mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
Appropriations (Executive Session)
Patrick J. Leahy (Democrat, VT) \u2014 2019-2-28

. These admirals and generals, many of whom I know and a lot of whom I do not, have been here with and ic administrations, but they are all people who have served our Nation and care about our Nation. They are part of a coalition called Mission: Readiness, Council for a Strong America. They call on Congress to negotiate balanced investments in both defense and nondefense programs. prgtoken They wrote: ``As members of Mission: Readiness, we recognize the fact that the strength of our military--and our Nation--is dependent on the strength of our people.'' prgtoken We have certainly seen this. You can go back to the time of World War II, when Harry Truman found that we could not find the people we needed in our military because of things like malnutrition or a lack of education; we needed to improve the nutrition programs in our schools. This is not rhetoric; it is reality. prgtoken These admirals and generals want a strong United States of America, just as I do and just as every single Member of this body--of either party--wants. prgtoken If the press reports are accurate, the President is planning to send up a budget on March 11 that not only fails to provide a constructive path forward, but it is going to be dead on arrival. If press reports are accurate, the President will, yet again, propose deep cuts to nondefense programs, even though Congress has rejected President 's cuts for the last 2 fiscal years. Every and every knows that you have to have a balance between defense and nondefense programs. prgtoken President also proposes large increases for defense programs, paid for using a budget gimmick that his own Acting Chief of Staff, Mick Mulvaney, would rail against when he was in Congress. He says he will move large portions of the defense base budget into the Overseas Contingency Operation, or OCO, account so that it will not count against the budget caps. Mick Mulvaney and most s and have said we cannot do this. It is not a recipe for success. prgtoken OCO is meant for costs associated with military operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria. It is there to address crises overseas. It supports our men and women deployed and in harm's way. prgtoken The OCO account should not be used as a slush fund to pay for the everyday operations of the Department of Defense or to avoid a real debate on the budget caps. prgtoken To suggest we should move billions in the base defense budget into OCO at a time when the President is actively reducing our troop presence overseas shows what a disingenuous move it is. prgtoken I went back in my notes, and I found a letter written by then- Congressman Mick Mulvaney--now the acting Chief of Staff for President . He wrote this in March of 2014. It is strikingly relevant today, 5 years later. Then-Congressman Mulvaney wrote a letter signed by numerous Members. He opposed a $10 billion increase in OCO, calling it
ENHANCED BACKGROUND CHECKS ACT OF 2019
Jefferson Van Drew (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2019-2-28

. Madam Chairwoman, I would just again emphasize that this is 25 days after the approval, and also that law supersedes regulation. There is no question that that 25 days would be in place and that would give more than a sufficient amount of time, in fact, a lenient amount of time, just to ensure that there aren't any problems here. prgtoken Madam Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Nadler), the chairman, to speak in favor of this amendment.
ENHANCED BACKGROUND CHECKS ACT OF 2019
Eddie Bernice Johnson (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2019-2-28

. I rise today to voice my support for H.R. 1112, The Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2019. This bill will strengthen our federal gun background check procedures by closing the ``Charleston'' loophole, thus ensuring that guns can no longer be erroneously sold due to incomplete background checks. prgtoken This epidemic of gun violence has left its scars on my home state of Texas. A recent study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed that there were 3,353 gun-related deaths in Texas in 2017 alone. Hundreds of these victims are children and teenagers under 19 years of age. prgtoken Our country has struggled with gun violence for too long, and the multitudes of loopholes in our laws are complicit in our difficulties. This bill will not only eliminate a significant loophole, but it will do so without infringing upon Second Amendment rights. It will ensure that only responsible and able individuals are able to purchase guns in our country. prgtoken I share our nation's concerns about the widespread proliferation of guns in our neighborhoods, and I agree that reasonable restrictions on firearms are essential to a comprehensive strategy to reduce crime and violence in our society. We must take sensible steps to ensure that these firearms do not fall into the wrong hands. prgtoken Furthermore, it has come to my attention that the mental illness reference in this bill may be outdated and not in line with current medical and legal standards. I will be reviewing this issue as we progress through the 116th Congress. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to support this bill.-
RECOGNIZING TWO MAINE CONSTITUENTS, DR. MICHAEL TAYLOR AND WENDY TAYLOR
Chellie Pingree (Democrat, ME) \u2014 2019-2-28

