mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
Mike Lee (Republican, UT) \u2014 2019-6-5

President was famous for many things even before he was elected. One of those things was the catch-phrase ``You're fired,'' which he popularized on his reality TV show ``The Apprentice.'' prgtoken This is a relatively commonplace phrase. It is something that most persons are familiar with, but it is not surprising that the phrase would have so much appeal for a television audience. I think the reason has something to do with the fact that it carries a certain power and resonance with it because the person who has the authority to use it within any organization is, generally speaking, a person who gets to call the shots. It is emblematic of executive control and, therefore, the ability to get things done within an organization. prgtoken That is not to say that good leaders get their way solely or even primarily by threatening to fire people who work for them. Effective leadership, more often than not, requires what are sometimes called soft leadership skills. prgtoken But the fact, nonetheless, remains that the head of an organization must always have hanging in reserve, sort of like an employer Damoclean sword--the absolute right to terminate a subordinate. prgtoken It is the ultimate and essential backstop that enforces and reifies an executive's power to make decisions. This is true for pretty much any leader, whether that leader happens to be the CEO of a corporation, the coach of a sports team, or a general out on the field of battle. prgtoken Yet, remarkably, under our laws, the President of the United States lacks authority over many high-ranking officers within the executive branch. Despite its elemental association with Executive power, Congress and the courts have time and again deprived the President of the ability to remove his subordinates at will. prgtoken These restrictions often take the form of statutory for-cause removal prgtoken protections, such as the provision of the Federal Trade Commission Act that provides that Commissioners may be removed only ``for inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office.'' prgtoken In enacting laws like this, Congress has cast aside the original meaning of the Constitution and thereby eroded a critical safeguard of American freedom. As anyone who has studied the Constitution or constitutional law, for that matter, can guess, my reference to the FTC's for-cause protection is not accidental. prgtoken That statute formed the basis of the lawsuit that culminated in the 1935 decision by the Supreme Court in a case called Humphrey's Executor, in which the Supreme Court held for the first time that Congress may impose restrictions on the President's removal power. prgtoken In so holding, the Supreme Court overruled its earlier precedent in Myers v. United States, which had held that Congress may not limit the President's ability to remove principal officers within the Federal Government, but Humphrey's Executor didn't simply overrule Myers. Rat
75TH ANNIVERSARY OF D-DAY
Doug LaMalfa (Republican, CA) \u2014 2019-6-5

. Madam , I rise today to recognize the 75th anniversary of the Allied invasion of Normandy, known as D-Day, or Operation Overlord, and to recognize those who sacrificed to begin the liberation from Nazi Germany. prgtoken On June 6, 1944, over 4,400 Allied soldiers crossed the English Channel and gave many of their lives while storming the beaches code named Omaha, Utah, Gold, Juno, and Sword. prgtoken Madam , 2,501 of those soldiers who died on those beaches were Americans who never got to return home. prgtoken The impact that this had on our communities back home was great-- take, for example, the Bedford boys from a small town in Bedford, Virginia. Thirty-five men who had grown up together boarded landing craft that day and embarked towards France, and 19 of them didn't make it back. prgtoken This small Southern town is an example of the sacrifices made by many small towns and families all across this country during that effort that day and during that war. They did it to protect our freedom, our American way of life, and those of our allies around the world to help defeat the grip of the National Socialist German Workers' Party regime. prgtoken We will always be grateful for those who gave that day, for those who survived, and for those who didn't come back, and that is why it is important to always mark this day, D-Day, June 6.
Cloture Motion (Executive Session)
Roy Blunt (Republican, MO) \u2014 2019-6-5

