mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
HONORING LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR NANCY WYMAN FOR HER SERVICE TO CONNECTICUT
Rosa L. DeLauro (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2018-9-10

it is with great pleasure that I rise today to join the Connecticut ic Party as well as friends, family, and colleagues from across the state in extending my heartfelt congratulations and sincere thanks to an outstanding Connecticut leader and my good friend, Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman, as she is honored with the 2018 Ella Grasso Award. prgtoken The first woman to be elected Governor of Connecticut, and the first woman in the nation to be elected without having been the spouse or widow of a former governor, Ella Grasso was a trailblazer for women in the world of politics. Each year, the Connecticut ic Party honors a woman serving in public life whose contributions to our state reflect Ella Grasso's leadership and vision. I can think of no one who has shown more dedication and commitment to making our state a better place for all of our residents than our own Nancy Wyman. prgtoken Nancy was an x-ray technician and mother of two when she first ran for public office seeking a seat on the Tolland Board of Education. She was successful in her pursuit and thus began a career in public service that has spanned more than three decades. Following her eight-year tenure as a member of the Board of Education, Nancy went on to run and serve in Connecticut's State House of Representatives for four terms before seeking statewide office in 1994. Nancy was the first woman to be elected Comptroller, a position which she held for sixteen years and only left when she was asked by now-Governor Dannel Malloy to be his Lieutenant Governor. As Lieutenant Governor, Nancy has chaired the Board of Access Health CT, Connecticut's official health insurance marketplace. Created in 2011 to comply with the federal Affordable Care Act, her leadership has helped Access Health CT to become nationally recognized as one of the best health exchanges in the country and a model on which other states have developed their exchanges. Whether on the Board of Education, in the State House, as Comptroller, or Lieutenant Governor, Nancy has served our state and its residents with honor and distinction, earning her the respect and admiration of all of those who worked with her no matter their political persuasion. prgtoken Nancy is one of Connecticut's most beloved politicians. With her witty sense of humor, her straight-shooting honesty, and the sky-high heels she is known for wearing for everything from press conferences to parades, Nancy connects with people from every walk of life. You know she is in your corner every time. I, like so many others, consider myself fortunate to call her my friend and I would be remiss if I did not take this opportunity to thank her for the countless times she has been there for me. She is my soul-sister--a kindred spirit whom I have been proud to work with and I cannot thank her enough for her friendship, support, and good work on our behalf. prgtoken Nancy Wyman, in so many ways, is a reflectio
IN RECOGNITION OF THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE LUDLOW LIONS CLUB
Richard E. Neal (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2018-9-10

I would like to take this opportunity to recognize and congratulate the Ludlow Lions Club on the occasion of its 75th anniversary. As the world's largest service club organization, Lions Club International is full of members who volunteer their time to humanitarian causes, fundraising projects, and service endeavors not only in their local communities but also around the globe. The Ludlow Lions Club, chartered in 1943, certainly embodies this commitment to helping those in need, wherever need exists. prgtoken The Ludlow Lions Club is one of the busiest clubs in Massachusetts and currently has over 30 members who give their time freely to help others. Their leadership, dedication, and exemplary character is undoubtedly worthy of prgtoken recognition. Over the past 75 years, the Ludlow Lions have devoted themselves to a near countless number of diverse ventures and fundraisers, including annual food drives, college fundraisers, diabetes awareness campaigns, environmental conservation activities, emergency sight and hearing projects, and various youth development programs like the Peace Poster Project to just name a few. It is evident that the Ludlow Lions Club has made numerous positive contributions to the community of which it takes pride in being an integral part. I am confident that they will continue to serve and represent western Massachusetts with honor and distinction for years to come. prgtoken , over the course of its history the Ludlow Lions Club has truly embodied the motto ``We Serve.'' Its loyal members have routinely demonstrated an exceptional commitment to helping those less fortunate. That passionate dedication is a hallmark of the agency's long and admirable tradition of service in western Massachusetts. On the occasion of the Ludlow Lions Club's 75th anniversary, I wish the organization and its devoted members all the best and much continued prosperity.
HONORING THE 70TH BIRTHDAY OF BARBARA PITTS
Mike Rogers (Republican, AL) \u2014 2018-9-12

