hazylavender/hi huggingface dataset:
Date: 2023_04_17
Chamber: HOUSE OF COMMONS
Ms. Annie Koutrakis: as demonstrated by the recent federal budget, Canadians can continue to count on this government to implement measures that will protect the environment and create jobs at the same time. We have a plan to ensure that Canada is part of the clean economy, and we can all be proud of that. Of course, we understand that some Canadians still need targeted inflation relief support, and that is why we are moving forward with our grocery rebate.
Date: 2023_04_17
Chamber: HOUSE OF COMMONS
Mr. Darrell Samson: signing up to serve with the Canadian flag on one's shoulder comes with risks, but being at risk of sexual misconduct should not be one of them. There is simply no excuse or justification for that, either in the armed forces, in the RCMP or in any workplace. Our government is fully committed to eliminating the workplace violence, harassment and discrimination in any form. We recognize the enormous courage it takes for someone to disclose this kind of abuse and fight for justice and accountability. We are aware of the letter published by the Office of the Veterans Ombud on February 23 asking that Veterans Affairs review the Merlo Davidson case to determine if pension reductions had been properly applied, and if not, to issue a corrective payment. For privacy reasons, we cannot comment on individual files. What I can say is that the department has contacted all of the impacted veterans by telephone and via letter to offer them an opportunity to submit additional information regarding their payment so that the payments can be recalculated and corrected as appropriate. We want to be as generous as possible under the legislation. We are also aware of the recommendations made by the OVO. Each impacted veteran has been provided with contact information at VAC and the OVO for support in providing the information needed. We are committed to continuing to work closely with the ombud on this file and any other file.
Date: 2023_04_17
Chamber: HOUSE OF COMMONS
Ms. Rachel Blaney: I am fairly disappointed with that response, because we know that these women have suffered. We know they have had their pensions clawed back. Now, what we are saying to them is that, after all the indignity they experienced just by serving their country, they have to do all the work on the other side to get back what was theirs in the first place. I still do not hear anything that says the government is actually going to pay back the money it has, in my opinion, been stealing from these women. Hopefully the member can say something that actually addresses that serious concern.
Date: 2023_04_17
Chamber: HOUSE OF COMMONS
Mr. Darrell Samson: as I said before, the women who came forward and disclosed their experiences in Merlo-Davidson did so with incredible courage. Our government is committed to ensuring all veterans and members get access to the benefits they are entitled to. In the case of the Merlo-Davidson settlement, the minister has told staff to review the OVO's recommendation to ensure that all pension adjustments have been properly applied and that we are being as generous as possible under the legislation. Veterans who had their disability pensions reduced in the Merlo-Davidson settlement have been contacted and given the opportunity to submit additional information.
Date: 2023_04_17
Chamber: HOUSE OF COMMONS
Mr. Gord Johns: I appreciate that, but we need an urgent response. I am really concerned, and so are the people at Union Bay, that the government has opened this up to becoming a dumping ground for international vessels that contain hazardous materials. Right now, we are learning that the only thing ECCC offers to ensure it protects us is a voluntary certificate when it comes to hazardous materials, which is totally unacceptable, and a self-reporting honour system. What happens when one of these companies decides to abandon its operation after raking in millions of dollars probably by getting paid to dispose of ships properly, only to leave a big mess? We saw the Kathryn Spirit . It was $11 million to clean up that abandoned vessel. Our former NDP colleague, Anne Minh-Thu Quach, fought very hard to get Kathryn Spirit cleaned up. We want to know when they are considering putting a ready-to-recycle certificate in place for international vessels.
Date: 2023_04_17
Chamber: HOUSE OF COMMONS
Ms. Annie Koutrakis: the Government of Canada takes any incident that threatens our marine environment with the utmost seriousness. The Canadian Coast Guard responded immediately to this incident. Moreover, building on our marine pollution preparedness response and recovery system, under the oceans protection plan renewal, we are exploring a single-window response for oil spills to ensure even better preparedness and greater accountability for polluters. In terms of ship recycling, while Canada has some of the strongest rules globally, we are looking for ways to improve. As stated before, many of the legislative provisions that govern safe and environmentally responsible ship recycling fall under provincial jurisdiction. We are committed to working with provinces and territories to ensure that we have the safest recycling facilities in the world. This includes examining requirements under the European Union ship recycling regulation and the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships to determine what elements can be adopted in a Canadian context to address any gaps in federal legislation.
