mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
SENATE RESOLUTION 178--TO AUTHORIZE TESTIMONY, DOCUMENT PRODUCTION, AND REPRESENTATION IN UNITED STATES V. KEVIN LEE OLSON
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2017-5-24

this resolution concerns a request for testimony and documents in a criminal action pending in North Dakota federal district court. In this action, the defendant is charged with sending to Senator Heitkamp an e-mail threatening to kill or injure her. A trial is scheduled for June 6, 2017. prgtoken The prosecution is seeking for introduction into evidence at trial documentary evidence from the Senator's office, including the e-mail at issue, as well as testimony from the Senator's correspondence manager. Senator Heitkamp would like to cooperate by providing such relevant evidence. The enclosed resolution would authorize that staffer, and any other current or former employee of the Senator's office from whom relevant evidence may be necessary, to testify and produce documents in this action, with representation by the Senate Legal Counsel. S. Res. 178 Whereas, in the case of United States v. Kevin Lee Olson, Cr. No. 17-26, pending in the United States District Court for the District of North Dakota, the prosecution has requested the production of testimony and documents from Kobye Noel, an employee in the Washington, D.C. office of Senator Heidi Heitkamp; Whereas, pursuant to sections 703(a) and 704(a)(2) of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978, 2 U.S.C. Sec. Sec. 288b(a) and 288c(a)(2), the Senate may direct its counsel to represent current or former employees of the Senate with respect to any subpoena, order, or request for testimony relating to their official responsibilities; Whereas, by the privileges of the Senate of the United States and Rule XI of the Standing Rules of the Senate, no evidence under the control or in the possession of the Senate may, by the judicial or administrative process, be taken from such control or possession but by permission of the Senate; and Whereas, when it appears that evidence under the control or in the possession of the Senate may promote the administration of justice, the Senate will take such action as will promote the ends of justice consistent with the privileges of the Senate: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That Kobye Noel, an employee in the Office of Senator Heidi Heitkamp, and any other current or former employee of the Senator's office from whom relevant evidence may be necessary, are authorized to testify and produce documents in the case of United States v. Kevin Lee Olson, except concerning matters for which a privilege should be asserted. Sec. 2. The Senate Legal Counsel is authorized to represent current and former employees of Senator Heitkamp's office in connection with the production of evidence authorized in section one of this resolution.
REQUIRING AN ANNUAL REPORT TO CONGRESS RELATING TO THE USE OF OFFICIAL TIME BY FEDERAL EMPLOYEES
Dennis A. Ross (Republican, FL) \u2014 2017-5-24

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , I rise today in support of my bill, H.R. 1293, to amend title 5 of the United States Code to require the Office of Personnel Management to submit an annual report to Congress relating to the use of official time by Federal employees. prgtoken , I am here today to talk about a bill that would provide taxpayers with greater transparency of official time. ``Official time'' is that term that describes when Federal employees do union work on the taxpayers' dime. prgtoken The only standard provided by the statute authorizing official time is that the employees perform union work on official time in a manner that is ``reasonable, necessary, and in the public interest.'' Currently, Federal law does not require agencies to report, annually, on the amount of official time their employees perform. prgtoken Until March of this year, the Office of Personnel Management had not reported on official time since fiscal year 2012. When the report was released in March, the data was out of date, containing information from fiscal year 2014. prgtoken While the Office of Personnel Management may request that agencies provide data related to official time, OPM does not have any set of standards or procedures prescribing the collection of official time data. Considering the burden that official time puts on the taxpayer, more stringent reporting is necessary. prgtoken The latest data provided by OPM shows that taxpayers paid $162 million for salary and benefits related to work done in official time in fiscal year 2014, up from $157 million 2 years earlier in fiscal year 2012. prgtoken Agencies reported that bargaining unit employees spent a total of 3.5 million hours performing representational activities on official time. prgtoken The current lack of stringent reporting requirements, as well as the broad interpretation of the statute's sole requirement that official time be carried out in a way that is reasonable, necessary, and in the public interest, have clearly opened the door to abuse. prgtoken The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform identified several cases where employees on official time engaged in all sorts of inappropriate activities while on taxpayer-funded time, including everything from leisure to criminal activities. With greater transparency, employees will be less likely to abuse the system, which will result in less waste of taxpayer dollars. prgtoken It is by far time we require agencies to provide this information to Congress and to the public. Taxpayers deserve clear, reliable data on how many employees are performing union work on official time in lieu of their regularly assigned government duties. prgtoken To accomplish this, H.R. 1293 requires agencies to provide more detailed information to OPM regarding what their employees are doing related to official time. Specifically, the bill requires agencies to report the total amount of official time grante
TRIBUTE TO MAJOR GENERAL LAURA J. RICHARDSON
James M. Inhofe (Republican, OK) \u2014 2017-5-24

