mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
Trump Presidency (Executive Session)
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2024-7-9

American democracy faces a test of survival in 2024. prgtoken Almost 8 years ago, was elected President and commenced one of the most chaotic periods our country has seen in our lifetimes. Under a Presidency, s tried to rip away affordable healthcare for tens of millions of American families, and they nearly succeeded. Under a Presidency, s packed our courts with radical judges who took America back half a century by repealing Roe v. Wade. prgtoken This week, the Senate will take up a simple resolution cosponsored by every female Senator in our caucus and myself that asks a very simple question: Where do Senators stand on freedom of choice? Do we believe that a woman should have the basic right to reproductive care? Do we agree that the rights protected under Roe should be Federal law? prgtoken Freedom of choice is perhaps the defining issue for Americans this year, and, this week, every Senator must show where he or she stands. prgtoken Of course, there is more. Under a Presidency, megacorporations and the richest of the rich--the very, very wealthy--saw their taxes go down and profits go up, while middle-class families kept paying more for prescription drugs, childcare, and basic necessities. prgtoken Under the Presidency, America was plunged into utter chaos. The pandemic was far worse than it needed to be because refused to confront it head-on and refused to be honest to the American people. We lived in constant anxiety about the next tweet from the White House. prgtoken Our allies saw and questioned if they could trust him, while autocrats saw and wanted to be like him. It is no wonder that went out of his way to pay fealty to dictators like Putin and buddy up to Kim Jong Un. It was downright un-American. prgtoken Four years later, wants to do it all again. But there is a big difference between then and now. For all the chaos and disaster of the first Presidency, it pales in comparison to the threat of a second Presidency and the threat it would pose to our democracy. prgtoken Over the last few weeks, there has been a whole lot of attention about a policy platform drafted by the Heritage Foundation, arguably the most influential conservative think tank in America. The platform, in effect, is the manifesto. The project is staffed by over 200 former officials of the Presidency and is connected to Cabinet members, former campaign advisers, political appointees, and more. prgtoken If you read through this manifesto, it is very clear what the hard right is telling America: Put us in power, and we will gut America from the inside out. prgtoken 's manifesto calls for the most conservative agenda America has ever seen, one that makes 1964 Barry Goldwater look like a moderate. prgtoken The manifesto lays the groundwork for a nationwide abortion ban and calls for remo
250TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FIRST CONTINENTAL CONGRESS AND RECOGNIZING THE YOUNG PEOPLE'S CONTINENTAL CONGRESS
John Fetterman (Democrat, PA) \u2014 2024-7-9

I rise today to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the First Continental Congress. The U.S. Congress's roots can be traced to the First Continental Congress, which convened in Philadelphia's own Carpenters' Hall in 1774 and was one of the most significant events in the founding of our Nation. Colonial delegates solidified a united American identity by adopting the Declaration of Colonial Rights, which created the Colonial coalition that later signed the Declaration of Independence. After the U.S. War of Independence, the Continental Congress evolved into the Federation Congress and ultimately the U.S. Congress as established by the Constitution in 1787. prgtoken In July 2024, the Carpenters' Company of Philadelphia, the nonprofit organization founded in 1724 that owns and operates Carpenters' Hall, will convene the Young People's Continental Congress, YPCC. A diverse group of high school students and their teachers from the 13 original Colonies will gather in Philadelphia to explore our Nation's founding. A second convening in July 2025 will engage students and teachers from all 56 States and jurisdictions. YPCC is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to engage young people in history and civics, as well as to launch Philadelphia's celebration of the semiquincentennial of American independence in 2026. prgtoken YPCC delegates will discuss America's founding principles and how those principles have been expressed over our history. They will also experience Philadelphia's historic attractions to enhance their understanding of the democratic process and how our country was founded. prgtoken YPCC will harness the power of convening for a new generation of civic leaders and focus on the unique opportunity they have to help shape the conversations around what America looks like today. As generations of leaders have learned, there is nothing like being ``in the room where it happened.''
REFRIGERATOR FREEDOM ACT
Marilyn Strickland (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2024-7-9

