mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
Nomination of William Barr (Executive Session)
Roy Blunt (Republican, MO) \u2014 2019-2-13

as the former chairman of the Judiciary Committee, the Senator from Iowa, has just pointed out, the Senate will soon vote on the nomination of William Barr to serve as Attorney General. prgtoken As has also been pointed out, this is, undoubtedly, one of the most qualified nominees to come before the Senate in his having already held the same position under President George H.W. . He has also served as an intelligence analyst at the CIA, as an Assistant Attorney General in the Department of Justice's Office of Legal Counsel, and as Deputy Attorney General before he served as Attorney General. prgtoken His confirmation hearing lasted more than 12 hours, during which time he and other witnesses answered hundreds of questions on a wide variety of issues he might confront as Attorney General. He was straightforward and forthcoming. He earned high praise even from the ranking on that committee--our colleague, Senator Feinstein from California-- who said: He's obviously very smart. He was Attorney General before. . . . No one can say he isn't qualified. I was thinking last night, obviously Mr. Barr is qualified. He is bright. He is capable. prgtoken She could have said more, but one of the things she said after that is, ``I won't be voting for him.'' prgtoken This is an important job for the American people. There are a lot of jobs out there to be filled. It is hard to argue that any of them are more important than this one, but it is also hard to argue that there is not something wrong with a process where that is the comment that could be made, followed not too long after that by: I won't be voting for him. prgtoken Senator Grassley pointed out that the last time Bill Barr was confirmed to be Attorney General, it was by voice vote. It seems as if that must have been a long time ago. It hasn't been that long ago; it is just the way the Senate used to work. That is why the Rules Committee that I chair voted out a Senate resolution earlier today dealing with this issue. This should not be the problem that it is. It shouldn't be an issue, but, frankly, the nomination process is broken. prgtoken In every election in this country, one thing has been certain: At least one party will not be happy with the result. I certainly understand why our ic colleagues weren't happy with the results of the 2016 election. There have been elections I have not been happy about and some that I have been happier about than others even when I was happy. This is a process that makes it easy not to be pleased with what voters decide to do, but that doesn't give you the right to stand in the way of what voters try to do, and that is exactly what our friends on the other side of the aisle have done. prgtoken Over the past 2 years, we have had unprecedented obstruction when it comes to just trying to put a government in place, unprecedented obstruction to confirming a President's nominees
President Ronald Reagan and Alzheimer's (Executive Session)
Jerry Moran (Republican, KS) \u2014 2019-2-13

I wish to speak this afternoon in recognition of our late President, Ronald Reagan. I want to speak also about his wife Nancy, and I want to highlight their honest and passionate work to educate Americans about the real effects of Alzheimer's. prgtoken Last Wednesday, February 6, would have been President Reagan's 108th birthday, and we paused then to reflect not only on the life and legacy of President Ronald Reagan, but we also remember the way he carried himself, the vision he set for our country, and the direction he steered our Nation. prgtoken Years after he left the White House, the President and Nancy Reagan continued their public service to our Nation with grace and class, and that was true even as President Reagan was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. prgtoken In November of 1994, President Reagan wrote a handwritten letter to Americans announcing this diagnosis that ultimately took his life. prgtoken I read lots of biographies, I read lots of history, and this past week I finished a book, ``Reagan: An American Journey,'' written by Bob Spitz. The story of his circumstance with Alzheimer's captured my attention. prgtoken The book quotes President Reagan telling his daughter, Patti: ``I have this condition . . . I keep forgetting things.'' The doctors finally put a name to it. On November 4, 1994, a doctor from the Mayo Clinic informed Nancy Reagan that, having had an adequate chance to observe the president, the diagnosis was conclusive: he had Alzheimer's. prgtoken According to Fred Ryan, a staff member for the President and Mrs. Reagan, ``She was quite upset, emotional.'' She spoke at length later that evening: ``So we're going to tell him tomorrow,'' she said, ``and I'd like you to be there.'' The next morning, a Saturday, they gathered in the library, a small, comfortable room at the front of the house where the Reagans typically received guests. The president seemed puzzled when the doctor and Ryan arrived. ``Honey, come over here and sit down,'' Nancy said, directing him to a couch opposite the two men. ``The doctor has something he wants to talk about.'' The doctor didn't beat around the bush. ``We think you have Alzheimer's,'' he told Reagan. ``Okay,'' he responded faintly. ``What should I expect?'' ``We don't know much about it,'' the doctor admitted. ``It's a degenerative disorder.'' He ran down a few of the effects that Alzheimer's patients experienced while Nancy Reagan struggled to control her emotions. She tried her utmost to be supportive, but was overcome hearing about the devastations of the disease. . . . He acknowledged, quite bluntly, ``There is no cure.'' ``Can I ask a few questions?'' Ryan interjected. While he and Nancy discussed how to handle the president's activities--his schedule, office hours, appointments, and appe
REMOVAL OF UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES FROM HOSTILITIES IN YEMEN THAT HAVE NOT BEEN AUTHORIZED BY CONGRESS
Doug Lamborn (Republican, CO) \u2014 2019-2-13

