mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
Suffrage Coin (Executive Session)
Michael B. Enzi (Republican, WY) \u2014 2019-5-2

last month I came to the floor to talk about the need to confront our country's surging deficits and debt. prgtoken At the time, we had just considered a supplemental disaster appropriations bill that would spend billions of dollars beyond the statutory budget caps without any pretense of offsetting that spending, and I called for Congress to better budget for disasters. prgtoken Now, prompted by reports issued last week by Social Security and Medicare trustees that show these programs remain on an unsustainable path, I again come to the floor to sound the alarm over our country's long-term fiscal health. With trillion-dollar annual deficits expected to return soon and our national debt now topping $22 trillion, we cannot afford to keep ignoring the warning signs that we are on a dangerous fiscal course. prgtoken The trustees estimate that Social Security's combined trust funds will be insolvent by 2035. Sounds like way down the road? I don't think so. Medicare's Hospital Insurance Trust Fund will become insolvent even sooner, by 2026. prgtoken Over the next 75 years, Medicare's and Social Security's combined scheduled expenditures are projected to exceed their dedicated revenues by more than $59 trillion, or 35 percent, on a present-value basis. Within 10 years, Social Security and Medicare alone will account for more than half of all Federal noninterest spending. prgtoken We are facing a strong demographic headwind. Let me say that again. We are facing a strong demographic headwind. An aging population and rising healthcare costs continue to increase the gulf between mandatory program spending and dedicated revenues. prgtoken For decades, experts have warned of the budget pressures we would face as members of the baby boom generation aged and became eligible for Medicare and Social Security. Congress hasn't paid much attention to that crisis. Every day, roughly 10,000 Americans turn 65, and they are living longer than they were when these programs were conceived. I guess that is a good thing, but it places additional strain on the program finances and the Federal budget. prgtoken Without changes to current law, all Social Security and Medicare beneficiaries will see automatic across-the-board reductions in benefits when the respective funds run out of money. Of course, the political pressure would be enormous to avoid the automatic cuts, but with our country already facing $22 trillion in debt, further raiding of the U.S. Treasury's general fund is not an option. It could cause a borrowing crisis. prgtoken First, let me focus on Social Security. At the end of last year, Social Security provided payments to 63 million beneficiaries, including 47 million retired workers and their dependents, 6 million survivors of deceased workers, and 10 million disabled workers and their dependents. prgtoken As I mentioned, Social Security's combined trust funds are slated to become depleted in 2035. That means th
RECOGNIZING BRIDGET MALLO OF BUTTE
Greg Gianforte (Republican, MT) \u2014 2019-5-2

. Madam , I rise today to honor Bridget Mallo of Butte for inspiring a community to celebrate life with her courage in facing a chronic, progressive, and often fatal disease. Bridget was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at six months old. She and her family have consulted doctors and been in and out of hospitals for 15 years. Despite the prognosis, Bridget never uses her illness as an excuse. Now 15 years old, Bridget recently faced a decision no teenager should have to bear. Doctors said that forgoing a lung transplant could leave Bridget with four to six weeks to live. Proceeding with further treatment, including an organ transplant, did not guarantee a successful outcome and meant greater hardships for her loved ones. She chose to return home to Butte to spend her remaining time with family and friends. Two of her final wishes are particularly touching. She wants to ensure her mother is supported and does not face financial insecurity. She also asked the community of Butte to come together to celebrate life. Bridget's courage rallied the community, as individuals and businesses responded with donations to support the family. Bridget has also brought awareness to the struggles families face when a loved one is diagnosed with the incurable disease. In late April, residents of Butte celebrated life and Bridget. Bridget's loved ones, friends, classmates, and neighbors cheered her arrival. Amid much fanfare and a police escort, there were tears of sadness and tears of joy. Bridget has helped demonstrate the power of community. Family, friends, and neighbors have come together to support and celebrate a remarkable young woman. Bridget's community will long remember her big heart. Because of Bridget, they will also prgtoken remember that, despite the challenges one may face in life, there is reason to celebrate it. Madam , for inspiring her community with her remarkable courage and love of life, I recognize Bridget Mallo for her spirit of Montana.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
John Boozman (Republican, AR) \u2014 2019-5-2

