mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
IN HONOR OF JENNIFER FRIZZEL FOR HER 15 YEARS OF SERVICE AT PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF NORTHERN NEW ENGLAND
Ann M. Kuster (Democrat, NH) \u2014 2018-2-6

I rise today to offer my sincere gratitude for Jennifer Frizzell as she moves on after fifteen years from her role leading public policy work for Planned Parenthood of Northern New England. prgtoken Throughout Jennifer's long career as an advocate for reproductive rights and improved access to family planning resources, she has helped support women across New Hampshire in obtaining well-deserved quality healthcare. Whether it's been advocacy to protect buffer zones outside of clinics or fighting against a lawsuit to prevent the opening of a Planned Parenthood in downtown Manchester, Jennifer has made invaluable contributions to our state and the country. Her commitment and compassion have improved the lives of countless women in need, and she has cultivated a better future for Granite State women and families. prgtoken On behalf of New Hampshire's Second Congressional District and all those who have benefitted from Jennifer's work, I thank her for her incredible service and congratulate her on all that she has accomplished. I wish her the best of luck in the years ahead, and I look forward to our continued work together to make New Hampshire an even better place to live, work, and raise a family.
CHILD PROTECTION IMPROVEMENTS ACT OF 2017--Continued
Robert Menendez (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2018-2-6

first of all, let me congratulate my colleague from Florida on the most recent historic launch. There is no one who has been a greater advocate for America's space program than Senator Nelson. I appreciate his leadership as well on this issue, which goes all the way from Florida, across the entire Atlantic and, of course, the Pacific as well. prgtoken I rise in strong opposition to the administration's offshore drilling plan. I am here to speak on behalf of New Jersey's shore businesses--the restaurants, the bait-and-tackle shops, and the bed- and-breakfasts that depend on clean beaches to succeed. Their businesses are the lifeblood of the Jersey Shore. Their voices deserve to be heard. Their livelihoods are on the line. Yet this administration remains solely focused on what is good for Big Oil's bottom line, never mind the consequences for our economy, the health of the planet, or our vibrant coastal communities. prgtoken The Interior Department's offshore drilling plan reads like a wish list for oil industry executives. Clearly, the administration didn't consult my constituents when drafting this plan. By the way, we had already gone through a 5-year plan, so there were supposed to be 5 years before we revisited this, and now we are back at it again. They didn't consult the shop owners in Asbury Park or the fishermen in Belford or the innkeepers in Cape May, because if they had, they would have learned that our shoreline is an economic powerhouse for our State. prgtoken Each year, New Jersey's tourism industry generates $44 billion in economic activity, directly and indirectly supporting nearly 10 percent of the State's workforce. Likewise, our seafood industry supports over 31,000 jobs, and we are home to one of America's largest saltwater recreational fisheries, supporting over 16,000 jobs. Together, the homes and businesses along the Jersey Shore encompass almost $800 billion in property values. prgtoken All of this adds up to a simple reality: Clean coasts are vital to the economic security of millions of New Jerseyans. The same holds true for towns up and down the Atlantic shoreline. Yet the administration plans to ignore the concern of the communities that have the most to lose. They ignore the more than 120 municipalities, the 1,200 elected officials, the 41,000 businesses, and the 500,000 fishing families from up and down the east prgtoken coast who voiced their opposition the last time oil and gas drilling was being considered. They ignore concerns from the Pentagon and NASA about disruptions to their operations from drilling in the Atlantic. They ignore the opposition of my west coast colleagues to drilling in the Pacific. They ignore the Department of the Interior's own finding that the Arctic drilling comes with a 75-percent chance of an oilspill in a treacherous and challenging environment. Simply put, the drilling plan ignores everyone except Big Oil. <|
CHILD PROTECTION IMPROVEMENTS ACT OF 2017--Continued
Sheldon Whitehouse (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2018-2-6

