concluded that he is not the right person to serve as Secretary of State. While I respect him and will work closely with him, I cannot support his nomination. prgtoken The world continues to look to America for our leadership on diplomacy and bringing our allies together. That includes upholding international agreements, such as the Paris accord, which Mr. Pompeo has opposed. It also includes respect for people of different ethnic and religious backgrounds, and Mr. Pompeo's past statements about Muslims and immigrants greatly concern me. prgtoken While I voted in favor of confirming Mr. Pompeo to be the Director of the CIA and thank him for his service, Secretary of State is a different job with different responsibilities. prgtoken Thank you.
DANTE PADRO
Ed Perlmutter (Democrat, CO) \u2014 2018-4-26

I rise today to recognize and applaud Dante Padro for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Dante Padro is a student at Arvada K-8 and received this award because his determination and hard work have allowed him to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Dante Padro 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 Dante Padro for winning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. I have no doubt he will exhibit the same dedication and character in all of his future accomplishments.
JESSIE'S LAW
Joe Manchin, III (Democrat, WV) \u2014 2018-4-26

in March 2016, we lost a young woman with great potential named Jessica Grubb. Jessie was a great student, a loving daughter and sister, and an avid runner. She was also recovering from an opioid addiction. prgtoken When she had surgery for an infection related to a running injury, her parents were there to take care of her, and both Jessie and her parents told her doctors and hospital personnel that she was a recovering addict and not to be prescribed opioids. prgtoken Unfortunately, Jessie's discharging physician did not see this note in her chart, despite it being in there eight separate times. He did not know that she was a recovering addict and sent her home with a prescription for 50 oxycodone pills. prgtoken Her parents talked to her on the phone when she got home, but that was the last time they talked to her. She had passed away that night in her sleep. The temptation was too great for her, as it would be for so many in recovery. prgtoken Her death was tragic, but preventable. prgtoken That is why I introduced Jessie's Law and why I fought to have it included as part of the fiscal year 2018 omnibus appropriations bill. The fiscal year 2018 LHHS Appropriations Subcommittee Senate Report, which was signed into law, includes the following commonsense language to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish best practices for hospitals and physicians for sharing information about a patient's past opioid addiction when that information is shared by the patient with the healthcare provider: ``Opioid Medical Record Reporting.--The Committee is deeply concerned about the devastating impact that the opioid epidemic is having on families throughout the country, and recognizes that medical providers must have access to information about their patients' past opioid addiction if that information is provided by the patient. The Committee encourages the Secretary to develop and disseminate standards that would allow hospitals and physicians to access the history of opioid addiction in medical records (including electronic health records) of any patient who has provided information about such addiction to a healthcare provider.'' prgtoken These standards will be created in honor of Jessica Grubb and will help ensure that a patient's substance use disorder history is included in a patient's record like any other life-threatening medical issue, including a penicillin allergy. prgtoken This will help keep a tragedy like Jessie's death from ever happening again by ensuring that, when individuals are open about their past addiction, healthcare providers will have access to the information that they need to provide medically appropriate care and save lives.
RECOGNIZING THE BROAD INSTITUTE
Katherine M. Clark (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2018-4-26

today we celebrate National DNA Day, which marks the completion of the Human Genome Project that produced the first complete DNA sequence of a human being. On the 15th anniversary of this milestone, the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard will reach another remarkable achievement: having now sequenced a total of 100,000 human genomes since the conclusion of the Human Genome Project. prgtoken Connecting MIT, Harvard, the Harvard teaching hospitals, and the life sciences and technology industries in Cambridge, MA and beyond, the Broad Institute is one of the world's leading biomedical research institutions. In the service of its mission to propel the understanding and treatment of disease, the Broad Institute is also one of the largest producers of human genomic information; it has made more genomic data available for health research than any other organization. prgtoken Over the last decade, the Broad Institute has generated about ten percent of the world's entire knowledge base of human genomic data. Scientists in the United States and around the globe have used its data to research the underlying causes of devastating diseases, from common conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer to very rare childhood disorders. prgtoken That tremendous progress reflects not only on the Broad Institute, but on the wisdom of our government to meaningfully invest in biomedicine with its launch of the Human Genome Project in 1990, from which we are still reaping the returns. prgtoken I want to thank the Broad Institute for their commitment to science, health, and progress. I am incredibly proud to have this institution and their historic achievements within my district.
COMMEMORATING PASTOR B.R. DANIELS, JR.'S 25TH PASTORAL ANNIVERSARY AT THE FIRST GREATER NEW HOPE BAPTIST CHURCH
Marc A. Veasey (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2018-4-26