. Madam , I would like to recognize two of my Maine constituents, Dr. Michael Taylor and Wendy Taylor, whose shared vision, determination, and commitment have changed and saved lives in Northern Haiti and engaged countless Mainers in support of better health and better lives. prgtoken Over seventy years ago, the founding documents of the World Health Association proclaimed that ``The enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being without distinction of race, religion, political belief, economic or social condition.'' prgtoken Michael and Wendy Taylor have long believed in this right, and they recognized the extraordinary need in Haiti. In establishing Konbit Sante in 2001, they committed to supporting the development of an improved health care system to meet the needs of the Cap Haitien community. Their vision was to ensure maximum local direction and partnerships within the existing system rather than the creation of a parallel system. And they knew that it was important to not just improve access to health care, but to improve the quality of that care. prgtoken The beauty of this effort has been in the Konbit--which, in Haitian Creole, loosely translates to working together for a common goal. Rather than providing short-term expertise, Konbit Sante's focus has been on strengthening infrastructure, enhancing training, and ensuring necessary resources. Right from the start, the Taylors recognized that real, sustainable improvements in an under-resourced health system required taking the long view. This has not been fast nor always easy, but this capacity building model--trusting and supporting Haitians to serve Haitians--has yielded extraordinary results. prgtoken Michael and Wendy have had successful careers, raised children, enjoyed art and music, nurtured deep and enduring friendships, and travelled the world--always coming back to coastal Maine. Along the way they have invested their time, talents, and resources in doing good, making lasting contributions for the betterment of humankind and inspiring so many others to join them. prgtoken Dr. Taylor is receiving the 2019 Presidential Citation today from the American Academy of Dermatologists in recognition of his extraordinary contributions to the people of Haiti. His wife and Konbit Sante cofounder, Wendy, will be at his side. I want to congratulate them both, as they make me proud to represent the good people of Maine.
Nomination of Andrew Wheeler (Executive Session)
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2019-2-28

throughout the country and in the great State of Illinois, a host of environmental issues are plaguing Americans. From air pollution, to groundwater contamination, to the increases in climate change-related harm that we are already facing, there is no more crucial time to have strong national leadership on environmental issues than right now. However, in the midst of all these issues comes the nomination of Andrew Wheeler--a former lobbyist for corporate polluters--to lead the Environmental Protection Agency. prgtoken If there is one major thing we have learned from the Clean Air Act, it is that regulations save lives and money. Regulations that ensure clean air mean fewer premature deaths and health issues, as well as fewer asthma attacks in children and health-related missed work days. However, the EPA under this administration that is now led by Acting Administrator Wheeler, consistently works to roll back clean air and water rules. This exposes the most vulnerable members of our society-- including children and the elderly--to toxic and deadly chemicals. The people in Illinois are no exception. We are facing several environmental issues in Illinois that require immediate action by the EPA, and so far, I am not satisfied that EPA is doing everything it can and should be doing under Mr. Wheeler's leadership. prgtoken The Sterigenics facility is causing is a public health threat in Willowbrook, IL due to emissions from cancer-causing ethylene oxide. The EPA's own risk assessment from 2016, showed that ethylene oxide exposure increases the risk of cancer more than what was previously thought. However, given this prgtoken information, the EPA has still not taken sufficient actions to protect people of Willowbrook who are exposed to this gas. Concerns about ethylene oxide exposure is not limited to the people of Willowbrook--it is also of concern to the people of Gurnee and Waujkegan, IL who also have plants that use ehtylene oxide in the middle of their towns. Every time I have spoken with Acting Administrator Wheeler about this issue, I have been disappointed by the lack of urgency to do anything more than monitor and collect more data. When it comes to the facilities in Gurnee and Waukegan, the EPA won't even commit to monitor and collect data, even though I have joined my colleague Senator Duckworth in requesting that monitoring begin immediately. The EPA is 4 years overdue to begin the process to promulgate new standards for this gas, even though they know the increased cancer risk. So I, along with my colleague Senator Duckworth and my colleagues in the House, introduced legislation to require the EPA to promulgate new rules for ethylene oxide. However, the EPA's failure to act to limit toxic chemicals being emitted into neighborhoods does not end with ethylene oxide. There is manganese pollution on the Southeast side of Chicago. Manganese exposure results in serious neurological effec
VOTE EXPLANATION
Kyrsten Sinema (Democrat, AZ) \u2014 2019-2-28