indisputably, Vladimir Putin conducted a broadly based attack on American democracy and its most important institutions. Tragically, Putin's broadly based attack on American democracy and our institutions is echoed by President 's attack on American democracy and our most important institutions. And tragically or pathetically--I don't know which to say--that attack is echoed by a broad attack on American democracy and institutions. prgtoken We can and should take steps to defend our American democracy. They are not terribly complicated. prgtoken No. 1, stop attacking our own institutions. We can start there. We are doing Putin's work when we attack our own institutions. prgtoken No. 2, step up to protect our own elections. All of our national security witnesses have warned that they are coming after us in 2018 with more election interference. Yet what have we done? prgtoken No. 3, stop sheltering Putin and his oligarchs from consequences. We passed sanctions against Russian oligarchs and Putin and Russia for this very thing--messing around in our elections--through the Senate 98 to 2. The effective date of them has run. Yet the President won't enforce them. Stop sheltering Putin and his oligarchs. prgtoken No. 4, clean up the dark channels of foreign influence and corruption. We know what they are because we have seen this play out in European countries and former Soviet Union countries. We know how it works. We have similar vulnerabilities. Fix them. prgtoken Those are four things that are not hard to do. prgtoken A fifth would be serious investigations by Congress--not tiptoe investigations but ones where we take hard looks, ask hard questions, and demand hard evidence. prgtoken No one in the Senate has tangled more with Vladimir Putin than our friend John McCain. Senator McCain has tangled with him so often that he has actually been blacklisted from travel to Russia. What Senator McCain said last week is something we should take to heart: ``The latest attacks against the FBI and Department of Justice serve no American interests--no party's, no President's, only Vladimir Putin's.'' prgtoken He also said this: ``Our Nation's elected officials, including the President, must stop looking at this investigation through the lens of politics and manufacturing political sideshows.'' Instead, we need to be looking at the situation through the lens of our national security. prgtoken Here is what America's national security professionals tell us. First, they concluded: ``Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered an influence campaign in 2016 aimed at the U.S. presidential election.'' prgtoken I will continue. ``Russia's goals were to undermine public faith in the U.S. ic process, denigrate Secretary Clinton, and harm her electability and potential presidency.'' prgtoken They concluded: ``We further assess Putin and the Russian government developed a clear preference for President-elect Trum
CHILD PROTECTION IMPROVEMENTS ACT OF 2017--Continued
Richard Blumenthal (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2018-2-6

I am honored to follow my colleagues here today and to be followed by my great friend and colleague, Senator Whitehouse, who has been a wonderful partner in this effort and has helped organize today's colloquy. I will yield to him shortly. prgtoken I think the American people are asking a commonsense question: What is the President trying to hide? What do the Russians have on ? prgtoken The intelligence community unanimously says that the Russians attacked our democracy by interfering in the 2016 election. The only one who has any doubt about it--in fact, the only public official who has the temerity to deny it--is the President of the United States. So the question is, Why? prgtoken That is the elephant in this Chamber. That is the question that the American people demand that we answer in our investigation into obstruction of justice through the Judiciary Committee and that the special counsel will be answering in his investigation into collusion between the Russians and the campaign, as well as subsequent obstruction of justice. prgtoken Some of this investigation involves past events and actions by the President and others. But, in fact, what is happening daily in real time is evidence of obstruction of justice. It is as though we were watching a case in court unfolding before our eyes. All we lack is the marshalling of the evidence and the closing argument. In a subsequent speech, I intend to go into great detail on that obstruction case. prgtoken From what we know now through the public record, there is a lot more that the special counsel knows from his investigation, and he will be making use of it from classified and unclassified sources. prgtoken We now know, irrefutably and undeniably, that there is a credible case of obstruction of justice against the President of the United States. It is credible and, in many ways, powerful and compelling. prgtoken In fact, President has endeavored mightily to stop all of these investigations into the Russian meddling in the 2016 election and his connections to it. prgtoken Obstruction of justice is a serious crime, essentially consisting of two elements: No. 1, to interfere with a lawful investigation and, No. 2, that interference has to be done with corrupt intent. Corrupt intent means any improper purpose. prgtoken It doesn't matter that the President, for example, had the right to fire Jim Comey or to say one thing or another. The question is why he did it. There can be circumstantial evidence of that corrupt intent in what he says and does, as well as direct quotations. prgtoken If it was to stop or influence an investigation, that is corrupt intent, and that is enough for obstruction of justice. prgtoken My colleagues and I are here today to raise the alarm because where we are now is that part of the President's corrupt intent, as well as his interference with the investigation, consists of an all-out assault on law enforcement
CONGRESSIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 1995 REFORM ACT
Jamie Raskin (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2018-2-6

. It prohibits sexual relationships between Members of Congress and their staffs. It holds offending Members personally responsible for their conduct by requiring that they pay any settlements that are actually made. prgtoken I thank Chairman Harper and Ranking Member Brady for their leadership. I especially thank Congresswoman Jackie Speier for her untiring and exemplary advocacy over the years on this issue. I am glad that we are being part of this great cultural paradigm shift in America right now.
HONORING HOMETOWN HEROES ACT
Nita M. Lowey (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2018-2-6

