mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
ENERGY AND WATER, LEGISLATIVE BRANCH, AND MILITARY CONSTRUCTION AND VETERANS AFFAIRS APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019
Patrick J. Leahy (Democrat, VT) \u2014 2018-6-25

I appreciate the comments of the Senator from Tennessee and the Senator from Hawaii. I have enjoyed working with both of them because look where we are. This is somewhere we have not been for a number of years. It is where we used to be--certainly for the first few decades I was here. It is where we were when Senator Alexander or my hero, Senator Baker, were here. prgtoken What we are doing is voting on final passage of the first package of Senate appropriations bills for fiscal year 2019. The minibus before us contains a string of appropriations bills: the Energy and Water appropriations bill, the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs appropriations bill, and the Legislative Branch appropriations bill. We will have these votes in a matter of half an hour, and they will only take a few minutes, but there are hours and hours and days and weeks that went into this by both s and . prgtoken Chairman Shelby and I worked very closely with Senator McConnell and Senator Schumer. Both Senator Shelby as chairman and I as vice chairman committed to getting the appropriations process back on track. We both have been here when the Senate has been in a better place because the appropriations process worked. Our strategy has been to advance appropriations bills that have bipartisan support, comply with the budget deal and are free of poison pill riders or controversial authorizing legislation. What we have before us is the first test of that strategy. I think both s and should be pretty pleased with the result. prgtoken We had a good debate on this package of bills, including the last eight rollcall votes. We adopted a managers' package that contained 32 amendments on which we have reached agreement. This minibus is the result of hard work and compromise on the part of the chair and ranking member of each subcommittee, and I urge Senators to vote aye on final passage. prgtoken Importantly, during the debate on this package of bills, as just mentioned, the Senate voted to table a controversial amendment offered by Senator Lee to overturn the 2015 clean water rule related to waters of the United States. This rule was designed to prevent pollutants from spreading through tributaries into our Nation's drinking water supply. I felt that the amendment not only would have driven a stake through the heart of the clean water rule, it would have done so without having to abide by the Administrative Procedure Act, it would have effectively eliminated the American public from any participation in the process, and it would have sidestepped and allowed arbitrary and capricious standards, which we cannot have, if we had repealed the rule. prgtoken I opposed this amendment not only because I believe that repealing the clean water rule would be shortsighted, and that doing it in this manner would set a terrible precedent for the next bedrock environmental regulation, but also bec
SUBSTANCE USE-DISORDER PREVENTION THAT PROMOTES OPIOID RECOVERY AND TREATMENT FOR PATIENTS AND COMMUNITIES ACT
Joseph Crowley (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2018-6-25

I rise today to urge Congress to pass a Motion to Recommit on H.R. 6, which includes my Opioid Workforce Act. prgtoken Many of the victims of the opioid crisis are clear: the young people whose lives have been cut short and the working individuals who struggle every day to break the bonds of addiction. But there is also a wider impact: families left without breadwinners to support them, children left without a parent to raise them, and communities slowly hollowed out as more and more individuals fall victim to addiction. That means that our strategy to address this national crisis must be comprehensive, multi-faceted, and sustainable. prgtoken This Motion would bring us closer to a comprehensive strategy that ensures all Americans have access to treatment for substance use disorders. By increasing the supply of physicians trained in addiction and pain management while expanding access to medication-assisted treatment, this motion would ensure that individuals with substance use disorders are not left behind. Further, by doubling the size and scope of our national investment in the opioid epidemic, this motion strengthens our public health infrastructure to address this epidemic of tragic proportions. prgtoken I am proud that my recently introduced legislation, the Opioid Workforce Act, was included as part of this motion. This legislation would provide additional residency positions to hospitals that have or are establishing residency programs in addiction medicine, addiction psychiatry, or pain management. Without more physicians trained in treating substance use disorders, we won't be able to address the opioid epidemic. prgtoken But beyond this motion, and beyond this bill, we must consider the downstream effects on communities that were already once left behind by the failed war on drugs. Many communities in my district are still recovering from the aftermath of the failed ``tough on crime'' tactics of the 80s and 90s. Residents have not properly dealt with their addictions because of the fear of criminal retribution. While we work as a nation to address the opioid crisis, we must not repeat our past mistakes that left behind our most vulnerable communities. prgtoken Addressing this epidemic will take an investment of federal resources, multiple perspectives at the table, and persistence to get it right. I urge my colleagues to pass this motion as a robust first step on this long-term journey.
AGRICULTURE AND NUTRITION ACT OF 2018--MOTION TO PROCEED
Pat Roberts (Republican, KS) \u2014 2018-6-26