I rise to recognize the 70th birthday of Barbara Pitts. prgtoken Barbara was born on October 10, 1948 in Tuskegee, Alabama. She is a two-time graduate of Auburn University. In 1972, she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and in 1974, a Master of Science in Education. She is founder and charter member of Kappa Upsilon Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. It was chartered at Auburn University on January 12, 1974. prgtoken Barbara is the proud mother of Christopher Pitts and has been blessed with two grandchildren: Zaire and Chad Pitts. prgtoken Barbara is a member of Bell Missionary Baptist Church in Auburn where she has served in many roles. She is also founding member of Alabama New South Coalition and currently serves as Vice President of the Board. prgtoken On Saturday, October 6, 2018, her friends and family will surprise her with a birthday gathering. prgtoken , please join me in honoring Barbara's life and wishing her a very happy 70th birthday.
REPEALING PROHIBITION ON CERTAIN ALCOHOL MANUFACTURING ON INDIAN LANDS
Jaime Herrera Beutler (Republican, WA) \u2014 2018-9-12

I thank my friend for yielding. prgtoken , I want to begin by saying thank you to the members of the Natural Resources Committee and my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for helping move this bill forward in a truly bipartisan manner. prgtoken My bill, H.R. 5317, repeals the antiquated 19th century law--from 1834, to be exact--that prohibits distilleries on Tribal lands. This prohibition was enacted at a time when the Federal Government took a more paternalistic stance with Indian Tribes. While many of the provisions in the larger statute have since been repealed, somehow the distillery prohibition remains. prgtoken This issue came to my attention from the Chehalis Tribe from my home in southwest Washington. The Chehalis began the permitting process for a new economic development project on reservation land, which includes the construction and operation of a distillery. prgtoken In the midst of the project, they were made aware of the 1834 law from the Bureau of Indian Affairs, who suggested that the Tribe move their project off their land or contact their Member of Congress and change the law. When they contacted me and told me what they were up against, I got to work. prgtoken I am pleased to put this bill forward today to help place Indian Tribes on equal footing with non-Tribal citizens by allowing them to pursue the very same economic opportunities as everybody else. This repeal enables Tribes to diversify their economic investments and helps provide jobs not just for Tribes, but for neighboring communities as well. prgtoken This is a matter of fairness, . Washington, D.C shouldn't be in the business of telling Indian Country it cannot engage in a business that is allowed everywhere else and is actually helping many neighboring areas, in terms of revitalizing their local economy. prgtoken Lastly, and to be clear, while this bill provides additional opportunities for Tribes, it does not provide special treatment. Tribes will still be required to follow State and Federal liquor laws and regulations, just as they currently do for breweries and wineries. prgtoken , I urge my fellow Members to vote in favor of this bill.
Opioid Epidemic (Executive Session)
John Cornyn (Republican, TX) \u2014 2018-9-12

late this week or early next week, we will vote on a bill called the Opioid Crisis Response Act. prgtoken This is a powerful piece of legislation for which our colleague Chairman Lamar Alexander deserves great credit for shepherding through the process, but he was, by no means, alone in doing so. This bill, as he will tell you, represents the contribution of more than 70 different Senators and 5 different standing committees of the U.S. Senate. That takes a lot of careful work and a lot of determination. The bill is bipartisan, as one would expect, and that, of course, would not have happened without there having been intense collaboration. For those who like to say that bipartisanship is dead in the U.S. Senate, this bill and other bipartisan work we have done and will do is evidence that that is simply false. prgtoken In 2017, President declared the opioid crisis a national public health emergency. Since then, we have seen 116 Americans die from opioid-related overdoses daily, and in places like New Hampshire, that death rate has been double the national average. In some places, coroners have asked local funeral homes to help because there has just not been enough room to store the bodies at the morgues. Let that sink in for just a minute. Coroners are asking funeral homes to help store the bodies because there is not enough room at the morgues because of the 116 Americans who lose their lives to opioid addiction each day. prgtoken People of all races and ethnicities--regardless of gender--are dying. Drugs, of course, do not discriminate. Even when people survive overdoses, they often come back only to return to the prisons of their addictions. Sometimes they rob, steal, or sell themselves in order to get their fixes for oxycodone, hydrocodone, heroin, or fentanyl--all opioids. Meanwhile, for the rest of their lives, their relationships, their families crumble. Maybe they are looking for escape. Maybe they are looking for some sort of meaning. Maybe they are veterans who are self-medicating or they have mental diagnoses that simply go undiscovered, and, thus, they try to medicate by resorting to alcohol or, in this case, to opioids. Yet the result is always the same. Their bodies can't handle the poison, and their minds' cravings can never be wholly satisfied. That is how the breakdown begins. prgtoken Drug addiction and the carnage associated with it is, of course, nothing new in our country. What is new are the types of drugs that are being created by those who tinker with chemical formulas in order to evade our current laws. What is also new is the extent of the tragedy. Overdoses are going up in many places--so high, in fact, that the average life expectancy for adult males in the United States has fallen. As Christopher Caldwell wrote in ``First Things'' last year, ``The death toll far eclipses those of all previous drug crises.'' prgtoken The bill we will be voting on is our hone
DOG AND CAT MEAT TRADE PROHIBITION ACT OF 2018
Ralph Lee Abraham (Republican, LA) \u2014 2018-9-12

