mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
HONORING IRWIN STOVROFF
Theodore E. Deutch (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2018-1-19

I rise today to honor the life and legacy of a great Floridian, Irwin Stovroff, who passed away peacefully this week at the age of 95. prgtoken Born in Buffalo, N.Y Irwin served in World War II as the 2nd Lieutenant in the 506th Squadron, 44th Bomb Group. He was captured by the Germans as a Jewish prisoner of war at Stalag Luft 1 and later received the Purple Heart for his courageous service. prgtoken Mr. Stovroff's dedication to veterans was the focus of his life. He founded Vets Helping Heroes, a nonprofit group to help veterans in need of service dogs, and it is through his efforts that the NDAA of 2010 included language from the Wounded Warrior K-9 Corps Act. Mr. Stovroff also volunteered as a National Service Officer for ex-POWs at the Palm Beach VA hospital. His selfless service to others embodied the commitment to national service that distinguishes the Greatest Generation. prgtoken , I am truly honored to have known Irwin. He and his dog Cash were frequent and welcome visitors to my office, when Irwin and I would discuss ways our community could better serve our veterans. prgtoken Mr. Stovroff was an American hero. I extend my heartfelt condolences to Doris, the rest of Irwin's family, his many dear friends, and all those who were touched by his kindness, compassion and dedication to our veterans. prgtoken , I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Mr. Stovroff's life and the lives of all veterans. Our nation is better because of Mr. Stovroff's service.
FEDERAL REGISTER PRINTING SAVINGS ACT OF 2017
Robert Menendez (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2018-1-19

I come to the floor on the verge of what could be a government shutdown. prgtoken I have listened to my colleagues throughout the day suggest-- particularly on the other side of the aisle--that this is only about Dreamers. Dreamers should be able to realize their dream. I have been as passionate as anyone about believing that these young people, who only know one flag, the flag of the United States, its stars and stripes; who only sing one national anthem, the Star-Spangled Banner; and who only know one country, the United States of America, have, and should have, the opportunity to ultimately realize their dream. They responded to the Federal Government's requests that they come forward, register themselves, give us all types of information, trust us, and they did. Now the government must respond to them, but what is going on here is beyond Dreamers. prgtoken This is the Federal Government hurtling from short-term funding resolution to short-term funding resolution instead of having the appropriate appropriations pass when they were due last October--last October--instead of working to pass the necessary appropriations to keep the government not just operating but to do it efficiently, on an annual basis, so our institutions can appropriately plan and so we can save money instead of spending more money because of what it costs for short-term preparations. prgtoken Our colleagues were busy, yes, but they were busy in October and November and December not preparing for the government's needs but to have a drive in ecstasy toward tax cuts for the wealthiest people in the country and large corporations on the backs of middle class and working families. That is what they spent their time on. Then they come and say: Oh, but it is urgent that we do this now. You had months in which you did nothing--nothing. prgtoken Now, I must say to my friends--and I have heard many of them who are budget hawks and deficits hawks--this is no way to run a government, much less the greatest country on the face of the Earth. Who wants to dictate to countries about being responsible, when we want to give them assistance or we are trying to get them to do trade things, and this is the image we send to the world? prgtoken Now, only in Washington--I have been here a while. Only in Washington could s, who control the House of Representatives, the U.S. Senate, and the President of the United States at the White House, try to blame a ic minority for their failure to govern. Let's be clear why we are here today. Instead of providing our military, our first responders, our healthcare centers, and all of our Federal agencies with the long-term funding they need to efficiently and effectively serve the American people, Senate s want to pass yet another--another--another stop-gap, woefully insufficient, short- term continuing resolution. prgtoken In fairness, I tried to give my co
RECOGNIZING McCLYMONDS HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL TEAM
Barbara Lee (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2018-1-19

