mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 6157, DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019
Debbie Wasserman Schultz (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2018-9-26

I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. prgtoken I, too, join my colleagues in commending Ranking Member Lowey and Chairman Frelinghuysen for their stewardship of the appropriations process in the House. We are moving in the right direction. We have partial regular order, and, hopefully, with every passing fiscal year, it will get better and better. But, truly, it is an accomplishment. prgtoken I also want to commend Subcommittee Chairwoman Granger and Ranking Member Visclosky for producing a Defense Appropriations bill that provides the resources necessary for our armed services to perform the critical role of securing our Nation. prgtoken Additionally, I thank Subcommittee Ranking Member DeLauro and Chairman Cole, my dear friends, for their hard work on the Labor-Health and Human Services-Education funding bill. prgtoken The bill before us funds both the assets our armed services need and invests in our servicemembers. It provides for a much-needed 2.6 percent increase in military pay. prgtoken The bill also includes over $1.4 billion for congressionally directed medical research programs, including $130 million for breast cancer research, a personal issue to me. prgtoken I am proud to say this bill retains my language protecting access to lifesaving mammograms, particularly for women between 40 and 50 years old, and provides $5 million for my ongoing initiative, the Breast Cancer Education and Awareness Requires Learning Young Act, or the EARLY Act, which will continue to help increase the quality and quantity of life for young women with breast cancer. prgtoken The bill increases funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention by $125 million and funds programs that fight the spread of the Zika virus, as well as combats the use of tobacco. prgtoken It also provides vital funding that will benefit seniors, and it includes $5 million to help Holocaust survivors and their families. prgtoken , I represent one of the largest Holocaust survivor populations in the United States, and with every passing day, they are getting extremely elderly, and we are losing more and more of them each and every day. Honoring them and allowing them to live with dignity in the last years of their lives is critical. prgtoken I would be remiss if I didn't mention that this bill will help us shine a light on an inhumane family separation policy perpetrated by this administration. This legislation--and I very much appreciate this--includes my amendment to allow Members of Congress immediate access to immigration detention centers. We must remain committed to seeking justice for families that have been needlessly torn apart at our borders. prgtoken The administration, actually, repeatedly stopped Members of Congress from being able to immediately access these detention centers to conduct our proper oversight role, and this amendment, when it is signed into law by the President, will allow us to conduct that oversight as a coequal
ANWAR SADAT CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION ACT
Ruben J. Kihuen (Democrat, NV) \u2014 2018-9-26

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , I rise today in support of H.R. 754, the Anwar Sadat Centennial Celebration Act. prgtoken This legislation gives the highest civilian award bestowed by Congress to the third President of Egypt who served from 1970 until he was assassinated in 1981. Under his leadership, he established lasting peace between Israel and Egypt by expunging previous hostilities towards Israel and being the first Arab leader to recognize Israel as a nation-state. prgtoken Additionally, President Sadat and former Israeli Prime Minister prgtoken Menachem Begin negotiated the peace treaty that came to be known as the Camp David Accords in a series of meetings arranged by then-President Jimmy Carter at Camp David. President Sadat's leadership and commitment to peace provided a resolution of conflict that has endured nearly 40 years after its inception. prgtoken , I urge all Members to support the passage of this bill to honor President Sadat and his commitment to peace and the national security of this country, as well as the stability of the Middle East. prgtoken , .
SOUL OF OUR COUNTRY IS IN JEOPARDY
Steve Cohen (Democrat, TN) \u2014 2018-9-26

the soul of our country is in jeopardy and in question. It couldn't be more directly seen than in the Senate on Thursday with the hearings for Judge Kavanaugh. prgtoken The two most pressing issues that will be heard are the #MeToo movement and respect for women and their safety from sexual assault, and the prgtoken truth and whether or not the truth is something that matters to people anymore or whether it is just spinning lies to get ratings. prgtoken The man who has been nominated to the Supreme Court went on FOX News and said he didn't drink illegally when he was 18 years old. Well, he did. The drinking age was 21. prgtoken The lady who accuses him has passed a lie detector test administered by a former FBI agent and has told more than four or five different people about this incident over the last 6 years, which has been very difficult for her. She should be given respect, and there should be an attempt to find the truth. prgtoken But the third person in that incident has not been subpoenaed by the Senate, because they don't want to know the truth. They fear the truth. They are keeping the truth from the American people, and they are failing in respecting women.
RECOGNIZING THAT ALLOWING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS THE RIGHT TO VOTE DIMINISHES THE VOTING POWER OF UNITED STATES CITIZENS
Jerrold Nadler (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2018-9-26

