mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2024-3-14

in just a few weeks, an important but controversial surveillance authority, known as section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, will expire. This extraordinary authority was initially presented to Congress as a temporary emergency counterterrorism tool more than 15 years ago. As is often the case with temporary emergency authorities, section 702 is now used for a wide range of foreign intelligence purposes, from countering Russia to stopping the flow of fentanyl into the United States. prgtoken Just last month, the Federal Bureau of Investigation revealed that data collected using section 702 allowed the Agency to foil several attacks in recent years, including attacks that would have crippled U.S. critical infrastructure and even threaten the lives of our U.S. servicemembers. And the authority has helped the U.S. uncover atrocities committed by Russia during its ongoing assault on Ukraine. prgtoken I have had demonstrations of the 702 authority, and there is no doubt in my mind that it is a valuable tool for collecting foreign intelligence. But this authority raises serious constitutional concerns, as it allows access not just to communications by those who are foreigners but also to the vast databases of Americans' communications without the customary search warrant required by the U.S. Constitution. prgtoken This powerful tool--this effective tool on foreign surveillance--has been used, in my mind, improperly to spy on American protesters, from Black Lives Matter to MAGA loyalists. prgtoken The FBI has imposed new limits on the authority of FBI agents to search the communications of Americans. But even after implementing these reforms, the FBI still conducted over 200,000 warrantless searches of Americans in just 1 year--more than 500 searches of Americans per day. prgtoken and s alike are rightly concerned. Our Founders understood the danger of unchecked government surveillance and had the wisdom and foresight to enshrine protections for American citizens in the Constitution. The Fourth Amendment to our prgtoken Constitution protects Americans from unreasonable search and seizure, particularly those without a warrant based upon probable cause that had been approved by a judge. prgtoken I have long raised concerns about section 702's lack of sufficient safeguards to protect these rights, and I have consistently voted against the extension of section 702 without changes. However, I have also said that I would support section 702 if it includes sufficient safeguards to protect Americans from warrantless surveillance. prgtoken As chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, which has primary jurisdiction over FISA, I have evaluated proposed reforms and carefully considered the administration's views. I have also heard from my colleagues on both sides of the aisle. Existing legislative proposals of the House and Senate go too far for some and not far enough for o
Introductory Statement on S. 3943
Alex Padilla (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2024-3-14

I rise to introduce the Accelerating, Networking, Cyberinfrastructure, and Hardwater for Oceanic Research, ANCHOR, Act. This bipartisan and bicameral legislation would require the National Science Foundation to plan critical cyber security and internet upgrades to essential oceanographic research vessels. prgtoken This bill would direct the National Science Foundation to report to Congress on the costs, personnel, and equipment necessary to upgrade the 17 ocean- and lake-going research vessels in the Academic Research Fleet. These ships and their submarines do research around the world across topics as fundamental as climate change, marine health, and national security. This report is an important first step in making needed upgrades to these research vessels for improved science, cyber security, and telecommunications. prgtoken Around the world, researchers traverse waters to better understand our oceans. In Alaska, the R/V Sikuliaq regularly ventures into icy Arctic waters, breaking ice up to 2.5 inches thick to study remote polar ecosystems. In California, the R/V Sally Ride explores the deep ocean in the Pacific, characterizing the toxic legacy of DDT barrels dumped over 50 years ago. In the Great Lakes, the R/V Blue Heron navigates Lake Superior, conducting long-term research on harmful algal blooms. prgtoken But these important research vessels suffer from aging infrastructure. As ships and submarines collect sensitive data about our climate, foreign adversaries increasingly attack the weakened cyber security defenses on research vessels. prgtoken The upgrades planned in the ANCHOR Act are cost-effective, allowing repairs in real time with remote experts that keep ships going on their missions. Improved internet is also a boost for crew morale, science efficiency, and education. With faster upload and download speeds, scientists and crew members will be able to transmit data to shore for processing, make Zoom calls with classrooms on land, and call loved ones or even mental health providers during long months at sea. prgtoken I want to thank Senator Sullivan for introducing this important legislation with me in the Senate and Representatives Mike Garcia and Haley Stevens for leading the House companion. I hope all of our colleagues will join us in supporting this bipartisan bill to improve our Nation's oceanographic research and security.
Appropriations (Executive Session)
Patty Murray (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2024-3-14

