mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
MORNING BUSINESS
John McCain (Republican, AZ) \u2014 2017-2-6

last week, we celebrated the 100th birthday of an American for whom my family prgtoken and I have always had the greatest personal respect and admiration: ADM Lloyd R. ``Joe'' Vasey. prgtoken Joe Vasey was my father's dear friend and comrade for so many years. As he marks a century of life well lived, I send him the warmest wishes and convey to him thanks of a grateful nation for embodying the very finest qualities of patriotism and for his constant service to a cause greater than himself. prgtoken From the Naval Academy to dangerous duty in the Second World War to five commands at sea to service in the highest councils of military command, Joe Vasey's was a most distinguished and honorable Navy career. But he did not believe that his retirement from active duty relieved him of the responsibilities of patriotism. He continued to serve the national interest by founding the Pacific Forum to promote security and stability in the critically important Asia-Pacific region. prgtoken The only elaboration of this illustrious life I can offer are reminiscences of a friendship, some of which I was privileged to personally observe, which for me served as emblematic of a tradition; that of service as an officer in the U.S. Navy and the bonds of respect and love that unite good officers in shared sacrifice and devotion to their service and their country. It is the tradition upon which, in the most difficult moments of my life, I relied for the strength to persevere for my country's honor and for my self-respect. prgtoken Very late in his life, my father was interviewed for an oral history of our officers in the post-World War II Navy. ``There's a term which has slipped somewhat into disuse,'' he remarked in the interview, ``which I always used to the moment I retired, and that is the term: an officer and a gentleman.'' Had my father been asked to identify a contemporary who personified the virtues he considered essential to the life of an officer and a gentleman, I have no doubt he would have thought first of his friend Joe Vasey. prgtoken My father's respect and affection for Joe Vasey was unlimited. Their friendship was forged in the crucible of war and strengthened to last a lifetime by their shared experiences aboard the USS Gunnel as it prowled the Pacific from Midway to Nagasaki in search of the enemy. And find them they did. On one occasion, the ship sank a Japanese freighter and destroyer, but was then forced to submerge for 36 hours while avoiding Japanese depth charges. With the temperature on the submarine reaching 120 degrees and oxygen running low, my father decided to surface and try to fight the remaining Japanese ships. But he offered his torpedo officer, Joe Vasey, and the rest of his officers the option to abandon ship. To a man, they agreed with my father and rejected that course. When the Gunnel surfaced, its weary crew found the Japanese destroyers had given up and were steaming away. My f
EXPRESSING STRONG OPPOSITION TO D.C.'S ASSISTED SUICIDE PROGRAM
Brad R. Wenstrup (Republican, OH) \u2014 2017-2-6

. I appreciate that, and I thank you for yielding and thank you for taking the charge on this this evening to share this message. prgtoken , first, do no harm. Do no harm. These are three short words, but, to physicians, they represent a sacred charge--three short words that now hang in the balance here in the District of Columbia after the D.C. Council passed the Death with Dignity Act legalizing physician-assisted suicide in the Nation's Capital. prgtoken In authorizing doctors to violate the Hippocratic oath of ``do no harm,'' physician-assisted suicide undermines a key safeguard that protects our Nation's most vulnerable citizens: the disabled, the sick, the poor--a key safeguard that helps to ensure our loved ones receive the best medical care when they need it the most. prgtoken Instead of simply providing end-of-life comfort and a potential for cure, D.C.'s new law is poised to do more harm than good. This act leaves patients unprotected, doctors unaccountable, and our most vulnerable citizens at risk of having fewer medical options at their disposal rather than having more. It is too broad. This act allows adults diagnosed with a terminal disease having less than 6 months to live to receive a prescription for medication to end their life on their own--alone. prgtoken There are concerns that the definition of ``terminal disease'' is too broad since most doctors will admit that accurately predicting life expectancy is almost impossible; and it is. There are many conditions such as diabetes or HIV--they are considered incurable or prgtoken irreversible, and they are terminal if left untreated. There are many diseases that are terminal if left untreated, but curable if treated. prgtoken This bill fails to accurately protect patients from coercion or abuse. Despite the fact that depression is commonly associated with a patient seeking assisted suicide, D.C.'s legislation does not make screening for mental illness mandatory. It also has no safeguard against pressure that family members or heirs might exert on a patient to choose suicide. prgtoken It leaves doctors unaccountable. Compliance with the bill's limited safeguards is difficult to track because the bill directs doctors not to place the actual cause and manner of death on the death certificate. It doesn't say ``suicide.'' The report requirements in the bill are not subject to the Freedom of Information Act. Perhaps most concerning of all, once the prescription for lethal medication is filled, oversight is nonexistent. There is no requirement to ensure that the prescription was used as intended. prgtoken This could limit care. Under the new law, patients may end up with fewer options, not more options. D.C. residents who are not able to pay for health care out of pocket may find their options limited when facing a new diagnosis, suffering from a chronic illness, facing a disability, or struggling with mental illness. For certain medical conditions, assi
SHORE UP FLOOD CONTROL SYSTEM INFRASTRUCTURE
Doug LaMalfa (Republican, CA) \u2014 2017-2-6

