mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
AMENDING THE PERMANENT ELECTRONIC DUCK STAMP ACT OF 2013--Motion to Proceed--Continued
Joni Ernst (Republican, IA) \u2014 2024-1-17

these are the faces of the six Americans who have been at the mercy of Iran-backed Hamas for over 100 days. They are brothers, sons, husbands, fathers, and grandfathers. They range in age from 18 to 62. prgtoken Their families have been sick with worry. They have been sick with fear day after day, not knowing whether their loved ones are even alive. As they cry out for answers and action, the families have yet once again returned to Congress, looking for hope and looking for leadership. These requests should not go unanswered. prgtoken During Hamas's October 7 terrorist assault on Israel, I was in the Middle East leading a bicameral, bipartisan delegation to bring a message of peace and optimism for further normalization in the region. But Hamas shattered this dream for millions in the region and beyond. prgtoken We woke up to the terrible news on October 7, knowing that the world was altered and plans had changed. The delegation unanimously agreed that we needed to go into Israel immediately, as the first group on the ground to stand with our ally in the face of this devastation. prgtoken In Israel, we met with families in anguish after Hamas had taken our citizens--American citizens--hostage and had killed over 30 Americans in the initial assault. prgtoken Since then, I have remained in constant contact with these hostage families. I heard their calls on behalf of their loved ones: Bring them home. Bring them home now. prgtoken The response has only been words. Where is the action from this administration, and where is the outrage from our fellow Americans? prgtoken Still, over 100 days later, many do not know the status of their loved ones. That is why I returned with the same delegation from October, plus one, to the region at the beginning of this year--to build upon our work and press for the release of our American hostages; to tell the families and the heads of state in the region that the safe return of hostages is our No. 1 priority. prgtoken Back in Israel, we saw firsthand the impact of Hamas's brutality at kibbutz Nir Oz, a place that, pre-October 7, could have been described as an oasis in the desert, a gentle farming community of peace-loving people. We were guided through the wreckage by a gentleman who called this kibbutz home and whose own son is an American being held hostage. In this community of peace lovers, Hamas burned homes, they terrorized children, they killed the innocent, put bullets into bedrooms, and violated the very foundation of peace that the kibbutz stood for. prgtoken Armed with heart-wrenching stories from each of the hostage families, our delegation traveled to Egypt, Qatar, and Bahrain. Our message was clear: Bring Americans home. This was the message I delivered to the senior leaders and hostage negotiators in each of those countries. It is a message backed by the entire bicameral, bipartisan delegation. We pressed our partners in the region to bring Hamas ba
ASSESSING IMPACT OF MEDICARE CUTS
Michael C. Burgess (Republican, TX) \u2014 2024-1-17

I thank Mr. Murphy for bringing us together tonight. I am here tonight not just because I am a Member of Congress from the 26th Congressional District, but I am also a doc. I practiced for 25 years back home. I am a Medicare patient. I know firsthand how hard it can be to find a doctor that still accepts Medicare. prgtoken I will tell you, there is nothing more injurious to our medical system here in this country than the repetitive cuts that this administration has delivered to the doctors of this country. prgtoken In November, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services finalized a 3.5 percent cut in physician payments for this year, 2024, a decision that took place on January 1 of this year, a blow to the very backbone of our healthcare. prgtoken As a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, we had an actual historic event last month. We marked up a doc fix and a budget neutrality bill. prgtoken The GOP Doctors Caucus and the Energy and Commerce Committee took action to address the challenges by passing H.R. 6545, which was the Physician Fee Schedule Update and Improvements Act. That bill includes a conversion factor update as well as provisions prgtoken from H.R. 6371, the Provider Reimbursement Stability Act, also led by the GOP Doctors Caucus. prgtoken These provisions make needed changes to the budget neutrality requirement, allowing for long-term sustainability within the physician fee schedule. These are significant steps, and the urgency cannot be overstated. prgtoken On January 1, those lower rates went into effect. CMS has said they are going to hold payments until Congress acts, but if we don't act pretty darn quick, they will have to remit at the lower level. The doctors can never go back and recoup the money that they should have been paid. prgtoken This is a crisis that is not necessary. We can fix this. We can fix this in the CR. Unfortunately, congressional , the minority leader on the House side, and the Finance Committee chairman on the Senate side are blocking this very simple fix from occurring. It is wrong. It needs to change. prgtoken , I thank the gentleman for holding this Special Order hour.
CHOOSING LIFE
Adrian Smith (Republican, NE) \u2014 2024-1-17

