mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
RECOGNIZING NATIONAL RENDERING DAY
Bruce Westerman (Republican, AR) \u2014 2024-4-19

I rise today in recognition of the 2nd Annual National Rendering Day. The burden of responsibility for feeding the world extends beyond the farm. Rendering plays a critical role in ensuring we can meet the growing global demand for food, feed, and fuel, while helping reduce food waste and loss. By recycling unused animal products, renderers create valuable ingredients from resources that would otherwise take up enormous amounts of precious landfill space. Renderers also collect billions of pounds of used cooking oil from restaurants and food manufacturers for upcycling into products and sustainable fuels, like biodiesel. prgtoken Rendering not only creates alternative, sustainable fuels to power trucks, trains, water vessels and other vehicles but also feeds our beloved household pets. Rendering is the largest industry involved in prevention of food loss and waste and is an important component of a bio-circular economy. prgtoken Renderers play an important role in reducing food loss and waste, sustainably recycling valuable agricultural resources, and positively contributing to local, state, and national and international economies. U.S. renderers contribute $10 billion in annual economic activity prgtoken across the country and include many small businesses that help drive the American economy and define the American dream. prgtoken I am honored to represent many great rendering companies in the 4th District of Arkansas. I am grateful for the role of rendering in producing America's feed and fuel, and reducing food waste and loss by repurposing products we don't eat for other practical needs. Today on National Rendering Day, please join me in recognizing renderers' countless contributions to strengthening the U.S. economy and protecting the environment.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
John Cornyn (Republican, TX) \u2014 2024-4-19

the Senate is currently debating the reauthorization of section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. I call this the most important law that most Americans never heard of. But it is an essential tool for our intelligence community to protect the American people against a whole array of threats, as I will try to explain. prgtoken It is somewhat complicated, which means that it is important to make sure that we understand what the facts are and dispel any myths or any misconceptions about what exactly we are asking the Senate to vote on. prgtoken Unless the Senate takes action soon, section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act will expire at midnight tonight. If that happens, the United States will lose access to valuable intelligence that is needed by our intelligence community to keep America safe. Our country's top intelligence officials have shared a number of success stories that demonstrate the far-reaching value of this authority. But the best I can tell, there is broad bipartisan consensus about the value of section 702. I have heard no one stand up and say: We should just let the authority lapse. And that is for good reason that you haven't heard that argument. prgtoken Section 702-acquired information has helped combat terrorism, disrupt drug trafficking, thwart cyber attacks, prevent our adversaries from trafficking in weapons of mass destruction, and much more. prgtoken Officials have also issued warnings that--in the starkest possible terms--about what a 702 lapse would do to our security missions. FBI Director Chris Wray said to allow 702 to expire would be ``an act of unilateral disarmament in the face of the Chinese Communist Party.'' So the stakes are extremely high. prgtoken I am glad that the -led House passed a strong 702 reform bill last week. This is not a clean reauthorization of the existing bill. This is a reform bill which corrects many of the problems that we have experienced with section 702 in application, including some abuse by FBI officials and others. It is designed to prevent that inadvertent abuse and to hold people who abuse that authority accountable. prgtoken And to those who say, well, this reform bill has provisions in it that can be likewise abused by somebody who is intent on violating the law, I say there is no law that can prevent people from lying, cheating, and stealing. In other words, we could do our best to try to pass a law that protects the American people both in their privacy and their national security, but no one argues that we can prevent all abuses. prgtoken But we could go a long way--and this bill does it--to close up the opportunities to do that and to hold people accountable who do abuse the law by exposing them, potentially, to long prison sentences. This reform legislation increases transparency, as I said, prevents misuse of 702, and strengthens accountability within the FBI. prgtoken As Congress has de
END THE BORDER CATASTROPHE ACT
Juan Ciscomani (Republican, AZ) \u2014 2024-4-19