. for yielding. prgtoken We are looking at those provisions, and we are looking at making sure able-bodied people do achieve the goal of going from dependence to independence, more especially in this time of economic recovery, which is really the secret to all of this. The numbers in the Food Stamp Program have decreased dramatically as we have seen our economy improve, but we are taking a look at those waivers. The difference is, in the House bill, we have a situation where if somebody has children 6 and under, it used to be 10 and under, and then on the other side, people who were 50 to now 60 are included--that has raised some dust. prgtoken There are several other issues the Senator has mentioned. It is just a matter of degree. We want to provide integrity to that program. We want it to work and have it go to the people who truly need it, and we have tried very hard to accomplish that. prgtoken We will study hard the good recommendations the Senator has mentioned, and we will do our best.
TRIBUTE TO JOHN BARKER
Cory Gardner (Republican, CO) \u2014 2018-6-26

today I wish to recognize John Barker, an exemplary citizen in my hometown of Yuma, CO. As a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, VFW, Post 3378, Mr. Barker has selflessly volunteered his time and energy toward providing invaluable services to veterans and their families. As a result, he has been honored by the Colorado VFW with the Salute to Service Award. prgtoken Mr. Barker goes above and beyond to help veterans in our community. This includes regular visits to veterans admitted to hospitals and nursing homes and ensuring that announcements of events hosted by Post 3378 are widely circulated in local media. Whether it is working to expand the local Veteran's Memorial Park or tracking down stories from veterans and their families to be published, he ensures that these veterans receive the recognition they deserve. prgtoken On a more solemn note, Mr. Barker visits veterans who have entered hospice care and presents them with a plaque commemorating their service; in their last moments, these veterans know how grateful our community is to them. Furthermore, Mr. Barker attends their funerals and performs military honors as a member of Post 3378's color guard. prgtoken Indeed, Mr. Barker's volunteerism is not limited to veterans. He has worked with local Boy Scouts, encouraging them to finish their Eagle Scout projects, volunteered as Santa Claus at a local event, and worked with the Colorado Department of Fish and Wildlife to make sure there were fish to catch for the kids at Yuma's ``Huck Finn'' Day. prgtoken Mr. Barker's dedication to his community and his VFW post is unparalleled. His VFW commander, Adam Beauprez, had no hesitation nominating him for the Salute to Service Award and it is little wonder that the Colorado VFW followed suit by honoring him with this recognition. prgtoken Mr. Barker, thank you for your service. Thank you for your friendship and your family's friendship. You make Colorado proud.
AGRICULTURE AND NUTRITION ACT OF 2018--MOTION TO PROCEED
John Cornyn (Republican, TX) \u2014 2018-6-26