. today I wish pay tribute to a great leader and an exceptional Army officer, MG Laura J. Richardson, the Chief Legislative Liaison for the Office of the Secretary of the Army, as she prepares to leave this position for one of even greater importance. prgtoken Major General Richardson has served our Army and our Nation for more than 30 years. She was a true professional--a dedicated soldier, leader, officer, spouse, and mother. Throughout her career, she commanded our great soldiers at many levels, deployed to combat numerous times in defense of our Nation, and was assigned to some of the most critical positions in our military. As the Army's Chief Legislative Liaison, Major General Richardson continues to provide outstanding leadership, advice, and sound professional judgment on numerous critical issues of enduring importance to the Army, Congress, and this Nation. prgtoken A native of Colorado, Major General Richardson was commissioned a second lieutenant of aviation upon graduation from Metropolitan State College in Denver. Her first assignment after flight school was in Korea with the 17th Aviation Brigade, where she served as a platoon leader, company executive officer, brigade staff officer, and company commander. She next served at Fort Hood, TX, on the III Corps staff and in the 6th Cavalry Brigade as a company commander and brigade adjutant. In 1999, General Richardson was selected to serve as the military aide to Vice President Al Gore at the White House in Washington, DC. Following that assignment, she moved to Fort Campbell, KY, to serve as the Division Deputy G-3 of the 101st Airborne Division, Air Assault, and later commanded the 5th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment, including a deployment to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. prgtoken Major General Richardson has served in a variety of joint and Army staff positions to include: an assault helicopter battalion operations officer and executive officer; deputy director, then director for the Army's Transformation Office; and the Army's liaison officer to the U.S. Senate. She also served as the garrison commander of Fort McNair and Fort Myer, VA. prgtoken Major General Richardson's assignments as a general officer include commanding general of the U.S. Army Operational Test Command, deputy commanding general of the 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, TX, and most recently, deputy chief of staff for communications with Headquarters, International Security Assistance Force, ISAF, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan. prgtoken For the past 3 years, Major General Richardson was the Chief of the U.S. Army Legislative Liaison. During this period of extraordinary change and challenge for the Army, Major General Richardson implemented and fostered improved strategic partnership with Congress. Through her leadership, the Army significantly enhanced relationships with both legislative chambers, improving understanding
Healthcare Legislation (Executive Calendar)
John Barrasso (Republican, WY) \u2014 2017-5-24

