mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
Gun Safety (Executive Session)
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2018-2-27

after Columbine, Sandy Hook, Charleston, Orlando, Las Vegas, and too many more to name, the Nation convulsed, and we talked about reforming our gun safety laws to prevent more names and places from being added to the list. Each time, we talked, but the Senate, the House--this government--did nothing. prgtoken Now, in the wake of the tragic shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School that took the lives of another 17 Americans, we must try again to pass meaningful changes to our laws to keep our children safe. That is our duty, and there are many things we could and should pursue. prgtoken Yesterday, I suggested that comprehensive background checks would prgtoken be an excellent and necessary place to start. It doesn't make sense that we allow anyone, regardless of his criminal history--felons--or a history of mental illness, to walk into a gun show or to go online and buy a gun with no questions asked. There is no sense in that. When I wrote the Brady Law back in 1993, gun shows were not popular, and we didn't have internet sales to worry about at the time because there was no internet. These loopholes grew and grew and grew over time. Now, it is hard to know the exact number because we don't record the number of guns that are sold at gun shows or online, but about one-fifth of all gun sales happen without there being background checks. prgtoken It is likely that criminals and others who are up to no good have a higher percentage because they do not want to be detected and go through background checks. It is outrageous that so many guns are sold with there being no background checks whatsoever--whether you are a felon, one who is adjudicated mentally ill, or a spousal abuser. It is outrageous. We should close those loopholes and close them now. We should have comprehensive background checks, not just a little something here and a little something there. Comprehensive background checks are supported overwhelmingly by the American people. prgtoken Later this morning, just in about 15, 20 minutes, I will be meeting with several of the students--the brave, courageous students--from Stoneman Douglas High School. I want to hear what they have to say. These brave students, whether at the Florida statehouse or on national television, have spoken out with passion, with eloquence, with grace. I believe they are changing the way our country thinks about this issue. I hope--I pray--they compel us to do something significant because we cannot settle for half measures, not after what happened in Florida, not after so many tragedies. prgtoken The fix NICS bill is an idea that has wide support in this Chamber, but it is tiny. It is a grant program that addresses one specific issue. Now, we have a whole host of issues to address, not just one. Fix NICS was aimed by the Senator from Texas at a particular tragedy in Texas by which a member of the Air Force had a record that would have disqualified him from getting a g
HONORING THE LIFE OF DUBLIN VICE MAYOR DON BIDDLE
Eric Swalwell (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2018-2-27

I rise to honor the life of Dublin Vice Mayor Don Biddle. We lost Don on February 21, 2018 at the age of 80. Don lived in the city of Dublin, California for 44 years and worked tirelessly to serve his community. prgtoken After serving four years on the Dublin Planning Commission, Don was appointed as a member of the Dublin City Council in 2008 and retained his seat in subsequent elections. It was my privilege to serve alongside Don on the City Council from 2010 to 2013. His colleagues repeatedly recognized Don's character and commitment by nominating him to serve as Vice Mayor on multiple occasions. prgtoken His achievements as a city councilmember received national acclaim. One of Don's proudest achievements was the redevelopment of the former federal housing project, Arroyo Vista, into the region's largest mixed- income housing development, Emerald Vista. He was a consistent champion of affordable housing who also worked to develop an apartment complex tailored to the needs of active military members, veterans, and their families. Don's leadership led Dublin to be named an ``All American City'' while he was on city council. prgtoken Don also was steadfast in his commitment to children, serving as a school board trustee for 12 years. As a trustee, he was instrumental in the creation of the Dublin Unified School District and was a leader in the rebuilding and improvement of the city's aging schools. Beyond the school board, he remained passionate about education, serving the Dublin Partners in Education for nearly two decades, including as president and board member. prgtoken Don served as an active representative of the Dublin community, on a variety of commissions throughout Alameda County. Additionally, Don supported the growth of non-profit organizations within Dublin such as the School of Imagination, Dublin Rotary Club, Dublin Integrity in Action, the YMCA, the American Cancer Society, and Hope Hospice. prgtoken Throughout his life, Don selflessly served the greater Tri-Valley community. I am grateful to have known Don Biddle, and he has left behind an unforgettable legacy of kindness, charity and service. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, and he will forever be remembered for his invaluable contributions to the community.
Climate Change (Executive Calendar)
Sheldon Whitehouse (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2018-2-27

