mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
Sex Trafficking (Executive Session)
Rob Portman (Republican, OH) \u2014 2017-7-13

I rise today to speak about an issue that Members on both sides of this aisle have a deep concern about, and that is human sex trafficking and, specifically, the work we have done to try to stop one website called backpage.com from selling people online. prgtoken This morning, I--along with my colleagues Tom Carper and Claire McCaskill--announced that we have asked the Department of Justice to investigate backpage.com for criminal prgtoken violations of the law. This is a criminal referral, and it is a new development in this case. We believe there is sufficient evidence to warrant this criminal review by the Justice Department, based on the work that we have done in the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations. prgtoken With estimated revenues of more than $150 million a year, backpage.com is a market leader in commercial sex trafficking and has been linked to hundreds of reported cases of sex trafficking, including trafficking vulnerable women and children. Backpage has claimed that it ``leads the industry'' in its screening of advertisements for illegal activity, including sex ads for children. That is simply not true. In fact, we now know that this website has long facilitated sex trafficking on its site so that it can increase its profits--profits that come at the expense of those being trafficked, including children. prgtoken When victims or State authorities try to bring actions against this company, backpage has evaded responsibility by saying that it doesn't write the ads for sex; it just publishes. Frankly, as a rule, courts have sided with the company, citing the immunity granted by a Federal law that is called the Communications Decency Act. The law, in essence, says that if a company like backpage publishes an ad someone else gives them, they are not liable, even though, again in this case, we know that this website has long facilitated sex trafficking and they know what they are doing. prgtoken We also now know that backpage has actively edited words and images, which makes them cocreators of these ads. We also know from a new report in the Washington Post just this week that, despite claims, backpage has aggressively solicited and created sex-related ads designed to lure customers. It further demonstrates that backpage is not merely a passive publisher of third-party content. They are involved. The article found that backpage workers were active cocreators of many of these sex advertisements, including those that seek to traffic women and young, underage girls. prgtoken I believe the legal consequences should be that they should lose their immunity under the Communications Decency Act, and that is why we have asked the Justice Department today to review this matter. prgtoken Let me be clear about the Communications Decency Act. It has an important purpose. It is a well-intentioned law. It was enacted back in 1996 to protect online publishers, and I support the broader legislation, t
PAYING TRIBUTE TO HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY, MICHIGAN
Mike Bishop (Republican, MI) \u2014 2017-7-13

I rise today to pay tribute to an inspirational organization in my district, Habitat for Humanity of Livingston County, located in the Eighth District of Michigan. prgtoken This July, Livingston County's Habitat for Humanity is celebrating its 25th year of transforming lives by building quality homes. prgtoken Habitat for Humanity was incorporated within Livingston County in 1992, and since then, the organization is dedicated to many community and international service projects. prgtoken Over the past 25 years, Habitat for Humanity has made a positive impact on Livingston County, constructing and rehabilitating 18 homes for families in need within the community. prgtoken Livingston County's Habitat for Humanity also supports the services of Habitat International in its fight against homelessness across the world, providing monetary donations which funded and constructed an additional 15 homes worldwide. prgtoken , I am honored to congratulate Livingston County's Habitat for Humanity for its 25 years of service. Thank you, Habitat for Humanity, for your commitment to the people you serve and to our entire Livingston County community.
MILITARY ORDER OF THE PURPLE HEART
Brian J. Mast (Republican, FL) \u2014 2017-7-13

