mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
HONORING THE WORLD WAR II, KOREAN WAR, AND VIETNAM WAR VETERANS OF ILLINOIS
Mike Quigley (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2019-7-10

. Madam , I rise to honor the World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam War veterans who traveled to Washington, D.C. on June 5, 2019 with Honor Flight Chicago, a program that provides World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam War veterans the opportunity to visit their memorials on The National Mall in Washington, D.C. These memorials were built to honor their courage and service to their country. prgtoken The American Veteran is one of our greatest treasures. The Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen who traveled here on July 10th answered our nation's call to service during several of its greatest times of need. Across the world, these brave Americans risked life and limb, gave service and sacrificed much, all while embodying what it is to be a hero. We owe them more gratitude than can ever be expressed. prgtoken I welcome these brave veterans to Washington and to their memorials. I am proud to inclue in the Record the names of these men and women for all to see, hear, and recognize, and I call on my colleagues to rise and join me in expressing gratitude: prgtoken John G. Aister; Victor J. Alvarez; Brownie J. Andrews, Jr.; Joseph J. Arcara; William J. Arndt; Gordon W. Atkins; George E. Batson; Charles Bennett; John C. Bierman; James Terry Blue, Sr.; John J. Borg; Walter L. Brooks; Robert A. Bryant; Patrick Butler; John W. Cannon; James M. Clemons; Leroy Cobb; Matthew W. Connor. prgtoken William J. Dierks; Jack H. Doyle; William Thomas Dzingel; Duane Arthur Foss; Charles W. Fruehe; Dennis W. Galloway; Richard Gardner; Philip L. Givens; Robert Wesley Godfrey; John P. Greaney; Robert L. Gurley; James A. Haegele, Sr.; Ernest R. Hanna; Edwin W. Hendry; James John Hennessy; Thomas J. Henry; Superman J. Horn; Archie Hubbard, Jr. prgtoken Michael M. Hughes; Holman B. Ingram; Angelo Irizarry; Nello D. Isabelli; Ronald J. Janiak; Robert E. Jensen; Theodore B. Knapp; Harold B. Koenen; Ronald J. Konetsky; James J. Kosinski; Richard Kowalski; Joseph Kwak; Earl M. Laib; Andrew Leverenz; James O. Lewis; William R. Lindberg; Robert B. Locknar; Stanley R. Lokaj. prgtoken Bernard LoMonaco; David L. Lowe; Stewart G. Margolis; Joseph Martinek; Dwight C. McConnell; Stuart W. McDowell; Edward W. McQuiston; Robert J. Misevich; Fernando E. Montilla; Leonard W. Morris; Jerry I. Mosenson; Charles E. Nichols; Earl A. Nordmeyer; Harlan W. O'Cull; William O'Neill; Paul M. Obinger; Stanley J. Penczak. prgtoken Steven L. Penczak; George L. Peso; Dennis R. Rokita; Kent Romanus; Ralph H. Schmalfeld; Terrence Lee Schmidt; James Schwartz; Robin P. Schwartz; Auberay L. Smith; Lynwood Smith; Gerald S. Snarski; Joseph J. Stachon; Leroy E. Stahr; Willard Stockfisch; Myron I. Strepka; Albert F. Struska; Alexander C. Styrczula; Edward Sulita. prgtoken Robert Sweeney; James J. Sykucki; Donald G. Tollefsen; Gregory B. Tweedy, Sr.; John J. Valverde; Hector H. Villarreal; Robert W. Vogeltanz; Leonard A. Wantroba; Lawrence Weiss; Edward K. Weyna;
CONGRESSIONAL HISPANIC CAUCUS
Joaquin Castro (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2019-7-10