today, the majority has decided to protect household appliances. That is the most important thing we can focus on in this House in 2024, the year of our Lord, with so much happening. Instead of doing the work that the American people sent us here to do, we are protecting household appliances. prgtoken In 2022, we saw the Supreme Court end a woman's right to reproductive choice, and 21 States have followed suit with even greater attempts to limit women's reproductive healthcare. prgtoken This bill, which I introduced with my colleagues, Representatives Fletcher and Raskin, would make sure that individuals crossing State lines are constitutionally protected when seeking safe and legal reproductive healthcare, or those traveling with them are protected from receiving criminal punishment. prgtoken Impeding a woman's right to travel for healthcare is an assault on her freedom. Criminalizing women for crossing State lines to get reproductive care is a violation of the 14th Amendment. prgtoken Being denied an abortion disproportionately affects women of color, especially Black women. Black women in the U.S. are more likely to die from pregnancy or childbirth than women in any other racial group. Women deserve to be prioritized over household appliances. prgtoken It is well past time for Congress to pass real legislation to protect real people, not household appliances. prgtoken I urge you to pass my motion to recommit and do the real work that the American people sent us here to do. prgtoken For this reason, at the appropriate time, I will offer a motion to recommit this bill back to committee. If the House rules permitted, I would have offered the motion with an important amendment to this bill. My amendment would bring up H.R. 782, the Ensuring Women's Right to Reproductive Freedom Act. prgtoken , I ask unanimous consent to insert the text of this amendment into the Record immediately prior to the vote on the motion to recommit
Unanimous Consent Request--S. 2053 (Executive Calendar)
Catherine Cortez Masto (Democrat, NV) \u2014 2024-7-9

No. 1, let's be very clear: This legislation has nothing to do with shielding bad actors. And, No. 2, mifepristone is a safe and effective drug and has been for over 50 years. prgtoken So for my colleagues who have been on this path to limit access to healthcare for women and to reproductive freedom rights, to claim and make this misinformation and these scare tactics, when they are not true, does not do right by women. prgtoken Let me just say this. A majority of this country--including men, including , s, nonpartisans--support the right of a woman to choose. That is what this is about: continuing to fight for those rights. prgtoken A woman should have the freedom to access 21st century healthcare. Giving it to the States to make this decision is still giving it to elected officials to be in a room with women when they are making this decision. That is not the answer. prgtoken But until we can overturn Dobbs, we need legislation that is going to protect women so they can access this 21st century medication when they need it and come to States like mine without the fear of being prosecuted, and the doctors need to be protected. That is what this is about, and it will always be about giving the freedom to women for their access to healthcare in this country. prgtoken And I will tell you this. My colleagues and I will never stop fighting for this. It is too important for our children, our young girls, and their future. prgtoken .
NOMINATION OF ROBIN MICHELLE MERIWEATHER
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2024-7-9

the Senate will vote to confirm Robin Michelle Meriweather to the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. prgtoken Born in Detroit, MI, Judge Meriweather received her undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan and her law degree from Yale Law School. Following her graduation from law school, she clerked for Judge Merrick B. Garland on the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit between 1998 and 1999. After her clerkship, she joined the law firm of Jenner and Block, LLP, as a litigation associate. There, Judge Meriweather's practice involved complex civil litigation, as well as matters concerning constitutional, statutory, and regulatory claims. prgtoken In 2007, she joined the civil division of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia as an assistant U.S. attorney. Judge Meriweather became deputy chief of that division in 2011 and served in that capacity until 2017. Since January 2017, she has served as a U.S. magistrate judge for the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. Throughout her time on the bench, Judge Meriweather has issued more than 1,000 orders and presided over three trials. prgtoken Judge Meriweather's experience as a magistrate judge coupled with her experience in public and private practice have prepared her to serve honorably on the United States Court of Federal Claims. prgtoken I am proud to support her nomination and urge my colleagues to do the same.
ORDERS FOR WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 2024
Amy Klobuchar (Democrat, MN) \u2014 2024-7-9

I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it stand adjourned until 10 a.m. on Wednesday, July 10; that following the prayer and pledge, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the morning hour be deemed expired, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, and morning business be closed; that following the conclusion of morning business, the Senate proceed to executive session to resume consideration of the Willoughby nomination, postcloture; that all time be considered expired at 11:30 a.m. and that if cloture is invoked on the Wagner nomination, all time be considered expired at 2:15 p.m.; that upon disposition of the Wagner nomination, notwithstanding rule XXII, the Senate resume legislative session and resume consideration of the motion to proceed to Calendar No. 420, S. 4554; further, that the cloture vote on the motion to proceed occur at 4:15 p.m.; finally, that if any nominations are confirmed during Wednesday's session, the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table and the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action.
CELEBRATING THE 130TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE VILLAGE OF DEPEW
Timothy M. Kennedy (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2024-7-9

