mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
STOP THE IMPORTATION AND TRAFFICKING OF SYNTHETIC ANALOGUES ACT OF 2017
H. Morgan Griffith (Republican, VA) \u2014 2018-6-15

this is a bipartisan amendment that incorporates an interagency agreement transmitted to Congress by the Office of National Drug Control Policy, the United States Department of Health and Human Services, and the United States Department of Justice. prgtoken It clarifies several issues: when the Attorney General can temporarily and permanently schedule a drug or substance to the newly created schedule A, and it prevents the Attorney General from permanently scheduling a drug or substance if the Secretary of HHS determines that there is not sufficient potential for abuse. prgtoken It also clarifies when research can be conducted with a schedule A substance while a registration application is pending. If an applicant is registered to conduct research with a schedule I or II substance, they can continue to do research they may be pursuing with a schedule A substance while their application is being processed. prgtoken Likewise, if an applicant is registered to conduct research with a schedule III, IV, or V substance, they can continue to conduct research with a schedule A substance while their application is pending, so long as the component that gave rise to the schedule A determination is in the same or a less restricted schedule. prgtoken This amendment is important to research. This amendment will help ensure that research is not impeded or stunted because of a change in the schedule of a substance. While we all want to get dangerous substances off the street, history has taught us that when a substance is scheduled, many research options are taken off the table or made prohibitively complicated. prgtoken Sometimes derivatives of dangerous substances can provide cures and treatments for deadly diseases or chronic conditions, and we don't want to hamstring our researchers who are equipped to discover potential positive uses. prgtoken Though it may still need to be a scheduled substance, an analogue, in theory, could be a less addictive term of an opioid pain relief, and if researchers are looking at it as a possible less addictive form, I believe we would all want to keep that research going and not impede that research as it moves forward. prgtoken So I believe this is an important amendment, and I hope everybody will join me in supporting it. I thank Mr. Raskin and Ms. Jackson Lee for their assistance and support of this amendment as well. prgtoken , .
THE CONGRESSIONAL BASEBALL GAME
Doug LaMalfa (Republican, CA) \u2014 2018-6-15

I would like to just highlight an amazing thing we saw last night at the Congressional Baseball Game: the power of prayer and perseverance. Exactly 1 year after that horrific shooting out in Virginia, we saw our Officers Griner and Bailey as well as our friend here on the floor, our whip, Steve Scalise, take the field, as well as Mr. Scalise taking second base escorted out by our colleagues, Mr. Richmond and Mr. Wenstrup. prgtoken It was amazing to see that happen. Again, it is the power of prayer and perseverance with him taking the base and taking his position on the field. prgtoken You couldn't write it better in a Hollywood script, in that the first ball hit in the infield went right to Steve. He fielded it and threw the runner out at first base. prgtoken What an amazing thing, and what an inspiration for all of us. prgtoken God bless you, Steve, as well as the officers who were hurt on the field that day. A year later here we are seeing great things happen in a bipartisan way, a nonpartisan way, and a miraculous way.
PERSONAL EXPLANATION
Garret Graves (Republican, LA) \u2014 2018-6-15

in service to my constituents in Louisiana, I was meeting with Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson during the vote series on June 13th. This meeting centered on HUD's administration of the $1.2 Billion appropriation for flood projects in Louisiana, as well as RESTORE programs and general flood recovery in the state. Had I been present, I would have voted Yes on both Roll Call 263 and Roll Call 264.
5.7 MILLION AMERICANS ARE LIVING WITH ALZHEIMER'S
Glenn Thompson (Republican, PA) \u2014 2018-6-15

June is Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month. Alzheimer's is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. prgtoken There is no effective treatment, no means of prevention, and no method for slowing the progression of the disease. Sadly, one in three seniors will die with the disease. prgtoken According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 5.7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease. By 2050 this number is projected to rise to nearly 14 million Americans. prgtoken , every 65 seconds, someone in the United States develops this disease. This is unacceptable. Alzheimer's not only has a devastating impact on those who are diagnosed with the disease, but also their caregivers and loved ones. prgtoken More than 16 million Americans provide unpaid care to those living with Alzheimer's and other dementias. In 2017 these caregivers provided an estimated 18.4 billion hours of care. prgtoken , the time to act is now. Let's join the fight; let's take the pledge to raise awareness about Alzheimer's disease and to never stop searching for a cure.
IMMIGRATION
James Lankford (Republican, OK) \u2014 2018-6-18

