mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
TRIBUTE TO BRAYDEN HILTON
John Thune (Republican, SD) \u2014 2019-4-2

today I recognize Brayden Hilton, an intern in my Aberdeen, SD, office, for all of the hard work he has done for me, my staff, and the State of South Dakota over the past several months. prgtoken Brayden is a graduate of Roncalli High School in Aberdeen, SD. Currently, he is attending Northern State University in Aberdeen, where he is majoring in criminal justice. He is a hard worker who has been dedicated to getting the most out of his internship experience. prgtoken I extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to Brayden for all of the fine work he has done and wish him continued success in the years to come.
UVA FINAL FOUR APPEARANCE
Denver Riggleman (Republican, VA) \u2014 2019-4-2

. Madam , I rise today to congratulate the University of Virginia Cavaliers, who advanced to the Final Four of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament last Saturday night. prgtoken Down three points with less than 6 seconds left, the Cavaliers, with what was one of the most exciting plays I have seen--because I am an alum--scored to tie the game and force overtime. This gave them an extra 5 minutes of life, an opportunity they seized, on the way to a historic victory. prgtoken It is as a proud alum that I congratulate Coach Tony Bennett and the team on reaching the program's first Final Four since 1984. A tremendous accomplishment for sure, but there is still business to attend to on the court. prgtoken I also wish the Cavaliers the best of luck this weekend. For sure, I will be here again in short order after they beat Auburn and win the National Championship game. prgtoken Go Hoos, and Wahoowa.
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF S.J. RES. 7, DIRECTING THE REMOVAL OF UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES FROM HOSTILITIES IN THE REPUBLIC OF YEMEN THAT HAVE NOT BEEN AUTHORIZED BY CONGRESS; PROVIDING FOR...
Kevin Brady (Republican, TX) \u2014 2019-4-2

. Madam , I thank Mr. Burgess for his leadership on healthcare in so many ways. prgtoken Madam , embarrassingly designed and hastily written by our ic colleagues, the Affordable Care Act, from day one, has come under legal and public scrutiny, and for obvious reasons. This disastrous healthcare experiment, written behind closed doors and stuffed with special prgtoken interest giveaways, has driven up healthcare costs for millions of working families so high that more Americans eligible for the Affordable Care Act have rejected it than have chosen it. prgtoken Now, as Care's ever-increasing failures continue to find their way into our courts, are asking us to condemn the Justice Department's handling of this process. prgtoken No matter how try to frame this stunt, the left is misleading the American people with this political and partisan move. The continuation, regrettably, of falsehoods that continue to elevate in order to protect this unconstitutional law is really a disservice to the Americans and the patients who hope to have affordable care. We can and must do better as we work to protect patients and lower healthcare costs. prgtoken Madam , the truth is s, creators of the children's healthcare program; creators of part D, the Medicare prescription drugs for seniors; creators of Medicare Advantage, are committed to improving our healthcare system. prgtoken If the Court strikes down the Affordable Care Act, s will act to protect those with preexisting conditions. We will work to make healthcare more affordable, guaranteeing that folks can see local doctors or go to their local hospitals, and we will preserve other important provisions, such as no lifetime limits and allowing kids to stay on their parents' plans till age 26. These are shared priorities that patients and families deserve to have secured. prgtoken If our ic colleagues who drafted this flawed law want to join s, why not start fresh, this time, both parties working together to pass a law that is truly constitutional, that actually lowers costs and that will actually protect patients? We welcome that conversation with open arms. prgtoken So I am proud to join with my colleague, the leader of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Greg Walden, to introduce a resolution that calls for this Congress to work together to do just that, because one thing is crystal clear: s won't let the courts take away preexisting protections or let take away your health plan at work. prgtoken I strongly urge all my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this political stunt so that we can actually start working together toward making our healthcare system more convenient and more affordable for families across this country.
ORDERS FOR WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3, 2019
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2019-4-2

I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 12:30 p.m Wednesday, April 3; further, that following the prayer and pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, morning business be closed, and the Senate proceed to executive session and resume consideration of the Kessler nomination, with the time until 2 p.m. equally divided between the two leaders or their designees; finally, that notwithstanding the provisions of rule XXII, the cloture motions filed during Monday's session of the Senate ripen at 2 p.m. tomorrow.
ARMS SALES NOTIFICATION
James E. Risch (Republican, ID) \u2014 2019-4-2

