mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
NOMINATION OF SAULE OMAROVA
Dan Sullivan (Republican, AK) \u2014 2021-11-4

I want to spend a few minutes talking about the President's nominee to be Comptroller of the Currency and her recent comments on those of us who were asking questions about her background, because they are pretty outrageous, and I think it is time. In some ways, we need to put an end to this notion that you can't criticize someone for their ideas without being charged with things like, maybe, racism, which kind of gets me a little bit riled up, since I think I was one of the targets of her remarks. prgtoken I have been down on the floor talking about some of the nominees that this administration has put forward. Some are so radical, far left. prgtoken The ATF nominee was actually against the Second Amendment. He got withdrawn. prgtoken The BLM Director was an ecoterrorist. She got voted in. Now she is in charge of 60 percent of my State--remarkable. I think a lot of Senators are going to regret that vote. prgtoken And now we have a nominee to be the Comptroller of the Currency: Saule Omarova. She is charged with chartering, regulating, and supervising all national banks--a really important position, for a capitalist economy, in particular. prgtoken There is a problem, though, . It doesn't seem like she much likes banks or, for that matter, the free market or, for that matter, capitalism or the financial system in America. So Senators have been coming down to the floor and in committee, asking questions, doing our due diligence on this nominee. I want to commend Senator Toomey, in particular, who has been doing that, and I have been joining him. prgtoken So I am going to talk a little bit more about her background and her ideas, which, by the way, have nothing to do with her race or her sex-- nothing. I just want to know what her ideas are. So I am going to talk a little bit about that. prgtoken A 1989 graduate of Moscow State University, where she received the Lenin Personal Academic Scholarship--that is the Vladimir Lenin Personal Academic Scholarship. And from what we know about her writings, yes, she was raised in a communist country. That is nothing against her. But sometimes you get notions of capitalism, socialism, communism, Marxism. And her writings are something that are of interest to the committee--certainly to me, certainly to Senator Toomey--about what she believes in terms of the financial system, socialism, communism. prgtoken Here is what she tweeted in 2019, just 2 years ago: Until I came to the U.S I couldn't imagine things like the gender pay gap still existed in today's world. Say what you want about the old USSR, but there was no pay gap there. Markets don't always work best. prgtoken That is a tweet 2 years ago. Say what you want about the old USSR, about Stalin and Lenin and the roughly 100 million people killed during their reign. Say what you want about the old USSR, the famine, the human degradation, the ill-fated, violent attempts to snuff out freedom and lib
BUILD BACK BETTER AGENDA
John Thune (Republican, SD) \u2014 2021-11-4

just in the last day or so, the ever- evolving reckless tax-and-spending spree bill proposed by the --it continues to change because they can't seem to figure out how to put together something that might pass in the House and the Senate, and finding it increasingly difficult, I think, to try and contain the cost of all the things they want to do, which is why they continue to build in gimmicks and phony math to try to accommodate all the crazy spending in this bill, and then also the massive run-up in the taxes. prgtoken This bill is the largest spending increase we have seen in history, largest tax increase in history, and we are finding out now it is also going to add significantly to the Federal debt because there is a recent study by Penn Wharton which suggests that the overall cost of the bill, when fully implemented, would be $3.9 trillion and that the revenues that are proposed to be raised to pay for it only generate about $1.5 trillion. So that leaves you with a $2.4 trillion delta that, obviously, would be added to the deficit and put on the debt. prgtoken So not only does this spend enormous amounts of money, unprecedented amounts of money, it raises an unprecedented amount of revenue. But even at that level, the revenue is totally inadequate and insufficient to cover that spending; therefore, it will add massively to the Federal debt--that is according to an economic analysis done by Penn Wharton here just in the last couple days. prgtoken But this is the most recent addition to that bill in the House of Representatives. They would raise the SALT cap-- prgtoken the state and local tax deduction cap--from $10,000 to $72,500. And it would also extend that higher cap through 2031, beyond its scheduled expiration after 2025. prgtoken So they are still trying to come up with a way--if you can believe this. The massive amount of spending, massive amount of taxing, is now added to that a tax cut--a huge tax cut for rich people. prgtoken According to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, if you look at how this distributes proportionately across income ranges, those making less than $100,000 would receive 2.5 percent of that tax cut--a tax cut that would cost $300 billion just through 2025. So if it is fully implemented for the full 10-year window, you are talking about hundreds of billions of dollars more in tax cuts to rich people. prgtoken So just think about that. From the side that always says that our side is looking out for rich people, trying to cut taxes for the rich, they are proposing and have included now in the House version of the reckless tax-and-spending spree bill a provision that would provide tax cuts to rich people. In fact, 80 percent of that tax cut--80 percent-- would go to people who are making more than $200,000 a year; 2.5 percent would go to people making less than $100,000 a year. prgtoken So much for looking out for the little guy in this bill. <|
REMEMBERING ARNE SORENSON
Mitt Romney (Republican, UT) \u2014 2021-11-4

