mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
National Defense Authorization Act (Executive Session)
John Thune (Republican, SD) \u2014 2019-6-19

this week we will begin consideration of the National Defense Authorization Act, the annual legislation to authorize funding for our military and national defense. This year's legislation builds on last year's bill, with its emphasis on restoring military readiness and ensuring that we are prepared to meet threats from major powers like China and Russia. prgtoken Some may take it for granted that we have the strongest military in the world, but our military strength, built on the service and sacrifice of our men and women in uniform, requires sustained investment. In recent years, budgetary impasses paired with increased operational demands have left our Armed Forces with manpower deficits and under-equipped for confronting the threats of the 21st century. Given the multitude of threats around the world, we cannot afford to become complacent or ease our preparedness. The truth is, the last time our military underwent a comprehensive modernization, Ronald Reagan was President. prgtoken In November 2018, the bipartisan National Defense Strategy Commission released a report warning that our readiness had eroded to the point where we might struggle to win a war against a major power like Russia or China. The Commission noted that we would be especially vulnerable if we were ever called on to fight a war on two fronts. Repairing this readiness deficit has to be one of Congress's most important priorities. prgtoken Last year's National Defense Authorization Act took major steps forward on modernization, making significant and targeted investments in the research, manpower, and materiel needed to equip our military to face 21st-century threats. We have made real prgtoken progress, but there is a lot more work to be done. prgtoken This year's National Defense Authorization Act focuses on building on the progress we have made. It invests in the planes, combat vehicles, and ships of the future, including the Joint Strike Fighter and the future B-21 bomber, which will be based at Ellsworth Air Force Base in my home State of South Dakota. It authorizes funding for research and development and advanced technology. It authorizes funds to modernize our nuclear arsenal to maximize our deterrence capabilities. It also focuses on ensuring that we are equipped to meet threats on new fronts, including in the space and cyber domains. prgtoken It is important that we invest in these new areas of the battlefield to ensure we are prepared to meet and defeat threats. We are once again in an era of great power competition, where states like China and Russia harbor imperial ambitions. The National Defense Authorization Act will help ensure that we have a credible deterrence and are equipped to meet threats from great powers as well as rogue states and terrorist organizations. This legislation will also invest in our relationships with key allies and security partners to help counter shared threats. prgtoken Importantly, t
Nomination of Matthew J. Kacsmaryk (Executive Session)
Rick Scott (Republican, FL) \u2014 2019-6-19

Judge Allen Winsor has honorably served the State of Florida for several years, and I proudly support his confirmation as a district judge for the Northern District of Florida today. He has demonstrated a keen legal acumen and adherence to the rule of law, both in his prior capacity as the solicitor general in the Office of the Florida Attorney General and in his present role as an appellate judge on Florida's First District Court of Appeal. His service on the appellate bench in Florida has consistently reflected his respect for the separation of powers and devotion to the proper function of the judiciary in our democratic system. As Governor of Florida, I had the distinct honor to appoint him to the First District Court of Appeal in 2016, and I am proud to support his confirmation to the Federal bench, where he will continue to serve our State and Nation well.
Mark Esper (Executive Session)
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2019-6-19

first this morning, I want to express my gratitude for Acting Secretary Pat Shanahan, whom we learned yesterday will soon be leaving the Department of Defense. The Acting Secretary has served in a crucial post during challenging times and difficult circumstances. His deliberate leadership and steady focus on implementing the national defense strategy served the Nation, the Pentagon, and the men and women of the Armed Forces very well. prgtoken I respect his decision to withdraw his candidacy, and I hope it will bring to an end the media's scrutiny of his family. prgtoken It is unfortunate that this news means we are no closer to having a Senate-confirmed Secretary of Defense. As the Senate considers the NDAA this week, the many challenges facing our Nation are top of mind. prgtoken We need to modernize our military to meet the challenges posed by Russia and China. We need to stay assertive against local terrorism organizations like ISIS and al-Qaida until they are decisively defeated. We need to continue to reform and enhance critical partnerships from NATO to the Middle East, to the Indo-Pacific. Of course, we face an urgent need to deter and defend against Iranian aggression. prgtoken These challenges and opportunities demand strong leadership. While the Senate still looks forward to considering a nominee to formally serve as the Secretary of Defense, we should take heart in President 's choice for the next Acting Secretary, Mark Esper, our current Secretary of the Army. prgtoken Mark Esper is no stranger to the Senate. Among the many impressive stops on his resume, he served with the Foreign Relations Committee and later as national security advisor to then-Majority Leader Bill Frist. Many of us remember his calming demeanor and his professionalism. prgtoken He served in several capacities at the Pentagon as well, including as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense. Immediately prior to becoming Secretary of the Army, he had also built a successful career in the private sector. All of prgtoken this came after Mr. Esper's own decorated military service. His graduation from West Point was followed by Army Ranger training, which then led to serving in the Gulf war with the storied 101st Airborne. prgtoken Given the precarious international situation and challenges facing our Nation, I am encouraged that an experienced, tested, and capable leader such as Secretary Esper will be at the helm in the Pentagon. I look forward to working closely with him to defend America and advance our interests.
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 3055, COMMERCE, JUSTICE, SCIENCE, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2020; RELATING TO CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 2740, DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN...
Pete Stauber (Republican, MN) \u2014 2019-6-19

