mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
WILLIAM M. (MAC) THORNBERRY NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021
Mark E. Green (Republican, TN) \u2014 2020-7-21

Operation Warp Speed is an unprecedented public-private partnership to accelerate the development, manufacturing, and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics. prgtoken One of the goals of this program is to have 300 million doses of safe and effective vaccine by January 2021. Next week, Moderna plans to start a phase 3 trial. Two other companies are right behind, expecting to begin phase 3 within weeks. prgtoken The speed which the process has taken is truly ``warp speed.'' This could prgtoken not occur without the private sector and the Federal Government working hand in hand on this herculean effort. prgtoken Companies are taking enormous financial risks to conduct research, develop vaccine candidates, and create more manufacturing capacity at record speed. The Federal Government has poured billions more into the vaccine effort, yet countries like China are trying to steal America's work in developing a COVID vaccine for their benefit. prgtoken As confirmed by intelligence agencies--DHS and FBI--the Chinese Government, the Russian Government, and other hackers are trying to steal intellectual property and Americans' health data related to vaccine treatments, testing from COVID-19 researchers. In fact, DOJ charged Chinese hackers just 3 hours ago. prgtoken Since the start of this crisis, the Chinese Communist Party has done everything they can to prevent the world from responding to and recovering from the pandemic. Not only did they keep COVID-19 a secret from their own citizens, but they hid it from the world for months after the first outbreak. prgtoken When word got out about the virus, the Chinese Communist Party lied about human-to-human transmission. Then they arrested doctors, journalists, and other whistleblowers who dared to warn their fellow Chinese citizens of the dangers of the virus. Many of these whistleblowers are still missing and presumed dead. prgtoken Researchers at Columbia University--not necessarily a bastion of conservatism, I might add--those scientists at Columbia University said, had China notified the world just 1 week sooner, 61 percent of American deaths could have been prevented. prgtoken Think about that. Sixty-one percent of 143,000 is 87,000-plus Americans who would not be dead had China spoken up just 1 week sooner. prgtoken Indicative of their past mercantilist actions, China hoarded PPE in the early days of the virus. Despite dominating global PPE manufacturing, China hoarded the world's PPE. U.S. exports of PPE to China grew over 1,000 percent in January and February compared with the same period last year. In their time of need, we sent them PPE. Italy even donated PPE to China. prgtoken What did China do? Well, they sold them the very PPE Italy had donated to them and refused to ship PPE to the United States, decrying regulatory violations, to keep PPE away from us during our peak need. prgtoken But it still wasn't enough. Now the Chinese Communist Pa
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021--Continued
Tom Cotton (Republican, AR) \u2014 2020-7-21

. The cars we drive, the planes we fly, and the smartphones we have in our pockets are all powered by computer chips--or semiconductors--a technology that is key to modern society and that may determine whether America or China leads the world in the decades to come. prgtoken Computer chips were, of course, pioneered in America. Cold War-era initiatives like the Apollo Program, DARPA, and SEMATECH created the breakthroughs and steady demand for this high-tech industry. Storied American companies like Intel, IBM, Texas Instruments, Micron, and others commercialized and then perfected this technology. Brilliant American entrepreneurs and engineers kick-started the digital revolution that shaped the modern world. That was then. Today, sadly, most semiconductors are not made in the U.S.A. prgtoken We have learned during this pandemic how dangerous it is to rely on distant factories and overstretched supply chains that can be compromised by emergencies or enemies. Well, almost three-quarters of the world's capacity to make computer chips is located in just a handful of countries in East Asia--closer to Communist China than our shores and all within range of the missiles of the People's Liberation Army. prgtoken China is investing huge sums--possibly $150 billion--in its semiconductor industry. This investment is paying off. For the first time ever, last year China surpassed the United States in its capacity for manufacturing advanced chips. China is projected to surpass Japan and South Korea in the next 2 years, which would put it behind only Taiwan, an island just 80 miles off its shore, which, I must remind you, the PLA regularly trains to invade. prgtoken We cannot allow China to dominate production of computer chips. Doing so would be a grave threat that could allow a corrupt clique of Communists to impose a high-tech tyranny on the rest of the world. That is why I am offering a bipartisan amendment, along with Senators Cornyn, Schumer, Warner, and others, to ensure American leadership in computer chips in the face of this Chinese threat. Our proposal calls for key investments in advanced factories and research and development so that America discovers and then produces the next generation of semiconductor technology. It also requires the Department of Defense and the intelligence community to work with trusted industry partners to secure the supply chain for computers chips for our military and other national security needs. prgtoken This bill is a moonshot investment, and such investments don't come cheap. So I regret that the question of funding this bill has been postponed to another time, but I look forward to having and winning that debate because, make no mistake, robust support is needed to ensure the future of the American semiconductor industry. At the very least, it is necessary to level the playing field so that American companies can compete against the coercive, anti-competitive, and mercantilis
RECOGNIZING GAIL'S SALAD COMPANY
Jefferson Van Drew (Republican, NJ) \u2014 2020-7-21

