mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019
Lamar Smith (Republican, TX) \u2014 2018-6-7

to H.R. 5895, the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2019. prgtoken I first want to thank the gentleman from Idaho, Congressman Mike Simpson, the chairman of the House Appropriations Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Subcommittee, for working with us to develop a strong, pro-science appropriations bill. prgtoken I strongly support division A of this legislation, and I appreciate the chairman's initiative in basic science research. prgtoken This amendment provides for critical facility upgrades and construction of basic research infrastructure that are within the core mission of the Department of Energy and will lead to scientific discoveries that will maintain U.S. leadership in innovation and technology. prgtoken In February, the House unanimously passed three bipartisan House Science, Space, and Technology Committee research infrastructure bills: H.R. 4376, the Department of Energy Research Infrastructure Act; H.R. 4377, the Accelerating American Leadership in Science Act; and H.R. 4378, the Nuclear Energy Research Infrastructure Act. These bills authorized full funding for upgrades in construction of several high- priority user facilities at DOE National Labs. prgtoken This amendment provides $76.8 million from within funds appropriated to the Office of Science to meet the House-passed authorization levels for four of the infrastructure projects included in these bills, including the LINAC Coherent Light Source high energy upgrade, the proton power upgrade to the Spallation Neutron Source, the construction of the Spallation Neutron Source Second Target Station, and the construction of the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams. prgtoken My amendment also fully supports basic research in fusion energy science, a field that could lead to a revolutionary new energy source. Specifically, it provides $50 million from within the funds appropriated to the Office of Science for the direct U.S. commitment for fiscal year 2019 to the construction of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor, or ITER, project. prgtoken While I am pleased that division A of this legislation provides $163 million for the agreed-to hardware and other in-kind contributions, cash contributions to ITER are not designated in the bill. My amendment is intended to address this issue and fully fund the U.S. commitment in fiscal year 2019. prgtoken I want to also draw attention to another shared priority with the chairman, reinstating the Low Dose Radiation Research Program at DOE. This program is essential to understanding the health impact of low doses of radiation. prgtoken There is a broad consensus within the radiobiology community that more research is necessary for Federal agencies, physicians, and related experts to make better-informed decisions regarding low-dose radiation. prgtoken Earlier this year, the House passed H.R. 4675, the Low Dose Radiati
ECONOMIC GROWTH
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2018-6-7

16 months ago, President and majorities arrived in Washington with clear instructions from the American people: Get the Federal Government out of the way. A decade of ic control meant that taxes were too high, regulations were too burdensome, and America was too difficult a place to start a small business or hire more workers. prgtoken s heard our marching orders loud and clear. We used the Congressional Review Act a record 16 times to root out invasive rules that tripped up small businesses. We uprooted key pieces of Care and Dodd-Frank that had burdened the middle class, and we delivered a long-overdue, comprehensive overhaul of America's Tax Code. It is helping to rejuvenate the economy and is letting American families keep more of what they earn. prgtoken Today, under this government, the U.S. economy is healthier than it has been in a long time. We have the lowest unemployment in 18 years, and more open positions than workers seeking jobs for the first time since the Labor Department started collecting these data. There is record levels of optimism among small businesses and manufacturers. More Americans are saying that now is a good time to find a quality job than at any point in the last 17 years. prgtoken In the years, prosperity was slower in coming. Opportunities were comparatively few, and what limited growth did occur flowed disproportionately into America's very biggest urban centers. prgtoken Now our economy is starting to work better for all kinds of communities. I recently heard a few inspiring stories from my friend Senator Portman. In Zanesville, OH, the owners of GKM Auto Parts spent much of the last decade watching health insurance premiums soar. By 2016 they could no longer support coverage for their employees, but as Senator Portman recently explained, one of the first things the company was able to do following the passage of historic tax reform last year was to restore that coverage. prgtoken He also shared that builders and manufacturers across his State, from Wolf Metals in Columbus to Advanced Industrial Roofing in Massillon, are increasing pay and benefits, investing in equipment, and creating jobs as a direct result of tax reform and this pro-growth economic climate. prgtoken We are hearing stories like these from every corner of our country. prgtoken American workers and job creators are turning the page on the last decade and writing brand-new success stories, and policies are helping to make that happen.
CONGRATULATING LIBERTY COMMON SCHOOL
Ken Buck (Republican, CO) \u2014 2018-6-7

