mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
Unanimous Consent Request--S. 2801 (Executive Calendar)
Patty Murray (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2024-3-12

I rise today in hopes of passing a bill in a few minutes that would support our veterans and our servicemembers by making sure that when they want to grow their family, they can get the care and services they need, including IVF. prgtoken The recent chaos in Alabama caused by far-right ideology put a national spotlight on just how crucial IVF is to so many women and families who are desperately hoping and trying to have children. The first thing we heard after IVF was thrown into uncertainty in Alabama was the horror of women and their families who had their dreams turned into nightmares as appointments were canceled--tens of thousands of dollars, months of appointments were callously tossed out of the window by the Alabama Supreme Court. Its decision rested on extreme ideology-- an ideology s are working right now to enshrine into law nationwide. prgtoken Next, we heard s tripping over themselves to proclaim that they stand for IVF even while still standing by the same extreme fetal personhood laws that caused all of this chaos in the first place. prgtoken I have said this before, but given how s refuse to publicly disavow fetal personhood, it clearly bears repeating: When s support legislation that says a fertilized egg has the same rights and protections as a living, breathing, human person, that is fundamentally incompatible with supporting IVF. That is the very ideology that caused the disaster in Alabama, and right now, the majority of House s are cosponsors of a national abortion ban that would enshrine fetal personhood in Federal law, endangering IVF treatments everywhere. prgtoken But if s really do now want to support IVF, if they really do want to help people who are trying to grow their families, why not start with our veterans and our servicemembers? These are the men and women who fought to protect our families. Why don't we make sure they all have the support they need to grow theirs? prgtoken I reintroduced a bill with Senator Duckworth last year--the Veteran Families Health Services Act--and it would do just that. I have been working to pass this bill for well over a decade now. It has gone through countless rounds of technical edits and reviews and is more than ready for prime time. prgtoken This is exactly the kind of straightforward legislation that we should pass through unanimous consent. It hasn't just passed committee before; it actually passed the Senate before. prgtoken The goal of this bill is very simple. It expands the fertility treatments and family-building services that are covered under servicemembers' and veterans' healthcare. That means finally having the coverage that gives servicemembers and veterans the option to freeze eggs or sperm before deployment, it means expanding adoption assistance at the VA, and it means expanding access to IVF for all of our veterans and servicemembers. Current coverage pol
UTILIZING SPACE EFFICIENTLY AND IMPROVING TECHNOLOGIES ACT OF 2023
John B. Larson (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2024-3-12

. Madam Chair, such time as I may consume. prgtoken Madam Chair, H.R. 6276 directs the OMB and the GSA to establish standards for measuring occupancy in Federal buildings. The bill directs the GSA and Federal tenants to use sensors to measure occupancy, requires the heads of Federal agencies to report occupancy and utilization data, and directs the GSA to notify agencies and Congress when occupancy in a Federal building falls below 60 percent, at which time GSA would be permitted to consolidate tenants. prgtoken The bill further requires OMB and GSA to develop a plan to consolidate agency headquarters buildings in the national capital region that will result in the utilization rate of 60 percent or more. prgtoken Now, I agree with Representative Perry's goal to reduce agency costs by giving up unneeded space. I have consistently made that point to him and others on the committee. prgtoken I am opposed to this bill. The bill defines occupancy as the total number of employees physically working from their offices at least 5 days per week. Many Federal employees may not sit at their desks all day every day, including Federal firefighters, disaster responders, law enforcement officers, Border Patrol agents, food safety inspectors, TSA supervisors, National Parks Service rangers, and more. prgtoken These employees would not be included in occupancy counts required by this bill. Also not counted would be the Federal employees who work alternative work schedules. Federal law grants the Office of Personnel Management authority to promulgate regulations to administer alternative work schedule programs and permits agencies to allow the use of flexible schedules. prgtoken This authority extends to employees of any executive agency, any military department, and the Library of Congress. prgtoken To have an accurate picture of space needs in Federal buildings, all Federal employees occupying buildings should be counted. A full-time employee with an approved work schedule is still a full-time employee. This bill fails to consider that fact. prgtoken I have concerns that this bill does not adequately consider the complexity of the Federal leasing process--a process that, frankly, is far too complex. prgtoken Directing the OMB and GSA to reduce space if occupancy falls below 60 percent sounds fiscally responsible. However, in most currently leased locations, if agency space is reduced, the government would still be on the hook for the original costs in the lease contract because most existing lease contracts do not include partial termination rights. prgtoken In prospective leases, partial termination rights would increase the cost of leases for the government. prgtoken Again, I want to work with the chairman and the committee to resize the Federal real estate footprint and reduce costs, not unnecessarily increase those costs. This bill falls short. prgtoken After this period of general debate, we are going to move on to
HONORING JIM EHMKE
Marcus J. Molinaro (Republican, NY) \u2014 2024-3-13