. Madam , I rise today to recognize the remarkable accomplishment of the McClymonds High School football team located in my congressional district. prgtoken McClymonds High School capped off a 14-0 season on December 10, 2017, with its second consecutive 5AA championship, after defeating Visalia's Golden West 42-12. prgtoken By winning two State championships in consecutive years, McClymonds became the first team in the Oakland Athletic League to achieve this impressive feat. prgtoken Now, McClymonds High School is a historic public high school in the West Oakland community of my district, with a strong history of athletic excellence. NBA legend Bill Russell and Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Frank Robinson have graced the halls of McClymonds High School. prgtoken Coach Michael Peters has carried forth the same tradition of excellence since 1992 and has continuously worked to ensure that his athletes succeed on the field but, most importantly, succeed in the classroom. prgtoken These young athletes represent the spirit, the resilience, and the passion of Oakland. Please join me in congratulating their historic championship win.
WELCOMING RABBI MARA NATHAN
Joaquin Castro (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2018-1-19

I rise to recognize our congressional prayer leader today, Rabbi Mara Nathan, and thank her for being here. prgtoken Rabbi Nathan began her tenure at Temple Beth-El in San Antonio in July 2014, where she was the first woman to serve as senior rabbi of a major congregation in the State of Texas. prgtoken At Temple Beth-El, Rabbi Nathan spent her time contributing to her congregation through community building, worship innovation, and teaching Torah to learners of all ages. prgtoken Prior to being ordained in 2000 by the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in New York, she received a bachelor of arts degree in history as well as certificates in Jewish studies and women's studies from Northwestern University in 1993. prgtoken During her studies, she was a recipient of the Steinhardt Fellowship, a scholarship awarded to rabbinical students to further informal education with teens and college-age students, and received academic awards for Hebrew, history, and Talmudic studies. prgtoken Before coming to San Antonio, Rabbi Nathan served almost 20 years at Larchmont Temple in New York, from 1994 to 2014, playing an instrumental role in all aspects of congregational life, including spiritual worship, ritual, and teaching. prgtoken We are happy to have Rabbi Nathan; her husband, Larry; and their children, Isaac, Solomon, and Miriam, in the San Antonio community. prgtoken Thank you, Rabbi, for your words of inspiration.
FEDERAL REGISTER PRINTING SAVINGS ACT OF 2017
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2018-1-19

let's look at the reality of what we face at this moment in this country in this Chamber. The s are in majority control of the Senate. The s are in majority control of the House of Representatives. The s are in control of the White House. The s, through their appointees, have a pretty decisive edge when it comes to the U.S. Supreme Court. In other words, when you look across the spectrum of the three branches of government, the s are in control. prgtoken What are they offering us? The fourth CR. Now, CR is Washington talk. It is a continuing resolution. What does it mean? It means that the majority has failed in 119 days to produce a budget for the United States of America. The majority in the House and Senate--with their President--has failed to come up with a blueprint for spending for this great Nation that we serve and are proud to be part of. prgtoken Their fourth failure to produce a budget in this fiscal year, which began October 1, is before us now. Was it negotiated between the s and ? No. It was produced in the House of Representatives and with the Senate. It was passed there by the s and a handful of who supported it, and it was sent over here on a take-it-or-leave-it basis. prgtoken Well, you say, at least we are going to keep the lights on. And that is all a continuing resolution does--keeps the lights on. It doesn't allow agencies to make important decisions that invest taxpayers' dollars wisely and save taxpayers' dollars. prgtoken Last night, the Department of Defense reported to us. They are sick and tired of the continuing resolutions that they have faced for 3 years--note that I said 3 years--because we have failed, even on the ic side, to come up with appropriations and budgets in the past. So I am being very honest about it. prgtoken If we are going to change this mentality of never producing a budget, never producing appropriations bills--kind of stumbling into the fiscal year for month after weary month--if that is the new norm around here, shame on us. And shame on the majority party, the s, for saying that is the best they can do. We can do better. prgtoken We need to get beyond this world of continuing resolutions, and we need to get into a world where we actually make a decision that is good for the taxpayers, as well as the security of the United States of America. The best the leader in the Senate can offer us is another bandaid, another 4 weeks of temporary funding--a wasteful gesture, a wasteful exercise, and he knows it. prgtoken There is more to this issue. Senator McConnell brings it up regularly. Last night he did and again today. He glories in saying that this is all about illegal immigrants. Let's be honest about what we are talking about here. We are talking about those who were protected and allowed to live in the Uni
FEDERAL REGISTER PRINTING SAVINGS ACT OF 2017
Robert P. Casey, Jr. (Democrat, PA) \u2014 2018-1-19

