mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
LOUISE AND BOB SLAUGHTER POST OFFICE
Rob Woodall (Republican, GA) \u2014 2019-4-2

I took my colleague by surprise here. We just came down from a Rules Committee meeting, and I appreciate her yielding me the time. prgtoken , if you didn't have the pleasure of serving with Louise on the Rules Committee, it looks kind of strange to have the Louise and Bob Slaughter Post Office. prgtoken I have been here only 8 years, but I can't recall us doing that after a couple out here. Perhaps it is done regularly, but to serve with Louise--you know, the Rules Committee, , goes into the wee hours of the morning; 2 a.m 3 a.m 4 a.m the Rules Committee is working, and it is truly Louise and Bob Slaughter. prgtoken Since my first day on the Rules Committee back in 2011, Louise took me under her wing. Yes, I was a young conservative . Yes, she was an older--we can say, I think, honestly--liberal . She began building those partnerships with the young members of the Rules Committee with each and every committee meeting that took place. prgtoken I don't know if she was the first one who said it to me, but she was certainly one of them. She said: You know, Rob, of your colleagues on the other side of the aisle, folks sometimes think that we are upset with each other and we are bad people. prgtoken She said: I always tell folks, it is not that the people on the other side of the aisle are bad people. They are really good people. They just have some bad ideas. prgtoken She would share that with me from time to time, that my ideas were amongst those bad ideas. Her picture hangs right across from my seat there today. prgtoken There are so many men and women in America, , who are worthy of celebration, and it seems like we always make time to talk about those things that tear us apart, and we just don't make enough time to talk about those things that bring us together. prgtoken Louise was a strident, a fighter for her beliefs, as is any man or woman in this institution, but she never missed a moment to try to bring people together instead of pushing people further apart. prgtoken This is a wonderful gesture that the committee is moving forward today. prgtoken I hope that all of my colleagues will find, amongst their very busy Tuesday, time to sit back and reflect that they have an opportunity to be a uniter or to be a divider. It doesn't mean you trade away one iota of who you are and what you believe. It is just how do you tell that story, and how do you go about persuading your colleagues that it is true. prgtoken Louise gave us a wonderful example every single day of her decade upon decade of service in this institution, and I am honored to have sat across the aisle from her there in the Rules Committee.
ARMY SPECIALIST THOMAS J. WILWERTH POST OFFICE BUILDING
Lee M. Zeldin (Republican, NY) \u2014 2019-4-2

today, I rise in strong support of H.R. 829, my legislation to honor the life and legacy of Army Specialist Thomas J. Wilwerth by renaming, in his name, the post office in his hometown of Mastic, New York. prgtoken Specialist Thomas Wilwerth always possessed a strong sense of duty to his country, having participated in the Junior ROTC program at William Floyd High School, where I once graduated as well. But it was in our Nation's darkest hour that 17-year-old Specialist Wilwerth was driven to enlist. prgtoken During his junior year of high school, Specialist Wilwerth bore witness to the unimaginable horror of September 11, with Ground Zero just under 100 miles from his high school. Instead of cowering in the face of terror, he shipped off to basic training that summer and actually finished high school while serving in the Army Reserve. prgtoken As a member of 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division based out of Fort Carson, Colorado, Wilwerth was deployed to Iraq in 2005 as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. prgtoken It was only 3 months into his deployment on February 22, 2006, that 21-year-old Specialist Wilwerth and two of his fellow soldiers were killed in action when an explosive device detonated near has Bradley Fighting Vehicle while on a routine morning patrol near Balad, Iraq. prgtoken , I wish there were more people who possessed such a strong sense of patriotism. Even fewer answer the call at just the age of 17 and sacrifice their entire lives and their entire future to serve in the U.S. military. prgtoken Specialist Wilwerth was the best of who we are. He is the embodiment of what makes this country the greatest in the world: the willingness to make the ultimate sacrifice serving this most exceptional Nation, and the willingness to lay down one's life for his neighbors, for his community, but most courageously, for those Americans he never knew. prgtoken Before serving in Congress, I was in the New York Senate, and I introduced a bill that also became law, the Specialist Thomas J. Wilwerth Military Dignity Act, to ban protests at military burials in my home State. prgtoken It is my greatest honor to stand here on the House floor today to speak about this new legislation in honor of Thomas. prgtoken Specialist Wilwerth is survived by his loving parents, Elaine and Terry Wilwerth, and his sister, Kerry. There are no words to describe the emptiness this loss left in their hearts and in the heart of our entire community. prgtoken Before I close, I would like to read a few words from the Wilwerth family that really drive home why this straightforward legislation will have such a profound impact. prgtoken The Wilwerth family said: ``Tommy died so that his fellow Americans could live a better life. His deep-rooted sense of patriotism drove him to enlist in the aftermath of September 11, and he would have been so proud of his sacrifice on behalf of our entire Nation
IMPROVING PROCEDURES FOR THE CONSIDERATION OF NOMINATIONS IN THE SENATE--MOTION TO PROCEED--Resumed
John Cornyn (Republican, TX) \u2014 2019-4-2

