mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
Introductory Statement on S. 4203
Susan M. Collins (Republican, ME) \u2014 2022-5-12

I rise today to introduce two bills aimed at continuing the important progress we have made so far to prevent and effectively treat Alzheimer's disease. I know how devastating this disease is. My father, grandfather, and two uncles all died from Alzheimer's. I am committed to this effort both as a person whose beloved family members have suffered from this disease as well as a Senator concerned about the impact on our families and our healthcare budgets. prgtoken When I founded the Congressional Alzheimer's Task Force in the Senate in 1999, there was virtually no focus on Alzheimer's in Washington. Twelve years ago, I coauthored the bipartisan National Alzheimer's Project Act with my colleague Senator Evan Bayh. Before we passed that legislation, there was no coordinated, strategic national plan to focus our efforts to defeat Alzheimer's and ensure that our resources are maximized and leveraged. NAPA prgtoken fixed this by convening a panel of experts to create a coordinated strategic national plan to prevent and effectively treat Alzheimer's disease by 2025. The expert council updates the plan annually. prgtoken We have made some progress in our efforts to find a treatment, means of prevention, or cure, but Alzheimer's still costs our Nation an astonishing $321 billion per year, including $206 billion in costs to Medicare and Medicaid. If we continue along this trajectory, Alzheimer's is projected to claim the minds of 12.7 million seniors and nearly surpass $1 trillion in annual costs by 2050. It takes a tremendous toll on families, too. In 2021, family caregivers provided 16 billion hours of unpaid care for loved ones with dementia. That job is often 24/7 and often harms the health of the caregiver. prgtoken The National Alzheimer's Project Act is set to expire in 2025, so we need to reauthorize this critical legislation to make sure that our research investments remain coordinated, and we can maximize their impact. prgtoken The first bill that I will introduce today with my colleagues Senators Warner, Capito, Markey, Moran, and Menendez, is the NAPA Reauthorization Act. It would reauthorize NAPA through 2035 and modernize the legislation to reflect strides we have made understanding the disease, like including a new focus on promoting healthy aging and reducing risk factors. prgtoken The second bill that I will introduce, with my colleagues Senators Markey, Capito, Warner, Moran, and Menendez, is the Alzheimer's Accountability and Investment Act. That bill would continue through 2035 a requirement that the Director of the National Institutes of Health submit an annual budget to Congress estimating the funding necessary for NIH to fully implement NAPA's research goals. Only two other areas of biomedical research--cancer and HIV/AIDs--have been the subject of special budget development aimed at speeding discovery, and this ``bypass budget,'' as it is known, helps us to understand the additio
Mexico (Executive Calendar)
Tommy Tuberville (Republican, AL) \u2014 2022-5-12

