mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
Voting Rights (Executive Session)
Christopher Murphy (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2022-1-12

I wish it were the case that everyone agrees that what happened here on January 6 was an abomination, but that is simply not true. That is simply not true. Many of my colleagues will say the right things on the Senate floor--occasionally will whisper the right things to us when the cameras aren't watching. But a recent poll--a nonpartisan Monmouth University poll--asked voters whether or not they thought January 6 was a legitimate protest. And guess what. Half of voters in this country say that the invasion of this Capitol that involved chants for the death of the Vice President, a gallows outside the U.S. Capitol-- half of s believe that that was a legitimate protest. Seven out of ten s today don't believe that is the legitimate President. They believe that won the election, despite the fact that he lost by 7 million votes. prgtoken And the reason for that is mostly that the leader of the Party, , has been legitimizing violence, urged those protests and that insurrection attempt, cheered them at the end of the day on January 6, and also because we have seen mostly silence from mainstream s who know better but don't want to pick a fight with President . prgtoken So, yes, we are worried about the future of our Republic. We are worried about the future of our Republic because a mainstream political party has gotten behind the idea that power matters more than elections; that violence is a legitimate means of protest. prgtoken So this idea that everybody agrees that January 6 was an abomination just isn't true. It is not true, and that is, in part, why we are so worried.
TRIBUTE TO RABBI MOSHE FELLER
Amy Klobuchar (Democrat, MN) \u2014 2022-1-12

I rise to recognize Rabbi Moshe Feller for the beautiful prayer he offered us this week. He could be considered a prolific guest chaplain--having led both Houses of Congress in prayer a combined 10 times over the last several decades. Each time, his wisdom, his faith in God, and his regard for the work of this body have all shined through. Today was no exception. prgtoken It was particularly special to know that he was joined by one of his sons, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Feller, as well as three of his grandchildren, Rabbi Tzemach Feller, Rabbi Yossi Feller, and Moussie Feller. I am confident that his other son, Rabbi Levi Feller, and his many other grandchildren were excitedly watching from home. And I know that if Mindelle, Rabbi Moshe Feller's wife of 56 years who passed away in 2017, were still with us today, she too would be so proud. prgtoken I have had the honor of meeting Rabbi Feller many times over the years, and I am glad he was able to return to this Chamber today. prgtoken In addition to being the longest serving Rabbi in Minnesota, Rabbi Feller leads the Upper Midwest Merkos Chabad Lubavitch in St. Paul and is a member of the board of Merkos L'Inyonei Chinuch, the education arm of the International Chabad movement. Through his work, he mentors and inspires people of all faiths in Minnesota and across the country. A passionate and dedicated leader, he has been instrumental in cultivating Jewish life in Minnesota, and his numerous contributions have enriched our State as a whole. prgtoken Whether by overseeing the founding and establishment of over 30 Jewish institutions in the Midwest or by serving as a counselor and mentor to those seeking to grow closer to their faith, Rabbi Feller unwaveringly answers the call. prgtoken With his remarks this morning, Rabbi Feller offered a clarion reminder prgtoken that the work we do in this body, to pass just laws, is not just important--it is sacred. I will be holding his words close to my heart, and I am sure my esteemed colleagues will be doing the same. prgtoken Thank you to Rabbi Moshe Feller for joining us this morning. I look forward to seeing you back in Minnesota.
COMMENDING THE ACTIONS OF CUBAN HUMAN RIGHTS AND DEMOCRACY ACTIVIST JOSE DANIEL FERRER GARCIA, AND ALL PRO-DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS, IN DEMANDING FUNDAMENTAL CIVIL LIBERTIES IN CUBA AND...
Robert Menendez (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2022-1-12

