mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
Climate Change (Executive Calendar)
Sheldon Whitehouse (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2018-4-10

I am here on the floor for my 202nd ``Time to Wake Up'' speech. I would like to begin by thanking this body for the passing of the National Oceans and Coastal Security Fund as part of the measure that s and agreed to before the recent recess. The Presiding Officer obviously represents an extremely coastal State. I represent Rhode Island, a very coastal State. This new program will provide resources for the communities along our shores to be able to deal with the threats they are seeing from sea level rise, fisheries moving about, worsening offshore storms, tides that now come ashore on bright sunny days, and the various hazards that they must undertake so that they are not left alone trying to address them. prgtoken I often use these speeches to explore why it is that we get nothing done in Congress on climate. I point out that the major reason is the insidious fossil-fuel-funded web of climate change denial, with a parallel lobbying and electioneering effort. prgtoken I point out that this network is funded by the fossil fuel industry in a deliberate and systematic effort to misdirect public discussion and to distort public understanding of climate change and climate science. prgtoken I point out that it is actually working. It has been so effective at infiltrating our political system that the head of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is a full-on fossil fuel flunky. I discuss the fossil fuel industry's parallel web that directs rivers of dark money into our political system and deploys related, but more clandestine, threats and promises to work the industry's will in Congress. prgtoken Like I said, it is working. The web of denial and political enforcement organizations has so far achieved its purpose: to prevent Congress from carrying out its responsibility to rein in carbon pollution. We are, as a result, failing to protect the American people and our economy from the effects of that pollution, particularly our coastal economies. But now agriculture and other economies are feeling it too, and Congress is still doing nothing. prgtoken So this secretive and insidious apparatus deserves our attention. Nowadays, this apparatus is dedicated to denying science, confusing the public, and holding a political whip hand over Congress on the issue of climate change. Nowadays, it does this to protect the fossil fuel industry from responsibility for its pollution. But it is actually not a new enterprise. prgtoken We have never seen this machinery operating at this scale before. It is bigger and more multifaceted than ever, but we have seen its tricks before. The science denial playbook, commissioned by the Koch brothers, ExxonMobil, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to stymie climate action, is the same doubt-mongering playbook we have seen used by Big Tobacco, by chemical industries, and by other corporate polluters for decades. prgtoken I am not the only one who has noticed. A
SUPPORTING RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND ENCOURAGING INCLUSIVE GOVERNANCE IN ETHIOPIA
Karen Bass (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2018-4-10

I rise today in support of H. Res. 128, Supporting Respect for Human Rights and Encouraging Inclusive Governance in Ethiopia, and I want to thank our committee chair, Mr. Smith, for his many years of effort in this direction. prgtoken The resolution calls on the government of Ethiopia to take clear, decisive steps towards becoming more inclusive, more democratic, and more respectful of the basic human rights of its citizens. prgtoken Ethiopia is an important partner of the U.S. in many arenas, including regional security, especially through its contributions to international peacekeeping. prgtoken Over the past few years, Ethiopia has made significant strides in addressing poverty and expanding economic development. The country has also addressed significant challenges in global health and food security. These are extremely important gains. prgtoken We are here today, however, because the country continues to have a way to go, especially in the arenas of inclusive governance and respect for human rights. prgtoken Since November 2015, there have been ongoing protests in Ethiopia's largest region of Oromia. These protests expanded to the Amhara region in August 2016. In response, security forces have used live ammunition to disperse largely peaceful protests, killing hundreds and arresting tens of thousands. prgtoken Activists, journalists, and others have also faced repeated arrests. prgtoken The Ethiopian Government has responded by imposing a state of emergency that included curfews and restrictions on the assembly, expression, and movement of its citizens. Meanwhile, earlier this year, the government began releasing prisoners, including opposition leaders, journalists, and protesters. The government also focused on an infamous detention center. Of course, this is a step in the right direction. prgtoken We are also encouraged by the recent transfer of power. The new prime minister, Dr. Abiy Ahmed, recently delivered a speech where he highlighted that the government plans to address unity and national reconciliation as well as good governance based on the rule of law. It also seeks to crack down on corruption. prgtoken Again, this is encouraging and it could be an important turning point for the country that could provide an opportunity to widen the political space, but what remains concerning, however, is that Ethiopia is still under a state of emergency, and just last month, the defense minister announced the arrest of a number of individuals who they say were linked to protests. prgtoken We encourage the Government of Ethiopia to keep the positive momentum going by lifting the state of emergency, ensuring freedom of expression and assembly, and opening up democratic space. prgtoken The current challenges facing Ethiopia are best addressed through inclusive discourse and political processes rather than through the imposition of restrictions. prgtoken , I therefore encourage Members to vote in favor of this reso
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
Tim Kaine (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2018-4-10

