mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
Border Security (Executive Session)
Lindsey Graham (Republican, SC) \u2014 2023-11-29

I just want to pick up where Senator Cornyn left off. He has been a great person to try to work with to find a solution to our immigration problems. prgtoken But what we are dealing with on the Senate floor is not an immigration issue. prgtoken To my ic colleagues: I have worked with many of you on solutions to immigration, comprehensive immigration reform. prgtoken We are now having to deal with a broken border from a national security lens--172 encounters that we know of, of people on the Terrorist Watchlist. In fiscal year 2021, it was 15. So it is going through the roof. prgtoken So we have to get control of our border for our own national security sake. Terrorism is on the rise. The world is on fire. Now is not the time to have a broken border. prgtoken The numbers are really astounding. In September, we had the highest encounters at the border in recorded history. In December of 2020, we had the lowest in decades. In fiscal year 2023, which ended September 30, 2.5 million people. Since President has been in office, 6 million people. That is larger than the State of South Carolina. prgtoken So one of two things is going on regarding the border. The administration wants it to be this way for some reason or they are incompetent. If they are incompetent, they need to listen to people who have actually tried to secure the border successfully and work with us to get it done. If they want it to be this way, it is going to end if you want money for other countries. prgtoken I have been involved in about every game there is on immigration reform, but I am here to tell my ic colleagues: I am not going back to South Carolina and say I provided money for Ukraine and Israel, which I desperately support, unless we fix in a real way the problems at our border. That is unsustainable for me. prgtoken The of the House was just addressing the Senate. I think he understands the need for Ukraine funding, but he says border security has to be real for the House s to be able to do what they need to do. prgtoken To my ic colleagues: You are fighting us in a way that makes no sense to me. I understand why we should send money to Ukraine. You had me at hello. I understand why we need to help our friends in Israel. I don't understand why you fight the changes that would bring back order out of chaos. prgtoken Is that the position of the ic Party, that the policies that led to this overwhelming surge in illegal immigration are not subject to change? prgtoken We are not going to vote for legislation that doesn't stop what is on this chart, period. Look at the line. Fiscal year 2020, 458,000 encounters; fiscal year 2023, 2.5 million. It has to stop. prgtoken Look at the asylum system that is being completely gamed. It has become a joke. It needs to stop. prgtoken Parole. We have had some major efforts to reform asylum. Senator Lankford is doing a good job. <|p|
PROTECTING OUR COMMUNITIES FROM FAILURE TO SECURE THE BORDER ACT OF 2023
Bruce Westerman (Republican, AR) \u2014 2023-11-29

. Madam Chair, such time as I may consume. prgtoken Madam Chair, today I rise in support of H.R. 5283, legislation sponsored by my colleague from New York City, Congresswoman Malliotakis. prgtoken This legislation would protect our national parks, prevent wasteful spending, and hold the administration accountable for its failed border policies. prgtoken The Protecting our Communities from Failure to Secure the Border Act of 2023 would prohibit the use of any Federal funding, leases, or contracts to construct housing facilities for illegal immigrants on our Nation's Federal lands. prgtoken It would also put an end to the legally questionable lease that the administration signed with New York City to house thousands of migrants at Floyd Bennett Field, which is owned and managed by the National Park Service. prgtoken Madam Chair, our national parks have been described as America's best idea. They are places we go to experience the outdoors and spend time with our friends, family, and community. prgtoken That was true of Floyd Bennett Field, which drew an average of 1 million visitors per year for its ice skating rinks, petting zoos, UC cadet programs, bird watching, bike races, and much more. prgtoken If you go to Floyd Bennett Field today, you wouldn't see any children on playgrounds or fishermen dotting the shoreline. Instead, you would see massive tents, hastily thrown together over the last few weeks to house 2,000 migrants in semi-congregate facilities. prgtoken This tent city has been called a recipe for disaster. prgtoken Local and elected officials, the U.S. Park Police Union, the Legal Aid Society, and the Coalition for the Homeless have all spoken out against using Floyd Bennett Field as a migrant housing facility. prgtoken The Park Police Union testified before the Committee on Natural Resources that it was a, ``law enforcement nightmare and public safety disaster in the making.'' prgtoken Numerous organizations have raised concerns about inadequate bathroom facilities, cramped sleeping areas, and hazards for children. prgtoken The local fire department said the area is a fire trap and lacks basic safety features, like fire hydrants. If that wasn't enough, the entire facility is located in a flood plain that floods even on days with light rain. prgtoken Maybe the administration would have known about these issues ahead of time had they not tried to get around the National Environmental Policy Act by improperly declaring this as an emergency. prgtoken Perhaps it is no surprise that when the first busloads of migrants started arriving at Floyd Bennett Field, they turned right back around and refused to stay there. prgtoken Migrant families are now warning each other against staying there, saying that the site is freezing cold, babies are suffering, it is not suitable for children, and believe it or not, there are no televisions. prgtoken This entire boondoggle has be
Appropriations (Executive Session)
Jerry Moran (Republican, KS) \u2014 2023-11-29