I thank my friend from Alabama for yielding me time. I am glad to see this body taking up my border security legislation today alongside these other important packages as well. prgtoken Now, the gentleman from New York calls this a joke. Well, I don't know what he finds funny, but nothing about this situation is funny. It is not funny to our Border Patrol agents; it is not funny to my border communities; and it is certainly not funny to the hundreds of thousands of women and children being trafficked by the Mexican cartels at our southern border. There is nothing funny about this situation. prgtoken Let's be clear: Our border is broken and has been for a long time. At a time where our world is more dangerous than ever and our adversaries are emboldened, protecting our homeland is our most critical priority. Attacks by our adversaries have spurred the urgent need to support our allies. Congress should be able and must do both, and it all starts with a secure border, . prgtoken This bill takes major strides in addressing our porous border. It would immediately restart construction of the border wall, end the disastrous catch and release policies, and streamline the asylum process. We have seen policies that work, including remain in Mexico and Asylum Cooperative Agreements in the Northern Triangle. This bill would start the process of going back to those policies and, in turn, stem the flow we are seeing. prgtoken The United States Congress is the most powerful body in the world. We must be able to support our allies while we protect our homeland as well. prgtoken The world is looking to America for strength, and our country is looking to Washington for leadership. The administration is nowhere to be found, has been nowhere to be found. We must step up and fill the gaps the White House has left by their weakened foreign and domestic policy stances. prgtoken Since January of 2021, there have been more than 7.6 million migrant encounters at our southwestern border. In addition to this staggering 7.6 million, estimates suggest upwards of 1.8 million additional illegal immigrants that evaded Border Patrol and entered our country. Most notably, 169 individuals on the terrorist watch list were apprehended at the border in FY23. prgtoken These are no longer just families coming to America in search of a better life. In FY24 so far, we have witnessed over 20,000 Chinese nationals at the southwest border. Encounters of Chinese nationals have already surpassed all of last fiscal year. prgtoken I recently went to Israel and personally walked through the devastation of October 7. Make no mistake, Hamas wishes the same fate on Americans. prgtoken This bill does not just address a major national security weakness, it solves a crisis that millions of Americans already live with. In my district alone, we have seen close to 1,000 migrants per day enter our communities. Arizonans have seen a spike in high-speed car chases and i
ANNIVERSARY OF THE OKLAHOMA CITY BOMBING
Stephanie I. Bice (Republican, OK) \u2014 2024-4-19

for many, today is just another day on the calendar, but for Oklahomans, today marks significance. prgtoken It was 29 years ago today, April 19, 1995, that the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building was bombed, and 168 Oklahoma lives were lost. prgtoken I could not be at the ceremony, which will occur later this morning back in Oklahoma, so I thought it only fitting that I stand before this body to recognize those who we have mourned over these last 29 years. prgtoken To the mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, sons, and daughters who never made it home that day, and their loved ones whose lives were changed forever, we will never forget. prgtoken Oklahomans overcame the tragedy together, forming the Oklahoma standard through the embodiment of the American spirit. It was through that unity that we found strength. Our community, our State, and our Nation will never be the same, but we remain strong. prgtoken As we mourn the lives lost, we pray for those who have and continue to suffer.
REFORMING INTELLIGENCE AND SECURING AMERICA ACT
Roger Marshall (Republican, KS) \u2014 2024-4-19

during the last administration, we saw career, unelected bureaucrats, many of whom were FBI agents, actively work against our Commander in Chief. prgtoken Now, in this bill, we are giving unilateral control over section 702 to those same career staff who have a record of abusing their power. As written, section 2(b) of the bill would prohibit political appointees from being within the process of approving section 702 queries. This means there is no accountability for these agents by the FBI Director or Attorney General. prgtoken Regardless of who is President, they and their politically appointed FBI Director and Attorney General should have full control of the Agencies and Departments they are leading. prgtoken We must make FBI and DOJ leadership accountable for eventual section 702 abuses. We should require the Attorney General and FBI Director to sign off on 702 investigations. prgtoken As this is such a momentous vote, it would be great that it also passed. So, with that, I urge your ``yes'' vote.
RECOGNIZING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE INTERNATIONAL FERTILIZER DEVELOPMENT CENTER (IFDC)
Robert B. Aderholt (Republican, AL) \u2014 2024-4-19

hunger and food insecurity are issues that plague many nations around the world. Luckily, within the district that I represent, there is an international organization working to alleviate this concern by working with farmers around the world to improve agricultural practices and teaching about advancements in fertilizer technology. prgtoken Founded in October 1974, the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) was created to fill a gap found in the inability to field international calls for assistance by the Tennessee Valley Authority's National Fertilizer Development Center. prgtoken After just shy of three years in operation, the IFDC was designated a public international organization in March 1977. prgtoken On this 50th anniversary, the staff that makes up the IFDC are working just as hard as they were on day one to make sure people around the world do not just have access to food, but have the knowledge needed to grow this food so that they can create a sustainable agricultural process that will feed generations. prgtoken The IFDC is headquartered in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, and currently operates in over 25 countries. President and CEO Henk van Duijn, along with the rest of the International Fertilizer Development Center's Global Management Team, Dr. Oumou Camara, Chris Holt, Douglas Kerr, and Dr. Upendra Singh, make up an outstanding team that delivers needed expertise to countries around the world. prgtoken I want to thank each and everyone at the International Fertilizer Development Center for their 50 years of service to the international community. They have provided a way for people across the world to grow food and feed their communities. Congratulations to them on their incredible achievements and for representing the very best of the United States by making significant contributions to the international community. I look forward to continued great work and the success of everyone at IFDC.
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 8034, ISRAEL SECURITY SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2024; PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 8035, UKRAINE SECURITY SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2024...
Andy Barr (Republican, KY) \u2014 2024-4-19

