mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
VENEZUELA TPS ACT OF 2019
Donna E. Shalala (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2019-7-25

I rise in strong support of H.R. 549, the Venezuelan TPS Act of 2019. prgtoken And I thank my distinguished colleague from south Florida, Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart, for his comments and for his coaching during my first year. prgtoken Venezuela was once the richest country in Latin America. Now, the economy, the health sector, the education system, and virtually every democratic institution is in ruins because of the Socialist policies of the evil Maduro regime. prgtoken Venezuela is experiencing the largest refugee crisis in the history of the Western Hemisphere. There are tens of thousands of Venezuelan- born residents in south Florida--17,000 in my district alone. My constituents cannot safely return to a country in chaos. prgtoken This is why TPS was created. As the vote on Tuesday demonstrated, this Congress is ready to allow Venezuelans to apply for TPS. TPS has bipartisan support in the House and in the Senate. It is time for the Senate to take this bill up. prgtoken TPS is a fundamental component in our approach to the crisis in Venezuela, but it will not alone solve the crisis. The United States and the international community must continue to put pressure on the regime to facilitate a peaceful change in leadership, because our ultimate goal is to secure a stable and peaceful transition of power for the Venezuelan people.
MORNING BUSINESS
Patty Murray (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2019-7-25

I come to the floor today to sound once again the alarm against s' efforts to throw the lives of millions of families into chaos and uncertainty and to urge my colleagues to reverse course and join to protect people's healthcare before it is too late. prgtoken A few weeks ago, President and attorneys general argued in court to create a healthcare crisis for families in our country. If s win their blatantly partisan lawsuit, the consequences could be sweeping and devastating. Tens of millions of people who have healthcare coverage through Medicaid Expansion or the exchanges could lose it, as could many young adults who are on their parents' insurance. prgtoken Over 100 million people with preexisting conditions could lose protections that stop insurance companies from charging them more, excluding benefits they need or denying them coverage entirely. Patients could lose protections that require insurers to cover essential health benefits like prescription drug costs, maternity care, emergency care, or mental healthcare and more. Limits on how much patients have to pay out of pocket could go away, while lifetime and annual caps on patients' benefits could come back even to those insured through their employers. prgtoken s have refused to acknowledge what is actually at stake now for the patients and families whose health they are putting at risk, and they have made it all too clear that despite the horrible consequences they are setting up, despite the lives they are throwing needlessly into jeopardy, s are going to go full steam ahead with this reckless lawsuit to strike down healthcare for millions and without any plan to do anything if they win. prgtoken Some s have tried to dodge this fact by saying they will figure it out after they win. That is an incredibly telling and incredibly alarming position. It is about as comforting as an arsonist telling you he will rebuild your house after he burns it down. prgtoken Let's be clear. s have no plans for the patients who lose their coverage, no plans for the families who will see their healthcare costs go up, and no plans for people nationwide who rely on these protections for preexisting conditions that could be taken away. They have no plan for all the people who will be hurt by the damage they are fighting to cause, and families expect better. They deserve better. prgtoken This is not rocket science. People want us to protect their healthcare, not take it away. They want us to bring healthcare costs down, not send them certainly higher. They want us to fight for them, not against them. prgtoken s have made the wrong choice time and again. So I call on my colleagues to stop this chaos and work with us. Let's fight for patients before it is too late. The clock is ticking, and patients and families are watching closely. If s in the T
VENEZUELA TPS ACT OF 2019
Zoe Lofgren (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-7-25

the balance of my time. prgtoken , I would hope that everyone will vote for this bill. prgtoken It is, unfortunately, the case that the United States has deported Venezuelans in late 2018. More Venezuelans were deported than were resettled. prgtoken It is important that, while this country, Venezuela, is really in meltdown, we don't take vulnerable people and send them back there. That is what TPS is all about. This bill is simple. prgtoken I thank Mr. Soto, Ms. Shalala, Ms. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, and Ms. Mucarsel-Powell for their efforts, along with those of many others. prgtoken , I ask that we support this bill, and .
PROCEED WITH IMPEACHMENT
Al Green (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2019-7-25

