mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
GOVERNMENT REFORM
Tom Udall (Democrat, NM) \u2014 2019-3-6

thank you for the recognition today. prgtoken I rise today for the people. I am glad to be joined by Senator Merkley. We have worked a long time together on prgtoken government reform issues, campaign finance reform, and rules reform-- some very, very important issues that face the country. prgtoken Today, in this country, there is a deep disconnect between what the American people are demanding from their leaders and what the President and the Congress have been giving them. Poll after poll shows that the American people want affordable healthcare. Yet the leadership and this President have tried time and again to take away healthcare rights and healthcare protections. prgtoken Poll after poll shows that the American people want good-paying jobs. Yet the leadership and this President gave a massive tax-cut windfall to the wealthiest individuals and the biggest corporations. prgtoken Poll after poll shows that the American people want clean air and clean water. They want Congress to tackle climate change. They want to protect our public lands. Yet for years the leadership has done the opposite, and the administration is dismantling environmental protections and sabotaging our efforts to fight climate change. prgtoken Poll after poll shows that the American people support commonsense gun safety laws. Yet for decades the leadership has refused to take any action whatsoever on even the most basic safety laws, like universal background checks. prgtoken Poll after poll shows that the American people want Dreamers to stay in our country. They don't want children separated from their parents. They want comprehensive immigration reform to fix our broken system. Yet the leadership has opposed these priorities for many years, and now this President moves forward with his divisive and hateful immigration policies. prgtoken It is no wonder that trust in government is so low. According to a recent survey, just 19 percent overall trust the government to do what is right. Famously, root canals have a higher approval rating than Congress. prgtoken We are a representative democracy. Yet the people are not being represented. Their will has been stymied. prgtoken The situation has gotten dramatically worse under this President. There is no doubt about that. But these problems precede this President, and they will live much longer than his time in office unless we act. prgtoken To put it bluntly, some of our most basic, democratic institutions are broken--our voting rights system, our campaign finance system, and our ethics rules. prgtoken The American people know in their gut that this system is rigged. That is why the drug companies get what they want, and people pay through the nose. That is why the millionaires and billionaires get more tax cuts, and the working people get left behind. That is why the polluters get off scot-free, and the rest of us get dirty ai
CAMPAIGN EXPENDITURES EXPANSION TO CHILDCARE
Katie Porter (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-3-6

I am a single mom. When I ran for Congress last year, I spent thousands and thousands of dollars on childcare. prgtoken Running for Federal office requires 60- to 90-hour workweeks. I worked every single day, every single weekend, and I also worked challenging hours, most days starting at 6:45 in the morning and ending with campaign events stretching well into the night. prgtoken I juggled dozens of childcare providers for nearly two years, without whom I would never have made it to Congress. prgtoken I have three children: Betsy, who is 7; Paul, who is 10; and Luke, who is 13. Leaving them alone was not an option and bringing them on the campaign trail was often impossible, inappropriate, and could have even been dangerous. prgtoken For the past two centuries, Congress has written many, many laws about what women may and may not do, but until this year, women's representation in Congress was less than 20 percent. prgtoken Even with the election of my historic class, we are only 102 women. There are even fewer moms in Congress and even fewer single moms, as in, nobody but me. prgtoken I have introduced language today as a standalone bill I will introduce.
FOR THE PEOPLE ACT OF 2019
Jamie Raskin (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2019-3-6

. Mr. Chair, I thank the gentleman for those thoughtful comments. The ranking member of the House Administration Committee contends that we talked about this in the House Administration Committee which, indeed, we did, and it was precisely that discussion which led to the formation of the amendment. prgtoken I am afraid there he is just protesting against the character of the legislative process. We have a discussion; we learn things; we develop new amendments. And for a moment there it sounded like he wanted to vote for it, but then he turns to say that the problem with this amendment is that it would politicize the corporation, which is quite an astounding argument to make against it, when the entire purpose of our amendment is to prevent corporations from engaging in political expenditures and dark-money spending without the consent and the knowledge of the shareholders. prgtoken If you object to corporations being engaged in partisan political activity, then you should support this amendment, because it is precisely this amendment that will prevent it from happening if the shareholders don't want it to. prgtoken Mr. Chair, .
RECOGNIZING THE HONORABLE DON YOUNG AS THE LONGEST-SERVING REPUBLICAN MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Nancy Pelosi (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-3-6

