mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
NO TAXPAYER FUNDING FOR ABORTION AND ABORTION INSURANCE FULL DISCLOSURE ACT OF 2019--Motion to Proceed
John Barrasso (Republican, WY) \u2014 2019-1-16

following the September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States, the National Institutes of Health, which is the Nation's medical research Agency in Bethesda, MD, needed to secure its campus. The NIH's grounds were always open to the public before that. Anybody could walk or drive through the 300-acre campus and could do it freely, but in its facing heightened threats, officials planned to restrict public access and to build a wall. It was completed in 2005. The wall, with the black metal perimeter fence with guarded checkpoints, became the centerpiece of NIH's new perimeter security system. Signs were posted that said ``No Trespassing.'' prgtoken On its website, NIH states that the purpose of this border barrier is ``to ensure the safety of our patients, employees, guests and facilities.'' prgtoken NIH wasn't alone in building a barrier after the attacks in 2001. Across the street, the National Naval Medical Center, now known as Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, also walled off its 243- acre campus. These walls have worked. Both NIH and Walter Reed remain safe and secure. prgtoken Now we need to deal with a security crisis at our southern border. President has requested $5.7 billion--it is about one one- thousandth of the Federal spending. The President wants to build more physical barriers--a proven border security solution. Thirty percent of the border already has a secure barrier. prgtoken Congressional leaders from both parties have supported a border wall in the past. In 2006, Senate , including then-Senator , Senator Hillary Clinton, Senator , and Senator Chuck Schumer voted to construct a physical barrier on our southern border. But leaders now refuse to back the President's border security effort, prolonging the partial government shutdown that is going on today. prgtoken Meanwhile, the and media fact-checkers are out in force to attack President . They insist there is no border crisis. The facts are that this January 10 Investor's Business Daily editorial says: ``Yes, There Is A Crisis At The Border--The Numbers Show It.'' prgtoken First, in terms of how the numbers show it is that illegal crossings are climbing, last year, Border Patrol stopped more than one-half million people trying to enter the country illegally--more than 100,000 in October and November alone this past year. That is a huge increase from the same 2 months in 2017. prgtoken Second, apprehensions don't account for all illegal crossers. The Homeland Security Department estimates that about 20 percent of our crossers enter, which means about 104,000 illegal immigrants entered in 2018 alone. prgtoken Third, the U.S. illegal immigrant population right now is massive. Currently, over 12 million illegal immigrants reside here, comparable to the entire population of countries like Chile, the Netherlands, and Syria. prgtoken Fourth, illegal crime levels are h
RECOGNIZING THE CENTER FOR PREVENTION OF ABUSE PEORIA, ILLINOIS
Darin LaHood (Republican, IL) \u2014 2019-1-16

. Madam , today, I recognize the Center for Prevention of Abuse (CFPA), in Peoria, Illinois, and their vital services offered to Illinois communities. As we recognize Human Trafficking and National Slavery Prevention Month, it is important we also commemorate organizations, like CFPA, across the nation that work relentlessly to combat the growing humanitarian crisis of human trafficking. prgtoken Started in 1975 as a single rape crisis hotline, CFPA has grown to a highly respected statewide organization with a dynamic and effective leadership team. Along with human trafficking services, CFPA is the only organization in Illinois that provides domestic violence, sexual abuse and assault, and adult protective services under one roof. Last year, CFPA provided comprehensive care to seventeen victims of labor and sex trafficking. Additionally, CFPA provides a safe place to escape and receive the necessary care to those being exploited for sex and labor purposes. prgtoken While Central and Southern Illinois may not be major hubs for human trafficking, CFPA has helped residents of small and rural communities across the state recognize the seriousness of this hidden crime occurring in our back yards. In 2018, CFPA conducted forty-eight hours of training for law enforcement, first responders, and medical providers. CFPA has continued to work tirelessly to raise awareness by training community members and providing the necessary resources so trafficking crimes can be effectively reported. prgtoken The state of Illinois has benefitted greatly from the efforts and resources provided by CFPA. I extend my sincere appreciation to the leadership team and volunteer staff at the Center for Prevention of Abuse for their continued work raising awareness and helping victims of human trafficking.
RIGHT TO LIFE
Bruce Westerman (Republican, AR) \u2014 2019-1-16

