mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
INFRASTRUCTURE
Dan Sullivan (Republican, AK) \u2014 2022-7-14

I just had the opportunity to host a lunch--the Thursday lunch--for a number of my Senate colleagues. This is an opportunity that Senators get to essentially brag about their State. It is kind of like what I do with the ``Alaskan of the Week'' speech that I give. prgtoken I know we have new pages here. prgtoken I am going to be putting out a Facebook post on the incredible bounty that we just had at the lunch--salmon, halibut, peonies flowers, which are now growing in abundance in Alaska. It was a really, really incredible meal, if I do say so myself, from Alaskans. So we are going to talk about that. prgtoken Next week I will be back to my ``Alaskan of the Week'' series, for the new pages. I promise you, this is going to be your favorite speech of the week because it is interesting, and it tells stories, and it is exciting about what is going on in Alaska. prgtoken , I want to talk about two other issues today that I care deeply about--I think most Senators do, and certainly Americans do--and that is two things that our country desperately needs: infrastructure and energy. Infrastructure and energy--and we all know that this is what is needed. prgtoken We talk about it here a lot in the Senate. However, some, especially in the administration, talk a lot about these issues but, then, when it comes to taking action, maybe not so much. Maybe that is starting to change, maybe not. prgtoken But I am going to talk about something I introduced in the Senate yesterday that is going to be action, especially on infrastructure. So let's talk about infrastructure first. prgtoken Yesterday, I introduced a joint resolution of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act--it is what we call the CRA--which will nullify the administration's new regulations that are remarkably going to bog down prgtoken the ability to permit infrastructure projects. It is going to add to the redtape that every single American who cares about this issue knows is a problem, and it is a new reg from the administration-- remarkably, because they supposedly are for infrastructure, and I am going to get to that. It is a new reg to make it harder to build infrastructure projects. prgtoken So let me unpack a little bit of that because it is something that I think all Americans care about. I know they care about it, but it can kind of be boring and technical, with permitting and things like that. prgtoken When the National Environmental Policy Act, NEPA, was passed in the late sixties, it required an environmental impact statement, an EIS, as we call these things. In the old days, you would do an EIS. It would take about a year, maybe. You would get public input. It was maybe 100 pages. OK? The process worked. People were engaged. It didn't bog down things, and you would have a couple of hundred pages that the average American could read and then you would build, which is what we all want to do in a respons
AN UNBORN CHILD IS A HUMAN LIFE
Lisa C. McClain (Republican, MI) \u2014 2022-7-14

I thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania for holding this very serious and very important Special Order. prgtoken A few weeks ago, the Supreme Court delivered the greatest victory for life this country has ever seen when it rightly held that the ability to kill an unborn child is not a constitutional right and returned the authority to regulate abortion back to the people and their elected Representatives. prgtoken Sadly, we have seen some elected officials who care more about appeasing the fringes of their base than defending our institution and respecting the document that they swore to uphold and defend. prgtoken President , for example, a former longtime supporter of letting the States decide their abortion policies, he sees fit to ignore the ruling. In a feeble attempt to quiet his far-left critics, he is seeking to unilaterally expand the ability to kill an unborn child. prgtoken I am curious. Does he not know that we have rule of law in this country with a system actually built on checks and balances? The President has been in Washington since before Roe, so I think he should at least have a basic understanding of our government and the rule of law. prgtoken I would say this: , these efforts will be in vain. You must remember the oath that you took and the document you swore to uphold the Supreme Court and the Constitution are clear: You and your bureaucratic underlings at HHS do not have the authority to unilaterally make law. That is up to the people's Representatives. Please remember that.
HONORING KRIS HANSEN
Matthew M. Rosendale, Sr. (Republican, MT) \u2014 2022-7-14