such time as I may consume. prgtoken Since President 's draconian FY 2018 budget was released last year, have warned s that a bipartisan budget agreement was needed to adequately invest in American families and communities. Without a budget agreement, programs as diverse as Head Start, job training, and terrorism prevention grants are in danger of inadequate funding, at best. prgtoken Instead of engaging with to reach a budget agreement, the majority is seeking to advance a full year of funding for only the Department of Defense, busting budget caps, while punting every other Federal service and investment to an uncertain future. prgtoken , the most powerful country in the world now being completely run by a government can't keep the lights on more than weeks at a time. How did we get here? prgtoken will not go along with any plan that neglects critical national security and domestic needs. If this bill were to become law, the majority would have no workable plan to make the investments that are necessary for priorities, including biomedical research, infrastructure projects, Pell Grants, homeland security, assistance for local communities, veterans health, opioid funding, job training, the FBI, and other Federal law enforcement and more. prgtoken This is not a serious bill. We know that it will be quickly rejected by the Senate. It is the furthest possible cry from regular order that the majority so frequently discusses yet rarely follows. It is nothing more than a political ploy that will place us on the brink of another shutdown. prgtoken It is well past time to increase budget caps and enact responsible spending bills. The majority displays a lack of urgency regarding reaching a budget agreement and enacting appropriations law, choosing instead to advance partisan measures that fail to lift unmanageable budget caps for both defense and nondefense. prgtoken s must abandon these partisan short-term bills and work with to fund the entirety of government for the remainder of the fiscal year to serve the American people. prgtoken , .
CONGRESSIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 1995 REFORM ACT
Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democrat, DC) \u2014 2018-2-6

I want to thank both sides for the bipartisan way in which this bill has proceeded. prgtoken Today, the House is doing no more than bringing itself in line with what we have long required of the public sector and Federal agencies. prgtoken When I became chair of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in the late 1970s, sexual harassment was not even recognized as a form of employment discrimination. prgtoken We remedied that with sexual harassment guidelines, later ratified by the Supreme Court. In drawing the sexual harassment guidelines, it never occurred to us that Congress would adopt special procedures for themselves, preferential to Members and prejudicial to employees. prgtoken The antidiscrimination statutes typically require some kind of conciliation before moving forward to avoid excessive litigation, but the current process creates multiple steps and time frames that exhaust complainants and deter resolution. prgtoken It takes courage to file a sexual harassment complaint because most are unwitnessed and they are difficult to corroborate. prgtoken The most important provisions of this bill, I believe, are the provisions for legal assistance to complainants, which Members have long had, and personal liability for sexual harassment lying with the Member, not the taxpayers. prgtoken This bill marks the Congress holding itself accountable to the public. However, it is another focus on high-profile workplaces. prgtoken I ask the House to move next to the workplaces of America where the average woman and man works--hospitality, factories, offices, retail, and the like. Increasingly, we find sexual harassment is still widespread. prgtoken Therefore, I hope the House will pass my bill to create a national commission to hear from ordinary workers so that the average worker gets our equal attention and equal time. prgtoken , again, I thank the sponsors of this bill and for this bipartisan effort.
HONORING RETIRING CAPTAIN PETER DUPREE
Glenn Thompson (Republican, PA) \u2014 2018-2-6

I rise today to honor a Washington, D.C firefighter for his more than three decades of exceptional service. prgtoken Captain Peter Dupree has served more than 31 years with the District of Columbia Fire Department. He started his firefighting career in 1977 as a volunteer with his hometown fire company in Avis, Pennsylvania, in Clinton County. Pete rose through the ranks and eventually became fire chief. prgtoken In 1986, Pete moved to Maryland and joined the Berwyn Heights Volunteer Fire Department, Station 14, in Prince George's County. That same month, Pete was appointed as a probationer for the District of Columbia Fire Department. After passing required courses, he was assigned to Truck 12 in Northwest D.C. prgtoken In December of 2000, Pete achieved the rank of sergeant. Three years later, he would be promoted to lieutenant at Engine 18 on Capitol Hill. Then, in 2008, Pete became a captain in Northwest D.C. at Truck 9. He retired from the station in January after more than 31 years of service. prgtoken , it is an honor to thank Captain Peter Dupree, a native son of Clinton County, and wish him well in his retirement.
CHILD PROTECTION IMPROVEMENTS ACT OF 2017--Continued
Jeff Flake (Republican, AZ) \u2014 2018-2-6