. Madam , I thank Mr. Woodall for yielding to me today. prgtoken Madam , I offered four amendments to improve this bill and benefit northeastern Minnesota, but, like last week, all four were rejected. They were not rejected on the merits, of course, but they were rejected in the Rules Committee before even being debated on the floor. prgtoken Two of my amendments would have removed onerous studies put in place by seasoned politicians from the Twin Cities and Washington, D.C. These studies in the committee report language are simply designed to delay important job-creating mining projects in my district. prgtoken Unfortunately, these politicians play politics with the consequence of killing jobs because, to them, our livelihood and these mining projects are nothing more than some faraway idea in a faraway land. Their well-funded interest groups oppose these jobs, so they attempt to move the goalposts, lay down more red tape, require more studies, and make it impossible--or at least attempt to make it impossible--to permit. prgtoken I say this: we can do both. We can mine and keep our environment pristine and clean. prgtoken However, to my constituents, these projects are a reality. These good-paying jobs will put food on the table, and they will put gas in our car and clothes on the backs of our children. These jobs will allow us to work, recreate, play, and raise a family in northern Minnesota. prgtoken These projects not only mean good-paying, union-protected mining jobs in cutting-edge industry, these projects can mean a larger property tax base, increased enrollment in our schools, and a population growth in our communities. prgtoken These mining projects are a big part of our economic engine, yet Washington, D.C and Twin City politicians can sneak language into a committee report to undermine a fair process, while arbitrarily rejecting my amendments. prgtoken Another amendment I introduced would have ensured no funding is available to list the gray wolf under the Endangered Species Act. As I testified last night at the Rules Committee, the gray wolf has recovered. Even the administration attempted to remove it from the Endangered Species Act in 2013. prgtoken In northern Minnesota, wolf attacks on cattle and domestic pets are becoming far too common, burdening our farmers who already are struggling. One small northern Minnesota county alone accounted for 21 confirmed wolf attacks on cattle, and local officials expect the number to be much higher, as many cattle that simply go missing are likely wolf attacks. prgtoken Because the gray wolf is listed as Federally endangered, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is unable to control them. Our local experts, who truly understand the problem, have their hands tied because politicians in this town, Washington, D.C think they know best. But they do not.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Executive Session)
Steve Daines (Republican, MT) \u2014 2019-6-19

I thank Senator Grassley. prgtoken He has been a strong advocate for policies that uplift rural communities, and he gets to all of Iowa's 99 counties every year. I would bet Chairman Grassley probably has a lot of stories to talk about as to what is going on because he is in touch with the folks back home who are in these rural communities. Montana is similar. We both come from States that have strong ag heritages, and we have a lot of rural communities. We need policies that will uplift these rural communities and, importantly, strengthen our families. prgtoken It is time we see some real change--to stop kicking the proverbial can down the road and OK these consecutive, short-term reauthorizations. That is something DC is pretty good at--short-term reauthorizations, like the 39 we have seen in the last decade with TANF. What we need are permanent reforms rather than these temporary extensions. prgtoken I thank Senator Grassley for joining me today in this colloquy and for his commitment to getting something done. prgtoken The chairman is a ``getter done'' kind of leader, and he couldn't have said it any better than in his talking about removing families from being dependent to being independent. We have plenty of provisions here to make sure we take care of those families who, maybe, don't have a choice if there are addiction issues or if there are childcare problems. We have to make sure they will have the ability to get the help they need, but we want to move them into the workforce. With all of these jobs being available right now in this economy, we could solve two problems. That is why we need these TANF reforms. prgtoken for joining me today and for his commitment to getting something done. I am positive TANF reform will lead to great success for people in Montana, for people in Iowa, as well as for people in the rest of the country. prgtoken .
VA MISSION Act (Executive Session)
Joni Ernst (Republican, IA) \u2014 2019-6-19