the opioid and addiction epidemic continues to devastate communities across our country today. One of the greatest challenges for the 21 million Americans currently impacted by substance use disorder is to obtain and maintain employment while sustaining recovery. For the benefit of our Nation, we must work to implement interventions to improve employment rates among this chronically unemployed and underemployed population in treatment and recovery. prgtoken Research demonstrates that alignment of job training and treatment services improves employment attainment, employee earnings, and substance use disorder treatment outcomes, including lower rates of relapse. By holding a job, an individual establishes a legal source of income, structured use of time, and improved self-esteem, which in term may reduce substance use and boost our economy. prgtoken The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) is the major source of Federal support for workforce development. WIOA programs provide education and training services to prepare individuals for work and to help them improve their prospects in the labor market through job search assistance, career counseling, occupational skill training, classroom training, or on-the-job training; however, no dedicated funding currently exists to integrate workforce training into recovery and treatment services to enable individuals to secure and maintain stable employment. Participants enrolled in WIOA--beyond core service-- achieve an adult entered employment rate overall of 82%, which rises to 87% for on-the-job training and apprenticeship. prgtoken I am pleased to introduce today with my colleagues, Senator Young and Senator Jones, the Jobs Plus Recovery Act, which addresses barriers individuals in treatment face when seeking employment opportunities. The Jobs Plus Recovery Act amends WIOA to empower our primary workforce development driver to better support the needs of individuals with substance use disorders by including them in the definition of an individual with a barrier to employment. The bill also supports partnerships between substance use disorder treatment and recovery providers, education providers, and job services providers, such as the American Job Centers established in WIOA, to improve worker training, employment opportunity and retention for individuals in recovery. prgtoken Throughout my time as a public servant, I have remained committed to ensuring our Nation's workforce is as strong as possible. Virginia businesses continue to share their desperate need for more applicants with the necessary skills to thrive in their industries. I am proud to introduce this commonsense, bipartisan legislation to provide critical support services to equip workers with the training and supports necessary to gain and retain meaningful employment.
Equal Pay Day (Executive Calendar)
Patty Murray (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2018-4-10

I come to the floor today for two reasons. Before discussing the nomination at hand--John Ring for the National Labor Relations Board--I do want to take a couple of minutes to mark Equal Pay Day. prgtoken Today, it takes women more than 3 additional months to make what their male colleagues made in 2017. In the 21st century, there is absolutely no excuse for the reality that women are still being paid less than men for the same work. It is wrong, it is harmful, and it has to change. prgtoken What is even more unacceptable is that for women of color, the pay gap is even worse. African-American women, working full time, only make 63 cents for every dollar their White male colleagues make, and on average, Latinas earn 54 cents for every dollar their White male colleagues make. prgtoken The wage gap doesn't hurt just women; it hurts families and our economy. Women are actually the sole or cobreadwinner in two-thirds of families with children. Families increasingly rely on women's wages to help make ends meet--to buy groceries, pay the bills, or pay for childcare. prgtoken In order to help women and all working families get ahead, I am very proud to be a sponsor of the Paycheck Fairness Act. The Paycheck Fairness Act provides transparency and support for women who are being paid less than their male colleagues. It protects women from retaliation for discussing salary information with their coworkers, it allows women to join together in class action lawsuits, and it prohibits employers from seeking salary history, so the cycle of pay discrimination cannot continue. prgtoken As President now continues to roll back worker protections and prioritize corporate profits over working families' wages, I think it is time for Congress to act and pass the Paycheck Fairness Act because workers do deserve to be paid fairly, end of story, no matter their gender. prgtoken , I want to turn to the nomination before the Senate today, the nomination of John Ring for the National Labor Relations Board. prgtoken First, I have to object to the unprecedented nature in which we are jamming this nominee through. prgtoken It is standard practice that Board nominees are always confirmed in pairs--one and one . We do this to keep the Board as fair and balanced as possible in hopes that workers have a fair hearing when corporations violate their rights or bargain in bad faith, because the Board is the only place to which workers can turn to enforce their rights under the National Labor Relations Act. Workers cannot sue in court. So I must ask, why is this nominee being forced through without also filling the ic seat that is about to be vacated, especially at a time when so many other nominees have been waiting significantly longer--some more than 6 months--to be confirmed? I have to believe that it is because special corporate interests are putting immense pressure on my colleagues ac
125TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ARIZONA STATE MUSEUM
Raúl M. Grijalva (Democrat, AZ) \u2014 2018-4-10