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , I oppose H. Res. 1071 because it is nothing more than a bald-faced political stunt concocted by the majority in an attempt to stir up its political base ahead of the midterm elections. It also represents just the latest in a long and cynical line of attempts by the majority to denigrate and delegitimize our Nation's immigrant population and to erode public trust in our electoral system, all to bolster short-term political gains. prgtoken Let me start out by saying that I can't imagine someone in a foreign country deciding to emigrate to the United States in order to vote in a school board election. That is just absurd. prgtoken But the resolution also falls short on its own merits. For example, the resolution states that it is ``of paramount importance that the United States maintains the legitimacy of its elections and protects them from interference, including interference from foreign threats.'' prgtoken I agree with the statement as far as it goes, but I question why the resolution makes no mention whatsoever of the greatest foreign threat of electoral interference, namely interference by Russia in an attempt to disrupt our democracy and sow chaos in our political an governmental system. prgtoken It is the consensus view of our Nation's intelligence community that Russia interfered in the 2016 Presidential election in order to help become President. Indeed, senior administration officials warned just last month that Russia's attempts to interfere in our electoral system are ongoing and threaten the integrity of both the upcoming midyear elections and the 2020 Presidential election. prgtoken At a minimum, the resolution should call attention to this fact. Yet, incredibly, the resolution makes absolutely no mention of it. prgtoken The resolution also disrespects States' rights, failing to mention that the Constitution allows States and localities to permit noncitizen voting in local elections, a practice that dates to the earliest days of the Republic. For example, New York City permitted noncitizen voting in local school board elections until elections in local school boards were done away with in New York City about 20 years ago. prgtoken Indeed, an earlier version of the resolution's text, obtained by the far-right Breitbart website, included the whereas clause acknowledging these facts stating: ``Whereas, the Constitution allows States and localities to grant noncitizens the right to vote in non-Federal elections.'' prgtoken Yet perhaps recognizing that this was something of an admission against interest, the introduced version does not include this clause. prgtoken The fact of the matter is that local governments have permitted noncitizen voting in various local elections, school board elections, and so forth, through the entire history of the Republic. So why suddenly do we have this expression of terrible concern? prgtoken The resolution a
9/11 HEROES MEDAL OF VALOR ACT OF 2017
Joseph Crowley (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2018-9-26

I thank the gentleman for yielding this time. prgtoken I want to thank Chairman Hensarling and Ranking Member Waters and all the members of the Financial Services Committee for working with me to pass this important legislation. It is something I began work on early in my tenure here in Congress, and it is important to me and to my fellow New Yorkers and, I think, our fellow Americans, as well, to see this legislation pass today. prgtoken , on September 11, 2001, our Nation was rocked by the most vicious terrorist attack in our Nation's history. The devastation and the loss of life shook the American people to their core. It shook the entire world. prgtoken But that morning, we also witnessed the bright light of heroism. The world saw and heard inspiring tales of rescue by public safety officers: our police officers, our firefighters, and our EMTs. They heard heartbreaking stories of many of those heroes, their injuries and their tragic deaths, people who risked their lives to save others. prgtoken There is something incredible about our public safety officers. Day in and day out, they put their lives on the line. prgtoken Growing up, most of us were taught to run out of burning buildings, but they do exactly the opposite. They are trained and they are devoted to responding to just that type of situation. They run into those buildings not to protect themselves or even the property, but primarily to save lives. prgtoken That is exactly what hundreds of first responders did on that fateful day in America. They ran in without pause. They climbed flights and flights of stairs, while an inferno raged above them. And as we remember all too well--the images are burned in our minds forever-- those towers eventually fell, taking just about all who were living inside those towers with them. prgtoken This experience affected all of us, and it still affects us all today. It personally impacted thousands of people in New York and in the New York region, I would say the quad-State region and beyond. It affected people right here in our capital region and our Pentagon. It certainly affected the people in Pennsylvania and in Boston, and wherever those flights were heading that day. prgtoken It was a national attack against America. Every soul in America experienced that attack. And it impacted me, personally, as well, because my dear, good friend and first cousin, Battalion Chief John Moran, was one of those brave public safety officers inside the towers that morning. His last known words were as his truck pulled up to Tower 2. He said: ``Let me off here. I'm going to try to make a difference.'' prgtoken That is what all those who served that day tried to do: they tried to make a difference. prgtoken So, for me, as for thousands of Americans, the effort to honor these men and women is personal. After the attacks took place, I began working on legislation to do just that. prgtoken Earlier in 2001, just a few months before the att
Las Vegas Mass Shooting (Executive Calendar)
Dean Heller (Republican, NV) \u2014 2018-9-26