I am here for my 198th ``Time to Wake Up'' speech with my increasingly dog-eared and beaten chart. prgtoken My last two speeches focused on, shall we say, the peculiar role two of this country's largest trade associations play on climate change. They have dozens and dozens of member companies that support action on climate change. Renewable energy now provides more jobs than fossil fuels and lots of American manufacturing. Yet the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Manufacturers spend millions and millions of dollars lobbying Congress against climate action, against renewables, and in favor of the fossil fuel industry. Go figure. prgtoken In 2016, Senator Warren and I surveyed the 108 companies on the chamber of commerce's board, and we couldn't find a single one that would endorse the chamber's anti-climate lobbying--not one. Many of these companies had very public pro-climate positions. None said they had even been consulted by the chamber about the chamber's anti-climate crusade. prgtoken The U.S. Chamber of Commerce's war on climate action isn't just in lobbying Congress. It also spends tens of millions of dollars in elections, using political attack ads to sink pro-climate candidates. So I asked in my last speeches: Why? Why does the chamber and NAM advance the special interests of the fossil fuel industry, opposing climate action, ignoring their own pro-climate members, and turning their backs on the whole renewable energy and green technology economy? Why, indeed. prgtoken Well, today I would like to talk about a fossil fuel trade association--the American Petroleum Institute, prgtoken API. API is a slightly different beast than the chamber and NAM. It represents the oil and gas industry. You wouldn't expect it to care about renewable energy or green technology. API's policy positions should align with the big oil companies it represents, but it gets complicated. It gets complicated because the big oil companies all claim to support action on climate change. Here is what ExxonMobil claims: ``The risk of climate change is clear and the risk warrants action.'' prgtoken In 2009, then-Exxon CEO Rex Tillerson said the company supported a price on carbon. That is supposedly ExxonMobil's position today. prgtoken Here is Shell on carbon pricing: ``The transition to low-carbon solutions is best underpinned by meaningful government-led carbon `pricing' mechanisms.'' prgtoken On the Paris Agreement, Exxon publicly supported the Paris Agreement, as did Chevron, as did Shell, as did BP. In addition, BP and Shell signed on to an initiative to eliminate methane flaring. prgtoken So summing up, all of the major oil companies supported the Paris Agreement. Three out of four, including ExxonMobil--the big kahuna-- publicly support putting a price on carbon emissions, and two of them even support eliminating methane flaring. prgtoken So where is the American Petroleum Institute on these poli
HONORING COMMANDER PAUL BAUER
Tammy Duckworth (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2018-2-27

today I wish to pay tribute to Commander Paul Bauer, a 31-year veteran of the police force who was fatally shot on Tuesday February 13, 2018, while in the line of duty. Commander Bauer had a remarkable career with the Chicago Police Department and will be remembered by his colleagues as a model police officer. Commander Bauer made the ultimate sacrifice while protecting our city and its people, and I am thankful for all of his years of service. He leaves behind his wife, Erin, of 16 years and his 13-year- old daughter, Grace. May his service, sacrifice, and kind spirit serve as an inspiration to us all.
GUN VIOLENCE
Marcia L. Fudge (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2018-2-27

I rise today to urge my colleagues to find the courage to take action and eradicate gun violence in America. prgtoken While our children and families demand a vote on commonsense legislation to keep our communities safe, my colleagues continue to turn their backs. prgtoken Since the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary, the House has observed 42 moments of silence--tonight makes 43--to honor victims of gun violence, but no meaningful action has been taken to strengthen our gun laws. After every mass shooting we offer our thoughts and prayers to the victims, their families, and first responders. Our thoughts and prayers are not enough. A moment of silence is not enough. prgtoken In the past decade, more than one million Americans have been shot. Every day, on average at least 35 Americans are killed with a gun and nearly 33,000 die each year from gun-related violence. prgtoken In my home state of Ohio, someone is killed with a gun every eight hours. This is unacceptable. There are no moments of silence on prgtoken the House Floor for these victims, and Congress is doing nothing to protect the next victim. prgtoken The White House and the National Rifle Association claim mental illness is to blame for this latest tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, and that arming teachers will keep our children safe. s cannot claim that mental illness is to blame, when they simultaneously cut funding for mental health treatment, undermine American's health insurance, and strip schools of resources needed to employ guidance counselors, social workers and/or more teachers to reduce class sizes and give students more individual attention. prgtoken The NRA claims any sensible action to strengthen our gun laws is an attack on the 2nd Amendment and the rights of gun owners. Nothing could be further from the truth. and s must work together on meaningful reform to keep guns out of the hands of criminals, domestic abusers, and individuals in crisis. prgtoken Recent polls show that 97 percent of gun owners approve of background checks for all gun purchases, including those made at gun shows and through private sales. According to the Pew Research Center, 33 percent of gun owners oppose the NRA's prescription to make schools safer by arming teachers. prgtoken As I've said before, all citizens have a right to basic safety and life itself. Our families should not fear the possible massacre of their children in school or on playgrounds. Everyone should be able to go to a concert or place of worship and not confront a shooter armed with high capacity ammunition magazines and a weapon of mass destruction. It is up to all of us to protect our communities, schools, workplaces, and places of worship from senseless gun violence. prgtoken I have been encouraged by the courageous young people speaking out and taking action to effect change. I hope my colleagues are listen
ASHLYNEE MIKE AMBER ALERT IN INDIAN COUNTRY ACT
Norma J. Torres (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2018-2-27