over the weekend, I had a chance to go out in the district and look at the conditions of our flood control system in northern California, which, I am sure, is reflective of a lot of the systems across this country. One particular area I was shown has had 10 feet of levee eaten away just since the end of December. This points out, with recent legislation that has been passed--good legislation-- that we still aren't, by any means, close to fulfilling our infrastructure needs. prgtoken Our flood control systems all over the country and in my own district in northern California need immediate results. We expect a great amount of rain. I know we complain about drought in California--feast or famine--but we need to continue to shore up these systems here because, otherwise, it will place communities in danger from the high flows we could get. prgtoken With so much rain forecasted in the near future and with our lakes getting full, there won't be a place to put that water. We need this infrastructure, and we need the Army Corps and everybody to be on board with fully developing and permitting these projects and getting the money going. Urgency is needed.
ELKHORN RANCH AND WHITE RIVER NATIONAL FOREST CONVEYANCE ACT OF 2017
Scott R. Tipton (Republican, CO) \u2014 2017-2-6

I would like to extend my thanks to my colleagues, Mr. Polis and Mr. Lamborn. I think among our three congressional districts, we hold the vast majority of public lands in the State of Colorado. I appreciate the opportunity to be able to work with you on these significant bills, to be able to address many of the challenges that we have, and to be able to work together in a bipartisan manner as well. prgtoken , thank you for allowing me time to be able to discuss this important legislation. H.R. 698 is a very straightforward bill, which Congressmen Lamborn and Polis and I have reintroduced this year that confirms private ownership of 148 acres of land in my congressional district. prgtoken The lands concerned were patented into private ownership via the United States land patents issued in 1914, 1917, and 1957, but their ownership came into question by virtue of a 1949 government prgtoken survey which erroneously showed them to be National Forest land rather than private land. A long-held U.S. law specifically states that a government resurvey cannot take away private property or private property rights. prgtoken , the Forest Service and the private landowner of the Elkhorn Ranch only became aware of the potential title issue in the early 2000s, and thereafter, the Forest Service conducted a lengthy and thorough review of the matter. Upon completion of their review in 2014, both the supervisor and the surveyor of the White River National Forest concluded the ownership of the 148 acres should be confirmed in the successors in interest to the original patentee; namely, the Elkhorn Ranch. prgtoken In reaching this conclusion, the Forest Service noted that the land has never been managed as National Forest land and, indeed, has been fenced and occupied with stock ponds, developed springs, roads and other private improvements, and has been used as private land for ranching and agriculture for the better part of the past 100 years. prgtoken , this bill is a simple matter of fairness and equity to a private landowner to honor government land patents that were granted by the Federal Government to the landowner's predecessors 60 to 100 years ago. The bill is supported by both the surveyor and supervisor of the White River National Forest; the Garfield County surveyor; the Garfield County Commissioner; the city of Rifle; Colorado Club 20, which represents 20 Colorado counties; and Piceance Energy, which has a lease on part of the area. prgtoken In addition, the legislative hearing that was held on the same bill in 2015, the administration testified that this bill is a practical and workable way to address this longstanding issue. This bill is identical to the one that passed out of the House by voice vote in the last Congress, and I once again urge my colleagues to support this legislation. prgtoken Once again, I extend my thanks to my colleagues Congressman Lamborn and Congressman Polis for all of their hard wor
TRIBUTE TO NATASHA JOHNSON
Ken Calvert (Republican, CA) \u2014 2017-2-6