I rise today to congratulate the Arizona State Museum on its 125th year anniversary. For 125 years, the Arizona State Museum has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to educating the public through guarding, preserving, and studying the State of Arizona's archaeological resources. prgtoken Founded in 1893, the Arizona State Museum was one of the nation's three original university-based museums of archaeology established in the late 19th century. The museum's researchers are leaders in the field of Southwest archaeology and are sought after internationally for their expertise and groundbreaking research. This gives our desert community a unique opportunity to gain insight about the diverse cultural heritage of Arizona and have meaningful experiences. The Arizona State Museum has been a leading voice advocating for the preservation of cultural artifacts not just in Arizona, but at the national level as well. In July of 1990, Dr. Raymond H. Thompson, former Director of the Arizona State Museum, testified before the United States Congress as the American Association of Museum's representative in support of the proposed Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). NAGPRA was adopted in November 1990, and continues to be a significant piece of legislation to preserve Native American cultural items. prgtoken I am especially grateful for the Museum's dedication to gathering a comprehensive collection that represents the diverse cultural heritage of the Southwest, including the region's Native American roots. The Arizona State Museum holds the world's largest and most comprehensive collections of Southwest Tribal cultures from 13,000 years ago to present, and is home to two large collections of Native American pottery and basketry that are federally designated American Treasures. prgtoken I congratulate the Arizona State Museum on their 125th anniversary and look forward to supporting their continued efforts to preserve and document the cultural artifacts of our great State of Arizona.
SERGEANT GONZALEZ
Francis Rooney (Republican, FL) \u2014 2018-4-11

I rise today to honor Sergeant Sammy Gonzalez. A Lee County Sheriff's Office deputy since 2007, he has made an incredible commitment to run from their headquarters in Fort Myers to the Fallen Officer Memorial in Tallahassee, Florida. This effort, a run of approximately 400 miles, is being made on behalf of family members left behind following the on-duty death of a law enforcement officer. Sergeant Gonzalez is raising funds and awareness for Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.), a not-for-profit organization that assists the families of fallen officers. C.O.P.S. pays for counseling, summer camp, and other programs for family members of officers killed in the line of duty. This nine-day run, which the Sergeant refers to as the ``Run for the Fallen,'' will require Gonzalez to cover approximately 45 miles each day. The venture, in its entirety, equates prgtoken to the completion of over 15 consecutive marathons. Good luck and Godspeed.
UNVEILING OF THE BISHOPVILLE JAMES DAVISON HERIOT STATUE ON THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF ARMISTICE DAY
Tim Scott (Republican, SC) \u2014 2018-4-11

I would like to recognize the American Legion Post 29 in Bishopville, SC as they celebrate the unveiling of the James Davison Heriot statue in downtown Bishopville on Sunday, November 11, 2018. James Davison Heriot was a South Carolina National Guard soldier who received the Medal of Honor for his actions during World War I. prgtoken Post 29 is honoring the Americans who fought in World War I by unveiling this statue on the 100th anniversary of the end of the American involvement in the conflict, previously known as Armistice Day. I look forward to the unveiling of the Bishopville Heriot statue, as well as all other commemorations that will take place on this special 100th anniversary.
Nomination of Mike Pompeo (Executive Calendar)
John Barrasso (Republican, WY) \u2014 2018-4-11