as we all know, we are on the farm bill this week in the Senate. I express my gratitude to Chairman Roberts and Ranking Member Stabenow for bringing us this far. prgtoken Interestingly, in a town where differences tend to be along partisan lines and ideological lines, the differences in the farm bill tend to be largely regional as much as anything else, but they have done a good job in trying to bring a fair and equitable bill to the Senate floor. That is reflected by the near unanimous vote in committee for the bill. prgtoken The farm bill has always been important. With its being renewed every 5 years, it helps to ensure that Americans and the people who benefit from American exports around the world enjoy access to the safest, cheapest, most reliable food source on the planet. The farm bill impacts many areas beyond food production. It promotes the conservation of farmland and watersheds. Foreign food aid programs are reauthorized as part of this bill, and we lay down the policy that affects the management of our Nation's forests. prgtoken I am especially pleased with this year's farm bill and its impact on my home State and the Presiding Officer's home State of Texas. Among the most noteworthy provisions is protecting seed cotton eligibility for the farm bill safety net. This year's bill also retains and strengthens the Price Loss Coverage Program to help provide Texas agricultural producers with stability through unpredictable weather and natural disasters. Finally, the bill promotes animal health and reauthorizes disease research programs, including a crucial one that will help the U.S. Department of Agriculture provide research to contain the spread of the cattle fever tick. I doubt many people have heard of the cattle fever tick, but it is a real threat to our herds, our beef herds, and it has the potential to wipe out cattle herds and cause devastating financial losses. prgtoken I want to highlight three areas where I do think the bill could stand some improvement--first, the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program. There is a lot of good done in the bill for farm and agricultural programs, but many people don't know that about 80 percent of the money spent in the farm bill is directed to so-called nutrition programs. So calling this a farm bill is a bit of a misnomer, since only 20 percent of its resources deal with farm and agriculture. So we need to consider targeted ways to ensure that tax dollars used to pay for these nutrition programs are used wisely. prgtoken That is why I will support an amendment that expands work requirements for those who receive SNAP benefits. It is not just for work, but for people who are able-bodied who need to train for work or provide community service as condition of qualifying for this welfare benefit. prgtoken My second related amendment will authorize a pilot program to encourage nongovernmental partners to help address food insecurity in loca
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019
Rick W. Allen (Republican, GA) \u2014 2018-6-26

. Mr. Chair, first I would like to thank Chairwoman Granger for her leadership and hard work on this critical legislation. prgtoken Voting for the annual Department of Defense Appropriations Act is one of the most important votes I take each year, and the great bipartisan work that the chairwoman and the ranking member have done to ensure that our military is fully funded is truly commendable. prgtoken I rise today to talk about the Allen-Raskin amendment to H.R. 6157. This bipartisan amendment allocates $10 million to the defense POW/ Missing Persons Accounting Agency to assist in identifying unclaimed remains missing since the Korean conflict. prgtoken As of today, there are almost 7,700 total personnel missing and unaccounted for since the Korean conflict. prgtoken One of those still unaccounted for is Private First Class Ivan Roberts, a proud native of Georgia's 12th Congressional District. prgtoken On November 5, 1951, Private First Class Roberts and three other men from Alpha Company 5th Calvary Regiment went missing during an attack to secure a Korean hill complex. prgtoken Although I never had the opportunity to meet Private First Class Roberts, I was able to meet his family and loved ones at a recent memorial ceremony in his honor, and I know that he was a beloved hero and patriot whose family wants peace and closure. prgtoken As you may know, in the recent historic summit between President and North Korea's Kim Jong-un, President asked North Korea to return the remains of U.S. servicemembers lost in the Korean war, and Kim Jong-un agreed. prgtoken There are currently over 200 missing servicemembers in the process of being returned to the United States. prgtoken My colleague and I want to ensure that the defense POW/Missing Persons Accounting Agency has the resources it needs to identify the remains and carry out this important mission so prgtoken that families can finally find an eternal resting place for their loved ones. prgtoken Mr. Chair, from Maryland, Congressman Jamie Raskin, for joining me in introducing this important amendment, and I urge all of my colleagues in the House to support the Allen-Raskin amendment. prgtoken Mr. Chair, .
AGRICULTURE AND NUTRITION ACT OF 2018--MOTION TO PROCEED--Continued
Chuck Grassley (Republican, IA) \u2014 2018-6-26