I rise today to speak about what I believe are unlawful actions taken by the Government of Mexico against Vulcan Materials Company, which is headquartered in Birmingham, AL. prgtoken Vulcan is the Nation's largest producer of construction aggregates, primarily crushed stone, sand, and gravel. prgtoken Vulcan is also a major producer of aggregates-based construction materials like asphalt and ready-mixed concrete. prgtoken The materials produced by Vulcan are used in nearly all forms of construction, like infrastructure repairs to bridges or roads or when a new office building is being built. prgtoken While headquartered in Alabama, Vulcan has 720 facilities and more than 12,000 employees across the United States. prgtoken Its reach is also international. Vulcan has operated a quarry in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico since the 1980s. The quarry supplies aggregates to Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Texas. Vulcan has quarried limestone legally in Mexico on land that it owns for over 30 years. It has full ownership of its property in Mexico and owns the limestone reserves on the property. Vulcan also operates the only deepwater port on the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. Vulcan operates that port because Vulcan built that port. prgtoken Furthermore, it is my understanding that Vulcan has always complied with Mexican law and permitting, which is why I was shocked to hear Mexican prgtoken President Lopez Obrador announce that he would pursue legal actions to close Vulcan's operations. His baseless claim is that the company is operating illegally in Mexico after 30 years. That statement is categorically false. prgtoken Unfortunately, President Obrador followed through with his threat for legal action. Last week, Mexican Government officials unexpectedly presented local Vulcan employees with orders to immediately cease operations on Vulcan's own land in Mexico. I believe this shutdown, ordered by the President of Mexico, represents a baseless attack on a U.S. company and demonstrates a disregard for the rule of law. prgtoken But even before shutdown orders were issued, Vulcan was subject to public harassment and intimidation tactics from the President of Mexico, including the Mexican Navy sending troops to the entrance of the Vulcan facility for the last several days before last week, the Mexican Navy flying Blackhawk helicopters and drones over Vulcan's property, the Mexican Navy sending patrol boats to Vulcan's harbor, and the Mexican Government withholding the issuance of a routine customs permit from January through mid-February. prgtoken These actions by the President and Mexican Government are contrary to the most basic principles of international law and the free-trade agreements that bind our two countries together. These actions also go against the objectives and principles jointly set by the U.S. and Mexican Governments as part of the high-level economic dialogue establi
Mexico (Executive Calendar)
Bill Hagerty (Republican, TN) \u2014 2022-5-12

I am here today to discuss worrying developments in Mexico--one of the United States most important international partners and our neighbor to the south. prgtoken The nearly 2,000-mile border that our nations share, both binds us together and presents a series of challenges, including illegal immigration, drug control, and human trafficking. prgtoken But as we work through these difficult issues, our robust economic relationship has provided a firm foundation to strengthen and stabilize our efforts with an eye toward the future. prgtoken The innovative U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement--or USMCA, as it is called--has deepened the connections between our two economies, such that Mexico is now one of our largest and most strategic trading partners. prgtoken However, actions over the past year by the government of Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, better known as AMLO, have weakened that bond and are threatening the economic and diplomatic ties of our two nations. prgtoken Through increasingly arbitrary and aggressive moves against companies based here in the United States and their lawfully owned assets in Mexico, the Mexican Government has abused its permitting and regulatory powers in ways that violate the letter and the spirit of our trade agreements and the special relationship that exists between our two countries. These decisions directly impact critical sectors of the U.S. economy, from agriculture to energy and mining, from transportation to tourism. prgtoken These capricious actions, which are falsely labeled as ``reforms,'' risk substantially undermining confidence in the commercial rule of law in Mexico, and these actions also risk jeopardizing the essential economic relations in North America. prgtoken Further, these actions likely violate our trade agreements by abrogating contracts, stripping investors of value, and eliminating private competition and oversight, thereby sending a clear message to U.S. capital markets that Mexico is no longer safe nor profitable for investing. prgtoken Earlier this month, AMLO even threatened to jail political opponents and investors who stand in his way, desperately attempting to impose a state-centered, anti-free-market agenda. If not quickly corrected, these actions risk choking off the economic relationship between our two nations. prgtoken Many important supply chains stretch across the U.S.-Mexico border, supporting millions of good jobs and making both countries more attractive for capital investment. This is certainly true for my home State of Tennessee. Because of that success, I have advocated for further expanding the integrated North American supply chain for critical industries as a better and more stable alternative to manufacturing and exporting from communist China. prgtoken Utilizing the successes of the USMCA as the backbone for a renewed vision of North American competitiveness would benefit both American and Mexican prosper
Ukraine (Executive Calendar)
Lindsey Graham (Republican, SC) \u2014 2022-5-12