I rise today to honor the life of Kris Hansen, a great Montanan and a dear friend who passed away just last week. prgtoken Kris was a mighty warrior who loved her country and embodied the highest ideals of public service in the State of Montana. prgtoken She served overseas with both the National Guard and the CIA, followed by an exceptional tenure with the Montana State legislature, alongside me in the Montana State Auditor's office, and most recently as Lieutenant Attorney General. prgtoken She was a blessing and a light upon all the lives that she touched. prgtoken Kris was also a strong advocate for students and families. She used her gifts to fight for access to quality education for children across the State of Montana. prgtoken Her commitment to protecting and preserving our way of life will always be a defining pillar of her legacy. prgtoken I am so thankful to have worked with Kris and developed a special friendship with her. prgtoken Our thoughts and prayers are with Fred and Nancy and the Hansen family during this most difficult time.
COMMEMORATING THE LIFE OF FORMER PRIME MINISTER SHINZO ABE
Paul A. Gosar (Republican, AZ) \u2014 2022-7-14

. Madam , I rise to commemorate the life of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who was assassinated on July 8, 2022. The whole world mourns the loss of this great leader--the longest serving prime minister in the history of Japan. As the leader of his party, he won an unprecedented four elections spanning a time period of eleven years. His popularity was undeniable. prgtoken Prime Minister Abe always focused on the positive contributions made by the Japanese people. Instead of apologizing for the sins of his forebears, he promoted economic and foreign policies that put the people of Japan first. He was not afraid of China and taught the watching world that strength in the face of communist totalitarianism beats coddling and submission. This great patriot never tired in his commitment to fight for his people. prgtoken Prime Minister Abe taught the world about true leadership. Take care of your own people. Protect them. Value them. prgtoken I offer my condolences and deep sympathies to the people of Japan, and the friends and family of Mr. Abe. They gave the world a shining star. And now he returns to the heavens.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023
Andy Barr (Republican, KY) \u2014 2022-7-14

I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall No. 346. Members Recorded Pursuant to House Resolution 8, 117th Congress Allred (Neguse) Barragan (Correa) Bentz (Obernolte) Bowman (Neguse) Brown (MD) (Trone) Cardenas (Correa) Castro (TX) (Neguse) Cohen (Beyer) Comer (Fleischmann) Connolly (Beyer) Crist (Stevens) DeFazio (Pallone) Doggett (Beyer) Dunn (Cammack) Evans (Neguse) Fallon (Carl) Gonzalez (OH) (Armstrong) Hartzler (Bacon) Herrera Beutler (Moore (UT)) Jacobs (CA) (Correa) Jayapal (Pallone) Johnson (TX) (Jeffries) Kahele (Correa) Katko (Meijer) Kelly (IL) (Kuster) Kirkpatrick (Pallone) Lawrence (Stevens) Leger Fernandez (Kuster) Lieu (Beyer) Moore (WI) (Beyer) Moulton (Stevens) Newman (Beyer) Panetta (Beyer) Pappas (Kuster) Pascrell (Pallone) Payne (Pallone) Pingree (Kuster) Porter (Neguse) Pressley (Neguse) Reschenthaler (Keller) Rice (NY) (Murphy (FL)) Ryan (Beyer) Salazar (Cammack) Sires (Pallone) Stewart (Curtis) Suozzi (Correa) Taylor (Armstrong) Timmons (Armstrong) Trahan (Stevens) Upton (Meijer) Walorski (Baird) Wasserman Schultz (Stevens) Wilson (SC) (Lamborn) Amendment No. 461 Offered by Mr. Evans
AN UNBORN CHILD IS A HUMAN LIFE
Glenn Grothman (Republican, WI) \u2014 2022-7-14