, Mr. Moore of Utah, for his efforts here today and certainly to all of my colleagues for having an exchange and conversation that I think is vital for our country. prgtoken It is important that we always examine what is taking place across America, what is appropriate for the Federal Government to do, not to do, and how best to do what is good for the American people within certainly the Constitution and its parameters. prgtoken There is a program called Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, TANF. Many caseworkers across America are familiar with TANF, and beneficiaries are, as well. prgtoken As far as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, it has come about that the administration is excluding various women in need of care for their pregnancy if they seek care or conversations within the delivery method of a pregnancy center. I find this disturbing. prgtoken I have been inspired, actually, by the work that these pregnancy centers do in meeting the needs of women. If a woman finds herself in a crisis pregnancy, if they present information and they ultimately offer care and a friendship, if you will, to a person in need to make decisions in their interests, certainly the interests of a little one, then the administration excludes this care. prgtoken I think it is important to note that it is one thing to be pro-life and it is quite another to make sure that a child is cared for and receives what they need for nourishment and care, hopefully with the mother and hopefully, with the father, as well. prgtoken As we sort out all of these policies that we see coming and going here through this institution and through Congress in general, I think it is vital that we certainly uphold the purposes of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families in making sure that those in need receive the resources that they need and that they would select. prgtoken I would say that the administration's policies of excluding pregnancy centers is actually restricting a young mother, a prospective mother, from information and approaches that they would prefer to have. prgtoken So as we look at all of TANF and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, I hope that given the fact that we allow States much latitude in carrying out what they think they need to do with these tax dollars that flow through the Federal Government but ultimately from taxpayers, I think it is absolutely incumbent upon us to make sure that those dollars end up where they need to go and can be expected to make a positive difference. prgtoken This is a very reasonable proposition. prgtoken As a Federal policymaker, as these dollars flow out across America, I believe that we would expect those dollars to be wisely spent. prgtoken For the critics of pregnancy centers, I urge all of them to visit a pregnancy center themselves. These pregnancy centers exist all across America in communities small and large. I have been very impressed hearing from the client
AMENDING THE PERMANENT ELECTRONIC DUCK STAMP ACT OF 2013--Motion to Proceed--Continued
Pete Ricketts (Republican, NE) \u2014 2024-1-17

over the last week, my home State of Nebraska has been hit by bitter winter storms. We have had subzero temperatures, snow, and high winds that have closed many roads across the State of Nebraska. prgtoken As always, in times like these, Nebraskans step up to help. I want to thank all of our first responders, whether they were snowplow drivers, law enforcement, firefighters, EMTs, other emergency personnel--all the folks who demonstrated their grit and service this last week to be able to help people out. And I especially want to thank Nebraska State Patrol for the over 1,400 drivers they assisted during this crippling winter weather. prgtoken Hospitals saw a number of frostbite injuries. Our farmers and ranchers continued to work to ensure our food supply here at home. prgtoken I want to thank my Federal delegation as well and will work with them to provide any support that is needed. I appreciate that Governor Jim Pillen declared a state of emergency and will also assist with any Federal assistance that may be needed for this emergency. As we recover from these storms, I stand ready to work with my colleagues. prgtoken It is also an opportunity for us to be able to think about how government can do better. Many times a storm like this will create situations where we need to tease out what we should do better for the next time. However, in this case, one of the lessons has become clear right away. prgtoken As we all know, the EPA has a mandate that they want all new cars and trucks sold by the year 2032--I shouldn't say all; two-thirds of all cars and trucks sold by the year 2032--to be electric vehicles. This weekend we saw why this is just a dumb idea. These EV mandates are burdensome and do not work in places like the upper Midwest, where we can see these bitter cold temperatures. We saw that EVs don't work well when the temperature drops so precipitously. It turns out they are just not reliable when the weather turns this cold. prgtoken FOX 32 in Chicago has a story which I am going to quote from here. They reported that ``public charging stations have turned into car graveyards over the past couple of days.'' prgtoken The story goes on to describe ``dozens of [EV] owners trying desperately to power up their cars at the . . . supercharging station in Oak Brook. It was a scene mirrored with long lines and abandoned cars at scores of other charging stations around the Chicago area.'' prgtoken Also in the story there was a driver who referred to all these stalled electric vehicles as ``dead robots.'' ``Car graveyards'' and ``dead robots''--is that the future we want? I don't think so. prgtoken And this happened in Chicago, where there are a lot of EV charging stations. What about my home State of Nebraska, where we don't have as many? prgtoken President 's own Department of Energy map shows no EV chargers on a 244-mile stretch of highway from Broken Bow to Scotts Bluff. There is not a charg
HONORING AND RECOGNIZING MONTANA STATE TROOPER LEWIS JOHNSON
Matthew M. Rosendale, Sr. (Republican, MT) \u2014 2024-1-17