I rise today to commemorate Pastor B.R. Daniels, Jr.'s 25th Pastoral Anniversary at the First Greater New Hope Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas. prgtoken A native of Fort Worth, Pastor Daniels attended and graduated from O.D. Wyatt High School. After completing high school, he answered the call of duty and enlisted in the prgtoken United States Army where he faithfully served his country for 8 years. Pastor Daniels was honorably discharged in 1992, at the rank of Sergeant E-5. prgtoken In early 1993, when the First Greater New Hope Baptist Church often referred to as ``The Hope,'' was in search of a new pastor and leader, Reverend Daniels was called upon to occupy the pulpit. The congregation knew right away that they had the right man for the job. prgtoken On May 2, 1993, Pastor Daniels became the second pastor of the First Greater New Hope Baptist Church, and he continues to lead his congregation today. prgtoken Under his leadership, the First Greater New Hope Baptist Church established multiple ministries and grew to over 600 active members. prgtoken If that is not enough, Pastor Daniels is also currently pursuing a master's degree in Theology at the Trinity Theological Seminary. prgtoken Most importantly, he is the proud father of Brittany and Brianna Daniels, and the proud grandfather of Britton Ray Daniels. prgtoken After 25 years, Pastor Daniels has certainly left his mark not only on his church but also in the City of Fort Worth. His passion and love for the ministry explain why so many follow his vision of hope. prgtoken Therefore, I include in the Record this statement in recognition of Pastor B.R. Daniels, Jr.'s 25 years of dedicated service to the First Greater New Hope Baptist Church.
FAA REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2018
André Carson (Democrat, IN) \u2014 2018-4-26

. Mr. Chair, I was unavoidably detained and missed rollcall votes prgtoken 155 to 160. Had I been present, I would have cast the following votes: prgtoken Rollcall 155, on H.R. 4, DeFazio Amendment, vote ``yea.'' prgtoken Rollcall 156, on H.R. 4, Rohrabacher/Bass Amendment, vote ``nay.'' prgtoken Rollcall 157, on H.R. 4, S. King Amendment, vote ``nay.'' prgtoken Rollcall 158, on H.R. 4, Lipinski Amendment, vote ``yea.'' prgtoken Rollcall 159, on H.R. 4, Denha/Costa Amendment, vote ``nay.'' prgtoken Rollcall 160, on H.R. 4, Lynch/Meng Amendment, vote ``yea.'' personal explanation
ANTI-SEMITISM IN THE UNITED STATES AND EUROPE
Benjamin L. Cardin (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2018-4-26

I rise today to discuss the recent rise of anti- prgtoken Semitism and racism in our communities. prgtoken As Members of Congress, we have an enormous responsibility to take strong action and stand up against intolerance before it takes root in the next generation. It is incumbent upon all people to ensure that adequate tools are in place to counter the resurgence of fear and hate- mongering--whether directed at old targets or new--that led to the Holocaust and other atrocities. prgtoken America must maintain its leadership abroad, especially when it comes to the issues of human rights and religious freedom--the core foundations upon which our Nation was built. We must uphold these standards here at home and defend and promote them globally. prgtoken In my role as the representative on anti-Semitism, racism, and intolerance for the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe's Parliamentary Assembly, I visited Paris and Copenhagen and met with local leaders in the aftermath of the violent, anti-Semitic attacks in 2015, including the Charlie Hebdo massacre. The gruesome murder of Holocaust survivor Mireille Knoll in Paris on March 24 is a grim reminder of the urgency of our task. prgtoken In Poland, there have been no attacks recently, but there is a growing climate of fear. Government officials have equivocated regarding Polish responsibility for the World War II massacre in Jedwabne and the postwar pogrom in Kielce, which occurred on our Independence Day--July 4, 1946. The Polish President recently signed into law an anti-defamation bill that makes it illegal to attribute responsibility for or complicity during the Holocaust to the Polish nation or state. This law will, in fact, restrict academic freedom, chill free speech, and hinder teaching about the Holocaust and the crimes committed in occupied Poland during World War II. prgtoken In Hungary, Viktor Orban has stoked a campaign of hatred against migrants and Muslims in his bid for a third term as Prime Minister. In the final days of his campaign and perhaps revealing some concerns for his margin of victory, his party has sharpened its call for a country that is White and Christian, escalating its anti-Semitic and anti-Roma rhetoric. prgtoken Here at home, we have witnessed extremists and neo-Nazis marching in the streets openly carrying painful hate symbols from the 1930s. In a brazen public display, neo-Nazis and White supremacist groups took to the streets in Charlottesville, VA, last August, inciting violence that cost 32-year-old counter-protester Heather Heyer her life. Just this past weekend, another group of neo-Nazis marched in Newnan, GA, and burned a large swastika afterwards. Burt Colucci, a member of the National Socialist Movement, told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that there was no particular reason Newnan was chosen for the rally. He said: We pick these rallies randomly. It is always preferable that
HONORING THE LIFE OF ADRIAN MURFITT
Ruben J. Kihuen (Democrat, NV) \u2014 2018-4-26