. I can't say it any better. Just to wrap this up, I believe that prgtoken if there were a vote tomorrow designating Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism, we would get 90 votes in the U.S. Senate. I will ask Senator Whitehouse to comment on that. I think we could take his idea, his kleptocracy regime, and embolden the Department of Justice and others to make it easier to go after these assets. If we had a vote on that concept, we would get 90 votes. prgtoken So what is frustrating is that in the desire to get aid and bullets and help into the Ukraine, we left out two provisions: state sponsor of terrorism and permissions to go after the ill-gotten gains of the Russian oligarchs and plow it into Ukraine to help them. prgtoken But what I want you to know is that the process did not accommodate these two provisions. But as you can tell from this discussion, we are not going to stop. To my colleagues in this body, we are not going to stop. Everybody is going to stand up one way or the other here pretty soon. prgtoken I have talked to the of the House. She is very sympathetic to the idea about Russia being a state sponsor of terrorism. I will talk to Kevin McCarthy. I think the bipartisanship here exists in the House. You should see it. prgtoken So just finally, Senator Whitehouse, can he assure the people of Ukraine, can he assure the oligarchs, can he assure Putin, that we are not going to stop?
CONGRATULATING JOHNSON KNIGHTS BOYS SOCCER TEAM
Andrew S. Clyde (Republican, GA) \u2014 2022-5-12

. Madam , I rise today to honor our brave men and women in blue. prgtoken Our Nation is blessed with heroic law enforcement officers who pursue a thankless career dedicated to maintaining law and order, keeping our communities safe, and answering the call when criminals strike. prgtoken Law enforcement officers are heroes in our communities. They are the heroes that are desperately needed, but they don't often receive the recognition that they deserve. prgtoken This week, National Police Week, we honor our local, State, and Federal law enforcement officers. As far as I am concerned, every week should be National Police Week. These men and women always deserve gratitude for their service and sacrifice. prgtoken Yet, law enforcement officers nationwide are facing increasingly challenging conditions, forcing many to leave the force and causing others to avoid it altogether, leaving police departments across the country struggling to keep staff and fill vacant positions. prgtoken The horrendous conditions that are generating the low morale are skyrocketing crime rates, rising attacks on law enforcement, and growing calls from the left to advance soft-on-crime agendas. prgtoken In fact, last year alone, a record breaking 73 police officers were tragically killed in the line of duty. As of this month, 123 have already been shot in 2022, including 19 murdered by criminals. prgtoken Unfortunately, in Georgia's Ninth District they know horrific reality all too well. Back in November of last year, my home county, Jackson County, lost both a mother and a heroic law enforcement officer, Deputy Lena Marshall. After responding to a domestic call that escalated to a violent shootout, Deputy Marshall's life was taken while serving to keep Georgians safe. prgtoken Make no mistake, this attack--and any attack of criminal violence toward law enforcement--is an assault on justice. prgtoken Despite the radical left's persistent efforts to disarm, demonize, and defund the police, policies that weaken law enforcement simply empower criminals, worsening the ongoing crime crisis. prgtoken In contrast, I remain dedicated to providing our law enforcement officers with the community support, the resources, and the political backing needed to address surging crime across the country. prgtoken Undermining the authority of the heroes that protect and serve is despicable, which is why we continue the fight to ensure that all law enforcement officers are fully equipped in their mission to keep our community safe. prgtoken May God bless all the men and women in blue who willingly put their lives on the line for ours, and may we honor all of the fallen officers who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. May God bless all of the loved ones of current, fallen, and future law enforcement officers who provide tremendous support both on and off duty. prgtoken We thank you and we honor you for your selfless service.
HONORING THE SERVICEMEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL GUARD AND RESERVE COMPONENTS
Trent Kelly (Republican, MS) \u2014 2022-5-12

