mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
ISSUES OF THE DAY
Louie Gohmert (Republican, TX) \u2014 2019-7-12

it has been an interesting day. It is amazing we voted on a National Defense Authorization Act. That is normally a bipartisan action here in the House. It is normally quite a compromise. But this NDAA didn't end up being that way because it had so many different leftist dreams inserted into it that had nothing to do with the national defense. It is rather a shame. It is something that has to be worked on. We have got to be able to defend ourselves and properly pay those who are doing so, or trying to do so. prgtoken It was a sad day that we did not pass that with the same bipartisanship that we have had in the past. I hope that changes for the future. There are only a few areas like that where we have had bipartisanship in the past, and I hope we can get back to it. prgtoken One area where there hasn't been a lot of bipartisanship at all has occurred in the area of the great tragedy, crisis, emergency now, that is occurring on our southern border. It is amazing because we have heard for months that there was a manufactured crisis, it wasn't really a crisis on our southern border, that President was just making it up, that s were just making it up. There was no crisis there. Nothing to see. We can just keep moving along because there is no problem on the southern border. prgtoken Well, there was a crisis. There wasn't a disaster occurring there. And by virtue of the fact that people in other countries saw that the majority of the House of Representatives was sending them messages about what they were doing and saying here, that there was not going to be any wall, there was not going to be the kind of border security that we should have, and, in fact, more and more people seem to be advocating that we have no border at all. prgtoken The fact is that if a nation has no borders, it is no longer a nation. And yet, I know there are those here who think America is horrible, that it is this horrendous, imperialistic hegemony, always trying to take advantage of others. They refuse to face the fact there has never been a more generous nation than the United States. If we were imperialistic, they would not be speaking German in Germany, or French in France, or Japanese in Japan. This is not an imperialist nation. We are not out to colonize the world. prgtoken And it is amazing how some who would accuse us of that, they are doing what has become so common here in Washington, and that is projecting. If somebody does something inappropriate, harmful, or hateful, then they accuse their opponents of doing exactly what they did. prgtoken We will be getting into some of that type of projecting as we continue in our Judiciary Committee in the next couple of weeks, continuing to take up the Mueller report. prgtoken They know now, there is no question, the Clinton campaign paid a foreign agent to gather information, from what he has since admitted, who probably worked for Putin--could have very well worked for
MOMENT OF SILENCE HONORING LAKE LITTLE
Michael Guest (Republican, MS) \u2014 2019-7-12

on Sunday, Mississippi lost a talented young woman when she tragically died in an airplane accident. prgtoken Lake Little had accomplished a great deal in her lifetime. She was an honors student, a skilled athlete, and a volunteer in her local community. prgtoken Lake had a bright future. She held dreams of serving her country in the United States Air Force and had already enlisted in the Mississippi Air National Guard. prgtoken Mississippi is proud of the life that Lake lived, and we are grateful for the positive impact she had in her community and on our State. prgtoken Today, Lake's friends, family, and community have gathered to remember her and celebrate her life. prgtoken , I ask for a moment of silence on the House floor at this time as we join Lake's loved ones in honoring her memory.
CONCERN ABOUT NDAA
Ross Spano (Republican, FL) \u2014 2019-7-12

. Madam , I rise today to express grave concern with the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020. prgtoken Every year, Congress is tasked with funding our military. These funds do everything from feeding our troops to equipping them for combat, to giving them and their families medical care. prgtoken Because this funding is of such vital importance for our troops and our national security, these bills normally pass through Congress with wide bipartisan support. prgtoken However, despite the President, senior military officials, and a bipartisan Senate all agreeing on a funding level, House leadership has proposed a bill $15 billion less than what experts say is required. prgtoken This bill represents one of the worst political games I have seen in this House. It puts our servicemembers at risk and leaves our entire Nation vulnerable by underfunding personnel accounts, vital modernization initiatives, and deterrence against foreign aggression. prgtoken I call upon this House to follow us in this lead to set aside our differences and authorize these programs at the levels needed to protect our troops and our Nation.
RECOGNIZING INDEPENDENCE DAY AND PRESERVATION OF FREEDOM
Glenn Thompson (Republican, PA) \u2014 2019-7-12