while it has been nearly a year since a madman's actions devastated Las Vegas, the shock and pain related to October 1 still remains today. prgtoken Fifty-eight innocent people lost their lives. Over 800 people were injured, and many of them continue to face a long road to physical and emotional recovery. Know that you are not alone on that road--we support you and we are praying for you. prgtoken Our community is still grieving, and it will never be the same, but hatred and fear will not win that night. That is because even though one man's horrific actions exposed humanity at its worst, what followed were countless stories of true heroism and humanity at its very best. prgtoken Las Vegas showed the world what it meant to be Vegas Strong, and I had the honor of experiencing it firsthand in the eyes and voices of those who survived and those who were eager to help others. On that tragic night, so many ordinary Nevadans made the choice to be extraordinary. Let me give you a couple examples. prgtoken They stayed on the field to help the wounded as shots continued to rain down. They took their shirts off their backs, used their belts as tourniquets, applied pressure to help stop a stranger from bleeding to death. Some made stretchers on the spot using the festival barriers. Some used their trucks and vehicles to transport the wounded to the hospital. For example, Taylor Winston, a marine and Iraq war veteran, managed to escape the gunfire. He helped several people over the fence when they took cover. Then he found an abandoned vehicle, turned it into a makeshift ambulance. After rushing multiple people to the hospital, he turned around and went back. He ultimately drove around 30 injured people to the hospital. prgtoken That night, police officers also covered concertgoers, shielded them from gunfire, and directed them to safety. Firefighters, paramedics, ambulance drivers, who had never encountered anything as horrific as that carnage of October 1, plunged into danger to save lives without hesitation, even though they were defenseless, because that is what they do. prgtoken That week I had the privilege of meeting a Las Vegas police officer, Sergeant Jonathan Riddle. He was stationed a block from the shooting scene doing traffic control. After shots were fired from Mandalay Bay, he took off sprinting toward the hotel, even though everyone else was running away from it. prgtoken Dozens of Metro police officers, including Officer Tyler Peterson, who was on his second day of the job, did the exact same thing. They rushed toward the firestorm to help in any way they could and of course to save lives. prgtoken When I visited the local hospitals, I was struck by the stories doctors and nurses shared about concertgoers who prgtoken responded bravely and admirably; stories about people who reacted to cowardly violence, stood in the face of danger to protect a neighbor, a friend, a family member, or someone
IMPROVING STRATEGIES TO COUNTER WEAPONS PROLIFERATION ACT
Scott R. Tipton (Republican, CO) \u2014 2018-9-26

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , I appreciate the consideration of this important measure on the floor here today. The work of the Terrorism and Illicit Finance Subcommittee on Financial Services has uncovered time and again that the activities of terrorists and criminal organizations are powered through financing and that illicit operations cannot continue if the revenue streams that fund those operations are shut off. prgtoken The measure before the House today would provide greater clarity into how exactly the global financial system can cut off financial schemes that enable access to illicit nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons. prgtoken H.R. 6332, the Improving Strategies to Counter Weapons Proliferation Act, would study how our financial institutions, intelligence collecting agencies, and law enforcement share information regarding known weapons financing activities to better identify weapons financing schemes. prgtoken To effectively prevent the spread of dangerous weapons into the hands of bad actors like terrorists, we must close the gaps that allow those bad actors to take advantage of the global financial system. The ever- increasing number of threats posed by foreign adversaries and dangerous organizations make it all the more important to close those gaps now. By helping financial institutions and law enforcement better identify the signs of illicit proliferation financing through this bill, these institutions will be able to maximize the effectiveness of their information and more easily coordinate strategies that disrupt and ultimately prevent dangerous crime. prgtoken In the United States, we have robust protections in place to be able to prevent financing of weapons proliferation involving suspicious activity reports that go to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network and get reported over to law enforcement. By requiring FinCEN to report yearly to Congress on intelligence products it generates from suspicious activity filings on weapons finance transactions as well as how those intelligence products have informed law enforcement action, we can learn the indicators for proliferation finance and move to more effectively combat those illicit financial activities. prgtoken The bill before the House of Representatives today is a good first step in making sure the financial institutions, law enforcement agencies, and Congress have the tools that they need to be able to combat financing for illicit weapons proliferation, and I urge its passage here today. prgtoken , .
TRIBUTE TO MATT MEAD
John Barrasso (Republican, WY) \u2014 2018-9-26