I want to talk a little bit about what we will be talking about around the country and around the world tomorrow. Tomorrow is the 75th anniversary of D-Day. There aren't a lot of days known in history around the world by just one letter, but June 6, 1944, is known that way. It is the greatest amphibious battlefield landing ever and probably the single greatest military operation in history. It was done to liberate people in Europe from one of the most savage regimes that ever existed. prgtoken At 15 minutes past midnight, 18,000 paratroopers began to step out of their planes high above Normandy, France, going in behind what would be the landing the next day. Below them, there were about 200,000 people streaming toward the Continent on almost 7,000 ships, with about 1 million others to follow after that landing was made on D-Day. prgtoken A journalist who wrote about the battle noted that by 4:30 that morning, the Stars and Stripes flew for the first time over a town liberated by Americans in France in World War II. prgtoken So a lot happened from midnight to 4:30, but a lot more was going to happen that day. Americans led the operation, but there were also troops from Britain, from Poland, from Norway, from Canada, and even French troops returning to help free their own country were there. They were told that when you land in Normandy, you will have only one friend: God. I am sure there was lots of praying going on that day. prgtoken It became known in literature and on film as ``The Longest Day,'' and it gave the Allies the threshold they needed to free the Continent from the crush of the Third Reich. There was clearly chaos--that many people doing that many things in that many different ways. There were missteps, and there was bad luck, but in the end, there was an unimaginable amount of courage and sacrifice and just simple providence in what happened that day. prgtoken When one landing group was landed in the wrong place, a place they weren't supposed to land, the commanding general, Theodore Roosevelt, who was the son of the former President Theodore Roosevelt, told one of his officers just to keep on bringing the men ashore. He said: ``We are going to start the war from right here.'' It is not where they intended to be, but it is where they were, and in their view and General Roosevelt's view that day, where we are is where we are going to start; there is no going back now. They didn't go back. prgtoken One of the men who joined the fight that day--and there were millions who would eventually--with hundreds of thousands that day was Ralph Goldsticker from the Marine Corps Reserve. prgtoken He had signed up for the Army Aviation Cadet Corps right after Pearl Harbor. He said, when talking about this later, that his parents were scared silly when they found out he had signed up immediately to become a flyer in what would become World War II. prgtoken He flew 35 missions as a bombardier flying
COASTAL COMMUNITIES OCEAN ACIDIFICATION ACT OF 2019
Frank D. Lucas (Republican, OK) \u2014 2019-6-5

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , I rise in support of H.R. 1716, the Coastal Communities Ocean Acidification Act of 2019. prgtoken This bill simply directs the Secretary of Commerce to conduct a vulnerability assessment of the impacts of ocean acidification on coastal communities. This assessment would identify those communities most likely to be affected by ocean acidification in the coming years. prgtoken Once these communities are identified, the assessment would examine the economic impacts of ocean acidification on these communities by directing Federal agencies to coordinate with local officials, community stakeholders, and local businesses. Once the assessment is complete, a corresponding report will be made publicly available and would be revised every 7 years. prgtoken Our Nation's coastal communities are dependent on the health of our oceans. A 2014 NOAA study found there were 149,000 ocean-dependent businesses in the United States that employ more than 3 million people in industries such as seafood and tourism. prgtoken Ocean acidification is a threat to the health and vitality of these communities, and this legislation is an important step to assist those communities most directly impacted by this phenomenon. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and .
SUPPORTING THE UNITED STATES-MEXICO-CANADA AGREEMENT
Daniel Meuser (Republican, PA) \u2014 2019-6-5

. Madam , I rise today in support of the proposed United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, commonly known as USMCA. prgtoken This new trade agreement, as negotiated by President 's administration, is critical to our Nation's economic growth. NAFTA is outdated, and this modernization to the world's largest free trade agreement is vital to building an economy that maximizes opportunity for all Americans--indeed, all of North America and Mexico. prgtoken The United States, Canada, and Mexico, for decades, have fostered a working trade relationship. This trade agreement is crucial to the manufacturers, fabricators, farmers, distributors, retailers, and all other businesses in Pennsylvania's Ninth Congressional District and across the country. prgtoken So much of Congress' energy this year has been focused on messaging votes and nonbinding resolutions. It is time that leadership here in the House put aside partisan politics and put the needs of the American people first. prgtoken The benefits to our economy are obvious and significant. I urge Pelosi to bring USMCA to the House floor for a vote.
RECOGNIZING FORT STEWART-HUNTER ARMY AIRFIELD
Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (Republican, GA) \u2014 2019-6-5

I rise today to recognize Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield for winning the 2019 Commander in Chief's Annual Award for Installation Excellence. prgtoken Conferred by the Department of Defense, installations compete based on a number of categories, including unit morale, installation management, safety, health, community relations, and environmental stewardship. Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield has won the award a staggering seven times, most recently in 2015. prgtoken I want to thank everyone at Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield, but especially Garrison Commander Colonel Jason Wolter, whose hard work enabled the installation to reach such a consistent height of quality. prgtoken This award is the culmination of his statement: ``There's no place other than Fort Stewart or Hunter Army Airfield our soldiers would rather call home.'' prgtoken I am proud to have them in the First Congressional District of Georgia and proud of the work they are doing serving our country.
CELEBRATING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF ST. IGNATIUS OF LOYOLA CATHOLIC PARISH
Jack Bergman (Republican, MI) \u2014 2019-6-5