. Madam , last week, my wife, Penny, and I honored those who make Independence Day possible by attending our son Logan's reenlistment and promotion to Army sergeant first class at Fort Drum, New York. prgtoken This occasion reminded me that our independence relies upon the vigilance of our citizens and those who have fought to defend our freedoms. prgtoken Regarding Independence Day, John Adams wrote to his wife, Abigail: ``It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shews, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations from one end prgtoken of this continent to the other from this time forward forevermore.'' prgtoken Following the Constitutional Convention, Benjamin Franklin was asked what sort of government the delegates had created. Without hesitation, he responded, ``A republic, if you can keep it.'' prgtoken President Reagan aptly stated that freedom isn't something passed to our children in the bloodstream. prgtoken Preserving our freedom is certainly a responsibility of this generation as any past. prgtoken Madam , I commend those who continue to make these freedoms possible, and I look forward to a future where these freedoms will be defended for generations to come.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2020
John Shimkus (Republican, IL) \u2014 2019-7-12

. Madam Chair, this amendment is anything but simple. It is highly complex. Per- and polyfluorinated compounds, there are probably 5,000 different permutations, and my colleagues act like it is one formulation; and it is multiple. prgtoken So what they want to do is, in essence, do a de facto ban by claiming a class of 5,000 chemicals as qualified for toxic and in the Superfund; and that is a de facto ban of all these applications. prgtoken We are all going to fly home tonight. We are going to close the door to the plane. We are going to have this seal, and this seal is what is used to protect--the seal around the airplane door--us, so we don't get sucked out. Banned, toxic Superfund. prgtoken No one disputes our colleagues' concerns and maybe my concern about former installations, current installations, and water in ditches from firefighting foam. So let's deal with that issue. prgtoken Let's not do what this amendment and other amendments will do which is throw the proverbial baby out with the bathwater. prgtoken So what do we use some of these formulations of per-and polyfluorinated compounds--again, some 5,000--for? We use it to save the lives of people. prgtoken Here is a stent, which are in millions of people. PFAS banned, de facto banned, because it falls under a Superfund. No one is going to make them because they don't want to be held legally liable if this stent eventually goes into a landfill. So we don't need that anymore. prgtoken More kids than I know are born with a hole in their heart. So what is the chemical compound that helps plug the hole, so these children can grow and mature? Oh, it is a PFAS-formulated compound. So let's have a de facto ban on this device. prgtoken Remember, these medical devices are approved by our Food and Drug Administration. They say they are safe to be inserted into the human body. So why would we then say, if it is safe to be inserted into the human body, these medical devices are now going to be unsafe in a landfill, and then you have a Superfund act and, again, a de facto ban? prgtoken This shouldn't be in this debate. I have great respect for the chairman and the ranking member, but this is a National Defense Authorization Act. It is not an Energy and Commerce Environment and Climate Change Subcommittee act; and I hope we will take that up. prgtoken EPA deals with toxicologists, analytical chemists, organic chemists, epidemiologists, chemical biologists, material scientists, theoretical chemists. Those are the ones who are going to help us decide which of the 5,000 permutations of PFAS are actually good and which ones are actually harmful. prgtoken But this says they are all bad. It is like--my folks don't want me to use this example. It is like saying, an orange is bad. Let's ban all fruit. prgtoken Okay. No, we are going to take the peeling of a banana and throw it in a dump. Oh, no, that is going to be a toxic dump under Superfund, and no prgtoken one is going to have and
THANKING MAJOR TIMOTHY W. TRIMAILO FOR HIS OUTSTANDING SERVICE AS EXECUTIVE OFFICER, SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE, OFFICE OF LEGISLATIVE LIAISON
Kay Granger (Republican, TX) \u2014 2019-7-12

. Madam , I rise today to thank Major Timothy W. Trimailo for his outstanding service as Executive Officer, Secretary of the Air Force, Office of Legislative Liaison. prgtoken Major Trimailo has been a diligent, valued member of the Office of Legislative Liaison. He has been integral in ensuring Congress receives the information it needs from the U.S. Air Force. During his tenure, Major Trimailo was able to significantly increase the U.S. Air Force responsiveness to Congress. His insight, intellect and ability to clearly communicate complex issues were invaluable assets during his tenure. prgtoken Major Trimailo also assisted with the development of the Space Force engagement strategy. His role is very important as Space Force is vital to the future security of the United States. prgtoken Major Trimailo has served the Air Force with distinction and honor since receiving his commission in 2005 from the United States Air Force Academy. He completed basic space operations training and Defense Satellite Communications System (DSCS) III qualification training at Vandenberg AFB, California, in May 2006. prgtoken I also want to recognize his wife Lori and his children Kellen and Bailey for their service, support and sacrifices. prgtoken Major Trimailo's presence in the Office of Legislative Affairs will be missed by his Leadership and his coworkers. Please join me in thanking Major Trimailo for his service, and in wishing him well in his new endeavor.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2020
Ann Wagner (Republican, MO) \u2014 2019-7-12

