mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
BUDGET PROPOSAL
Michael B. Enzi (Republican, WY) \u2014 2020-2-10

I suspect I couldn't have come to the floor at a better time. The President's budget did come out today. It consists of a set of documents a foot high. In my opinion, the whole pile should be replaced with a list from the President of what he thinks are pretty good ideas to do this year. prgtoken I want to encourage people, including the Senator from Ohio, not to waste any time searching out the President's budget cuts. Nobody has listened to the President in the 23 years that I have been here. Congress doesn't pay attention to the President's budget exercise. I don't know why we put him through that. That is all it is. prgtoken Congress holds the pursestrings, according to the Constitution. Congress is very protective of that constitutional authority. If you don't believe me, watch all the rhetoric that comes out on the President's budget. I am hoping that I hear something positive on it, but it is pretty hard to find anything positive with the funding situation that we are in. I do have to take issue with something that was just said here, that the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act hasn't worked. It has worked. prgtoken Now, a very important thing for everybody to know: The problem that we are in right now with our deficits doesn't have to do with the dollars that are coming in. The first year after the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, we took in more revenue than ever before. More people had jobs. More people were paying taxes. Companies were paying more taxes. They were doing more business. That results in more taxes. So, that first year, we got more money than we had ever had to spend before. prgtoken The second year, we had more money than the first year. We keep getting more money to spend. The problem is we have no control over our urge to spend. Since CBO's June 2019 Long-Term Budget Outlook, Congress has passed and the President has signed legislation that would add more than $2 trillion to our national debt over the next 10 years. That is how we are spending. prgtoken The increased spending caps from the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2019 are responsible for $1.7 trillion of that $2.1 trillion. It does include interest costs, but that is what we have to pay any time we have a debt. That $1.7 trillion passed with no debate. There was a budget point of order. I had established a budget point of order, which takes 60 votes. I missed by four being able to stop that. We can't spend that way. But that isn't the President's budget. That is our budget. prgtoken Over the next few days, you will hear lots of complaints about the President's budget. Seldom will anybody mention anything good, and it has been that way for every President. You will prgtoken hear lots of terrible things about the President's budget. You won't hear anything positive. In the present political atmosphere, you probably will not learn anything from the comments. Little of a positive nature is getting any coverage in Washington these days. prgtoken R
Senate Legislative Agenda (Executive Session)
John Cornyn (Republican, TX) \u2014 2020-2-10

the impeachment process that has consumed our country over the last several months is finally at an end. Every Member of this Chamber has spent dozens of hours, if not more, studying the precedents, listening to the House managers and the President's legal team as they presented their arguments, including the testimony of 13 witnesses whose sworn testimony was presented during the Senate trial. prgtoken In the end, the majority of the Senators agreed that President should be acquitted of the charges brought by the House. No matter how each Senator voted or felt about the end result, I can hope that we would all agree on one thing, and that is, it is time to move forward. prgtoken Impeachment has paralyzed the work of Congress for far too long, and we can't continue to allow the divisions and partisan games that are associated with it to prevent us from doing the jobs we were sent here to do. We are 9 months away from the next election. I think it is somewhere around 267 days, if I am not mistaken. That is when the American people will choose their next President and vote on the direction of the country. But until then, our constituents expect us to use the remainder of the time we have here to find consensus where and when we can and to make progress on issues that they care most about. prgtoken For my constituents in Texas, the No. 1 item on their list is prescription drug pricing. I continue to hear from my constituents in Texas who feel burdened, confused, and down-right frustrated by rising costs at the pharmacy. One of the reasons why I think that is probably true is that under the Affordable Care Act deductibles have risen and copays have ballooned, such that consumers are now paying more out of pocket for their prescription drugs than ever before, because from all of the negotiated deals between the pharmaceutical manufacturers and the prescription pharmacy benefit managers, none of that savings directly goes into the pocket of the consumer. So with increased deductibles and with expanded copays, my constituents, and, I dare say, all of our constituents are feeling more of that coming out of their pocket. prgtoken Medications that people have been taking for years just keep getting more and more expensive with no explanation behind the increase. To me, the No. 1 example of that is insulin. I support the role of our patent system to protect research and development of lifesaving and innovative drugs, that people get a period of exclusivity--the companies that bring them into the market--a period of exclusivity so they can recoup their sunk costs and perhaps even make a profit, but there is just simply no explanation for a drug like insulin, that has been on the market for so long, for people to see $1,200 and higher copays, as we heard in the Senate Finance Committee hearing. prgtoken A mother talked about her young son who was leaving the nest, so to speak, but he was unable to m
DRONE ORIGIN SECURITY ENHANCEMENT ACT
Dan Crenshaw (Republican, TX) \u2014 2020-2-10