and still I rise because I love my country, and I also rise because I believe that we are currently in a constitutional crisis. prgtoken The executive branch of the government is refusing to honor subpoenas lawfully issued by committees of the Congress. The executive branch of the government does not respect the judiciary. prgtoken We are in a constitutional crisis. We have a duty, an obligation, and a responsibility to do something about this. prgtoken So I rise today, , some 99 days after the Mueller report was made public. The Mueller report has been thoroughly vetted by the Members of Congress to the extent that we have talked about it and have proclaimed that there are impeachable acts that are clearly indicated within the Mueller report. The Mueller report has been discussed ad infinitum and ad nauseam by Members of Congress. prgtoken I am not saying that everybody knows what is in it, but I do know that there is a notion that there is a Mueller report and that that report has information in it--evidence, if you will--that is antithetical to the President and would, in some circumstances, be such that we would bring Articles of Impeachment. prgtoken I would also indicate that we are now 1 day since Mr. Mueller testified before the Congress of the United States of America, the Judiciary Committee and the Intelligence Committee. prgtoken Mr. Mueller has written his report. He has testified before Congress, and now the question really becomes: What are we going to do? Will we seek additional testimony? I am not opposed to it, but I do believe this: At some point, we will start to see evidence of what Dr. King called the paralysis of analysis. I believe that we are now seeing the initial evidence, if we haven't seen it before, of the paralysis of analysis. prgtoken This paralysis is something that will stall us to the extent that someone will move forward and say, rather than impeach, let's defeat. prgtoken I am not one of them. I believe that, if we violate Article II, Section 4 of the Constitution, then we ought to enforce that law. No one is above the law in the United States of America. prgtoken We must honor Article II, Section 4 of the Constitution, which deals with impeachment. If we do not, history will not be kind to us. It especially will not be kind to those of us who are in control of this House. prgtoken We decide what comes to the floor. We decide what the agenda is. History will not be kind to us if we don't take up our duty, responsibility, and obligation pursuant to Article II, Section 4 of the Constitution. prgtoken , we are at the crossroads of accountability. Either we will hold the Chief Executive accountable, or we will be held accountable. I pray that we will do that which the Framers of the Constitution fully intended, and that is to proceed with impeachment when you have a Chief Executive who is causing harm to society. prgtoken This is a seminal moment in time for those of us who are in
50TH ANNIVERSARY OF ``APOLLO 11''
Jeanne Shaheen (Democrat, NH) \u2014 2019-7-25

today I wish to recognize the 50th anniversary of the moon landing and New Hampshire's role in this important moment of history. prgtoken On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin completed their 13th orbit around the Moon and fired up the descent engine on the now- historic Eagle Apollo Lunar Module. With pilot Michael Collins staying behind in the command module, Columbia, these American heroes, with the entire world watching and backed by a whole generation of scientists, engineers, and specialists supporting them on the ground, began their initial descent to be the first humans to set foot on another planetary body. prgtoken What many Americans may not know is that as both pilots began their historic descent, critical New Hampshire-made technology was helping them along the way. Sensors made by RdF Corporation in Hudson were a part of the lunar module propulsion system guiding them to the lunar surface. RdF sensors were also on their spacesuits as they took that first giant leap for mankind. prgtoken RdF, which continues to support the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, NASA, as it looks to return to the Moon and then Mars, is just one of the many innovative small businesses in the Granite State that have played such a critical role in our country's space program. prgtoken For example, the Saturn V rocket program, which launched the Apollo crews to the Moon, benefitted from a state-of-the-art computerized system which was developed at Sanders Associates in Nashua, now a part of BAE Systems. HaighFarr in Bedford has been in business for over 50 years designing complex antennas for the space program and has played a significant role in our Mars lander and rover programs. Mikrolar, in Hampton, manufactures high precision positioning systems and is a critical piece of the James Webb Telescope, which will be the successor to the Hubble sometime in the next decade. prgtoken The fact is that New Hampshire's pioneering and innovative small business community has been a mainstay in the aerospace community for decades and remains so today. As the ranking member on the Appropriations Subcommittee that oversees and funds NASA, I am supportive of NASA's efforts to get us back to the Moon and eventually Mars, particularly because I know Granite State businesses will be leading those efforts. prgtoken It is not just the private sector in New Hampshire that has stepped up to keep us competitive in science and space. It is also our educational community. The University of New Hampshire, UNH, is a key contributor to NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, which has been in orbit around the Moon since 2009. The New Hampshire Space Grant Consortium, which includes nine Granite State affiliates, including UNH, Dartmouth, and our very own McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center, is focused on educating our future scientists and space technicians. prgtoken A true accounting of New Hampshire's role in spa
IN SUPPORT OF THE VENEZUELA TPS ACT
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2019-7-25