earlier this year, this Chamber was full of conversation about immigration. We had four bipartisan proposals that all came to this floor. All four of them had votes. All four of them had some engagement from different Members. All four of them failed. While we didn't succeed in getting something passed and resolved on immigration, I will note that over 70 Senators voted for at least 1 of the 4 options that included wall funding, increased border security, and naturalization for those students who are in DACA or DACA-eligible. At least 70-plus Senators voted for those three options. They were written in different ways in each bill, but they all had the same basis. I was one of those. prgtoken Like many of my friends on both sides of the aisle, during the debate, I said that Americans don't hold children accountable for the actions of their parents. It has been a basic principle we have held for a long time. We believe in the protection of children and the unity of families. That is what we have been about. We have some debate about that because some of this body believes a child is not a child until you can see them, and some believe a child is a child even when they are in the womb. But we do have unity about those individuals--that when we can see them and know them as a child, that we keep them as a family. Although you could strongly put me on the side of saying I think a child is a child even when they are in the womb. prgtoken It is right for us to focus on families. Quite frankly, it is also right for us focus on immigration law and to believe that we are a nation of laws. prgtoken We have a great dilemma at this point happening around our border. Let me set some context for this that I think is important, and I want to make sure people understand. prgtoken We are a very open nation for immigration. We have been before, and we are now. prgtoken Last Friday, I had the wonderful opportunity to speak at a naturalization ceremony in Oklahoma City and watch people from all over the world take the oath, set aside their old country and become citizens of the United States. I dare anyone to go to one of those events and try to keep a dry eye. It is incredibly moving to watch people have this event happen in their life that they will never forget--they become an American. They didn't just come to America; they are Americans. They have the exact same rights as anyone else in this Chamber and live under the same law. prgtoken Now, 1.1 million people a year become naturalized citizens of the United States. Each day, 500,000 people legally cross the border from Mexico into the United States. We still have a debate on what happens with those other individuals who aren't the 1.1 million who legally go through the process to become U.S. citizens or the half a million people a day who legally cross into the United States. What do we do with those individuals who choose not to do it legally? It is a much
BUDGETARY REVISIONS
Michael B. Enzi (Republican, WY) \u2014 2018-6-18

section 251 of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, BBEDCA, establishes statutory limits on discretionary spending and allows for various adjustments to those limits. In addition, sections 302 and 314(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 allow the Chairman of the Budget Committee to establish and make revisions to allocations, aggregates, and levels consistent with those adjustments. prgtoken The Senate is considering S. Amdt. 2910, a ``minibus'' spending measure prgtoken covering programs within the jurisdiction of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Energy and Water, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and the Legislative Branch. This legislation includes funding for military construction designated as overseas contingency operations funding pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(ii) of BBEDCA. These provisions provide $921 million in budget authority for fiscal year 2019. The inclusion of the overseas contingency operations designations with these provisions makes this spending eligible for an adjustment under the Congressional Budget Act. prgtoken Accordingly, I am increasing the fiscal year 2019 budgetary aggregate by $921 million in budget authority. Further, I am revising the budget authority allocations to the Committee on Appropriations by increasing revised security budget authority by $921 million in fiscal year 2019. prgtoken I ask unanimous consent that this notice and the accompanying tables, which provide details about the adjustment, be printed in the Record.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2019
John Cornyn (Republican, TX) \u2014 2018-6-18