the North Atlantic Treaty Organization turned 70 last month. Congressional leaders invited NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg to deliver an address before a joint meeting of Congress to mark the historic occasion. prgtoken The Secretary General began his speech with a vivid description of two monuments outside of the organization's headquarters in Belgium-- one, a piece of the Berlin Wall and the other, a twisted steel beam from the north tower of the World Trade Center. Both serve a special purpose as powerful reminders for NATO members of where we have been and are going and our commitment to one another. prgtoken The United States and our transatlantic allies have seen the world change considerably during the seven decades of NATO's existence. The threat posed by the Soviet Union--one of the main reasons the alliance was formed--no longer exists, but the challenge of an increasing and hostile Russia has now taken its place. prgtoken Since Russia illegally annexed Crimea in 2014, Vladimir Putin has stepped up his acts of aggression by arming pro-Russia rebels in Ukraine, carrying out bombing campaigns on behalf of a murderous regime in Syria, and conducting cyber attacks on Western democracies. prgtoken Russia continues to seize land and expand its presence in Georgia, illegally occupying roughly 20 percent of Georgia's internationally recognized territory. On top of this, Russia has deployed mobile, nuclear-capable missiles in Europe. This clear violation of the INF Treaty will have long-term ramifications for NATO countries. prgtoken As the Secretary General stated in his joint session address, ``an agreement that is only respected by one side will not keep us safe.'' We don't have to return to a Cold War era arms race as a result of Russia's actions. However, as Secretary General Stoltenberg noted, we must ``prepare for a world without the INF Treaty and take the necessary steps to provide credible and effective deterrence.'' prgtoken While the threat posed by a resurgent Russia reinforces the need for a strong NATO, it is far from the only concern facing the alliance. China's expanding global influence and the aspirations of smaller rogue nations, like North Korea and Iran, will continue to challenge the West moving forward. prgtoken Additionally, while we have made great strides to eliminate ISIS on the battlefield, the threat posed by radical Islamic terrorists remains ever present and knows no boundaries. prgtoken The horrific Easter Sunday attacks in Sri Lanka have been linked to the terror group, proving that it clearly continues to export its tactics and recruitment well beyond Syria and Iraq. prgtoken There is no doubt that Western democracies remain squarely on ISIS's target list. In fact, the propaganda arm of ISIS just released a video of the group's leader, where he makes that threat abundantly clear. prgtoken Amid all of these challenges, NATO stands as a very visible deterrent.
Remembering Richard Lugar (Executive Session)
John Thune (Republican, SD) \u2014 2019-5-2

the country lost one of its elder statesmen this week with the death of former Senator Richard Lugar. prgtoken As Members of Congress, one of the most important parts of our job is keeping our Nation secure. We only hope that when we leave Congress, we will have left our Nation a little safer than when we found it. prgtoken Richard Lugar never had to wonder if he had done that. As the Soviet Union was collapsing, Dick stepped forward and shepherded the passage of the Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction Program, which supported the dismantling and decommissioning of nuclear weapons in former Soviet countries before the weapons could fall into the hands of terrorists or rogue nations. prgtoken As a direct result of his efforts, over the years, thousands of weapons have been destroyed--from warheads to missiles to chemical weapons. Thanks to his work, our Nation and our world are more secure. prgtoken Dick's achievements on global security are the kind of legacy most of us can only hope to have, but, of course, that is not all that Dick Lugar did in his Senate career. prgtoken As Indiana's longest serving Senator, he also served as a leader on agricultural issues and on food security. Even after he had left the Senate, he continued to advocate for the issues that he cared about as president of the Lugar Center, which, among other things, focuses on global food security and preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. prgtoken Dick will be sorely missed. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, particularly his wife, Char, and their four sons, Mark, Bob, John, and David.
THE GULLAH SOCIETY'S ANCESTRAL REBURIAL CEREMONY
Tim Scott (Republican, SC) \u2014 2019-5-2

today I would like to commemorate and recognize a weekend-long event happening in a place I hold very near and dear to my heart, my hometown, Charleston, SC. In 2013, 36 bodies were discovered and unearthed near Anson Street in downtown Charleston. After years of further historical, archeological and DNA analysis research, we have learned much more about the stories of these men, women, and children. prgtoken Buried between 1750 and 1800, these people of African descent--some born in Africa, others born in South Carolina--most likely were enslaved individuals who helped build the nearby port of Charleston. This weekend, 6 years after unearthing these individuals and more than 250 years after they were buried, the Gullah Society and the Charleston community are coming together to hold a naming ceremony, official release of DNA ancestry results, a reburial ceremony, and an ecumenical service. prgtoken It is the hope of the Gullah Society, a hope shared with myself and many fellow Charlestonians, that we lay these individuals to rest the proper way, as well as remember, celebrate, and honor them. While we recognize these 36 ancestral sons and daughters of South Carolina, we also will have a chance to remember all others whose graves have been lost and all others prgtoken upon whose backs Charleston was built. prgtoken While Charleston's past is certainly complicated, I believe events like this serve to inspire us all to create a future of greater reconciliation, truth telling, equality, and healing in our shared community. I thank the Gullah Society and all individuals who helped create or participated in this project, as I believe they do so for the true benefit and education of us all.
CLIMATE ACTION NOW ACT
Andy Barr (Republican, KY) \u2014 2019-5-2

