mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Gary C. Peters (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2024-6-5

we are living through a new era in a fight for reproductive freedom. prgtoken This month marks 2 years since the extreme conservative majority on the Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade. This decision, which was enabled by and my colleagues, has been an absolute disaster for our country. prgtoken lawmakers have stripped abortion access from millions of women. They have made clear that they won't stop until they get a national abortion ban. This is all part of an extreme agenda that will go even further--a mission to take away basic freedoms for women all across our country. prgtoken We have to step up and protect reproductive health now. Contraception could be the next frontier in that fight. prgtoken Governors in Virginia and Nevada have vetoed bills to protect access to birth control. The Arizona legislature has blocked similar legislation. That is why I am proud to be a cosponsor of the Right to Contraception Act. prgtoken This legislation is very simple. It guarantees every single American the right to access contraception and ensures that healthcare professionals can provide it without interference from extreme politicians. prgtoken Birth control is a pillar of reproductive health care. It is safe. It is effective. It gives millions of women control over when they want to start a family. And some contraceptives have an array of other health benefits, like helping to prevent certain kinds of cancer. prgtoken Birth control also helps expand economic opportunity for women all across our country. Access to birth control is linked to better educational outcomes, more professional opportunities, and higher lifetime earnings. prgtoken For all those reasons, access to contraception is an issue with overwhelming bipartisan support. More than 90 percent--90 percent--of Americans believe that everyone should be able to access the contraceptives they need. prgtoken We must take every measure to prevent dangerous bans on birth control, especially because barriers and access disproportionately impact our most vulnerable communities. Black, Hispanic, low-income, and uninsured women are more likely to have issues accessing and affording contraception. Every person should be able to receive this essential care and have the freedom to plan for their future however they see fit. prgtoken I call on my colleagues to vote in favor of the Right to Contraception Act. s are bent on taking away reproductive freedoms for women everywhere, and we need to stop them from turning back the clock. prgtoken We should also not stop at contraception. We must work to expand access to all sexual and reproductive health services. That means abortion, contraception, gender-affirming care, maternal healthcare, and so much more. prgtoken Starting a family is one of the most important--and, clearly, one of the most personal--decisions that a person can make. And politic
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Mazie K. Hirono (Democrat, HI) \u2014 2024-6-5

I rise today in proud support of the Right to Contraception Act, straightforward legislation that would protect individuals' right to access contraception and providers' right to provide it. prgtoken Our bill wouldn't force anyone to take or provide contraception if they don't want to, but it would help ensure that those who do can without the government getting in their way. prgtoken As s continue their assault on our fundamental reproductive rights, this bill is critical to safeguard the right of all Americans to access contraception. prgtoken I look forward to saying more about this important legislation later on, but first I am glad to be joined by many of my ic colleagues who will come to the floor to speak on this bill. They know how vital it is that we protect the right to contraception, starting with my colleague from Massachusetts, my partner on this bill, Senator Markey.
VOTE EXPLANATION
Richard Blumenthal (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2024-6-5

on June 3, 2024, I was unable to cast a vote on rollcall vote No. 183, the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Christopher T. Hanson, of Michigan, to be a Member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for the term of five years expiring June 30, 2029. prgtoken Had I been present, I would have voted yes to proceed with his nomination as a member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, VETERANS AFFAIRS, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2025
Debbie Wasserman Schultz (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2024-6-5

. Mr. Chair, I think if you take a look at the expenditures made by many Members of Congress in our offices, you would see that we responsibly use some of our funding to provide bonuses for the service of our own employees. That happens all across the Federal Government, just like it does across the private sector. It happens a lot less significantly understandably because public service is a noble profession, one that people choose to engage in; however, we want to make sure that we attract top talent to public service. prgtoken Eliminating the ability for the entire VA to provide that kind of merit-based bonus is irresponsible, and it will make it less likely that we have the top-quality talent willing to make the sacrifice to come and serve our veterans at the VA. prgtoken Why would we do that? That makes no sense. This was an error. It is being corrected. It is almost completely corrected. Unfortunately, the gentleman from Florida and the sponsor of this amendment are going way too far and hurting our ability to make sure that we can take care of our veterans with the top talent that they deserve. prgtoken Mr. Chair, .
WE MUST PROTECT OUR PRECIOUS WATERS
Melanie A. Stansbury (Democrat, NM) \u2014 2024-6-5

in New Mexico, we say water is life. prgtoken Yet, 1 year ago this week, the United States Supreme Court handed down a 5-4 Sackett decision that gutted the Clean Water Act. prgtoken This decision shocked the Nation, defied science, hydrology, and even common sense, upending years of precedent and going even farther than the last administration in undermining the Clean Water Act. prgtoken In the process, it left over 90 percent of New Mexico's waters vulnerable, but as New Mexicans, we always rise to the occasion, which is why I am proud of our State's efforts to create a new surface water program and the funding that I helped to secure through the process. To get it done, we are going to need the support of our communities, of the State legislature, and our Federal agencies. Here in Congress, we have to continue to fight to protect the Clean Water Act because our precious waters can't wait. The time to act is now.
MISSING CHILDREN'S ASSISTANCE REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2023
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2024-6-5