I rise today to praise the work of the Military Order of the Purple Heart and, specifically, chapter 717. prgtoken My friends and neighbors there who serve in this chapter are working to erect a monument on the Treasure Coast of Florida to those who were injured in battle while defending our great Nation. They may have been targeted by a sniper, a victim of an improvised explosive device, or they may have been charging a hill somewhere in Vietnam. prgtoken The marker that they have worked to erect at Indian Riverside Park in Martin County will bring awareness and recognition to the true cost of freedom, which is the blood that is shed by selfless men and women who have served across the world in defense of prgtoken others because of their sense of duty to America. prgtoken I thank all members of the Military Order of the Purple Heart for never forgetting and never for one second taking for granted the price paid by our soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, and coastguardsman. prgtoken May God bless the work they are doing. Alzheimer's Awareness
TRIBUTE TO NICK MONTIETH
John Thune (Republican, SD) \u2014 2017-7-13

today I recognize Nick Montieth, an intern in my Washington, DC, office for all of the hard work he has done for me, my staff, and the State of South Dakota. prgtoken Nick is a recent graduate of Black Hills State University in Spearfish, SD, having earned a degree in political science. After a gap year, he plans to attend the University of South Dakota School of Law. Nick is a dedicated worker who has been committed to getting the most out of his experience. prgtoken I extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to Nick Montieth for all of the fine work he has done and wish him continued success in the years to come.
RECOGNIZING DEBBIE KRYCZKOWSKI, DEPARTMENT PRESIDENT, DEPARTMENT OF NEW YORK AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY
Claudia Tenney (Republican, NY) \u2014 2017-7-13

I rise to recognize Debbie Kryczkowski, who was elected Department (State) President of the American Legion Auxiliary, Department of New York at the 96th annual convention in Binghamton, NY. Debbie is a 33-year member of Lee Unit 1794 of Oneida County, a past unit president, and life member. Debbie remains very active in her Unit, presently serving as Secretary. Debbie continues volunteering for various unit functions. prgtoken Debbie has chaired many committees on the county level and county offices, and is currently serving as Constitution & Bylaws Chair. Debbie received department awards as the County Chairman of Leadership, Empire Girls State, Membership and Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation. Debbie served as 5th District President, District Membership Chairman, Sergeant at Arms, and a District representative at Department Conventions and member of two Department Convention Committees. prgtoken On the Department level, Debbie served on Junior Activities, Executive Board, Public Relation, National Security, Children & Youth and Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation and is currently the Membership Chairman. Debbie is a graduate of the National American Legion Extension Institute and National American Auxiliary Leadership Correspondence Course. She was the Public Relations Instructor and is an Alumni of the American Legion Auxiliary College. Debbie is a Chapeau Passe' of the Oneida County Salon No. 31. prgtoken Debbie is spending the year promoting and raising money for the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors. The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) offers compassionate care to all those grieving the death of a loved one serving in our Armed Forces. Since 1994, TAPS has provided comfort and hope 24 hours a day, seven days a week through a national peer support network and connection to grief resources, all at no cost to surviving families and loved ones. prgtoken Their National Military Survivor Seminar and Good Grief camp has been held annually since 1994. TAPS also conducts regional Survivor Seminars and Good Grief Camps at locations across the country. The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) is a not-for-profit organization and is not part of, or endorsed by, the Department of Defense. prgtoken On a personal level, Debbie received her eligibility through her brother, a Vietnam and U.S. Army Veteran Philip Racquet. She has five brothers, who are all Vietnam Veterans, and has three sisters. Her deceased father, Phillip E Racquet, was a WWII Army Veteran of the European Theater. Debbie's son is Retired Tech. Sgt. Robert Kryczkowski, Jr. of the United States Air Force. Debbie has five grandsons: Kevin, Nathan, Zachary, Rylan, and Christian. She is a volunteer with the Hemlocks at Rome Hospital and Rome Rotary Club as a Board of Director. Debbie recently retired from M&T Bank to devote her time to her family and her American Legion Family.
Introductory Statement on S. 1553
Ron Johnson (Republican, WI) \u2014 2017-7-13

