mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, FINANCIAL SERVICES, AND GENERAL GOVERNMENT APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019--Continued
Tom Udall (Democrat, NM) \u2014 2018-7-25

I very much thank Senator Heinrich for being down here and talking about what this really means. I know Senator Moran is also on the floor. prgtoken Amtrak is designed to connect our communities. Whether we live in Raton, NM, Dodge City, KS, or Los Angeles, CA, it connects our communities. I am pleased to offer this amendment with my friends from Kansas and Colorado because the Southwest Chief connects our communities, and we will continue to work together to support this national service. prgtoken There is no doubt we will have a strong bipartisan vote to support our long-distance rail lines. If Amtrak thinks that replacing railcars with buses will solve its problems, well, that is no way to run a railroad. I hope Amtrak's leadership appreciates that we will not back down in our support of our rail network and that we can work together to find solutions to their problems. prgtoken .
INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, FINANCIAL SERVICES, AND GENERAL GOVERNMENT APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019--Continued
Mark R. Warner (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2018-7-25

I rise today on another subject, but I want to touch on the conversation that has been going on here on the floor. prgtoken I agree with my colleague, my friend, the Senator from Illinois. Our country is better than this. prgtoken I had an opportunity to visit one of the facilities in Virginia where some of the children who had been separated were placed. It was a good facility, and they were well cared for, but it still begged the question of unaccompanied minors being separated from their families. prgtoken I saw on a news report today that some of the children have been reunited, but for close to 1,400 of these kids, the determination has been made that they should not be reunited with their parents. What does it mean to those kids? What does it mean to those families? What does it also mean, then, to our country's obligation to take care of these kids since we are now saying that we are not going to reunite them with their families? Not only from a moral sense, but does that mean that we pick up a long-term obligation on these children? If there had been a really thought-through policy, I think we would have had some of these answers on the front end. prgtoken So I join my colleagues on both sides of the aisle who want to get to a bipartisan solution set here. I think the images that have been etched on so many Americans' minds when they saw the images of children being separated from their moms and dads at such an early age actually led to a moral gag reflex. Regardless of what party Americans support, or even if they support the President, I think there was an overwhelming sense that this is not who we are as a people. prgtoken I am willing to meet anyone halfway to make sure that these kids who have been separated are reunited, but, more importantly, that our country is never again put in this circumstance where we are, in a sense, put on stage, not only for the American people but for the rest of the world. This is not who we are as Americans. Supporting Federal Employees prgtoken , the reason I came to the floor today is on another subject that I think is of extreme importance. I rise today with great gratitude for the men and women all across our country who serve our Federal Government. prgtoken Virginia is home to 178,000 of these public servants. Also in Virginia we have over 90,000 Active-Duty members of our military. While many of our Federal employees in Virginia live in the DMV, or in the greater Capital region, the truth is that even in a State like ours, the Commonwealth of Virginia, 79 percent of our Federal workers live outside the beltway. prgtoken As someone who has spent longer in business and in management than I have as a Senator, I know one of the things that any good business leader does--or, for that matter, what I tried to do when I was Governor of the State--is how you treat your workforce, and that reflects in the quality of ser
INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, FINANCIAL SERVICES, AND GENERAL GOVERNMENT APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019--Continued
Benjamin L. Cardin (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2018-7-25