I thank the ranking member of the committee for his leadership. prgtoken I rise to speak against this resolution, which would direct the removal of U.S. forces from Yemen. This resolution is dangerous, and the majority should immediately take this vote off of our schedule. prgtoken The majority claims to be concerned about the threat of Iranian and Russian influence around the world. If that were the case, they would not force a vote on this war powers resolution. prgtoken Let's be clear: The U.S. is not involved in hostilities in Yemen, so this resolution would set a dangerous precedent by calling into question many security agreements we have with nations around the world that do not involve hostilities. The Pentagon has repeatedly stated that America is only providing support to our allies in the region as they combat the Houthis, and everyone is trying to reduce civilian casualties. Ultimately, we want to limit Iran's ability to gain more influence in the region. prgtoken The Houthi rebels are just one part of the Iranian regime's proxy battles around the world with the ultimate goal to destroy Israel, America, and all those who share our democratic values. prgtoken , a vote for this resolution is a vote for Iran. A vote against this resolution is a vote for Israel. I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this dangerous resolution, and I urge the administration to veto this resolution, if it should somehow pass.
ROCKEFELLER CANCER INSTITUTE
J. French Hill (Republican, AR) \u2014 2019-2-13

I rise today to recognize my friend, Bill Holmes, who passed away peacefully late last year. He left an indelible impact on the Arkansas business community. prgtoken Bill dedicated over four decades of his life to financial services, community banking, and government policy, most recently as CEO of the Arkansas Bankers Association. I was fortunate to work with him throughout my business career in Arkansas. prgtoken Among his friends, Bill was known for his quick wit, mischievous smile, and ability to connect with others. Bill's contributions to our State and our community banks will not be forgotten. I join all Arkansans in recognizing Bill for his remarkable career and his life well-lived. prgtoken I extend my respect, affection, and prayers to his wife, Rita, and their family and friends. Recognizing Sybil Jordan Hampton
IN RECOGNITION OF THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BETA LAMBDA CHAPTER OF ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY, INC.
Emanuel Cleaver (Democrat, MO) \u2014 2019-2-14