I come to the floor as we, as Americans, continue to see the regular reminders that the world is a very dangerous place. The horrendous reports out of Syria over the weekend show us there are leaders in the world who will test the rules that define civilized nations. They will exploit any crack that they see in our resolve. prgtoken President has consistently responded to these kinds of challenges by showing that he is resolute and that he is unshakable. He has a foreign policy that always puts America first. To continue to do this, the President needs to have a full national security team on the job and working for America. The Secretary of State is a very important part of that team. prgtoken Tomorrow, the Foreign Relations Committee is scheduled to have a hearing on Mike Pompeo's nomination to do this very important job. Mike Pompeo understands that if we want safety and security at home, we need a world that is peaceful and stable. I expect he is going to talk about all of these things at the confirmation hearing, and I look forward to his testimony. prgtoken We have all heard about Mike Pompeo's impressive qualifications for the job to which he has been nominated--first in his class at West Point; Harvard Law School; a Member of Congress; and the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. He has the integrity, and he has the experience to serve as America's Secretary of State. As a former Member of Congress, he certainly understands how policy decisions get made and the key importance of congressional oversight. As head of the CIA, he clearly understands the crucial role that the intelligence community plays in preserving America's national security. As a soldier, he understands the consequences of decisions that get made in Washington, DC. prgtoken I have traveled with Mike Pompeo to meet with world leaders and to attend national security conferences. He knows the issues, and he knows the people. He is the right person for this job. I met with him just last month after he was nominated. We talked about some of the specific issues going on around the world and how they affect our Nation's national security. It was a very good conversation, and I am extremely confident that he is the right person for this job. prgtoken I expect many more people will come away from these hearings tomorrow with great confidence in Mike Pompeo. He will be an excellent representative for our Nation, and he will be a strong hand to implement President 's foreign policy. So I look forward to voting on this nomination as soon as possible after the hearings. prgtoken It was just a little over a year ago that he was confirmed by a very large, bipartisan majority for his current job as the CIA Director. It was right here on this Senate floor where that confirmation occurred. Fifteen Senators from the other side of the aisle agreed that Mike Pompeo was the right choice for that position. As the nominee fo
STRESS TEST IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2017
Lee M. Zeldin (Republican, NY) \u2014 2018-4-11

I thank the chairman for all of his great leadership and mentorship throughout this process to get this bill to the floor today. prgtoken , I rise in strong support of H.R. 4293, the Stress Test Improvement Act. It is critical bipartisan legislation that injects transparency, consistency, and fairness into the stress testing process. prgtoken I especially want to thank my bipartisan supporter and partner on this important bill, Congressman David Scott of Georgia. prgtoken Stress tests are one of the aspects of current law that are contributing to the climate of legal and regulatory uncertainty because the Federal Reserve has failed to provide the necessary transparency around this process. prgtoken A stress test is a financial analysis performed internally by a financial institution or done externally by a regulator to assess if a bank can withstand stressful economic conditions. Stress tests, when done correctly, are an important way for banks and regulators to understand the ability of financial institutions to survive a contracting economy or weather a major economic storm like a recession. prgtoken Ensuring that these tests are done right, with fairness and objectivity, is essential for protecting depositors and the overall financial system. That is why passing the reforms in this bill should be a priority on both sides of the aisle. prgtoken Working together on a bipartisan basis, Mr. Scott offered an amendment to this bill that was accepted unanimously by the members of the Financial Services Committee, including the ranking member, and this bill cleared a committee markup with a bipartisan vote of 38-21. prgtoken By focusing the bill on three core reforms, we are improving this important process to protect soundness in the banking system, while also reforming the negative unintended consequences and damaging overreach of Dodd-Frank. prgtoken By striking the adverse scenario requirement from stress testing, these important tests can actually focus on real-world conditions to protect financial institutions and the customers they serve from threats to the stability of the financial system. prgtoken By repealing the ability of the Federal Reserve to reject a company's capital plan based solely on a qualitative stress test, we are making the process more transparent and fair. prgtoken This legislation ends the ability of regulators to arbitrarily reject a financial institution's capital plan without feedback or constructive criticism. These secretive rejections by regulators have done little to protect consumers and inserted more, not less, uncertainty into the financial system. prgtoken By eliminating the midcycle review and shifting from biannual to annual stress testing requirements, we are lessening the compliance tax that has raised the cost of lending and hurt consumers who have lost access to the small business loans or mortgages that help finance their American Dream. prgtoken Without needed reform, ra