first, let me thank Senator Brown for his extraordinary leadership on behalf of not just the Federal workers but on behalf of all Americans. Our Federal workers are the frontline of public service. I applaud their work. Our Federal workforce is the best national public workforce in the world. They do their work more professionally. prgtoken They are civil servants, which means that they are immune from the politics, favoritism, or patronage, and they do their work with great pride. I am very proud of the Federal workforce in my State of Maryland. There are many reasons I am proud, along with Senator Van Hollen, to represent the State of Maryland, but one of the reasons is that we proudly represent almost 136,000 Federal workers who live in the State of Maryland. They do incredible work. prgtoken They are the doctors at NIH, who are discovering how to deal with the diseases of the world and how to make us healthier and safer. They are the scientists at Goddard Space Flight Center, who are discovering the mysteries of space and how we can use that not only to discover what is happening in space but also to use that technology here at home. They are the professionals at the Social Security Administration, who are helping our seniors get the benefits they so much depend upon. They are the professionals at the FBI, who are keeping us safe. prgtoken I can go through all of the different Federal agencies. There is the FDA, which deals with food safety and drug safety, and the work being done at EPA for cleaner air and cleaner water. These are the frontlines that provide the services to the people of our Nation. They do it at great sacrifice. It is not easy, as we all know, to serve in the public sector today. prgtoken There has been an all-out assault by the administration on our Federal workforce. They are not only hurting our Federal workforce, but they are hurting our country. The pay freezes, the hiring freezes, and the proposed cuts to benefits say to those who want to serve their Nation in public service: Maybe this is not the right field for you. prgtoken We are seeing a hollowing out of our Federal workforce. It is becoming older. Let me point out that when you look at the Federal workforce in Maryland, it looks like the demographics of the State of Maryland. That is not true for all of our employers. The gender is basically 50-50. Over 40 percent of the workforce are minority. prgtoken As Senator Brown pointed out, a much larger percentage of veterans are in our Federal workforce than in the general workforce, and, yes, they are providing services to our veterans, and it is public service also. So it is a representative group. prgtoken We are finding that the President's policy is one of the most anti- government policies that we have ever seen from any President. I went through some of the specifics that concern us; that is, the fact that our Federal workforce has already contributed gre
INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, FINANCIAL SERVICES, AND GENERAL GOVERNMENT APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019--Continued
Sherrod Brown (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2018-7-25

first, I want to thank Senator Collins for her generosity on time. I know we are trying to schedule a vote, and I am appreciative of that. prgtoken I am joined on the floor by Senator Cardin, one of the best advocates for people in this body and especially for Federal workers, who have contributed so much, and we will talk about that. Senator Hirono, from Hawaii, is also joining us. Senator Van Hollen, Senator Murray, Senator Kaine, and Senator Cortez Masto will join us a little later in a different venue, and Senators Tester and Warner spoke earlier today. prgtoken We stand here on behalf of dedicated public servants who get up every day to work for the American taxpayers. They are men and women who support our Armed Forces and support our veterans. They make sure that Social Security checks go out and Medicare is taking care of seniors. They ensure that our food, medicines, and drinking water are safe. They protect our national security. They work in institutions like the NIH, the CDC, and NIOSH, or the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, in Cincinnati. They are in community-based outpatient clinics. They are in VA centers. They are in Social Security offices in most of our States. prgtoken These are American workers who have dedicated their lives to service. They serve s and . They serve Commanders in Chief, regardless of party. Many of these workers are in Washington, but millions more are in the 50 States. prgtoken We have 52,000 Federal workers in Ohio contributing to our State and local communities. Nearly one-third of those workers are veterans. The Federal Government makes special allowances to hire veterans, especially at hospitals in Chillicothe, Dayton, Cincinnati, Columbus, and Wade Park in Cleveland, and at the community-based outpatient clinics in places like Mansfield, Springfield, Zanesville, Akron, and Parma. prgtoken These are workers doing their jobs on behalf of the American people, but, shamefully, these are public servants under attack from this administration--as if Federal workers are not Americans, as if Federal workers are not people, as if Federal workers are just a cost to be minimized. The administration has issued Executive order after Executive order to restrict those workers' freedoms to advocate for themselves and for taxpayers in the workplace. prgtoken They made it easier for short-term political appointees to retaliate against nonpartisan career public servants. Think about that. This President has brought in lots of very ideologically charged political appointees who have retaliated against nonpartisan career public service--people who make sure that Social Security checks go out, who serve veterans, who make sure we do public health the way we should as a nation. prgtoken These decisions create an atmosphere where whistleblowers who report fraud fear being punished and fear being fired for shining a light on abuse. In t
COMMENDING JESSICA ESPAILLAT, DAPHNE HERNANDEZ, MARIA PALOMARES CARRANCO, AND NEREYDA REYES ON THEIR SELECTION AS BENJAMIN A. GILMAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARS
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2018-7-25