. Madam , I proudly rise today to recognize a significant milestone in one of the pre-eminent organizations, not only in the Fifth Congressional District of Missouri, which I proudly represent, but throughout the region--the Beta Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated. As a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity myself, I am especially proud to recognize this great accomplishment. It is truly an honor to celebrate the Beta Lambda Chapter's Centennial observance on February 17, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. prgtoken The Beta Lambda Chapter was chartered in January 1919 with ten charter members who laid a strong foundation of fraternal fellowship in the Greater Kansas City Metropolitan Area. The effort to organize the Beta Lambda Chapter in Kansas City, Missouri began in April 1918, upon the request of graduate members of the fraternity who resided in Kansas City. An application for the Chapter was made during the 1918 convention held in Cleveland, Ohio by Brothers T.C. Brown, W.H. Bruce, L.H. Norwood, Thomas Taylor, J. Oliver Morrison and Guy Booker. Favorable action was taken by the convention and the Chapter was established in January 1919 making it the second oldest graduate chapter and first graduate chapter west of the Mississippi River. The charter members of the Beta Lambda Chapter were all outstanding members of the Kansas City community and of their respective professions. Faced with cultural realities of the early Twentieth Century, these charter members found in each other a source of mutual support, enlightenment and a retreat of friendship and fraternity. Each sensed a significant void created by the pervasive permanence of American institutional racism and exclusionary practices that were predominant during that era. Throughout its history, the Beta Lambda Chapter has proudly upheld the high standards of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. prgtoken Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated was founded in 1906 at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. Our founding Jewels are Henry Arthur Callis, Charles Henry Chapman, Eugene Kinckle Jones, George Biddle Kelley, Nathanial Allison Murray, Robert Harold Ogle, and Vertner Woodson Tandy. prgtoken Beta Lambda has been privileged to host the Thirteenth Annual Convention in 1920, Twenty-Eighth Annual Convention in 1940, Thirty- Sixth Annual Convention in 1950, Seventy-Fourth Annual Convention in 1988 and Eighty-Eighth Annual Convention in 2008. Beta Lambda won the ``McGee Memorial Cup'' as Outstanding National Chapter from 1945 to 1947. Additionally, the Beta Lambda Chapter won National Alumni Chapter of the Year in prgtoken 1997 for its leadership and service in social justice, education and development for mankind. prgtoken Beta Lambda is led today by Hon. Ardie A. Bland, Damon E. Roath as Vice President, and William A. Griffin as Recording Secretary. Additional officers include: Johnathan Bernard, Terence M. Goree, Joseph C. Lewis, Rev.
WE MUST ACT ON GUN VIOLENCE
Joe Neguse (Democrat, CO) \u2014 2019-2-14

I rise today in support of H.R. 8. prgtoken I serve on the House Judiciary Committee. Last night, after 10 hours of debate, our committee passed this bill to be brought to the floor, and it is vital that we pass it. prgtoken In Colorado and across our country, we have experienced undue devastation by countless tragedies of gun violence--Columbine, Aurora. prgtoken Mothers, sisters, brothers, husbands, wives, and young children have been lost at the hands of gun violence. prgtoken One year ago today, 17 lives were taken in 6 minutes and 20 seconds in Parkland, Florida. prgtoken There is no question we need to address the epidemic of gun violence in our country. We cannot sit idly by. Universal background checks are overwhelmingly supported by the American people, and 20 States, including my home State of Colorado, have either wholly or partially closed the background check loophole. prgtoken Americans understand what it takes to keep our communities safe from gun violence, and it is time for Congress to act as well. prgtoken So, , I rise today to say, simply: Enough is enough. We must act on gun violence. We must pass H.R. 8 here on the floor.
HONORING CHARLES BALDINGER
Jim Cooper (Democrat, TN) \u2014 2019-2-14

. Madam , I rise today to honor the late Charles Baldinger of Nashville, Tennessee. prgtoken While attending the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Charlie was diagnosed with anaplastic astrocytoma--a rare Stage 3 malignant brain tumor. He found the bad news after a near-fatal accident. As a cadet, Charlie fell 20 feet during a rope-free bouldering set. The fall resulted in a trip to the hospital where it was discovered that he had a brain tumor. prgtoken Nevertheless, Charlie graduated from West Point, was commissioned as an Infantry Officer, but then was forced to medically retire. Yet he kept learning and kept excelling. Charlie earned his master's degree from Lipscomb University. Charlie began treatments while at Lipscomb and allowed its College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences to use his body for research. He underwent test treatments that allowed data to be gathered for the purpose of better understanding how to treat cancer. Even during his illness, Charlie continued his service to others. prgtoken Charlie passed away peacefully on January 6, 2019. He was a brother, son, grandson, husband, and friend, who will always be remembered by his loved ones.
REMEMBERING JOHN DINGELL
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2019-2-14