I rise today to honor Jim Ehmke, who is celebrating his 25th year with NewsChannel 34 in Binghamton, New York. prgtoken For a quarter century, families in Broome County and across the Southern Tier have welcomed Jim into their homes. With his distinct and familiar voice, Jim has shared stories of community triumph, given voice to the voiceless, and guided us through tragedies and moments of uncertainty. prgtoken Outside the demands of the newsroom, Jim still finds time to volunteer on the board of the annual Spiedie Fest and Balloon Rally and supports the greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce's Broome Leadership Institute. In this past year, he was guest narrator for the Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra's holiday concert. prgtoken I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Jim Ehmke, the dean of Binghamton broadcasting for his remarkable career and his life of service. prgtoken We wish Jim a happy anniversary.
HONORING THE LIFE OF MR. WILLIAM ANTHONY ANDERSON
Trent Kelly (Republican, MS) \u2014 2024-3-13

I rise today to pay tribute to the remarkable life and legacy of Mr. William Anthony Anderson, Sr whose sudden passing on March 9, 2024, has deeply saddened our community. Mr. Anderson's journey, characterized by dedication, service, and compassion, has left an indelible mark on all who had the privilege of knowing him. prgtoken Born on July 12, 1962, in Blue Springs, Mr. Anderson's commitment to public service was evident from the outset. He served at the Union County Sheriff's Office for over a decade before assuming the role of chief of police for the city of Verona, where his leadership and dedication earned him the respect of his colleagues and the community. Anderson was appointed as the assistant police chief at Northeast Mississippi Community College in late 2014. His commitment to the safety and well-being of the students led to his subsequent appointment as police chief on July 1, 2021, succeeding Chief Randy Baxter. prgtoken Mr. Anderson was a pillar of support for the students, embodying the values of service and protection. His passion for ensuring the well- being of the students was evident in his actions, from organizing car inspections to late-night safety walks. prgtoken A man of faith, Mr. Anderson was a dedicated member of Ecru Second Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon, embodying his commitment to serving others both within and beyond the law enforcement community. prgtoken Mr. Anderson's legacy of service, dedication, and compassion will forever be cherished by those whose lives he touched. He leaves behind a community grateful for his unwavering commitment to duty and his enduring impact on the lives of many. prgtoken Beyond his professional accomplishments, Mr. Anderson was a loving husband to his wife, Connie Smith Anderson, and a devoted father to their three children, Anna, Ebony, and William Jr who followed in his father's footsteps in law enforcement. He also cherished his role as a grandfather to Kydwn and Fallyn. prgtoken May Chief Anthony Anderson rest in peace. His service and sacrifice will never be forgotten.
HONORING SUSAN GILLINGHAM
Beth Van Duyne (Republican, TX) \u2014 2024-3-13