I was necessarily absent but, had I been present, would have voted ``yes'' on rollcall vote 31, the confirmation of Michael J. Desmond to be Chief Counsel for the Internal Revenue Service and an Assistant General Counsel in the Department of the Treasury. prgtoken I was necessarily absent but, had I been present, would have voted ``no'' on rollcall vote 32, the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Andrew Wheeler, of Virginia, to be Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. prgtoken I was necessarily absent but, had I been present, would have voted ``no'' on rollcall vote 33, the confirmation of Andrew Wheeler, of Virginia, to be Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
Vietnam Summit (Executive Session)
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2019-2-28

several hours ago, in the middle of the night here in the United States, we received word that the summit in Hanoi between the United States and North Korea would be ending prematurely. Unable to reach an understanding on either sanctions relief or denuclearization, President decided to walk away from the talks without an agreement. prgtoken Though I don't know the details yet, and I look forward to speaking with Secretary Pompeo, I was pleased to see the President recognized North Korea's unwillingness to strike a comprehensive deal. President did the right thing by walking away and not cutting a poor deal for the sake of a photo op. prgtoken Just like the President, I want a deal with North Korea that will bring an end to the conflict and change the course of the region. However, I have always been concerned about the possibility of a bad deal, especially with the other pressures currently on the President. A deal that fell short of complete, verifiable denuclearization would have only made North Korea stronger and the world less safe, and it would have squandered the substantial leverage our negotiators have now thanks to the bite of sanctions. prgtoken President must now apply the lesson of North Korea diplomacy to our trade negotiations with China. President must have the courage to do the same thing with China as he has done for North Korea. The President must be willing to hold the line and walk away if China does not agree to meaningful, enduring, structural reform of its unfair trading policy. President should not fall into the trap of seeking a deal for the sake of a deal, especially now that talks with Pyongyang are on hold. prgtoken What he did in North Korea was right. He must do the same thing in China--hold out because he has the upper hand--until we get China to do the right thing. Just because an accord is, for the moment, out of reach in North Korea does not mean that the President should be any more eager to strike one with China if the terms are inadequate or unacceptable. prgtoken The President deserves credit for bringing China to the negotiating table with tariffs, but he must not squander that opportunity by cutting a deal that fails to achieve American priorities. Unless China promises to end its predatory cyber theft of American intellectual property and know-how, unless China promises to stop artificially propping up its businesses, unless China promises to end its practice of forcing American companies to give away their IP to their future Chinese competitors in order to do business in China, President should walk away from the negotiations once again. prgtoken As important as North Korea is to national security, China is just as critical--maybe even more critical--to American economic security. President and his team have a generational imperative to get this one right. They have a generational imperative not to squander t
INTRODUCTION OF THE SECURING DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY FIREARMS ACT
J. Luis Correa (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-2-28

. Madam , regrettably, there have been too many instances in which Department of Homeland Security officers have misplaced or lost their Department-issued firearms due to a failure to properly secure such sensitive assets. prgtoken In October 2017, the DHS Office of Inspector General found that 2,142 sensitive assets--including 228 firearms and 1,889 badges--were misplaced between fiscal years 2014 and 2016. Most of these losses were due to DHS personnel who did not properly safeguard such sensitive assets. The Office of Inspector General identified the lack of a Department-wide firearm policy as a major reason why sensitive assets were not secured. prgtoken Therefore, I am introducing the Securing Department of Homeland Security Firearms Act, which improves the accountability of DHS-issued firearms and other sensitive assets. Specifically, the bill directs DHS to develop and distribute a Department-wide directive for achieving adequate security over firearms and other sensitive assets. That directive must include reporting and recordkeeping requirements for lost assets. Additionally, the bill requires that DHS provide officers with training and guidance on how to follow safeguarding requirements and how to properly report the loss or theft of a firearm. prgtoken Due to its mission, DHS has a variety of highly sensitive equipment. Failure to safeguard those assets can have grave consequences for public safety and homeland security. This measure will foster greater accountability and security within DHS.
ENHANCED BACKGROUND CHECKS ACT OF 2019
Karen Bass (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-2-28

. The FBI reported that, in 2007 and 2008, in cases where a licensed seller sold a firearm through default proceed transfers, approximately 22 percent of the individuals investigated were legally prohibited from purchasing or possessing a firearm. prgtoken The additional time provided by H.R. 1112 is not too much to ask so that we may help prevent tragedies such as the Charleston shooting from happening. This is why I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill today.
Nomination of Andrew Wheeler (Executive Session)
Martin Heinrich (Democrat, NM) \u2014 2019-2-28