. Madam , I would like to recognize Gail's Salad Company in Ocean City, south Jersey. prgtoken Gail's Salad was founded by Tim Janicki, Ben Haberman, David Joslin, and Sean Collins, four young men with a lot of energy. prgtoken Although the economy is struggling, and people have never been further apart and polarized in many ways, it is phenomenal to see the entrepreneurial spirit that south Jersey has and that they have, and that that entrepreneurial spirit is still alive and well, even during the most difficult of times. prgtoken I enjoyed some of their delicious food this past weekend. I was proud to join Tim, Ben, Dave, and Sean for their grand opening. Their assortment of salads was a fantastic addition to a healthy diet. They have fresh ingredients, and they have their own handcrafted salad dressings. prgtoken Madam , I wish them and Gail's Salad success for the future. Most of all, they are a tremendous example to all of us that if we persist and we work, we will still thrive, not only survive but thrive and do well. prgtoken They are truly a model for all of us, and may God bless them.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021--Continued
Lamar Alexander (Republican, TN) \u2014 2020-7-21

in March, Congress and the President said to 43 million student loan borrowers that, because of COVID-19, your student loan payments will be deferred until October 1--no monthly payments for 6 months for student loan borrowers. prgtoken October 1 is just around the corner. So what do we say to those 43 million student loan borrowers today? I propose that we say this: prgtoken No. 1, if there is no income, there is no monthly payment. In other words, if you have a student loan, your monthly payment is zero--if you don't have any income for whatever reason. prgtoken No. 2, when you do begin earning income, your monthly payment will never be more than 10 percent of your income after you deduct the necessities of life, such as the cost of housing--rent or mortgage--and food. prgtoken No. 3, the same generous loan forgiveness that exists today for student loan borrowers will still exist. After 20 years of payments for undergraduate loans and 25 years of payments for graduate loans, if you still have an outstanding loan balance, your loan will be forgiven, and that will include all of the months your payment was zero because you didn't have any income. prgtoken These same policies--no income, no monthly payment--will be offered to students who take out new loans in addition to these policies being offered to existing student loan borrowers. prgtoken Under my proposal, new and existing student loan borrowers will be offered one other option for paying back their loans. This option would be like a 10-year mortgage: Make equal principal and interest monthly payments over 10 years until the loan is paid off. Some borrowers may prefer this option because it could mean paying less interest. Every borrower would be eligible to switch from one option--the income-based payment--to the other option prgtoken The remaining good news in this proposal is that the concurrent bewildering system of nine different ways of paying off your student loan would be thrown in the trash heap and replaced by these two straightforward proposals: No. 1, the income-based repayment option, and No. 2, the 10-year, mortgage-like option. These changes will give some peace of mind to the 43 million current borrowers and the tens of millions of Americans who are expected to sign up for new student loans over the next 10 years. prgtoken These ideas are neither new nor my ideas. They have been recommended by higher education experts numerous times when having testified before the Senate Education Committee during the past 6 years while we have considered reauthorizing the Higher Education Act. The concepts have also been suggested by many Senators on both sides of the aisle, and s, including Senators King, Burr, Rubio, Merkley, Portman, Warner, Wicker, Manchin, Shaheen, and Collins. All of them have suggested these concepts. prgtoken While we are simplifying the student loan repayment system, I propose that we also finish
SUPPORTING NDAA AMENDMENT
Ann Wagner (Republican, MO) \u2014 2020-7-21