I rise today to honor the esteemed legacy of my friend, Arne Sorenson, who passed away earlier this year. Arne's many accomplishments in his personal and professional life continue to profoundly impact the lives of many. Most recently, Arne's Marriott family, numbering over 120,000 employees, witnessed his high- caliber leadership as he navigated the company through a turbulent period in the hospitality industry. Arne was a faithful and compassionate servant leader, and I will always cherish his friendship. prgtoken Arne's contagious spirit of kindness and generosity sets a high standard for what success looks like, in both public and private life. As a business executive, he cared deeply for his employees and customers and continued to serve as president and CEO while privately persevering through extraordinary health challenges. His selfless leadership is an example we can all aspire to. prgtoken The culture he helped build and foster at Marriott is unmatched. Arne's decades of experience in the hospitality industry yielded outstanding results for his enterprise, notably the acquisition of over 30 hotel groups, elevating Marriott to be the largest hotel chain in the world. His humility and wisdom often carried the day. He consistently praised and recognized the achievements of his employees and partners and always sought feedback from friends, family, colleagues, and customers. prgtoken Above all, Arne was a faithful and loving husband, father, and friend. His integrity and values-based decision making extended from the business world to the benefit of everyone lucky enough to have known him, especially his wonderful family. Arne's wife and four children were his greatest pride, joy, and purpose, and while they now mourn his loss, I hope they may find comfort knowing Arne's light will shine on for eternity. May he rest in peace.
BUILD BACK BETTER AGENDA
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2021-11-4

this week, voters delivered a clear message to the ic Party: You were not elected to radically change America. You were not elected to radically change America-- period. prgtoken The message was clear on inflation and economics. The message was clear on keeping woke propaganda out of public schools. The message was clear when even the citizens of blue New York--blue New York--voted down leftwing changes that would weaken elections, similar to what has been proposed here multiple times, and the message was clear when citizens pushed back on anti-policing and on anti-law enforcement attitudes. prgtoken Even in the most liberal cities in the most liberal States, Americans told to leave their extreme campaign to ``defund the police'' behind. prgtoken Let's take Minneapolis, for example. Last summer, one local Congresswoman called the police department ``rotten to the root'' and insisted that ``no one is saying that the community is not going to be kept safe.'' prgtoken Well, what happened? prgtoken Homicides are on a pace for the highest annual count in decades. So this week, Minnesota voters rejected a ballot measure that would have removed the police department--listen to this--from the city's charter. prgtoken Or take New York City, where violent crimes, like robbery and auto theft, have seen 10- to 15-percent jumps just in the last year. This week, voters chose for their mayor a former police captain whose platform declared: ``If we are for safety, we need the NYPD.'' That is the new mayor of New York. prgtoken Upstate, in Buffalo, a socialist challenger had won a primary against the incumbent mayor, promising in part to defund the police. But even though prominent New York endorsed the radical who won the primary, the incumbent won the race on a write-in--on a write-in. prgtoken Our people have just lived through the biggest nationwide jump in homicides in more than a century. In my hometown of Louisville, murders in 2021 have already more than doubled the annual total from just 2 years ago. prgtoken So, look, Americans do not want less public safety. They actually want more. No wonder that, over the summer, one survey found that a majority of Americans, including majorities of Black and Hispanic respondents, called violent crime a ``major crisis,'' ahead of any other issue. prgtoken But it remains to be seen whether here in Washington are getting the message. After all, just a few days ago, the Attorney General still seemed more focused on intimidating America's parents out of their First Amendment rights. prgtoken For the sake of public safety across our country, let's hope that Tuesday's election results compel our friends across the aisle to come back--back into the mainstream. Climate Change prgtoken , on another matter, President spent much of the past week participating in a U.N. summit on the so-called P
BORDER CRISIS
Michael Guest (Republican, MS) \u2014 2021-11-4