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 NICOLE MOSBLECH
Marco Rubio (Republican, FL) \u2014 2019-4-2

today I recognize Nicole Mosblech, the Indian River County Teacher of the Year from Vero Beach High School in Vero Beach, FL. prgtoken When named teacher of the year, Nicole noted the amount of support, enthusiasm, encouragement, and love she received from her students and colleagues. prgtoken Nicole has been an AP and Honors-level environmental science and honors chemistry teacher at Vero Beach High School since 2012. She educates students to better serve the planet and is also the sponsor for the Green Team and the Q+ Acceptance Club. Earlier in her career, Nicole took a 5-year hiatus from teaching to earn a doctor of philosophy degree from the Florida Institute of Technology. prgtoken I express my sincere thanks and best wishes to Nicole for her work to educate her students in science. I look forward to learning of her continued success in the years ahead.
Introductory Statement on S. 995
Susan M. Collins (Republican, ME) \u2014 2019-4-2

I rise today to introduce legislation with my colleague from Wisconsin, Senator Baldwin, to reauthorize the Lifespan Respite Care Program. Respite care provides full-time caregivers with the much-needed opportunity to take a temporary break from their responsibilities caring for aging or disabled loved ones. prgtoken Every day, an estimated 43 million family caregivers attend to loved ones who are experiencing chronic, disabling health conditions. While many of these individuals care for an older adult, almost one-third of caregivers attend to persons under the age of 50. Caregivers help their loved ones remain at home, often delaying the need for nursing home or foster care placements. The value of their efforts is tremendous, amounting to more than $470 billion in uncompensated care. prgtoken This compassionate task, however, can take a toll. Caregivers experience higher mortality rates and are more likely to acquire acute and chronic health conditions. Respite care, which provides temporary relief to caregivers from their ongoing responsibilities, helps to reduce mental stress and physical health issues they may experience, keeping caregivers healthy and families intact. Yet, almost 80 percent of America's caregivers have never received any respite services. prgtoken As a senator representing the State with the oldest median age in our Nation and as Chairman of the Senate Aging Committee, the well-being of our seniors and their caregivers is among my top priorities. Since the Lifespan Respite Care Act was enacted in 2006, 37 States and the District of Columbia have received grants to increase the availability and quality of respite services. Still, the need for respite care continues to increase and outpace available resources. prgtoken When I ask family caregivers about their greatest needs, the number one that I hear is respite. The Maine Department of Health and Human Services recognized this urgent need in a report released in December 2018 on children's behavioral health services. The report recommended expanding access to respite care services for families. One Maine mother shared, ``Respite has helped our family because we have been able to take other children to doctors appointments without everyone having to go. My husband and I have been able to have a little time away. I have been able to attend to my own mental health needs.'' From families caring for children with disabilities to those caring for older adults, the need for respite care today continues to grow. prgtoken Our legislation will help to close the resource gap experienced by our nation's caregivers. Specifically, the Lifespan Respite Care Act will authorize robust funding for this program over the five years, through 2024, to assist states in establishing or enhancing statewide Lifespan Respite systems. It would authorize $20 million for fiscal year 2020, with funding increasing by $10 million annually, in order to rea
CONDEMNING THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S LEGAL CAMPAIGN TO TAKE AWAY AMERICANS' HEALTH CARE
Greg Walden (Republican, OR) \u2014 2019-4-2

the balance of my time. prgtoken , in closing, I think we have had a very important debate today. I just wish that that debate had occurred on H.R. 692. This is the legislation that we should put in place in case the decision that the judge made in the Texas case that said Care was unconstitutional is upheld. If that is upheld, then there is going to be this problem, this gap that everybody is talking about. prgtoken This is an honest attempt to make sure there is a safety net for people with preexisting conditions, H.R. 692. You are welcome to cosponsor it. I wish we would move it. I always think maybe it is the old Eagle Scout in me that you are always supposed to be prepared and ready and that you help people. prgtoken I will tell you, s also believed we should take care of people with preexisting conditions. s also supported getting rid of lifetime caps on insurance policies and many of the other things you have heard about today, and we will continue to. prgtoken But we also led the effort to deal with the Nation's opioid crisis, made it prgtoken bipartisan, brought it to the floor, and it became law. prgtoken When seniors couldn't afford their medicines, it was s, under , who put Medicare part D into law, and we had to fight to do that. Then seniors didn't have to go to Mexico or Canada or somewhere to get their drugs anymore. It has been highly successful. The costs are 40 percent or more less than what the Congressional Budget Office said it would be, and premiums have remained low. Now we need to do some modernization there. prgtoken s also passed the longest extension of children's health insurance in the history of the country: 10 years, fully funded. voted against it over and over again on this House floor less than a year ago. prgtoken Community health centers, an incredibly important part of our network, I led the effort to get them funded at the highest levels ever. That funding is going to run out, but we don't have a plan from the yet. We are told we are not even going to have a budget on how to go forward. I think we can find bipartisan consensus there. prgtoken We are working together right now and will have a markup tomorrow in the Energy and Commerce Committee to address the drug issue and the cost of drugs. As I said earlier, I can't remember a President of the United States more engaged in getting better prices for consumers than this one. has led the country in an initiative to drive down the cost of drugs, and Congress is responding in a bipartisan way, and that is a good thing. We should do that here, . prgtoken The resolution before us today, if you are just watching or listening to my colleagues, is just that. it is a resolution. It will never leave the House because it is only for the House. It is the taxpayer-funded equivalent of a press release; that is all it is. <|
HONORING CORPORAL HERMAN JENKINS TURNING 100 YEARS OLD
Ross Spano (Republican, FL) \u2014 2019-4-2