our country was sent on a journey a week ago to see how we would respond to the Dobbs decision. This decision challenges all Americans to decide where they will stand on the abortion issue. prgtoken It is particularly a challenge to the churches of this country who are supposed to provide moral guidance to the country as to where to stand. prgtoken These are decisions that will have to be made by the citizens, in part, when they vote. Decisions have to be made by State legislators, district attorneys as to whether they are going to uphold pro-life laws, and perhaps, most important of all, individual decisions that are going to have to be made by women or families who are in a situation in which some people are going to try to persuade them to have an abortion. prgtoken It is interesting when we talk about this to remember that in 1973, as far as I can determine, no State between California on the West Coast and New York on the East Coast had entirely open-ended pro- abortion laws. Nevertheless, at a time where we didn't really have ultrasounds, every other State ruled that something barbaric was going on. prgtoken You just heard other statistics--we know at 6 weeks a child has a heartbeat; 7 weeks, feels pain; 10 weeks, jumps if startled, and has fingers and toes; 15 weeks, sense of taste. prgtoken Obviously, anybody who says: What would God want us to do in this situation realizes a human being has been created by God, and that human being should be cherished and kept alive. prgtoken It was, again, apparently the clergy in 1973, or society as a whole, did a good job of informing people that something so horrific was happening in abortion that it should be barred and made illegal. Since that time, the clergy of this country and the churches of this country have had 49 years to weigh in with the public and guide them as to how they should think. We are soon going to find out what a good job they did or a bad job they did. prgtoken In any event, we thank the Supreme Court for reaching the right decision. Now we put the ball in the court of Americans as a whole, whether they will respond, recognizing the precious lives that we have to protect in America, or if they are going down the shoot toward more of an atheistic view of the world, similar to countries like North Korea, Red China, countries in which atheism is part of their roots. prgtoken The challenge is yours, America--the challenge to the churches.
AN UNBORN CHILD IS A HUMAN LIFE
John Joyce (Republican, PA) \u2014 2022-7-14

first of all, I thank Representative Mike Kelly for holding this Special Order. prgtoken What a pivotal summer we have seen as the United States Supreme Court, after almost five decades, has overruled the terror of Roe v. Wade. prgtoken We all know that all life is sacred. As a doctor, I swore an oath first to do no harm, and for me as a doctor, that meant refusing to ever be involved in performing abortions or any abortion procedures. Now, as a legislator, it means working each and every day to protect and stand for human life. prgtoken Even after this historic Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, there is still work to be done to protect human life here in the United States. Our Declaration of Independence states that life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are unalienable rights given to all of us by our creator, and government is created to protect these rights. Government is created to protect life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. prgtoken We must all, as legislators, stand for life, and we must continue to fight for the unborn. prgtoken The sanctity of human life is an inherent part of America from our founding days, and it must be protected today and into the future. prgtoken Again, I thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania, my colleague and my friend, for doing this Special Order this evening and allowing all of America to hear how we stand behind the sanctity of human life.
The Economy (Executive Calendar)
John Cornyn (Republican, TX) \u2014 2022-7-14

inflation continues to batter American families at a rate we have not seen in 40 years. Since last year, the prices of items that Texans use every day have increased more than 9 percent. That is, if your paycheck is still the same, you have 9 percent less purchasing power just since last year. At the grocery store, the price of bread is up nearly 11 percent. Chicken is up more than 17 percent. And the price of eggs has jumped a whopping 33 percent. prgtoken I sense there is a huge disconnect between the folks here in Washington--perhaps in Congress--that this does not have a dramatic effect in terms of our daily lives; but to the people we represent, the 29 million people I represent, this is real, it is happening now, and it is to the detriment of their quality of life. prgtoken Groceries aren't the only thing that are challenging family budgets. Electricity is up 14 percent. prgtoken I will be traveling with some colleagues to the Rio Grande Valley this afternoon. I looked at the weather forecast for today and tomorrow. It will be 104 degrees in the Rio Grande Valley; and, no, it will not be a dry heat. And demand on our electricity is real because people cannot live without air-conditioning and climate control; but in order to run your air-conditioning, you are going to have to pay 14 percent more for that electricity this year as opposed to last year. prgtoken Propane used at summer barbecues costs 26 percent more. And gasoline prices--there are about 280 million cars on the road today that run using gasoline. The price has jumped 60 percent since last year. If people want to go on a vacation, they just commute to work, they want to take their kids to summer camp, they have got to pay 60 percent more for gasoline than they did last year. And, for the first time, the national average price has exceeded $5 a gallon. Over the last few weeks, thankfully, prices have fallen slightly--and I emphasize the word ``slightly''--but there is no reason to celebrate. The national average is still about $4.60 a gallon, which is about a buck and a half higher than it was last year alone. prgtoken So the American people are looking to Washington, DC, to their elected leaders, and they are wondering: Why aren't you doing something about it? They want to know what the administration's plans are to address these rising costs, especially when it comes to things that are not--I mean, there are some things you can substitute for others. I even saw a woman on the news who said she decided to become a vegetarian because she couldn't afford the meat cost in the grocery store. But there are some things that are simply irreplaceable, and gasoline to drive your car is one of them. prgtoken Well, one of the most logical ways to increase the supply of gasoline--because it really is about supply and demand--would be to boost American production of our domestic energy supply. That way, we could reap the economic bene
WOMEN'S HEALTH PROTECTION ACT OF 2022
Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (Republican, GA) \u2014 2022-7-15