as usual, the distinguished dean is eager to take to the microphone, but not yet. There is more to come. prgtoken When the distinguished leader of the House referenced the animals in your office, the menagerie there, I was reminded of one of your ties, and I shared this story with Members on the day that you became the dean of the House, now the longest-serving today. But I saw you one day with a tie that really gave me hope, because it had an owl and an eagle and a baby seal on it, and I said, ``Oh, , I am so happy to see you paying tribute to these endangered species,'' to which you said, ``I call this tie lunch.'' prgtoken I knew you were only kidding, right? prgtoken So, in any event, we have all had our stories with the chairman. We all respect and admire him. prgtoken , from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), the distinguished ic majority leader of the House for purposes of commenting on the distinguished dean, the longest-serving in the House.
FOR THE PEOPLE ACT OF 2019
Zoe Lofgren (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-3-6

. Mr. Chair, as much time as I may consume. prgtoken The gentleman's amendment to H.R. 1 would keep in place a provision of law that was inserted into must-pass pieces of legislation over the past few years. It makes it harder for voters to follow the money when it comes to government contractors and political spending. prgtoken The amendment is anathema to the purposes of H.R. 1, which is to bolster confidence and trust in the American Government and shine a light on secret spending in elections. The gentlemen's amendment would further the status quo of dark money in our elections, and it would protect a culture of pay-to-play politics that Americans reject. prgtoken s in Congress, as Mr. Cole has mentioned, first included this language in the 2012 appropriations bill, then the 2014 appropriations bill, and finally in the 2015 Consolidated Appropriations Act. prgtoken H.R. 1, in title IV, subtitle G, repeals the restriction on requiring disclosure of campaign-related spending by those submitting an offer for a Federal contract. Repealing this restriction will curb the appearance of corruption that can go along with campaign-related money in government contracts. It will shine a light on dark money in politics. prgtoken Americans have a right to know who is trying to influence them with political advertisements and campaign spending and what big campaign spenders want from the government in return. prgtoken The Federal Government spends hundreds of billions of dollars a year on Federal contracts. Campaign-related spending should have nothing to do with influencing a contract, and disclosure will protect the integrity of the process and curb any appearance of corruption. prgtoken After the Supreme Court decided Citizens United in 2010, undisclosed sources have spent more than $950 million in dark money to influence Federal elections, according to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics. The money flows through a complex web of corporations, dark money, nonprofit organizations, super-PACs, and other groups. When money from prgtoken government contractors enters this web, it poses the exact type of threat to the integrity of our democratic system that our campaign finance laws are intended to protect against. prgtoken While Federal law prohibits contracting entities from contributing to political candidates and parties, their directors, officers, and other affiliates could still give unlimited sums of dark money to groups that do not disclose their campaign-related donors, and that is why H.R. 1 would repeal the restriction on disclosure. prgtoken The court held 8 to 1 in Citizens United that ``The First Amendment protects political speech; and disclosure permits citizens and shareholders to react to the speech of corporate entities in a proper way. This transparency enables the electorate to make informed decisions and give proper weight to different speakers and messages.'' prgtoken The
SENATE RESOLUTION 97--ESTABLISHING THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON THE CLIMATE CRISIS
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2019-3-6