reserving the right to object, let me first say that I rise, in the first instance, before having heard the Senator's remarks, to say that I have serious concerns about the junior Senator from Florida's lack of respect for the regular order of the Senate. prgtoken On July 11, 2021, the Cuban people took to the streets in unprecedented protests, demanding democracy and the end of decades of dictatorship. Subsequently, the Senate came together in unanimous consent to pass my S. Res. 310. My bipartisan legislation expressed our unwavering solidarity with the Cuban people and called for the release of all political prisoners detained unjustly by the Diaz-Canel regime. prgtoken My legislation was the result of bipartisan negotiations, and it was approved unanimously by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. That is what regular order looks like, and it is a process that strengthens the impact of our work on foreign policy when we can speak together in one voice to promote that foreign policy, whether it is to the Cuban regime or whether it is in any other place in the world. prgtoken Now, I need to make the point that the junior Senator from Florida routinely disregards this process. In this particular case, not only has this resolution not been marked up by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, not only is it not bipartisan--as far as I know, nobody has been offered even the prgtoken opportunity to join it--but it hasn't even been introduced so that the Parliamentarian would decide where it would be sent to committee for referral for consideration. It hasn't even been introduced. It has not received the review it deserves. In fact, it has not received any formal review. prgtoken As I have repeatedly said as the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, I stand ready to work with any Member--and have done so--on initiatives that advance the national security interests of the United States and the defense of democracy and human rights. While there may be some urgent moments that require us to move legislation directly to the floor, regular order exists for a reason--to facilitate consensus and ensure that the legislation we consider on the floor reflects the input and expertise of Senators who sit on the relevant committees of jurisdiction. prgtoken Now, I have spent the last several days listening to my colleagues talk about the fullness of legislative debate, of not preempting legislative debate, of not preempting prolonged legislative debate in the context of the filibuster. Here is a piece of legislation that hasn't even been introduced, but it is being brought directly to the floor. How does that promote legislative debate? It doesn't. It doesn't. prgtoken I happen to agree with the Senator about his focus here as it relates to those who are struggling inside of Cuba to create freedom, but I want to send a clarion message that I will not simply allow legislation that is i
ORDERS FOR THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2022
Jon Ossoff (Democrat, GA) \u2014 2022-1-12

I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it recess until 10 a.m Thursday, January 13; that following the prayer and pledge, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, and morning business be closed; that upon the conclusion of morning business, the Senate proceed to the consideration of S. 3436, as provided under the previous order; further, that the Senate recess from 12:45 p.m. until 2:15 p.m.; that at 2:15 p.m there be 30 minutes for debate, equally divided between the two leaders or their designees, and that upon the use or yielding back of that time, the Senate vote on passage of S. 3436, as provided under the previous order.
AUTHORITY FOR COMMITTEES TO MEET
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2022-1-12

I have 7 requests for committees to meet during today's session of the Senate. They have the approval of the Majority and Minority Leaders. prgtoken Pursuant to rule XXVI, paragraph 5(a), of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the following committees are authorized to meet during today's session of the Senate: committee on agriculture, nutrition, and forestry prgtoken The Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, January 12, 2022, at 3:30 p.m to conduct a business meeting. committee on environment and public works prgtoken The Committee on Environment and Public Works is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, January 12, 2022, at 2:45 p.m to conduct a business meeting on nominations. committee on environment and public works prgtoken The Committee on Environment and Public Works is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, January 12, 2022, at 2:45 p.m to conduct a hearing. committee on the judiciary prgtoken The Committee on the Judiciary is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, January 12, 2022, at 9 a.m to conduct a hearing on nominations. committee on foreign relations prgtoken The Committee on Foreign Relations is authorized to meet during the session of he Senate on Wednesday, January 12, 2022, at 9 a.m to conduct a business meeting. committee on foreign relations prgtoken The Committee on Foreign Relations is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, January 12, 2022, to conduct a hearing on nominations. select committee on intelligence prgtoken The Select Committee on Intelligence is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, January 12, 2022, at 2 p.m to conduct a hearing on a nomination.
GUARD AND RESERVE GI BILL PARITY ACT OF 2021
Gwen Moore (Democrat, WI) \u2014 2022-1-12

