mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
DECORUM AND MAINTAINING CIVILITY IN THE HOUSE
Gary J. Palmer (Republican, AL) \u2014 2020-2-5

. Madam , I rise to note, in regard to the assertion of the majority leader that the act of destroying the House copy of President 's State of the Union speech was speech protected under the First Amendment, I rise to assert that not all speech protected under the First Amendment is allowable under the rules of the House. prgtoken Moreover, the act of destroying the House's copy of the State of the Union Address diminishes the decorum that is critical to maintaining the civility that is expected of every Member, including and especially the .
IMPEACHMENT
Lindsey Graham (Republican, SC) \u2014 2020-2-5

let me just begin with a note of optimism. You are going to get to pick the next President, not a bunch of politicians driven by sour grapes. I don't say that lightly. I didn't vote for President . I voted for somebody I wouldn't know if they walked in the door. But I accepted the fact that he won. That has been hard for a lot of people to do. And it is not like I am above the President being investigated. prgtoken I supported the Mueller investigation. I had ic colleagues come to me and say: We are afraid he is going to fire Mueller. Will you stand with us to make sure Mueller can complete his investigation? And I did--2 years, $32 million, FBI agents, subpoenas, you name it. The verdict is in. What did we find? Nothing. I thought that would be it. prgtoken But it is never enough when it comes to President . This sham process is the low point in the Senate for me. If you think you have done the country a good service by legitimizing this impeachment process, what you have done is unleashed the partisan forces of Hell. This is sour grapes. prgtoken They impeached the President of the United States in 78 days. You cannot get a parking ticket, if you contested it, in 78 days. They gave out souvenir pens when it was over. prgtoken If you can't see through that, your hatred of has blinded you to the obvious. This is not about protecting the country; this is about destroying the President. prgtoken There are no rules when it comes to . Everybody in America can confront the witnesses against them, except . Everybody in America can call witnesses on their behalf, except President . Everybody in America can introduce evidence, except for President . He is not above the law, but you put him below the law. In the process of impeaching this President, you have made it almost impossible for future Presidents to do their job. prgtoken In 78 days, you took due process, as we have come to know it in America, and threw it in the garbage can. This is the first impeachment in the history of the country driven by politicians. prgtoken The Nixon impeachment had outside counsel, Watergate prosecutors. The Clinton impeachment had Ken Starr, who looked at President Clinton for years before he brought it to Congress. The Mueller investigation went on for 2 years. I trusted Bob Mueller. And when he rendered his verdict, it broke your heart. And you can't let it go. prgtoken The only way this is going to end permanently is for the President to get reelected. And he will. prgtoken So as to abuse of Congress, it is a wholesale assault on the Presidency; it is abandoning every sense of fairness that every American has come to expect in their own lives; it is driven by blind partisanship and hatred of the man himself. And they wanted to do it in 78 days. Why? Because they wanted to impeach him before the election. I am not making this up. They said that. prgtoken The
OFFICIAL COPY OF PRESIDENT'S STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS
Kevin McCarthy (Republican, CA) \u2014 2020-2-5

we heard a great speech by the President last night, who spoke to the strength of our country and the courage and character of our fellow citizens: prgtoken People like 100-year-old Tuskegee airman Retired Brigadier General Charles McGee and his great-grandson, the 13-year-old who dreams of going to space; prgtoken People like single mother Stephanie Davis and her lovely fourth grade daughter who received an Opportunity Scholarship. Who in this room does not remember the look on Stephanie's face as she realized that her daughter was going to get an opportunity that she sacrificed so greatly for; prgtoken And people like Sergeant First Class Townsend Williams, who surprised his wife, Amy, and two beautiful children in the gallery last night. prgtoken As I looked around, I saw tears in many people's eyes from the emotion that they felt at that time. prgtoken Unfortunately, Pelosi was unmoved and chose to tear up the House copy of that speech. She had no right to destroy this document, especially one filled with such impactful stories of American patriots. prgtoken The record was presented before the people's House and it belongs to the American people. That is why I am here today. prgtoken In my hand, I have an official copy of the President's State of the Union address signed by the President, given to me at the White House today. It will be delivered to the House Clerk to be archived and preserved for posterity, whether she likes it or not. prgtoken These great American stories will be remembered by history, not erased by the . We are better because of them, and we should learn from them and we should be proud that they will shape our future.
HONORING CHIEF DANIEL SPIEGEL
Jefferson Van Drew (Republican, NJ) \u2014 2020-2-5