. Madam , I want to speak tonight about the very deep humanitarian situation at the U.S.-Mexico border. prgtoken Immigration has been the lifeblood of our Nation for generations. The United States has been blessed that people from all over the world have come to our country fleeing oppression, dictators, violence, poverty, desperation, and seeking opportunity in our Nation that has been built up by those very same people to become the most prosperous and powerful Nation on the face of this Earth. prgtoken But our immigration system is broken. Our enforcement system is broken. prgtoken And tonight, we want to talk about what we have learned, after repeated visits to Department of Homeland Security facilities, operated by Customs and Border Protection, ICE, and also HHS facilities operated by the Office of Refugee Resettlement. prgtoken I am going to be joined tonight by a few of my colleagues, Jimmy Gomez, who represents part of Los Angeles, Darren Soto, a Congressman from Florida, and perhaps other Members of Congress this evening. prgtoken Before I turn it over to Darren, I want to speak for a second about what is known as the largest for-profit center that is operated to detain children. It is in a town called Homestead, Florida, and it is a massive operation. The operators of this facility, it is reported, make over $700 per child per day, and its size continues to grow. prgtoken There are many troubling things going on at Homestead, and about a system that keeps growing and growing for the sake of profit, holding and detaining children, some of them infants and toddlers, longer and longer. prgtoken My colleague, Darren Soto, is here to describe Homestead and his visits there. prgtoken from Florida (Mr. Soto).
Nomination of John P. Pallasch (Executive Calendar)
Patty Murray (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2019-7-10

I come to the floor today to speak about the two nominations we are about to vote on. prgtoken The first one is the nomination of John Pallasch to be the Assistant Secretary of Labor overseeing the Employment & Training Administration. This is a critically important role that manages nearly two-thirds of the Department of Labor's budget and our Nation's workforce development programs, which serve over 22 million youth, workers, jobseekers, and seniors who are working to improve their employment opportunities and the lives of their families. prgtoken This position is particularly important now as we are seeing the administration work to undermine some of the most crucial programs within the Employment & Training Administration. They are attempting to close Job Corps centers that help train at-risk youth, conserve our natural resources, and provide economic opportunities in rural areas and communities in need. They are also proposing a duplicative, lower quality apprenticeship program that would put workers at risk and give taxpayer dollars to for-profit colleges with very little accountability. prgtoken It is clear that the Employment & Training Administration needs a leader now who is knowledgeable, who is experienced, and who is committed to providing workers with the training, support, and benefits they need to succeed in this changing economy. Unfortunately, Mr. Pallasch is not that person. Throughout this nomination process, Mr. Pallasch has shown that he has very limited experience with or understanding of the programs that he would be overseeing. prgtoken I am going to vote against this nomination, and I urge my colleagues to do the same. prgtoken At this time, I also want to once again reiterate my disappointment in the unprecedented obstruction to ic nominees to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the National Labor Relations Board. Last Congress, s refused to confirm two very highly qualified and respected nominees to additional terms on the EEOC and the NLRB. prgtoken Earlier this year, s broke yet another longstanding tradition by confirming a majority nominee to the EEOC without a ic pair. prgtoken Last week, the White House announced its intention to nominate a bipartisan pair of nominees to the EEOC. After a year of obstruction, I am encouraged by this small step toward bipartisanship and normalcy, but I am here today to urge the White House to formalize these nominations as quickly as possible so that the Senate can confirm them and restore balance to the EEOC. prgtoken I strongly urge the White House to nominate a full slate of nominees-- and --to both the NLRB and EEOC. prgtoken For those reasons and because of Mr. Pallasch's lack of experience and knowledge about the programs and the policies he would be responsible for, I will vote against his nomination.
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
Dianne Feinstein (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-7-10