West Virginia, Hawaii, New Hampshire, Maine, Montana, Rhode Island, Delaware, North Dakota, South Dakota, Alaska, Vermont, and Wyoming. During President 's first year in office, the number of illegal immigrants that the Border Patrol has encountered on our southern border has surpassed the population of these 12 States and the end is nowhere in sight. prgtoken I am not sure if the administration knew that their policies would lead to the number of illegal immigrants surpassing the population of over 20 percent of U.S. States, but by reversing the successful policies of the previous administration, they have created this crisis. prgtoken This administration has listened to special interest groups over the will of the American people. This administration has implemented catch- and-release policies. This administration has canceled the remain in Mexico policy, and on his very first day in office, President issued an executive order ending border wall funding. prgtoken This administration has turned their back on every State of the Union to pursue a far-left agenda. This administration has created a new State of chaos in our Nation with their failed policies. It is time for us to reverse course and to return to commonsense policies that work and that protect our Nation's borders. Remembering Our Veterans
CLOTURE MOTION
Thom Tillis (Republican, NC) \u2014 2021-11-4

over the last year, America's economy has faltered and the American people are struggling. Families have been confronted with rising inflation, which is essentially a tax on their paycheck every time they go to the grocery store, every time they fill up the gas tank, and every time they go out and buy clothing or essentials for their family. America's small businesses, after suffering from the COVID shutdowns last year, are facing supply chain issues and labor shortages. prgtoken It is no surprise that the majority of Americans believe our economy is in poor health and they fear things are getting worse. prgtoken And the ' answer to the growing economic anxiety? prgtoken Double down on Big Government policies. prgtoken President and ic leaders are pursuing a $2 trillion tax-and-spending spree that offers Americans more debt, more government, more taxes, and more inflation. They think that government is the answer to all our problems. This $2 trillion bill is an attempt to fundamentally transform from an opportunity-driven society built on the American dream to a dependency-driven society powered by the Federal Government. prgtoken The administration put a lot of work into trying to market their plan--their tax-and-spending spree. They claim it will bring down costs and help the middle class. prgtoken But what are their top priorities? prgtoken Tax cuts for their wealthy donors in New York and California and other blue States that have State and local taxes, giving them a deduction on those taxes imposed by State legislatures and ic Governors. They want to raise the SALT tax from $10,000 to $72,000, a move that mainly benefits wealthy Americans. prgtoken Ninety-seven percent of the tax cuts would go to Americans making more than $100,000 a year. Millionaires would get a $23,000 tax cut. And, as ' rich donors get richer, middle-class families get poorer. prgtoken Although are touting their childcare cost entitlement program, the devil really is in the details. While a single parent stands to receive thousands of dollars in childcare payments, married parents at the same income level would receive no assistance at all. prgtoken Once the regulations in the bill are factored in, the cost of unsubsidized childcare will skyrocket. Millions of middle-class families won't get subsidies because they make more than $67,000 a year, and they will be on the hook for the rising costs of healthcare that their proposal will create. According to one analysis, parents making more than $67,000 a year can see their childcare costs skyrocket by more than $13,000 in the first year of the program. prgtoken How many middle-class families can afford that? prgtoken also want to meddle with our Nation's economy under the guise of promising that they just want to combat climate change. prgtoken The are proposing a new electric vehicle tax credit, which would s
HAZARD ELIGIBILITY AND LOCAL PROJECTS ACT
Ron Estes (Republican, KS) \u2014 2021-11-4