I rise to congratulate four outstanding Houston residents on their reception of the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship. prgtoken I offer my sincere congratulations to Ms. Jessica Espaillat, Ms. Daphne Hernandez, Ms. Maria Palomares Carranco, and Ms. Nereyda Reyes for their remarkable achievement of receiving the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship. prgtoken The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship builds young, well- rounded and diverse leaders who have the skills to contribute to our national security and public diplomacy efforts. prgtoken The scholarship program was established with the support of the late Congressman Benjamin A. Gilman of New York, whose leading contributions to study abroad educational programs continue to help many students develop the ability to communicate and understand the economic, social and political connections among nations. prgtoken The scholarship was established to provide recipients with the tools to develop international knowledge and language skills, as well as gain valuable career-enhancing experiences in their experiences abroad. prgtoken The Gilman program has enabled more than 25,000 outstanding Americans of diverse backgrounds to engage in a meaningful educational experience abroad, providing them with skills critical to our national security and economic competiveness. prgtoken Houston's contribution to this impressive list of talented individuals includes: prgtoken Ms. Jessica Espaillat, of the University of Houston, who studied abroad in Japan; prgtoken Ms. Daphne Hernandez, of Colby College, who studied abroad in Japan; prgtoken Ms. Maria Palomares Carranco, of the University of Texas at Austin, who completed her studies in Mexico; and prgtoken Ms. Nereyda Reyes, of Texas A&M University at College Station, who spent her time abroad studying in Belgium. prgtoken This is truly a wonderful accomplishment for the recipients, and I offer them my best wishes as they embark on the next steps of their educational journeys. prgtoken My office is always open to the scholarship recipients, and I encourage them to contact me for any help they may need with their future educational goals.
Introductory Statement on S. 3266
Doug Jones (Democrat, AL) \u2014 2018-7-25

I rise today on behalf of the line workers at our Alabama auto plants. I rise on behalf of our soybean and cotton farmers. I rise on behalf of countless other Alabama businesses that have contacted me because they feel threatened by proposed tariffs but are afraid to speak out publicly for fear of reprisal. In some cases they simply don't want to be seen as inflicting political damage on the President. prgtoken I came to this body to work on solutions, not to raise partisan threat levels. I am not one to unfairly level criticism at the President of the United States, but I have called it as I see it when his actions hurt our economy and my State, in particular, and I will continue to do so. prgtoken Today, I want to talk about his proposed tariffs on our allies and our trading partners. These actions have prompted retaliatory tariffs on countless Alabama goods, including cotton and soybeans. American industries overwhelmingly oppose these tariffs or, really, they are taxes on their products. prgtoken I share President 's desire to see continued growth in our manufacturing sector and to secure trade deals that benefit our country. His tariffs are not leading to more manufacturing jobs in Alabama. Instead, they have manufactured a crisis that threatens to permanently harm our businesses and our farms. This is a self-inflicted wound. prgtoken I am well aware that China has been a rogue actor when it comes to trade, and I support a strong response. Alabama's steel industry, for example, was hurt by the illegal dumping of Chinese steel into the global market. I witnessed it firsthand in my hometown of Fairfield, AL, once home to one of the country's largest U.S. steel facilities, which now sits virtually idle. Globe Metallurgical in Selma has been hit by the dumping of silicon metal from China. China has time and again shown a blatant disregard for American intellectual property rights. I have spoken out against these abuses and will continue to do so when they occur in the future. prgtoken We should not sweep our friends with the same brush with which we sweep China. Antagonizing allies like Canada, South Korea, and Germany for no reason at all only weakens us. According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, more than half a million Alabama jobs are supported by global trade, meaning more than one in every four Alabama jobs are tied to trade. Those jobs are needlessly at risk to date. prgtoken I have spoken with representatives from industries across my State. Some are already hurting from the tariffs; others are OK for the moment but are fearful of consequences down the road, such as losing suppliers or taking a direct hit from retaliatory tariffs. prgtoken Many of these workers or business owners tell me they support President . They want him to do well. They voted for him, and they are hesitant to speak out because they don't want to appear to be disloyal or harm him politically. They are co
RECOGNIZING EMMA ANDERSON
Greg Gianforte (Republican, MT) \u2014 2018-7-26