maybe Leader McConnell doesn't realize this, but because of the political stunt vote he is planning on his version of the Green New Deal, for the first time in a long time, the Senate is finally debating the issue of climate change, and if you ask me, it is about time. prgtoken Climate change is an urgent crisis and an existential threat to our country and to our planet. The last 4 years have been the warmest 4 years on record. Sea levels are rising. Marine life and fishing communities are being destroyed. Wildfires have roared against the West. More powerful hurricanes have buffeted our coastlines. prgtoken Over the next few decades, climate change will affect every part of American life--our health, our economy, our national security, and even our geography. So if there were ever an issue that demanded particular focus from this Chamber, it is climate change. That is why today I am introducing a resolution to create a select committee on climate change to correspond with the House committee that was created this year for the same purpose. prgtoken For the same reason that we dedicate groups of Senators to focus on health, national security, judiciary, agriculture, and banking, we should have a bipartisan group of Senators who meet to focus on climate change, to hold hearings, to debate the issue, and to craft, refine, and enact legislation to address this problem. prgtoken I understand that my friends on the other side of the aisle don't like the Green New Deal. OK, that is fine. What is your plan? prgtoken Maybe a lot of Members think they can get away without having to answer the question. They will not. They will not. That is why we need a committee focused on this to bring and s together on an issue that demands progress. So I will introduce a resolution to create a new committee on climate. prgtoken believe this is an issue of surpassing importance. What do our colleagues believe? We sincerely hope that our friends will come around and view it the same way. Yet we are still trying to get the leadership, and s in the Senate in general, to answer three key questions. I ask once again. I have asked them every day. prgtoken One, Leader McConnell, do you believe climate change is real? prgtoken Two, Leader McConnell, does human activity contribute to it? prgtoken And, three, should Congress take immediate action to address it? prgtoken Our friends are silent--silent. Some have argued that it is because they get so much money from the oil industry. Some have argued that it is because they don't believe in science. It is amazing that they can't even answer a simple question that is one of the leading questions of our time when two-thirds of all Americans believe that climate change is real and urgent. prgtoken We are not trying to lock our friends into any one or two solutions. We are not saying: Let's do it ou
ADRENA ROCHA
Ed Perlmutter (Democrat, CO) \u2014 2019-3-6

. Madam , I rise today to recognize and applaud Adrena Rocha for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Adrena Rocha is a student at Arvada High School and received this award because her determination and hard work have allowed her to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Adrena Rocha is exemplary of the type of achievement that can be attained with hard work and perseverance. It is essential students at all levels strive to make the most of their education and develop a work ethic which will guide them for the rest of their lives. I extend my deepest congratulations to Adrena Rocha for winning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. I have no doubt she will exhibit the same dedication and character in all of her future accomplishments.
Judicial Nominations (Executive Session)
Dianne Feinstein (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-3-6

I rise today in opposition to three circuit court nominees who will receive votes on the floor this week: Allison Jones Rushing, nominated to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals; Chad Readler, nominated to the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals; and Eric Murphy, also nominated to the Sixth Circuit. prgtoken I want to begin by addressing how these nominations were handled and the ongoing disregard for Senate norms and traditions by leadership. Most notable is the change in how blue slips are treated. Blue slips work. The blue slip ensures that the interests of home State Senators are respected when it comes to judicial nominees from their States. prgtoken Honoring blue slips helps guarantee that the White House nominates well-qualified, mainstream individuals to key seats on the circuit and district courts, and it prevents the selection of nominees who do not reside in the circuit in which they are slated to serve. prgtoken In the past century, before President took office, only five judges had ever been confirmed with only one blue slip; two were by a ic chair over the objection of a ic Senator, not over the objection of a , then in the minority. The other three instances occurred when a chairman overruled a ic Senator. prgtoken In fact, ic chairs have never moved a judicial nominee to confirmation over the objection of a Senator. Let me say that again: ic chairs have never confirmed a judicial nominee without a blue slip from a Senator. prgtoken However, since President took office, 10 circuit court nominees have received hearings, and four have been confirmed over the objection of ic home State Senators. In just over 2 years, s are on their way to doubling the number of judges confirmed over the objection of home State Senators than have been confirmed in the last 100 years. prgtoken This week we are considering both Mr. Readler and Mr. Murphy who lack blue slips from Ohio's Senior Senator, my friend and colleague Senator Brown. prgtoken Senator Brown's opposition was not unreasonable; in fact, Senator Brown worked with the White House for weeks in an effort to find consensus picks for the Sixth Circuit. prgtoken But the White House refused to cooperate, and he was left with no choice but to withhold his blue slip. In doing so, Senator Brown said: ``I cannot support nominees who have actively worked to strip Ohioans of their rights. Special interests already have armies of lobbyists and lawyers on their side, they don't need judges in their pockets.'' prgtoken Further, when the majority did move forward on the nominations of Mr. Readler and Mr. Murphy, the two appeared on the same panel at the same hearing. With 5-minute rounds of questioning, these stacked circuit court hearings make it all but impossible for Senators on the committee to thoroughly vet judicial nominees, and tha
FOR THE PEOPLE ACT OF 2019
Pramila Jayapal (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2019-3-6