we have spent a great deal of time in my time in the Senate talking about immigration and the situation along the southwestern border. My State has 1,200 miles of common border with Mexico, so obviously this is very personal to me and my constituents who live and work along the border. prgtoken We have been caught up in a lot of semantics and more than a little politics in Washington, DC, debating what is a wall versus a fence, what is a crisis versus an emergency--just some of the semantics we have been caught up in--but it doesn't take a rocket scientist or an expert to see there are a lot of problems occurring at the border today. I hope, if there is one thing we can all agree on, it is that there is in fact a problem that needs to be solved at the border, whether you want to call it a crisis like President did or whether you want to call it an emergency like President . prgtoken Last week, the Secretary of Homeland Security sent a letter to Congress detailing the record number of apprehensions along the southern border. Secretary Nielsen noted that Border Patrol was apprehending between 50,000 and 60,000 a month late last year. Last month, it was 76,000, the highest in a decade. At the time of her letter, she said we were on track to interdict nearly 100,000 during the month of March--so almost essentially double from late last year until this coming month. Unsurprisingly, Customs and Border Protection personnel are not equipped to handle these record numbers. prgtoken Forty percent of the Border Patrol's manpower is spent processing migrants and providing care and transportation. These are, by and large, asylum seekers from Central America. In fact, while the Border Patrol, our primary law enforcement agency providing border security, should be securing the border, many of them are processing unaccompanied children or family units, handing out diapers and juice boxes instead of doing the job they are trained to perform. They have been taken off the patrol line to do this kind of work, leaving areas of the border prgtoken vulnerable to exploitation by the drug cartels. One way the cartels use this huge volume of humanity coming across the border is to distract the law enforcement agencies from doing their job interdicting the drugs that are poisoning tens of thousands of Americans. We know 70,000 Americans died of drug overdoses last year--about half of those from opioids, including synthetic fentanyl and heroin--90 percent of which comes from Mexico. prgtoken The amount of people coming across now is so overwhelming that the El Paso Border Patrol Sector has temporarily shut down its highway checkpoints in the interior so agents can help process these individuals. Most of our Members may not realize, we not only have Border Patrol working at the border but also in the interior at checkpoints on major highways because frequently what will happen is people are smuggled through
VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2019
Angie Craig (Democrat, MN) \u2014 2019-4-3

I rise today to offer an amendment to H.R. 1585, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act. prgtoken Every student deserves to learn in an environment that is safe and free from harassment and violence. Yet, we all know that domestic violence and sexual assault remain prevalent threats to women, and especially young women, on college campuses across our country. prgtoken College-aged students are at greater risk than any other age groups for domestic and sexual violence. These instances of violence are vastly underreported. A study of college students by the U.S. Department of Justice found that around one in five women are targets of attempted or completed sexual assault. prgtoken The Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019 increases funding for grants to combat violent crimes on campuses and allocates funding to train campus health centers to recognize and to respond to these crimes. prgtoken My amendment directs the Secretary of Education to study and submit a report to Congress on best practices regarding the prevention of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking on college campuses. This includes an evaluation of programs, events, and educational materials related to preventing acts of violence and harassment. prgtoken Preventing violence against young people on college campuses starts with education. Sharing information for best practices and guidance for educators on college campuses opens the door for collaborative work among experts in intimate partner and sexual violence prevention. prgtoken My amendment does not change the enforcement and implementation responsibilities of the Department of Education. Congress needs a report on best practices for prevention of these acts of violence, not on the agency's recent efforts to change regulations and requirements under Title IX. prgtoken None of us can address sexual and domestic violence on our own. That is why this amendment provides a commonsense approach toward solving the problem by forcing the agency to continue to review best practices and prevention methods for combating acts of violence. prgtoken Colleges and universities, sexual violence prevention experts, and the Federal Government should share resources and information, learn from their peers, and take steps toward eradicating sexual and domestic violence altogether. prgtoken When it comes to the safety of our students, we cannot afford to work in silos. Every student deserves to feel safe in their community and we must be proactive and collaborative in our work to end sexual and domestic violence on our college campuses. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to support this amendment and support the underlying bill. prgtoken , .
COLORADO RIVER DROUGHT CONTINGENCY PLAN AUTHORIZATION ACT
Michael F. Bennet (Democrat, CO) \u2014 2019-4-3