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , the Department of Homeland Security is charged with protecting Americans here at home, and it is critical that the technologies used to carry out this mission are secure. The risk posed by certain foreign drone manufacturers is well documented and presents a national security threat. prgtoken Chinese-manufactured drones could provide a backdoor for the Chinese Government to access sensitive flight data from drones used by DHS. My bill, H.R. 4753, seeks to address this vulnerability. prgtoken The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has stated that these unmanned aircraft systems are a potential risk to an organization's information and that drones could contain components that could compromise your data. prgtoken The potential for comprised data to fall into the hands of a foreign government should concern everyone. It threatens to disrupt the law enforcement and national security objectives of DHS. prgtoken My bill, the Drone Origin Security Enhancement Act, addresses the threat by prohibiting DHS from acquiring unmanned aircraft systems manufactured in a foreign country labeled a strategic competitor by the Department of Defense. This is similar to a prohibition included in the National Defense Authorization Act of 2019 for the military. prgtoken Simply put, my bill will ensure that DHS is not using drone equipment from a foreign government that our military already views as a threat. prgtoken Much like the Department of Defense, DHS and its components have a critical mission. The risk introduced into these missions by foreign- manufactured drones is not something that can be ignored. This legislation addresses this very real threat and will keep our adversaries from compromising the technology we use to keep Americans safe. prgtoken , I want to thank my colleague from New Mexico for her leadership on this bill. I urge my colleagues to pass H.R. 4753, and .
HONORING DR. JIM FARHA
Ron Estes (Republican, KS) \u2014 2020-2-10

. Madam , I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the life of Dr. S. Jim Farha. prgtoken On January 17, 2020, Dr. Farha passed away, leaving behind family, friends, and a legacy of making Wichita and our State a better place. prgtoken After leaving his native Lebanon in search of an opportunity in America, Dr. Farha worked hard to become a cardiothoracic surgeon. In 1963, Dr. Farha and his brother George began a surgical practice in Wichita to meet a critical need of surgeons in the region. Over time, the practice would eventually become the largest of its kind in the State of Kansas. prgtoken In addition to leading the practice for nearly 40 years with his brother, Dr. Farha also worked tirelessly to improve our community. From landmarks like the Wichita Art Museum to the YMCA, the philanthropy and service of Dr. Farha and his late wife, Darla, can be seen throughout Wichita and our region. prgtoken His dedication to serving others, whether in the operating room or in the community, has left an inspiring imprint, which will be felt for generations. Dr. Farha's life is a true testament to the American Dream, and he will be missed.
PROTECTING AMERICA'S FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ACT OF 2019
Jim Hagedorn (Republican, MN) \u2014 2020-2-10

I thank the gentleman for yielding. prgtoken , I rise in strong support of the Protecting America's Food and Agriculture Act. I think this bill is a great example of how the House can work together, particularly across committee lines. Here, we have Homeland Security Committee and Agriculture Committee folks working together in the House and the Senate. prgtoken This is a critical piece of legislation in order to make sure we do everything possible to protect our food supply, our farmers, and agribusiness. prgtoken I have been focused very intently on this whole African swine fever threat for many months. When you look at it in China, it has ravaged their hog supply. Literally, over 50 percent of the hogs in China have had to be slaughtered because of it. prgtoken That disease has moved to Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines. It is in Poland, moving toward Germany and the European Union. It is an incredible threat, and it has caused a lot of destruction. prgtoken In my district in southern Minnesota, I happen to represent some of the finest agricultural producers in all the world, including livestock producers and many in pork production. Our district is number two in the whole country for pork production. prgtoken When you look at what is going on with African swine fever, it is obviously both an opportunity and a challenge. The opportunity is that there is going to be a need for our products--our pork supply, poultry, and other things. Our producers are going to have a chance to export around the world, perhaps even enhance and expand their operations. prgtoken Of course, the challenge is: What happens if the African swine fever gets in the United States? If African swine fever enters the United States, it is not going to hurt just our pork producers. It is going to hurt our corn and soybean growers, and the people who pack the meat, transport the meat, all the people down the line to Main Street. It is going to drive up the prices for our consumers, and we can't let that happen. prgtoken That is why this bill is so important, to enhance the inspectors at these ports of entry and to make sure that the Beagle Brigades, as they are called, are upgraded. They do a terrific job of sniffing out the pork. prgtoken I completely support this legislation, and I would ask my colleagues to consider this thought in the future, of perhaps putting together a task force between the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Homeland Security to make sure that they are working in cooperation.
PERSONAL EXPLANATION
Martha Roby (Republican, AL) \u2014 2020-2-10