one of the most sacred promises our Nation makes is our pledge to care for our men and women in uniform when they return home. prgtoken When it became clear that the VA was falling short of that standard, I am proud to say that we here in the Senate put politics aside, rolled up our sleeves, and actually got to work. prgtoken The result was the VA MISSION Act, a bipartisan bill that aims to ensure our veterans are receiving the quality care they have earned and deserve. I was honored to have been on hand in the Rose Garden representing Iowa, its veterans, and its military families, as President signed this bill into law. prgtoken This month, the more than 200,000 veterans across Iowa will begin to see the benefits of those reforms as the VA begins to implement the VA MISSION Act. That is because one major focus of the bill was to make sure it would help the VA do a better job of taking care of our veterans in rural and underserved areas. prgtoken Toward that end, one significant reform that is going into effect this month aims to allow rural or disabled veterans to receive care from the comfort of their own home by increasing telehealth and telemedicine services provided by the VA. This was a provision I pushed for, starting with my VETS Act, and I am so glad it made it into the final package. prgtoken You see, we in Iowa know that rural and disabled vets face an even harder uphill battle when it comes to getting quality healthcare. This is because doctors aren't right down the street or a short drive away. These folks have to drive many miles just to see a caregiver and sometimes many more for followup treatments or procedures. prgtoken The law includes a lot of other great reforms. It expands VA caregiver benefits to pre-9/11 veterans. It takes steps to modernize VA facilities, increases resources to hire more providers, and helps ensure prompt payment to community providers. It is just another example of how, despite what folks may see on television, the Senate is passing legislation that is making a positive impact on Americans' lives. prgtoken Our veterans have selflessly sacrificed in defense of our freedom and our great way of life. They deserve nothing less than the benefits they were promised and better access to quality care. prgtoken With the VA MISSION Act, the Senate has given the VA the tools it needs to work toward keeping that promise. I am so thankful for the other Members who will be joining me here today on the floor to talk through the successes of the implementation of the VA MISSION Act. prgtoken Of course, a strong leader who brought this bill over the finish line is the chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee. prgtoken I yield to the wonderful Senator from the great State of Georgia, Johnny Isakson. (Mr. PERDUE assumed the Chair.)
National Defense Authorization Act (Executive Session)
John Cornyn (Republican, TX) \u2014 2019-6-19

today we will take the first step in the passage of the National Defense Authorization Act when we hold the cloture vote this afternoon. For the last 58 years, consecutively, Congress has passed this important legislation to fund our Nation's military and support the men and women who wear our uniform and defend our freedoms, both at home and around the world. prgtoken Last month the Senate Armed Services Committee voted overwhelmingly by a vote of 25 to 2 to advance this legislation to the Senate floor. So it goes without saying, perhaps, that this enjoys broad bipartisan support, but in this political environment, I will go ahead and say that anyway. prgtoken This bill received that kind of support because it includes the ideas and feedback from Members of both parties and places our national security where it should be, above all other considerations when it comes to the Federal Congress. prgtoken I wish I could say the same thing about the House version of the National Defense Authorization Act. After extensive debate and a largely party-line vote in the House, the House Armed Services Committee voted last week to ban the deployment of low-yield nuclear warheads on submarine-launched ballistic missiles, which is a dangerous step that could prevent us from being able to respond to attacks from our adversaries. prgtoken I realize the seriousness of this topic, and really the purpose of my speaking today is to raise the visibility of this issue so that Members can begin to understand and grapple with the subject matter and reach informed decisions, which I believe would be in favor of the Senate version, which would allow the deployment of low-yield nuclear weapons on submarines. prgtoken Significantly, I believe the House provisions, although well- intended, would make the potential for the use of these weapons more likely rather than less. To state the obvious, I hope that no nuclear weapon in our arsenal or in the arsenal of an adversary of ours will ever see the light of day. Nuclear weapons should always be a last resort. prgtoken If you think about it, it is really almost a miracle that 74 years ago at Hiroshima was the last time a nuclear weapon was used, and I hope that record continues unbroken indefinitely. Why has it been 74 years? Well, it is because the countries, by and large, that possess nuclear weapons realize the gravity of their use and that, once started, a nuclear war would result in devastation for everyone-- everyone, literally--on the planet. prgtoken Yet we would be foolish to ignore the clear posture of our adversaries when it comes to nuclear weapons and play into their hands and, I think, actually make the use of these weapons more likely through miscalculation and mistake. Let's take Russia, for example. Back when General Dunford, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, testified at his confirmation hearing before the Armed Services Committee, he was asked his a
VA MISSION Act (Executive Session)
John Hoeven (Republican, ND) \u2014 2019-6-19