I rise today to discuss an epidemic that is sweeping our Nation. From big cities to small towns, communities across our country have been ravaged by drug addiction and the multiple problems caused by it. Opioid overdoses have quadrupled since 1999 and were responsible for over 33,000 deaths in 2015 alone. prgtoken We have all seen the dangers posed by the overprescription of highly addictive prescription opioids. According to the CDC, addiction to prescription opioid painkillers is the primary gateway to heroin abuse. In fact, Michael Botticelli, President 's drug czar, testified in my committee last year that people who are addicted and abuse prescription opioids are 40 times more likely to abuse heroin. prgtoken Almost all of the heroin sold on the streets of the United States today enters the country illegally from Mexico. It is trafficked by drug cartels into our communities through our porous southwest border. prgtoken It is a problem that continues to grow. Even as heroin has increased, it has remained available and affordable because increased production in Mexico has ensured a reliable supply of low-cost heroin. As long as there is a demand, the enormous profit potential of the drug trade will ensure that there is a sufficient supply. A kilogram of heroin can be produced in Mexico for around $5,000. It can be sold to dealers for as much as $80,000--a 1,500 percent profit. prgtoken At another committee hearing, we learned that heroin has significantly dropped in price. In 1981, the nationwide average price was $3,260 per gram of pure heroin. Today, it is between $100 and $150 per gram. That translates into as little as $10 for one hit, making heroin a very affordable and very destructive addiction. While prices have dropped, the potency has increased. Heroin sold in Wisconsin has increased from 5 percent purity in the 1980s to somewhere between 20 percent and 80 percent purity today. prgtoken As awful as that reality is, imported heroin is only one front in our fight against opioids. Another equally dangerous front is synthetic or man-made opioids--particularly fentanyl and its analogs--which are now commonly mixed into the heroin sold in our communities. Since fentanyl is 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine, it only takes a minuscule amount of fentanyl--just 2 milligrams, less than one one-thousandth of the weight of a penny--to be potentially lethal. prgtoken Even more alarming, we are now beginning to see carfentanil, often used to sedate elephants, also being blended into heroin and fentanyl on the streets. Carfentanil is 100 times more potent than fentanyl and 10,000 times more potent than morphine. A dose of carfentanil the size of a grain of salt can lead to a deadly overdose. prgtoken Just as we are seeing an increase in drugs coming across our southwest border, man-made opioids are on the rise as well. The profit potential of fentanyl is
Remembering Gene Zerkel (Executive Session)
Dan Sullivan (Republican, AK) \u2014 2017-7-13

as you know, for months now, I have been prgtoken coming to the floor to recognize a special Alaskan, somebody who makes my great State a better place for all of us to live, someone we call the Alaskan of the Week, usually an unsung hero who has done great things but doesn't want anyone to tell you about it because they are humble people. Some of these people have been very well known throughout the State, and others, as I mentioned, are doing their jobs in different communities throughout the State, but they are all considered our Alaskans of the Week. Unsung, well known--they all share a love for Alaska for good reason: There is so much to love about our great State. prgtoken I know most of the people in this room and watching on TV and in the Gallery think of Alaska as a majestic place, majestic landscape. It is true. It is majestic, but it is truly the people of Alaska who make it such a special place, kind and generous people, patriots and pioneers who pave the way for the rest of us and leave a very indelible and important mark on my State and, in many cases, our country. prgtoken Today, I would like to recognize one of these very special Alaskans, a trailblazer, someone whose work has touched nearly every corner of the State, someone whom we recently lost, unfortunately, just this week, but his memory will last forever. I am talking about Gene Zerkel, who was a member of the ``greatest generation'' and an aviation legend in the great State of Alaska. prgtoken I don't have to remind you, but many others throughout our country don't know just how important aviation is to Alaska. In my State, our skies are the highways and the roads. We have about 8,000 general aviation pilots in Alaska, which is more than any other State per capita by far, and with good reason: There are no roads and ferry services to over 100 communities in Alaska, including regional centers like Bethel, Nome, Barrow, and Kotzebue. That means everything from mail services to baby diapers has to be flown in by plane, and if someone gets sick and needs to go to a hospital, the only way they get to see a doctor is by a plane. prgtoken Our pilots and our airline industry are essential to serving the people of Alaska, and Gene Zerkel has been a part of that service, a legendary part of Alaska aviation, for decades. prgtoken Let me tell you a little bit about Gene. He lived life on his own terms and defined it through love of God, family, country, and aviation. The latter--his passion for aviation--took hold when he was just 3 years old, then living in Indiana when he took his first airplane ride with a barnstormer. He was so taken with it, when he grew up, he continued to do some of those kinds of flights, traveling in airshows. prgtoken Like so many in the ``greatest generation'' in our Nation, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps during World War II and later joined the U.S. Air Force. He continued his passion for aviation after
Introductory Statement on S. 1553
Jeff Flake (Republican, AZ) \u2014 2017-7-13