I rise to talk about some of the issues we are facing as we approach a deadline tonight, but I really wanted to start with one observation about where we are and where we could be in the next couple of days. prgtoken Some of the debate is focused on simply what could happen at midnight were there to be a shutdown of the Federal Government, but there is another alternative, of course, and that is--well, two, really: to have an agreement that would carry forward before the deadline. That is, in my judgment, less likely to happen. I don't think anybody believes that would happen, necessarily, but the other option, of course, is to have a number of days ahead of us--3 days, 4 days, whatever the leadership on the two sides can agree to--to continue negotiations because, of course, we have a range of issues. Sometimes we haven't talked enough about the long list of issues. I will get into a few tonight, but there is a rather long list of issues, some of which have already been the subject of not just consensus but a bipartisan piece of legislation, actual bill text that has been introduced or could be introduced in short order, in the next few days or even the next couple of hours. prgtoken Then there are other issues where there have been ongoing issues for a long period of time, haven't reached consensus, but if we all give ourselves a deadline and stay here--and I hope people in both parties will stay for the next few days no matter what happens tonight. If there is an extension of 3 or 4 days, that doesn't make it any less challenging because that just means there will be a short-term deadline. I don't think it makes any sense to go another month because the can, in essence, will be kicked down the road again. prgtoken We need to make decisions about some big issues. There are some who have observed that even if you were in favor of the measure that came over from the House last night, which I have real trouble with--a lot of gaping holes in that proposal, a lot of urgent matters for many Americans that have not been addressed in that proposal--but even if you favor that, you can also still hold the position you don't favor continuing resolution after continuing resolution. I guess we are on our fourth resolution, if we have the right count, since October 1--not that long ago. prgtoken So that is at least my sense of where we could be in the next couple of days: not leaving Washington and staying at the negotiating table on a range of issues. That is the reasonable thing to do, not only to keep the government operating and open but also to finally resolve some major issues, which I think most of both parties want to solve. prgtoken Let me start tonight with some personal letters. One of the major issues which is not resolved, but there has been a lot of effort made which is bipartisan, is the issue of pensions. I have received letters from a lot of Pennsylvanians who say: Look, it is up to you
FEDERAL REGISTER PRINTING SAVINGS ACT OF 2017
Tim Kaine (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2018-1-19

I rise to talk about why we are here, but I will just begin with a definitive statement: There is not one of the 49 in this Chamber who wants the government to shut down. And I will conclude with this, but I will just state that if the government of the United States shuts down, it is for one reason and one reason only, and that is that the majority leadership does not want to work weekends. I will come back to that in a minute. prgtoken Why are we here? We are here debating on a House continuing resolution drafted without ic support or consultation at the eleventh hour and sent over to us on the last day of a spending authorization period. prgtoken Most folks in the Chamber know--but those watching on television may not--we were supposed to have a budget and an appropriations bill by October 1. That did not happen. So the leadership suggested that we agree to work and find an appropriations bill and a budget by December 8. That didn't happen. Then there was the suggestion that we delay until December 22, and that didn't happen. Then there was a vote on December 22 to delay until January 19--today. Apparently, that is not going to happen. prgtoken The request today is that we pass a continuing resolution that would put this matter to the 16th of February, and we would then be in the fifth month of the fiscal year without a budget deal. Why would we want to do that? What we should want to do is not budget by continuing resolution, but actually do a budget deal. prgtoken For folks who aren't schooled in the insider phrases we use, a continuing resolution is like driving your car looking in the rearview mirror. We ought to be driving our car looking through the windshield-- look forward with a budget that looks forward--but a continuing resolution is: Well, we are unwilling or unable to make a decision, so let's just do what we did yesterday. That is no way to operate the government of the greatest country on Earth. prgtoken What we need to be about is finding a final budget deal. What is wrong with continuing resolutions? I think a pivotal moment in this discussion--as we are sort of looking at how it has developed--occurred about 8 days ago. I am on the Armed Services Committee. I am the father of a U.S. Marine. The Secretary of Defense, General Mattis, came to talk to both the ic caucus and the caucus lunches. prgtoken I don't know what he said to the lunch, but I know what he said to us. The Secretary looked us in the eye--this was, I think, on January 8--and said: Do not give me another continuing resolution. The pattern of continuing resolutions has hurt the Nation's defense. Do not give me another continuing resolution. prgtoken When the Secretary of Defense looks at us and tells us that, I take that seriously. prgtoken Yesterday, we had an Armed Services hearing, and four administration nominees for key positions dealing with research, ac
FEDERAL REGISTER PRINTING SAVINGS ACT OF 2017--Continued
Jon Tester (Democrat, MT) \u2014 2018-1-19