[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 72 (Friday, April 28, 2023)] [House] [Page H2116] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Date: 2023-04-28
Chamber: HOUSE
Mr. GROTHMAN: I move that the House do now adjourn. The motion was agreed to; accordingly (at 12 o'clock and 41 minutes p.m.), under its previous order, the House adjourned until Tuesday, May 2, 2023, at 11 a.m.
[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 72 (Friday, April 28, 2023)] [House] [Pages H2114-H2116] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Date: 2023-04-28
Chamber: HOUSE
Mr. ARRINGTON: I thank my colleague from Wisconsin, my fellow Budget Committee member, for his passion to save this country from a sovereign debt crisis and protect our Nation's next generation from reaping the whirlwind of this reckless spending and unsustainable debt path that we are on. We must fight for the future of our country. All the things that are talked about in this great Chamber, all the great ideas, and all the threats that are posed to this country of ours and its future will all be undermined and jeopardized because we will have failed to simply steward the taxpayers' resources and our children's future. I thank the gentleman for his leadership and his passion.  Celebrating the Life of General Bernhard Mittemeyer
[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 72 (Friday, April 28, 2023)] [House] [Pages H2114-H2116] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Date: 2023-04-28
Chamber: HOUSE
Mr. ARRINGTON: I rise today to celebrate the life of a true American hero and a very dear friend, General Bernhard Mittemeyer, who passed away this January after 92 rich, full, extraordinary years. He was a first-generation immigrant from South America who really lived the American Dream. After 28 years in the military, he rose to the rank of general. He served as surgeon general of the Army under President Reagan, and he received a number of awards and recognitions, including the Distinguished Flying Cross, which is the highest peacetime award in the military. I worked with him at Texas Tech, where he was a physician. He was the dean of the medical school, and he was the president of the Health Sciences Center. He had an indomitable spirit. He had an infectious optimism. All of those things helped culminate in his leadership efforts to create the super-clinic for treating and servicing our wounded warriors in west Texas, in partnershipwith Texas Tech. It has been a phenomenal asset for veterans in the western part of Texas. That is going to be one of many, but, I am sure, for him, it was the most special legacy that he left for the people of west Texas. Mr. Speaker, it was an honor to know him. I am a better man for having come alongside him in my time at Texas Tech. I also want to say of his wife, Marie Beth, that we love her and the Mittemeyer family. We are praying for them. We know that the general has gone to the great commander in chief in Heaven, and he is in a great place. He is alive as he has ever been. We will be with General Mittemeyer once again. I take great hope and joy in that. Mr. Speaker, I am grateful to the gentleman from Wisconsin for his indulgence.
[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 72 (Friday, April 28, 2023)] [House] [Pages H2112-H2114] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Date: 2023-04-28
Chamber: HOUSE
Mr. SHERMAN: I would like to address recent events in Pakistan. In evaluating those events, some would say that America should root for whichever political leader styles themselves as more pro-American and has been easier for us to deal with on this or that bilateral issue. I would say--and I think the State Department agrees--that what comes first is our dedication to democracy and the rule of law. Imran Khan was difficult for us to deal with; Prime Minister Sharif is somewhat easier. The question is democracy and the rule of law. The Supreme Court of Pakistan has ruled that there should be provincial elections in Punjab and later on in another province. That is the rule of law.I believe that supreme court has ruled that its initial ruling is final and unappealable, and the supreme court has ordered that the funds be released as are necessary to hold those provincial elections. America stands not with this policy or that policy or a government that will agree with us on this issue or that issue. America stands for democracy and the rule of law. America also stands for human rights and the right of free speech and the right to express one's opinions. I, of course, have been concerned about some of the terrible disappearances, some of the abuses of human rights, some of the substantial evidence of torture. We need human rights and democracy in Pakistan. We need the rule of law. America stands not with its short-term bilateral concerns but with our dedication to democracy and human rights. Most important of all, Pakistan has national elections set forth in October, and nothing is more important for Pakistan than that those elections be timely, legitimate, fair, and that whoever wins the elections be allowed to govern.  War in Ethiopia, Tigray
[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 72 (Friday, April 28, 2023)] [House] [Pages H2112-H2114] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Date: 2023-04-28
Chamber: HOUSE
Mr. SHERMAN: I will turn my attention to an issue that too many in Washington didn't pay attention to, as over 600,000 people died, and now some are not paying attention to the theory that the problem is over. I speak of northern Ethiopia, Tigray. While the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement was signed in November, the Tigrayan people continue to face ethnic violence and discrimination. Earlier this month, the AP reported that Amhara forces have renewed their campaign of ethnic cleansing against Tigrayan civilians and have uprooted roughly 47,000 Tigrayans from areas in southern Tigray just since March. The Amhara forces are carrying out this campaign of ethnic cleansing through forced evictions, harassment, and murder. Throughout all history, ethnic cleansing and genocide have gone together. This is not a standalone event, but rather, follows a horrific campaign of ethnic cleansing of Tigrayan civilians by Amhara regional forces that began in the year 2020. Last year, Secretary Blinken publicly recognized that ``Members of the Amhara forces also committed the crime against humanity of deportation or forcible transfer and committed ethnic cleansing in western Tigray,'' in addition to ``war crimes'' and ``crimes against humanity, including murder, rape and other forms of sexual violence and persecution.'' This is on top of the involvement of Eritrean forces in Tigray. Eritrea is a separate country. It has no business having its troops anywhere in Ethiopia. The determination made by our State Department on what is happening in Tigray follows extensive reporting by Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International in April of 2022, which documented: `` . . . Ethiopian federal forces, systematically expelled several hundred thousand Tigrayan civilians from their homes using threats, unlawful killings, sexual violence, mass arbitrary detention, pillage, forcible transfer, and the denial of humanitarian assistance.'' We have many things going on in the world. I know that most of our foreign policy or a very large chunk of it is focused on events in Eastern Europe and Ukraine, but Washington cannot turn away from this issue, nor can we assume that the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement solves the problem.  The people of Tigray deserve our attention and the engagement of the United States and the entire international community. Our leaders in Washington need to focus on what has been the most deadly event of the last several years. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Arrington).  Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Texas Tech
[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 72 (Friday, April 28, 2023)] [House] [Pages H2112-H2114] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Date: 2023-04-28
Chamber: HOUSE
Mr. ARRINGTON: I rise today to recognize and celebrate the anniversary of a west Texas treasure. 100 years ago today, Governor Pat Neff signed senate bill 103 that created what would become my proud alma mater: Texas Tech University. Today, Texas Tech's student population consists of 40,000 of the best and brightest young men and women from around the country and the world. I love Texas Tech and everything it represents. Our first president Paul Horn said it best: ``Everything that is done on these West Texas Plains ought to be on a big scale. . . . Let our thoughts be big thoughts and broad thoughts. Let our thinking be in worldwide terms.'' Texas Tech has embodied that vision. Its students and alumni have lived up to that calling for an entire century. I am so proud to bear our banner far and wide. On behalf of Red Raider Nation, as we strive for honor ever more, happy 100th birthday to Texas Tech. Wreck `em, get your guns up, and God bless west Texas.
[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 72 (Friday, April 28, 2023)] [House] [Pages H2108-H2112] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Date: 2023-04-28
Chamber: HOUSE
Mr. KILEY: with the departure of Marty Walsh from the Labor Department, President Biden has nominated Deputy Secretary Julie Su to succeed him. For those of us in California, this decision was very hard to understand. Ms. Su's record as our State's labor secretary under Governor Gavin Newsom is well known because it had such negative consequences for so many people. Having seen my constituents suffer at the hands of Ms. Su's mismanagement and antiworker agenda, I have felt compelled to make sure the facts come to light in the confirmation process. As chair of the House Subcommittee on Workforce Protections, I held a hearing last week highlighting the countless livelihoods she destroyed as secretary of labor in California. Mr. Speaker, I don't want the rest of the country to suffer the way California has. Our State had the highest unemployment rate for much of theCOVID era. We had the Nation's highest poverty rate. In recent years, we have been last in the country in income growth and first in the country in U-Haul rentals. I am joined today by several colleagues who don't want this for their States or for the rest of the country. They have joined us here for this Special Order to discuss what a Julie Su-led Labor Department would mean for their constituents and to urge President Biden to withdraw this nomination. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Moran).
[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 72 (Friday, April 28, 2023)] [House] [Pages H2108-H2112] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Date: 2023-04-28
Chamber: HOUSE
Mr. KILEY: I thank Mr. Moran for his comments. He really hit the nail on the head, that if this nomination goes through, it is hardworking Americans--millions of American workers--who will pay the price. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Good).
[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 72 (Friday, April 28, 2023)] [House] [Pages H2108-H2112] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Date: 2023-04-28
Chamber: HOUSE
Mr. GOOD : I thank Congressman Kiley for hosting this Special Order. Mr. Speaker, Julie Su has already auditioned for the job as Secretary of Labor, failing miserably and proving beyond a reasonable doubt that she is unfit for the position. For 2 years now, Ms. Su has been second in command at the Department of Labor, and all we need to do is look at the rules and regulations that have been issued under her watch. Her department of labor has incentivized and pressured retirement plans to focus on woke ESG guidelines instead of making investment decisions based on return on investment. Her department of labor has undermined the right of religious organizations to hire according to their beliefs if they want to participate in Federal contracts, discriminating against them and essentially violating their civil rights. Her department of labor has redefined the definition of ``joint employers'' to harm the independence of franchisees. Her department of labor has undercut independent contractors to make the Federal Government more like California. Yes, that is what we want to do. That is the example we want to follow, and then maybe people will start fleeing the United States the way they are fleeing California today. Her department of labor has raised the minimum wage for employers on Federal contracts to $15 an hour. While she was the secretary of labor in California, she ignored the warnings from the United States Department of Labor to improve fraud protection against the jobless benefit payments she was issuing. This is coming from the Biden administration that wants to give as many benefits to as many individuals as possible with essentially no verification of qualifications. Of course, in this administration of failing forward, instead of being reprimanded, she is being considered for a promotion to the Nation's top labor job. We all know who Julie Su is. We know that she will take her orders from anti-American Big Labor and further assault right-to-work. All Senators who value small businesses and workers' rights should oppose her nomination.
[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 72 (Friday, April 28, 2023)] [House] [Pages H2108-H2112] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Date: 2023-04-28
Chamber: HOUSE
Mr. KILEY: I thank Mr. Good for his remarks. His point about making the rest of the country like California is explicitly what they are trying to do here. President Biden has cited the labor law that Julie Su was in charge of enforcing in California as his model for labor relations nationwide. In fact, the Labor Department is now trying to emulate it in order to cause the same harm to all American workers that California workers have already suffered. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Miller).
[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 72 (Friday, April 28, 2023)] [House] [Pages H2108-H2112] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Date: 2023-04-28
Chamber: HOUSE
Mrs. MILLER : I thank Congressman Kiley for hosting this Special Order to oppose Deputy Secretary Su as the next Secretary of Labor. The Biden administration's radical Department of Labor attempted to unconstitutionally fire 84 million Americans unless they took the COVID vaccine and handed over their personal medical files to prove it. Under Joe Biden's leadership, the Federal Government has been weaponized to go after American workers, causing permanent damage to small businesses and the lives of working Americans. As vice chair of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, I support a full oversight investigation to hold the Biden administration and Deputy Secretary Su accountable over OSHA's unconstitutional and illegal COVID vaccine mandate. My constituents miss having a booming economy full of good jobs and a President who supports working families. In Congress, I will always defend hardworking Americans from leftists who want to strip away our freedoms and our ability to provide for our families.
[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 72 (Friday, April 28, 2023)] [House] [Pages H2108-H2112] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Date: 2023-04-28
Chamber: HOUSE
Mr. KILEY: I thank Representative Miller for her remarks. She brings up a very importantpoint. With everything that has been going on with the economy and everything that happened during COVID, it really is stunning that we had people in positions of power like Julie Su who are looking for reasons to deny people the opportunity to work. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Owens), who is also part of the Education and the Workforce Committee.