today, I rise to remember the life of Adrian Murfitt, who went to Las Vegas on October 1 for the Route 91 festival. prgtoken Adrian had a love for fishing. He would spend months on a commercial fishing boat to catch and sell fish. When it was not fishing season, he would repair appliances, tinker with cars, and spend time with his friends. prgtoken Adrian was a very hard worker and decided to reward himself for a successful fishing season by traveling to Las Vegas. He loved to listen and sing country music with a voice that friends described as ``beautiful.'' prgtoken He enjoyed his two dogs, Laika and Paxson, and always made sure to spend time with them. Adrian had many friends who remember him as being silly and goofy and wanting to make people laugh, no matter what. prgtoken I would like to extend my condolences to Adrian Murfitt's family and friends. Please know that the city of Las Vegas, the State of Nevada, and the whole country grieve with you.
FAA REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2018
Peter A. DeFazio (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2018-4-26

I rise in support of H.R. 4, the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018. prgtoken I am pleased to be here today with the chairman of the full committee, Mr. Shuster; the chairman of the subcommittee, Mr. LoBiondo; and the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Larsen), the ranking member. prgtoken This bill also includes important provisions of the Disaster Recovery Reform Act, something that previously passed the House and somehow escaped the attention of the Senate. We are sending it to them again in the hope they might notice if it is part of this package. prgtoken Last week was tragic: the first death on a U.S.-flagged passenger aircraft since 2009, and that just followed an alarming news story by ``60 Minutes'' a few days before about an FAA oversight of a low-cost carrier. prgtoken As a result, Ranking Member Larsen and I have sent a letter to the Secretary of Transportation demanding information on the oversight of the industry. We want to make sure that the FAA is being the watchdog that they need to be. prgtoken It was many years ago, after the horrible ValuJet tragedy, the committee had already rejected my amendment to say to strip away the promotional duty of the FAA. Then, after the horrible ValuJet crash, when it turned out it was an incompetent subcontractor to a maintenance station, a totally preventable accident, they suddenly decided to change their mind and decided to include my amendment and remove the promotional authority. prgtoken The FAA's principal duty is to protect the safety of the flying public, so we have got to be sure they are doing everything needed to do that. prgtoken There is an important provision in the bill, long overdue, to give flight attendants a 10-hour minimum rest. Think of the schedule now--8 hours: Oh, well, the plane landed. You have got to get off the plane. You have got to get out of the airport. You have got to get in a cab or a van. You have got to go to the hotel. You get to return, reverse all that around, and do that. prgtoken How much sleep are you going to get? prgtoken So, finally, we are going to get the 10-hour requirement--again, long overdue. Flight attendants are critical safety personnel on the airplane. They cannot be fatigued, just like a pilot can't be fatigued. prgtoken I have another concern that we are using computer simulations to meet the FAA standard for evacuation of a plane mandated in 90 seconds. As they jam more and more and more seats into these planes, I wonder if we have reached a point where we can no longer meet that standard, and we are going to have that. We are going to have the inspector general look at that topic and see whether or not we need to revisit it. prgtoken You know, it is critical that we be able to get people off as quickly as possible. The U.K. Civil Aviation Authority led this many years ago after the Manchester accident, with the spacing for the over-wing exit, something that took me 7 years to get done here. But they h
FAA REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2018
Susan A. Davis (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2018-4-26

I want to thank the committee for including amendment No. 111 in this en bloc. prgtoken After the tragic fires that we have seen in California, we must do everything possibly to protect our communities. In San Diego, helicopters and air tankers had to be grounded during fire fights after recreational drones were spotted in the area. These drones can pose a risk to aircraft and emergency personnel flying overhead. That is why my amendment would protect emergency response efforts from interruptions by drones and direct the FAA to work with local agencies to inform the public about this issue. prgtoken I want to thank, again, the committee for their tireless work on this bill.
BORDER SECURITY
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2018-4-26