I rise today to talk about a fundamental human right, a right declared to be an inalienable right by our Founders who proclaimed we are all created equal and have the God-given right to live--to live freely and to pursue happiness. prgtoken Our Founding Fathers carefully articulated that life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are the human rights that encompass the American way and are the logical foundation for freedom. prgtoken Unfortunately, it seems that Planned Parenthood has a logic problem. The CEO of Planned Parenthood tweeted just last week that the organization's ``core mission is providing, protecting, and expanding access to abortion and reproductive healthcare.'' And she called the procedure of an abortion a ``fundamental human right.'' prgtoken , abortion is not a human right. Abortion, to the contrary, is death. Abortion is the antithesis of life, the fundamental human right. prgtoken For years, we have been fed the same argument that Planned Parenthood operates to ensure women's health and prenatal care, but straight from their CEO, we know this is not the truth. Planned Parenthood's mission is abortion. Planned Parenthood's mission is death, and their actions prove it. prgtoken Planned Parenthood ended the fundamental right to life through 321,384 abortions in 2016. That is 881 abortive deaths per day. This means that every 98 seconds a life was extinguished by Planned Parenthood. prgtoken The CEO said in the same tweet that the organization ``will never back down from that fight'' to not only expand access to abortion but to deem it a human right. prgtoken , as freedom-loving Americans, we must stand on our core principles that all are created equal, and we cannot back down from the fight to preserve life and to protect those who can't protect themselves. prgtoken I look forward to continuing work to ensure that our taxpayer dollars do not fund death and abortion, a procedure that denies the right to live and contradicts the core founding principles of our freedom and our Nation.
NO TAXPAYER FUNDING FOR ABORTION AND ABORTION INSURANCE FULL DISCLOSURE ACT OF 2019--Motion to Proceed
Roy Blunt (Republican, MO) \u2014 2019-1-16

I want to thank Senator Ernst for yielding and for her leadership in these issues. prgtoken All of us here today are here at a time when thousands of people from around the country, including hundreds from Missouri, will be here to participate in the annual March for Life. They see it, as we do, that an unborn child is not a potential person, but it is a person with potential, a whole living, distinct human being. prgtoken Polling reflects that the American people understand that in a significant way. It is not a celebration but a powerful reminder that we value life as people come here this time of year. More Americans are coming all the time to support life. We just had a meeting with someone who was going through the recent Knights of Columbus and Marist poll. Three in four Americans say abortion should be limited to, at most, the first 3 months of pregnancy. These numbers continue to move in the direction of understanding that life begins at conception, and more and more people believe that life deserves to be protected just like any life would. prgtoken A majority of Americans oppose using taxpayer dollars to pay for any prgtoken abortion at any time. Seventy-five percent of Americans oppose using taxpayer dollars to fund abortion overseas. This includes 64 percent of self-identified, pro-choice who say they are not for spending taxpayer dollars to fund abortions overseas. Fifty-six percent of and 80 percent of Independents comprise that as well as, as I said before, 64 percent of pro-choice individuals collectively say they are not for that. prgtoken Preventing taxpayer funding for abortion has been longstanding law and has had a bipartisan consensus until just recently. Now, this is an important issue that the country disagrees on, but the one thing we reached agreement on is, those people who think there is nothing wrong with abortion shouldn't force the tax dollars of people who believe it is the most fundamentally wrong thing you can do to be used for abortion. prgtoken So the Hyde amendment prevents taxpayer funding of abortions or abortion coverage in various Federal healthcare programs, including Medicaid and Medicare and the Children's Health Insurance Program. All of those programs are, in effect, walled off from Federal support if abortion is involved. prgtoken A bill I initially passed as chairman of the Labor, Health and Human Services Appropriations Committee, renewed again this year the Hyde amendment, as it has been renewed every year since 1976 and signed into law in every year since 1976 by s and in the White House. prgtoken Recent calls to appeal the amendment, however, in the ic Party platform and from a number of my friends on the other side of the aisle, are just simply out of touch with where a majority of Americans are and where 100 percent of the people coming here for the March for Life are. prgtoken Instead, far from be
SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019
Garret Graves (Republican, LA) \u2014 2019-1-16

. Madam Chair, the chairman brings up a good point in that is the authorized amount the full authorized amount that the Federal law for a Corps of Engineers project provides? For example, if Congress authorized a flood protection project for $100 million, could they possibly get more than $100 million? The answer to that question is no. prgtoken The second question to attempt to clarify would be, if a community is allocated $50 million through the CDBG-DR program, would it be possible for them to spend more than $50 million on the project? Once again, to the chairman's question, the answer would be no. This would not intend to obligate or in any way spend more money that is allocated to them under CDBG-DR or under the authorized project in Federal law.
IN SUPPORT OF LIFE
Glenn Grothman (Republican, WI) \u2014 2019-1-16