. Madam , it's my honor to recognize the 100th anniversary of St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Parish in Rogers City, Michigan. Through its dedication to education, faith, and its local community, St. Ignatius has become an indispensable part of Michigan's First District. prgtoken Founded in 1919 by Father C.T. Skowronski, St. Ignatius Church grew rapidly to serve the thriving community and growing Catholic congregation during the early 20th century. Over the next 100 years, St. Ignatius continued its success and worked to fulfill its mission of faith-filled liturgies, hospitality, evangelization, family life, and life-long education. The parish's dedication to its local community serves as an example for every person in Northern Michigan, and its impact on Michigan's First District cannot be understated. As Saint Ignatius of Loyola said, ``Love is shown more in deeds than in words.'' prgtoken Madam , it's my honor to congratulate St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Parish and its parishioners for 100 years of success, service, and faith. Michiganders can take great pride in knowing the First District is home to such dedicated citizens. On behalf of my constituents, I wish them all the best in its future endeavors.
HONORING THE NAVY LEAGUE OF THE UNITED STATES
John Joyce (Republican, PA) \u2014 2019-6-5

. Madam , over the years, the Navy League of the United States has compiled an impressive record of accomplishments and is widely respected by both the private and public sector. prgtoken Navy League programs are welcomed in communities throughout the nation and its members are recognized for their integrity and patriotism. prgtoken In the words of President Theodore Roosevelt, ``It seems to me that all good Americans interested in the growth of their country and sensitive to its honor should give hearty support to the policies which the Navy League is founded. For the building and maintaining in proper shape of the American Navy, we must rely on nothing but the broad and farsighted patriotism of our people as a whole.'' prgtoken In keeping with the wisdom and principles of President Theodore Roosevelt, it is my honor and privilege before the 116th Congress to recognize the 50,000 members and over 250 Councils of the Navy League of the United States at its National Convention June 19 to 22, 2019.
Tariffs (Executive Calendar)
John Cornyn (Republican, TX) \u2014 2019-6-5

since President announced his intent to impose tariffs on goods imported to the United States from Mexico, I have been perplexed at the reaction from our ic colleagues on both sides of the Capitol. They seem to have washed their hands of the humanitarian crisis occurring at the border. prgtoken Again, these are President 's words. In 2014 he identified this crush of humanity coming across from Central America into the United States claiming asylum as a humanitarian and security crisis. But our ic friends are simply washing their hands of any responsibility and have not offered any solutions or any ideas on how to solve the problem. prgtoken Perhaps they feel like this is President 's problem, but this is more than just the President's problem. It is America's problem and challenge: How do we deal with this flood of humanity? prgtoken I would like to be clear on one point. I agree with the President that Mexico needs to do more to staunch the flow of people across its borders and into the United States. They must do more and we must do more to stop this mass migration, but any action must prioritize both our country's physical and our economic security. prgtoken Tariffs are not my first choice on how to address this problem. In fact, that is not the most responsible way to address this. The most responsible way to address it is by taking up, debating, and voting on bipartisan legislation that would actually fix the vulnerabilities in our current law that are being exploited by the human smugglers who are charging between $5,000 and $10,000 per person to smuggle people from Central America, across Mexico, and into the United States. prgtoken Tariffs, on the other hand, would be a massive tax. The U.S. Chamber estimates that Texas alone would face $5.35 billion in increased costs as a result of a 5-percent tariff that could take effect as early as Monday. This translates into about $1,000 more on a car. prgtoken I am happy that the Vice President and Secretary Pompeo are meeting with the Mexican Foreign Minister and other officials today. Actually, I am encouraged by the response of the Mexican Government, and I can only hope that they come up with some sort of agreement so that these tariffs do not go into effect. prgtoken Stronger action by Mexico would be a step in the right direction, but it doesn't come close to solving the underlying problem. I feel like a broken record at times, constantly reminding my colleagues here of the challenges we are facing in Texas because of this crisis. prgtoken More than 100,000 people illegally crossed our southern border between March and April--100,000. That is not a combined figure. It is about 100,000 each month. The Department of Homeland Security has not released statistics for the month of May, but I am not expecting any good news. prgtoken As a matter of fact, if nothing changes, the pull factors--the reasons why people would
COASTAL AND OCEAN ACIDIFICATION STRESSORS AND THREATS RESEARCH ACT OF 2019
Bill Posey (Republican, FL) \u2014 2019-6-5