many of us were shocked when the President tweeted that he was deploying the National Guard to the border. prgtoken The President's claim that we face a crisis at our Southwest border is simply false, and it is particularly ironic when the President himself has repeatedly bragged--again, falsely--that illegal border crossings are at an alltime low. prgtoken I remain concerned that the administration is diverting Defense Department resources to the border to help carry out its deportation agenda. The Department is unable to tell Congress how much these deployments may cost our Nation--paid for with money diverted from other, critical defense programs. So far, the Department of Defense has provided a preliminary estimate that these deployments will cost $182 million in fiscal year 2018, but there is no end in sight. prgtoken I am also concerned that these deployments may harm the readiness of our National Guard by disrupting training for core missions. As one local elected official in New Mexico noted in the Albuquerque Journal, ``We're going into forest fire season. A big percentage of the state is in drought right now, and if National Guard folks are continuously rotated down to the border for a problem that doesn't exist, are they going to be available for a real problem when it happens?'' prgtoken Well, yesterday, Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson issued a surprising report, which inadvertently agreed with these concerns. prgtoken Last year, Congress required the Department of Defense to examine past deployments of National Guard troops to the border and to analyze those experiences for whether they had been beneficial for those Guard members. As Vice Chair of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, I received the Department's report yesterday. prgtoken It is fair to say that its conclusions are probably not what the President wanted to hear from his own political appointees. prgtoken The report notes that several States have conducted training and operations along the Southwest border. It concludes that training and operations by California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas Guard units ``does not directly contribute to collective core Mission Essential Task readiness'' of those units. In other words, we are diverting them from their most important missions. prgtoken It was even harsher in its conclusions for National Guard units from other States traveling to the border for similar training. It describes a pilot program to send 250 National Guard personnel to the border. Not only did the pilot program cost a half a million more than that unit's regular, scheduled training, but it also resulted in only 22 more apprehensions than normal, while contributing almost nothing to the unit's training. prgtoken The report also notes that these kinds of deployments ``comes at a cost to the individual soldier, his/her family, and her/his employer, as well as to overall united readiness.'' prgtoken
Unanimous Consent Request (Executive Session)
Patty Murray (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2018-4-26

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed to the immediate consideration of a bill, which is at the desk, that provides alternative minimum funding rules for certain single-employer plans maintained by a community newspaper; that the bill be considered read a third time and passed; and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate.
CELEBRATING THE BICENTENNIAL OF SANDUSKY, OHIO
Marcy Kaptur (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2018-4-26

I rise to recognize an important milestone in the life of one of the communities in my district. Sandusky Ohio celebrates it's bicentennial in the coming days, highlighted by a ball on Saturday April 28, 2018. prgtoken Founded two hundred years ago in 1818, Sandusky was developed near the town of Portland, which it soon overtook. According to history, part of the city was built on ``land formerly occupied by a Native American man named Ogontz. Thus, the city is said to have been built upon `Ogontz' place.' '' The name ``Sandusky'' was taken from the Native American Wyandot word for ``water.'' In fact, Sandusky sits on the Western Basin of Lake Erie. As a result of its location on the Lake, Sandusky's population grew quickly. It was one of Ohio's first major ports and was ``an original terminus for the Mad River and Lake Erie Railroad. Chartered by the state legislature in 1832 and envisioned to run between Sandusky and Dayton to the southwest, the Mad River and Lake Erie Railroad was the first rail line located entirely in Ohio'' when Sandusky was the site of its ground breaking on September 17, 1835. prgtoken The State of Ohio established Erie County in 1838 and set Sandusky as the county seat. Charles Dickens, who visited Sandusky in 1842, wrote this about the city in his travelogue American Notes: ``At two o'clock we took the railroad; the travelling-on which was very slow, its construction being indifferent, and the ground wet and marshy; and arrived at Sandusky in time to dine that evening. We put up at a comfortable little hotel on the brink of Lake Erie, lay there that night, and had no choice but to wait there next day, until a steamboat bound for Buffalo appeared. The town, which was sluggish and uninteresting enough, was something like the back of an English watering-place out of the season.'' prgtoken However, the town soon grew and by 1846 Sandusky had become an economic hub, with its port and two railroads. According to the history, about three thousand people lived in Sandusky and were served by ``numerous stores, two printing offices, two machine shops, two banks, six churches, one high school, and several iron furnaces.'' The city's downtown was laid out similar to the pattern in our nation's Capital. prgtoken Sandusky was a critical stop on the Underground Railroad. Many fugitive slaves who sought freedom in Canada boarded a boat in Sandusky to cross Lake Erie into Ontario. They were assisted in their journeys by a strong network of residents. prgtoken The history notes that by 1880, ``Sandusky's population had reached almost sixteen thousand residents. This much larger population resulted in an increasing number of social institutions, including twenty churches and three newspapers. The community also became more economically diverse, with at least twenty-nine businesses with ten or more employees. Among the items that Sandusky businesses produced were lime, railroad locomotives and ca