I rise today to support life. prgtoken , 46 years ago when I was a senior in high school, it was decided by the U.S. Supreme Court, or the U.S. Supreme Court felt, that the United States Constitution required abortion be legal in this country, despite the fact that, for much of the past century, every State in the Union felt that abortion should be made illegal. This decision directly led to the deaths of over 40 million children who should have been living a full life. prgtoken John Adams said that our Constitution was meant for moral and religious people. How can a country built for a moral, religious people living under our Constitution allow this to happen? prgtoken We know how it happened. About 10 years ago, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg let the cat out of the bag. This decision was meant to prevent the growth in populations we don't want to have too many of, the progressives' dream. prgtoken But how did the progressives get their dream? Some politicians sometimes talk about science and say we don't take into account science enough around here. prgtoken It is interesting that, in 1973 when this decision was reached, we didn't have ultrasounds. Now, with ultrasounds, it is more apparent than ever that every new baby in that womb is a unique individual, with its heart beating, with its feeling pain. Nevertheless, we continue to ignore that science and continue to allow this horrible stain on our culture. prgtoken Indeed, right now, the United States is one of only seven countries to allow late-term abortions. There we are, in the same list as North Korea, China, and Vietnam. I guess you can kind of look back and see why, in the sixties, the progressives would talk about Ho, Ho, Ho Chi Minh and why they wanted the Communists to win in Vietnam. This is probably one of the reasons, the type of country that they like. prgtoken Our forefathers wanted this country to be a country that would shed a light on the world. Nevertheless, we appear to be going backwards. The new majority recently brought a bill to the floor to allow the United States to pay for abortions abroad again. prgtoken Is this what we want America to be known for: the United States telling prgtoken countries all around the world that abortion should be legal and the government should be paying for abortion? What a stain on the moral record of the United States of America. prgtoken This is the week of the March for Life. I would like to thank all the people from the State of Wisconsin who are there and come here diligently every year, hoping the people in this city, both the justices and the politicians, realize that this murder of almost a million people a year must end. prgtoken I would like to thank them and hope that this is the last year that we have to continue this debate and that, finally, by this year, this time, we one more time think that life is precious and our government will not continue to allow the premature snuffing out of life.
RECOGNIZING INDIAN PASS RAW BAR
Marco Rubio (Republican, FL) \u2014 2019-1-16

today I would like to highlight the hard work and unique entrepreneurial spirit that can be found across my home State of Florida. As chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize a small business that exemplifies hard work and dedication toward the local prgtoken community. Today, it is my distinct privilege to honor Indian Pass Raw Bar from Port St. Joe in Gulf County, FL, as the Senate Small Business of the Week. prgtoken Indian Pass Raw Bar has deep historical ties to the Florida Panhandle along the coastline of the Gulf of Mexico, tracing its roots to a commissary store founded in 1903, for workers in the then-booming turpentine industry. It is located in the same building as the original Indian Pass Trading Post that opened in 1929, where Mrs. Gypsy McNeil established her talent with her delicious seafood gumbo. prgtoken In 1986, Hurricane Kate struck the Florida Panhandle and destroyed the Indian Pass Trading Post. The McNeil family showed resilience after the storm and recovered by converting the general store into an oyster bar, setting the stage for business to skyrocket. prgtoken Twenty-three miles from Apalachicola, FL, Indian Pass Raw Bar serves the panhandle's world-famous oysters and iconic seafood dishes, such as steamed shrimp and crab legs. Drinks are served on an honor system where customers keep their tabs to turn in at checkout, treating customers like trusted friends. It has become a renowned location for Floridians and tourists alike to enjoy time with family. Southern Living magazine once described Indian Pass Raw Bar as ``quite possibly the best seafood shack in existence.'' It has also received praise from the Garden & Gun magazine as one of Florida's ``Hidden Hotspots.'' Indian Pass Raw Bar's success continued with the opening of a second location in June 2017, in downtown Port St. Joe, FL. prgtoken In October 2018, category 5 Hurricane Michael devastated the Florida Panhandle, including Gulf County. The storm severely damaged Indian Pass Raw Bar, as high winds blew off the front door, forcefully removed the air-conditioning system, and threw its iconic street sign hundreds of yards away. However, just as they did after the 1986 storm, the McNeil family is rebuilding and looks forward to continuing to serve their world-famous oysters again this spring. Upon reopening, they will welcome visitors to the gulf coast of Florida for their 90th year in business. prgtoken The Indian Pass Raw Bar became what it is today partly because of Hurricane Kate in 1986. The McNeil family understands how devastating these storms truly are and the impact they can have on small business and working families. To help their community, the McNeil family enthusiastically opened their facilities as emergency supply distribution centers to their neighbors in need, despite having their own difficulties. Meredith McNeil said in October 2018: ``This w
SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019
Austin Scott (Republican, GA) \u2014 2019-1-16