I thank the gentleman for yielding and his kind remarks. prgtoken , I rise in support of H.R. 1237, the COAST Research Act, of which I am an original cosponsor. prgtoken Those of us who live on the coast understand that the coast is an essential part of our lives. In my own State of Florida, approximately 80 percent of the population lives along the coast. About 6 million people work in our coastal communities and produce nearly $280 billion a year in wages and contribute over $700 billion in gross domestic product. prgtoken Today, we face uncertainty about the sustainability and the resilience of our coasts. Parts of our coast have come under assault from the ocean itself, even before anyone imagined anything about sea level rise. prgtoken Acidification presents uncertainties in the ocean and could pose severe effects to the biodiversity of our marine wildlife. prgtoken Along the Space Coast, we have seen a recent plague of algal blooms that foul our estuaries and threaten our economy. It is serious and it is heartbreaking. prgtoken The message is clear: We need to take care of our precious coast so that we can continue to enjoy the lifestyle and the economic well-being that we all cherish. prgtoken We must work with the Federal Government in the interest of improving our coastal resilience. That is why I have joined Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici in directing NOAA to pick up the role of leading research for coastal acidification. prgtoken , I include in the Record four letters of support for the COAST Research Act from the following organizations: the Consortium for Ocean Leadership, the Surfrider Foundation, the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission, and the Northwest fisheries groups. Consortium for Ocean Leadership, Washington, DC, March 1, 2019. Hon. Suzanne Bonamici, Washington, DC. Dear Congresswoman Bonamici: On behalf of the Consortium for Ocean Leadership (COL), which represents our nation's leading ocean science, research, and technology organizations from academia, industry, and aquariums, I am writing to express support for the Coastal and Ocean Acidification Stressors and Threats (COAST) Research Act (H.R. 6267). America relies on our ocean and coastal communities for our basic individual needs as well as our overall security and prosperity. Keeping these environments, and therefore their communities, safe from the myriad threats associated with ocean acidification is paramount to our ocean security. COL applauds the COAST Research Act in its mission to strengthen existing ocean acidification initiatives and introduce new strategies to better understand and manage this environmental stressor. Ocean acidification, which occurs as the ocean absorbs higher concentrations of atmospheric carbon dioxide, threatens the health
RECOGNIZING D-DAY INVASION SURVIVOR TAM CATO
Ted S. Yoho (Republican, FL) \u2014 2019-6-5

. Madam , I have the honor today to recognize a living hero, a person who served our Nation at the shores of Normandy on D- Day, June 6, 1944. prgtoken Mr. Tam Cato is 104 years old and hails from Alachua, Florida. Mr. Cato was born on March 14, 1915, and raised in the town of Alachua on a 653-acre farm, which he still calls his ``Daddy's farm.'' prgtoken Mr. Cato was drafted into the U.S. Army in February 1941 and trained at Camp Blanding in Starke, Florida. He was in Normandy during the invasion, where he served and aided in the liberation of France and Great Britain from Nazi Germany. prgtoken Recently, I had the extreme privilege of sharing in an event for Mr. Cato in his hometown, where the French Government, through their council general and French generals, presented Mr. Cato the highest military and civilian honor France can offer: France's Legion of Honour. prgtoken This award recognizes the American veterans who fought on French soil during World War II, risking their lives in the name of freedom. This medal is in honor of that courage and bravery. prgtoken Madam , I thank Tam Cato, and my family and country thank him, as do the people of France. The world was made safer by him and others like him who served.
TORNADOES AND HEROISM
Warren Davidson (Republican, OH) \u2014 2019-6-5

. Madam , I rise today in support of heroes, in support of unity, and in support of the compassion that I witnessed in the Eighth District of Ohio after 19 tornadoes devastated Southwestern Ohio last week. prgtoken On May 27th, communities in Mercer, Miami, Darke, and Preble Counties, and counties adjacent to the Eighth District, were devastated by tornadoes with winds upwards of 140 miles per hour. prgtoken My wife Lisa and I took shelter in our basement as the storms passed. The totality of the destruction emerged with Tuesday's sunrise. prgtoken The caved roofs, toppled power lines, and staircases without surrounding structures gave powerful testimony to the violence of the storms. prgtoken Despite the terrible destruction in our district, we also saw signs of hope. Our communities always come together to help one another in times of need. It is why southwest Ohio is such a special place to call home. prgtoken Our first responders do an amazing job. There were no , no s; there were just neighbors helping neighbors. It's too bad that it often takes a tragedy to highlight this special quality in us, but it is there--and it is a great thing to see. prgtoken I want to thank our first responders, Ohio Senators Portman and Brown for their leadership during this time of crisis, the Ohio delegation, Governor DeWine, and leaders across the country who are standing with the people of Ohio. prgtoken Madam , as relief and recovery efforts continue in Southwest Ohio, I use my time on the floor today to honor the heroes and survivors. We will rebuild and be stronger than before.