. Madam , I rise to support H.R. 549, the Venezuela TPS Act of 2019. prgtoken This particular bill designates Venezuela for temporary protected status for an initial 18-month period beginning on the date of enactment, and such designation would allow eligible nationals of Venezuela who are in the United States on the date of enactment to register for TPS benefits, including temporary immigration status and employment authorization. prgtoken Let me indicate that, in my community in Houston, there are a number of Venezuelans who have told their story of fleeing and leaving behind family members. Many of them, however, have had the opportunity to be in this country to be safe but still to be concerned about family members. prgtoken We know that there are difficult times in Venezuela. It is important for the United States to engage diplomatically to try and resolve this. prgtoken We know there are medical crises, health crises, crises of family separation, and violence. prgtoken So, I would make the point that this is an important initiative, and I would also say that I would like to thank one of the constituents in my community, CITGO, a company that has many Venezuelans working there but has been a generous supporter of Houston. prgtoken I believe that it is important to try and resolve these issues to bring peace to Venezuela. TPS is appropriate, and we should do it now.
PUERTO RICO
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2019-7-25

finally, one more point on Puerto Rico. Last night, the Governor of Puerto Rico, Ricardo Rossello, announced he will resign on August 2. I am glad that the Governor has listened to the voices of the people of Puerto Rico. It is clear he lost their trust, their respect, and certainly the mandate to govern. The most important thing now is a quick and orderly transition of power so that our fellow citizens on the island can turn the page on this difficult chapter and move forward. prgtoken No matter what, we have to stand with the people of Puerto Rico. The island is still a far way off from recovery after the devastation of recent hurricanes. It is essential that the local Puerto Rican economy continue to recover and that basic services performed by the government continue undisturbed as that process continues. prgtoken As a new Governor enters office, we pledge to do whatever we can to ensure the people of Puerto Rico receive the aid and the support they need. We fought incredibly hard on the disaster bill to make sure the people of Puerto Rico are not treated worse than any other U.S. citizens. The events of the past 2 weeks should in no way inhibit that aid from reaching the island quickly and efficiently. It is so badly needed. I will be watching and doing everything in my power to guarantee that is the case. prgtoken .
VOTE EXPLANATION
Kamala D. Harris (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-7-25

I was necessarily absent but, had I been present, would have voted no on rollcall vote No. 228, the confirmation of Wendy Williams Berger, of Florida, to be United States District Judge for the Middle District of Florida. prgtoken , I was necessarily absent but, had I been present, would have voted no on rollcall vote No. 229, the confirmation of Brian C. Buescher, of Nebraska, to be United States District Judge for the District of Nebraska.
ELECTION SECURITY
Richard Blumenthal (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2019-7-25