throughout middle and late October and into the first of November, Congressman Bishop and I crisscrossed paths many times and sometimes--in fact, many times--ended up in the same room trying to help our farmers. The storm straddled our districts. prgtoken I have never seen the devastation to our crops that I saw over those couple of weeks, and that devastation is still there. prgtoken I can't thank my colleague, Congressman Bishop, enough for his work and his help on this amendment. I would also like to thank his staff and the staff of both the and s on the Appropriations Committee. prgtoken The gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Aderholt) has been a tremendous amount of help, as has Ms. Granger, and Chairwoman Lowey on the ic side. Mr. McGovern has been a lot of help. A lot of people have reached out and been willing to help those of us in the Southeast, and I can't say thank you enough for that. prgtoken Our losses are estimated at over $5.4 billion for Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas. prgtoken The underlying text of the bill is good--in fact, I think it is very good--and sets a framework that will be used as we go forward in the years to handle disaster relief for agriculture. The primary problem is that the request of $1.1 billion currently included in the base text simply does not fund the formula for the losses. prgtoken With Congressman Bishop's help, we have worked to draft the amendment, increasing that amount by $1.9 billion, to a total of $3 billion, which I believe, along with Mr. Bishop, more accurately reflects the need to fund the formula. prgtoken I, again, hope my colleagues will support the amendment. prgtoken I want to thank Congressman Bishop and the many others who have worked with us on this. prgtoken , I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Rouzer).
NO TAXPAYER FUNDING FOR ABORTION AND ABORTION INSURANCE FULL DISCLOSURE ACT OF 2019--Motion to Proceed
Roger F. Wicker (Republican, MS) \u2014 2019-1-16

. On the Senator from Iowa's time, let me join her and the Senator from Missouri, and I associate myself with their remarks and their support, not only for the March for Life, which will occur on Friday, but also for the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act, which I am proud to be the principal cosponsor of and which will, we hope, have a vote on the Senate floor by tomorrow afternoon. prgtoken I was a pretty young staffer for then-Congressman Trent Lott in 1981 when I first became aware that there was such a thing as the March for Life. I can assure you that it will be much more massive this year then it was back in those early days when Americans were struggling with what Roe v. Wade meant and when they weren't quite so sure about what the science was about this practice of abortion. prgtoken As each year passes, as more and more parents see that sonogram, as more and more grandparents--and I am a grandparent to six now; I am buddy to six beautiful grandchildren--see the sonograms early on and we see the feet and we see the heartbeat and we see the faces of these children, we realize as Americans--and more and more Americans are coming to the realization--that this is a living human that deserves protection. prgtoken Senator Blunt was accurate in saying we have good polling. Polling is coming around to our way. Even if some people consider themselves to be pro-choice, when you delve down into the figures and ask them the questions, it turns out they are not quite so pro-abortion as we might think. prgtoken When we ask the question that the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion bill goes to centrally--Do you support taxpayer funding for abortion?-- the polls show that 24 percent oppose and 30 percent strongly oppose. A majority, or 54 percent of Americans--some of whom would actually check the box and say they are pro-choice--say no, we shouldn't go so far as to provide taxpayer funding for abortions. That is what this legislation, which tomorrow afternoon will be considered on the floor of the Senate, would do. prgtoken When asked another question: Should abortions be banned after 20 weeks, with the exception of risking the life of the mother? And 59 percent of Americans say yes, they strongly support that or support banning abortions after the 20th week. prgtoken So I would say that the March for Life is working, year after year, step after step, and I hope we get a good vote on the floor of the Senate tomorrow. prgtoken Do I think this is going to sail through the House of Representatives and be sent by Nancy Pelosi's House to the President for signature? Probably not, but we make the case. We warmly welcome these marchers for life each and every year, and we appreciate what they have done to move the needle of public opinion and to protect those innocent people who have no way of protecting themselves. prgtoken I see that we are joined by my distinguished colleague, the senior Senator from Nebraska, and perhaps she