in a few minutes--maybe in about an hour and a half--we will be voting on the National Defense Authorization Act, which Congress has passed faithfully for 57 consecutive years. That indicates the sense of importance we all have toward funding and providing the authorities and equipment and training that are necessary for our military to do the job we have asked it to do. prgtoken I particularly commend Senators Inhofe and Reed for their leadership in guiding us through the passage of this bill. prgtoken There are 1.8 million people in the world who are on Active Duty in the U.S. military--1.8 million people. The United States has 737 military installations, and the Department of Defense is prgtoken the world's largest employer. Supporting all of these people in these facilities is no easy task, and the Defense authorization bill is one very significant way in which we do exactly that. It is how we make sure that all of the men and women in uniform are paid, that our alliances are strengthened, and that military facilities are properly modernized and maintained. prgtoken The bill we are voting on will support an appropriation of up to $716 billion for those tasks. I might add that that is a huge number, but this is the Federal Government's No. 1 responsibility. In my opinion, everything else the Federal Government does comes after providing for the common defense because nobody else--no local government, no State government, no private sector--could possibly provide for the common defense. prgtoken America's leadership role in the world remains essential because we know that while there are other countries that will work with us--for example, our NATO allies--they require and the world really demands American leadership, and that is what provides for the safety and security and the peace all across the planet. prgtoken In Texas, there are roughly 200,000 men and women who wear the uniform of the U.S. military in places like Fort Hood, Joint Base San Antonio, Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, and Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene. Those are the people I think of each year as we take up the Defense authorization bill. We rely on them to provide our security, and they rely on us to deliver what they need in order to be successful. prgtoken One thing this year's bill will do is to give our troops a 2.6- percent pay raise, which will be the largest in 10 years. It doesn't sound like a lot, but I am sure they will appreciate it nonetheless. prgtoken Given the state of today's world, maintaining our military readiness has never been more important or more difficult. The array of security threats that face the United States is more complex and diverse than it has been at any time since World War II. Our military leaders say that the strategic environment has not been this competitive since the Cold War. Our adversaries are investing in their capabilities and, in some areas, are surpassing us. Simply put, Ame
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2019
Orrin G. Hatch (Republican, UT) \u2014 2018-6-18

as President pro tempore of the U.S. Senate and as the senior Senator from the great State of Utah, I wish to speak today about the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019. prgtoken I join my colleagues in congratulating my good friend Senator John McCain on the soon-to-be-successful passage of the 58th straight Defense bill. I would also like to offer my sincere appreciation for Senators Inhofe and Reed and their staffs, along with Senator McCain's staff, who gracefully navigated the committee and the floor processes. This is a monumental bill that will truly modernize our Armed Forces. prgtoken I have long appreciated the bipartisan nature of each year's NDAA. Some would say that this process could be seen as a microcosm of how things should work here in Congress--putting the good of the country ahead of politics. It is certainly how I have sought to do things here during my Senate service. I also appreciated the efforts from most Members of this body to get to yes on such an important proposal. prgtoken The yearly Defense bill is not something we do out of tradition or habit; we do it out of necessity. Yes, it is a constitutional requirement, but perhaps more importantly, it is an honor to give our men and women in uniform the tools they need to keep America safe. The policies and authorizations we have debated on the floor over the last week represent people. They represent soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, and the civilian workforce, all of whom are family, friends, neighbors, and fellow citizens. prgtoken Since first coming to the Senate in 1977, I have witnessed the use of military force for good across the globe. I was personally involved in helping use our military tools to counter Soviet expansionism in Central Asia. It was around that time that I helped establish the National Endowment for Democracy--an initiative in which Senator McCain was intimately involved. The National Endowment for Democracy embodies our commitment to promoting the virtues of freedom and liberty across the globe. prgtoken Anyone who knows me knows that I like to see the good in people, but even with my optimism, one unfortunate truth exists: There are people and groups in this world who seek to do harm to the United States, and our men and women in uniform face these threats every day. I am eternally grateful for the sacrifice and dedication of our servicemembers. I am grateful for their strength, their intelligence, and their commitment to preserving the values we hold dear. prgtoken As we see today with the heinous violations of human rights around the world, freedom, prosperity, and security are under constant threat. The abusive actions of the Governments of Iran and North Korea are just two examples among many. prgtoken Given the constant threats our country and our allies face, we must always work to maintain a strategic advantage over our adversaries. We must be able to
175TH ANNIVERSARY OF KENTWOOL
Tim Scott (Republican, SC) \u2014 2018-6-18