I have a separate bill. It has not come to us from the House, but it should have bipartisan support. prgtoken I ask unanimous consent that the Rules Committee be discharged from further consideration of S. 1247; that the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration; that the bill be read a third time and passed; and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate.
PARTICIPANTS IN CONGRESSIONAL YOUTH CABINET IN PENNSYLVANIA'S FIFTH DISTRICT
Mary Gay Scanlon (Democrat, PA) \u2014 2019-7-25

a few months ago, my office launched a Congressional Youth Cabinet, a yearlong opportunity for students in Pennsylvania's Fifth District to share their ideas prgtoken on how to solve the most pressing issues facing young Americans while learning more about the policymaking process and how Congress works. prgtoken I want to take a moment to acknowledge the students who applied and will be participating in our PA-5 Youth Cabinet this year. prgtoken Those students are: Augustin Aliaga, Maayan Barsade, Jade Bennett, Lucas Bennett, Lauren Block, Harry Cotter, Kieran DiasLalcaca, Annelise DiClemente, Jack DiPrimo, Gabriel Donahue, Ethan Donnelly, Christian Dormer, Grace Dougherty, Atreya Ghosh, Gwen Greene, Wali Hamid, Jahmiel Jackson, Channing Jackson, Paige Kieft, Kathleen Lac, Katherine Lanzalotto, Ryan Lynch, Luke Mandel, Aidan McGahey, Mya McKeown, Grace McNelis, Brenna Montgomery, Johanna Murphy, June Park, Mira Patel, Gwendolyn Pfister, Richard Quiah, Fiona Rae, Sarah Rossi, Joseph Shapiro, and Vince Vento. prgtoken I look forward to working with and learning from these incredible young people.
RELEASE AUSTIN TICE
Derek Kilmer (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2019-7-25

I rise in support of the Restore Our Parks Act, and I thank Mr. Bishop for his leadership and partnership on this bill. prgtoken I was lucky enough to grow up near one of the crown jewels of our national park system, the Olympic National Park, right in my backyard in the Pacific Northwest. I have seen firsthand how our public lands have captivated both visitors and residents alike and served as key economic drivers for our local communities. prgtoken I think there is little doubt that our national parks are some of America's greatest natural and cultural treasures. I am proud that my home State boasts not only Olympic National Park, but also Mount Rainier National Park and North Cascades National Park, true gems of the national park system. prgtoken Unfortunately, these crown jewels are getting a bit rusty, and they require our attention to return them to glory. If you have visited one of our parks lately, you will no doubt have noticed that they are facing a good problem. prgtoken In 2017, Washington State had a record 8.45 million park visitors, including families, campers, and adventurers, who came to explore our iconic landscapes. While they were there, these visitors spent more than $500 million, supported more than 6,600 jobs, and created nearly $700 million in economic impact. prgtoken While this is undeniably great news for Washington's growing outdoor economy, the rise in visitation has also strained our park resources, like roads, interpretive centers, campsites, and trails, that visitors rely on to access and truly experience our parks. If we as a country don't start investing in our parks, I believe we risk loving them to death. prgtoken The National Park Service manages more than 400 sites across the country and is facing a nearly $12 billion backlog in necessary repairs. In Washington State alone, our national parks suffer from nearly $400 million in deferred repairs needed to restore historical structures, fix eroding trails, fix roads, and update unsafe electrical and drinking water systems. prgtoken This significant maintenance backlog threatens the health, accessibility, and safety of our parks, their visitors, and the communities that depend on them. That is why we need to take this opportunity to build on recent successes of investing in our public lands and turn our attention to passing the Restore Our Parks and Public Lands Act. prgtoken Passing this legislation sponsored by my good friend from Utah (Mr. Bishop) will establish a long-term investment in our parks that will create jobs and boost economies throughout Washington State and across this country. An analysis commissioned by The Pew Charitable Trusts shows that investing in the maintenance of our national parks could create or support more than 3,800 new jobs in Washington State alone and 100,000 jobs across the country. prgtoken Now, these days, Congress can hardly agree on what day it is or what color the sky is; but, with 300
COAST GUARD REAUTHORIZATION
Chris Pappas (Democrat, NH) \u2014 2019-7-25