. I thank Senator Gardner. I agree with his assessment and those of Chairman Murkowski, Senator McSally, and Senator Cortez Masto, about the urgency and path forward for DCP implementation. I would like to reiterate that this bill does not exempt or waive any environmental laws. In drafting the DCPs, both the upper and lower basin carefully considered the environment and the existing environmental analyses and compliance documents. Additional NEPA compliance would be needed if Federal actions are outside the scope of effects analyzed in the existing compliance and decision documents. prgtoken I ask Senator Sinema, if this is also her understanding?
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 1585, VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2019
Mary Gay Scanlon (Democrat, PA) \u2014 2019-4-3

the NRA has spent a lot of money to create this distraction, making this about them as opposed to protecting the lives of women. Over 50 percent of women murdered in 2017 were slain by an intimate partner or family member; 82 percent of homicide victims targeted by intimate partners are women; the weapon of choice in over half of female homicides, a firearm. prgtoken This is an opportunity to support both saving the lives of women and responsible gun ownership. prgtoken , I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Carolyn B. Maloney). (Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)
VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2019
David N. Cicilline (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2019-4-3

I am a proud sponsor of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019. prgtoken Violence against women is one of our country's greatest shames. For over 20 years, VAWA has provided critical protections for survivors of violence, while also helping them rebuild their lives. prgtoken VAWA grants help survivors to access vital resources such as legal assistance, safe housing, and counseling. VAWA also facilitates important partnerships between advocates, law enforcement, and the courts, which further helps survivors in times of crisis and reduces future violence. prgtoken In 2018 alone, because of VAWA grants, the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence served over 8,500 individual victims of domestic violence, assisted over 2,900 victims in obtaining a restraining order, and answered over 13,000 crisis line calls. prgtoken H.R. 1585 improves upon VAWA by prohibiting persons convicted of dating violence or misdemeanor stalking from possessing firearms. And let's be honest. This is the principal objection of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, because the powerful gun lobby is scoring this bill because of that provision. prgtoken This bill protects employees from being fired because they are survivors of sexual assault or domestic violence and ensures survivors' eligibility to receive unemployment insurance. prgtoken Survivors of violence and their families cannot wait any longer as VAWA continues to stay lapsed. prgtoken Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support this bill in a bipartisan way so that the American people can see action by Congress, s and who are standing up, loudly condemning violence against women, and reauthorizing VAWA in a new and improved way so that we can really take on the issue of domestic violence and all the pernicious consequences of violence against women in this country. prgtoken Stand up to the gun lobby. Do what is right for women in America.
Order of Business (Executive Session)
Ron Wyden (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2019-4-3

I am going to use my time on the Senate floor to address two related subjects. prgtoken The leader is reportedly on the verge of going nuclear to speed through the confirmation of more far-right nominees. He says are guilty of extreme, unprecedented obstruction, and he claims that his hand has been forced and that is why he is required to change the Senate rules. In the real world, I want to make clear that I believe the facts tell a different story, and I am going to lay out briefly why I think this is the wrong way to go. prgtoken When you look at the numbers, you see that the leader's argument is a fantasy. Let's look at judges, and let's compare the administration to the administration. The administration started with 53 judicial vacancies; the administration started with 112. That increase didn't occur because a whole lot of judges somehow magically qualified for Social Security and quit sometime in 2016; it was because s blocked nominees for years at a time, and they kept those seats open. Senate s even blocked their own judicial selections during the previous administration. Put your arms prgtoken around that. Senate s even blocked their own. Only 22 judicial nominees were confirmed in the final 2 years of the administration--the fewest in a Congress since Harry Truman was President. prgtoken In 2015 and 2016, the Judiciary Committee considered only five circuit court nominees. It considered that many in December of 2017 alone. There were nearly twice as many circuit judges confirmed in the first 2 years of the administration as there were in President 's entire first term. Nominees are moving nearly twice as quickly under this President. prgtoken s even blew up a century-old bipartisan practice of seeking input from Senators on judicial nominees from their home States. It is based on what has come to be known as the blue slip to consent to a hearing and a markup of a nomination. It is a tradition, by the way, s fought to protect when a was President and they were in the minority. Under this President, they threw the blue-slip tradition out the window. prgtoken s are also moving nominees in huge batches and at paces that prevent serious debate on their qualifications. A few months ago, the Judiciary Committee held a markup and voted out 46 nominees, including 44 judicial nominees. That had never been done before. It is a head-scratcher how that can meet any reasonable definition of ``advice and consent.'' prgtoken The way my colleagues on the other side talk about the issue, you would think delayed every nomination for as long as possible. That just doesn't remotely resemble the truth. prgtoken Setting judges aside, what about the executive branch? The President and his advisers will tell you right out in the open that they don't want to no
Healthcare (Executive Session)
Debbie Stabenow (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2019-4-3