last fall I had the honor to stand in this Chamber and deliver remarks on the subject of a great and growing concern to me--the stewardship of our democracy at the hands of the most powerful figure in our government. I stand again today to sound the same alarm. prgtoken Words matter. Have we arrived at such a place of numb acceptance that we have nothing to say when the President of the United States casually suggests that those who choose not to stand or applaud his speech are guilty of treason? I certainly hope not. prgtoken The one who levels such a charge knows neither the meaning of ``treason'' nor the power that the words of a President carry. If we are numb to such words, then we will surely regret that we failed to defend our colleagues in Congress against such a vile remark, but our silence will also mark the day we failed to recognize that this conduct in an American President simply is not normal. prgtoken I wish I could stand here today and say my words of last October have been proven wrong; that I had been unfair to inveigh against the daily sundering of our country; that I had been mistaken about the personal attacks; that I had exaggerated the threats against principles, freedoms, and institutions, the flagrant disregard for truth and decency, and the reckless provocations, most often for the pettiest and most personal reasons, reasons that have nothing whatsoever to do with the fortunes of the people we have all been elected to serve--I wish I could say I had been wrong, but I cannot. prgtoken I have seen the President's most ardent defenders use the now-weary argument that the President's comments were meant as a joke, just sarcasm, only tongue in cheek, but treason is not a punch line. prgtoken The President said the State of the Union Address was meant to promote and encourage unity in government. Then why, less than a week later, follow up with this divisive and harmful rhetoric? Unity is not secured in a speech. It must be pursued constantly through appropriate behavior, mutual respect, and gained by effective leadership. Respect is earned, not commanded. Applause signals approval of an idea, not loyalty to one's country. prgtoken Our ic colleagues love this country as much as we do. To suggest otherwise is simply unconscionable. None of us in Congress pledge loyalty or service to the President. This is not a royal court. Our oath is to the Constitution and to the people. As Members of Congress, we must never accept undignified discourse as normal because of the requirements of tribal party politics. prgtoken None of this behavior should ever be regarded as normal. We must never allow ourselves to lapse into thinking this is just the way things are now. prgtoken We will get through this period, and when we do, we will look back at the destruction of our discourse and the attacks on our democratic values as nothing but a tragedy. May we also be able to say they were an
Introductory Statement on S. 2386
Chuck Grassley (Republican, IA) \u2014 2018-2-6

I would like to raise a very important issue that is impacting our veterans population. That issue is the systematic denial of these veterans' Second Amendment rights. This comes up in discussions with Iowa veterans, and I have candidly discussed this issue before on the Senate floor. prgtoken Today, I am introducing bipartisan legislation, cosponsored by Senator Manchin, called the Veterans' Second Amendment Rights Restoration Act of 2018. This bill is being introduced to solve the problem of denying these rights to veterans. prgtoken The legislation is about the fidelity of the Constitution and about the fidelity of the Bill of Rights. It is also about due process and fairness for veterans. What this is not about, I want to make clear, is allowing anyone to purchase a firearm who is prohibited to do so under current law or regulations. I want it to be very clear right off the bat so that no one misinterprets this as some effort to let people own firearms who would normally be prohibited. prgtoken This legislation is needed because a very disturbing trend has occurred in the past decade. The Veterans Health Administration has been reporting veterans to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System--the national gun ban list--just because these veterans have been determined by the VA to be veterans who require a fiduciary to administer benefit payments. This is a pretty simple proposition that denies veterans their Second Amendment rights. It is that simple, as I just said. A fiduciary's administering benefit payments to a veteran could and does lead to that veteran's being denied Second Amendment rights. Once on the gun list, a veteran is outlawed from owning or possessing firearms. prgtoken It is crucial to note that the regulations that the Veterans Health Administration is relying on are from way back in the 1970s. It predates even the National Instant Criminal Background Check System and is long before the Supreme Court held the Second Amendment to be a fundamental, constitutional right. These regulations grant limited authority to determine incompetence only in the context of financial matters. prgtoken The regulation reads like this: ``Rating agencies have sole authority to make official determinations of competency or incompetency for purposes of: insurance and . . . disbursement of benefits.'' prgtoken There is nothing wrong with that language, but it is that language that leads to the problems that veterans have with their Second Amendment rights. From this language, it is clear that the core regulatory authority applies to matters of competency for financial purposes. It has nothing to do with regulating who can purchase firearms, but that is exactly what is happening. Veterans are losing their Second Amendment rights because they have people managing their checkbooks. It is that simple. If you cannot handle your finances, you lose your Second Amendment rights. prgtoken Ever
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF SENATE AMENDMENT TO H.R. 1892, HONORING HOMETOWN HEROES ACT
Pete Sessions (Republican, TX) \u2014 2018-2-6

I appreciate my colleague for being here so that we may move forward on this important funding for the government. prgtoken , from time to time, there are Members of Congress who distinguish themselves in ways that draw not only attention upon an organization more than just themselves, but also distinction. Our next speaker is a gentleman who served for 14 years in the United States Air Force. He holds the record for the fastest nonstop flight ever in the world in one of the United States Air Force planes that is called a B-1 bomber. This gentleman not only served with distinction and honor but is here today to speak about the importance of funding our United States military. prgtoken , I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Stewart).