I rise tocommend the United States Congress for taking the right step forward in helping combat the high numbers of children abduction and crime rates in Indian Country. prgtoken As a former 911 operator, I know that the AMBER Alert program has led to the rescue of countless lives across the United States--but until now, access to this critical tool has been limited for our tribal communities. prgtoken , the passage of this bill will give tribes across the United States the ability to respond quickly to child abductions and help ensure the public safety of their citizens. These precious young lives are no less valuable than any others and they deserve to be protected. prgtoken Last November, I introduced Savanna's Act as a result of the disturbing increase in murdered and missing Native American women and girls. My bill is named in honor of Savanna LaFontaine-Greywind, a 22- year-old pregnant member of the Spirit Lake Tribe who was tragically murdered. prgtoken While I am hopeful that the institution of an AMBER alert program will help bring some much needed relief to this issue, we must do more to address the gap of information sharing between tribal, local, and federal law enforcement agencies. My bill aims to do just that. prgtoken Let's keep the momentum going and finally bring full justice to our Native American neighbors.
OPERATIONAL RISK CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS FOR BANKING ORGANIZATIONS
Joyce Beatty (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2018-2-27

I thank the ranking member for yielding me this time. prgtoken Maybe I should try to right that wrong analogy that our chairman thought; but maybe if I take his analogy that it is not based on the house I sold but it is based on the house I am living in, well, what is the difference? prgtoken If I went to the bank and wanted to put my house up for collateral but I hadn't paid the payment on it in 4 months and it was getting ready to be foreclosed on, I think they would want to know that. And that would be maybe a better analogy on it, because what we are trying to say to the people who are out there watching and listening to this: You cannot let our larger banks put us at risk, what we know also happened in 2008. prgtoken So that was the point I was making. So let's say the analogies don't work so we don't have to go back and forth. Let me just say that I am voting ``no'' on this because I don't want to blindfold or tie the hands of the regulators' being able to do their jobs.
HONORING DEMI WASHINGTON
Bennie G. Thompson (Democrat, MS) \u2014 2018-2-27

I rise today to honor a remarkable young lady, Ms. Demi Washington of Clinton, MS. prgtoken Demi Washington is a senior at Clinton High School, where she currently holds the title of Miss Clinton High School and has a 3.5 GPA. prgtoken Demi is a very athletic and competitive young lady and was recently awarded a full scholarship to the University of Alabama (Roll Tide), beginning Fall '17. Throughout her years she has been awarded several awards: 2014 Gatorade Athlete of the Year; No. 1 Sprinter in the State of MS, since 8th grade; and the 1st female to win the State championship in the 8th grade. In April of 2017, Demi finished first in three events: 100 M Dash with a time of 11.85; the 200 M Dash with a time of 24.10; and set a new PR in the long jump with a mark of 17-1 at the MHSAA Division 4-6A meet. Her coach stated that, she is looking forward to winning the 100m and 200m dashes at the state meet this year to end her high school year on top. prgtoken , I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing and congratulating Ms. Demi Washington for such a job well done throughout her athletic path in and throughout Clinton, MS.
ALLOW STATES AND VICTIMS TO FIGHT ONLINE SEX TRAFFICKING ACT OF 2017
Bob Goodlatte (Republican, VA) \u2014 2018-2-27