today I rise to honor an amazing young child whose compassion for others and giving nature touches the lives of thousands in need of comfort. In 2012, Emma Anderson from Kalispell, founded Emma's Cuddle Bears after seeing family friends undergo cancer treatment. An adult friend described the challenges she faced while battling cancer and said her heart went out to the young children fighting cancer in the treatment center. Emma, only 5 years old at the time, asked if the children ever got scared, to which the friend replied that they probably did. Emma thought for a moment and said, ``I have an idea.'' Emma used her own allowance money to purchase 20 teddy bears. She carefully examined each one to make sure it passed her cuddle test. She then gave each one a name and wrote a little note for the person receiving a bear. The bears arrived at the University of Washington Cancer Center, where the Andersons' friend was receiving treatment. The bears immediately warmed the hearts of children who needed the special comfort a cuddle bear can provide. Since then, the young humanitarian has sent over 3,000 Cuddle Bears to those suffering from cancer, debilitating diseases, and other difficult circumstances. Emma has a special gift for picking just the right bear to encourage and comfort young and old alike. She still insists on naming all the cuddle bears. Emma continues to answer her calling to help others. She joined Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child at her local church as an assistant project coordinator. Emma's bold and affectious personality inspires other to give. There's a saying on display in the Anderson household: ``From small beginnings come great things.'' It was on the nursery wall when Emma's adoptive mother, Jeri Anderson, brought her home from China as an infant. Starting from small beginnings, Emma and her cuddle bears continue to accomplish great things. All those who know her believe the best is yet to come for her compassion, generosity, and willingness to reach out to those in need, I recognize Emma Anderson for her spirit of Montana.
PERSONAL EXPLANATION
Diane Black (Republican, TN) \u2014 2018-7-26

I am not recorded for roll call votes on Thursday, July 26, 2018 because I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted Aye on the Conference Report to accompany H.R. 5515--John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019. As a nation, we continue to face a growing number of threats that are becoming increasingly more complex and versatile in nature. This legislation substantially increases the funding for our military, gives our troops a well-deserved pay raise, and provides important tools in the fight against terrorism
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 5515, NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2019
Bradley Byrne (Republican, AL) \u2014 2018-7-26

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , House Resolution 1027 provides for consideration of the conference report to accompany H.R. 5515, the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019. prgtoken This NDAA process has once again been a textbook example of how Congress should work. After extensive hearings in the House and the Senate, lengthy committee markups, hundreds of amendments, separate passage in both Chambers, and a conference committee, we have reached the point of final passage. prgtoken This has been a process that has followed regular order and allowed so many Members to have a role in the process. Here in the House, that is a testament to Chairman Mac Thornberry, Ranking Member Adam Smith, and their very capable staffs. prgtoken This is the earliest the House has passed the final version of the NDAA in 41 years, which is a remarkable feat. A considerable amount of time and effort has been put into this product, and I know I join other Members of the House in expressing our deep gratitude for their efforts. prgtoken This year's NDAA offers the next steps in our effort to rebuild our military and reform the Pentagon. I know many of us have been deeply troubled by the readiness crisis that struck the military over the last several years. This has resulted in training accidents and failures that took the lives of our servicemembers. prgtoken To reverse that trend, this year's NDAA allows for increased funding for training, as well as $2.8 billion for the procurement of spare airplane parts. prgtoken In response to recent naval incidents in the Pacific, the NDAA directs the Navy to review their operational chain of command and current training plans for surface warfare officers. The strategy of peace through strength requires us to continue to produce and procure the best tools and resources possible. prgtoken In an effort to build toward President 's goal of a 355-ship Navy fleet, the NDAA authorizes the construction of new ships, including a Ford-class aircraft carrier, additional Virginia-class attack submarines, and three littoral combat ships. prgtoken Given the range of challenges in the nuclear domain, the NDAA supports the Nuclear Posture Review's recommendation to pursue a lower- yield ballistic warhead while also making important investments in our missile defense programs. prgtoken Very important, the NDAA authorizes a 2.6 percent pay raise for our servicemembers, which is the highest increase in 9 years. This is critical to recruiting and retaining the best and the brightest. prgtoken Additionally, this NDAA focuses on policies specific to Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran, as well as provisions relating to nonstate actors and terrorist organizations. prgtoken I am also pleased that the conference report contains a compromise final version of the Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act. Congress has come together in a strong bipartisan man