. Madam , I was unable to vote on Thursday, February 6 and Friday, February 7. Had I been present I would have voted as follows: NAY on Roll Call No. 38; NAY on Roll Call No. 39; NAY on Roll Call No. 40; NAY on Roll Call No. 41; YEA on Roll Call No. 42; YEA on Roll Call No. 43; NAY on Roll Call No. 44; YEA on Roll Call No. 45; YEA on Roll Call No. 46; YEA on Roll Call No. 47; NAY on Roll Call No. 48; YEA on Roll Call No. 49; NAY on Roll Call No. 50; NAY on Roll Call No. 51; NAY on Roll Call No. 52; YEA on Roll Call No. 53; and NAY on Roll Call No. 54.
HONORING MAYOR RICH PALOMBO
Jefferson Van Drew (Republican, NJ) \u2014 2020-2-10

. Madam , I honor Richard Palombo for an amazing 20 years of service as mayor of Upper Township in South Jersey. prgtoken Rich exemplifies leadership in his personal and his professional life. prgtoken His gentle leadership is welcome at a time, unfortunately, when we have bitter partisanship. I know firsthand of his ability after working with him for years in his capacity as mayor. prgtoken Rich listens to every side and makes informed decisions which are driven by his desire to have the best community possible, whether or . prgtoken At any given time of year, 1,500 to 2,000 student-age children will be participating in sporting events at the area's sports complexes, this is thanks to the leadership of Rich Palombo. I know how proud he is, and should be, of this accomplishment. prgtoken Mayor Palombo has kept taxes and crime low without sacrificing services, and I know his community always thanks him for that. prgtoken Congratulations, Rich. I look forward to our continuing relationship. And thank you for all that you do for our great community and the communities around you. prgtoken May God always bless you, and the best of luck for the future.
Cloture Motion (Executive Session)
John Thune (Republican, SD) \u2014 2020-2-10

. The following Senators are necessarily absent: the Senator from North Dakota (Mr. Cramer), the Senator from South Carolina (Mr. Graham), the Senator from North Dakota (Mr. Hoeven), the Senator from Louisiana (Mr. Kennedy), the Senator from Kentucky (Mr. Paul), the Senator from Florida (Mr. Scott), and the Senator from Pennsylvania (Mr. Toomey). prgtoken Further, if present and voting, the Senator from North Dakota (Mr. Hoeven) would have voted ``yea.''
RECOGNIZING PAUL GRASSEY
Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (Republican, GA) \u2014 2020-2-10

I rise today to recognize Mr. Paul Grassey, who received the French Legion of Honor by the Consul General of France on January 28 for his role in liberating France during World War II. prgtoken During the war, Paul flew B-24 bombers for the Eighth Air Force in 13 missions. After the war, Mr. Grassey returned to Savannah and became heavily involved with the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum, helping to educate people in the area about the Eighth Air Force's role in the war. prgtoken Paul gives tours at the museum and often goes into local schools to talk about the importance of World War II and freeing Europe from Nazi Germany. prgtoken In 2013, Paul wrote a book outlining his story before, during, and after the war while discussing the six pillars of having good character: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship. prgtoken The French Legion of Honor is the highest military honor in France, and I could not be more proud that the Consul General has awarded it to Mr. Grassey of the First Congressional District of Georgia. prgtoken , I congratulate Mr. Grassey on his award. I thank him for prgtoken his experience, knowledge, and passion with people of all ages in Savannah.
Recognizing the Kansas City Chiefs (Executive Session)
Josh Hawley (Republican, MO) \u2014 2020-2-10

. If I could just add a word about the Hunt family, who own the Chiefs and have led the Chiefs for decades now, Lamar Hunt founded the Chiefs more than six decades ago and helped shape the National Football League, including by coining the phrase ``Super Bowl.'' Those were his words. It was his idea. His legacy continues today with Clark and Tavia Hunt, who are remarkable people. prgtoken The entire Hunt family deserves great credit for their unwavering commitment to Kansas City, the State of Missouri, and the Chiefs organization, which they lead with tremendous poise, tremendous integrity, and tremendous honor. prgtoken Congratulations to the Kansas City Chiefs, to their employees, to the hundreds of thousands--maybe millions--of loyal fans out there, to Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Clark Hunt, to President Mark Donovan, General Manager Brett Veach, Coach Reid, and his staff, trainers, and equipment managers, all of whom contributed to this great victory. They have people all over the world asking ``how `bout those Chiefs?'' prgtoken Thank you. prgtoken . prgtoken .
TRIBUTE TO JACQUELINE WICECARVER
John Boozman (Republican, AR) \u2014 2020-2-10