I rise today to honor Herman Jenkins, a native Floridian, African American, and World War II veteran who, today, turns 100 years old. prgtoken Mr. Jenkins enlisted in the United States Army in 1943 when he was 24 years old, was stationed in northern France, and fought to defend Western civilization against the Nazi regime. prgtoken He rose to the rank of corporal and received numerous recognitions, including the Conduct Medal, the American Theater Ribbon, and a World War II Victory Ribbon. prgtoken After being honorably discharged in 1946, he returned to Lakeland, Florida, where he married his wife, Essie Mae Bryant, and together gave birth to their daughter, Sheila. prgtoken Upon returning to Lakeland, Mr. Jenkins entered the retail industry and enjoyed a successful career as a manager of several stores in our community. He also owned his own photography business and continues to be a skilled photographer, chef, and musician. However, his greatest passion is being a loving husband to his wife, Essie, daughter, Sheila, four grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren. prgtoken Mr. Jenkins has made a permanent and positive impact in defending our Nation and building our community, and for that, sir, I thank you. I wish you a very happy birthday and hope that your next 100 years are better than your last.
BROKEN PROMISES FOR HURRICANE MICHAEL RELIEF
Austin Scott (Republican, GA) \u2014 2019-4-2

on October 10, 2018, a Category 3 storm, Hurricane Michael, entered my State of Georgia with a devastating force. prgtoken It was harvest time for the 2018 crop, and it was the best yield, especially for cotton, that we had seen in years. Farmers who had been suffering in the midst of low commodity prices, unfair trade prices, labor shortages, and consecutive years of storms now had relief in sight. Then entered Hurricane Michael, and it was all gone in a matter of hours. Not just the commodity crops like cotton, but the orchards, too. prgtoken Since day one post-Hurricane Michael, I have worked side by side with my friend and my colleague, Congressman Sanford Bishop. Hurricane Michael didn't discriminate between our district lines. I want to thank him for his help and his support of our State and our agricultural producers in Georgia. prgtoken Soon after the storm, the President, Vice President , and Secretary Perdue met with the two of us, our farmers, and our community leaders and promised to help them rebuild. Members of both parties, in both Chambers of Congress, echoed the same support. Six months later, and those promises of support have been broken. Never before have we seen communities that were wrecked with catastrophes neglected like this. prgtoken Those votes in the Senate yesterday showed a lack of honor and dignity and how truly ugly and partisan politics have become. The truth is, if Hurricane Michael had hit Americans who weren't farmers or farmers who aren't Americans, the stories of yesterday's cowardice would be the front page of every paper. prgtoken Whether the press likes it or not and whether the Senators from New York or Vermont like it or not, we are Americans, too. And what happened yesterday was cowardly, partisan politics and truly un- American.
CONGRATULATIONS TO JOSHUA AND CHELSEA
Troy Balderson (Republican, OH) \u2014 2019-4-2

. Madam , I rise today to recognize a matter that is very near and dear to my heart--the marriage of my son, William Joshua Balderson to Chelsea Alise Gallaugher this coming Saturday, April 6, 2019. As a parent, I know that one of life's greatest joys is witnessing the marriage of one of your children, and the blending of two families into one. As parents, we can only try to raise our children with honor, teach them well, and send them out into the world as respectable adults who are prepared to face life's challenges. Everything else--successful careers, love, marriage, and building families of their own--those are bonuses. What a blessing it is for Joshua and Chelsea to have found each other, and to share such love for one another. I know I don't speak for only myself when I say how excited and honored we are to welcome Chelsea into the Balderson family this weekend. I thank Chelsea's parents, Bill and Karen Gallaugher, for sharing their beautiful daughter with our family. I feel blessed to have Chelsea as my soon-to- be daughter-in-law. I wish my wonderful son, Joshua, and his bride a lifetime of health and happiness with one another. May this be the first of many blessings to come.
LOUISE AND BOB SLAUGHTER POST OFFICE
Carol D. Miller (Republican, WV) \u2014 2019-4-2