we have now at long last passed our first six funding bills for fiscal year 2024. While we are still now working around the clock on the final six bills, I am hopeful we will pass them in a timely, bipartisan way very soon. But I do want to take a moment to step back and really dive into the six bills that we did pass last week and what they mean for my home State of Washington. prgtoken I come to work every day focused on how I can use my voice here to help folks back home. When I sit down at any negotiating table, I bring with me the stories of every parent who is struggling to afford childcare or groceries or rent; every farmer and fisher whose livelihood depends on our crops, our salmon, and our environment; every researcher focused on making the next big breakthrough; every mayor focused on improving our infrastructure; and every young person who is concerned about climate change and our most basic rights. prgtoken And I take those voices that I hear at home in Washington State--the people I meet--into every room I enter and write their concerns into every bill I negotiate. It is a responsibility I take very seriously, especially as chair of the Appropriations Committee. prgtoken And I am thrilled to say the legislation that we passed last Friday-- the bill I wrote with my colleagues--includes more than a billion dollars I helped secure for local projects and programs in Washington State and delivers a historic $3 billion investment for the Hanford site cleanup. prgtoken I have practically been a broken record in saying the Federal Government has a moral and legal obligation to properly fund the cleanup at Hanford. Our work is far from done. But with this historic $3 billion investment, we are moving in the right direction. prgtoken And as long as I am Appropriations chair, I am going to make sure we keep up that momentum. No matter what, we are not going to shortchange the vital cleanup mission at Hanford. prgtoken We are facing a housing crisis. And it has been especially hard on families in Washington State. That is why I fought hard to make sure that bill protected and strengthened programs that help families afford the cost of housing and help keep families in their homes. prgtoken At the Federal level here, that means homeless assistance grants, eviction prevention grants, and Native American Housing Block Grants, rental assistance programs, programs that help people develop economic independence and help keep kids with their parents, and vital investments to maintain our Nation's affordable housing supply. prgtoken But it is not just funding for key national efforts that help Washington State. I am especially proud to have secured funding through congressionally directed spending for the Aurora senior housing development for seniors in Seattle, which will have 90 housing units. prgtoken That is a great start, but I know we have a lot more work to do when it comes to tackling the housing cri
President Biden's Budget (Executive Calendar)
Debbie Stabenow (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2024-3-14

first, I just want to say for the record that it has been 36 days since colleagues voted down the strongest border security bill in decades. So that is a reality. prgtoken But what I wanted to speak about was the President's budget. When he was growing up, President 's dad used to say this: Don't tell me what you value. Show me your budget, and I will tell you what you value. prgtoken Well, President 's budget just came out, and I will tell you what he values. President values investing in the middle class so that families are able to work hard and get ahead and build a better life for their children. He values ensuring that teachers and firefighters aren't paying more taxes than billionaires. And he values Social Security and Medicare, programs that have lifted up millions of older Americans out of poverty--a whole generation--a great American success story. prgtoken Meanwhile, we have the nominee, the former President, in a CNBC interview vowing to cut Medicare and Social Security. prgtoken Show me your budget, and I will tell you what you value. prgtoken The budget invests in growing our middle class, continuing the policies that have made our economy the strongest in the world. prgtoken Since President and Vice President took office, the economy has added about 15 million new jobs, the most ever in the first term of a President. prgtoken The unemployment rate has stayed below 4 percent for 2 years in a row. We haven't seen that in more than 50 years. prgtoken Wages are up. The stock market is up. New small businesses are up. prgtoken Meanwhile, the agenda slashes investments in our families while cutting taxes for the wealthy. prgtoken s like to talk about cutting the deficit. Meanwhile, President is doing it. His budget would reduce the deficit by $3 trillion by making the wealthy pay their fair share and cracking down on tax cheats. prgtoken The budget lowers costs for families in a number of ways. It invests in affordable childcare so that working families aren't scrambling to find quality care at a price they can afford. It increases affordable housing and helps American families buy their first home and achieve their dream. Meanwhile, it makes higher education more affordable and cuts the burden of student debt, and it continues to lower prescription drug costs, helping people afford the medications they need. prgtoken And, best of all, it restores the expanded child tax credit, which was enacted as part of the American Rescue Plan. The expanded child tax credit helped cut child poverty in half in 2021. And President 's budget brings it back, giving families some breathing room. prgtoken We also know that families are concerned about our national security. The budget invests in a secure border through technology that detects fentanyl, more Border Patrol officers, more immigration judges, and more a
Nomination of Dennis Hankins (Executive Session)
Benjamin L. Cardin (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2024-3-14