I rise today to state the obvious--to state in clear terms what scientists have been warning us about for decades. The scientific data couldn't be any clearer. Climate change is real. Climate change is here, and we are causing its devastating impacts and disruptions. Unless we start to implement policies to curb our carbon emissions and to mitigate its impacts, climate change will continue to wreak havoc upon communities across the Nation and around the world. prgtoken These are facts. These facts present us with the greatest and most existential global challenge humanity has literally ever faced. There are not two sides to these facts. The Earth's five warmest years on record happened since 2014. It is not a coincidence. It is not an unexplained phenomenon. It is the direct result of both our actions and our inactions. Only the willfully ignorant refuse to acknowledge these facts and the gravity and urgency of what we face because of the fact of human-caused climate change. prgtoken Unfortunately, the current occupant of the White House and too many here in Washington can be counted in that camp. President 's decision to upend the Clean Power Plan and pull us out of the Paris climate accord was perhaps the most consequential representation of his inward-looking, isolationist view for America. It was a dangerous abdication of our Nation's leadership role on the international stage, and if we choose to accept his failure to lead here in Congress, we will continue down a path toward a very real and very costly climate disruption. prgtoken In the coming weeks, Majority Leader McConnell says he plans to call a vote here on the Senate on the Green New Deal resolution. I wish this were a genuine effort to address our climate challenges. Clearly, it is not. It is a political stunt by the majority leader to divide those who actually want to rise to the occasion and who actually want to address this crisis, rather than offer up any substantive solutions of his own. prgtoken The majority leader would have you believe that solutions to climate change are too costly or they are just too impractical to be taken seriously. I don't know about you, but to me, it is that view that is wildly out of touch and, frankly, dangerous. prgtoken President and s love to talk about the cost of climate action. What we should be focusing on is the much steeper cost of inaction and the economic benefits of America's leading the clean energy transition. prgtoken As an engineer, I am certain that our capacity to confront the challenges that we face, large and small, rests heavily on our ability to make policy that is actually driven by facts, by data, and by the best available science. prgtoken The latest data on climate change should be deeply alarming to all of us. Last fall, the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released a report based on the research of thousands of our planet's leading cli
DECLARATION OF NATIONAL EMERGENCY
Lamar Alexander (Republican, TN) \u2014 2019-2-28

President has been in Vietnam this week, meeting with the North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un. I applaud the President for his efforts to improve the U.S. relationship with North Korea. prgtoken There is not a more difficult relationship anywhere in the world at this time than that relationship. But I am glad he chose not to seek a deal just for the sake of a deal. prgtoken As he returns from his summit with the North Korean leader and turns his attention back home, I want to make a respectful suggestion, and that is this: that President ask his lawyers to take a second look at existing funding authorities that the President has to consider construction of the 234 miles of border wall that do not require a formal declaration of a national emergency. prgtoken I support what the President wants to do on border security, but I do not support the way he has been advised to do it. It is unnecessary and unwise to turn a border crisis into a constitutional crisis about separation of powers when the President already has congressional funding authority to build the 234 miles of border wall that he requested in his January 6 letter to the Senate. prgtoken , I ask unanimous consent to include in the Record following my remarks the text of the President's January 6 letter to the Senate Appropriations Committee. prgtoken , there has never been an instance in which a President of the United States has asked for funding, Congress has refused it, and the President has then used the National Emergency Act to justify spending the money anyway. prgtoken If President can build a wall when Congress has refused to provide the funding, then the next President can declare a national emergency and tear the wall down or declare climate change an emergency and stop oil exports and offshore drilling. There is no limit to the imagination of what the next leftwing President could do to harm our country with this precedent. prgtoken After an American revolution against a King, our Founders chose not to create a Chief Executive who could tax the people and spend their money any way he chose. The Constitution gave that responsibility exclusively to a Congress elected by the people, and every one of us U.S. Senators has taken an oath to support that Constitution. prgtoken Separation of powers is a crucial constitutional imperative that goes to the very heart of our freedom. prgtoken I don't know how the late Justice Antonin Scalia would have decided a case on this matter, but I do know what he said about separation of powers, and this was what Justice Scalia said: Every tin horn dictator in the world today . . . has a Bill of Rights. That's not what makes us free. . . . What has made us free is our Constitution. . . . The word ``constitution'' . . . means structure. That's why . . . the framers debated not the Bill of Rights . . . but rather the structure of the