I rise today to celebrate our Texas-24 Hometown Hero, Susan Gillingham, and her 50 years of service saving lives as a nurse. prgtoken Beginning her career as a secretary, Susan never imagined she would become a nurse, but after volunteering as a candy striper in a hospital, her passion for healthcare became evident. Turning that passion into a long and remarkable career at Baylor Scott & White- Grapevine, Susan says that just taking care of patients and hearing them say they had the ``most wonderful care they could possibly have'' makes her day. prgtoken To celebrate her incredible and ongoing legacy, the Baylor Scott & White hospital staff threw Susan a surprise party to thank her, demonstrating the enormous impact she has had in the lives of all those around her--though she said she doesn't need a tiara or a cake because nothing compares to the impact of taking care of her patients. prgtoken In the words of hospital president Naman Mahajan, Susan is ``a testament,'' and, ``It is all who we all aspire to be.'' prgtoken I am inspired by Susan's dedication to our community, and I thank her for the amazing care she has provided and continues to provide north Texans after five decades.
CONGRATULATING NATHAN KEANE
Matthew M. Rosendale, Sr. (Republican, MT) \u2014 2024-3-13

I rise today to recognize and congratulate Nathan Keane, a remarkable Montanan, who has dedicated his life to serving and advocating for grain growers throughout the Treasure State and across our country. prgtoken From farming with his father-in-law on their fourth generation family farm in Loma, Montana, to advocating for policies that benefit Montana farmers, Nathan has had the ability to truly represent and protect our way of life. prgtoken As past President of the Montana Grain Growers Association, Nathan has served as a board member, chair of the Domestic Policy Committee, and chair of the 2022 Annual Convention and Trade Show. prgtoken Nathan was elected to serve as secretary to the National Association of Wheat Growers, expanding his reach and amplifying his voice. prgtoken He proved himself to be an effective leader in shaping policy here on Capitol Hill and advocating for Montana grain growers. prgtoken I have had the unique opportunity to get to know Nathan and his passion for agriculture, and I have no doubt the National Association of Wheat Growers will thrive with Nathan as their new secretary.
PROTECTING AMERICANS FROM FOREIGN ADVERSARY CONTROLLED APPLICATIONS ACT
Mike Gallagher (Republican, WI) \u2014 2024-3-13

TikTok is a threat to our national security because it is owned by ByteDance, which does the bidding of the Chinese Communist Party. We know this because ByteDance leadership says so and because Chinese law requires it. prgtoken This bill, therefore, would force TikTok to break up with the Chinese Communist Party. It does not apply to American companies. It only applies to companies subject to the control of foreign adversaries defined by Congress. It says nothing about election interference and cannot be turned against any American social media platform. prgtoken It does not impact websites in general. The only impacted sites are those associated with foreign adversary apps, such as TikTok.com. prgtoken It can never be used to penalize individuals. The text explicitly prohibits that. prgtoken It cannot be used to censor speech. It takes no position at all on the content of speech, only foreign adversary control, foreign adversary control of what is becoming the dominant news platform for Americans under 30. prgtoken , this is a commonsense measure to protect our national security, and I urge my colleagues to support this critical bipartisan legislation.
RECOGNIZING VIRGINIA ALLEN AND THE BLACK ANGELS
Nicole Malliotakis (Republican, NY) \u2014 2024-3-13