I congratulate my colleague from Missouri for the excellent comments he made. prgtoken I bring to the floor a report that came out last evening, which is essentially the analysis that the administration never wanted the American people to see, and it has to do with Care from 2013 to 2017. This report that the administration would love to hide from the American people makes the point that my colleague from Missouri just made. prgtoken In those years, from 2013 to 2017, once Care came into place, premiums around the country in the States that are buying on the Federal Care exchange went up 105 percent on average--more than double. It more than doubled in 20 States, and it tripled in three States: Oklahoma, Alaska, and Alabama. In Wyoming, it went up 107 percent in just 4 years. Tell me something else that has gone up by that price in our lives anywhere over that short period of time. Those are the numbers that are out today. prgtoken More than 7 years ago, the Washington wrote an enormously costly and complicated healthcare law. They forced it through the Senate, and they made lots of promises. They promised it would provide care for less money. They promised that you could keep your doctor and that you could keep your insurance. They promised that if you just allowed Washington to have more control, everything would be better for you. It hasn't worked out that way. These are the numbers we are looking at today, and it looks as if prices are going to go up again next year because of the mandates and the requirements of the healthcare law. prgtoken In Connecticut, insurance companies say they want an average increase of about 24 percent; in Maryland, the average is 45 percent; and in Oregon, 17 percent. Americans are again facing double-digit increases in their Care premiums next year, just like this past year. prgtoken Some companies simply said: Hey, I am done. I am not going to sell anymore. It is just not worth it. prgtoken That is what Aetna has done--pulled out entirely. The thing that is so interesting about Aetna's decision is that they were one of the major cheerleaders early on back in the beginning of Care. They said: Oh yeah, we want to do this. We want to sell insurance all around the country. Well, now they are pulling out of Care all across America. What that means for people at home is that they have fewer choices. prgtoken People living in two-thirds of the counties in this country--and in every county in my home State of Wyoming--are down to fewer and fewer choices. We have one choice of a carrier to buy from on the exchange in Wyoming. In two-thirds of the counties, people have only one or two choices. There are now places where people have no choices. Even if they get a subsidy under Care, there is no place they can use it, so it is useless to them. prgtoken The companies that remain--what are they doing to help try to
FRED D. THOMPSON FEDERAL BUILDING AND UNITED STATES COURTHOUSE
Lamar Alexander (Republican, TN) \u2014 2017-5-24

I am grateful that the Senate has approved that measure naming the Fred D. Thompson Federal Building and United States Courthouse in Nashville. prgtoken I stand at the desk of former Senator Thompson. This was a desk that Senator Howard Baker also had. I have the desk myself because Senator Thompson and I were inspired by Senator Baker to be involved in politics and government in our State and the House of Representatives-- our delegation. prgtoken I think Senator Carper and his committee all seem to think that it is very appropriate that the new Nashville courthouse be named for Senator Thompson. It gives me a great deal of pride and personal privilege to be able to ask for that to be done. I thank Congresswoman Blackburn in the House for her leadership and all the Members of the delegation and the Members of the Senate for their cooperation in this. prgtoken I thank the Presiding Officer. prgtoken .
MEMORIAL DAY
Dave Brat (Republican, VA) \u2014 2017-5-24

first I would like to thank my very good friend from Arizona (Mr. Biggs), first of all, for his moving testimony on behalf of the greatest folks who ever served our Nation and for arranging this Special Order to honor the valiant men and women that serve our country every day. prgtoken While most of America views Memorial Day, rightly, as the official start of summer vacations and cookouts, which we all enjoy, I hope we also do not forget to pause and remember the men and women who give the full, last measure of devotion serving our country. It is a day to remember those who died defending the freedoms we hold dear and acknowledge the debt of gratitude we owe to our servicemembers and their loved ones. This weekend, we stop to mourn so many of our heroes who served: brothers and sisters, fathers and mothers, aunts and uncles who never came home. prgtoken National cemeteries often serve as the final resting place for those who served our country. Founded by President Lincoln and enacted by Congress in 1862, today you can find these cemeteries tucked away in communities across America. Too often the history and stories they hold remain untold or forgotten. prgtoken In 1867, Culpeper National Cemetery was established and is located in my congressional district. Earlier this month, a 23-year-old young man was laid to rest there. prgtoken U.S. Army Sergeant Cameron Thomas grew up in Ohio, but his family later made Culpeper, Virginia, home. I was proud to see so many members of the Culpeper community lining the streets holding American flags to honor Sergeant Thomas. prgtoken At the age of 19, Sergeant Thomas became one of the youngest soldiers to ever earn the Ranger designation. On his fifth deployment, he was killed in action on April 27 in Afghanistan during a night raid on a remote ISIS stronghold that resulted in killing the head of ISIS in Afghanistan. prgtoken Family members and friends described him as a man who lived with intention and determination. He believed anything worth doing was worth overdoing and that moderation is for cowards. He was a man who knew his mission and served our country with distinction. prgtoken Sergeant Cameron Thomas represented the best of our armed services. He loved his family, passionately served his country, and will be a soldier we honor and cherish for the rest of our Nation's history. prgtoken , I want to again thank the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Biggs) for doing this service for our country.
Healthcare Legislation (Executive Calendar)
Orrin G. Hatch (Republican, UT) \u2014 2017-5-24