today I wish to share my appreciation for Governor Matt Mead. He will complete his second term as Wyoming's commander in chief this year. It is an honor to recognize his devotion to our servicemen and women. prgtoken Here in Wyoming, we rely on the cowboy code. The Code of the West was adopted as the State's official code of ethics. It reminds us to ``live each day with courage'' and ``be tough, but fair.'' It also reminds us to ``take pride in our work.'' prgtoken Governor Mead can certainly take pride in his role as a champion and advocate for Wyoming's military members and their families. Since 2008, Matt attended 22 deployment ceremonies for members of the Wyoming Air and Army National Guards. In 8 years, exactly 2,235 airmen and soldiers have been deployed to fight the war on terror and protect our Nation. prgtoken Matt knows the importance of supporting our troops, both at home and overseas. He visited deployed troops on six separate occasions to bring words of support and encouragement from home. Similarly, he was on the ground with families and friends at 22 homecoming events, greeting returning men and women with a smile on his face. prgtoken Governor Mead is also dedicated to thanking those who have already served. During his tenure, he attended 53 Veterans Day and welcome home events. These welcome home ceremonies began as a way to honor veterans of the Korean conflict and the Vietnam war who returned home without receiving proper recognition of their service and sacrifice. prgtoken In addition, he signed legislation designating Interstate 25, which runs north to south from Buffalo, Wyoming, to the Colorado border, as the Vietnam Veterans Welcome Home Highway. prgtoken Finally, under his direction, the Wyoming Veterans Commission assisted over 8,000 veterans and family members with problems or requests for information. Matt's determination to provide high-quality care and support to Wyoming's veterans is unparalleled. prgtoken Matt does not stop at honoring veterans and supporting Active-Duty servicemembers. In 2011, he saw a need to recognize those just beginning their service. Now, he regularly hosts enlistment ceremonies for young men and women who commit to joining the Armed Forces. prgtoken At these special events, Governor Mead takes time to share his appreciation for their bravery, patriotism, and desire to serve our Nation. His warm words of inspiration provide reassurance to these young people and their families as they embark on this momentous journey. Since the first ceremony, a total of 3,035 enlistees have been recognized for answering the call of duty. prgtoken Governor Mead is not alone in his efforts to celebrate their selfless sacrifice. He is aided by the Hon. Gary Hartman, who serves as Mead's military and veteran policy analyst. Judge Hartman is a U.S. Air Force veteran who served in Vietnam. Judge Hartman coordinates each ceremony and plays a vital role in ensuring each
CONGRATULATING THE VILLAGE OF BRUSHTON ON ITS 200TH ANNIVERSARY
Elise M. Stefanik (Republican, NY) \u2014 2018-9-26

I rise today to honor and recognize the 200th anniversary of the Village of Brushton. prgtoken The Village of Brushton was first settled in 1818 by a small group of pioneers. In 1835, a landowner named Henry N. Brush purchased several mills that had developed on the Little Salmon River, which he then named Brush's Mills. The community's economy became distinctly agricultural, linked to the rest of the North Country's developing industry through its location on the Rutland Railroad. Brush's son, Henry Corbin Brush, proceeded to build upon his father's legacy and further develop the industrial attributes of the community. In 1877, the village was officially named Brushton and has continued to prosper ever since. prgtoken Currently, the Village of Brushton is part of the Town of Moira in Franklin County. Although small in population, the people of Brushton are very proud of their village's rich heritage and tight-knit community. prgtoken On behalf of New York's 21st District, I want to congratulate the Village of Brushton on its 200th anniversary. I wish all its residents the best as they celebrate this important milestone.
FAA REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2018
Lamar Smith (Republican, TX) \u2014 2018-9-26

I thank Chairman Shuster for yielding, and I congratulate him on successfully advancing a 5-year FAA reauthorization. prgtoken H.R. 302 includes the Science Committee's research and development title, the FLIGHT R&D Act. Title 7 includes our priority that 70 percent of annual FAA research and development funding be for safety research, up from less than 60 percent today. It establishes a new FAA Associate Administrator for Research and Development. prgtoken And it includes the Geospatial Data Act. prgtoken Another provision provides for specified aircraft operations of space support vehicles licensed under the U.S. space code. Another establishes a DOT Office of Spaceports and a national spaceport policy report. prgtoken , I appreciate the chairman's work on this bill. I strongly support it.