I arrived in the U.S. Congress in January 1983--a new Congressman from downstate Illinois, the son of an immigrant mother--and I was in awe. prgtoken Just listen to this list of House Committee chairmen back then: chairman of the Rules Committee: Claude Pepper; Judiciary chairman: Peter Rodino; Veterans Affairs chairman: Sonny Montgomery; Interior Committee chairman: Mo Udall; Ways and Means Committee chairman: Danny Rostenkowski. prgtoken Yet even among these legends, John Dingell, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, stood out. He was a giant among giants, and not just because he stood 6 foot 3. A 26-year veteran of the House at the time, he was revered as the architect of Medicare and a driving force behind some of the most important civil rights and environmental laws in America's history. He went on to become the longest serving member of Congress in American history. But it is the quality and courage of John Dingell's service, even more than its length, that made John Dingell one of the most influential legislators of all time. He helped write most of the Nation's major environmental and energy laws. He helped save the American auto industry twice: in 1979 and again during the great recession. prgtoken His nickname--``Big John''--was a reflection not only of his commanding height but also of his moral stature. Of the more than 25,000 votes he cast in Congress, the one he as most proud of was his vote in support of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. That vote led to a brutal reelection fight later that year. It was the second time John Dingell ever had a cross burned on his lawn and the closest he ever come to losing a race. But John Dingell was unbowed. He went on to champion the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and--many more major civil rights laws. prgtoken John David Dingell, Jr, was born in 1926, the eldest of three children. His family, he once said, was as ``poor as Job's chicken.'' prgtoken In 1932, when John was 6 years old, his father was elected to Congress, where he became a leading champion of the New Deal. He stood behind FDR as he signed the law creating Social Security. prgtoken In 1943, John Senior introduced America's first national health insurance bill--to help seniors and children from poor families. The bill never passed. prgtoken In 1955, John Senior died in office from tuberculosis. That same year, at the age of 29, his son was chosen in a special election to finish his father's term. prgtoken At the start of every new Congress, John Dingell introduced a bill to create a Medicare Program to provide health insurance for older adults. He never gave up on fulfilling his father's dream. When Medicare finally came up for a vote in 1965, he was given honor of presiding over the House, in memory of his father. He lent the gavel he had used that day to Nancy Pelosi when the House voted to pass the Affordable Care Act in 2010. John Dingell sat by President 's side wh
THE REAL NATIONAL EMERGENCY
Ruben Gallego (Democrat, AZ) \u2014 2019-2-14

let's be clear. 's Presidency is the real national emergency. prgtoken President fired the FBI director to protect his national security adviser. He tried to rip healthcare from millions of Americans and destroy protections for people with preexisting prgtoken conditions. He orchestrated the largest transfer of wealth from middle class families to rich families. prgtoken And has done nothing in the face of epidemic levels of gun violence and devastating impacts of climate change. prgtoken Why is lying about a national emergency at the border? He is doing it to distract the American people from the fact that he has no plan to improve healthcare, improve our schools, or do one damn thing for working people in this country.
The Green New Deal (Executive Calendar)
Brian Schatz (Democrat, HI) \u2014 2019-2-14