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , I rise today in support of H.R. 6720, to prohibit the slaughter of dogs and cats for human consumption, and for other purposes. prgtoken While this practice is completely unacceptable in the United States, only four States explicitly ban it. This patchwork of State laws does not signal the appropriate protection we Americans expect for our beloved pets and companions. prgtoken To credibly condemn the international dog and cat meat trade, including the Yulin Dog Meat Festival in China, the United States must send a clear message that this practice is completely unacceptable. This overwhelmingly bipartisan legislation is a crucial step in doing just that. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues to support this measure, and .
OPIOID EPIDEMIC
Rob Portman (Republican, OH) \u2014 2018-9-12

and I am going to talk about him in a second and the work we have done with regard to pushing back against the opioid epidemic that has hit our States. In this body, every single Member is affected by it, and our country is affected by it in very significant ways. prgtoken Because of the dangerous hurricanes that are approaching our coast, it looks as though the vote we had expected tomorrow and the debate we had expected tomorrow on the opioid package may be postponed based on what I just heard from the majority leader. But in the next several days, the Senate is expected to take up comprehensive legislation that comes from four or five different committees in Congress to fight the addiction crisis, to help our communities combat some of the deadliest aspects of this crisis nationally. This help is urgently needed. prgtoken Let's start with talking about how Congress got here. prgtoken First, just a couple of years ago, we passed two bills in Congress that were historic and are making a difference. One is called the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act, or CARA; the other is called the 21st Century Cures Act. prgtoken CARA, which I coauthored with my colleague Sheldon Whitehouse, who is on the Senate floor with us--he spoke just a moment ago--provides resources directly to evidence-based prevention, treatment, and recovery programs. These are nonprofit programs. For the most part, they are able to apply to the Federal Government directly for grant money. They are doing things that are innovative and new to try to get at this problem, and in many respects, they are working and making a difference. prgtoken This year alone, there will be about $608 million spent on these programs that offer innovative solutions to this stubborn problem that is affecting everyone in this Chamber. prgtoken The Cures legislation, 21st Century Cures legislation, this year will be $500 million annually. That goes directly to the States, and the States then give grants to various programs in those States. prgtoken In my home State of Ohio, for instance, $26 million has come each of the last 2 years. Sadly, Ohio is one of the hardest hit States in the country, so we have a larger grant allocation than some States that have not had as many overdoses and deaths and rates of addiction that are as high as we have had. prgtoken I was a very strong supporter of the 21st Century Cures funding, and I applaud Senators Alexander and Murray, as well as Senator Blunt and other Appropriations Committee members on both sides of the aisle for their work on that. prgtoken Of course, with regard to the CARA legislation, it is actually working out there. I have now had the opportunity to see how it is working. I have been to about a dozen CARA grant recipients in Ohio over the last year alone. I have seen new and powerful ways that the communities back in Ohio are helping to turn the tide of addiction. prgtoken Last month, as an exa
Republican Agenda and Nomination of Brett Kavanaugh (Executive Session)
John Barrasso (Republican, WY) \u2014 2018-9-12