I thank the gentleman for the additional time. The administration's refusal to implement strong sanctions against the pipeline not only removed deterrents before the full-scale invasion and invited Putin's invasion of Ukraine, but also allowed parts of Europe's dangerous reliance on Russian energy to continue until Putin's tanks had already rolled across Ukraine's borders. Rescinding the license would encourage our allies' efforts to rid themselves of reliance on Russian energy sources. prgtoken It makes no sense to fund a needed resistance against Russia's unprovoked war against Ukraine while also allowing Russia to fill its war machine coffers through its sale of energy to the rest of the world. can't have his cake and eat it too. It is just ridiculous. prgtoken He cannot pursue a radical anti-fossil energy climate crusade at home and hope to keep energy prices low. Similarly, he can't keep the flow of Russian crude on the world markets to bolster global supply while reducing Moscow's revenues through an unenforceable price cap. prgtoken The only way to truly punish Moscow and deprive Putin of the financial support he needs to materially--to prosecute the war is by removing the general license on the energy-related transactions facilitated by sanctioned Russian banks. I urge my colleagues to support this rule.
HONORING DR. KIRK CALHOUN
Nathaniel Moran (Republican, TX) \u2014 2024-4-19

I rise today to honor and congratulate my friend Dr. Kirk Calhoun on the announcement of his retirement. prgtoken Dr. Calhoun has proudly served as the president of The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler since 2002 and as the president of the University of Texas at Tyler since 2020, making him the longest serving active president in the UT system. prgtoken Dr. Calhoun's leadership has led the UT Tyler system through tremendous growth and unification. Throughout his 22 years of public service, the institutions under his leadership have seen exponential growth, historic levels of giving to the community, and the launch of the first medical school in East Texas. prgtoken He has helped to expand academic research programs, forge partnerships with the community colleges, increase student scholarship offerings, and develop a strategic plan for integrating the health and academic enterprises of our UT system. prgtoken Dr. Calhoun leaves behind a legacy of excellence and service in our community. He is a hallmark in promoting collaboration and increasing educational opportunities. This milestone is a testament to his dedication, leadership, and unwavering commitment to the East Texas medical and academic communities. prgtoken , I congratulate Dr. Calhoun on 22 years. He will be missed but not forgotten.
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 8034, ISRAEL SECURITY SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2024; PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 8035, UKRAINE SECURITY SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2024...
Michael C. Burgess (Republican, TX) \u2014 2024-4-19

the balance of my time. prgtoken , our adversaries, notably Russia, China, and Iran, are watching to see how we will respond. Our reaction to these crises will determine how they will choose to proceed. An important difference between this package of bills today and the previously passed Senate supplemental is the addition of the 21st Century Peace through Strength Act. The legislation is important as it includes sanctions and policies that counter our adversaries through the inclusion of the REPO Act, the removal of our payment for foreign pensions, and requiring the administration to provide a game plan in Ukraine, something that many of us have been asking for, for some time. prgtoken Ronald Reagan told us peace comes through strength. By failing to act now, it will signal the opposite of strength. It will invite future aggression, as failure to act has done so often in the past. prgtoken , I also feel obligated to point out that this Congress has had two votes on providing aid to Israel. One occurred in October, right after Johnson was elected. Indeed, it was one of his highest priorities. I thought that aid package was responsibly offset through cuts to other Federal agencies here. Senator Schumer didn't see it that way and said we have never conditioned aid to Israel with anything, so there can be no offset, that it can't be paid for. prgtoken In the House, in February of this year, I think it was Mr. Calvert of California who introduced a bill to provide the same aid to Israel without the offset. It was blocked, this time by people on my side. prgtoken The said, okay, let's bring it up under suspension, and maybe we can get agreement between Members on both sides. In fact, under suspension, the two-thirds majority required was not achieved, so that bill failed in February, as well. prgtoken Had any one of those bills passed, we might not be here today because we all know 1 week--10 days ago--Iran attacked Israel, the missiles and drones originating from Iranian soil, the first time that has ever happened, and the crisis advanced. prgtoken Yes, we did have an opportunity to provide that aid to Israel. It might not have been what my friend from Massachusetts would have wanted, but at the same time, we had the opportunity to provide that. prgtoken Unfortunately, now, even members of my committee are upset with where we are today, but we had the opportunity to sort of head off all of this by simply passing that aid package last February, and we wouldn't do it. prgtoken What happens if we don't do this today? Does it get better or worse for us down the road? Nobody knows the answer to that, but history tells us it is very likely to get worse. prgtoken We have two votes now, , on Israeli aid. On both counts, I think most of us in this body want to see that pass. prgtoken I will stress again that weakness invites aggression, and we cannot allow our allies in the Middle East, the Indo-Pacific, a
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Dan Sullivan (Republican, AK) \u2014 2024-4-19