I rise today to speak about the continuing effort to repeal and replace Care. This effort has essentially been going on since the day the bill was signed into law. I think most of us on the side recognize the overwhelming consensus surrounding the prgtoken failures of Care as a major reason we currently find ourselves in the majority. prgtoken As you know, the House passed the American Health Care Act, a bill that would repeal and replace Care, earlier this month. This is an important step in the process. Later today, we expect to hear from the Congressional Budget Office about the House bill. The CBO score will lay down an important marker for the repeal and replace efforts in the Senate. It will allow us to work to ensure that the House bill fits into the constraints of the reconciliation rules in the Senate, while we continue to strive toward our own policy goals to implement patient- centered healthcare and healthcare reforms that address cost and promote choice and competition. prgtoken I am very interested in what they say. These changes are more important than ever. Just today, we received a report from HHS that, from the time Care took effect through 2017, there was an average premium increase of 105 percent across the 39 States using healthcare.gov. This is just one snapshot of the runaway costs of Care, and it is just one of many examples indicating why we need to act as quickly as possible to repeal and replace the misguided law. prgtoken As the Senate continues to discuss the policy matters related to this effort, we will need to confront a number of different issues as we work to provide enduring reforms for our beleaguered healthcare system. As chairman of the Senate committee with jurisdiction over most of the salient issues under discussion, I want to make my views on these matters very clear. prgtoken First, it is my view that all of the Care taxes need to go. We should not be treating the Care taxes as a smorgasbord, picking and choosing which ones to keep and which to discard. I don't think there is a single tax increase in Care that has enjoyed support on this side. prgtoken When all is said and done, the tax provisions of the Affordable Care Act represented a trillion-dollar hit on the economy in just the first 10 years. That is nearly 1 percent of the projected gross domestic product over the same period. In my view, it would be inappropriate, after spending the better part of a decade railing against Care's burdensome job-killing taxes, for us to then turn around and say that some of them are fine so long as they are being used to fund healthcare proposals. prgtoken It is very simple. We need to repeal all of the Care taxes--the medical device tax, the health insurance tax, the so-called Cadillac tax, the taxes on healthcare savings and pharmaceuticals, and several others. They all have to go
RECOGNIZING WINSHIP CANCER INSTITUTE
Johnny Isakson (Republican, GA) \u2014 2017-5-24