I am pleased to rise in support of the bipartisan amendment that I have put forward, along with my colleagues Deborah Ross, Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colon, and Jamaal Bowman. prgtoken As my colleagues from both sides of the aisle have made clear, our Nation owes a tremendous debt to our veterans. prgtoken I am pleased that this week, the House will take up a bill to help improve access to services and benefits that our men and women in uniform have earned. prgtoken H.R. 1836--the National Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act of 2021--would allow Members of the National Guard and Reserves to count time spend in training towards their Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits. prgtoken I am so proud of the men and women in Wisconsin's National Guard who have mobilized throughout our nation's history in support of overseas combat operations in places like Iraq, Afghanistan, during both world wars, the Spanish-American War, and the Civil War and are now engaged in their longest ever domestic mobilization, to combat COVID-19. prgtoken They are a key part of our communities and to efforts to protect and defend our nation. prgtoken Our amendment to this bill simply attempts to help ensure that the VA take every opportunity to ensure that new veterans who are leaving or about to transition from active duty are aware of the VA benefits they may be eligible for, including critical health care services. prgtoken Unfortunately, too many vets leave the military without knowing what they are eligible for at the VA or do not have the documentation they need to prove their eligibility. As a result, they can find themselves missing out on critical benefits and services they need or trying to navigate bureaucratic red tape, without success, to try and find the right answers. These men and women answered the call to serve their country and it is our responsibility to honor the debt our Nation owes them for their service. prgtoken We can do better. And that must start with providing as much information as early as possible to those who could be eligible for VA benefits or services. prgtoken Our amendment requires the VA to inform new veterans of the medical care and services for which they are eligible, including community care; mental healthcare, care relating to military sexual trauma; and any other information the Secretary deems appropriate. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to support this amendment and the underlying bill.
GUARD AND RESERVE GI BILL PARITY ACT OF 2021
Mark Takano (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2022-1-12

pursuant to House Resolution 860, I call up the bill (H.R. 1836) to amend title 38, United States Code, to ensure that the time during which members of the Armed Forces serve on active duty for training qualifies for educational assistance under the Post- 9/11 Educational Assistance Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.
GUARD AND RESERVE GI BILL PARITY ACT OF 2021
Jamaal Bowman (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2022-1-12

it is our responsibility to ensure that our veterans have the resources they need to access care after serving. prgtoken Every year, brave men and women enlist in the military, seeking to serve their country, pursue a better life, and obtain benefits and security for their future. This means being able to afford college and having access to housing, healthcare, and other opportunities. prgtoken Our troops are deployed into active war zones that too often leave veterans with PTSD, suicidal ideation, anxiety, addiction, depression, and other mental health challenges. prgtoken Regardless of what congressional district you live in, you will always take what happens in your service back home with you. prgtoken But when they return, our government has failed to provide them with the care and support they deserve. prgtoken The outcome is a veterans suicide crisis. The suicide rate for veterans is 1.5 times higher than the rate of nonveteran adults, and I see this in my district. I have had veterans call my office as a last resort after not being able to access the healthcare they need at the VA. My constituent services team has had multiple cases of veterans struggling with suicidal ideation and other mental health challenges who have expressed an immense frustration that no prgtoken one in our government seems to care about their well-being. Our veterans deserve better, and we must do better. prgtoken I am grateful for incredible organizations in my district like Black Veterans for Social Justice, Veterans for Peace, and The American Legion who are leading with care, working to support our veterans' mental health by destigmatizing mental health care and connecting veterans to mental health professionals. They regularly host support groups for veterans with mental health challenges, advocate for a stronger VA system, and provide one-on-one opportunities for veterans to learn about benefits available to them. prgtoken Our amendment to H.R. 1836 builds upon their work to ensure that when transitioning to civilian life, veterans receive information about what healthcare and mental healthcare services are available to them, including how to access the Veterans Crisis Line and seek mental health support. This amendment also specifies that this information should be provided to veterans in a manner that helps destigmatize mental health and encourages veterans to reach out. prgtoken These are important steps toward creating a society in which every single veteran has access to universal, high-quality healthcare and is empowered to seek out the mental health support they need to thrive. prgtoken If you are a veteran who is struggling with mental health challenges, please know that you are not alone and that seeking out mental health support is an important step toward feeling better. During these especially difficult times, we must care for ourselves and for one another.
GUARD AND RESERVE GI BILL PARITY ACT OF 2021
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2022-1-12