I rise today to honor and pay tribute to an individual whose dedication and contributions to the community prgtoken of Lake Elsinore in Riverside County, California are exceptional. On Saturday, February 11, 2017 Natasha Johnson will be honored as the Citizen of the Year by the Lake Elsinore Chamber of Commerce. prgtoken Natasha is a manager of a local credit union and a strong advocate for Lake Elsinore. In 2012, Natasha was elected to the Lake Elsinore City Council, where she continues to serve after being re-elected in 2016. As an elected official, Natasha has worked tirelessly to establish a more sustainable economic development base in Lake Elsinore to create more jobs and demonstrate that our community is a great place for families to live, work and play. prgtoken Natasha has served our region through her participation in organizations such as the Boy Scouts of America, H.O.P.E, Operation Homefront, and New Song. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the Elsinore Woman's Club, Boy Scout Advisory, and United Way. Natasha is also a past President for the Lake Elsinore Chamber of Commerce. prgtoken In light of all that Natasha has done for the community of Riverside County and the city of Lake Elsinore, it is only fitting to honor her as Citizen of the Year. Natasha has contributed immensely to the betterment of our region and I am proud to call her a fellow community member, American and a constituent of the 42nd Congressional District of California. I add my voice to the many who will be congratulating Natasha Johnson on being named Citizen of the Year by the Lake Elsinore Chamber of Commerce.
EXPRESSING STRONG OPPOSITION TO D.C.'S ASSISTED SUICIDE PROGRAM
Roger Marshall (Republican, KS) \u2014 2017-2-6

I rise tonight with fellow physicians and other colleagues to speak out against the shameful act being allowed in some parts of this country: physician-assisted suicide. prgtoken When I became a physician, I took an oath in which I promised to help the sick and to abstain from all intentional wrongdoing and harm. To help intentionally take the life of a patient is morally abhorrent. prgtoken It is not only the beginning of a slippery slope that devalues the sanctity of all human life. It is not only based on a subjective set of qualifications lawyers and lobbyists agree to. It is against the very oath that my fellow physicians swear to uphold. I encourage my colleagues to fight for these same beliefs, to treat life as sacred, and, first of all, to do no harm.
Repealing and Replacing Obamacare (Executive Session)
Orrin G. Hatch (Republican, UT) \u2014 2017-2-6

I rise to briefly discuss a number of ongoing efforts in the early days of the 115th Congress. It is a strange time to be working on Capitol Hill, as strange as I have seen in my four decades in the Senate. That is true for a number of reasons. Let me give you an example. s currently control the Senate, the House, and the White House, and are in widespread agreement about most major policy issues. Sure, there are details that need to be worked out, both on the process and the substance on things like tax reform, trade, and of course health care reform, but by and large s all have the same ultimate goals for these key areas. Yet despite the overwhelming consensus that exists on most of these issues, there seems to be an obsession with advancing a narrative of a deeply divided majority. According to this popular narrative, House and Senate s have completely different views on tax reform, s in Congress oppose everything President wants to do on trade, and Senate s are deeply at odds on prgtoken how to press forward on repealing and replacing Care. prgtoken As chairman of the Senate committee that is right in the middle of all these issues, I get asked to comment on these matters, literally, dozens of times every day. The questions take many forms. Senator X says Congress should do ``blank'' with Care. What do you think? Can the House's tax reform plan pass in the Senate? President said ``blank'' today. Is that going to fly in your committee? prgtoken These questions may seem straightforward. However, the underlying question behind all of these lines of inquiry is: Will you publically disagree with or criticize another so we can write another story about divisions? Matters such as repealing and replacing Care or reforming the Tax Code are certainly important topics that are rightly under intense public scrutiny. However, given that these monumental efforts are still in the early stages, the fact that there are some relatively minor differences of opinion shouldn't be all that noteworthy. The existence of these differences in the initial stages of the process doesn't significantly jeopardize the success of these efforts. The purpose of the legislative process-- particularly the process we use in the Senate--is to allow differences to be aired and worked through so, at the end of the process, consensus can be reached. Differing views on some issues at the beginning of the process are to be expected. Once again, they are hardly noteworthy. prgtoken Case in point, s are united in our desire to repeal and replace Care. The vast majority of us want reforms that are more patient-centered and market-driven. As far as I know, pretty much all of us want to return most of the authority for regulating the health care system back to the States. On some of the other questions, let me make
RECOGNIZING THE NEW MEMBERS OF THE NORTHEAST GEORGIA BUSINESS HALL OF FAME
Doug Collins (Republican, GA) \u2014 2017-2-6

