mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
DRIFTNET MODERNIZATION AND BYCATCH REDUCTION ACT
Ted Lieu (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2020-12-10

I rise today in support of the Driftnet Modernization and Bycatch Reduction Act, bipartisan, bicameral legislation that would phase out the use of large mesh drift gillnets off the coast of California. prgtoken Currently, the use of gillnets with a total length of two and one- half kilometers or more is prohibited in U.S. waters. However, off the coast of California, we have seen that drift gillnet fishing gear within the legal federal limit is still having an adverse impact on our Pacific wildlife. While these mile-long gillnets are designed to catch swordfish and thresher sharks, the large mesh net frequently captures many other marine animals as bycatch, injuring or killing them in the process. prgtoken The practice of drift gillnet fishing is an antiquated method for catching swordfish and prgtoken thresher sharks, and is already banned in many states, including Washington and Oregon. It is time to adopt new fishing technology in order to set a path toward more sustainable fishing. This bill would direct the Secretary of Commerce to conduct a transition program to phase-out large mesh drift gillnet and promote the adoption of alternative fishing practices to minimize the bycatch of marine species. prgtoken Bycatch is a lingering problem in fisheries management, and such waste is especially pervasive in driftnet fisheries. We have the prime opportunity today to provide a solution that would improve fishery resource management and provide the swordfish fishery participants the needed support to transition to more selective and sustainable fishing gear. It is a win-win situation. prgtoken On July 22, 2020, the Senate passed S. 906 by unanimous consent. There is broad support for this legislation, including endorsements from the American Sportfishing Association, The Pew Charitable Trusts, Humane Society Legislative Fund, Oceana, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, and the National Marine Manufacturers Association. In the spirit of bipartisanship, I urge my colleagues in the House to join us in passing this commonsense legislation today. I would like to thank Chairman Grijalva, Congressman Huffman, and Senator Feinstein for their leadership on this issue as well as House and Senate committee staff for their hard work. I look forward to the enactment of this bill.
HONORING SUPERVISOR ROB BROWN
Mike Thompson (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2020-12-10

. Madam , I rise today to honor Supervisor Rob Brown for more than 20 years of dedicated public service in Lake County on the occasion of his retirement. In his five terms as County Supervisor, he has displayed a practical, sensible approach to leadership that has endeared him to his colleagues and constituents. prgtoken A Lake County native, Supervisor Brown has made it his mission to address the most important issues facing his life-long home. In response to the devastating 2015 Valley Fire, he stepped up to lead the county's response and recovery efforts and personally oversaw the evacuation of Clearlake Riviera when law enforcement was overstrained. Never a man to leave things unfinished, he spearheaded extended land management assistance under the Benefit Zone initiative and brought volunteers together under the ``1,000 Hands Project'' to mitigate future wildfire risks. When the Coronavirus pandemic threatened lives and livelihoods, he once again rose to the challenge, developing plans to distribute more than $1 million in CARES Act funding to businesses in need. prgtoken Even in more certain times, Supervisor Brown never became complacent, tirelessly pursuing projects to benefit his constituents. He was instrumental in securing private funding for the construction of the Children's Multi-Disciplinary Interview Center for the District Attorney's Office, which has gained recognition as a powerful tool to improve child welfare. Always attuned to the need to preserve our natural and historic heritage, he led the acquisition of Mt. Konocti as a County Park and the establishment of the Ely Stage Stop Agricultural Museum. Even while working diligently to accomplish these goals, Supervisor Brown made a name for himself as a uniquely humorous, compassionate community member, partner, father, and grandfather. prgtoken Madam , Supervisor Rob Brown has distinguished himself as a civic leader with integrity, intellect, and savvy. It is therefore fitting and proper that we honor him here today.
TRIBUTE TO RAJA CHARI
Chuck Grassley (Republican, IA) \u2014 2020-12-11

I speak about Iowans who are well noted for things wherever they live in Iowa, but I am particularly proud to speak about a person from Cedar Falls, IA, a town I know well because I have lived my entire 87 years on a farm 8 miles from Cedar Falls. prgtoken This week, NASA announced that Raja Chari from Cedar Falls, IA, has been selected for a team of astronauts that will go to the Moon as part of the Artemis mission. prgtoken The Artemis mission will land astronauts on the Moon in the year 2024, with the goal of establishing a long-term presence. Raja Chari will be a part of this effort that will ensure America's continued leadership and preeminence in space. prgtoken I congratulate Raja on his accomplishments and wish him and all the astronauts who are part of this mission great success. prgtoken .
ORDERS FOR MONDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2020
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2020-12-11

I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 3 p.m Monday, December 14; further, that following the prayer and pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, and the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, and morning business be closed; further, following leader remarks, the Senate proceed to executive session and resume consideration of the Kirsch nomination; finally, that cloture motions filed during today's session ripen at 5:30 p.m. on Monday.
FURTHER CONTINUING APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2021, AND OTHER EXTENSIONS ACT
Josh Hawley (Republican, MO) \u2014 2020-12-11

reserving the right to object, this is a very simple thing that we are talking about, and I can boil it down real easily. prgtoken If the Senate of the United States can find hundreds of billions of dollars to give to big government and big business, surely it can find some relief for working families and working individuals. And I would just submit to you that it is working families and working people who should be first in line for COVID relief, not last. prgtoken That is why the amendment that Senator Sanders and I have proposed is so common sense--$1,200 for individuals, $2,400 for families, $500 for every child--and as Senator Sanders rightly said, every Member of this body has voted yes, in favor of this relief before. prgtoken What is more, I can't figure who exactly is opposed to it. The President of the United States has said that he is in favor of direct assistance. I thank the majority leader for his own support of direct assistance. The of the House says she is in favor of direct assistance. And that is why there is no reason why this body should leave next week before we vote on and approve direct assistance to working families. prgtoken Now, let me just say one other thing. Let me tell you about a phone call I had with a friend of mine at home when this Congress approved direct assistance back in March. He texted me, and then he called me and he said: I am seeing this news about relief that we are going to maybe get a check. Is that real? prgtoken I said: Yeah, that is real. prgtoken He said: Well, I don't know. I am worried about taking it. I mean, what if we spend the money? I mean, we could use the money, but what if we spend it, and I can't pay it back? You know, it comes back and now I have got to pay it back? prgtoken I said: You don't have to pay it back. It is relief, because you need it, because you are working. This is a guy who works in concrete. That is his business. prgtoken And he said: Are you serious, now? You are serious that we can keep this money? I can use this for my family. prgtoken I said: That is exactly what it is for. prgtoken And his comment to me was--his words were: Man, this is a godsend. prgtoken There are families like that not just all over Missouri, not just all over Vermont, but all over this Nation, and they are in need today like they were in need in March. It is incumbent upon this body to act, and we should not leave until we do that. prgtoken So having reserved the right to object, today, I do not object. prgtoken .
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT
James M. Inhofe (Republican, OK) \u2014 2020-12-11

it is my understanding that the minority leader was going to be here, but we are getting very close to the time we actually cast our vote at 10:30--just 20 more minutes. In the event that the minority leader comes, I will dispense with my remarks and defer to him. prgtoken It is my honor to present the 60th annual National Defense Authorization Act. For 59 straight years--you can't say this about any other piece of legislation, all year or anytime, except the Defense authorization bill--we have passed this bill. We have passed this bill every year for 59 years, and this will be 60 years, and I anticipate that we will pass it now. prgtoken There isn't much that happens around the Capitol that has a track record like that. Maybe I am biased, and maybe in some people's minds I am wrong, but I think this is the most important bill of the year. I really believe that. I have believed that since 1987, and this is something that we have to do. prgtoken There is an old document nobody reads anymore called the Constitution. In there it tells us what we need to be doing, and that is exactly what we are going to be doing today: providing for our defense. prgtoken So it is simple what this bill does. It makes our country more secure. It supports our troops who defend it. prgtoken Right now this couldn't be more important. As President 's national defense strategy tells us, we are up against the most serious threats we have seen maybe forever. This is coming from China and Russia, these countries who stand against everything America stands for. prgtoken It bothers me that we went through the last 5 years of the administration--that would have been from 2010 through 2015--where he criticized the military. We didn't have to have the military, he felt. prgtoken At this time, I would suspend with my remarks.
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
Tim Scott (Republican, SC) \u2014 2020-12-11

today I would like to take a moment to recognize and honor Mayor Joseph T. McElveen of Sumter, SC. Mayor McElveen served in the U.S. Air Force after graduating from the Citadel in 1968 and from the University of South Carolina Law School in 1971. prgtoken Mayor McElveen has served on the city council, as a member of the S.C. House of Representatives for Sumter County, and now is retiring after serving as mayor of Sumter. He has dedicated over 20 years of his life to serving the great people of Sumter and has seen prosperity and growth come to Sumter County firsthand. prgtoken I want to thank Mayor McElveen for his service and for emulating in his life what it means to be a public servant.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
John Cornyn (Republican, TX) \u2014 2020-12-11

since last fall, right after the new year, our country, like the rest of the planet, became embroiled in a pandemic, sending fear, shock, illness, and fatalities. As we tried to respond, we were forced to make hard decisions--I am talking about a collective ``we''--in terms of economic activity, children going to school, businesses staying open. prgtoken And many businesses simply could not, and many of the workers who worked at those locations simply were out of luck. You can imagine the anxiety and the fear of many Americans who, through no fault of their own, found themselves fearful of the virus and the consequences associated with it, fearful for the possibility that their loved ones-- let's say, a parent or grandparent who is especially vulnerable because of their age or somebody because of their underlying chronic health conditions--were more likely to be a fatality, to lose their life, if they were infected with the virus. prgtoken This is something we haven't experienced perhaps in the last 100 years, since the great flu pandemic at the turn of the last century. prgtoken Congress responded the best we could. We knew we had to act quickly, and we knew we had to act in a big way. I am proud of the fact that, in the face of this pandemic, Congress came together, setting aside partisan agendas, and we passed four pieces of legislation to address, first of all, the public health crisis but, secondly, the economic fallout associated with mitigation efforts. In other words, we did what Americans always do in a time of crisis: We pulled together. prgtoken I am proud of what we were able to accomplish. But at the end of March of this year, when we passed the last CARES Act legislation, we didn't have any idea how long this was going to last. We had no idea that we would be here now in December of 2020 and still grappling with how to contain this virus and dealing with the economic fallout associated with it. prgtoken Thank goodness we made a priority of providing resources to our medical scientists and the pharmaceutical industry that have now come up with therapies and treatments which are saving more lives. Fewer people who get the virus are actually dying, thanks to the expertise of our healthcare providers and the therapeutics that they are able to administer--saving many, many lives. prgtoken But the golden bullet in all of this is the vaccine. I am hopeful that we in America--that the Food and Drug Administration will promptly, and I expect they will, approve the use of some of the vaccines that have been developed, once it is determined they are safe and effective. prgtoken So I think this is like the cavalry arriving, and the cavalry is nearby and will soon be here. Then we will prioritize the people in the country who will get the vaccine, as we should. I think the folks who have been on the frontlines, the so-called essential workers--I tend to think of all work as being essential, but c
TRIBUTE TO PAT ROBERTS
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2020-12-11

I join my colleagues in thanking Senator Pat Roberts of Kansas for his service to his State and our Nation. prgtoken Years ago, Pat Roberts and I served together on the House Agriculture Committee. We now serve together on the Senate Agriculture Committee. From our earliest days working together in House until today, Pat Roberts has been a consistent champion of Kansans and of farmers and people in small towns and rural communities across America. prgtoken Through his leadership, Senator Roberts has shepherded eight bipartisan farm bills into law. Farmers say that farm bills give them the certainty that they can count on. Farmers could rely on Pat Roberts for that certainty too. prgtoken Pat Roberts not only has worked to address the day-to-day challenges of agriculture, he also worked to prepare American farmers and ranchers for the future. From the creation of the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research in the 2014 farm bill to protecting agriculture from disease by modernizing and building the National Bio and Agro- Defense Facility in Kansas, Senator Roberts knew the value in investing in research. Most recently, he joined me in the America Grows Act to increase Federal investments in basic USDA research across the board. prgtoken There is no doubt that Senator Roberts' legacy will reap benefits for years. But his commitment to rural communities didn't stop with farmers. In April 2018, I met with Illinois EMS advocates. We talked about how rural EMS are on the frontlines in delivering quality emergency response, service coordination, and patient care. They spoke about how they were responding to the opioid epidemic and treating the emergency needs of an aging population. I became convinced that Congress needed to find a way to support rural EMS agencies with Federal funding so they could better serve their communities, but I needed a partner for it. The solution was obvious. I found Senator Roberts in the Senate gym and pitched him on the bill. prgtoken Within a few weeks, we introduced the Supporting and Improving Rural EMS Needs, or SIREN, Act. Senator Debbie Stabenow joined as a partner to the bill, and we started working hard to pass it. The SIREN Act was included in the 2018 farm bill. And this past summer, the first grant award went to Illinois when our healthcare providers needed it most for this pandemic. prgtoken For four decades, Senator Roberts has been a significant part of Federal agriculture policy. He is the only lawmaker to have chaired both the House and Senate Agriculture Committees. Farm bills don't happen without bipartisanship, and Pat's legacy of bipartisanship is something we should honor in the future. prgtoken It has been an honor and privilege, working with him. I will miss his bipartisan spirit and his dry wit. I wish him, his wife Franki, and their family happiness in his next chapter.
CORONAVIRUS
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2020-12-11

the CARES Act passed the Senate on March 27, 2020. It was a rare moment in bipartisanship--a legislative triumph that saved our country from disaster in the very early days of the pandemic. As you know, I sat and negotiated a great deal of that with Secretary of State Mnuchin. And we all agreed it did a lot of good--a lot of good. But, unfortunately, for the past 259 days, as the virus continued to spread--when we did the CARES Act, we thought, well, maybe COVID will be over by the summer. Everyone thought that, but obviously it wasn't. And so the virus has continued to spread. Thousands of small businesses have closed their doors for good. Tens of millions of Americans lost their jobs and livelihoods. As American families waited in 21st century bread lines, cars snaking for miles down American highways; as tens of millions of Americans fell behind on the rent and the mortgage and face eviction; as 15 million Americans got sick; and as 292,001 Americans died, the Senate majority, led by the majority leader, made sure the Senate could not do anything of significance to help the American people. prgtoken May, June, July, August--pause; we don't need to do anything, said the leader. Let's wait and see what happens. didn't say that. The leader did. Waited and waited and waited. Now it is December, and we still, because of the leader's intransigence, have nothing of significance to help the American people during the worst economic crisis in 75 years and the greatest public health crisis in a century. prgtoken Why? Why can't we get together? Why can't there be the bipartisanship that Americans search for and yearn for? At a time of such great crisis, there is one reason why America's two major parties have not gotten together during the time of acute national emergency, and that is because the leader has demanded a partisan poison pill--a sweeping corporate liability shield--be included in any legislation. Otherwise, he won't let it pass. prgtoken It sounds like an exaggeration, but that is what the leader has said. ``We're not negotiating over liability protection,'' the leader said, on July 28. I'll be responsible for putting the final agreement on the floor. And as I said, it will have liability protection in it. We're not negotiating with the over that. prgtoken That is the fact. That is the history. There is not equality here. prgtoken Finally, yesterday, as the bipartisan group of Senators and House Members were closing in on a final agreement, what happened? Yesterday, the leader's team told the other congressional leaders that the bipartisan group would be unable to satisfy Senate s. Why? Because it might not grant the exact sweeping liability protections for corporations that Leader McConnell has demanded. It is an unconscionable position. No relief for the American people unless corporations receive blanket i
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Christopher Murphy (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2020-12-11

colleagues, we are in the middle of a whole bunch of really important debates right now about the National Defense Authorization Act, trying to avoid a shutdown by the end of the day, and, of course, trying to find a path forward to authorize funding to continue to combat this pandemic. prgtoken But it is worth noting today that an effort to overturn the 2020 election continues and, in many ways, is picking up steam, and we need to talk about the consequences for the Nation. prgtoken Democracies are really fragile things. Ours only continues because we make choices so that it can remain. Our government really isn't a piece of paper upon which the Constitution is written. Our government--where voters, citizens, not kings or monarchs or oligarchs, decide who governs--is made possible by a series of decisions that we make every single day to put the rule of law ahead of our own political power or the position of our political party. That is the history of America-- our decision that democracy comes first, not the perpetuation of our own political power. prgtoken Right now, the most serious attempt to overthrow our democracy in the history of this country is underway. Those who are pushing to make President for a second term, no matter the outcome of the election, are engaged in a treachery against their Nation. prgtoken You cannot, at the same time, love America and hate democracy. But as we speak, a whole lot of flag-waving s are nakedly trying to invalidate millions of legal votes because that is the only way they can make President again. prgtoken It is the only way they can make President again because he didn't win. Our democracy, the citizens of this country, chose to be President of the United States. He won the popular vote in a landslide, and he won the electoral college by a substantial margin. prgtoken But now, s have decided--not all s--but far too many have decided that if democracy can't keep in power, then democracy ceases to have any real purpose because, to s who are supporting these continued efforts to invalidate the election, their loyalty is to , not to the Nation or our system of government. Their No. 1 goal is to keep in power, and if that means throwing out the election and turning America into something other than a democracy in which the voters get to choose their leaders, then so be it. prgtoken Here is the latest. This lawsuit is supported by 106 House s. That is more than half of the s who serve in the House of Representatives. It is supported, apparently, by many Senate s as well. This lawsuit is an attempt to overthrow democracy. prgtoken Now, you can laugh at it; you can scoff at it; you can suggest that it has no chance to prevail if it reaches the nine Supreme Court Justices. But let's be clear about what it argues, and let's