I rise to speak about a critical subject too often overlooked by Congress. It is the Federal debt and our deficit. prgtoken It is no secret that our national debt will soon surpass $20 trillion. To provide some context for that figure, $20 trillion represents the largest amount of debt ever owed by any nation in history. This fact, coupled with the fast-approaching end to our fiscal year, will leave Congress facing an unavoidable debt debate. prgtoken Our looming debt and deficit are two of our country's most urgent challenges, but the legislative branch does not treat them like the crises they really are. Since January alone, Congress has added $284 billion to the debt over the next 10 years. The Congressional Budget Office recently projected that if Congress continues on its current path, deficits will increase dramatically over the next decade. Specifically, by 2027, the deficit will grow from 3.6 percent of the Nation's GDP to 5.2 percent of the Nation's GDP, totaling $1.4 trillion. Yet, as the National Debt Clock continues to click upward toward $20 trillion, the Federal Government continues to spend money that it simply does not have. prgtoken If Congress continues to legislate in this current state of denial, one day soon, we may well wake up to discover that the financial markets have declared that the United States is no longer a good bet. We must also remember that Congress's failure to address this fiscal train wreck today will force our children and grandchildren to deal with its consequences tomorrow. Unless Congress can get this fundamental issue under control, nothing else will matter very much. prgtoken There ought to be an option that allows taxpayers to take matters into their own hands. That is why today I am reintroducing the Debt Buy-Down Act. The Debt Buy-Down Act is a commonsense bill that allows taxpayers to rein in the national debt with the simple check of a box. If passed, this bill would require the IRS to include an option on individuals' tax forms that allow them to voluntarily designate up to 10 percent of their tax liabilities to go specifically toward reducing the national debt. The bill would then require Congress to reduce Federal spending by an amount equivalent to that designated by the taxpayers. If Congress fails to make these necessary spending reductions designated by taxpayers, then across-the-board spending cuts would be imposed. prgtoken This is not a good way to reduce the Federal debt. The better way would be to make priorities as we consider our spending bills, but it is better than just letting these spending bills go and doing nothing. We ought to use a scalpel and go in and treat these programs as we should and make sure they are doing what they were intended to. If we cannot do that, then we need to take dramatic measures to get our debt and deficit under control. prgtoken The Debt Buy-Down Act would protect Social Security benefits, benefits
PROVIDING FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 2810, NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2018
Mike Kelly (Republican, PA) \u2014 2017-7-13