I include in the Record the following Proclamation recognizing Virginia Allen and the Black Angels. prgtoken Whereas: Virginia Allen arrived to Staten Island, New York at the age of 16 to work as a nurse at Staten Island Sea View Hospital in 1947. prgtoken Whereas: Staten Island Sea View Hospital opened in 1913 specifically to treat patients with Tuberculosis and, at its peak, Sea View Hospital saw nearly 2,000 patients and was one of only four municipal hospitals in New York City that did not discriminate against Black nurses. prgtoken Whereas: Virginia Allen received her training at Staten Island Seaview Hospital and courageously stepped up on the frontlines to be one of the 300 `Black Angels' to treat tuberculosis patients. prgtoken Whereas: the Black Angels were courageous, dedicated, and bold in answering the call to come to Sea View and risk their lives caring for the grievously sick and ``indigent consumptives'' of New York City, who had been banished to this woefully understaffed sanatorium. prgtoken Whereas: Virginia Allen served for 10 years at Staten Island's Sea View Hospital, working in the pediatric ward. The Black Angels' years of expertise played a significant role in the first ever human trials of isoniazid, the first drug to cure tuberculosis. Since its discovery in 1952, tens of millions of lives have been saved. prgtoken Whereas: The Black Angels were activists and active members of the NAACP, neighborhood churches, and community groups, and became founding members of the Lincoln Hospital Alumni Association, the Urban League Guild, and the Women's Civic and Political Union. They were fierce advocates for the integration of Black nurses into the U.S. military and American Nurses Association, and in New York City they worked toward desegregating the hospital system. prgtoken Whereas: Virginia Allen continued to serve her community as President of the North Shore Staten Island section of the National Council of Negro Women. prgtoken Whereas: The people of Staten Island are grateful for the years of service by Virginia Allen and all the Black Angels who selflessly served on the front lines at Sea View Hospital to treat tuberculosis patients.
HONORING THE HEROIC LIFE OF OFFICER PAUL ELMSTRAND
Pete Stauber (Republican, MN) \u2014 2024-3-13

I rise today to honor Officer Paul Elmstrand, a Burnsville police officer killed in the line of duty. prgtoken Paul was from North Branch, Minnesota, and I recently sat down with his loving parents to express my condolences. prgtoken They described Paul as a devoted family man with a servant's heart. They talked about his passion for policing, which began when he was a member of the Law Enforcement Club at Cambridge-Isanti High School. prgtoken Paul's parents said that he took his police oath seriously and was dedicated to his brothers and sisters in law enforcement. He was an excellent police officer, but it was his role of husband and father that gave him the truest joy. prgtoken Paul married his high school sweetheart, Cindy, and together, they had two beautiful children, Maria and Mateo. prgtoken My heart aches for Paul's entire family, especially his children. While they must now grow up without their father, may they always remember that he lived his life with integrity, honor, and courage. May they always take strength from the fact that their father was a hero who put his life on the line in service of others. prgtoken Minnesotans will never forget his sacrifice.
HONORING TEXAS RANGER ROBERT "BRANDON" BESS
Brian Babin (Republican, TX) \u2014 2024-3-13

I rise today to honor the distinguished career of longtime Texas lawman and my good friend, Texas Ranger Robert ``Brandon'' Bess. On February 29, 2024, he hung up his signature Stetson cowboy hat and un-pinned the legendary Cinco Peso Ranger badge for the last time. prgtoken Brandon is a native of Kirbyville, Texas, and graduated from Kirbyville High School in 1990. He earned a degree in criminal justice from Kilgore College before attending the East Texas Police Academy. After he graduated from the academy, he served as a patrolman for the Henderson Police Department and as a deputy in the Rusk County Sherriff's Office. prgtoken In 1995, Brandon joined the Texas Department of Public Safety, where he served as a Highway Patrol Trooper from 1995 to 2005 and as a Sergeant and Special Agent in Criminal Intelligence from 2005 to 2013. In July 2013, he joined the prestigious Texas Rangers, the oldest law enforcement organization on the North Amencan continent with statewide jurisdiction. Since April 2021, he has served as the Unsolved Crimes Investigation Program ``cold case'' Ranger for Texas Ranger Company ``A,'' encompassing thirty-five Southeast Texas counties. prgtoken Brandon worked on countless major criminal investigations throughout the Lone Star State for the Ranger Division during his distinguished career. He perfected the use of DNA tracing and other cutting-edge technologies to bring multiple criminals to justice, often many years after the case was considered cold. It has been a privilege to assist him in cutting through the federal bureaucracy for several of these cases. prgtoken Brandon married his wife, Mary Beth, on March 13, 1999. Together, they share children Marshall, Walker, and Mattie. The Bess family are active members of Anahuac Methodist Church, where Brandon has served as a Sunday School teacher, on multiple committees, and currently chairs the church's Board of Stewards. Additionally, he is a cancer survivor and veteran of the United States Army Reserve and National Guard. prgtoken , in its two-hundred-year history, only the finest law enforcement officers have had the honor of calling themselves Texas Rangers. I am proud that Ranger Brandon Bess is among them. I wish him, Mary Beth, and their family all the best in the next chapter of their lives.
PROTECTING AMERICANS FROM FOREIGN ADVERSARY CONTROLLED APPLICATIONS ACT
Larry Bucshon (Republican, IN) \u2014 2024-3-13