I rise today to recognize three hardworking and tremendously accomplished men in our community. Mr. Randall Frost, Mr. Jim Mathis, and Mr. Paul Maney will be inducted into the Northeast Georgia Business Hall of Fame for their exemplary public service, community involvement, and business accomplishments. prgtoken Mr. Randall Frost grew up in Baxley, GA where he learned the importance of hard work, responsibility, and service to his church as well as his community. He is a managing partner with Steward, Melvin & Frost, which offers a variety of services to their clients, from litigation to tax advice. Their firm prioritizes commitment to the Gainesville community. prgtoken Mr. Jim Mathis was the CEO of the North Georgia Community Foundation which ``supports nonprofit organizations by building, distributing and preserving philanthropic assets to enhance the quality of life in the region.'' They have awarded more than $50 million in grants and funding to high school students and college students through 26 scholarships. prgtoken Lastly, Mr. Paul Maney, a devoted community member and philanthropist, was an executive at IBM. Since his retirement, he has been investing in small business across North Georgia and supporting many nonprofit and civic organizations for hospitals and children groups. prgtoken , I am honored to recognize these three distinguished men for their service to their businesses and communities. They are shining examples of the hard work and dedication that comes out of northeast Georgia.
Russia (Executive Calendar)
Chuck Grassley (Republican, IA) \u2014 2017-2-6

there has been a lot of discussion about Senator Sessions' nomination on this floor in the last 24 hours. Before we vote, I want to offer a couple of observations about the unfairness in some of the statements. prgtoken First, I was hoping to limit my remarks to all of the reasons why I believe Senator Sessions will make an outstanding Attorney General, but instead I feel very compelled to say a few words about some of the attacks that have been leveled against Senator Sessions here on the floor, where he has served the people of Alabama faithfully for 20 years. prgtoken A number of Senators have come to the floor to talk about Senator Sessions' hearing in 1986 when he was nominated to be a Federal judge. Now, it happens that I was in the Senate in 1986, at that time by 6 years. I was on the Judiciary Committee in 1986, by that time for 6 years, and I want you to know I saw what happened. I don't have time to go into all the details here, but I will tell you this: Jeff Sessions' hearing in 1986 was an absolute ambush. In fact, it was a planned ambush. He was unfairly attacked then and he is being unfairly attacked now. I will give just two examples. prgtoken First, in the last 24 hours, we have heard Senator Sessions attacked for a voting rights case that he pursued as U.S. attorney in Alabama. We have heard a lot about that case. Of course, those who have raised the Perry County trial don't tell you Senator Sessions was actually asked to pursue that case by two African-American candidates who believed that ballots cast by African-American voters had been altered. The bottom line is that he was vindicating the voting rights of African-American voters whose voting rights had been compromised. prgtoken Second, we have heard Senator Sessions criticized for testimony in his 1986 Judiciary Committee hearing about the Voting Rights Act. It has been said on this floor and it has been said repeatedly that Jeff Sessions called the Voting Rights Act ``intrusive,'' but those speaking in the last 24 hours don't know what he actually said. He did use the word ``intrusive,'' but then he said the Department of Justice had to do it ``because it would not have happened any other way.'' prgtoken He said further: ``Federal intervention was essential in the South.'' He said it was an intrusive piece of legislation ``because it was a necessary piece of legislation, I support it.'' That is right. He said the Voting Rights Act ``was a necessary piece of legislation, I support it.'' That is what he said. But if you have been listening the last 24 hours--you wouldn't know any of that by listening to those who have come to the floor and talked all about that case in 1986. prgtoken Like I said, I was here way back then. I saw what happened to that man who is going to be our next Attorney General, who would go on to join the Senate for these 20-some years and become our colleague and our friend. So you can understand why i
Motion to Proceed in Order (Executive Calendar)
James E. Risch (Republican, ID) \u2014 2017-2-6

I am the one who entered the objection, and let me say to my good friend from Vermont that I agree with him 100 percent that we should get back to what made the Senate great. prgtoken We have rules around here, and the rules are very clear that you don't impugn another Senator. Now, you can't do that in your words and you can't do it with writings. You can't hold up a writing that impugns another Senator and say: Well, this is what somebody else said. I am not saying it, but that is OK. prgtoken It is not OK. It is a violation of the rules, and we should get back to what made this Senate great, and that is, to stay within the rules, stay within civility, and not impugning another Senator, whether it is through words or whether it is through writings. prgtoken .