this morning, I rise in support of the 42,000 men and women of the United States Coast Guard, the vital public safety, humanitarian, and national defense missions they perform, and this House's passage yesterday of the Coast Guard Reauthorization Act of 2019. prgtoken Coast Guard members are the first responders of America's oceans, waterways, and coastlines, conducting varied missions, often at a moment's notice, including search and rescue, securing our Nation's ports and waterways, and conducting law enforcement operations. prgtoken In my district in New Hampshire, we have been home to the Coast Guard since its founding, and the Granite State has relied on its work to keep us safe and strong for generations. prgtoken Last month I had the privilege of meeting with the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Tahoma at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. As I met officers and crew members and toured their vessel, I was struck by the critical nature of their missions and the challenges they encounter in executing them. prgtoken Cutters like Tahoma patrol international waters and interdict drugs coming to America's shores. Their work saves lives and makes our communities safer. The Coast Guard has been doing this work despite being chronically underfunded and under-resourced. prgtoken The Coast Guard faces cartels and smugglers with staggering resources and advanced technology, and studies show that only 20 to 30 percent of the illegal drugs coming to our shores are interdicted. prgtoken According to the leaders of the Coast Guard, the most significant factor in its inability to meet drug interdiction targets has been insufficient inventory of vessels and aircraft to support operations. prgtoken At a time when our Nation is facing a profound crisis of addiction, we can and must do more to ensure that the Coast Guard is fully funded and has the resources it needs to keep our country safe. prgtoken That is why yesterday's action to pass the Coast Guard Reauthorization Act of 2019 in a bipartisan way was so critical. This act supports the Coast Guard for the next 2 years with more than $11 billion in discretionary funding each fiscal year, allowing them to address a backlog created by previous cuts. prgtoken An important bill I introduced was also included, the Fair and Equal Treatment of Women in the Coast Guard Act. This seeks to increase the recruitment and retention of women in the U.S. Coast Guard and improve gender diversity in this branch of the Armed Forces. prgtoken This comes in response to a study commissioned by the Coast Guard that identified barriers to attracting, recruiting, and retaining women, and recommended ways to improve gender diversity in the service. It is one important step to assure that the Coast Guard can continue to attract our Nation's best and brightest. prgtoken When we talk about keeping this Nation safe, let's remember the incredible work performed by our Coast Guard close to home and around the glo
TRIBUTE TO CAROLINE DILLON
Margaret Wood Hassan (Democrat, NH) \u2014 2019-7-25

I am proud to recognize Caroline Dillon of Rochester, NH, as July's Granite Stater of the Month for her work ensuring that every public high school and middle school in New Hampshire provides free feminine hygiene products to students who cannot afford them. prgtoken When Caroline first learned about ``period poverty'' in her high school's U.S. history class, she was shocked by the magnitude of this crisis. Period poverty occurs when someone does not have the means to afford basic feminine hygiene products. Caroline knew many of her classmates were on the reduced or free lunch program, and it did not take long for her to connect the dots and realize that some of her classmates were struggling with this problem every month. prgtoken Caroline turned her concern into political action. She took her history teacher's advice, who told Caroline's class that, if they ever had a problem with how things were run in the State, they should reach out to an elected official. She reached out to State Senator Martha Hennessey, an outspoken advocate for women's health and education. prgtoken Caroline, who at the time was not old enough to vote, worked with Senator Hennessey to draft the bill and to gain support for their legislation in the New Hampshire State House and among interest groups. Their argument was simple: If students do not need to bring essentials like toilet paper to school, why should they need to bring their own feminine hygiene products, which are just as essential? prgtoken Thanks to Caroline's efforts, the New Hampshire Governor last week signed into law a bill that mandates that every high school and middle school in the Granite State provide free feminine hygiene products in their female and gender-neutral bathrooms. prgtoken I want to thank Caroline once more for her work to help reduce the stigma around periods and to provide essential feminine hygiene products for those in need. I want to congratulate her as well for demonstrating how powerful individual compassion and advocacy can be in our democracy.