. Madam Chair, the last few months has seen Iran perpetrate a series of provocative actions against the U.S. and its regional partners: prgtoken On May 15, armed drones struck two Saudi oilfields, resulting in the ordered departure of nonessential personnel from U.S. Embassy Baghdad and the General Consulate Erbil; prgtoken On May 16, the head of the Quds Force called on the terror groups to prepare for a proxy war; prgtoken Armed drones launched by the Houthis have repeatedly attacked a civilian airport in Saudi Arabia; prgtoken On June 19, Iran shot down U.S. military assets over international waters; prgtoken And, just yesterday, the British Navy prevented three Iranian parliamentary vessels from impeding the passage of a British oil tanker transiting the Strait of Hormuz. prgtoken This is not the time to walk away from our strategic allies. We share a common threat. We must be certain that they are equipped with the tools they need to defend their national security and to work with us in countering common threats that destabilize this region. prgtoken I firmly believe the United States can support our strategic allies while also insisting that they prosecute the war in Yemen more responsibly. prgtoken Madam Chair, I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment, and .
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2020
Mac Thornberry (Republican, TX) \u2014 2019-7-12

. Madam Chair, such time as I may consume. prgtoken Madam Chair, let me start in a similar way that I started 2 days ago, and that is to express my appreciation to the staff, which has done a terrific job of wading through a ton of issues, a lot of paper, in bringing this bill to the floor. prgtoken I also want to express my particular appreciation to some unsung heroes, and those are the folks in the legislative counsel. Members and staff come up with these great ideas. Well, it takes the professionals to actually get that down on paper in legislative language in a timely way so that we can deal with it here on the floor or in committee or subcommittee, wherever it is. They do a magnificent job, and I don't think they get enough attention for the work that they do. prgtoken In addition, I want to express my appreciation to Chairman Smith and to all the members of the Armed Services Committee for their commitment, for not just the work they put into it, but for their dedication and commitment to the country's national security. prgtoken There have been some inferences, and even more than inferences, on the floor that there is some sort of political maneuvering or games going on. I have not seen that in the Armed Services Committee. I believe, to a man and woman, every member of that committee is sincerely dedicated to doing the right thing for the troops and for the country's national security. prgtoken The truth is, together, we have done a lot of good work over the years, 58 straight years. In recent years, we have together grappled with the problem that we were discussing a few moments ago, a readiness crisis that resulted in the highest number of aviation deaths in 6 years last year and an increasing number of accidents. prgtoken Together, we grappled to turn the corner and do a better job. There is a lot of pride in what the committee together has done over the years. prgtoken There is concern, at least among the Members on my side of the aisle, that a lot of that progress we have made together stands a chance of slipping backward with this bill. prgtoken We have spent 3 days going through hundreds of amendments. A lot of times, we don't talk about the core of the bill. Let me give some examples of the concerns that I have about the reductions in authorization in the underlying bill that make a real difference. prgtoken For example, the underlying bill cut $295 million from aircraft carrier procurement, leading to a 1-year delay in the construction of the next carrier. We need 12 carriers. We have 11. We are on a path to nine. As a result of this bill, we are going to delay by another year getting another carrier. prgtoken It cuts $155 million from fast inshore attack craft mine countermeasures. Within the last 2 days, we have had some of these small boats in the Persian Gulf threaten British tankers, yet this bill cuts $155 million from the sort of thing that deals with that. prgtoken A lot of us a
NEVER FORGET THE HEROES: JAMES ZADROGA, RAY PFEIFER, AND LUIS ALVAREZ PERMANENT AUTHORIZATION OF THE SEPTEMBER 11TH VICTIM COMPENSATION FUND ACT
Doug Collins (Republican, GA) \u2014 2019-7-12

. Madam , Mr. Nadler has just brought up something that I cannot let pass. prgtoken Lisette is not only someone who has given service to Mr. Nadler. She has given a great deal of service to this House and to me and to my staff personally. prgtoken She will be missed on both sides of this aisle because she understands completely what this House should be about, and that is actually service and actually getting legislation done.
LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM
Steve Scalise (Republican, LA) \u2014 2019-7-12