I rise in strong support of H.R. 1865, the Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act of 2017, and urge my colleagues to do the same. prgtoken This legislation will finally make a meaningful difference in combating online sex trafficking. For too long, bad actor websites have operated with impunity in selling young women and girls forced into the commercial sale of sex. They have, beyond any shadow of a doubt, profited off the misery of others. They have convinced courts to misapply the Communications Decency Act, a Federal law that was originally intended to encourage websites to police content and rid platforms of illegal content. They have misused the Communications Decency Act as a shield to avoid criminal liability in State courts. prgtoken Given the number of local websites that are deliberately selling women and children for sex, we must now take steps to allow Federal, State, and local prosecutors to hold these websites accountable and dismantle these illicit, heinous online markets. prgtoken H.R. 1865 will ensure vigorous criminal enforcement against bad actor websites by creating a new Federal law to prosecute these sites and explicitly permitting States the ability to enforce comparable laws. prgtoken While the Federal code does not criminalize the knowing advertisement of sex trafficking, this statute is, unfortunately, of limited utility. Nearly all websites responsible for rampant sex trafficking advertisements host ads that rarely, if ever, state that the victim being sold is either underage or subject to force, fraud, or coercion. prgtoken Therefore, this bill takes measures to target websites that are deliberately promoting and facilitating prostitution. prgtoken Additionally, H.R. 1865 provides for an aggravated violation that applies to websites that promote prostitution in reckless disregard of the fact that sex trafficking is occurring on their platform. prgtoken I want to highlight, , an amendment that will be offered to this legislation. Though I applaud my colleague's dedication to this issue and fully appreciate the suffering of victims, I have concerns about this amendment which states that the provisions of the bill apply regardless of whether the conduct alleged occurred or is alleged to have occurred before, on, or after such date of enactment. prgtoken Had regular order been followed, , the Judiciary Committee would certainly have fixed this issue, which I believe could subject this legislation to a constitutional challenge under the ex post facto clause, a concern shared by the Justice Department. prgtoken I hope we have an opportunity to fix this problem as we move forward with the bill, and I include in the Record a prgtoken letter from the Department of Justice highlighting these constitutional concerns. Office of Legislative Affairs, U.S. Department of Just
THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF REVEREND BILLY GRAHAM
Robert Pittenger (Republican, NC) \u2014 2018-2-27

I thank Mr. Hultgren for assembling this great group together. We treasure this opportunity to honor Dr. Billy Graham. Each of us has a special memory of Billy Graham. prgtoken I can recall having graduated from college, my first job was with Campus Crusade for Christ. I lived in Dallas, Texas, to prepare for a big meeting, a convocation that brought 84,000 young people. I was asked in 1971 if I would like to caddy for Billy Graham. He was playing in the Byron Nelson Golf Classic with Arnold Palmer, Bob Hope, and Byron Nelson. I can assure you we chased golf balls all over the golf course. It was a great occasion. prgtoken But what I saw as a young believer in Christ--I had come to Christ in my senior year in college--I saw a man who looked you in the eye. He didn't look at his watch. He cared about people. Billy Graham didn't walk over people to reach the world. He understood the prgtoken importance of every person before God. I think that is why his ministry and his mission was so outstanding with Presidents, kings, or cab drivers, whoever it might be, the millions of people who came to Christ because of him. prgtoken On this meeting that we planned in Dallas, 250,000 people came to downtown Dallas. They heard Billy Graham and Johnny Cash. It was a great assembly. But through my years, the next decade, working for Dr. Bright with Campus Crusade, I had the occasion to be around Dr. Graham on many occasions. prgtoken On one such occasion, I picked him up at the airport in 1975 here in Washington and was taking him back to the hotel. He said to Dr. Bright: the next challenge we have in the world today is terrorism. He said that this group who doesn't honor God and they don't honor Christ are going to be the force we deal with. prgtoken How remarkable that it was Billy Graham who helped heal our Nation after 9/11 as he spoke to that National Cathedral to bring the message of hope in God. prgtoken Yes, I went with Billy to his crusades in Cleveland, Dallas, and Charlotte. In fact, the first time he ever brought together young people, he had a Friday night big crusade for young people. They came out by the tens of thousands. Michael W. Smith played, Jars of Clay, and D.C. Talk. prgtoken Billy could reach anybody because he was real and he was personable. They understood him. His message was clear--so simple--that God loves us, He has a plan for our life, and Jesus Christ is the means to that plan. He died on the cross for our sin, that we could receive Christ, know Him, and know eternal life. prgtoken He gave that message all over the world. I have met people in Romania, Czech Republic, and the former Soviet Union--now Russia--all over the world who met Christ because Billy Graham came, and he took the gospel to them. prgtoken Probably in my funniest moment to have a conversation with him was with Franklin, his son. Now, Franklin will charge hell with a water gun. Franklin will go anywhere. He was headed to Moscow.
OPERATIONAL RISK CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS FOR BANKING ORGANIZATIONS
Jeb Hensarling (Republican, TX) \u2014 2018-2-27

30 seconds. prgtoken As I listen to my colleague from Ohio, she uses the complete wrong analogies. What happens is we don't pay our home insurance premiums on the home we sold; we pay it on the home we own. prgtoken If you lived in a swamp and then you moved to a mountaintop in Colorado, you pay different insurance premiums; and if you cease to be a skydiver and you become an accountant, maybe you pay different life insurance premiums. This has to do with your risk profile today, not yesterday. prgtoken , I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Stivers), a member of the Financial Services Committee.