. Madam , I was not present for rollcall Vote No. 359 on motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 1917 Hazard Eligibility and Local Projects Act. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 359. Members Recorded Pursuant to House Resolution 8, 117th Congress Axne (Spanberger) Babin (Nehls) Bilirakis (Fleischmann) Boebert (Van Drew) Bowman (Tlaib) Cardenas (Gomez) Cawthorn (Nehls) Doggett (Raskin) Frankel, Lois (Clark (MA)) Gaetz (Greene (GA)) Gonzalez, Vicente (Gomez) Gosar (Greene (GA)) Jayapal (Pocan) Khanna (Auchincloss) Kirkpatrick (Stanton) Lawson (FL) (Evans) Long (McHenry) Meeks (Kelly (IL)) Meng (Jeffries) Payne (Pallone) Pingree (Kuster) Rush (Underwood) Sires (Pallone) Steube (Franklin, C. Scott) Strickland (Jeffries) Swalwell (Gomez) Waltz (Salazar) Wilson (FL) (Hayes)
LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM
Steve Scalise (Republican, LA) \u2014 2021-11-4

I thank the gentleman for yielding. As we anticipate possible votes tonight, possible votes tomorrow, the two major pieces of legislation that are still out there, and specifically the bill that went before the Rules Committee yesterday, roughly 2,500 pages. prgtoken One of the things we talked about is, if that bill were to come to the floor, currently there is no Congressional Budget Office or Joint Committee on Taxation score on those bills, would there be a score on those bills prior to them coming to the floor for a vote?
MERITS OF TEXAS' HEARTBEAT BILL
Alexander X. Mooney (Republican, WV) \u2014 2021-11-4

soon the Supreme Court will rule on the challenge to the Texas abortion law case. The law implements the Nation's toughest restrictions on abortions. prgtoken Signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott in May, it prohibits abortion after a heartbeat is detected in the unborn child. This usually occurs around 6 weeks. The law makes exceptions for medical emergencies. prgtoken The U.S. Supreme Court is hearing challenges to this bill by pro- abortion groups that want the law overturned. The upcoming ruling will be closely watched as an indicator as to whether the Federal courts will uphold future States' rights to implement pro-life legislation rather than continuing to overreach their Federal court authority. prgtoken Unborn babies are human lives. All too often, abortion is referred to as simply a medical procedure, and the sanctity of life is devalued. prgtoken At 6 weeks, an unborn child has a heartbeat of approximately 98 beats per minute. Blood vessels begin to form in the circulatory system, and the brain is rapidly developing. This is a human life. prgtoken By 10 weeks, an unborn baby has arms and legs, fingers and toes. The baby's pain receptors have been developing for weeks. This is a human life. prgtoken By 15 weeks, all the unborn baby's major organs have formed, and the baby has a fully developed heart that pumps 26 quarts of blood per day. The baby can feel pain. prgtoken All too often, these facts are overlooked and sidelined and not even addressed in the issue of abortion. prgtoken It is my hope that the U.S. Supreme Court will see the merits as to why the State of Texas heartbeat bill was implemented. According to CDC statistics, 619,591 babies were aborted in the United States in 2018. That is 619,591 lives that could have been the next teacher, firefighter, parent, or President of the United States. Upholding the heartbeat bill would save the lives of countless unborn babies, both male and female. prgtoken Here in Congress, I continue to be the protector of life and champion for the Hyde amendment in Federal legislation. Taxpayer money should not be used to end the lives of innocent, defenseless babies with beating hearts. prgtoken The right to life is our most fundamental, natural, and God-given right. I will continue to fight to oppose pro-abortion plans to force taxpayer funding for abortion. Your taxpayer dollars should never be used to be funding abortion on demand. prgtoken , I believe in the sanctity of life, and I will continue to fight for the rights of preborn babies.
REMEMBERING LYNN AAS
Kevin Cramer (Republican, ND) \u2014 2021-11-4