I rise today to recognize the accomplishments of the Liberty Common School in Fort Collins, Colorado, under the leadership of former U.S. Representative Bob Schaffer as their principal and headmaster. prgtoken Liberty Common is an exemplary charter school, consistently earning among the very highest standardized test scores in the state of Colorado. Just this year, Liberty Common was ranked by U.S. News & World Report among the top public high schools in both the state and the nation. prgtoken Mr. Schaffer represented Colorado's 4th Congressional District from 1997 to 2003, consistently demonstrating exemplary leadership and integrity on Capitol Hill while serving his constituents. During his time in Congress, Mr. Schaffer worked passionately on education policy, fighting for school-choice. Starting in 2010, Mr. Schaffer served as the principal of the Liberty Common High School, and earlier this year became the headmaster of the school's complete K-12 offerings. prgtoken On behalf of the 4th Congressional District of Colorado, I applaud Mr. Schaffer and his colleagues at the Liberty Common School for such an outstanding record of excellence. We look forward to their continued success as they educate and prepare the next generation of Coloradans for a prosperous and successful future. It is this investment in our children that makes the work of educators like those at Liberty Common so valuable to our state it is an honor to celebrate the achievements of the Liberty Common School.
National Defense Authorization Bill (Executive Session)
James M. Inhofe (Republican, OK) \u2014 2018-6-7

arguably, the most significant bill to be introduced and passed every year is the National Defense Authorization Act. Yesterday, the leader moved to proceed to that bill, but then there was some objection. Senator Reed and I have spent some time and have been very concerned about getting this started. We passed this out of committee in record time and share the commitment that this bill is a matter fitting for the Senate's deliberative process. We want to have an amendment process, and we proposed this, but there was some objection to it yesterday. prgtoken I think an open legislative process is one of the hallmarks of the democracy that we ask our servicemembers to protect and defend. They are out there on the line. We owe them everything that is in an annual bill. In fact, that bill has actually been passed every year. For the past 57 years, we have had a national defense authorization act. What we wanted to do this time, which would have been different from the last time, was to have had an open amendment process--heard a lot of amendments and had a lot of discussion on the floor. We intended to do that but were disappointed that there was an objection to that yesterday. That is why we have been working on satisfying those objections, and I think we have done this. prgtoken I believe, by 12 noon or after the 12:30 vote, we are going to be in a position to go ahead and ask that the majority leader restate his motion to proceed and that it will be passed without objection. I am looking forward to that. I think we need to get started. I don't need to go into the arguments, as others are waiting for the floor right now, but we want to get this bill started immediately. prgtoken It is not just to make sure we have the pay raises for our kids who are out there risking their lives, and it is not just that we have to keep up with the commitments we have made. We have gone through some dry years over the last 10 years. When I go around the country and talk to groups, there is this assumption that America has the best of everything, but that is not true anymore. That is one reason there is a sense of urgency on this. prgtoken Take artillery, for example. The two things you use to measure the artillery capability of a country are those of range and rapid fire, and we are out-ranged and out-rapid fired by both Russia and China. They have other systems that are better than ours. prgtoken Right now, one of the most modern systems is hypersonic warfare. A lot of people are not aware of this, but it allows us to go five times the speed of sound with a weapon. We have been developing this for some time. However, now we have found out that both Russia and China have been ahead of us on this. This bill is going to put us in high gear and make sure this development actually happens. prgtoken Our triad system, our nuclear triad, is also one on which we have not been doing anything for the last 8 or 10 years, and
ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019
Andy Barr (Republican, KY) \u2014 2018-6-7

I rise in support of my amendment to increase funding for the VA adaptive sports equine-assisted therapy program by $5 million. prgtoken This grant program provides much-needed resources for evidence-based equine-assisted therapy that helps treat veterans suffering from unseen psychological wounds such as post-traumatic stress disorder, military sexual trauma, and traumatic brain injury. Increased funding for equine-assisted therapy will greatly improve mental health treatment for our veterans. prgtoken As the chairman of the Congressional Horse Caucus, the representative for the horse capital of the world, and as someone who cares deeply for our veterans, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this amendment. prgtoken , .
Calling for the Release of Pastor Andrew Brunson (Executive Session)
Thom Tillis (Republican, NC) \u2014 2018-6-7

I wish to speak briefly. I thank the ic leader for giving me the opportunity to speak for 5 minutes to do what I have done every week for the past couple of months and what I will do every week until we get a resolution; that is, to talk about Pastor Brunson, a Presbyterian minister who has been in prison in Turkey since October of 2016. prgtoken As best as we can tell, the only thing Pastor Brunson is guilty of is being a missionary who has committed 20 years of his life to working with people in Turkey who want to hear the Word of God. That is it. We can talk about--I will not today because my time is limited--all the trumped-up charges I witnessed when I spent 12 hours in a Turkish courtroom a couple of months ago or that I discussed with Pastor Brunson about 3 weeks earlier when I visited him in a prison. prgtoken Today what I want to talk about is relevant to the national defense authorization and the work we have done in committee to put Turkey on notice that this is unacceptable. prgtoken Turkey has been an ally of the United States since 1952. The NATO alliance commits every member of NATO to send their men and women in uniform into harm's way to defend the national security of a nation of the alliance. We have that with Turkey; we have since 1952. prgtoken Over the past month or so, we have seen a would-be adversary in North Korea release three prisoners, we have seen Venezuela release a prisoner, but in Turkey, since October of 2016, we have seen them hold a man for almost a year and a half without charges. Then I saw a man go before a court--and I witnessed for a whole day--being subjected to some of the most absurd charges possible. Next week, when I have more time, I will get into those. prgtoken s on both sides of the aisle who voted to put a provision in the national defense authorization that really makes us wonder whether we have to rethink our relationship with Turkey, particularly around the Joint Strike Fighter. The Joint Strike Fighter is one of the most sophisticated tactical fighters that has ever flown; arguably, the most sophisticated. Turkey is a NATO ally and, as such, they have access to that weapons system. In fact, they manufacture a lot of the critical parts for it. prgtoken What we offered in the NDAA is an examination of whether that relationship makes sense; No. 1, because of the way they are treating one of our American citizens, not letting him come back home, he and his wife; and No. 2, if that is the behavior of a NATO ally, is that really where we should be putting, in our supply chains and in our defensive systems, one of the most sophisticated weapons, one of the most important weapons in our arsenal. I, for one, think we have to look at it. prgtoken Until the Turkish Government recognizes that they are illegally holding Pastor Brunson, and a number of others, then I think we have to put the spotlight on them and hold them acc
TRIBUTE TO DR. LINDA L.M. BENNETT
Todd Young (Republican, IN) \u2014 2018-6-7

today I wish to thank Dr. Linda L.M. Bennett for her remarkable career as president of the University of Southern Indiana, USI. Dr. Bennett started with the university in 2003 and became its third president on July 1, 2009. She will be retiring on June 30, 2018, after 15 years of dedicated service. prgtoken Dr. Bennett truly exemplifies the university's vision, ``shaping the future through learning and innovation,'' and her work hasn't gone unheeded. Under her leadership, the University of Southern Indiana established its first two strategic plans, raising the academic standards, community engagement, and faculty development. prgtoken Throughout her career, President Bennett has served with the American Association of Colleges and Universities, Indiana Campus Compact Board, the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Valley Conference Council of Presidents, and the Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities Executive Committee. During her tenure as president, USI implemented its first doctoral program, doctor of nursing practice, and expanded its engineering and MBA programs. prgtoken In addition to her time as president, Dr. Bennett has contributed to a wide variety of local organizations, including the Southwest Indiana Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Evansville, the Diversity Lecture Series, the Indiana University School of Medicine Advisory Board of Directors, the Red Cross, the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra, United Way, Mesker Park Zoo Planning Committee, Holly's House, Joshua Academy, the Wellborn Baptist Foundation, the Mayor's Education Roundtable, the Economic Development Coalition of Southwest Indiana, and the Rotary Club of Evansville. Over the past few years, Dr. Bennett has received several awards, including the 2015 Rotary Civic Award, the Boy Scouts of America Buffalo Trace Council Distinguished Citizen Award, 2017, the Indiana Commission for Women Torchbearer Award, 2017, and the Girl Scouts of Southwest Indiana Women of Distinction award in 2018. prgtoken Although Dr. Bennett's retirement marks the end of a chapter, it also presents the opportunity for an exciting new beginning. I congratulate her on all of her achievements as USI's president and look forward to her further contributions to the Hoosier community.
SOUTH CAROLINA FREE MEDICAL CLINICS
Ralph Norman (Republican, SC) \u2014 2018-6-7