over the past few days, the issue of family separation has reached a fever pitch. All you have to do is look at the daily newspapers or cable television, and you know that is true. This is a crisis that has been brewing since the surge of young migrants across our border way back in 2014 and is just now reaching a new peak. prgtoken I have said it before, and I will say it again: I find it ridiculous to suggest that members of my political party--the Party-- somehow support the idea of separating families. No one wants families separated. No one wants to see families exploited. To suggest otherwise is to feed the frenzy that has been whipped up over the last few days. prgtoken Lost in this frenzy is the reality that the only groups standing to truly benefit while America is divided are smugglers, drug cartels, and human traffickers. They know about the weaknesses and loopholes in our current immigration law, and they aren't afraid to use those weaknesses and loopholes. For these people, it is all about profit. Smugglers, drug cartels, and human traffickers don't care about human lives. prgtoken In 2015 and 2016, I questioned the administration's Department of Homeland Security after receiving reports that human trafficking was increasing, and some smugglers weren't being arrested even after smuggling people across the border dozens of times. The lack of consequences emboldened these smugglers. prgtoken At that time, I also asked the Department of Homeland Security about a dangerous tactic used by smugglers to pair kids with unrelated adults to create the appearance of a family unit. The word ``appearance'' is key here. prgtoken Knowing the legal loopholes better than most, these smugglers knew that our laws, like the Flores settlement agreement, prevented family detention. prgtoken Flores vs. Reno effectively prohibits the government from maintaining custody of immigrant children even when they are with their families. Through this agreement, the government had sent the message that if you come alone, you will be detained, but if you come with a family, and as a family, you will likely be released. Understanding this, these smart smugglers knew they could sell this false freedom and build a cruel new business model. prgtoken In 2015, I was horrified to learn that human smuggling rings were exploiting children and selling them to the highest bidder to get to the United States and avoid detention. That is right. Smugglers would use kids like pawns in an effort to help adults avoid detention when coming across the border. To truly help families, any solution we come up with must protect against this evil stunt by the smugglers. prgtoken Department officials reported that kids were being kidnapped, or adopted, and then smuggled with their unrelated adult so-called ``family member'' to the United States. prgtoken U.S. Government officials work closely with foreign officials, trying
AGRICULTURE AND NUTRITION ACT OF 2018--MOTION TO PROCEED--Continued
John Barrasso (Republican, WY) \u2014 2018-6-26

when I am back home in Wyoming, as I am every weekend, people will often tell me about how they have suffered under the healthcare law known as Care. I have been able to give them some very good news recently about things that s in Congress and this administration have done to help people get out of the Care problems they have been having and escape some of the problems that have been caused by the law. prgtoken This is a headline in the Wall Street Journal from June 20: ``Exit From Care.'' It is something that I have been working on ever since the law was passed. What I have been able to tell people at home in Wyoming is that we have now scrapped the law's terribly unpopular individual mandate. We did that successfully this past year so that people aren't forced to buy insurance that may not be right for them or their families and, certainly, much more expensive than they would like to pay. prgtoken That individual mandate was part of the law that said that every American--everyone--had to have insurance, not that worked for them but that Washington dictated, even if it wasn't the right choice for them or their family. prgtoken I have told people about the work we have been doing to expand people's options, their choices, and their freedom to use what are called short-term, limited duration health plans. These are less expensive health plans. They are free from the expensive, intrusive, and burdensome regulations that Care has placed on the insurance that they have been forced to buy. prgtoken Thanks to President , I am now able to point to the latest thing that s have done to help millions of Americans get the care they need from a doctor they choose at a lower cost to them. prgtoken Last week, the Department of Labor expanded the availability of what have been known as association health plans. This Wall Street Journal editorial called ``Exit From Care,'' I believe, is the best example of it. prgtoken The idea is very simple. Large employers in this country can offer their workers a variety of good health insurance plans, and they can do it because they have the negotiating leverage that comes with a large group of employers. Well, small businesses and people who work for themselves don't have that same ability, that same leverage. Their workers are often stuck looking for expensive coverage, and the place where it seems to be most expensive, certainly, that I see, is in the Care markets. prgtoken So an association health plan lets these groups of individuals, or just individuals themselves, band together and negotiate as if they were one big business. They get much better deals. So maybe it is like all the Lyft drivers or Uber drivers or independent truck drivers working in a State or working across State lines all joining together or the small businesses that are members of the city's chamber of commerce--all of those small businesses d
AGRICULTURE AND NUTRITION ACT OF 2018--MOTION TO PROCEED--Continued
Steve Daines (Republican, MT) \u2014 2018-6-26