. Madam , I rise today to oppose the unconscionable abortion on demand until birth act. prgtoken This bill creates a national standard to allow for abortions of unborn children for any reason and at any stage of pregnancy up until birth. As a father and grandfather of six precious grandchildren, I am sickened by the attempt to allow abortion on demand until birth. prgtoken Now, Madam , I will speak for just a second about something that was brought up by one of my colleagues across the aisle about pharmacists dispensing prescriptions for abortion. prgtoken Also, Madam , if you could, do me a favor and get a message to the President who is trying to sign an executive order to force pharmacists to fill prescriptions against their will for abortion. Let me assure you, you can pass all the legislation you want, and you can sign every executive order that you want to sign, but if you think you are going to force a pharmacist to go against their moral obligation to take care of patients and to take care of babies and dispense a prescription that is going to be used for abortion, good luck with that.
WOMEN'S HEALTH PROTECTION ACT OF 2022
Mariannette Miller-Meeks (Republican, IA) \u2014 2022-7-15

. Madam , , the Honorable Representative Rodgers, for yielding me time. prgtoken Madam , I rise today in opposition to H.R. 8296. The Supreme Court recently took the important and correct step to return the power to regulate abortion back to State legislators and voters within the individual States while recognizing the sanctity of life. prgtoken This concept is so novel and repugnant to the that they would put forward a radical and extreme abortion bill that would permit abortion even up until birth for any reason. Only seven countries, including China and North Korea, are this extreme. prgtoken As a doctor, I am knowledgeable that mid- to late-term abortion is a barbaric procedure which can include dismemberment of the baby and crushing of the skull. This is far more cruel than many of the laws of States that define prisoner abuse of convicted felons and what constitutes animal cruelty. It is a procedure done when the mother is given anesthesia, but the baby can feel pain. Madam , even though you cannot hear it scream, it can respond to music and respond to touch and the voice of its mother. prgtoken We wouldn't allow animals to be treated this cruelly. prgtoken Do think that this elevates women and is compassionate? prgtoken Madam , I include in the Record an article from the Charlotte Lozier Institute. [From the Charlotte Lozier Institute, Feb. 2014] Gestational Limits on Abortion in the United States Compared to International Norms (By Angelina Baglini, J.D.) Abstract: The United States is one of only seven countries in the world that permit elective abortion past 20 weeks. Upholding laws restricting abortion on demand after 20 weeks would situate the United States closer to the international mainstream, instead of leaving it as an outlying country with ultra-permissive abortion policies. This report compares gestational limits in United States abortion law with gestational limits in the abortion law of the international community. The goal is to determine where the United States stands in comparison to international norms, with its federal policy enshrined in Roe v. Wade, which allows abortion past 20 weeks and without restriction until fetal viability. The sample group for this project included a total of 198 countries, independent states, and semi-autonomous regions with populations exceeding 1 million. Of these 198 countries, independent states, and regions worldwide, 59 allow abortion without restriction as to reason, otherwise known as elective abortion or abortion on demand. The remaining 139 countries require some reason to obtain an abortion ranging from most restrictive (to save the life of the mother or completely prohibited) to least restrictive (socioeconomic grounds) with
HONORING THE LEGACY OF HERSHEL ``WOODY'' WILLIAMS
David B. McKinley (Republican, WV) \u2014 2022-7-15