it has been almost a year since President nominated Dennis Hankins to be the U.S. Ambassador to Haiti. In that time, Haiti has gone from a tenuous political situation into a security and humanitarian catastrophe. prgtoken Vicious gangs, armed largely with weapons trafficked from the United States, have plunged the country into chaos. They have burned government buildings. They have attacked police stations. While the Prime Minister was out of the country to facilitate an international peacekeeping mission, gangs led a massive jailbreak, releasing nearly 4,000 prisoners 15,000 Haitians have been forced to flee their homes. Almost half of the population is facing a food insecurity crisis. And this is within a very short distance of the United States of America. Thousands have been murdered, hundreds kidnapped. According to U.N. officials, gangs have used collective rapes to instill fear, punish, subjugate, and inflict pain. prgtoken We are on the verge of having a failed state roughly 800 miles from our shores. prgtoken Secretary Blinken was in Kingston this week to help broker a political agreement with other partners in the region--an agreement for a political path forward that includes the creation of a transitional Presidential council following the resignation of the Prime Minister. prgtoken I am pleased that we are finally voting on Ambassador Hankins' nomination so he can start doing the job he was nominated for, but it has taken us way too long to get to this point. I am pleased that we are voting on his nomination. It should have been done well before now. prgtoken I mentioned this week my meeting with General Richardson, our SOUTHCOM commander, as to how critical it is in our hemisphere and around the world to have confirmed Ambassadors to speak on behalf of America. prgtoken We want to have a strong voice on what is happening in Haiti, but how can we have that if we don't take advantage of having a confirmed Ambassador? I am glad we are correcting that today. This nomination has been held up for reasons that have nothing to do with Haiti and nothing to do with the qualifications or experience of the nominee. prgtoken U.S. leadership matters, especially in a country so close to our border. We need Senate-confirmed Ambassadors on the ground who can work with Haitian leaders and diplomats in the region to lay the groundwork for a transitional unity government. prgtoken We need someone who understands the depths of the humanitarian suffering, which, if not addressed, will lead to thousands of Haitians seeking refuge at our southern border. prgtoken Most importantly, we need someone who can help coordinate once the Kenyan-led Multinational Security Support Mission is in place, which will be critical to restoring security. We need that multinational security force in place, but we need our voice to make sure they can be successful. prgtoken In Haiti--in this region and through
Israel (Executive Session)
Chris Van Hollen (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2024-3-14

. After all, so long as Hamas was in control in Gaza, how could anyone ask Israel to accept a Palestinian State that included Gaza and the West Bank? It is a fair question. prgtoken So what are some of the ways in which Prime Minister Netanyahu has enabled Hamas to maintain its control in Gaza? Well, another thing we have heard a lot about around here is the money from Qatar that went to Hamas. It is well established that every penny of that money flowed from Qatar to Hamas with the concurrence of Prime Minister Netanyahu and Israel. That has been the testimony of witnesses in both the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee. It has also been well documented in numerous news sources. prgtoken , I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record a CNN article entitled ``Qatar sends millions to Gaza for years--with Israel's backing.''
HONORING ROBERT FOSTER
Bill Pascrell, Jr. (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2024-3-15

I rise today to recognize a constituent who has dedicated decades of service to our community through his commitment to the Boys & Girls Club of Clifton, Mr. Robert Foster. For forty-seven years, Robert played an integral role, shaping the lives of countless young people in our district. ``Mr. Bob'', as he is affectionately referred to, announced his retirement in December of 2023 after serving as Executive Director for seventeen years. The Boys and Girls Club of Clifton is right to honor his legacy at their Annual Great Futures Gala. prgtoken Mr. Foster's involvement with the Boys & Girls Club began at the age of five when he followed his older brothers to the Club in Kingston, New York. Inspired and grateful for the coaching, mentoring, and encouragement he received, Mr. Foster knew from a young age that he would continue his participation by pursuing a career in the Boys & Girls Club of America (BGCA). prgtoken After obtaining a Bachelor of Science from Springfield College, Mr. Foster started his career in the Boys & Girls Club of Clifton. He served as the first full-time Social Recreation/Team Director. During this time, Mr. Foster fulfilled diverse roles such as Swim Instructor, Coach, Program Director, Operations Director, and Assistant Executive Director. By 2006, Mr. Foster earned his Masters of Human Resource Development at Clemson University and was appointed as Executive Director at the Boys & Girls Club of Clifton. His work for the Boys & Girls Club expanded beyond Clifton serving as the Acting Director of the City of Garfield from 2007 to 2009 as well as the Treasurer and member of the Executive Board of the Boys & Girls Club of New Jersey. prgtoken As Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Club of Clifton, Mr. Foster's leadership contributed to the Club's growth ultimately accumulating 5,400 registered members. He collaborated with the Board of Trustees to manage an operational budget of $6.4 million which accounted for 28 full-time and 175 part-time staff members, all program operations, and the appointment of a new chief executive officer. During his tenure, Mr. Foster partnered with the Clifton Board of Education to establish the Minds in Motion, 21st Century Grant for Schools No. 4, No. 12, and No. 17. Mr. Foster embodied the values of service over self and effectively empowered our youth by fostering their personal and academic growth. prgtoken Outside of the Boys & Girls Club, Mr. Foster's community service throughout the years includes his involvement in Clifton's Interagency Council, the Passaic County Workforce Development Council, Clifton Optimist Club, Rotary Club of Clifton, and his work as a Commissioner with the Clifton Board of Recreation. prgtoken , I ask that you join our colleagues, Mr. Foster's family, friends, and all those whose lives he has touched in recognizing Robert Foster for his dedication and contributions to his community and the State of New Jersey. May his w
CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF THE TRI-VALLEY NONPROFIT ALLIANCE
Eric Swalwell (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2024-3-15