I had the feeling at one point in time tonight that we were very, very close to an agreement. I think, as we look around this body, we see folks on both sides of the aisle who want to come to an agreement and will work hard for an agreement. prgtoken It is a fact that we need a better budget. We need a budget that works for America. We need a budget that goes to the end of the fiscal year, which isn't that long from now, by the way--only the end of September. It is a fact that we need CHIP funding and money for our community health centers, certainly for our military, and money for the northern and southern borders and for opioids and the list goes on. prgtoken The majority leader has said that they have been working on a budget settlement for weeks. I think most of us, if not all of us, are willing to stay here and work until this work gets done. I am certainly willing to. prgtoken This is supposed to be the most deliberative body in the world. I know that some will say there is just not enough time, but there is. I have watched this body work very quickly when necessary. I think a government shutdown would require that. prgtoken We have pushed this budget off now for 112 days. That is why I am proposing a 3-day continuing resolution so we can work together to come to a conclusion to do what the American people want; that is, have a budget that works until the end of the fiscal year that funds critical programs for our military and domestic. prgtoken , I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 36, H.R. 1301; that the amendment at the desk that would provide for a continuing resolution to fund the government through Monday, January 22, 2018, be considered and agreed to, the bill, as amended, be considered read a third time and passed, and the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate.
HONORING DR. GERALD BROWN
Jimmy Panetta (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2018-1-19

I rise today to congratulate Dr. Gerald Brown on his retirement after forty-four years of distinguished service to his country and community as a Professor of Operations Research at the Naval Postgraduate School, located in my district on the central coast of California. Throughout his long and distinguished career, Dr. Brown has demonstrated deep commitment to our nation and its values. After receiving his M.B.A. in Quantitative Methods from California State University, Fullerton in 1969, he went on to complete a Ph.D. in Mathematical Methods at the University of California, Los Angeles in 1974. While working on his doctorate, he concurrently completed Naval Officer Candidate School, graduating with the rank of Ensign in 1973. After his education and training, Dr. Brown began to work as an Assistant Professor of Operations Research at the Naval Postgraduate School. He has committed his entire teaching career to training the next generation of our nation's naval officers at the Naval Postgraduate School, earning countless awards and accolades that reflect his dedication. Over the past forty-four years, Dr. Brown has taught the principles of operations research and computer science to thousands of officers from the U.S. military and allied nations. Former students include astronauts, Admirals, and even former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Michael Mullen. The accolades earned by Dr. Brown include the Navy Distinguished Civilian Service Medal, the highest honor that the Secretary of the Navy can bestow upon a civilian who demonstrates extraordinary service in their post. Dr. Brown also has three patents under his name owned by the federal government, and was the first professor from the Naval Postgraduate School to be accepted into the National Academy of Sciences. Dr. Gerald Brown's devotion to his work and impressive accomplishments will be remembered by all who have worked with him at the Naval Postgraduate School, and the work of his students will serve as an enduring legacy. I ask my colleagues to join me in commemorating Dr. Brown's body of work, and congratulating him on a well-earned retirement.
FEDERAL REGISTER PRINTING SAVINGS ACT OF 2017--Continued
Claire McCaskill (Democrat, MO) \u2014 2018-1-19

this shouldn't take very long. prgtoken I was most disappointed tonight when the President of the United States put out a statement that tried to divide us based on party when it came to support of our military. There is no such division. Everyone in this Chamber knows it. So, as we have in other instances where we have had a shutdown--I remember, in 2013, we did this right off the bat. I want to make sure that tonight we send a very clear signal that we don't want one moment to pass with there being any uncertainty that any soldier anywhere in the world will be paid for the valiant work they do on behalf of our national security. prgtoken , I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 36, H.R. 1301; that the amendment at the desk, providing for continuing appropriations for pay and death benefits for members of the Armed Services, be considered and agreed to, the bill, as amended, be considered read a third time and passed, and the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate.