mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
AUTHORITY FOR COMMITTEES TO MEET
James M. Inhofe (Republican, OK) \u2014 2019-7-23

I have 7 requests for committees to meet during today's session of the Senate. They have the approval of the Majority and Minority leaders. prgtoken Pursuant to rule XXVI, paragraph 5(a), of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the following committees are authorized to meet during today's session of the Senate: Committee on Armed Services prgtoken The Committee on Armed Services is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, July 23, 2019, at 9:30 a.m to conduct a hearing pending military nominations. Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs prgtoken The Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, July 23, 2019, at 10 a.m to conduct a hearing. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources prgtoken The Committee on Energy and Natural Resources is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, July 23, 2019, at 10 a.m to conduct a hearing. Committee on Finance prgtoken The Committee on Finance is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, July 23, 2019, at 10:15 a.m to conduct a hearing. Committee on the Judiciary prgtoken The Committee on the Judiciary is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, July 23, 2019, at 10 a.m to conduct a hearing. Select Committee on Intelligence prgtoken The Select Committee on Intelligence is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, July 23, 2019, at 1:30 p.m to conduct a closed hearing. Subcommittee on Science, Oceans, Fisheries, and Weather prgtoken The Subcommittee on Science, Oceans, Fisheries, and Weather of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, July 23, 2019, at 2:15 p.m to conduct a hearing.
BUDGET AGREEMENT
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2019-7-23

yesterday the administration informed congressional leaders that Secretary Mnuchin, White House Chief of Staff Mulvaney, and Acting OMB Director Vought reached a deal with Pelosi to prevent a government-funding crisis and deliver on President 's top priorities. prgtoken The agreement secures the most important priority of the conference. In fact, in my view, it is the most important obligation of the entire Congress; that is, securing the resources we need to provide for the common defense. This deal does it. prgtoken Over the past 2\1/2\ years, s in Congress have worked with the President to stop and reverse the decline in the strength and readiness of our Armed Forces. After years of insufficient funding that hurt readiness and tied commanders' hands, Congress and President have secured badly needed funding increases to rebuild and modernize the U.S. military. prgtoken There is still more work ahead. The progress we have made remains tenuous. America's adversaries are not taking their foot off the gas anytime soon, so we can't either. We have to keep up the momentum. This agreement provides the stability of funding our military deserves and requires. Thanks to tough negotiating by the administration, this deal delivers for the security of our Nation. It delivers for our men and women in uniform. It protects the progress of the last 2 years and provides the fuel for further progress. That is the bottom line. prgtoken The nature of divided government means this certainly isn't the agreement s would have written all by ourselves; for example, I will never understand why our ic colleagues treat funding the U.S. Armed Forces like a priority that somehow needs to be matched up with additional spending that like in order to make it palatable for them. It seems to me every one of us, both sides, should jump at the chance to fund defense adequately. prgtoken Alas, that is not a mystery that is going to be solved for me in the immediate future. The fact is, the Federal prgtoken Government is coming up with urgent deadlines with respect to the debt limit and beginning the appropriations process. prgtoken The full faith and credit of the United States cannot be in question. The last thing Americans need is for Washington to throw a big wrench in this red-hot economy that is creating historic levels of job opportunities and growing their take-home pay, and so faced with our ic colleagues' reluctance, the administration took the high road. They did what needed to be done for our Armed Forces and veterans and negotiated a successful deal. In fact, compared to current law, the administration has secured a larger increase for defense spending than for nondefense. Let me say that again: a larger increase for defense than for nondefense compared to current law. prgtoken What is more, the administration successfully kept l
SUPPORT INCREASED DOMESTIC ENERGY PRODUCTION
Jeff Duncan (Republican, SC) \u2014 2019-7-23

. Madam , I thank the gentleman for his comments. prgtoken Natural gas is being produced in this country in a tremendous amount, so much so, that we can export it anywhere in the world. But those on the other side are refusing to accept the reality of the benefits of natural gas. In fact, Berkeley, California, is the first American city to ban natural gas from being used in new homes and businesses, being banned from being used in new homes and businesses to heat and cook in their homes, probably banning transportation fuels, as well. prgtoken Natural gas is affordable for so many Americans, and I can tell you what. When Americans go to the pump, they are conscientious about the price because the money they put in that tank could be the difference in discretionary income they could use for other things. prgtoken When you help keep energy prices down, not only transportation fuels, but energy prices through the electricity generation in this country-- folks over in Georgia understand electrical generation. In fact, they are building the Nation's only nuclear power plant over in Augusta, Georgia. prgtoken from Savannah, Georgia, to talk a little bit about that.
VENEZUELA TPS ACT OF 2019
Mo Brooks (Republican, AL) \u2014 2019-7-23

. Madam , let's be clear: Venezuela is one of the most natural-resources-rich nations on the planet, and for oil, in the top five in reserves in the world. prgtoken The problem with Venezuela is not its people, other than that they made mistakes in whom they elected. The problem is not the lack of resources, which should empower those people to be wealthy. Rather, the problem in Venezuela is the self-inflicted adoption of socialism. prgtoken Let's be clear about the economic havoc that is now occurring in Venezuela. We have starvation. In one recent study, the average adult over a year's period of time had a weight loss in excess of 20 pounds because they could not get the calories needed to sustain their body weight. Riots have resulted. prgtoken Inflation a few years ago was over 1,000 percent. Today, we have estimates that inflation in Venezuela is as high as 10 million percent. Of course, the currency is worthless and becoming more so. prgtoken Venezuela, as a country, has been brought to its knees by the adoption of socialism. I find it ironic that so many in America now advocate the suppression of free enterprise and the liberty on which it is based, and the replacement of free enterprise and liberty with socialism and the dictatorial nature that is inherent in the adoption of socialist practices. Venezuela is an excellent example of why America must never go socialist. prgtoken I want to emphasize one thing: While Maduro has been in charge of Venezuela, Maduro is not the cause of the economic hardship that is now being faced in Venezuela. Rather, it is the people's adoption of socialism. prgtoken Let's go to H.R. 549 and how it relates to what I have just said. prgtoken This bill proposes a tsunami of people coming to our country who are ill-equipped to support themselves. prgtoken Let's put that into the perspective of where we are as a nation. We just blew through the $22 trillion debt mark earlier this year. This year, we are looking at a roughly $900 billion deficit. prgtoken A deal has been reached that will only increase our deficit by $2 trillion over the next 2 years, pushing our debt up to $22 trillion. This is money we do not have, have to borrow to get, and can't afford to pay back. prgtoken How does that relate to H.R. 549? Well, let me share some numbers with you: Sixty percent of households with a lawful immigrant in them are on welfare, living off the hard work of others. Seventy percent of illegal alien households are on welfare, living off the hard work of others here in the United States of America. prgtoken Quite frankly, Madam , the United States of America can no longer afford to be the world's orphanage for children and adults alike. We have to get our own house in order, and this legislation helps to increase that disorder by increasing our deficit and debt, making it less manageable and further risking debilitating insolvency and the bankruptcy of a great Nation. prgtoken Madam , I ask f
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
Susan M. Collins (Republican, ME) \u2014 2019-7-23

I rise to introduce a bill with my friend and colleague from Maryland, Senator Cardin, that will benefit the brave women and men who volunteer as emergency personnel: The Volunteer Emergency Services Recruitment and Retention Act. prgtoken Across our Nation, volunteer emergency personnel play a critical role in ensuring the safety of our communities and the well-being of our neighbors. They serve as the firefighters, EMS, and other first responders that we depend on in our times of need. The State of Maine, for example, has approximately 9,785 firefighters who serve the State's 1.3 million citizens. Maine is largely a rural State, and more than 90 percent of firefighters are volunteers. Without these dedicated volunteers, many smaller communities would be unable to provide firefighting and other emergency services at all. prgtoken Often, communities seek to recruit and retain volunteers by offering modest benefits. One of the most common benefits are Length of Service Award Programs or LOSAPs. These are retirement accounts provided to volunteer emergency responders. The legislation we are introducing today would support these efforts by helping to ensure that these nominal benefits to volunteers are not entangled in bureaucracy or needlessly held back by regulations. Specifically, the Volunteer Emergency Services Recruitment and Retention prgtoken Act would simplify how LOSAPs are taxed without increasing or reducing Federal spending or taxes. It would do this by eliminating burdensome and confusing IRS requirements that make it unnecessarily difficult for volunteer emergency personnel to receive benefits and for departments to administer plans. prgtoken , we should take care to protect our volunteer emergency personnel who serve this country with such bravery. Our legislation would help us achieve that goal, and I urge my colleagues to join us in supporting this bill.
PALESTINIAN INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM SUPPORT PREVENTION ACT OF 2019
Christopher H. Smith (Republican, NJ) \u2014 2019-7-23

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , I rise in strong support of H.R. 1850, the Palestinian International Terrorism Support Prevention Act of 2019. prgtoken In so doing, I first want to note Congressman Brian Mast's great personal sacrifice in the war against terror and how inspirational it is for each and every one of us to see him raise his voice time and again in this great battle of our age. prgtoken I also want to thank my good friend from New Jersey (Mr. Gottheimer) for his lead cosponsorship of this legislation. prgtoken H.R. 1850 would require the President to report to Congress on those who knowingly provide financial and material support to terror groups such as Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and then apply sanctions. These groups in particular have vowed to wipe out our ally Israel, and their support of terror is well known. prgtoken Beyond that, the legislation would require a listing of foreign countries where Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad engage in fundraising, financing, or money laundering, as well as list those countries which fail to take adequate measures to freeze the assets of these known terror groups. prgtoken , Hamas, a designated foreign terrorist organization, has killed over 400 Israelis and 25 Americans, rules the Gaza Strip with an iron fist, and uses its proximity to threaten Israel with impunity. As a result, the Israelis live in constant fear of Hamas rockets, tunnels, and other means of bringing violence to Israeli citizens. prgtoken Earlier this year, in a single weekend, Hamas fired over 600 rockets into Israel, killing four civilians, including an American. prgtoken As part of our close partnership with Israel, the United States has long sought to help Israel counter that threat. We have worked together on development of the Iron Dome aerial defense system. We continue to work together on counter-tunnelling technology. prgtoken And again, now, with this bill, we will help Israel to counter Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad by denying these groups the use of funds for their terror operations. prgtoken For over a decade, , the executive branch, across multiple administrations, has sanctioned many individuals as well as a select number of foreign entities that are associated with Hamas, all under the general authority of broad executive order. prgtoken This bill will codify and standardize those sanctions in statute and require the administration to comprehensively assess whether other supporters of Hamas should be sanctioned who have thus far remained unaffected by their support of this terrorist group. prgtoken The bill also requires the President to report on whether foreign governments are supporting Hamas or the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. prgtoken , we know well that Iran is the world's leading state sponsor of terrorism, and Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad are among Iran's many terrorist beneficiaries. In fact, it was reported
SUPPORT INCREASED DOMESTIC ENERGY PRODUCTION
Rick W. Allen (Republican, GA) \u2014 2019-7-23

. Madam , I thank my friend from South Carolina (Mr. Duncan) for chairing this Special Order tonight. prgtoken Madam , I am proud to be a member of this House Energy Action Team. It is a special coalition of Members of Congress who are focused on energy policy. I was honored to be selected as the nuclear subteam leader. This will allow me to do my part to advance our nuclear energy priorities through Congress and allow America to remain a dominant player in the global nuclear industry. prgtoken The theme for this Special Order is the American energy renaissance. prgtoken I have to tell you, after President took office, the war on energy and the war on business was over. It was like flipping on a light switch. America was open for business again, and the American people responded. We have the best economy in the world. prgtoken Since then, we have continued to invest in our own energy resources and prgtoken have successfully made the United States energy independent. Who would have thought that 10 years ago? prgtoken Georgia's 12th Congressional District is on the front line of the American energy renaissance, with the first two new nuclear reactors being built in the United States in the past 30 years at Plant Vogtle. prgtoken Just in March, I had the opportunity to be with Secretary of Energy Rick Perry to see the placement of the top of the Unit 3 containment vessel, truly a historic moment. prgtoken There is Secretary Perry, and there is the setting of the top of that vessel. prgtoken Finishing construction on these two units means that Americans can still do big things. I look forward to Units 3 and 4 coming online soon. prgtoken Nuclear energy plays an important role in Georgia's energy portfolio, as it accounts for more than a quarter of all power generated and is the only clean air source that can produce large amounts of electricity around the clock. prgtoken Georgia 12 is also home to all of Georgia's nuclear capabilities, with four nuclear reactors, two already online at Plant Vogtle and two at Plant Hatch. These facilities currently employ almost 2,000 people, year-round, high-skilled employees. prgtoken The construction of Units 3 and 4 at Plant Vogtle is the largest construction project in Georgia, with more than 8,000 workers onsite. prgtoken When we talk about clean energy in this country, we don't need out- of-touch, costly socialist policies like the Green New Deal that would devastate the best economy in the world. We are talking about unleashing private-sector innovation, like nuclear power. prgtoken According to the Nuclear Energy Institute, Georgia's nuclear energy facilities alone avoid more than 21 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions each year, the equivalent of more than 4.4 million passenger cars. prgtoken It is of the utmost importance that we ensure these nuclear plants continue to provide energy in a safe, reliable, and affordable manner. prgtoken Georgia has been selected 6 years
NEVER FORGET THE HEROES: JAMES ZADROGA, RAY PFEIFER, AND LUIS ALVAREZ PERMANENT AUTHORIZATION OF THE SEPTEMBER 11TH VICTIM COMPENSATION FUND ACT--Continued
Mike Lee (Republican, UT) \u2014 2019-7-23

for many years, the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund has compensated the brave men and women who responded to the horrific events of 9/11. It has been a worthy use of money. prgtoken Of the $7.4 billion authorized for the fund since 2011, however, $25.4 billion has already been paid out. Since February of this year, money has gotten tight and claimants' benefits have had to be reduced. I believe it is only right for Congress to authorize and replenish the fund so that we can make those beneficiaries whole. prgtoken But the bill before us today has a peculiar feature, one that I believe requires our attention. The bill authorizes the program for 72 years and does not specify a dollar amount. If you look to page 2 of the bill, lines 8 through 10, it makes clear that this program is funded through 2092 and funded to the tune of ``such sums as may be necessary.'' In other words, without any finite authorization, it offers no way to ensure that the money actually gets to its intended beneficiaries and is not lost in government bureaucracy or misuse. prgtoken That is, in fact, how we make sure that government programs get to where they need to go, by specifying not only the purpose of the fund but also identifying how much it is that we are spending. prgtoken In 2011, the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund has always had finite authorizations, and it has always had an absolutely excellent, outstanding record of avoiding waste, fraud, and abuse. The 9/11 survivors and responders deserve no less going forward. prgtoken That is why I am offering a simple amendment to this bill, one that would authorize $10.2 billion in additional funding for the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund over the next 10 years. To be clear, that is the full amount that the Congressional Budget Office has estimated is necessary for covering all claims through 2029. prgtoken My amendment wouldn't end there. It would go further to authorize an additional $10 billion to be paid out in subsequent decades. It will not block or delay this bill's consideration, let alone its passage, nor does it have as its intended effect any kind of downgrading of the benefits we would be paying. But it would make sure that the money gets to the victims and the first responders who need it most--to the intended beneficiaries--rather than remaining vulnerable to the kinds of waste, fraud, and abuse that come about whenever we authorize something until 2092 with ``such sums'' language. This isn't the way we normally do things. prgtoken My distinguished colleague and friend from New York has made the comment that if this amendment were to pass, it would somehow make the victims of 9/11 come back again and again and go through this process over and over again. I don't see that. Those facts are not borne out by the record, which, again, indicates that the Congressional Budget Office itself has acknowledged that the amount of money I would be setting aside wou
OPPOSING GLOBAL BOYCOTT, DIVESTMENT, AND SANCTIONS MOVEMENT TARGETING ISRAEL
Lee M. Zeldin (Republican, NY) \u2014 2019-7-23

it is important to note, really, from coast to coast, we are hearing stories of students on college campuses, in the name of BDS, being targeted with blatant anti-Semitism. prgtoken For example, at New York University, after the student government passed a resolution supporting BDS, the Bronfman Center for Jewish Life was temporarily closed in response to threatening Twitter posts by a student who expressed ``a desire for Zionists to die.'' prgtoken A University of Michigan professor refused to write a letter of recommendation for a qualified student solely because she wanted to study abroad in Israel. prgtoken A Students for Justice in Palestine cofounder and University of California, Berkeley, professor spoke at a national conference and shared the anti-Semitism meme of an Orthodox Jewish person in his presentation. prgtoken At Warren Wilson College, an invited speaker stated: ``Jews are doing the same thing to the Palestinians as the Nazis did to the Jews.'' prgtoken A Yik Yak posting at the University of California read: ``Gas them, burn them, and dismantle their power structure. Humanity cannot progress with the parasitic Jew.'' prgtoken More globally, University of Durban in South Africa called for the expulsion of Jewish students who did not support the BDS movement at the university. prgtoken It is really important for people who may just be getting familiar with what BDS is to know that, right now, we have so many Jewish students who are being targeted with this blatant anti-Semitism, and that is why today's statement sends such a powerful message. prgtoken , I continue to reserve the balance of my time.
RECOGNIZING THE CHAMBERS COUNTY COURTHOUSE ON ITS DESIGNATION AS A TEXAS STATE HISTORICAL MARKER
Brian Babin (Republican, TX) \u2014 2019-7-23

. Madam , I rise today to recognize the Chambers County Courthouse for its designation as an official Texas State Historical Marker. prgtoken Named after Texas pioneer Major General Thomas Jefferson Chambers, Chambers County was established in 1858. Until the early 20th century, Wallisville was the county seat and the location for the first three Chambers County courthouses built in 1858, 1880 and 1887 respectively. However, Anahuac's rice canal system and the presence of wild hogs in Wallisville prompted an election in 1907 that made Anahuac the county seat in 1908. prgtoken After the election and the move, the county constructed a new courthouse. Completed in 1912 at its current location, the new municipal building included a jail, indoor plumbing, telephones, and electric lights. Built in the Renaissance Revival style, its imposing figure boasted large columns and a stone exterior. The building, however, burned down on April 28, 1935. prgtoken Later in 1935, County Treasurer Grover C. Wilcox desired a modern courthouse ``in line with the growth of the town.'' As a part of federal New Deal programs, the Public Works Administration contributed funds for the design and construction. Designed by Corneil G. Curtis and built by notable contractor Robert E. McKee, construction finished in May 1937 on the three-story, ashlar limestone building. A combination of art deco and modern architectural styles (1920s to 1940s), the courthouse's exterior showcases vertical lines, a symmetrical facade, geometric shapes, and simple ornamentation. Since its construction, little has changed about this unique building. Throughout its history, the Chambers County Courthouse has not only acted as a focal point of the community but has also reflected the county's economic, political and social history. prgtoken As a former member of the Texas Historic Commission, I know this is a great honor for the community. I wish all of my friends in Chambers County well as they celebrate the dedication on July 23rd.