. I ask the Chair lay before the body the House message to accompany S. 2051. prgtoken The Presiding Officer laid before the Senate the following message from the House of Representatives: Resolved, That the bill from the Senate (S. 2051) entitled ``An Act to reauthorize the Missing Children's Assistance Act, and for other purposes.'', do pass with an amendment. Motion to Concur
Right to Contraception Act (Executive Session)
Jacky Rosen (Democrat, NV) \u2014 2024-6-5

the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade, it was a wake-up call for all Americans. It demonstrated that a fundamental right, the right of women to make decisions over their own bodies, could be taken away in the blink of an eye--the blink of an eye--by anti-choice extremists. prgtoken And since that decision nearly 2 years ago, we have seen countless attacks on women's reproductive freedoms across our Nation. We are seeing anti-choice States enact rigid abortion bans without exceptions for rape or incest. States that are forcing--forcing--emergency room doctors to call their lawyers before treating women who are going through a miscarriage, one of the most awful days of their lives. States like Alabama, they have even threatened IVF. prgtoken These restrictive attacks are meant to control what women can and can't do with their bodies. I am going to repeat that. These restrictive attacks are meant to control women, what they can and can't do with their bodies. They are meant to dictate to women their family planning decisions, and they want to put extreme politicians between women and their doctors. prgtoken The last 2 years have made it crystal clear: We cannot--we cannot-- rely on the Supreme Court alone to protect our access to care. We know overturning Roe was just the beginning. If extreme anti-choice politicians and activists, well, if they have their way, access to birth control is next. prgtoken Contraception has been safely used by millions of women for decades. It has allowed women to take control over their own bodies, to decide when they want to start a family, how many kids they want to have, who they want to start a family with. And for these very same reasons, the right to contraception has been a target of anti-choice extremists for years. prgtoken So let me be clear: Overturning the right to contraception would be catastrophic in a post-Roe world. It would mean that women in States with the most restrictive abortions bans would have zero ability--zero ability--at all to make any decisions over their own bodies. They would have no ability to prevent an unplanned pregnancy or get the care they need. Women would have zero ability to get the care they need or prevent a pregnancy. prgtoken And this isn't just hypothetical. The Supreme Court has clearly demonstrated that it will not hesitate--they will not hesitate--to reverse landmark decisions and take away women's reproductive freedoms. prgtoken That is why my colleagues and I introduced the Right to Contraception Act, to codify women's constitutional right to make family planning decisions. prgtoken And this bill will do exactly what is in the name. It will just guarantee the right for women to access and to use birth control. It will guarantee the right for women to have access to contraception. prgtoken Later today, we are going to have an opportunity to pass this important legislation. And I urge everyone in this Chamber to allow t
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Debbie Stabenow (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2024-6-5

I rise at a very serious moment in our history. I want to thank Senator Hirono, Senator Markey, all of our colleagues, for joining together in really--not only speaking out but standing up for women across the country, for families, for everyone who wants the capacity to have their own freedom to make their own healthcare decision, their own personal decisions about their lives. That is really what this is all about. prgtoken Let me first back up in the big picture because we know for 50 years, Roe v. Wade protected our freedom to make our own healthcare decisions. Then 2 years ago, because of a new Supreme Court majority appointed by --gone. prgtoken I was a college student when Roe v. Wade was decided. I can't believe that women today--that my daughter; that my granddaughter, as she grows up--may have fewer freedoms than I did all those years ago. prgtoken Today, 21 States now have near-total bans or severe restrictions on abortions. That means one out of three women now live under extreme and dangerous abortion bans. prgtoken And we know who to blame because he said it. --MAGA s--he said himself: I was proudly the person responsible for ending Roe, proud to put the lives of millions of women at risk, proud to take this freedom away. prgtoken And if you think and s are going to stop there, then you haven't been listening to them. prgtoken First, their ultimate goal is to have a nationwide ban. Under a nationwide ban, all of Michigan's hard work--our election to protect our freedoms in the Michigan Constitution that we passed 2 years ago-- will be gone. None of that will matter, and we can't let that happen. prgtoken But as we are here talking about today, s have indicated they want to go even further in their assault on reproductive freedoms. Rightwing judges and s across the country are attacking access to contraception. prgtoken I never thought, , in my wildest dreams that I would be standing on the floor of the U.S. Senate talking about efforts to take away my right, your right, any woman's right, any person's right to make their own decision on when to have a family, on contraception. But right now, in States like Virginia--not very far from here--Nevada, and Arizona, s are working to block protections for birth control right now. prgtoken Justice Clarence Thomas, as has been quoted on this floor today, has called on the Supreme Court to reconsider the constitutional freedom to access contraception in America. prgtoken Let's be clear: Birth control is a key part of a woman's healthcare. It is important for reproductive decisions, for treating medical conditions, for decreasing the risk of cancer, and, most importantly, it is a personal decision. prgtoken This is a personal decision. Americans don't want politicians-- anybody here--or judges and their doctor's office in their medicine cabinet or
ISRAEL
Peter Welch (Democrat, VT) \u2014 2024-6-5