today I am honored to congratulate Winship prgtoken Cancer Institute at Emory University on earning the prestigious comprehensive cancer center designation from the National Cancer Institute. This designation now places Georgia's own Winship Cancer Institute in the top 1 percent of all cancer centers in the United States. prgtoken Winship Cancer Institute was established in 1937 with a gift from one of Georgia's generous philanthropists, Robert W. Woodruff, whose mission was to allow Georgians to get the best cancer treatment in their home State. He envisioned doctors and researchers working together in the same facility, so that scientists would be reminded of the urgency of their work and motivated to bring innovative treatments to patients. Winship treated 168 patients in its first year. Today Winship sees more than 15,000 patients every year. prgtoken The research being performed at Winship Cancer Institute is particularly important to Georgians because Winship researchers are studying the environmental and genetic issues unique to cancer in our State. Winship's goals are very specific: reducing the risk of cancer and detecting cancer at the earliest possible stage. prgtoken An estimated 50,000 Georgians will be diagnosed with cancer this year, and approximately a third of them will receive some component of their treatment at one of Winship's clinical locations in metropolitan Atlanta. prgtoken In recommending Winship for this special designation, former President Jimmy Carter spoke of the research and work being performed at Winship that helped save his life after his cancer diagnosis at his advanced age. prgtoken Today Winship continues to stand out because of its commitment to aligning its outstanding cancer research and education initiatives with its significant cancer prevention and cancer care efforts. I am proud to congratulate Winship Cancer Institute on this important milestone, as its researchers and clinicians continue their mission to lessen the burden of cancer for the citizens of Georgia.
OUR VETERANS ARE REAL HEROES
Mike Bishop (Republican, MI) \u2014 2017-5-24

I rise today to thank our brave servicemen and -women who have put their lives on the line every day to protect us. Since the founding of our Nation, millions of Americans have proudly served and sacrificed in preservation of our democracy. prgtoken Our veterans have paid a tremendous price to defend our freedom, yet leaving the battlefield does not always mean their battles are over. It is, therefore, our duty as a nation to ensure that our servicemembers are properly and respectfully cared for when they return home. prgtoken Our veterans are real-life heroes living quietly among us. They are the patriots who were willing to give up everything--everything they had--for their God, their country, and for one another. prgtoken The Holy Scripture tells us, in John 15:13: ``Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.'' This weekend, let's call to mind all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. It is because of their valor, strength, and bravery that I stand here before you today. They selflessly put their lives on the line to fight for us, and I am proud to continue fighting for them. prgtoken Our men and women of the military represent the very best of America. On behalf of Michigan's Eighth Congressional District, we are eternally grateful for their service. prgtoken Happy and safe Memorial Day weekend.
AMENDED U.S. SENATE TRAVEL REGULATIONS
Richard C. Shelby (Republican, AL) \u2014 2017-5-24

I wish to inform all Senators that on Friday, May 19, 2017, the Committee on Rules and Administration adopted amendments to the U.S. Senate Travel Regulations and corresponding changes to the committee and administrative office staff regulations, which are published as part of the travel regulations. All amendments are effective immediately. prgtoken I ask unanimous consent that a summary of these modifications and the text of the amended regulations be printed in the Record.
MEMORIAL DAY
Richard Hudson (Republican, NC) \u2014 2017-5-24

I rise today because this week is All American Week, the annual celebration of the 82nd Airborne Division's mission and the paratroopers who serve to uphold it. prgtoken Based in my district at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, the 82nd Airborne Division is the Nation's Global Response prgtoken Force and can mobilize, load, and strike in a moment's notice. These rapid reaction forces put the ``air'' in airborne and are absolutely vital to our national security. prgtoken This year marks the division's 100th anniversary, and it is a special time for us to celebrate its incredible history as America's Guard of Honor. prgtoken Since its inception, the 82nd Airborne Division has played a role in every major U.S. conflict around the world. It was nicknamed the ``All American Division'' because of the unique and diverse group of soldiers who came together to form the division from all across the United States. prgtoken As the Representative of Fort Bragg in Congress, I am so proud of the 82nd Airborne's legacy, of our paratroopers and their families. They put country before self, and we are so grateful. prgtoken I will continue to work to ensure this critical installation remains the epicenter of the universe and the tip of the spear guaranteeing our national security. prgtoken As we celebrate All American Week this week, I ask my fellow Americans to join me in praying for servicemembers stationed at Fort Bragg who are currently deployed and for their families here at home. prgtoken We also remember our veterans who served in the 82nd Airborne Division, particularly those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Today's paratroopers stand on the shoulders of these giants. prgtoken Airborne, all the way.