the Senate recently completed what was easily the most productive August in memory. We passed six appropriations bills with full debate on the Senate floor. We passed the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act. We confirmed 25 appointees to important jobs in the administration. We confirmed 17 Federal judges to the bench, and we set up votes for another 8 earlier this month. prgtoken When I was home in Wyoming, I talked to a number of people around the State, and they were pleased to see how much we are actually getting done. I can state that they absolutely think we should keep up this pace. prgtoken Maybe the most important thing that people expect us to deal with quickly is confirming Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. I believe we are off to a good start with confirmation hearings for Judge Kavanaugh, which were held last week in the Judiciary Committee. prgtoken What people who watched the hearings learned was that Judge Kavanaugh is well respected, mainstream, and a highly qualified individual for this important job. What people also saw is that some Members of the opposite party--the in the Senate--are totally unwilling to give him fair consideration. prgtoken Senators have been given access to more than 500,000 pages of records from his time as a judge and throughout his career in public service. That is three times the amount of information that any other Supreme Court nominee has ever produced. For some nominees of the Supreme Court, these kinds of documents are very important. They can tell us a lot about how a nominee thinks and about how he or she might approach the job of being a Justice. It is especially important when that person under consideration has never served as a judge before, and sometimes that is all we have to look at. But that is not the case with Judge Kavanaugh. prgtoken Judge Kavanaugh has served on the circuit court of appeals for 12 years, and he has written opinions in over 300 cases. If anyone wants to know what he will act like as a judge, then they can just look at how he has already acted as a judge for the past dozen years. prgtoken These documents, these opinions he wrote in the 300 cases on the court in which he is serving, are the documents that matter. They are the ones that tell us how he approaches being a judge. Senators have had access to these court opinions since the day Judge Kavanaugh was nominated 8 weeks ago. If would just take the time to read through these opinions, they would see that Judge Kavanaugh is extremely thoughtful and is independent. He is absolutely devoted to preserving the rule of law and protecting the separation of powers that is the basis of our Constitution. If don't want to read through all these documents and these decisions, well, they can focus on the 13 cases where the Supreme Court adopted Judge Kavanaugh's reasoning. That is how much respect other judges and Justices
Republican Agenda and Nomination of Brett Kavanaugh (Executive Session)
Steve Daines (Republican, MT) \u2014 2018-9-12

the conference report that we are considering today is good news for our country. Along with providing funding for our veterans and supporting critical energy and infrastructure projects, it also includes $4.8 billion for the agencies in the legislative branch. prgtoken The legislative branch portion of the conference report allocates funding in an appropriate manner. It promotes government transparency, as well as increasing security here at the Capitol Complex. This is very important. prgtoken In support of good government, this agreement includes a provision known as e-file, requiring U.S. Senate candidates to file campaign finance reports electronically, directly with the Federal Election Commission, as every other Federal candidate must do. Not prgtoken only does this provision increase transparency, it will reduce bureaucratic inefficiency and will save about $1 million in taxpayer dollars. prgtoken This agreement also provides $589.7 million for the Government Accountability Office to hire additional staff to bolster oversight of government programs and spending. Having spent most of my career in the private sector, accountability is a good thing. There is not enough of it here in Washington, DC. In fact, according to a report issued by the GAO, the GAO returns $128 for every dollar invested in its budget. That is a good example of accountability and getting results for the American taxpayer. In fact, the resulting benefit of this oversight by GAO was approximately $74 billion in documented savings for the taxpayers in 2017. That is where you get the $128 return for every dollar invested in the agency. prgtoken The Capitol Police is fully funded at the requested level of $456.3 million, allowing for the continued protection of visitors coming to the Capitol campus every year, as well as the Members and their staff. prgtoken These are just a few highlights of the bill, which allocates resources in a responsible way to maintain existing services, as well as providing critical investments across the U.S. Capitol campus. prgtoken Lastly, and importantly, I want to thank Senator Chris Murphy, my ranking member, for working with me in a bipartisan manner throughout this process. This is my first year as chairman of the Legislative Branch Subcommittee. I would also like to thank Chairman Shelby and Vice Chairman Leahy for their leadership and efforts to return to regular order on a Senate appropriations bill. This is quite remarkable, but it shouldn't be. The bar has been set so low in Washington, DC, that Congress can't get their appropriations bills or spending bills passed before the end of the current fiscal year going into next year. Well, guess what. The fiscal year ends on September 30, and here we are on September 12, moving forward now on appropriations. That is a good thing for our country. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to support this conference report as we continue to move these bills