. Mr. Chair, this amendment cleans up the so-called legal defense funds. prgtoken Many Americans don't know this, but it is perfectly legal for government employees to set up a fund to help them pay their legal bills when they are in trouble with the law. Amazingly, they can pack this slush fund with unlimited donations from wealthy individuals and large corporations. prgtoken In other words, employees in the White House can fund their legal defenses with contributions from the President's campaign backers or people who want to influence the President's decisions. prgtoken Not surprisingly, this President's team has set up a legal defense fund, the Patriot Fund, to help staffers pay for their legal fees related to the Russia investigation. The Patriot Fund was cleared by the Office of Government Ethics under the Acting Director, David Apol, who was appointed by--you guessed it--President . prgtoken Former campaign staffer Rick Gates and former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn have also set up legal defense funds. prgtoken According to a political report from a month ago, Sheldon Adelson, who is the single largest donor to the campaign, and his wife, Miriam, have each contributed $250,000 to the Patriot Fund, for a total of half a million dollars. prgtoken The fund is flush, Mr. Chair. It is no wonder that one of 's former campaign staffers who has been interviewed by the House Intelligence Committee referred to the Patriot Fund as ``a real blessing.'' prgtoken lawyers have said that decisions about which staffers' legal funds are paid out of the Patriot Fund will not be related to whether the individual in question defends the President. But since the fund manager has sole discretion over who will benefit from the fund, it is almost impossible to know whether access to Patriot Fund dollars will be used to reward those who might be loyal to the President. That creates an extraordinary conflict of interest for any President, not just this one. prgtoken It is time to put a stop to this in perpetuity. That is why I have offered this amendment to direct the Office of Government Ethics to promulgate regulations on basic requirements to ensure transparency of donations to legal defense funds in the executive branch and to ensure that Federal employees cannot obtain money from prohibited sources. These regulations will be similar to rules that are already established for Members of Congress, and I think that that is just common sense. prgtoken My amendment closes loopholes and eliminates conflicts of interest in these legal defense funds in several ways. prgtoken First, it limits the gifts and donations that can be made to legal defense funds to no more than $5,000 per person per year. prgtoken Second, it prohibits registered lobbyists, foreign governments, and individuals involved in activities that are regulated by the agency that is employing the individual who will receive the legal defens
Introductory Statement on S. 686
Benjamin L. Cardin (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2019-3-6

today, I am introducing the Strengthening American Communities (SAC) Act of 2019. My bill seeks to expand access to debt-free public service career pathways for Americans who want to serve their communities, States, or our Nation. No one should be denied the opportunity to serve their community as a law enforcement officer, public health practitioner, social worker, or educator based on his or her ability to afford the rising cost of an undergraduate education. As Congress moves towards reauthorizing the Higher Education Act this year, I intend for my bill to be a first step towards correcting public sector workforce disparities by enabling people to serve their communities without being hobbled by massive student loan debt, and by providing current public servants with the financial freedom to continue to heed their calling to service. prgtoken Every city, town, and rural community in the United States relies on individuals who choose to utilize their talents for the betterment of others while accepting the lower pay of public service careers. The very foundation of our civil society is based on these public servants making such sacrifices. Far too many individuals who feel drawn to public service do not pursue such careers--or they are forced to abandon such careers prematurely--due to the high cost of obtaining their college educations. When I had the opportunity to hear directly from a student at an Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in my home State of Maryland, I was saddened to hear from an academically successful sophomore who was planning to drop out of school because she feared further indebting herself and her family. She said that while she appreciated the financial assistance she did receive, it simply wasn't sufficient to cover her cost of attendance. While this student had aspirations to serve in her own community, she could not bear to burden her family with the cost of her education. As a result, my home City of Baltimore missed out on the talents of an engaged and aspiring public servant. prgtoken Our current system of indebting individuals at the onset of their careers has led to minority underrepresentation in the public sector workforce. First generation college students and students from low- income families cannot afford to take on student loan debt and enter into lower-paying public service careers. As a result, our Nation is deprived of the talents and perspectives of individuals who want to serve their communities but simply cannot afford to do so. As a result, our workforce is less representative of the people it serves. We must find new ways for people to earn the degrees they need to meet our community needs. I believe that students who make a commitment to public service should be afforded a debt-free pathway to the baccalaureate degree they need to start their public service career just as those individuals who have already made the decision to