today, I would like to discuss one of the many critical topics we face in the country, in the Congress, in the Senate--Federal spending. We are certainly focused upon the issues that we are trying to bring together in regard to an emergency supplemental, in regard to supporting Ukraine and Israel, combatting China in the South Pacific and around the globe, Iran terrorist activities, and, as the gentleman from my neighboring State of Nebraska indicated, issues involving our national security at our own borders. prgtoken Today, I want to take just a step back and indicate that we were on a path and I wish we would get back on a path of making certain that the appropriations bills that the Senate Committee on Appropriations has considered, amended, and approved are brought to the Senate floor. prgtoken There are 12 appropriations bills annually. The full committee has considered all 12 and passed all 12, but the Senate, this body, which is again using this week to consider nominations, still has all but three of those bills yet to consider. It is important that Federal spending is provided to keep our government open and functioning and functioning and open for the American people. prgtoken This topic has dominated a lot of conversations nationally now for months. We are operating under a continuing resolution that funds the Federal Government at its current level until mid-January or early February, when that current continuing resolution then expires. prgtoken I certainly support the efforts of Senator Collins and Senator Murray, the vice chairman and the chairman of the Committee on Appropriations. I support their work. It is my hope that Leader Schumer will allow those appropriations bills and that process to continue. Three out of twelve is insufficient, and the consequences of our failure to address the remaining bills are consequential. prgtoken When considering appropriations bills, it is critical that, in my view, two core principles are established. First is that we must get our Federal spending under control. We borrow way too much money. The consequence will come to haunt us economically. Our ability to respond to national security issues is diminished when our spending is out of line with our revenues. Second, it is our duty to draft appropriations bills that are judicious, responsible, carefully tailored, and that we establish priorities and determine what the Nation's highest priorities are for the coming or current fiscal year. prgtoken Congress must start this work immediately and not wait for the final moments, not wait until the middle of January or the beginning of February. Otherwise, we are on a path once again to another continuing resolution or, as we said we would not do again, a significant and huge omnibus in which these bills are all packaged together, reducing transparency, reducing the understanding of not only members of the American public but reducing the capabilit
BORDER SECURITY IS NATIONAL SECURITY
Doug LaMalfa (Republican, CA) \u2014 2023-11-29

as the conversation has been, we know that border security actually is national security. prgtoken President 's open border policies have incentivized a historic surge in illegal immigration at our southern and northern borders and the impact we are seeing lately on our national parks. prgtoken Since President taking office, there have been over 6.4 million illegal crossings of our southern border and 1.7 million known got- aways who evaded U.S. Border Patrol. prgtoken Every State is now a border State. Every town is now a border town. are using the national parks to house illegal immigrants-- think how absurd that is--which only further encourages this crisis. prgtoken s and alike have condemned 's border crisis. We must stop incentivizing further waves of illegal immigrants by providing them with free housing--again, the latest scheme being housing them in our national parks. prgtoken We will continue to fight to secure our border and eliminate the financial burdens these illegal immigrants are putting on American taxpayers and our towns. prgtoken That is why earlier this year we passed H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act, which is the strongest border security package in American history.
THE SYSTEMIC THREAT TO THIS REPUBLIC IS THE MATH
David Schweikert (Republican, AZ) \u2014 2023-11-29

I will talk faster and not do all the boards. prgtoken I have come to this mike how many times over the last few years and done things, saying, let's talk about the policy revolution. prgtoken Cures are part of the solution: Cure disease, change technology, adopt things. If healthcare and interest are our fragilities, then do things to bend that cost of healthcare. prgtoken I have come here and shown things where you could use technology to functionally, dramatically disrupt the cost of healthcare. prgtoken We have come here and talked about things like this where you can blow into it. It is a breath biopsy. It is like having a medical lab home in your cabinet. prgtoken Yes, we make things like that illegal because this place often is a protection racket. It is a protection racket for incumbent bureaucracies and business models. prgtoken If we could disrupt the cost of so many things in our society, whether it be healthcare, whether it be the way we do regulation, you could actually set off GDP growth. You could lower the cost drivers of this government. prgtoken By doing that, you lower the cost of the financing. You tell the bond markets how serious we are. Maybe they give us some love and credit on our interest rates. prgtoken There is a path where this can work. You just need Members of Congress to deal with the reality. Tell the truth about the math. prgtoken , .
FOCUSING ON REPUBLICAN PRIORITIES
Lisa C. McClain (Republican, MI) \u2014 2023-11-29