on October 28, North Dakota lost one of our heroes. Lynn Aas of Minot, age 100, was to many of us the face of the very best of the Greatest Generation. This child of the Great Depression was raised on a farm near Benedict, ND, and was among the 60,000 North Dakotans who served in the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II. prgtoken He enlisted in the U.S. Army in August 1942, after completing his first year of college. He became part of the 193rd Glider Infantry Regiment of the 17th Airborne Division and, after extensive training, was shipped to Liverpool, England, 2 years later. prgtoken Lynn's first combat experience was the Battle of the Bulge, one of the costliest battles in American history with more than 80,000 U.S. casualties, including 19,000 American soldiers killed. His division and unit were flown to France and transported by trucks to Bastogne on December 24, 1944. His platoon entered combat on January 7, fighting in deep snow, frigid cold, and heavy fog. Beginning with 55 troopers, Lynn was one of only five survivors to leave the front lines 3 weeks later. The end of January brought his first 2 nights of sleep under a roof in 5 weeks. In February, his platoon fought along the Seigfried Line on Nazi Germany's border. prgtoken Later in March 1945, he participated in Operation Varsity, the last large-scale Allied airborne operation of the war. There he was towed in a glider and landed behind enemy lines near Wesel, Germany. Lynn's combat career ended on March 25 when he was wounded in his left arm by shrapnel. Following extensive recuperation back in America, Lynn remained in the Army another 5 months before being honorably discharged on November 1, 1945. prgtoken For his valor and commendable 18 months of service during World War II, he was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star medals, in addition to the Glider Badge, Combat Infantryman's Badge, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with one Bronze Arrowhead and three Bronze Campaign Stars, and the World War II Victory Medal. prgtoken After his discharge, Lynn earned business and law degrees from the University of North Dakota, and moved to Minot in 1960, where he and his wife Beverly raised four sons. He managed a medical clinic until retirement, served in the North Dakota Legislature for 8 years and was a delegate to the State's 1972 Constitutional Convention. Until his final days, Lynn remained active in the Minot community. prgtoken He shared his World War II story throughout his life, giving a voice to all veterans whose lives were forever impacted because of their selfless service. Lynn attended reunions of the 17th Airborne Division, and in 1999, he visited Europe with other 17th Airborne Division veterans, visiting the locations where they had fought more than prgtoken a half century earlier. In 2015, he visited Belgium again to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Battl
PAYMENT OF $450,000 TO ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS
John H. Rutherford (Republican, FL) \u2014 2021-11-4

. Madam , I rise today to talk about the border crisis, which continues to rage every single day. For months, the administration has had no answer for the hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants who have streamed across our southern border. prgtoken Now we have learned that the President is actually considering a payment prgtoken of $450,000 to illegal immigrants who were arrested during the previous administration. prgtoken How on Earth is this acceptable in the United States of America? What has happened to our basic understanding of the rule of law? I refuse to allow a half-million-dollar handout of hardworking taxpayers' money to those who came here illegally. prgtoken That is why I am proud to support the Illegal Immigrant Payoff Prohibition Act, introduced by Congressman McClintock, which would prevent the attorney general from making these payments. prgtoken It is very simple: illegal immigrants should not be rewarded for breaking the law.