I rise to recognize the Tri-Valley Nonprofit Alliance on a decade of uplifting and supporting Tri-Valley nonprofit organizations, as they celebrated their ten-year anniversary on Thursday, March 14, 2024. prgtoken Founded in Livermore 2014 by Kathy Young and Mony Nop, the Tri-Valley Nonprofit Alliance has fostered support for its growing network of over 300 community-based nonprofit organizations through education, collaboration, and financial support. The Tri-Valley Nonprofit Alliance offers educational workshops, industry-related seminars, workforce development programming, and access to a supportive professional network through their monthly meetings and networking events. To date, the Tri-Valley Nonprofit Alliance has offered over 100 educational workshops specifically for nonprofit organizations. prgtoken The Tri-Valley Nonprofit Alliance provides financial support through its Tri-Valley Nonprofit Fund, which has given over $380,000 in grants to more than 40 nonprofits. This financial support is crucial to help organizations carry out diverse programs to help those in need. prgtoken In June 2022, the Tri-Valley Nonprofit Alliance opened the CommonPoint Nonprofit Center in Downtown Livermore, offering physical workspaces and offices for over 20 growing organizations and consultants. prgtoken The Anti-Poverty Collaborative is another Tri-Valley Nonprofit Alliance-led initiative, and yet another example of their innovative thinking and solutions. It seeks to eradicate poverty by bringing together leaders from nonprofit organizations, faith organizations, and elected officials to create innovative policies and solutions to create systems-level change. prgtoken With mindful guidance and leadership, Tri-Valley Nonprofit Alliance has become a force for good in my district. They have fostered a safe space for nonprofits, big and small, to collaborate and grow. I appreciate their work and wish them many more years of success.
PROTECTING AMERICANS FROM FOREIGN ADVERSARY CONTROLLED APPLICATIONS ACT
Zoe Lofgren (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2024-3-15

my intended vote against H.R. 7521 must not imply I do not have concerns about cybersecurity in the U.S. but, rather, that I have concerns regarding this specific bill. prgtoken This bill's narrow focus on TikTok (which seems well-intentioned by my colleagues) overlooks the expansive landscape of U.S. cybersecurity threats. Adversaries like China unfortunately possess a multitude of channels through which they can harvest Americans' sensitive personal information. Banning a single app does not come close to adequately safeguarding our country's cyber landscape. Congress should enact a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy that fully addresses how our digital infrastructure can be compromised. Additionally, there is an urgent need for digital privacy protections. Rep. Anna Eshoo and I introduced the Online Privacy Act that would provide far more robust digital protections for Americans than those in this bill that could result in the American ban of TikTok. prgtoken Relatedly, the one-off focus on TikTok for potential algorithm manipulation is imbalanced, as the actions cited are widespread practices across the social media landscape. It is not wise to single out one platform for an industry-wide problem. The support for this bill in the House suggests a need for a more equitable and holistic approach to social media regulation. prgtoken If there are genuine national security concerns from my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, I also question why House leadership brought this bill to the Floor before having us vote for urgently needed Ukraine aid. Smart national security policy must include not only the cyber realm, but also strong democratic international alliances. prgtoken Compounding these strategic concerns are possible First Amendment violations. There have been various legal challenges to similar state- level legislation, and this bill could infringe upon free speech rights. There must be a delicate balance struck between ensuring security and preserving Americans' fundamental freedoms. I would have preferred having more time to debate, scrutinize, and amend this bill before voting on it. I hope the Senate process varies from that in the House before this bill becomes law.