it is my honor to pay tribute to an exceptional leader and member of the Senior Executive Service of the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, Ms. Jacqueline Wicecarver. prgtoken A native of Rector, AR, Jackie joined the Department of Defense in 1978 as a member of the U.S. Army Materiel Command in Rock Island, IL. Within the next 10 years, Jackie and her family moved five times. During this time, Jackie held a variety of positions within the Department of Defense and received high praise in each position for her exceptional level of professionalism, dedication to duty, and outstanding contributions to the mission. prgtoken In 1990, Jackie joined the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General as a staff auditor and rose through the ranks, joining the Senior Executive Service as the Assistant Inspector General for Acquisition and Contract Management in 2011. In January 2017, she was selected to lead nearly 600 auditors and support personnel as the Deputy Inspector General for Audit. prgtoken In her role as the Deputy Inspector General for Audit, Jackie has provided guidance, counsel, and mentorship to many auditors as they worked to complete more than 320 audit reports that identified over $7 billion in potential savings to the Department of Defense. Most significantly, under Jackie's direction, the Office of Inspector General completed two full financial statement audits of the Department of Defense. These financial statement audits have been described as the largest in history. prgtoken Jackie has been honored with the Department of Defense Inspector General Medal for Distinguished Civilian Service Award, the Meritorious Civilian Service Award, and the President's Council on Integrity and Efficiency Award. prgtoken Jackie has served her country for more than 40 years as a Department of Defense civilian. On behalf of the Senate, I thank Jackie and her family--her husband James of 50 years, their children Christopher and Jennifer and four grandchildren, Caitlyn, Wade, Tate and Quinn--for their continued commitment and sacrifice in service to our Nation. I wish her future success as she transitions into retirement.
ARMS SALES NOTIFICATION
James E. Risch (Republican, ID) \u2014 2020-2-10

section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act requires that Congress receive prior notification of certain proposed arms sales as defined by that statute. Upon such notification, the Congress has 30 calendar days during which the sale may be reviewed. The provision stipulates that, in the Senate, the notification of proposed sales shall be sent to the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. prgtoken In keeping with the committee's intention to see that relevant information is available to the full Senate, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record the notifications which have been received. If the cover letter references a classified annex, then such annex is available to all Senators in the office of the Foreign Relations Committee, room SD-423.
TRIBUTE TO DR. WALLY COVINGTON
Martha McSally (Republican, AZ) \u2014 2020-2-10

I rise today to recognize one of the most influential and well-known forest ecologists in the Nation, Dr. Wally Covington of Flagstaff, AZ. prgtoken Last month, Dr. Covington retired from his current position as regents' professor at the School of Forestry and the executive director of the Ecological Restoration Institute at Northern Arizona University. prgtoken When we talk about the wildfire crisis afflicting the West, we frequently reference the need to thin our forests of the enormous number of small, dead, and dying trees that have fueled some of largest, deadliest, and most destructive mega fires ever seen in the United States. prgtoken In my home State of Arizona, about one-quarter of our pine forests have been impacted by fire over the past two decades. In 2011, the largest wildfire in State history, the Wallow Fire, incinerated over a half million acres in a matter of weeks before finally burning out. And a nation mourned the loss of 19 brave wildland firefighters from Prescott, AZ, who gave their lives battling the Yarnell Hill Fire in 2013. prgtoken These fires burn so hot and fast that they barrel through rural communities, insatiably consuming property in its path and, sometimes, human life too. prgtoken We recognize that the fuel load is too high in many forests and that prescribed fires and fuel breaks alone are not enough to prevent mega- fires that crown atop forest canopies. prgtoken Today, it is common sense that our fire-prone public lands need to be restored to their natural, fire-adapted state. It is difficult to imagine how this conventional wisdom shared across both sides of the aisle, and among the timber industry and environmental groups alike, was foreign, controversial, and, frankly, heretical only two decades ago. It was Dr. Covington's applied research in forest ecology and his tireless advocacy that showed us how reducing tree density through timber harvesting is not only beneficial, but also necessary if we want to reduce the threat of catastrophic wildfires. prgtoken So when we talk about forest thinning, the country should know just how influential Dr. Wally Covington's contributions were to the practice of forest ecosystem restoration. prgtoken Let me share a little bit of Dr. Covington's story with you. From a young age, Wally was exposed to the wonders of the great outdoors by his parents who first met and fell in love in Flagstaff. They instilled in him a profound appreciation for nature and a humbling perspective on humanity's impact on the land. At his father's urging, Wally studied the works of conservationist Aldo Leopold, who is regarded as the founder of the wilderness preservation movement and the philosophy of ``land ethics,'' which espouses the belief that man is not a conqueror of his environment, but a unique component of it. prgtoken Later, Wally graduated from the University of North Texas with a degree in biology, and he planned to become a physicia