. Madam , this is the final amendment to the bill. It prgtoken would not kill the bill or send it back to committee. If adopted, the bill would immediately proceed to final passage, as amended. prgtoken This motion makes a small but important change to the bill, a change that is necessary to preserve the economic strength of the United States. prgtoken The amendment simply states that the act shall not take effect until the President certifies that the United States will not, on net, lose jobs to China as a result of meeting the emissions commitments required under the Paris Agreement. prgtoken If, as the majority believes, the Paris Agreement will improve America's economic and technological competitiveness, this should not be a problem. prgtoken Madam , I do not disagree with my colleagues that climate change is a problem that this Nation and other nations need to address. In fact, I believe it is important that we continue to have discussions about serious solutions on how to mitigate these risks through American innovation, conservation, adaptation, and preparation. But, Madam , H.R. 9 is not a serious solution to these problems. prgtoken The truth of the matter is the Paris Agreement would hurt our economy, cost millions of American jobs, weaken our sovereignty, and put us at a disadvantage among international competitors, especially China. prgtoken My home State of Kentucky relies heavily on fossil fuels, and the coal industry provides our State with thousands of jobs and delivers over 83 percent of our power. This enables Kentuckians to enjoy some of the lowest-cost electricity rates in the country. prgtoken Kentucky is not the only State that relies on carbon-based fuels for its energy. Nationally, our energy mix is made up of about 80 percent fossil fuels, as compared to only 5 percent intermittent and unreliable sources, such as solar and wind. prgtoken Let's think about the feasibility of hitting the goals outlined in the Paris Agreement to cut greenhouse emissions by 26 to 28 percent by 2025 or, to push the debate even further, those goals outlined in the ' other climate proposals, such as the Green New Deal, to eliminate fossil fuels completely, a proposal that just yesterday every member of the majority voted against bringing up for debate. That is because the Green New Deal is nothing more than an absurd socialist fantasy that would devastate our economy. prgtoken As policymakers, our goal should not be to embrace at all costs the greenest energy. Our goal should be to promote the best energy, the most effective energy, the most reliable energy, and the most affordable energy. prgtoken Despite massive technological advances and innovations, any drastic move away from fossil fuel consumption is dangerous. It would mean increased energy prices and decreased reliability. Household electricity expenditures would increase up to 20 percent. prgtoken It would mean manufacturing and energy-intensive jo
S.J. RES. 7
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2019-5-2

in March, the Senate narrowly passed a resolution that would have misused the War Powers Act and actually hampered efforts to bring the conflict in Yemen to a close. Fortunately, the President vetoed it. prgtoken So today, Members will have a second chance to send the right message to our partners in the region, to important humanitarian missions, and to eradicating al-Qaida from the Arabian Peninsula. I urge my colleagues to vote to uphold the President's veto. prgtoken The resolution before us starts from false premises. We are not parties to the civil war in Yemen. We are no longer providing even air- to-air refueling. prgtoken More important, the resolution would make it actually more difficult to prevent the loss of innocent lives. This resolution would require U.S. advisers to cease training and intelligence sharing operations that help pilots avoid civilian casualties. And it would dry up U.S. noncombat support to the weakened, U.N.-recognized government in Yemen. prgtoken The resolution would also create serious new problems for the U.N.- led diplomatic mission that is doing all it can to negotiate an end to the bloodshed. prgtoken Abandoning our Yemeni, Emirati, and Saudi partners just as diplomatic efforts are starting to make progress is hardly the way to give them the confidence to take the hard diplomatic steps that are necessary. prgtoken An abrupt withdrawal of U.S. support for the coalition would be good news for Iran, for the Houthi rebels they support, and, of course, al- Qaida, as well. prgtoken I share many of my colleagues' serious concerns about aspects of Saudi Arabia's behavior, but the best way for us to encourage better behavior from our partners is to remain involved with Saudi Arabia and the UAE, not push them into the arms of Russia and China. prgtoken The War Powers Act is a blunt tool, and not at all the right vehicle to productively or diplomatically express concern about the behavior of close partners of the United States. prgtoken The Senate passed a more nuanced resolution in December of last year, and it has many other tools to register concern and disapproval. If Senators want to play a productive role in this conflict, I would encourage them to meet with Saudi, Emirati, and Yemeni officials, to travel to the region, and to hold hearings on this important matter. prgtoken But for all the reasons I have laid out, this particular resolution is a particularly bad idea. I urge each of my colleagues to join me in setting it aside and upholding the President's veto.
Alzheimer's Disease (Executive Session)
Shelley Moore Capito (Republican, WV) \u2014 2019-5-2