I would like to honor Chief Daniel Spiegel on his retirement from the Wildwood Fire Department. prgtoken Daniel spent 28 faithful years with the fire department, where he had served as chief since 2016. Daniel has the distinct honor of holding every rank in the fire department. Daniel's father also served as fire chief in Wildwood, the second-ever father-son chief in the department's history. prgtoken Daniel served in the New Jersey Task Force 1 Urban Research and Rescue and responded to the September 11 terrorist attacks, searching for survivors. He was the team leader for the Cape May County Regional Urban Search and Rescue Team, which serves all of Cape May County. prgtoken Danny was always focused on training. He trained thousands of firefighters in our entire region. prgtoken He is planning to spend more time with his wife, daughter, and two stepsons in retirement. prgtoken I thank Daniel for his service; his community thanks him for his service; and his country thanks him for his service. prgtoken Daniel, may God bless you. You are truly one of our heroes.
USPS FAIRNESS ACT
Mike Bost (Republican, IL) \u2014 2020-2-5

I thank the gentleman for yielding. prgtoken The United States Postal Service has a history as old as our Nation. Our Nation's Founders believed that it was so important that they put it in the Constitution and many people back home don't realize that. Of course, you know, that is the most quoted, least read document around here. prgtoken The rural communities in southern Illinois and across our country depend on the Postal Service. It is often the only means for small businesses to engage in commerce, and for rural residents to receive packages. prgtoken The Postal Service is facing many challenges, but it is taking several important steps to provide new services mandated by the modern economy. Unfortunately, it can't accomplish these reforms with one hand tied behind its back. prgtoken The Postal Service is the only entity with this requirement. I doubt that any Federal agency would be able to meet its goals and obligations to citizens and taxpayers if they were likewise required to prefund their health benefits. prgtoken The underlying legislation helps correct this. It does not impose additional costs on taxpayers, and it will help ensure the Postal Service can continue to serve our communities as it has since our Nation's founding.
IMPEACHMENT
Mitt Romney (Republican, UT) \u2014 2020-2-5

the Constitution is at the foundation of our Republic's success, and we each strive not to lose sight of our promise to defend it. prgtoken The Constitution established a vehicle of impeachment that has occupied both Houses of our Congress these many days. We have labored to faithfully execute our responsibilities to it. We have arrived at different judgments, but I hope we respect each other's good faith. prgtoken The allegations made in the Articles of Impeachment are very serious. As a Senator juror, I swore an oath before God to exercise impartial justice. I am profoundly religious. My faith is at the heart of who I am. I take an oath before God as enormously consequential. prgtoken I knew from the outset that being tasked with judging the President-- the leader of my own party--would be the most difficult decision I have ever faced. I was not wrong. prgtoken The House managers presented evidence supporting their case, and the White House counsel disputed that case. prgtoken In addition, the President's team presented three defenses: first, that there could be no impeachment without a statutory crime; second, that the s' conduct justified the President's actions; and third, that the judgment of the President's actions should be left to the voters. Let me first address those three defenses. prgtoken The historic meaning of the words ``high crimes and misdemeanors,'' the writings of the Founders, and my own reasoned judgment convinced me that a President can indeed commit acts against the public trust that are so egregious that, while they are not statutory crimes, they would demand removal from office. prgtoken To maintain that the lack of a codified and comprehensive list of all the outrageous acts that a President might conceivably commit renders Congress powerless to remove such a President defies reason. prgtoken The President's counsel also notes that Vice President appeared to have a conflict of interest when he undertook an effort to remove the Ukrainian prosecutor general. If he knew of the exorbitant compensation his son was receiving from a company actually under investigation, the Vice President should have recused himself. While ignoring a conflict of interest is not a crime, it is surely very wrong. prgtoken With regard to Hunter , taking excessive advantage of his father's name is unsavory but also not a crime. prgtoken Given that in neither the case of the father nor the son was any evidence presented by the President's counsel that a crime had been committed, the President's insistence that they be investigated by the Ukrainians is hard to explain other than as a political pursuit. There is no question in my mind that were their names not , the President would never have done what he did. prgtoken The defense argues that the Senate should leave the impeachment decision to the voters. While that logic is appealing to our democratic instincts, it is inconsistent with
IMPEACHMENT
Roy Blunt (Republican, MO) \u2014 2020-2-5