I rise today to tell this body about a tremendous success story with healthcare in my district: the story of our free medical clinics and their membership in and longtime association with the South Carolina Free Clinic Association. prgtoken Founded in 2001 under the umbrella of the South Carolina Hospital Association, the South Carolina Free Clinic Association is an independent, nonprofit membership organization that provides training, research, resource development, and advocacy to member free clinics. prgtoken Additionally, the South Carolina Free Clinic Association was incorporated as an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in January of 2008. prgtoken The South Carolina Free Clinic Association represents and supports our State's network of 40 free clinics in 25 counties across South Carolina. The member free clinics provide comprehensive care to economically disadvantaged individuals all across our great State, including those individuals who are both uninsured and/or underinsured. prgtoken The South Carolina Free Clinic Association is the only statewide organization that supports and advocates for South Carolina's free clinic network and for the various and truly diverse populations they serve. prgtoken South Carolina Free Clinic Association is improving the quality and access of healthcare to South Carolina's medically underserved individuals and communities. The South Carolina Free Clinic Association does this by assisting their members to be valued and engaged partners in their communities' systems of care. prgtoken Through financial support from foundations, fundraisers, and individual donations and through the efficient use of donated supplies and volunteer provider services, South Carolina's free clinics were responsible for the following activities and achievements in 2017: $108,839,801 total value of services provided; 363,369 prescriptions which were filled; 40,062 patients were treated; 4,442 volunteers; and 40 member clinics in 65 sites across South Carolina. prgtoken , free clinics are truly vital, safety net healthcare organizations that utilize a volunteer and staff model to provide a range of healthcare services, which may include medical, dental, pharmacy, vision, and/or behavioral health services to economically disadvantaged individuals. prgtoken Such clinics are 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations or operate as a program component or affiliate of a 501(c)(3) organization. Entities that otherwise meet the above definition but charge a nominal or sliding fee to patients may still be considered free clinics provided essential services are delivered regardless of the patient's ability to pay. prgtoken Free clinics limit eligibility for their services to individuals who are uninsured, underinsured, and/or have limited access or no access to primary, specialty, or prescription healthcare. prgtoken Every free clinic is unique. Each clinic has its own qualification guidelines. But they al
ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019
Steve Cohen (Democrat, TN) \u2014 2018-6-7

. Mr. Chair, such time as I may consume. prgtoken I rise today to offer an amendment to increase funding for the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy account by $2 million, specifically for use in the SuperTruck II program. prgtoken The SuperTruck program was started by the Department of Energy under President and former Secretary of Energy Steven Chu to improve freight and heavy-duty vehicle efficiency. prgtoken The Appropriations Committee acknowledged in the committee report the success of the SuperTruck II program, noting these funds will help SuperTruck II to continue to dramatically improve the freight efficiency of heavy-duty class 8 long-haul and regional-haul vehicles through system level improvements like the hybridization of vehicles, saving more fuel while idling--that is something I saw in a field demonstration and it is pretty amazing how they turn off at intersections with lights, et cetera--engineering high-efficiency HVAC technologies, and more. prgtoken This amendment to increase funding for the SuperTruck II program will allow the Department of Energy to better achieve its freight efficiency goals, and the amendment is fully offset by decreasing the departmental administration account. prgtoken I would like to thank Chairman Simpson and Ranking Member Kaptur for their hard work on this bill and for including this amendment. The Rules Committee might have done that, but I don't think they would have if there were objections from the chair and ranking member. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues to vote yes on the amendment, and .
ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019
Michelle Lujan Grisham (Democrat, NM) \u2014 2018-6-7

99.9 percent of New Mexico is under drought conditions, including over 60 percent of the State which is suffering from extreme drought or worse. It is so dry that more than half the State is at significant risk for dangerous and destructive wildfires, and long stretches of the Rio Grande riverbed are already dry as a bone. prgtoken As I speak, there are wildfires raging across the state, including a massive fire in Ute Park, which is threatening multiple communities and hundreds of buildings. prgtoken On top of that, last winter's mountain snowpack was the second lowest on record, creating significant issues for New Mexico's agricultural industry. Farmers are leaving fields unplanted and ranchers are downsizing their herds. Many farmers and ranchers, including families who have worked their land for generations, are worried that they will not have the water to grow their crops or the hay to feed their livestock in the months and years ahead. prgtoken Extreme drought is the new normal in large parts of the American Southwest and we have to develop innovative technologies and management practices to both preserve the water resources we have and increase access to previously unusable water. prgtoken My amendment intends to prioritize $15 million for the Bureau of Reclamation's water research and development programs. It is critical that we make new investments to develop innovative methods to recycle, reuse, and purify water for agricultural, environmental, residential, and industrial uses. prgtoken This funding also supports the Brackish Groundwater National Desalination Research Facility located in Alamogordo, New Mexico, that develops more cost-effective and efficient ways to desalinate and purify water. This cutting-edge facility brings together researchers from a range of Federal agencies, universities, private companies, and State and local governments to work collaboratively on sustainability using billions of previously untapped brackish groundwater in New Mexico. prgtoken , if we don't develop innovative water management strategies to do more with less, we won't have the water we need to plant our fields, feed our livestock, or grow New Mexico's economy. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues to support my amendment, and .