today it is my pleasure to honor Kentwool, an Upstate textile manufacturer that is celebrating its 175th anniversary this year. Originally founded in Philadelphia in 1843, Kentwool has since opened a plant, and maintains headquarters, in the South Carolina Upstate. prgtoken Kentwool has had a long history of textile manufacturing in America, including supplying the Armed Forces in both World Wars. Kentwool has been a family-owned business for five generations and maintains a strong emphasis on American-made goods. prgtoken Kentwool has been an integral business to the South Carolina Upstate since it opened a production facility in Pickens County in 1954. Kentwool currently employs 65 people at its Upstate facility and has its corporate headquarters in downtown Greenville. They have been a business that the people of the Upstate and of South Carolina are truly proud of. prgtoken As I share my congratulations with Kentwool, I know this accomplishment is bittersweet. Just last year, CEO Mark Kent passed away suddenly, and I know that, while Kentwool celebrates this milestone, they also commemorate all the hard work and philanthropic endeavors that Mark accomplished during his time with the company. As someone who gave back to the Upstate through his interest in preserving historic structures and philanthropic work, Mark will certainly not be forgotten and is remembered fondly on this 175th anniversary. prgtoken Congratulations, Kentwool.
TRIBUTE TO CHUCK MRAZ
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2018-6-18

today I would like to take a moment to congratulate the ``Voice of the Eagles,'' Chuck Mraz, who is retiring from his position as the news director at Morehead State Public Radio. Serving communities in eastern Kentucky, southern Ohio, and western West Virginia for more than 30 years, Chuck's reporting has been a staple for countless listeners. As he prepares to sign off, I would like to take a brief look back at his remarkable career. prgtoken I have had the privilege of joining Chuck's program many times over the years. While I have enjoyed our conversations about important issues to Kentucky, we found a shared passion that has nothing to do with my role in the Senate: our love of sports. prgtoken At the outset of his career, Chuck wanted to be a sportscaster. According to him, sports have ``always been a part of my life ever since I realized that I could pick up a bat and hit a ball.'' He joined MSPR in 1986 as the station's sports director and special events director. Even when he took on a new challenge in 2005 as the news director, Chuck kept his part time role as the play-by-play voice of the MSU football and men's basketball teams. prgtoken Throughout his time on the air at MSPR, Chuck has called more than 1,000 Eagles athletic events. According to the school, that is more than any other announcer in the athletic department's history. He has been a constant presence for coaches, players, and fans and has been an integral part of the Eagles' community. He still says the highlight of his career was MSU's 2011 Men's NCAA basketball tournament win at the buzzer over my alma mater, the University of Louisville Cardinals. prgtoken For his impressive career, Chuck has won local, State, and regional acclaim from his peers. Among his many accolades are more than 40 Kentucky Associated Press awards, the Eastern Kentucky Leadership Conference Award for Media and Technology, and the Ohio Valley Conference Media Award. prgtoken Even more important to Chuck than his honors are the relationships he built with the next generation of broadcasters. He recognized many inspirational teachers and advisers in his own life, and as a result, Chuck has mentored hundreds of students while at MSU. Many of them have begun their own notable careers around the State. As they continue to prosper in their work, Chuck's impact on the broadcasting community will continue to be felt for years to come. prgtoken Looking back on his long and successful career, Chuck said, ``I've always believed that hard work can overcome a lack of ability in some areas.'' His drive has led to many late nights, many 3:30 a.m. alarms, and a lot of time away from his family, but it is that commitment that has also brought Chuck great success in his profession and in the Morehead community. prgtoken In retirement, Chuck looks forward to spending more time with his family, especially his wife, Joni, and his daughters, Megan and Elizabeth. Just be
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2019
John Boozman (Republican, AR) \u2014 2018-6-18

I wish to speak about the importance of and my strong support for the final passage of the fiscal year 2019 National Defense Authorization Act, NDAA, and the reason for my absence. prgtoken As we all know, the NDAA addresses many issues including the modernization of major weapons systems, security assistance to our allies, and significant changes to personnel policy. Our Nation's military relies on Congress to fulfill our obligation with the timely passage of this legislation. I am proud to support our men and women in uniform yet again in the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019, legislation appropriately named for our dear friend and colleague Senator John McCain. prgtoken I deeply regret the need for my absence today. While my record reflects the rare nature in which I miss a vote, I did not come to this decision lightly. An unfortunate incident at the Fayetteville VA Medical Center in Fayetteville, AR, required my presence and advocacy on behalf of our Nation's veterans. While untimely, I strongly believe it is my congressional duty to ensure that our government fulfills its promise to the men and women who have worn the cloth of our Nation. Such a requirement demanded my immediate attention today in Arkansas. I would like to thank Senators Inhofe, Reed, and McCain, along with their staffs, for all their hard work and support.