I rise today to introduce the Athletics Fair Pay Act of 2019 with my colleague Senator Murray. prgtoken Women and girls have made great strides in sports. Before Title IX of the Civil Rights Act was passed 47 years ago, athletic programs for girls and young women were virtually nonexistent. Now, women are world class athletes and compete in a wide range of sports including soccer, basketball, hockey, and tennis. prgtoken In the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, a record 45 percent of the athletes competing at the games were women, and this year, the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team won a historic fourth FIFA Women's World Cup title. Despite the incredible advancements made by women in sports, female athletes are paid significantly less than their male counterparts and are given fewer opportunities to succeed. prgtoken Sports organizations in the United States still do not invest equally in girls' and women's athletics. This lack of investment means that many female athletes never reach their full potential. In addition, studies show that sports participation has a positive influence on girls' academic performance, employment opportunities, and their physical and mental health. prgtoken The inequities faced by female athletes were highlighted in a wage discrimination lawsuit recently filed by the U.S. Women's Soccer Team against their employer, the U.S. Soccer Federation. prgtoken In addition to winning four FIFA Women's World Cup titles, the Women's Soccer Team has won four Olympic gold medals and has been ranked number one by FIFA for 10 of the last 11 years. By contrast, the U.S. Men's Soccer Team failed to qualify for last year's World Cup and has not won an Olympic medal since 1904. Yet, according to the lawsuit filed by the Women's Team, the U.S. Soccer Federation pays the women an average of 38 cents on the dollar compared to the male players. prgtoken Unfortunately, the Women's Soccer Team is not alone. In 2017, the U.S. Women's Hockey Team received a pay raise from its national governing body, USA Hockey, only after the team threatened to boycott a major competition. prgtoken Prior to the boycott, USA Hockey did not pay female athletes at all in non-Olympic years and paid each just $6,000 in the year leading up to an Olympic games. prgtoken It is clear that we must do more to ensure that female athletes are paid equally and treated with the respect and dignity they deserve. This legislation gets us closer to that goal. prgtoken This legislation updates the Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur Sports Act to mandate that the national governing bodies chartered under the Ted prgtoken Stevens Act pay female amateur athletes fairly and equally. prgtoken This bill also requires national governing bodies to provide annual reports to Congress on amateur athlete pay. This new reporting requirement increases accountability and allows Congress to monitor whether the national governing bodies are complying
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2020
Ilhan Omar (Democrat, MN) \u2014 2019-7-10

. Madam Chair, I agree with my colleague: It is our responsibility to have oversight. That is simply what this amendment does. It makes sure that we have an understanding of what our money is being spent on and the benefits that that money will get us. prgtoken We have to have a clear understanding of what the purposes are of the over 800 different military bases we have around the world and how much money it is costing us to continue to operate them. That is simply what we are asking for. That is what the American people want to know, and that is the kind of responsibility we shouldn't abdicate. prgtoken So I want to make sure that we have a report that clearly lays out the kind of money that is being spent and the kind of benefits that we are getting for it. prgtoken Madam Chair, .
FAIRNESS FOR HIGH-SKILLED IMMIGRANTS ACT OF 2019
Raja Krishnamoorthi (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2019-7-10

I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1044, the Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act. I am proud to be an original cosponsor of this bipartisan legislation with over 300 cosponsors. prgtoken I want to thank Chairwoman Lofgren for her excellent leadership on this legislation which will end discrimination based on national origin in our employment-based immigration system and strengthen our economy. prgtoken Our current system limits the number of employment-based green cards to 7 percent per country, regardless of population. As a result, high- skilled workers from certain countries face backlogs of upwards of 70 years, while applicants from other countries go to the front of the line. That is not fair. This legislation ensures that all high-skilled visa applicants have an equal opportunity to contribute to American economic development, regardless of their country of birth. prgtoken Many highly educated and high-skilled workers who come to this country on temporary visas in the tech industry and other sectors raise their children here, are a part of our communities, pay their taxes, and want the opportunity to become lawful, permanent residents. This legislation helps keep families together, and it helps American businesses retain top talent, growing and making them more prosperous. prgtoken , it is long overdue that we end the discriminatory per- country cap on employment-based visas. I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan legislation. I salute the bipartisan cooperation between Chairwoman Lofgren and Congressman Buck.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2020
Donna E. Shalala (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2019-7-10