last Friday, President announced the elements of a proposed plan for a permanent cease-fire in Gaza. If accepted by both Israel and Hamas, the plan would prevent many more months of death and destruction, it would save countless lives, free the hostages, and offer a way forward to lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians. prgtoken In order for the plan to succeed, the President will need to use the leverage that only he has as President, that leverage with Israel, with Egypt, Qatar, Jordan, and others. prgtoken I believe it will also require a very decisive change in our own policy. After 8 months of relentless bombing and shelling, the United States should stop--should stop--supporting a war strategy that has not only caused massive death and destruction but has failed to achieve either of Prime Minister Netanyahu's key objectives: total victory over Hamas and release of the remaining hostages. prgtoken Instead, 8 months into this war, Gaza is in ruins, tens of thousands of Palestinians have been killed and many more have been injured, including thousands of women and children. Some 100 hostages remain trapped underground. They are subjected to daily abuse by their captors while bombs explode above them with no idea if they will live to see the light of day. prgtoken And on May 26, Israeli Defense Forces--using munitions provided by the United States--attacked a camp of displaced Palestinians in Rafah, where the Israeli military had ordered them to relocate to avoid bombing in the north. The attack incinerated 45 people and injured many more. Mr. Netanyahu called it a tragic mistake. In reality, it was the gruesome result of an ill-conceived, scorched-earth campaign that has gone on for far too long. prgtoken For years, Mr. Netanyahu used Hamas as an asset in his very cynical strategy to ensure the Palestinian Authority could not become an effective partner for peace. He steadily expanded Israeli settlements, roads, and other infrastructure in the West Bank to create conditions on the ground to undermine the viability of a Palestinian State. prgtoken His policies fueled hatred and violence among Israelis and Palestinians. Yet throughout those years, the United States has supported his government unconditionally. prgtoken The Israeli and Palestinian people are now paying the price for these failed policies. Today, over a million Palestinians in Gaza are suffering from acute hunger. Children are starving. The wounded are dying from lack of medical care. Children with life-threatening injuries cannot leave Gaza to obtain the surgery that they need in other countries. Hundreds of trucks carrying food, medicines, and other aid have been stalled in Egypt. And the sea pier constructed by our Department of Defense, using hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars, is in pieces. prgtoken Despite intensifying criticism around the world, Mr. Netanyahu has responded to his many critics--includin
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Patty Murray (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2024-6-5

I want to thank all of my colleagues who are here on the floor and thank Senator Hirono, who has led this legislation, along with Senator Markey. prgtoken As you just heard, today, every Senator is going to be confronted with a very simple question: Should Americans have the right to contraception, the right to birth control--IUDs? Plan B? prgtoken Now, that really should not be a hard question. In fact, most Americans thought this matter was settled. After all, nearly 60 years ago, the Supreme Court decided Griswold v. Connecticut and affirmed Americans' right to privacy, including the right to contraception. prgtoken Today, the right to contraception is overwhelmingly popular. The vast majority of the American people, our constituents, supports this right. So this should be an easy vote. This bill should pass with flying colors. It almost shouldn't be necessary. Yet s have been making clear that a bill like this is not only necessary but urgent. prgtoken Not only has Justice Thomas signaled an interest in reconsidering Griswold and not only have Senators said Griswold was unsound, but there are bills right now with large GOP support that would severely undercut the right to birth control, like the Life at Conception Act, which is supported by more than half of the s in the House, including the . That GOP bill would enshrine the truly extreme doctrine of fetal personhood nationwide. That would not just ban abortion, it would outlaw emergency contraception like Plan B, and it would outlaw IUDs. prgtoken You don't have to take my word for it. I chaired a HELP hearing yesterday on the damage of s' anti-abortion attacks over the past 2 years, and I asked the s' own witness directly: Do you view IUDs as abortion? The answer was yes. prgtoken Let's be crystal clear. IUDs and Plan B do not cause an abortion. That level of disinformation is chilling, and it cuts to the heart of the issue about what many s really think about contraception. prgtoken So every time s try to say no one is coming for your birth control, well, what about every pushing for fetal personhood? Seriously. Let's say s succeed in making fetal personhood the law of the land. I mean, they have already succeeded at overturning Roe. So if s enact fetal personhood, what happens to all of the women with IUDs? Make no mistake, that isn't simply some provocative hypothetical. If s actually pass the Life at Conception Act, this is a question millions of women will have to grapple with. prgtoken Now, I don't expect an answer from s, and I don't expect every to be as forthcoming as their witness yesterday when it comes to where they stand on the right to birth control, but we are putting every single Senator on the record today when we vote on the Right to Contraception Act. prgtoken This bill is as exactly straigh
IN HONOR OF SAMANTHA KELEHER BURSUM
Gabe Vasquez (Democrat, NM) \u2014 2024-6-5