. I thank the gentleman, and I share the same sentiment that Ambassador Lighthizer has done a great job of working with Members on both sides to address questions, concerns, find ways to make sure that those concerns are addressed, whether they are already inside the agreement or if there are other things that can be done to double underscore and highlight those concerns. prgtoken But, in the meantime, hopefully, we can move beyond trying to get to yes and actually have a bill where we can whip that and get to yes. I know we have a whip team that I have put together on our side that is ready to go and, hopefully, your side will be able to get there. prgtoken It would be ideal if we can do that before we recess. Clearly, that is not the only way to get this done, but we do have to respect, as well, that the other countries, our friends, Mexico and Canada, have an interest in this, as well. prgtoken Canada has elections coming up. We don't want to have this jeopardized and become something that gets pushed behind their national elections. Ideally, we can get it done well in advance of their elections and respect the fact that they would like this done, as well, and the good will that is being created between our three countries. prgtoken So I am hopeful that we can get through these final issues, get a bill that we can bring to the floor, work together to pass, and then see the benefits in our economy, see an improved NAFTA, a bill that is better for American workers and opening up more access to markets in Canada and Mexico that right now are closed. prgtoken So I thank the gentleman for the encouragement, and I remain hopeful, as well, and would continue to encourage that we get this done as quickly as possible. prgtoken Finally, on the NDAA bill that we just finished, we had, of course, disagreement on a number of fronts in terms of the priorities of our military, but I would want to bring up one point, and that was the piece of legislation, the Military Surviving Spouses Equity Act by our colleague, Joe Wilson. prgtoken When you all took the majority, you created a new mechanism for Members to bring bills to the floor called the Consensus Calendar. This was the first bill that actually met that criteria, in fact, far exceeded the 290 signatures--he had 365 cosponsors, incredibly bipartisan--to address a real serious problem for spouses of men and women in uniform who died fighting for our country, to make sure that an inequity is corrected that we both agree needs to be fixed. prgtoken Here is a bill that can quickly get to the President's desk, and maybe it gets included in other pieces of legislation that might come months away, but here is a bill where a Member worked in good faith, under the rules that were created, and it was unfortunate that the rule to bring the NDAA bill to the floor turned off the Consenus Calendar specifically for that bill, that one bill which happened to be the first bill that met t
NEVER FORGET THE HEROES: JAMES ZADROGA, RAY PFEIFER, AND LUIS ALVAREZ PERMANENT AUTHORIZATION OF THE SEPTEMBER 11TH VICTIM COMPENSATION FUND ACT
Brian K. Fitzpatrick (Republican, PA) \u2014 2019-7-12

. Madam , I stand here today as a former FBI agent who worked in New York City side by side with these very people we are seeking to protect today. We are here united with our colleagues from both sides of the aisle to renew the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund. prgtoken Madam , as was said repeatedly on this floor, this matter is urgent and cannot wait any longer. prgtoken On that fateful day nearly 18 years ago, American heroes rushed to save their fellow citizens without regard for their own safety. They paid a heavy price, with many today suffering from respiratory illnesses from breathing in toxic dust at Ground Zero, dust that contained lead, asbestos, mercury, and many other contaminants. prgtoken Just last month, our Nation mourned the loss of Detective Luis Alvarez, who inspired us all with his visit to Capitol Hill this year. His bravery and the bravery of all the people who sacrificed must be honored appropriately. In his memory and to honor all the brave men and women who saved lives that day, we must get this done. prgtoken Madam , as the vice chair of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus--24 and 24 s--we have endorsed this bill. We worked very hard to get over the 290-cosponsor threshold to get this on the Consensus Calendar. It currently stands at 332 cosponsors. prgtoken I thank Jon Stewart for elevating the profile of this bill. It was incredibly important for its success. prgtoken I urge all of my colleagues, and s alike, to come together and support our Nation's heroes. ``Never forget'' must mean never forget. prgtoken These are people who did the opposite of what we are all born with, as far as our instincts go. For every single one of us, based on our genetic DNA, are instincts are to run away from danger. These are men and women who do the opposite. They run toward the danger at great physical sacrifice and at great psychological and emotional sacrifice, all in the name of serving a cause bigger than themselves. prgtoken Madam , I urge my colleagues to support this and make this unanimous.