. Madam Chairwoman, such time as I may consume. prgtoken Madam Chairwoman, the Department of Defense Tuition Assistance program provides financial assistance to servicemembers for voluntary off-duty education programs in support of professional and personal development. prgtoken Tuition assistance is available for courses that are offered in the classroom or by distance learning and are part of an approved academic degree or certification program. prgtoken These courses must be offered by schools that are recognized by the United States Department of Education, and they must abide by all rules governing the higher education sector. prgtoken Because of a loophole that exists in Federal law, known as the GI Bill loophole, however, many for-profit colleges target veterans and servicemembers with aggressive and deceptive recruiting tactics in order to collect as much GI Bill and DOD revenue as possible. prgtoken In fact, research has demonstrated that the for-profit college sector is the only sector in higher education that increases tuition when additional Federal student aid becomes available. As one for-profit college president turned whistleblower told veterans' organizations and Federal officials last summer: We cleaned up all our materials, but behind closed doors, our recruiters will do anything and say anything to get their hands on GI benefits and DOD Tuition Assistance funds. prgtoken This is simply unacceptable. Through the selfless sacrifice of our men and women in uniform, we as citizens receive freedom, a freedom that many people in this world envy. We owe an immense debt of gratitude to those who serve and must not allow anyone to abuse their benefits. prgtoken Madam Chair, this amendment is simple, and it will ensure that veterans, Active Duty servicemembers, and their families are not taken advantage of by anyone in the predatory for-profit college sector. This amendment requires the Secretary of Defense to publish on its website the distribution of DOD Tuition Assistance funds at institutions of higher education and conduct an audit for any for-profit institution that fails to meet the financial responsibility standards set in the Higher Education Act of 1965. prgtoken Madam Chair, a for-profit college has, by definition, a fiduciary duty to its shareholders to maximize profits. Success is determined by the amount of tuition revenue brought in and the profits made, not by the quality of education provided to its students. prgtoken We speak about the good and bad actors in the for-profit college sector, and this amendment seeks to tell us just that. I know that my good friends on the other side of the aisle have always supported our veterans. I know they deeply care about fiscally responsible policies and transparency. prgtoken Supporting our veterans and Active Duty servicemembers has historically drawn large, bipartisan support. It is incumbent upon us as elected off
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2020
Anthony G. Brown (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2019-7-10

I thank Chairman Smith for unprecedented bipartisanship in bringing this bill to the floor. prgtoken This year's NDAA provides the strategic funding we need to maintain a robust military that can tackle our global challenges, reversing the President's soft stance on Russia by bolstering the European Deterrence Initiative with our NATO allies, and collaborating with our allies to contain North Korea and counter China's expansionist moves throughout the Indo-Pacific. prgtoken It makes greater investments in training, equipping, and providing for our Armed Forces, funding a 3.1 percent pay raise for servicemembers, the largest in a decade. prgtoken In this year's NDAA, we have the opportunity to increase research capacity for Historically Black Colleges and Universities. We empower the Department of Defense to identify the scope of white nationalism, extremism, and violent misogyny in the military, and we pursue a new diversity and inclusion strategy within the DOD to ensure minorities are more fully represented in our officer corps. prgtoken We also rise to the challenge set forth before us and reverse some of the administration's worst policy decisions. We deny the increase of low-yield nuclear warheads that would lower the threshold for nuclear war. We prevent the President's use of the military as a piggy bank for his border wall. prgtoken With additional amendments, we will allow transgender Americans to openly and honorably serve our country in uniform, and we will ensure that the President cannot put us on the path to war without congressional approval. prgtoken It is clear that we will pass, perhaps, the most progressive and robust defense authorization in years, and I am proud to support it.
RECOGNIZING SECOND ANNUAL ABSECON KIDS' ALL-DOGS DOG SHOW
Jefferson Van Drew (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2019-7-10

. Madam , a group of impressive young south Jersey people, aged 8 to 11, hosted their second annual dog show at a local park in Absecon, New Jersey. The event began in 2018 when Grace Marczyk watched a dog show and felt bad for the mixed breeds. They weren't allowed to compete. prgtoken Grace talked to her friend Zoey. Together, they formed a committee of animal lovers, and they hosted a dog show that was inclusive to all members of the species. prgtoken The competition is comprised of multiple categories, judged exclusively by the kids, and concludes with different prizes being awarded for the Best in Show. prgtoken At their first show, the kids raised $650, all of which was donated to the Humane Society of Atlantic County. Their second show raised over $2,000 for the Humane Society and nearly doubled its participants and its sponsors. prgtoken These innovative, enthusiastic young people and their inclusivity and love for animals is a truly great thing to see. We are lucky to have them as part of our community in south Jersey. prgtoken It is said that a nation is judged by the way it treats its pets. If it is, Madam , these are going to be fine young Americans.
U.S. Women's World Cup Victory (Executive Calendar)
Benjamin L. Cardin (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2019-7-10