I rise today to honor Samantha Keleher Bursum, who died tragically in an automobile accident on March 1. prgtoken If you met Samantha, you would know that she was extraordinary. Sam was clever, vivacious, and kind. She moved with energy, purpose, and a little bounce. She spoke with insight, clarity, and an uncanny confidence. prgtoken At 14 years old, Sam had remarkable promise. She was first in her class, fluent in three languages, a dedicated volleyball player, active in numerous clubs, and founder of the mock trial club. More importantly, Sam was a good person of great faith who brought light to any situation. prgtoken Sam's good energy, light, and purpose spreads throughout her community. Her friends and family, including her sister, Katherine, and her mother, Lori, who are here with us today, feel comfort and delight in the echo of Sam's wild and joyful laughter.
WE WERE NOT BETTER OFF
Hakeem S. Jeffries (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2024-6-5

it has come to my attention that a so- called leader has made the factually inaccurate statement that Black folks were better off during Jim Crow. That is an outlandish, outrageous, and out-of-pocket observation. prgtoken We were not better off when a young boy named Emmett Till could be brutally murdered without consequence because of Jim Crow. We were not better off when Black women could be sexually assaulted without consequence because of Jim Crow. We were not better off when people could be systematically lynched without consequence because of Jim Crow. We were not better off when children could be denied a high- quality education without consequence because of Jim Crow. We were not better off when people could be denied the right to vote without consequence because of Jim Crow. prgtoken How dare you make such an ignorant observation. You better check yourself before you wreck yourself.
HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF RICHARD NELLER
Marcy Kaptur (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2024-6-5

I rise today to honor the remarkable life and legacy of Richard Neller, affectionately known as Rico, who passed away recently. prgtoken Rico's life was a living testament to dedication, passion, and community service. After choosing Toledo, Ohio, as his home, his commitment to education shown through. prgtoken He began his career as a high school teacher in Toledo Public Schools, but his journey didn't stop there. He then pursued a law degree from the University of Toledo and became a highly respected criminal defense attorney, but his true passion was journalism, pursuing truth. prgtoken That passion led him to found LaPrensa Newspaper in 1989, and he became the vital voice for Toledo, Ohio's Latino community. He also established numerous scholarship funds and awards, enriching our cultural landscape and providing opportunities for so many. His contributions extended far beyond his professional life. prgtoken Richard's love for his family was paramount, and he is survived by his children and numerous grandchildren, who carry forward his legacy of learning, seeking truth, and generous philanthropy. prgtoken Today, we celebrate Richard's life as a true beacon of America's creative spirit and generosity. Rico's life inspires us all.
COMMEMORATING THE 80TH ANNIVERSARY OF D-DAY
Ilhan Omar (Democrat, MN) \u2014 2024-6-5

I rise today to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day and remember the thousands of lives lost on the beaches of Normandy. prgtoken D-Day will forever live on in our history, and we will never forget the brave servicemen we lost that day. prgtoken I also want to take a moment to highlight the service of my husband's grandfather, Douglas Brown, a World War II marine and Navy veteran who served in the Pacific Islands; Harold W. Mynett, a World War II Navy veteran; as well as my father-in-law, Tom Mynett, a Navy veteran; and his older brother, Harold J. Mynett, Naval Academy graduate and someone who served as a lieutenant commander during the Vietnam War. prgtoken The stories they passed down have been incredibly harrowing. We honor the veterans who returned with visible and invisible scars for their service to our country. prgtoken I will keep fighting to ensure survivors of D-Day, World War II, and all of our veterans are given the resources they rightfully deserve. As we reflect on the past 80 years since D-Day, may we always remember their bravery, courage, and dedication to our country.