today I am proud and honored to recognize the accomplishments and sacrifices of our National Guard and Reserve component men and women. prgtoken The history of the National Guard and Reserve predates the birth of our Nation. In Mississippi we have the sixth oldest active regiment, the First Battalion, 155th Infantry Regiment--the Mississippi Rifles. prgtoken For over 250 years, brave Americans have answered the call to service to protect both our homeland and democracies abroad, and to conduct disaster response or support to civilian authorities during a crisis. prgtoken Our reservists and Guard members bring a unique skill set to our Armed Forces, leveraging their expertise and real-world experiences from the civilian workforce to bring an exceptional and innovative perspective to our national defense. prgtoken In addition to deployments overseas, Guard and reservists are employed across the broad and diverse mission set, whether it is responding to civil unrest in our Nation's Capitol, defending our borders, providing relief from hurricanes or other natural disasters, as well as responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. prgtoken I will tell you, , the Guard did a yeoman's work in the COVID response, and it was much less by building testing sites, by giving vaccinations, and by helping with all the logistics. We would not have gone as smoothly without our Guard. prgtoken As of today the Mississippi National Guard has forces deployed in support of four combatant commands around the world. During the pandemic, the Mississippi National Guard activated approximately 1,700 servicemembers who administered more than 765,000 vaccinations, 226,000 tests, and processed more than 109,000 lab samples supporting the Mississippi Department of Health. prgtoken Our logistics professionals traveled more than 665,000 miles throughout our State to deliver more than 58 million pieces of personal protective equipment to our hospitals, long-term healthcare facilities, clinics, and testing sites. prgtoken Since the global war on terror, the Guard has shifted from a strategic reserve force to an operational reserve, deploying in support of the same conflicts, fulfilling the same mission sets, and seeing the same combat against our enemies as the active component. prgtoken Within this service has come great sacrifice, and I honor the fallen Guard heroes who gave their lives in service of our country and its ideals in the global war on terror in addition to the countless other Guard lives lost in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and the Persian Gulf. prgtoken One of these heroes is Sergeant First Class Sean M. Cooley, who I had the privilege of serving alongside in the 155th Brigade Combat Team in Iraq who was killed in action in Iraq on February 3, 2005. In his memory I introduced and had passed the House resolution that led to the Congressional Gold Star Family Fellowship Program Act named for Sergeant First Class Sean Cooley and Specialist Ch
HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF CORPORAL CHRISTOPHER DYE
Marjorie Taylor Greene (Republican, GA) \u2014 2022-5-12

I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Road Patrol Corporal Christopher Dye. prgtoken Christopher dedicated his life to the people of Walker County and our Nation, making the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. Christopher worked at the Hays State Prison and the Walker County Sheriff's Office until the tragic events of 9/11 struck our country. prgtoken In October 2001, Christopher joined the Army and dedicated the next 12 years to serving our country. Christopher was a member of the 118th Airborne Infantry, performing tours in prgtoken Iraq and Afghanistan. Even after developing lymphoma, he never gave up his post. prgtoken Christopher was highly decorated for his valiant service and returned to the Walker County Sheriff's Office to work alongside his family. prgtoken In November 2020, Corporal Dye encountered fentanyl on a drug arrest. This exposure caused him to suffer a massive heart attack, and he passed away that evening. Corporal Dye was awarded the Walker County Sheriff's Office Employee of the Year award later that year. prgtoken He is survived by his wife Kelly Jo and their five children. prgtoken Today, I am introducing a resolution honoring Corporal Dye for his selfless sacrifice to the people of Walker County, northwest Georgia, and the Nation.
WOMEN'S REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS
Marie Newman (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2022-5-12