as we begin the month of May, which we are just 2 days in now, and our Nation's observance of Older Americans' Month, I come to the floor to speak on a topic that is very close to my heart, and that is Alzheimer's disease. prgtoken Like so many Americans, I have felt the impact of this disease. I lost both of my parents to Alzheimer's disease pretty close to the same time. Our family--my brother and my sister and I--helped to care for them. I understand the difficulties that caregivers and families have as they are trying to figure out how to face this difficult challenge because this disease is devastating, especially to the patients and their loved ones. prgtoken My father passed away in January of 2015, just 1 day after I was sworn in as a U.S. Senator. My mother, Shelley, passed away just a few months beforehand, in September of 2014. prgtoken There is not a book that has yet been written that can tell you what to do when a loved one is diagnosed because each case is different, and there is no magic formula, but I feel strongly that we can do much more to help our caregivers, to ease the pain of those who suffer from this disease, and, most importantly, to find a cure. prgtoken The statistics surrounding Alzheimer's are staggering. Over 5 million Americans are living with the disease, and it is estimated that as many as 16 million will have the disease by 2050 if medical breakthroughs do not slow or, better yet, cure this disease. prgtoken In my home State of West Virginia, over 38,000 West Virginians are currently living with the disease, and these are just the ones we know about. A lot of these cases go undiagnosed or are unreported. prgtoken Across the country, nearly one in every three seniors who dies each year has Alzheimer's or another type of dementia. The cost of caring-- and this is not the emotional cost; this is the actual dollar cost--for those with Alzheimer's and other dementias is also notable--an estimated $277 billion in 2018, increasing to $1.1 trillion by the year 2050. prgtoken These numbers make it clear that we have much work we need to do for those living with the disease, for those caring for them, and for the many who face a future diagnosis. prgtoken Over the past few months, I have taken some first steps to address needs facing each of these groups. Fortunately, this is not a task I am working on alone--as I said, almost everybody is touched by this disease--and I have great bipartisan partners to work with. prgtoken Last month, I joined Senators Stabenow, Wicker, and Menendez to introduce the CHANGE Act. This bipartisan legislation encourages early assessment and diagnosis of Alzheimer's. It seeks to better utilize the ``Welcome to Medicare'' initial exam and annual Medicare wellness visits to screen, detect, and diagnose Alzheimer's and related dementias in their earliest stages. It also establishes payment measures to incentivize detection, diagnosis, and discussion
Tribute to Danielle Riha (Executive Session)
Dan Sullivan (Republican, AK) \u2014 2019-5-2

it is Thursday afternoon, and it is one of the times that I enjoy the most in the Senate because it is the time I get to come down on the Senate floor and talk about my State, talk about the people in my State, and talk about the people who make Alaska a great and unique State in our wonderful country. prgtoken It is the time when we talk about the person I refer to as the Alaskan of the Week. It is someone who has helped to make their community or Alaska or America--or sometimes all of the above--a better place. I think it is the pages' favorite time, too, because they get to learn about Alaska and hear all of the unique aspects that make Alaska such a great, wonderful, and unique State. prgtoken To those listening in the Gallery or on TV, I always make a plug. It is also a time to pitch Alaska for our visitors. Come on up. You will have the trip of a lifetime guaranteed. Don't put it off. It is time to book your trip to the great State of Alaska. prgtoken Today I am going to recognize an extraordinary teacher, Danielle Riha, whom I just had the privilege of meeting right here off the Senate floor, and who is in the Gallery right now. We are excited that she is hear watching. She teaches at the Alaska Native Cultural Charter School in Anchorage. That is a pre-K through eighth grade charter school. She is our Alaskan of the Week. prgtoken You might say: What is she doing? Why is she in town? prgtoken She is in town because she was chosen to be the 2019 Alaska Teacher of the Year. She is so impressive in her profession and her teaching is so impactful on her students that she was one of four finalists in America--across the country--to be chosen for the National Teacher of the Year award for the whole country. prgtoken What does that mean? prgtoken In other words, she is viewed by her peers, by her students, and by others as one of the top four teachers in the United States of America--our Alaskan teacher of the year. We are so proud of her. prgtoken We have thousands of teachers in my State, just as you do in yours, who do such great work, day in and day out, to make sure that our next generation is not only educated on the facts and things like math and history but that they also understand, in the words of the great leader Nelson Mandela, that ``education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.'' That is true, and that is why our teachers in Alaska and in America are so important. prgtoken Danielle Riha is teaching our youth so that they can go out and change the world. She and all the teachers in Alaska and in America have one of the most important jobs for our Nation and one of the most difficult jobs for our Nation. We certainly salute and honor them all, particularly this week, as so many of the top teachers in the country have been in town. prgtoken Why is Danielle good at what she does? Why did she get this award? Why is she viewed as one of the top four teachers in