I rise to speak in support of H.R. 1836, the Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act, which will expand eligibility for post-9/11 G.I. Bill educational benefits to members of the National Guard and the Reserves. prgtoken Current law defines the term ``active duty'' as those individuals who are on full-time duty in the active military service of the United States, including full-time training duty, annual training duty, and attendance, while in the active military service, at a school designated as a service school by law or by the Secretary of the military department concerned. prgtoken H.R. 1836, will expand eligibility criteria to include those training in full-time National Guard duty, which includes the National Guard, the Army National Guard, and the Air National Guard, as well as those same members when performing active duty. prgtoken Under current rules, service members need three years on active-duty to be eligible for full Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, which include 36 months of in-state college tuition, a monthly living stipend and other payouts. prgtoken Reaching that amount of time mobilized to active-duty is difficult for guardsmen and reservists, and outdated and confusing eligibility requirements means the difference of tens of thousands of dollars for college for those individuals. prgtoken For example, the deployment of thousands of Guard troops to Capitol Hill following the January 6 attack counted towards GI Bill eligibility, because the mission was being paid for with federal funds. prgtoken However, troops mobilized for crowd control during racial equality protests in Washington, D.C last summer were not able to count that time, because those missions weren't funded by federal dollars. prgtoken Some other riot response missions across the nation were funded by federal funds, and did count towards the education benefits. prgtoken Similarly, tens of thousands of Guard and Reserve troops have been mobilized for pandemic response missions over the last two years, but their eligibility varies depending on the specific orders and units involved. prgtoken For years, members of the National Guard and Reserve Components have been disadvantaged and overlooked in the accumulation of their education benefits while performing the same or similar service as their Active-Duty counterparts. prgtoken Time and time again, through natural disasters, global pandemics, and threats to our democracy, our National Guard and Reserve members have answered the call to serve. prgtoken But despite taking on the same risks and doing the same jobs as their active-duty counterparts, these service members don't have access to the same benefits. prgtoken This has become much clearer and more severe during the COVID-19 pandemic. prgtoken Members of the National Guard and Reserve Component have risked their lives on the front lines of this pandemic, administering aid and protecting the Capitol on training status. prgtoken Our brave me
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
Benjamin L. Cardin (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2022-1-12

I rise today to introduce an act, co- sponsored prgtoken by Senator Hagerty, that addresses the importance of foreign affairs training to national security and, more specifically, intends to improve training and professional development of the Foreign Service officers and civil service staff at the U.S. State Department. prgtoken This act calls for the State Department to move beyond its traditional approach towards a more robust professional training program, incorporating innovative education and training courses, methods, and opportunities. Employees of the State Department have a long, honorable tradition of providing excellence in diplomacy, but it is time to modernize the training and professional development they receive, enabling them to more effectively promote our national security interests abroad and ensuring the retention of our best and brightest employees. prgtoken The legislation will accomplish the following: provide a more effective and updated training program for employees of the State Department, to include increased virtual instruction that is interactive and more accessible to personnel deployed around the world, as well as increased training provided by partner organizations such as universities, industry entities, and nongovernmental organization, NGOs: establish a Chief Learning Officer position to serve as the principal adviser to the Secretary of State and strategist for State Department training and development; and establish a nonpartisan Board of Visitors to provide independent advice and recommendations regarding training at the Foreign Service Institute. prgtoken Other key elements of the legislation include establishment of a clear link between required employee training and promotional opportunities and assignments at the State Department; a ``training float'' strategy that will allow 10 to 15 percent of Foreign Service and civil service officers and staff to participate in training at any given time; a call for the State Department to establish new fellowship programs for Foreign Service and civil service officers and staff in addition to the current Pearson and Brookings Fellowship Programs, allowing them to participate in short- and long-term opportunities at think tanks, nongovernmental organizations, the Department of Defense, industry entities, and relevant university programs; and establishment of a Center for Innovation in Training and a Provost position at the Foreign Service Institute, to evaluate all courses and curriculum offered by FSI and identify necessary updates to meet the frequent changes required by officers due to changing global dynamics. prgtoken The Department of State is a crucial national security agency, whose employees, both Foreign Service and civil service, require the best possible training at every stage of their careers to prepare them to promote and defend U.S. national interests and the health and safety of U.S. citizens abr