Sunday morning, I did what I think most people in this Nation did if they were not in France. I turned on the television to watch the women's national soccer team perform in an incredible showing of talent and commitment on the soccer field. It was an incredible victory for the women's national team, and we are all very proud of what they were able to accomplish. This has been an incredible streak. prgtoken Since the Women's World Cup was established in 1991, there have been eight competitions. The United States has won four--and the last two consecutively--beating the Netherlands on Sunday by a score of 2 to 0. prgtoken We all congratulate the team. We are very proud. They represented our Nation extremely well. Each of us shares that pride. prgtoken As a Maryland Senator, I want to acknowledge Rose Lavelle and Mallory Pugh, who are from the Washington Spirit, which is based in Germantown, MD.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2020
Gerald E. Connolly (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2019-7-10

. Madam Chairwoman, I am sad my good friend, who I know shares my concerns, feels the need to oppose an amendment that is designed to prevent a very bad thing from happening that has no rationale, has no supporting documentation, and has threatened Congress with extortion. We will RIF 150 people if you don't do what we want-- even though you don't quite know what we want--by October 1. No one in this body should tolerate that. This amendment needs to pass, as it did in the appropriations bill. prgtoken I urge its passage, and .
Prescription Drug Costs (Executive Calendar)
Richard Blumenthal (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2019-7-10

Kristen is the chapter leader of Connecticut #insulin4all and attended the event I mentioned. She was inspired to become an advocate for affordable and equitable access to insulin after facing tough barriers in her own medical treatment. She was forced to become one of the one in four patients with diabetes in the United States who has resorted to insulin-rationing in the face of high drug costs. prgtoken Let's be clear about insulin-rationing. It means reducing the dosage--rationing the consumption--to lower the cost. When we talk about folks who have to cut pills in half or seniors who take a pill every other day instead of every day, that is rationing. That is prgtoken what Kristen had to do in the face of these rising drug prices. prgtoken In order to pursue her dream internship, Kristen had to purchase the only health insurance she could afford, which was a high-deductible plan whose monthly payments consumed 15 percent of her income. To try to prepare for the realities of this kind of coverage, she had to hoard her insulin and other diabetes supplies for months in advance, deliberately starving her body of the medicine she needed in order to keep her head above water financially. prgtoken I have submitted bipartisan legislation that was recently approved unanimously by the Judiciary Committee, along with my colleague Senator Cornyn, that would end these abusive practices surrounding patents-- patent-thicketing and product-hopping. You don't need to know the details of those abuses or of our legislation to understand the need for protection and the need for security and safeguards for these kinds of patients--the 30 million who suffer from diabetes and who are paying exploding costs for insulin that are rising exponentially and astronomically for not only insulin but also many other drugs, as we know from listening to our constituents. prgtoken All of our colleagues understand the high cost of prescription drugs that continue to plague America across all walks of life. Every day, patients are forced to choose, in fact, between paying for the medicines they need and the needs of their families. Drugs to treat everything from depression, to arthritis, to cancer, and even basic saline solution for IVs have increased in price in recent months. They are not new, wondrous, magic discoveries; they are workhorse medicines. Insulin has been around for 100 years. Many of these other drugs have been around for decades as well. We owe it to Americans. prgtoken As citizens and as patients ourselves, we know that these rising prescription prices are ruining families, tearing apart communities, and destroying the basic trust we have in our healthcare system. Nothing is more basic. Healthcare is a right. Prescription drugs should not be available just to the wealthy. prgtoken The bill Senator Cornyn and I are hoping this Chamber will pass is just one step toward making prescription drug prices more affordable