I rise in strong support of my amendment to H.R. 2810, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018, to prohibit Federal funds from being used to implement the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty unless the Senate first ratifies the treaty. prgtoken This language is identical to the version of my amendment that was enacted into law in last year's NDAA and reflects the consistent will of the American people and the unified position of Congress in opposition to this misguided and dangerous treaty. prgtoken The U.N. ATT is a deeply flawed agreement signed by the administration in 2013. It would undermine our national sovereignty, harm our most vulnerable allies, and threaten the Second Amendment rights of every single American. Turning over our arms trade policy to the United Nations is just wrongheaded. prgtoken The U.N. ATT would force the United States, the world's most important defender of liberty and democracy, onto equal footing with the world's worst dictatorships and terror sponsors. It would be readily politicized by bad actors around the world to try to stop America from providing arms to our friends and allies, including Israel, South Korea, and others. prgtoken In short, just like gun control, it would stop the good from doing good without stopping the bad from doing bad. prgtoken Congress has stood strong for the past 6 years on this issue. Together, we were successful at stopping the administration from ever implementing this treaty or using hardworking American taxpayer dollars to promote it. prgtoken Nevertheless, our work is not over. One of former President 's parting shots as he left office was to submit the U.N. ATT to our colleagues in the Senate for ratification, even though he knew it was dead on arrival. prgtoken Regardless of who is seated in the Oval Office, renewing this ban is important because no Presidency is permanent. A future administration may well try even harder to put this treaty into effect. prgtoken Fortunately, in , we now have a President who believes in protecting our sovereignty in every possible way. America should never cede its sovereignty to the United Nations to determine its arms trade policies. prgtoken Therefore, in addition to supporting this amendment, I strongly urge President and Secretary Tillerson to take the final step and officially withdraw the United States from the U.N. Arms Trade Treaty once and for all. It is time to tear it up. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to stand with me in support of the Second Amendment and our Nation's sovereignty and vote in support of my amendment.
Healthcare Legislation (Executive Session)
Bob Corker (Republican, TN) \u2014 2017-7-13

I thank my friend, the senior Senator from Tennessee, Mr. Alexander, for his eloquent comments about this great nomination. I also thank him again, as I have many times, for the outstanding relationship he developed with Japan that has borne so much fruit for the citizens in our State and so many States across the Southeast. I thank him very much for that. prgtoken I rise today also to offer my strong support for the nomination of Bill Hagerty to serve as the U.S. Ambassador to Japan. Bill is one of the most outstanding appointments that President has made, and his confirmation is long overdue. prgtoken The relationship between the United States and Japan speaks for itself, and hosting Prime Minister Abe as one of the first visitors speaks to how the administration and our country feel about Japan. prgtoken As a fellow Tennessean, I have had the privilege of knowing Bill Hagerty and his family on a personal level. I have seen him in business and the outstanding things he has done there. I have seen him represent our State as commissioner of economic development, and he caused it to be one of the most heralded States in the country relative to job creation. Much of that had to do with his ability to deal with other governments around the world and cause them to be attracted to our State. prgtoken I also know that he and his wife Chrissy actually met in Japan, so this is an exciting time and sort of a homecoming for their family. prgtoken There is no one more well-suited to fill this important role, and I know our Nation will benefit from Bill's leadership and experience as he carries on the tremendous legacy of U.S. Ambassadors to Japan, including the late Howard Baker, another fellow Tennessean. prgtoken I am really, really proud of this nomination and know that Bill will represent the very best of our country during his service in Japan. prgtoken I strongly urge my colleagues to support this confirmation. This is long overdue, and I know he will be going to Japan at a time when we truly need an ambassador with his capacity. prgtoken . prgtoken , .
FUTURE Act (Executive Session)
Joe Manchin, III (Democrat, WV) \u2014 2017-7-13

I thank my good friend from Rhode Island. I have been to his State, and we have gone to the algae farms. It has a lot of potential. I agree with the Senator 100 percent. prgtoken I applaud Senator Heitkamp and Senator Capito for leading the effort to update and improve this tax credit for carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration. We have the support of 25 and s--totally bipartisan--and when you have Senator Whitehouse and Senator Barrasso on a bill, you know you have a real bill. It can happen. So that is very encouraging. prgtoken Senator Capito and I come from West Virginia, and Senator Heitkamp comes from the energy-producing State of North Dakota. Coal was one of the most abundant energy sources in the world. It is lying on most continents, and most countries have it, and they are going to use it. It is a very efficient way of producing energy because it is plentiful.