. Madam , I rise today to honor the legacy of Hershel ``Woody'' Williams. Williams was born the youngest of 11 children on a dairy farm in 1923 in Quiet Dell, West Virginia. In 1943, Williams enlisted in the Marine Corps and was sent to train at Camp Elliott in San Diego, California as a demolition man in the use or flamethrowers. prgtoken He served at the Battle of Iwo Jima with the 21st Marines, 3d Marine Division. During the battle, Chief Warrant Officer 4 (Ret.) Williams displayed a ``valiant devotion to duty'' and service above self as he ``enabled his company to reach its objective'' by charging enemy fortifications 5 separate times with his flamethrower. prgtoken On October 5, 1945, President Truman awarded Williams with the Medal of Honor for his actions, stating in his citation ``Cpl. Williams' aggressive fighting spirit and valiant devotion to duty throughout this fiercely contested action sustain and enhance the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.'' prgtoken After World War II, he spent the rest of his life giving back to veterans and Gold Star Families, he worked for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for 33 years as a Veterans Service Representative, allowing him to continue serving veterans and their families. prgtoken Williams also established the Woody Williams Foundation to continue to serve Gold Star Families, and to date, the Woody Williams Foundation is responsible for establishing 104 Gold Star Families Memorial Monuments across the United States with more than 69 additional monuments underway in 50 states and 1 U.S. Territory. prgtoken Woody Williams' selfless sacrifice as a World War II veteran, champion of service to Gold Star families, and was the last surviving Marine from World War II to wear the Medal of Honor. The Nation mourns the passing of this proud son of West Virginia. prgtoken He is a true embodiment of ``The Greatest Generation.''
INFLATION IN AMERICA
David Schweikert (Republican, AZ) \u2014 2022-7-15

. Madam , then you start to understand the other policies we are going to pay for, for decades. prgtoken Don't laugh. I have a little girl who is about to turn 7. Out of nowhere, my wife and I now have a little boy that is functionally 18 days old, one of the greatest gifts God has ever given us. prgtoken But I look at my little girl and I look at these other children that are first graders or second graders, and we are seeing some terrifying data on what the left's policy of locking down schools and--``you are going to do it through a computer screen''--are we prepared for the data we are already seeing on what is happening on standardized math scores around the country? prgtoken You do realize--this is, once again, like the inflation--it is a cascade effect that we will live with through the next decade, unless we sort of step in and fix this. This is a derivative of policies, when you start to see standardized math test scores suffering all across the country, particularly in those States and communities that engaged in the almost excessive lockdowns for theater. It was virtue signaling. The math never said it. prgtoken This is a fascinating one. Growing debt would result in a per-person income being lowered, functionally $9,000 lower, or a 10 percent reduction. What this study is trying to do is trying to understand--as the left basically says: Our solution is we are going to send someone money. What does it functionally do to future prosperity when you start to actually see what this does in future purchasing power for your income? prgtoken Now, it is a complicated formula. Part of it basically says you don't have as much capital revolving in the economy, so you don't have much investment in productivity, so the society doesn't get healthier, wealthier, better, or faster, because all of that cash is functionally financing U.S. sovereign debt. But are you prepared? Because this is what the left has brought you. As the debt skyrockets, you get to live about 10 percent poorer. prgtoken Now, stack that on the fact that you have lost a couple months of your labor. Tell me I am not wrong to be angry about the cruelty and the complete avoidance of the misery this place is creating across the country. prgtoken And then you start to look at where our future is. Remember, eventually the math wins. The pretty words here may get you reelected, but the math will always win. prgtoken This is where we are at. And you start to look at what is going on. The interest--because the piling up of debt, Social Security, Medicare, interest is now functionally crossing, in the next few years, across all defense spending and all Medicaid spending. prgtoken You understand, this is Social Security, this is Medicare, this is interest. A number of my friends on the left say: ``Well, if we cut defense.'' The green line is defense. prgtoken I know you may care more about this coming election, but we have got to stop the misery. <|p|