. Madam , I rise to celebrate the 130th anniversary of the village of Depew. Named in honor of U.S. Senator Chauncey Depew and incorporated at a time of significant growth and industrialization on July 23, 1894, Depew quickly became a key manufacturing and railroad hub for the city of Buffalo. prgtoken Built on the hard work of immigrants hailing from Holland, Ireland, Prussia, Hungary, Ukraine, and Poland, the village thrived, raising generations of hardworking and successful Americans. prgtoken Historically known for being a vital manufacturer in the railroad industry, the village continues to be a hub of economic development in western New York, hosting numerous businesses in the logistics, construction, and hospitality industries, among others. prgtoken For the thousands of people who live there, Depew is home; a great place to raise a family, start a business, and be a part of a tight- knit community. prgtoken It is the kind of place where neighbors look out for each other and where civic engagement is still a core part of daily life. prgtoken I congratulate the people of Depew and my friend Mayor Kevin Peterson on the village's 130th anniversary and thank them for their continued contributions to the fabric of western New York.
Unanimous Consent Request--S. 2053 (Executive Calendar)
Patty Murray (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2024-7-9

to recap, we just tried to pass some very straightforward legislation: a bill to protect a woman's right to travel across State lines to get the healthcare she needs, a bill to protect a doctor's right to provide legal abortion care to their patients without being threatened by an out-of-State extremist, and a bill to ensure more health professionals can receive critical training in comprehensive reproductive healthcare to help meet the dire need for providers. prgtoken Not a single one of these bills should be controversial. To oppose these bills, as s have just done, is truly extreme. Are we going to let politicians hold women who want an abortion captive in their States? Seriously. If a woman wants to travel somewhere so she can make her own personal decision about her healthcare, are s going to tie her hands? And if a doctor in a State like mine, where abortion is fully legal and even protected by our State constitution--if our doctors treat a patient from somewhere like Idaho--something that happens every day, by the way--do we want to let out-of-State extremist politicians threaten and try to punish them? prgtoken Again, we are talking about healthcare providers performing an abortion in a State where abortion is legal and protected. s are all for States' rights until it comes to letting a woman make her own healthcare decisions. prgtoken When it comes to training, let's be clear: Abortion is healthcare, and in some cases, a patient's life may depend on whether they can get that care or not. That is why we need to make sure that every provider can get the comprehensive reproductive health training that they need by supporting medical training programs that are doing this important work. prgtoken It is incredibly frustrating to me that, so far, s have blocked these proposals from moving forward. It seems, when it comes to an abortion, there is no bill too simple for s to oppose. There is no right too basic for s to attack and no problem too important for s to ignore. prgtoken s haven't just voted down our efforts to restore abortion rights in every State, they have voted against the right to birth control; they have voted against the right to IVF; and now they have opposed letting patients prgtoken leave their States for care, letting doctors provide legal care to anyone who comes to them, and helping healthcare providers get the training they need to save a life. prgtoken But let's be clear: No matter this outcome, no matter how far s follow the most extreme anti-abortion voices in their party, are going to keep standing against them, pushing for reproductive rights, and fighting for patients. prgtoken . prgtoken .
WORKING FOR VETERANS' BENEFITS
Salud O. Carbajal (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2024-7-9

I thank the gentleman for yielding. prgtoken , as a proud marine veteran and the Representative for more than 34,000 of my fellow veterans across California's 24th Congressional District, I am proud to see the real impact that the Honoring our PACT Act has had for veterans and their families across the United States. prgtoken , 2 years ago, we came together with President to pass the largest and most significant expansion of veterans benefits in more than 30 years. prgtoken Since then, we have seen more than 1.5 million claims filed for toxic exposures and other health risks resulting from service in Vietnam, the Gulf war, and wars of the post-9/11 era. prgtoken More than 2,000 of those claims have come from veterans in my own region. prgtoken We cannot give up the momentum on this important bill. prgtoken While we have seen so many already utilizing these expanded benefits, current estimates suggest that more than 5 million veterans were exposed to some amount of toxic substances during their military service. prgtoken That is why I am encouraging all veterans who submitted an intent to file last summer make sure they are following through and submitting an actual claim as soon as possible to ensure that our veterans can get backdated benefits to the date that this bill was signed into law. prgtoken I thank Ranking Member Takano and the House ic leadership for helping uplift this important deadline and reminding the American people in our veteran communities that we are still here every week fighting for their health, safety, and prosperity, all of which were earned by their years and decades of service.
Federal Trade Commission (Executive Session)
Maria Cantwell (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2024-7-9