I am so glad to be here tonight, and I am so proud that the gentlewoman put this together for all of us. prgtoken , to say that I am deeply disappointed is really an understatement. I have to tell you, many people in our country think that the word ``abortion'' is taboo, shouldn't be said, shouldn't be uttered. The Senate reiterated that this week. But worse, it told women that we don't matter. It told women that we don't trust you. It told women that you should not have agency over your body. prgtoken I have to tell you, I haven't spoken about my personal abortion ever publicly until this week, and the reason is because of all of those reasons, that are you shamed wherever you go. Even in this day and age, in 2022, women are still shamed. We have to stop that. prgtoken One in four women in this country has an abortion. It is common and something that people do actually every day. It is a common health procedure. prgtoken When I was 19 years old, I was barely halfway through college, and I found out I was pregnant. I was working two jobs, scrubbing floors and tables, to get through college. I did not have the wherewithal but, more importantly, I did not have the emotional ability to be supporting a child. prgtoken Not only did I not have the infrastructure and the financial resources, but I didn't have the wherewithal. I recognized that, and it was a good decision. But it was still a difficult decision. prgtoken When Senators tell us that we shouldn't have agency over our bodies, it just reaffirms this taboo and this shame, and I have had enough. All done. I will not allow people to shame me or anyone else that has had a standard medical procedure called abortion. And I am going to use that word a lot more than I have in the past, I will tell you that. prgtoken But I have greater concerns. In addition to having an abortion, having concerns about agency over body, I have real concerns for my trans daughter. She came down the night that that opinion was leaked and said: ``Mom, what does this mean?'' Do you know what? I didn't have a lot of really great words for her. prgtoken When these reckless decisions are made by reckless people called Senators and extremists in their various religions, they don't understand that they affect real people. That is the reason why I sent personal letters to all the Senators, plus Mr. Manchin, who is in that boat of saying that everything is taboo, and we should be shamed, and we shouldn't have agency over our bodies. I let them know that we are people. My daughter and I are people, and we are all going to speak up. prgtoken I just want to say one more thing about being people. We need people in this body who have the lived experience and have been fighting this fight for a long time. It is really important that we all speak up, but it is really important that we mobilize as a country and that all of these leaders in this body speak up.
Nomination of Mary T. Boyle (Executive Session)
Amy Klobuchar (Democrat, MN) \u2014 2022-5-12

I rise in support today of Mary Boyle, the nominee to serve as Commissioner at the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. prgtoken Mary will bring to this role more than a decade of experience on the Consumer Product Safety Commission, where she previously served as general counsel and currently serves as the Executive Director. She is deeply knowledgeable about consumer product safety and the functioning of the CPSC. I have every confidence that she will be ready to lead on day one. prgtoken But it is not just her professional background that makes her perfect for this role. As a mom who raised three kids, she knows firsthand how important it is for parents to be able to trust the products they use every day. She understands the stakes and the devastating consequences of unsafe products. prgtoken Just yesterday, the Commerce Committee took an important step forward toward protecting kids and infants by passing the STURDY Act, which will prevent harmful and ultimately heartbreaking furniture tip-overs. Senators Casey and Blumenthal and I have been working on this for quite a while. It resulted in the largest furniture recall ever in the history of America with IKEA. But we need standards in place across the board. I know that we can count on Mary to be another critical partner in preventing unsafe products from hurting our kids. prgtoken Mary is clear-eyed about the responsibility of the CPSC. In her words, it provides a safety net for the public, and in order to carry out that crucial task, it needs a full roster of Commissioners. Currently, four of the five slots are filled. To truly address pressing product safety issues, we have to fill that fifth seat. We can't afford to play politics here. This is about everything from the hazards posed by crib bumper pads to the use of toxic chemicals in everyday consumer products. prgtoken I got involved in this way, way back before I was a Senator, when we had a young child swallow a charm that he got with a pair of tennis shoes. It was a giveaway. He didn't die because he choked on that charm; he died over a period of days because the lead in that charm, which was from a foreign country, got into his system, and he died in just a few days. That is how I got involved in the lead standards on foreign toys, that is how I started working with the Consumer Product Safety Commission, and that is when I saw the difference it can make. prgtoken We passed a bipartisan bill named after Jim Baker's granddaughter-- the Virginia Graeme Baker pool safety bill--after a young kid named Abigail Taylor in Minnesota was in a kiddy swimming pool and her intestines were ripped out just sitting in the pool because there were so many faulty drains in this country. prgtoken I went and visited her in the hospital, and she said: I don't want this to happen to any other kid. prgtoken She lived for a year, and during that time, we worked together. prgtoken Then Ted Stevens and I p