I thank our newly-elected vice chair. Congratulations. I look forward to working with him. prgtoken , I rise today because accountability is finally here. prgtoken For years, has used his name and influence for personal gain, all while serving in office and receiving a salary funded by taxpayer dollars. He has deceived the Nation by posing as a trustworthy family man, only to be bought and paid for by foreign nationals. prgtoken The family has embedded themselves in a web of lies, spreading deceit to the Nation to cover up their shady dealings. We are not fools and we cannot be fooled. prgtoken For months, House s have followed the facts, and more importantly, followed the money. It has all led right back to President . Despite stonewalling attempts at every turn, we have persisted. From the DOJ to the FBI and the White House, cohorts of the family have done everything they can to stop the truth from coming to light. These lies cannot stay hidden forever. prgtoken House s in the Oversight Committee have unearthed over $240,000 in direct payments to the President and his family. What about that money? prgtoken That money has direct ties to foreign nationals and our adversaries. These same adversaries President swore to defend America against are actually lining his pockets and influencing his decisions. prgtoken It is past time that the American public know the truth. It is time for the family to be held accountable for their corruption. prgtoken , I thank the House s that accountability is finally here.
Border Security (Executive Session)
John Thune (Republican, SD) \u2014 2023-11-29

today I want to speak to the issue of our southern border because I think it is a really important and relevant issue with respect to the national security package that we are considering or that we will be, I think, at some point, considering here in the Senate that deals with many of the national security crises we face around the world. prgtoken And as I think about this issue, I am always reminded that as a one- generation-removed-from-immigrant individual in this country--my grandfather came here back in 1906--I am reminded that we are a nation of immigrants. prgtoken We have had, throughout our history, a welcoming culture in this country. We are a country that is made up of people from all over the world, and I am representative of that, as I said, one generation removed. prgtoken It is also important to remember that we are a nation of laws, first and foremost. Ronald Reagan once said: A nation without borders is not a nation. prgtoken I have heard it paraphrased that a nation that can't control its borders can't control its destiny. And I believe that to be true. prgtoken I think what we have right now at our southern border is a situation that has just run amok. It really has. You cannot defend what is happening at our southern border if you believe we are a nation of laws or, for that matter, if you believe we are a nation of immigrants because you have to have a legal way to get into this country. All countries do that, and the United States, as I said, is a very welcoming nation. If you look at the number of people who come here every year as refugees, the number of people coming to this country, you add up all the other countries around the world and the number of people they allow into their countries, the United States exceeds that, and that, to me, is a remarkable testament to the welcoming nature of this country. prgtoken But it is welcoming in the sense that it is done within the context of the rule of law, and that, first and foremost, has to be front and center as we think about this issue. prgtoken What we have right now at our southern border is essentially a huge welcome sign, a huge green light to come prgtoken across our southern border and to do it illegally. That is in direct contradiction and violation of everything that our Nation is about as a nation of laws. prgtoken And so as I talk about this issue, and we talk about it in the context of national security, it has become a national security issue because, once again, there has been another record set when it comes to the border and not the good kind, I should say, of record. This administration now has, during the month of October, seen 240,988 individuals be apprehended attempting to illegally cross our southern border. That is the worst October on record, and that is on top of the three previous months which were historic records; the month of September, 270,000 people apprehended at our southern border t
Recognition of the Minority Leader (Executive Session)
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2023-11-29

I had an opportunity to watch the majority leader's speech this morning. It was extraordinary. I want to compliment him for providing a history lesson for Americans about the history of the Jewish people and putting it in context with the conflict that is underway. prgtoken So I want to thank him and associate myself with his remarks. I share his disgust at the alarming rise of anti-Semitism in America--and around the world--in the wake of the October 7 attacks. prgtoken So, again, I stand with him in condemning this hatred. And I stand with our ally, Israel, as it defends, literally, its right to exist.
PROTECTING OUR COMMUNITIES FROM FAILURE TO SECURE THE BORDER ACT OF 2023
Juan Ciscomani (Republican, AZ) \u2014 2023-11-29