. Let me talk a little bit about the Voice of the Arctic Inupiat. It is a nonprofit organization established in 2015 by the North Slope region's collective elected Inupiat Native leadership. It is dedicated to preserving and advancing the North Slope, the Inupiat culture, and economic self-determination. prgtoken It includes local governments, Alaska Native corporations, federally recognized Tribes, and Tribal nonprofits across that entire North Slope region. prgtoken The board of directors of the Voice previously issued a strong resolution in opposition to the administration's NPR-A rule that went into effect today, impacting their ancestral homelands. prgtoken Just because it is really important, I want to give a sense of how many people. It is literally tens of thousands that the administration is ignoring. The Voice of the Arctic Inupiat constitutes the following communities and organizations: Point Hope, Point Lay, Wainwright, Utqiagvik, Atqasuk, Anaktuvuk Pass, Nuiqsut, Kaktovik. prgtoken Members include the Arctic Slope Native Association, Atqasuk Corporation, the city of Atqasuk, the city of Kaktovik, the city of Wainwright, the Inupiat community of the Arctic Slope, the Native village of Atqasuk, the Native village of Kaktovik, the Native village of Point Lay, the North Slope Borough School District, the Olgoonik Corporation, the Ukpeagvik Inupiat Corporation, the Arctic Slope Regional Corporation, the city of Anaktuvuk Pass, the city of Barrow, the city of Point Hope, Ilisagvik College, the Kaktovik Inupiat Corporation, the Native village of Barrow, the Native village of Point Hope, the North Slope Borough, Nunamiut Corporation, the village of Wainwright, and the Tikigaq Corporation. prgtoken That is who is represented. That is tens of thousands of my constituents, and they are all against this rule. And they all live in the region where the rule is going to impact my State. And these are great people, by the way--whaling captains, veterans. Alaska Natives serve at higher rates in the military than any other ethnic group in the country--patriots. They love America. They are defenders of their culture. They are generous. They are humble. I am so honored to represent these great Americans as their Senator. prgtoken So here is her letter, and I am just going to quote from it because it shows just what a travesty and what a bunch of baloney the President of the United States and Secretary Haaland's statements were today. Remember, they wouldn't meet with these people--these great people--and now their statements say: We are doing it on their behalf. prgtoken So let's see what they said in their press release today--the elected Alaska Native leaders who, supposedly, had this rule done for them by 's graciousness--a big lie. Here is the president of the Voice of the Arctic Inupiat, Nagruk Harcharek, who is a great American. The federal government has again excluded the Indigenous
REFORMING INTELLIGENCE AND SECURING AMERICA ACT
Mike Lee (Republican, UT) \u2014 2024-4-19

in 2020, 77 Members of this body voted for this amendment, and I would love to see the same result today. prgtoken According to the IG report following the Crossfire Hurricane investigation, there were a lot of FBI employees who appeared before the FISA Court who had made substantial misrepresentations to the FISA Court. It is one of the things that can happen in a nonadversarial courtroom setting. That is why this amendment that most of us voted for just 4 years ago does two things. prgtoken First, it beefs up the ability to have amicus curiae representation so that there is an extra set of eyes, not individual lawyers representing any one single person, but an extra set of eyes there to defend the rights of individual Americans--individual Americans--about 50,000 of whom are queried without any warrant, in a typical quarter, as recently as 2 years ago. prgtoken The second thing it does is it requires the disclosure to the court of all material, exculpatory evidence, or impeachment evidence--what we would call, in a courtroom, Brady and Giglio evidence--to the court.
EXPORTING OUR JOBS
Doug LaMalfa (Republican, CA) \u2014 2024-4-19

time and again around this facility, we will be in committee, and we will be having conversations, and what seems to be the biggest focus for a lot of the around here is climate change. prgtoken I ask them: What is the target here? What is the issue? prgtoken It seems to boil down to carbon dioxide, and they never seem to know what the actual composition of our atmosphere is of the carbon dioxide that we have. They don't know. prgtoken Yet, we have all these goals they want to set for how many electric cars we are going to have by what year, or what power plants, or getting rid of your leaf blower or your barbecue. prgtoken What it really boils down to is that CO2 is only 0.04 percent of our atmosphere, and it is very beneficial to plants. Without it, we would not have plants, and without plants, we would not have us. prgtoken The hypocrisy of people is that they are trying to ratchet down CO2 and put our American economy in peril. Exporting our economy and exporting our jobs to the Pacific Rim, to China, is going to be the result of this fallacy of the religion of climate change.