later today I will vote to acquit the President on the charges of the two Articles of Impeachment. A not- guilty verdict, as every Senator on this floor has known for some time, was always what would happen in a House-driven, partisan impeachment process. prgtoken Less than a year ago, the of the House said that we should not go through this process unless something was compelling, unless something was overwhelming, unless something was bipartisan. I think the was exactly right then, and I hope all future s look at that guidance as we think about this process of impeachment. prgtoken In the first 180 years of the Constitution, individual Members talked about impeachment of Presidents--maybe of almost every President--but the Congress only seriously touched this topic one time--one time in 180 years. prgtoken In the last 46 years, Presidential impeachment has been before the country three times, and each case has been less compelling than the one before it. We don't want partisan impeachment to become an exercise that happens when one party--not the party of the President--happens to have a majority of the votes in the House of Representatives. prgtoken Impeachment is fundamentally a political process. The Members of the Senate meet no standards for a regular jury. The jury can override the judge. Two-thirds of the Senate is necessary to remove the President. We really have no better term in the Constitution, I suppose, to use than ``trial,'' but in any classic sense, this isn't a trial. In any classic sense, a partisan impeachment isn't any kind of a real indictment. prgtoken Maybe, first and foremost, the House has to do its job. Part of that job would be to create a case that would produce a bipartisan vote on the articles in the House. If you haven't met that standard--going back to the 's standard--you should work on the case some more and then wonder, if you can't meet the standard, what is wrong with the process you are going through. Part of that job is to do everything necessary to have Articles of Impeachment that are compelling and complete. prgtoken The House has time available to it to consider impeachment as they go about their essential work. They can continue to do the work of the Congress. They have weeks, months, if they choose to have, even maybe years to put a case together. They can call witnesses. They can go to court to seek testimony. They can determine if this is an impeachment question or just an oversight question. prgtoken The House can do lots of things, but once the Senate gets the Articles of Presidential Impeachment, they become for the Senate an absolute priority. Both our rules and reality mean we cannot do anything else, realistically, until we are done dealing with the case the House sent over. prgtoken That was fundamentally what was so wrong with the House sending over a case that they said needed more work. If it needed more work, it should have had more
GREAT LAKES RESTORATION INITIATIVE ACT OF 2019
Glenn Grothman (Republican, WI) \u2014 2020-2-5

it is an honor to be able to speak on this initiative, given what is going on in the other house today where we have so much partisanship. This is the type of bipartisan work we should be doing. prgtoken I am honored to be a cosponsor of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. My district goes along Lake Michigan. I know it means so much for the communities of Port Washington, Sheboygan, Manitowoc and Two Rivers. prgtoken I would just like to clean up a little something here. I know a few years ago in 2013, there was a great deal of concern that the watermark in Lake Michigan was at an all-time low. People talked about climate change and how bad that was. It was good to report now in 2020 in January on the 30-year high on Lake Michigan. So maybe that is the reason for a crisis as well, but it is interesting to see how things kind of ebb and flow on Lake Michigan. prgtoken As previously has been said, about a fifth of the fresh water in lakes in the world is in Lake Michigan by itself. Lake Michigan is the fifth biggest lake in the world. We have had problems with invasive species, which is one of the major reasons why I am on this bill. prgtoken We want to keep the lakes clean not only for consuming water, but the fisheries, the fishing going on there is important, and recreation on Lake Michigan is important. prgtoken A lot of this money goes into the agriculture in places like Wisconsin. We do have to keep the lakes clean, and as we keep our farms clean, it results in less algae blooms and a healthier lake system. prgtoken So, in any event, I am honored to be a cosponsor on this. I am pleased that the has decided to put such a great bipartisan bill on the floor today.
SUPPORTING MAGNET SCHOOLS
Joe Wilson (Republican, SC) \u2014 2020-2-5

. Madam , I am grateful to be recognized by the Magnet Schools of America as a Champion of Magnet School Excellence and to be a steadfast supporter of magnet schools. I appreciate that President 's praising of magnet schools was included last night in the State of the Union. prgtoken Last week, I had the opportunity to visit Dutch Fork Elementary School Academy of Environmental Sciences, a magnet school in Irmo, South Carolina. Dutch Fork is one of many amazing examples of how magnet schools are important for academic excellence. I had the opportunity to meet with students and teachers and talk with them about their unique educational experiences. prgtoken I was thankful to talk with Katrina Goggins, the Director of Communications for District Five of Lexington and Richland Counties, Principal Julius Scott, Assistant Principal Brandon Gantt, School District Five Magnet Director Sara Wheeler, and Shirley Cope. prgtoken In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September the 11th in the global war on terrorism with the courageous leadership of President .
PUNXSUTAWNEY PHIL
Glenn Thompson (Republican, PA) \u2014 2020-2-5

. Madam , I rise today to recognize and thank one of the most productive, job-producing constituents in my district, Punxsutawney Phil. prgtoken Over the weekend, Punxsutawney Phil delivered us some good news: He predicted an early spring for the second year in a row. prgtoken But that is not the only good news. Groundhog Day draws tens of thousands of tourists to Jefferson County each year, which boosts revenue at local restaurants, hotels, and other small businesses. prgtoken Last week, activists claimed that Punxsutawney Phil should be replaced by an animatronic groundhog powered by artificial intelligence. prgtoken Well, I believe in creating jobs, not eliminating them. And Punxsutawney Phil is no exception. I will always stand up for the hardworking men, women, and rodents in the 15th District of Pennsylvania. prgtoken In all seriousness, Groundhog Day brings together people of all different backgrounds, and this fun family celebration reminds us of the importance of tradition. It is not only an economic stimulus in the district, but it is also a great source of pride.
CHESAPEAKE BAY PROGRAM REAUTHORIZATION ACT
Paul Mitchell (Republican, MI) \u2014 2020-2-5