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , I rise today in support of H.R. 540, which names a post office located in Fairport, New York, in honor of Louise and Bob Slaughter. prgtoken Louise Slaughter was a Member of the House body for over 30 years. From 1987 until she passed away last year, Representative Slaughter was a tireless advocate for the people of her upstate New York district. prgtoken In addition to her numerous legislative accomplishments, Representative Slaughter made a mark on this body as the first woman to chair the House Committee on Rules. prgtoken Representative Slaughter was an intellectual and a beloved Member of the House. I urge my colleagues to support this bill. prgtoken , I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Woodall).
GORDON LOGAN, THE HILLVETS' FOUNDATION PHILANTHROPIST OF THE YEAR
John R. Carter (Republican, TX) \u2014 2019-4-2

. Madam , I applaud the generosity of Gordon Logan, an exceptional Texan who has been selected to receive the HillVets' Foundation ``Philanthropist of the Year Award.'' His commitment to veterans is second to none and he is a deserving recipient of this prestigious honor. prgtoken Gordon has made support for veterans central to his personal, professional and philanthropic life for the past 25 years. Following his service in the U.S. Air Force, Gordon founded Sport Clips Haircuts and has committed his growing company to putting veterans first. Sport Clips currently has 45 veteran franchise owners and offers a 20% discount to veterans looking to join the brand. The company sponsors the Ageless Aviation Dreams Foundation, which provides dream flights in Boeing Stearman biplanes for seniors and veterans living in long-term care facilities and has given more than 3,500 dream flights. Gordon's Sport Clips also sponsors veteran-centered organizations such as the Aleethia Foundation, Gratitude Initiative, Honor Flight Austin, R.O.C.K veteran program and Rosie's List in San Diego. prgtoken In addition to being a past president and current member of the VetFran Committee, Gordon also serves on the VFW Foundation Board, which directs the funds donated to the VFW for active duty servicemembers and veterans, and on the advisory board for USO Fort Hood. The VFW's Sport Clips Help A Hero Scholarship program has provided some 1,300 scholarships totaling $5.5 million to service men and women and veterans pursuing their education and training goals. Gordon's commitment to investing his abilities to support our veterans is a deeply held creed that speaks to the generous activism of true and devoted public servant. prgtoken Gordon Logan is one of our nation's stalwart champion for veterans. I am honored to represent him in Congress, as his efforts represents Texas values at their very best. I proudly stand alongside those who salute his work on behalf of our nation's heroes.
CONDEMNING THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S LEGAL CAMPAIGN TO TAKE AWAY AMERICANS' HEALTH CARE
Steve Scalise (Republican, LA) \u2014 2019-4-2

I thank the gentleman for yielding and for his leadership on healthcare. prgtoken First of all, , I rise in opposition to this resolution, which has nothing to do with actually helping improve healthcare, the costs, especially, that so many millions of people are enduring, because the Affordable Care Act is anything but affordable. prgtoken , let's keep in mind what this resolution is about. It is not about changing any healthcare policy. It doesn't do that. It has been made clear. It is attempting just to try to take cheap shots at the President while diverting attention away from what this lawsuit that you see moving through the courts is really all about. prgtoken , if the healthcare law that my friends on the other side of the aisle rushed through Congress and passed is held unconstitutional, they have nobody to blame but themselves. Let's keep in mind--and they want you to forget this, --and let's go back to those days when they rammed this bill through and the infamous statement: You have to pass the bill to find out what is in it. prgtoken Nobody read that bill who voted for it. We said back then that it was unconstitutional. prgtoken And, oh, by the way, not only was it that, but it has actually led to dramatic increases in cost for families. So someone with a preexisting condition--whom we want to protect, by the way, . But we don't just want to protect the fact that they shouldn't be able to have costs go up. We want to help them lower the costs for health insurance and lower their premiums. prgtoken So many millions of Americans are not only facing double-digit increases, but people with preexisting conditions, in many cases, are facing a $10,000 deductible, so they have no access to healthcare, Mr. . prgtoken Why don't we focus on the underlying problem? prgtoken We on the side support protecting people with preexisting conditions, but we also want to lower their premiums and lower their deductibles. The other side wants to see their costs continue to go up. That is the biggest difference between the two sides. prgtoken We ought to focus on lowering premiums. Let families make those decisions, not unelected bureaucrats in Washington. That is what we ought to be focused on. This resolution falls short.