I am pleased to come today and join my colleagues to highlight the VA MISSION Act--legislation we passed to provide our veterans with access to health and long-term care closer to home. This month, I had the opportunity to join a Senate delegation in Normandy for the 75th Anniversary of D-day. We had the honor of meeting with some of our veterans who landed on the beaches of Normandy, and we were reminded, once again, of the tremendous sacrifices our Nation's veterans have made to preserve our way of life and keep our Nation free. prgtoken Given their service and sacrifice, the least that our Nation can do is uphold its commitment to provide our veterans with the healthcare they have truly earned. Over the last year, we have been working with the VA to ensure that the MISSION Act is properly implemented so it truly benefits our veterans. This bipartisan legislation not only strengthens the VA's ability to provide care for our veterans, but when the VA is unable to do so, it gives our veterans more options to seek care in their home communities. This has been a top priority for veterans in my home State of North Dakota and across the country. prgtoken The VA MISSION Act removed the arbitrary 30-day, 40-mile eligibility requirement that prevented veterans living within 40 miles of a VA facility from being eligible for care in their home community. Now, when a VA Medical Center or community-based outpatient clinic isn't able to provide the services a veteran needs, our veterans are able to access healthcare services in their local community. prgtoken Additionally, the VA MISSION Act contains provisions from the veterans access to long-term care and health services legislation I had introduced, which allows non-VA, long-term care providers--so now long- term care providers, nursing homes and others--to enter into veterans care agreements with the VA. These agreements will help cut through the bureaucratic redtape at the VA and help veterans access nursing home and other long-term care in their communities, including home-based care services--again, providing not only healthcare but long-term care to our veterans closer to home, in their home communities and closer to their loved ones. prgtoken We are continuing to work with the VA and long-term care providers to ensure that providers that want to treat veterans are able to do so without unnecessary burdens, meaning without additional inspections, without additional redtape that in some cases, causes our long-term care providers--whether it is nursing homes or in-care providers--to not accept VA reimbursement. This makes sure that they can take VA reimbursement and that the rules and requirements are the same as if they are taking Medicaid or Medicare reimbursement. This is very important for our veterans, but it makes sure that we streamline the process so those nursing homes or those home-based and community-based services in a community provide
VA MISSION Act (Executive Session)
Todd Young (Republican, IN) \u2014 2019-6-19

having served in the Navy and as a Marine Corps officer, I am sensitive to the many challenges facing our veterans. The VA was established almost 90 years ago, so when the VA MISSION Act was passed, it was time for a wide-scale reform to modernize and improve the system. prgtoken I was proud to support and vote for the VA MISSION Act, which was signed into law 1 year ago this month. This new program could dramatically change the way our veterans receive care. For the first time, veterans can walk into a local urgent care clinic, like most Americans can--as long as it is in network--and receive care that day, at no cost to them, up to three visits per year. They can even get a flu shot now at urgent care rather than having to visit the VA for such a simple procedure. prgtoken The VA MISSION Act is already at work back home in Indiana. In fact, a Hoosier veteran recently approached me while I was traveling throughout the State, and he said there was an appointment he could not get scheduled with the VA until August or September. Now, we had this conversation some weeks ago, but when the VA MISSION Act went into effect at the beginning of this month, he tried again, and he was able to get an appointment right away. So I am sure this is just the first of many positive stories I am going to be hearing as I travel around the State in coming days and even years to come. prgtoken It is also important that we in Congress listen to those whose experience with the VA has not improved. If there is a part of this act that isn't working or isn't being implemented as intended, then we have to revisit it. We have to work with the VA to get it right--removing barriers within the system and streamlining access to care. This is going to help veterans of all eras live happy and healthier lives. So that is what matters the most. prgtoken I will continue to fight for the proper care and treatment of our veterans because they deserve nothing less. prgtoken .