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , I rise in support of H.R. 1620, the Chesapeake Bay Program Reauthorization Act. prgtoken H.R. 1620 represents good governance to reauthorize the Chesapeake Bay Program and passed out of the committee with strong bipartisan support. prgtoken The Chesapeake Bay watershed is one of the largest estuaries in the United States, covering 64,000 square miles; is home to more than 18 million people; hosts two major ports as major international gateways for trade; and produces about 500 million pounds of seafood each year, some of which I enjoyed just the other day. prgtoken I want to thank Members for their continued support for the restoration of the Chesapeake Bay, including Mr. Wittman of Virginia, Mr. Riggleman of Virginia, and Mr. Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania. I know this issue is very important to their districts, their constituencies, and to the entire region and, frankly, the Nation. prgtoken , I urge support of this legislation, and .
IMPEACHMENT
Cindy Hyde-Smith (Republican, MS) \u2014 2020-2-5

I will vote to acquit President Donald J. on both Articles of Impeachment presented by House . I have listened carefully to the arguments presented by the House ic managers and the White House defense team. Those prosecuting the President failed on a legal and constitutional basis to produce the evidence required to undertake the very serious act of removing a duly elected President from this office. prgtoken This trial exposed that pure political partisanship fueled a reckless investigation and the subsequent impeachment of the President on weak, vague, and noncriminal accusations. The ' case, which lacked the basic standards of fairness and due process, was fabricated to fulfill their one long-held hope to impeach President . prgtoken We should all be concerned about the dangerous precedent and consequences of convicting any President on charges originating from strictly partisan reasons. The Founding Fathers warned against allowing impeachment to become a political weapon. In this case, House crossed that line. prgtoken Rejecting the abuse of power and obstruction of Congress articles before us will affirm our belief and the impeachment standards intended by the Founders. With my votes to acquit President , justice will be served. The Senate has faithfully executed its constitutional duties to hear and judge the charges leveled against the President. prgtoken I remain hopeful that we can finally set aside this flawed partisan investigation, prosecution, and persecution of President . The people of Mississippi and this great Nation are more interested in us getting back to doing the work they sent us here to do. prgtoken .
IMPEACHMENT
Richard Burr (Republican, NC) \u2014 2020-2-5

in my 25 years representing North Carolina in Congress, I have cast thousands of votes, each with its own significance. The ones that weigh most heavily are those that send our men and women in uniform into armed conflict. Those are the votes I spend the most time debating before casting--first and foremost because of the human cost involved but secondly because they hold the power to irrevocably set the course of American history. prgtoken With similar consideration, I have taken a sober and deliberate approach to the impeachment proceedings of the last few weeks, conscious of my constitutional responsibility to serve as an impartial juror. prgtoken As the investigative body, the House has charged President with abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. The Senate's role is to determine whether the House has proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt and whether, if true, these charges rise to the level of removing the President from office. prgtoken After listening to more than 70 hours of arguments from the House managers and the President's counsel, I have concluded that the House has not provided the Senate with a compelling reason for taking the unprecedented and destabilizing step of removing the President from office. prgtoken In my role as chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, I have visited countries all over the world. What separates the United States from every other nation on Earth is our predictable, peaceful transitions of power. Every 4 years, Americans cast their ballots with the confidence their vote will be counted and the knowledge that both winners and losers will abide by the results. prgtoken To remove a U.S. President from office, for the first time in history, on anything less than overwhelming evidence of ``Treason, Bribery, or High Crimes and Misdemeanors'' would effectively overturn the will of the American people. prgtoken As the said last year, ``Impeachment is so divisive to the country that unless there's something so compelling and overwhelming and bipartisan, I don't think we should go down that path, because it divides the country.'' prgtoken I believe the was correct in her assessment. A year later, however, the House went down that exact path, choosing to conduct a highly partisan impeachment inquiry, with underwhelming evidence, in a deeply flawed process. prgtoken The House had ample opportunity to pursue the answers to its inquiry in order to prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt. They chose not to do so. Instead, investigators followed an arbitrary, self-imposed timeline dictated by political, rather than substantive, concerns. prgtoken For example, the House did not attempt to compel certain witnesses to testify because doing so would have meant confronting issues of executive privilege and immunity. They argued navigating executive privilege--something every administration lays claim to--may have caused some level of delays and inv