. Thank you very much. prgtoken It is estimated that comprehensive health insurance costs 16.6 percent more this year than it otherwise would because of all of this sabotage, upheaval, and chaos in the healthcare markets. prgtoken In case those sabotage attempts were too subtle, last week the Department of Justice announced that it agrees--the administration now agrees with the Federal judge in Texas who said that the entire Affordable Care Act must be struck down. There would be no more coverage for preexisting conditions, no more consumer protections, no more capacity to have your child on your insurance until age 26, no more capacity to be able to expand what we are doing for minimum wage workers, et cetera. prgtoken In other words, if they can't take away your health insurance through the legislative process, they are trying to do it now through the courts, which also goes to what is happening now in terms of changing the rules so they can more quickly put judges through and pack the courts with folks who will agree with taking away people's healthcare. prgtoken What is the alternative to the ACA? Unfortunately, these folks still don't have one. Don't worry. President now says that he is going to have a ``really great'' healthcare plan after he is reelected in 2020. Just wait. prgtoken By the way, to emphasize the fact that Senate s support what President is doing, they passed a budget resolution out of committee last week through a partisan vote--only votes-- that includes repeal of the Affordable Care Act with no replacement in place. prgtoken In the meantime, the Affordable Care Act could be struck down by the courts, and more than 20 million people who gained health coverage through the Affordable Care Act could be out of luck. prgtoken Let me say, in conclusion, that just this week I heard from one of those 20 million people. Lisa from Norton Shores graduated with a marketing degree in the middle of a recession and worked a low-wage job at the local hospital for 8 years. When a part-time, temporary job opened up at a local marketing agency, the Affordable Care Act allowed Lisa to take the job and get the experience she needed for a career in her field. She was able to get healthcare separately from her job. That job led to another marketing job with a local company--this one with benefits. prgtoken A few years later, the original marketing agency offered Lisa a full- time job. Once again, the ACA allowed her to take it. Lisa wrote this: It was only through the Affordable Care Act that I have been able to pull myself up to be a contributing member of society. It has allowed me to rise to my capabilities. prgtoken She added that if the ACA is overturned, ``I will have to leave this job for a position that includes health insurance. It would kill this awesome small business I work for. . . . This will be a top priority for me when I vote in 2020
HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF NATIONAL COMMANDER WILLIAM M. DETWEILER
Cedric L. Richmond (Democrat, LA) \u2014 2019-4-3

. Madam , I rise to honor the life and legacy of William M. ``Bill'' Detweiler, a strong advocate for veterans who was a former national commander of the American Legion. He passed away on Wednesday, March 27, 2019 at the age of 79. prgtoken Mr. Detweiler, a native of New Orleans, grew up near the St. Roch Playground. He graduated from St. Aloysius High School and earned undergraduate and law degrees at Loyola University. prgtoken Mr. Detweiler served in the Army. After graduating from its Infantry and Intelligence schools, he was operations officer on the G-2 Staff of the U.S. Air Defense Command at Fort Bliss, Texas. After his discharge from active duty in 1965, Mr. Detweiler returned to New Orleans, where he served in the Army Reserve, rising to the rank of captain. prgtoken Upon his return to civil life, Mr. Detweiler started practicing law. In 1978, he was elected constable of New Orleans' First City Court, a position to which he was re-elected twice and from which he stepped down at the end of 1996. prgtoken In 1973, United States President Richard Nixon appointed Mr. Detweiler to the Veterans Administration's National Rehabilitation and Education Advisory Committee; he was named its chairman in 1975. He also served on military advisory boards for the governor, the Louisiana Senate and New Orleans' mayor. prgtoken In 1995, United States President Bill Clinton invited Mr. Detweiler to fly with him on Air Force One to Russia to represent America's veterans at the 50th annual commemoration of the Allies' victory in World War II. prgtoken Mr. Detweiler received the Andrew J. Higgins Award for Exceptional Leadership from the Mayor's Military Affairs Committee of Greater New Orleans in 1998. prgtoken After Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans in 2005, Mr. Detweiler was a guiding force in getting the New Orleans VA Medical Center rebuilt, serving on the advisory committee for the project's design team. He was at both the new facility's groundbreaking and grand opening and is credited with crafting the words now engraved in stone at the front entrance of the medical center: ``THE PRICE OF FREEDOM CAN BE SEEN WITHIN THESE WALLS.'' prgtoken In 2010, Mr. Detweiler was appointed to lead the American Legion's committee assigned to investigate the existing science and procedures for treating traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder. prgtoken In 2013, Mayor Mitch Landrieu appointed Mr. Detweiler to the Board of Directors of the New Orleans Building Corp. He was elected its president in 2017, which was the year when the organization assumed the responsibilities of the Canal Street Development Corp. prgtoken Mr. Detweiler also was instrumental in bringing what is now the National World War II Museum to the city of New Orleans. He served as a member of the executive leadership team for the museum until his death. prgtoken In December 2018, Mr. Detweiler was presented the French National Order of Merit by Consu