one of the most important duties the Constitution assigns to Congress is to protect the American people and to safeguard our national security. prgtoken After hearing from national security experts last week, it is clear the prolific use of media platforms controlled by the Chinese Communist Party and other foreign adversaries poses a danger to our country. prgtoken I am grateful to my bipartisan colleagues for moving this legislation, showing we will take action to protect the American people by protecting their personal data and security from foreign interference and manipulation. We took an oath to do so.
REMEMBERING ROBERTA "BERT" McCARTHY
Brian K. Fitzpatrick (Republican, PA) \u2014 2024-3-13

I rise today in memory of a very special woman from Bakersfield, California, Roberta ``Bert'' McCarthy, who recently passed away at the age of 83 years old. prgtoken Bert left this world peacefully on March 3 while surrounded by her loving family, including her proud son, Kevin McCarthy. prgtoken Bert resided in Kern County since she was 6 years old. While attending East Bakersfield High School, she fell in love and eventually married her high school sweetheart, Owen McCarthy, who passed away in 2000. prgtoken Outside of being the matriarch to the McCarthy family, Bert devoted her energy to many charitable organizations. She concentrated on alleviating the financial burdens of families paying for cancer treatments. Bert also sponsored Kern County's Anti-Graffiti Program, which helped keep her hometown of Bakersfield clean from vandalism and preserved the city's historic charm. prgtoken , there was no such thing as a stranger to Bert. When people entered her life, she forged profound connections and created lasting friendships. prgtoken Bert's passing strikes a chord in the hearts of all who understand the pain of losing someone close to them, especially a mother. She is survived by her three children, including Kevin McCarthy, her four grandchildren, and a great number of other family members who carry on her spirit and cherish the loving memories that they had with her. prgtoken , I wish the McCarthy family nothing but love, friendship, and support as they grieve this terrible loss.
PROTECTING AMERICANS FROM FOREIGN ADVERSARY CONTROLLED APPLICATIONS ACT
Thomas Massie (Republican, KY) \u2014 2024-3-13

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , I know the sponsors of this bill are sincere in their concerns and in their effort to protect Americans. They have described the TikTok application as a Trojan horse, but there are some of us who feel that, either intentionally or unintentionally, this legislation to ban TikTok is actually a Trojan horse. Some of us are concerned that there are First Amendment implications here. prgtoken Americans have the right to view information. We don't need to be protected by the government from information. Some of us just don't want the President picking which apps we can put on our phones or which websites we can visit. We don't think that is appropriate. prgtoken We also think it is dangerous to give the President that kind of power, to give him the power to decide what Americans can see on their phones and on their computers. To give him that sort of discretion, we also think, is dangerous. prgtoken People say that this TikTok ban will only apply to TikTok or maybe another company that pops up just like TikTok, but the bill is written so broadly that the President could abuse that discretion and include other companies that aren't just social media companies and that aren't, as some people would believe, controlled by foreign adversaries. Again, we are giving the President that discretion to decide whether it is controlled by a foreign adversary. prgtoken There were some people who were legitimately concerned that this was an overly broad bill, and they got an exclusion written into the bill that I want to read. It says: ``The term `covered company' does not include an entity that operates a website . . . or . . . application whose primary purpose is to allow users to post product reviews, business reviews, or travel information and reviews.'' prgtoken Why is this exception in the bill? Why did somebody feel like they needed this exception if the bill itself only covers social media applications that foreign adversaries are running? These and other questions we hope to answer in the course of this debate, and .