I rise today to recognize the heroic actions of Montana Highway Patrol Trooper, Mr. Lewis Johnson. Through his time serving the Treasure State, Trooper Johnson has demonstrated extraordinary courage and resilience despite enduring life-threatening challenges. prgtoken Born in 1987, Trooper Johnson grew up in Chester, Montana. After graduating from The Montana Law Enforcement Academy in 2014, Trooper Johnson and his wife Kate chose to dedicate their lives to protecting and serving the people of Montana as State Troopers. Both stationed in Eureka, Montana, Trooper Johnson is known by his community as a devoted husband, a loving father, and a friend to many. prgtoken Unfortunately, on February 16, 2023, Trooper Johnson was severely injured in a tragic accident involving a fleeing suspect. Trooper Johnson experienced numerous injuries, including a punctured lung, damaged liver, head injury, broken ribs, broken arm, broken leg, and severe spinal trauma. Despite sustaining severe life-threatening injuries, Trooper Johnson's remarkable endurance and unwavering support from his family and loved ones has led him down the path to recovery. After many months in the hospital, countless hours of rehabilitation, and medical treatments, Montana celebrates his successful recovery and his reunification with his wife, children, and community. prgtoken Trooper Johnson has demonstrated unwavering courage and continues to embody Montana values as he encourages and inspires Montanans and Americans across the country through his story. It is a privilege to recognize and honor Trooper Johnson's selfless commitment to protecting the people of Montana and his remarkable journey toward recovery today.
CALIFORNIANS DESERVE BETTER
Doug LaMalfa (Republican, CA) \u2014 2024-1-17

in my home State of California, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle there, the there, just know how to tax and spend other people's money. prgtoken Our State's massive $100 billion budget surplus was wasted on far- left priorities. Now, California is facing at least a $40 billion, maybe even a $68 billion budget deficit in the coming year. prgtoken Instead of reckoning with these massive overspendings, our Governor Newsom is dipping into the State's reserves while delaying some of these program rollouts instead of making the necessary cuts and reductions in Big Government. prgtoken Governor Newsom is claiming California is in a fiscal emergency, yet he is still planning on giving millions of illegal immigrants free healthcare, including sex-change operations. He is not even delaying that idea, as well. prgtoken Of course, this healthcare for illegals won't actually be free. The taxpayers will pay, as you know. California has the highest top income tax rate of any State, some of the highest taxes in the country overall. Our tax dollars certainly don't go toward any projects that benefit Californians, such as much-needed water storage or fixing more of our crumbling freeways. Instead, we see more blackouts, wildfires, crumbling infrastructure, and social breakdowns in our cities. We must do better.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
John Thune (Republican, SD) \u2014 2024-1-17

over the weekend, a reporter asked President if the situation at our southern border is a crisis. ``No,'' the President said. ``No.'' prgtoken Well, I would express surprise, but, unfortunately, failing to recognize crises is pretty much par for the course for President --see also his inflation crisis or his withdrawal from Afghanistan. prgtoken But the President's answer is still notable for the complete disconnection it shows from the reality at our southern border, and it demonstrates why it has become absolutely necessary for Congress to step in; because the situation at our southern border is, in fact, a crisis--a logistical crisis, a humanitarian crisis, and a national security crisis. prgtoken For the President's edification, I will just run through the numbers. We have had three recordbreaking years of illegal immigration at our southern border on President 's watch. Fiscal year 2021 saw a recordbreaking 1,734,686 migrant encounters at our southern border. Then fiscal year 2022 broke that record, and then fiscal year 2023 broke the 2022 record. If fiscal year 2024 continues on its current trajectory, we will end up breaking the record yet again. prgtoken December reportedly saw a staggering 302,000 migrant encounters at our southern border--the highest monthly number ever recorded--and I cannot emphasize enough just how large of a number that is. As my colleague from Pennsylvania said of September's border number, it is like having the city of Pittsburgh show up at the border in just 1 month. prgtoken American cities--blue cities now as well as border cities--are staggering under the influx of migrants. Major cities like Chicago and New York are running up big bills and have begged for more Federal money, and that is just to deal with a fraction of the number of migrants we saw cross the border in December alone. prgtoken But more than a logistical crisis--and, of course, a humanitarian crisis since migrants are exposed to significant dangers on their journeys to the border--this is a national security crisis. Our country cannot be secure while we have hundreds of thousands of individuals illegally flooding across our southern border every single month. The volume alone smooths the way for terrorists, criminals, and other dangerous individuals to enter our country--and there are dangerous individuals trying to enter our country. prgtoken In the first 2 months of fiscal year 2024, 30 individuals on the Terrorist Watchlist were apprehended attempting to cross our southern border; in other words, roughly, one every other day. Fiscal year 2023 saw 169 individuals on the Terrorist Watchlist apprehended at our southern border--a sharp increase over fiscal year 2022, which was itself a sharp increase over fiscal year 2021. That is a dangerous trajectory. prgtoken Of course, these numbers only refer to individuals the Border Patrol actually apprehended. Since October 1 alone, t
CHOOSING LIFE
Joe Wilson (Republican, SC) \u2014 2024-1-17