for Montanans, nothing beats getting outside and getting outdoors for hunting, fishing, skiing, backpacking, snowmobiling, you name it. It is our way of life in Montana. That is why I am excited to announce that June is National Great Outdoors Month. prgtoken The outdoor life in Montana has a very special meaning for me. I grew up fishing, hunting, hiking, and skiing, in fact, all over the State of Montana. In fact, in July of 1986, I proposed to my sweet wife Cindy after we hiked to the top of Hyalite Peak, just south of Bozeman. It is a peak a little over 10,000 feet. Seven and a half miles from the trailhead to the top and back was a long 15-mile day, and I am grateful she said yes. prgtoken In fact, during the summer, I spend a lot of time backpacking in the Beartooths with our family. We bring along our mini Australian shepherds and bear spray. It is good practice. prgtoken In Montana, outdoor recreation isn't just our way of life; it is also our economy. In fact, outdoor recreation directly supports some 71,000 Montana jobs and generates $2.2 billion in wages and salaries and an estimate of over $7 billion in consumer spending. prgtoken We see it every summer, every winter, and now every shoulder season that people from around the Nation and around the world come to visit America's great outdoors, but in Montana, it is all right here, in our very own backyard. Whether it is hiking in Glacier, fly fishing in the Gallatin, Jefferson, Madison, Stillwater, Yellowstone, Missouri, the Big Horn, or skiing in places like Big Mountain, Red Lodge, Bridger, or Big Sky, or floating in whitewater float trips, we are lucky to have all of that right at our fingertips. prgtoken That is why it is important to recognize the value of the outdoors during National Great Outdoors Month. I think, when you spend time outdoors, you are not only experiencing Montana's great outdoors, but you are giving back to our local economy and creating jobs. For our young people, getting them outside, off their phones, and out into the wilderness is a good thing. prgtoken I encourage everybody to recognize National Great Outdoors Month by joining me in getting away from the TV, away from the phones, and getting outside--get out there and experience all that the outdoors has to offer.
AGENT ORANGE DISABILITY BENEFITS FOR BLUE WATER NAVY VIETNAM VETERANS
Doug LaMalfa (Republican, CA) \u2014 2018-6-26

I rise today to commend my colleagues in this House for passing H.R. 299, the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act. The legislation makes 90,000 Vietnam sea-service veterans eligible for disability pay for health issues that could possibly have been caused by Agent Orange exposure. prgtoken The truth is, we don't know for sure how many have been exposed to Agent Orange, but we owe them the benefit of the doubt that we give to Vietnam servicemembers who have served on land as well. prgtoken It is a long time coming. They pleaded with us for years to pay attention to Agent Orange, and it has been obscured for a long time. It is well-documented that some of these soldiers weren't treated very well when they returned home to this country. They finally are going to receive the respect and the care they deserve. prgtoken I want to thank our chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, Dr. Phil Roe, as well as the author of this legislation, my California colleague, David Valadao, for their tireless work on making this happen. prgtoken Countless veterans have developed health issues as a result of Agent Orange exposure, and it is about time we set this right for our blue water Navy vets who are eligible for these benefits that they need and their families pleaded for. prgtoken , I am glad we finally got this done for them.