I rise today in support of my amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021, which would deepen U.S. engagement in Southeast Asia by requiring the United States to develop a coherent regional strategy that addresses all aspects of the relationship, from trade and humanitarian goals to diplomatic and security arrangements. prgtoken Member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, are vital to the prosperity the U.S. economy, generating hundreds of thousands of American jobs and investing more in our economy than China and India combined. ASEAN is the counterweight to Chinese aggression in the region and world. prgtoken The People's Republic of China is working aggressively to expand its influence in this strategically important region, using a combination of predatory investment, threatening new military installments, and outright bullying to achieve its goals. prgtoken Southeast Asian countries seek assurance that the United States is a steadfast partner as they try to maintain economic independence from China and defend their territorial claims in the South China Sea. We must support our partners and allies as they stand up to China's erratic and aggressive behavior. prgtoken I have had many opportunities to meet with ASEAN officials and foreign ministers, and one message I hear repeatedly is that the United States must demonstrate strength and leadership in the region. Congress should listen closely to our partners who are demanding stronger leadership and not just because China, which would be sure to fill a vacuum of power, is a bully. ASEAN is clearly a powerhouse and a critical region in which to engage in and of itself. prgtoken The U.S. should be proactively crafting and implementing its Southeast Asia strategy; this amendment would require the administration to do just that. prgtoken I thank Congressman Castro, with whom I co-chair and cofounded the ASEAN Caucus, for his support of ASEAN and this very amendment. I am gratified that my colleagues support and, in fact, passed my amendment. Preventing Human Rights Violations
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Kevin Cramer (Republican, ND) \u2014 2020-7-21

I thank Chairman Inhofe for his leadership and eloquence. I rise today in defense of the heroes on the thin blue line and in opposition to amendment No. 2252 to the National Defense Authorization Act, which Chairman Inhofe just spoke to. prgtoken Over the past few months, America has watched as we have seen a rise in civil unrest turn into violence in cities all across our country. Anarchists and domestic terrorists have exploited the peaceful protests of millions of well-intentioned Americans in order to inflict chaos and instill fear in our communities. Standing on the frontlines as a shield from absolute anarchy are our local law enforcement officers who, by and large, have applied the appropriate force required to protect American families as well as First Amendment rights. prgtoken Unfortunately, some have made the political calculation that they would benefit more from chaos than from peace. They believe defunding and abolishing police departments and restricting their access to protective gear are politically better than an honest look at what our justice system really needs to succeed. prgtoken The 1033 Program has been utilized for years to provide State and local law enforcement with valuable tools already purchased by the Federal Government to promote public safety. It would be the epitome of waste to gut this program and let these valuable tools rust in a pile or a closet someplace. prgtoken As the chairman stated, the police and sheriffs associations oppose amendment No. 2252, and for good reason. Patrick Yoes of the Fraternal Order of Police says: It is important for Senators to understand that equipment received through the 1033 program is demilitarized and repurposed for public safety use. Simply because a piece of equipment was originally purchased with our tax dollars by the Department of Defense does not make it military equipment. A tool is defined by its use. The equipment is used to defend and protect officers and civilians from threats and to carry out law enforcement and public safety objectives. prgtoken It is stunning to me that some of my colleagues are more appalled at where law enforcement gets some of their tools and equipment than they are at the violence that our police officers have to endure every day. The amendment offered today would bury law enforcement, especially those from poor communities, in unnecessary bureaucracy, effectively preventing them from procuring the equipment needed to keep our communities and citizens safe. This unworkable messaging ploy is born out of ' belief that vilifying the police will somehow help them win the election in November. prgtoken Thankfully, there is an alternative, amendment No. 2411, offered by the chairman from Oklahoma. It is a thoughtful, commonsense approach with a focus on trained prevention and deescalation. It puts the right equipment in the right hands
COMMENDING JUDGE RICHARD L. KELLY
Tom Emmer (Republican, MN) \u2014 2020-7-21

. Madam , I rise today to thank Judge Richard Leo Kelly for a lifetime of distinction and service to this Nation. prgtoken Born in Marshall, Minnesota, Judge Kelly is a veteran of the Navy and served on the USS Noa and USS Willard Keith. prgtoken Judge Kelly attended St. John's University in Collegeville, Minnesota, where his role as the football team starting quarterback earned him the nickname Golden Arm. He went on to graduate in the top five of his class from the St. Paul College of Law. prgtoken After practicing law for over two decades in Saint Paul and Springfield, Minnesota, he was elected to the Fifth District judgeship. He held that office for 17 years and was elected chief judge twice. prgtoken Throughout his tenure on the bench, Judge Kelly was known for his fairness, consistency, and courteous nature, in keeping with the highest ideals of public service. prgtoken In 1998, Governor Arne Carlson declared June 27 to be Judge Richard L. Kelly Day, a time to practice and honor the principles that Judge Kelly embodies. prgtoken Judge Kelly and his wife are residents of Minnesota's Sixth Congressional District. It is an honor to serve them in Congress. They serve as a testament of dedication to service and honor, a mission that their seven children and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren have carried on because of Judge Kelly and Mary's exemplary lives. prgtoken Madam , I thank Judge Kelly for a lifetime of work to our State and Nation.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021--Continued
James M. Inhofe (Republican, OK) \u2014 2020-7-21