we all appreciate the great work and leadership of Congressman Moore of Utah, as he is conducting tonight's Special Order. prgtoken As the anniversary approaches for the 1973 infamous Supreme Court ruling Roe v. Wade, I was grateful to attend Proudly Pro-Life events at the South Carolina Statehouse in Columbia 2 weeks ago supporting mothers and children. prgtoken As part of that weekend, I joined South Carolina Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette, South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, State Senator Mike Reichenbach of Florence, and other State leaders for the 50th March for Life. The march began at Russell House on the University of South Carolina campus, and a rally began on the statehouse grounds. It was well attended by many supporters despite very cold weather. prgtoken Founded by South Carolina Citizens for Life in 1974, the group is a State affiliate of the National Right to Life Committee, the largest single issue right-to-life organization in the Nation. It exists solely to protect innocent human life from abortion, infanticide, assisted suicide, and euthanasia while supporting mother and child. prgtoken Courageous leaders in South Carolina are Holly Gatling, Lisa Van Riper, and Sally Zaleski. I am grateful that my eldest grandson, Addison Wilson III, several years ago participated in a National Right to Life March with classmates of the Holy Trinity Classical Christian School of Beaufort, South Carolina. prgtoken Through the legal and peaceful means of education, legislation, and political action, South Carolina Citizens for Life works to restore the right prgtoken to life of the preborn and to protect the lives of medically vulnerable individuals, including elderly, disabled, mentally ill, chronically ill, and terminally ill persons. prgtoken After the U.S. Supreme Court correctly overturned Roe v. Wade, State legislatures have become the determiners of abortion access. South Carolina, with strong bipartisan support in the General Assembly, is a right-to-life State. Additionally, South Carolina is upholding the State's ban on abortion after a fetal heartbeat is detected, as interpreted by the South Carolina Supreme Court. prgtoken South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, in a statement, welcomed the decision saying: ``The right to life is foremost and absolutely must be protected and prioritized.'' prgtoken This law protects life by prohibiting abortions after a fetal heartbeat has been detected with exceptions for rape or incest during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, medical emergencies, or fatal fetal anomalies. prgtoken Upon signing the bill into law, Governor Henry McMaster said: ``This is a great day for life in South Carolina, but the fight is not over. We stand ready to defend this legislation against all challenges and are confident we will succeed. The right to life must be preserved, and we will do everything we can to protect it.'' prgtoken It is sad that has abandoned his pro-
CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF HOBART MANLY, JR.
Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (Republican, GA) \u2014 2024-1-17

I rise today to celebrate the life of Hobart Manly, Jr a veteran of the National Guard and an avid golfer. prgtoken Hobart was raised in Savannah and excelled in multiple sports in high school before going on to attend the University of Georgia. He is perhaps best known for his career as an amateur golfer. He competed in three British amateurs, two French amateurs, and the Canadian Open. Hobart has also won the North-South Championship located in Pinehurst, North Carolina. prgtoken In 1969, Hobart was inducted into the Savannah Athletic Hall of Fame, and 22 years later, he was inducted into the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame. prgtoken Hobart lived on Isle of Hope outside of Savannah with his wife, Marilyn, of 67 years. Hobart's competitive spirit and love for sport is something I find incredibly admirable and strive to implement in my own life every day. prgtoken My thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Manly family during this difficult time. Recognition of EMT Rosemary Mitts