our friends on the other side of the aisle--the s--are misreading the moment. The planet is in an emergency situation, and instead of coming to the table with ideas on how to fix it, they are running the same play they always run; that is, that they take a popular idea--investing in clean energy, maybe making college more affordable, making the Tax Code more fair--and they try to characterize it as a liberal project so people put on their partisan uniforms. prgtoken Our ideas are popular, and what they have done recently is, they have taken a batch of our ideas and have said: Socialism. You are going to turn into Venezuela if you do all of these things. I know you think you want affordable college. I know you think you want climate action. I know you think you want to not get ripped off by the Tax Code, but that will cause you to be Venezuela. prgtoken This is the play they run every time, and they run it with cover from the Wall Street Journal's editorial board and FOX News to try to trick the American people into opposing ideas they actually like. prgtoken That is what is happening with this nonbinding resolution that 12 Senators have cosponsored. s are trying to take frequently asked questions--a document that was posted on the website of a new Member of Congress, and then subsequently taken down and disavowed, and make you believe this is what want to do when it comes to climate action. They want you to believe we want to take away ice cream and aviation and everything that is good in the world because they know their position on climate change is absolutely untenable. prgtoken Over the last couple of days, I read some what we call very serious people in Washington, DC, sort of marveling at Leader McConnell's trolling exercise. This is supposed to be the world's greatest deliberative body. It is not Twitter. This is supposed to be where we solve the greatest problems facing the United States. This is not where we troll each other. This is where we are supposed to have the great debates. prgtoken Senate have done all sorts of work on climate: the ITC and the PTC for solar and wind, conservation and efficiency, carbon pricing, fighting deforestation. So s do not have the high ground here. They are trying to make this a partisan exercise, where you have several news organizations churning because they don't want to deal with climate change. prgtoken If the Senate leadership wants to bring up anything about climate, I echo the words of Senator Schumer and Senator Whitehouse: We have never been more fired up. We are going to take this opportunity to have a real debate about climate because s do not have a plan to address climate change. That is not a rhetorical flourish. That is not an accusation. That is just an observation. They don't have a plan to stop climate pollution. They do not agree with 99 percent of the scientific
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.J. RES. 31, FURTHER CONTINUING APPROPRIATIONS FOR DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, 2019, AND PROVIDING FOR PROCEEDINGS DURING THE PERIOD FROM...
Ed Perlmutter (Democrat, CO) \u2014 2019-2-14

. Madam , the Rules Committee met and reported a rule, House Resolution 131, providing for the consideration of the conference report to accompany H.J. Res. 31, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2019. prgtoken The rule provides for consideration of the legislation under a conference report rule and provides for 1 hour of debate. The rule also provides for standard recess procedures through Friday, February 22. prgtoken Madam , this legislation has been a long time coming. In December, the Senate passed a clean continuing resolution for the seven appropriation bills which hadn't been completed. The President said at the time he would sign that bill, but then the President changed course and demanded $5.7 billion for his campaign promise of a border wall. prgtoken As we now know, this led to the longest government shutdown in United States history: 35 days. This put our country in jeopardy by withholding paychecks for 800,000 Federal employees who are patriots and provide critical services to our country and to all Americans. prgtoken Put simply, this was not an issue worth shutting down the Federal Government. That is why I am pleased we are here today to avoid another shutdown and begin to get the agencies affected by the shutdown back on track. prgtoken This bill provides appropriations for the seven remaining appropriations bills through the end of the fiscal year, including Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration; Commerce, Justice, Science; Financial Services and General Government; Homeland Security; Interior and Environment; State and Foreign Operations; and Transportation, Housing and Urban Development. prgtoken Over the past 6 weeks, we heard testimony from the chairs and ranking members of the Appropriations Committee numerous times as we tried to reopen the government last month. prgtoken A constant theme from those hearings, from both and s, was respect for the appropriators and their ability to negotiate a deal. Today's result is confirmation of that trust we placed in our appropriators. prgtoken I want to congratulate all the committee Members and staff for their work over the last few weeks. prgtoken The conference report in front of us today is by no means perfect, but it represents a compromise between and s and between the House and the Senate. prgtoken There are many programs well funded by this bill. For instance, the Census Bureau will see an increase of more than $1 billion as they prepare for the 2020 Census, to ensure an accurate count. prgtoken NASA, which invests heavily in Colorado and across all of the country, will see a $763 million increase over last year to fully fund NASA's science mission directorates and support human prgtoken exploration, from the international space station, to the Moon, and on to Mars by 2033. prgtoken This legislation provides $17 billion in funding for new infrastructure investments in roads, bridges,