yesterday the FTC, in a 4-to-1 decision, took action in a report, an interim staff report, that show that we should all be very concerned about the activities of PBM middlemen. These are the basic people who are supposedly getting discounts for us on drug prices but then actually pocket those discounts. prgtoken The final report, which we should be receiving--this interim report we should be receiving today basically says that market concentration and vertical integration are just giving these PBMs too much market power. The point is, are we going to do anything to stop that market power and to help the public who need better transparency on price? prgtoken It also says that PBMs are engaging in self-preferencing, meaning that they are steering those rebates back to themselves, and it is affecting pharmacies. It is affecting pharmacies in my State where now in downtown Seattle, you don't have any 24-hour pharmacies anymore, and pharmacy deserts are starting to happen. prgtoken The report also shows that PBMs may be using their market shares to force independent pharmacies into unfair contracts--that is what you get when you get a concentration of a market, and then you can basically push other people out of the market--and that PBMs and manufacturers are entering into rebate agreements that may impair or block access to lower cost drugs. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to get this report, to review it. I urge our colleagues here to take action on these PBM middlemen. This is a bipartisan effort. My colleague Senator Grassley and I have legislation outlawing some of these practices at the FTC; and our colleagues Senator Crapo and Senator Wyden also have legislation that would help us on PBMs. So s.
WORKING FOR VETERANS' BENEFITS
Mark Takano (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2024-7-9

I thank the gentlewoman from North Carolina for her work on the section of the PACT Act that relates to justice for those servicemembers who were in residence at Camp Lejeune. It is a decades-long effort to bring justice for those members, and I urge our government to move as expeditiously as possible to get those claims settled with all of our veterans across the country who have served at Camp Lejeune. prgtoken , I yield to my friend from Ohio, a member of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and a fierce advocate for veterans, Representative Greg Landsman.
WORKING FOR VETERANS' BENEFITS
Ilhan Omar (Democrat, MN) \u2014 2024-7-9

2 years ago, we passed the PACT Act, one of the most consequential pieces of legislation to address the severe health problems that so many of our veterans who served our great country are facing Congressman Mark Takano, for his leadership in getting this bill across the finish line. prgtoken This bill has made it easier for veterans and their families to get the relief and the care they deserve. prgtoken I have heard from so many Minnesotans on how life-changing this legislation has been, from Brian who lost his wife to pancreatic cancer to Andrew who lost his brother to leukemia and to Amanda whose husband Rafael was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer and is now getting the treatment he deserves because of the PACT Act. prgtoken All of the family members and veterans I have met with know this bill could have been a game changer for them, their loved one, or just how crucial it is to help the next veteran. prgtoken Whether it was Agent Orange in Vietnam or exposure to toxic waters at Camp Lejeune or burn pits and other toxic exposures in Iraq and Afghanistan, this is a part of our military's history and legacy. I am glad we are finally addressing it in the most comprehensive way it deserves. prgtoken While I am grateful this program has been enacted to provide veterans and their loved ones with the care and benefits they have earned and deserve, only a small percentage of Minnesotans are taking advantage of this program. Less than 10,000 veterans out of more than 100,000 veterans in Minnesota who qualify under this program have enrolled. It is crucial that we continue to get the word out about this lifesaving program. prgtoken , to see if you or someone you know qualifies, please go to va.gov/pact. prgtoken I will not stop fighting until every one of my constituents who is eligible receives the care they deserve, and I will keep advocating for crucial reforms to stop future servicemen and -women from experiencing the same hardships, because when we ask young people to serve our country in uniform, we should not also be asking them to expose their bodies to toxins and to live with the consequences of those toxins for the rest of their lives.