. Well, first of all, I don't know how long I have sat and listened to this--a long time--probably not as long as it seems. ``Secret police, sadistic, cruel.'' I am beginning to come to the conclusion that they are not going to be supporting for reelection. prgtoken I rise to object to my colleagues' request for unanimous consent. This body has worked together to carefully consider each and every one of the 739 amendments filed on the NDAA. It never happened before. We adopted those amendments that have broad-based, bipartisan support. The majority and minority have worked together to determine which amendments would be brought up for a vote. Senator Merkley's request for a UC circumvents that process. prgtoken Further, this morning, the Senate adopted my commonsense amendment that will ensure that law enforcement has the right equipment and the right training. Senator Merkley's amendment flies in the face of that responsible approach. prgtoken His amendment would hamstring Federal and civilian law enforcement and our military, even when operating in a title 32 status under the control of the State government. This would hinder their ability to keep our communities safe. For these reasons, I object.
HONORING THE LIFE AND SERVICE OF MS. E.B. HINES
Ted S. Yoho (Republican, FL) \u2014 2020-7-21

I would like to congratulate the University of Florida and its outstanding faculty and staff on their receipt of the Institute of Innovation Award. A team of economists and business development experts ranked the University of Florida number 1 nationally in innovation impact, compared to all other universities in the Nation. prgtoken By itself, the University of Florida was ranked sixth in the Nation when compared to the whole combined California or Texas education systems. The University of Florida is the most productive large university in the country at leveraging its research funding into new companies, new jobs, and new ideas. prgtoken In the study conducted by the Institute and the Opus Faveo Innovation Development Consulting firm, the University of Florida proved it moves more technologies to the point of impact than anyone else in the country. The University has an average of 123 patents and generated 15 startups per year between 2013 and 2017. UF was an even stronger performer and license outcome, earning an average of $36 million per year, equal to 6.4 percent of its research dollars. prgtoken Additionally, the University of Florida also ranked fourth overall in teaching impact and it produced one-third as many STEM Ph.D. graduates each year as the entire University of California system, despite having a research budget of only one-tenth as large. prgtoken The University of Florida has created an entire innovation ecosystem, including tech transfer, business incubators, a venture fund, corporate engagement, and more to support the transitional research generated by the University of Florida faculty. prgtoken The Institute and Opus Faveo Innovation Development's report highlights UF's operation as one of the most respected technology transfer offices in the country with the best tech transfer team in the world. prgtoken The University has spun off more than 60 companies in biotech alone. Major pharmaceuticals, food, agriculture, biotech, and the energy sectors have acquired more than 20 percent of these companies. prgtoken The faculty, staff, and students at the University of Florida are as intelligent as they are ambitious, and demonstrate the breadth of diversity, thought, and creativity in the State of Florida. It is because of accomplishments such as this that Florida is counted among the most successful and influential States in the Nation. prgtoken I am proud, as I see the positive impacts of the University of Florida's continual research for knowledge, innovation, and discovery. The students and faculty at the University of Florida are determined, hardworking, and I am glad to see that the University is getting the recognition that it deserves. prgtoken Congratulations again to my alma mater, the University, its faculty, and staff on this exceptional award and for your continued dedication to knowledge and education. The University of Florida's leader
WELCOMING THE HONORABLE CHRIS JACOBS TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Chris Jacobs (Republican, NY) \u2014 2020-7-21

. Madam , thank you very much and thank you for conducting the ceremony today. prgtoken I want to thank Representative Lowey and Representative King for those kind introductions. prgtoken I also want to acknowledge the Members of the entire New York State delegation that are here today. I look forward to working with all of you to help our State in a time that they are clearly in need, in a fiscal crisis. prgtoken I also want to acknowledge my family members that are here today: My wife, Martina, and my daughter, Anna. Thank you for your love and support during this campaign. My mother, Pamela, and my two brothers, Larry and Luke, are also here. Thank you for all your support during my entire time of public service. I love you all very much. prgtoken I also want to acknowledge two special friends of mine that are here in the audience today, Marina Woolcock and Dr. John Long. John Long has been an adviser and mentor to me my entire career in public service. Dr. John Long is 93 years young, and he is a veteran of World War II. If we could just acknowledge Dr. Long and thank him for his service to our country. prgtoken Finally, yesterday was my late father's birthday. He would have been 82. My father was a doctor in Buffalo, New York. I want to wish him a happy birthday in heaven, and I want to thank him for instilling in me a desire to serve others as he did. prgtoken I just want to conclude with a message to the citizens of the 27th Congressional District. It is the greatest honor of my life to be chosen by you to represent you in Congress. As your Congressman, I promise to fight hard every day for the comeback of our region and to always serve with honesty and integrity. prgtoken Thank you very much.