I thank Chairman Westerman for yielding. prgtoken Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of this bill in my district which includes parts of the Tucson sector where we are currently seeing record levels of illegal crossings of over 15,000 per week. prgtoken The administration's efforts to turn our national parks into shelters not only does not solve the problem or even address it, but it only further exacerbates and furthers the crisis which is both one of national security and one of humanitarian consequences, as well. prgtoken Migrants are literally dying as they make their journey into the United States. Turning these national parks into shelters only encourages migrants to make this dangerous journey. prgtoken As an immigrant myself, I can say that this is no way to help immigrants seeking asylum. The reality is that the asylum system has been abused. prgtoken My State, along with every State in the country, is feeling the impact of this administration's failures. prgtoken I support this bill, as I cannot stand for migrants and asylum seekers being treated inhumanely and sheltered in national parks while our local communities bear the burden of this administration's failures. prgtoken Our CBP agents are undermanned, underserved, overwhelmed, and unsupported. Our security is threatened, and migrants continue to be abused. This is unacceptable. We are better than this, Mr. Chair, and this bill begins to address this crisis. prgtoken Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.
Government Funding (Executive Session)
Susan M. Collins (Republican, ME) \u2014 2023-11-29

I come to the floor to urge action on the fiscal year 2024 appropriations bills that fund critical programs, programs that are so important to America and to American families, programs ranging from biomedical research to our national defense. prgtoken On November 1, the Senate passed its first package of three appropriations bills: the military construction and veterans affairs legislation, the Agriculture and FDA bill, and the Transportation and Housing bill. And due to the extraordinary work of the members of the Appropriations Committee, they passed by overwhelming bipartisan vote of 82 to 15. prgtoken Despite the Appropriations Committee working hard to report all 12 of the funding bills by the end of July, additional full-year appropriations bills have not been brought to the Senate floor. Instead, the Federal Government has been operating under short-term funding patches known as continuing resolutions since the start of the fiscal year on October 1. These temporary funding patches lead to harmful uncertainties, needless inefficiencies, and wasted taxpayer dollars. prgtoken One of the bills that I hope will be brought to the floor soon is the Department of Defense appropriations bill. This bill would provide critical resources for our military at a time when we are facing many complex threats from around the globe, including those posed by an imperialistic Russia, a hegemonic China, and an increasingly belligerent Iran and its proxies. prgtoken Earlier this summer, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved its version of the defense funding bill by a strong bipartisan vote of 27 to 1. This bill contains funding for key national security priorities, including providing our troops and their families with the pay and benefits that they deserve, expanding our naval fleet, and modernizing the nuclear triad, strengthening deterrence against China--our pacing threat--rebuilding our munitions stockpiles, and addressing military readiness and capability gaps. prgtoken Each day that the Department of Defense operates under a temporary funding measure rather than its full-year appropriations bill, important national security investments remain on hold. For example, the Department has identified more than 330 new programs or production increases that cannot proceed. This includes more than a dozen high- priority initiatives identified by the Air Force, 6 billion in Army transformation efforts, and multiyear procurement authority for the Virginia class submarines. prgtoken In a letter that was sent to the Appropriations Committee just today, Chairman C.Q. Brown, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff writes that ``We cannot outpace our pacing challenge while under continuing resolution.'' prgtoken In other words, continuing resolutions give China the upper hand. prgtoken I ask unanimous consent that the text of General Brown's letter be printed in the Record following my remarks. prgtoken Recent
CELEBRATING SGT. J.J. CORBETT'S 101ST BIRTHDAY AND SERVICE
Scott Franklin (Republican, FL) \u2014 2023-11-29

I rise today to wish a happy birthday to Bartow resident, Sgt. Jordan Jerome ``J.J.'' Corbett, who celebrated his 101st birthday on November 25th. Sgt. Corbett has earned many accolades throughout his storied life, including WWII hero, educator, championship coach and civil rights trailblazer. prgtoken Sgt. Corbett served during WWII as one of the U.S. Army's first black paratroopers. He first volunteered to train with the all-white 82nd Airborne Division and was part of the formation of the 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion. The 555th was nicknamed the ``Triple Nickles''--one of the few all-black units with black officers. Today, Sgt. Corbett is the last surviving member of the ``Triple Nickles,'' which was assigned to one of the most dangerous operations to save lives from the aftermath of a clandestine Japanese balloon attack in the Western United States. prgtoken Today, he is a retired schoolteacher, Bank Director for Citrus & Chemical Bank, two-time Florida Track Coach of the Year, member of the Florida High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame and member of the Florida Veterans Hall of Fame. prgtoken , I ask my colleagues to join me in wishing Sgt. Corbett a happy 101st birthday. On behalf of the 18th District of Florida, we thank him for his service and sacrifice for our nation and his steadfast dedication to our community.