mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
LOWER ENERGY COSTS ACT
Russ Fulcher (Republican, ID) \u2014 2023-3-29

. Madam Chair, I rise in support of H.R. 1, which will reinsert America back to its proper place as the world's leader in energy and critical mineral production. prgtoken My home State of Idaho is blessed to be rich in natural resources, especially when it comes to critical minerals. Right now, there are revolutionary innovations in technology industries, transportation, and healthcare, and they all have one thing in common: an increasing need for certain critical minerals. prgtoken Idaho contains an abundance of these minerals, including cobalt, lithium, and antimony. These resources not only can help the United States meet domestic demand, but they can also help fulfill global demand and bring prosperity to communities lacking high-paying jobs. prgtoken As part of the Energy and Commerce Committee, I voted for many of these provisions in H.R. 1 that support access to critical minerals in American soil and require the Department of Energy to identify resources vulnerable to supply chain disruptions. prgtoken Unfortunately, the administration has proliferated policies that have ceded America's place as a responsible, productive source of critical minerals to foreign nations, many of which are hostile to Americans. prgtoken For example, instead of Idaho and America producing the world's antimony, China and Russia account for more than 75 percent of the world's supply. Instead of Idaho and America fulfilling the global demand for cobalt, it comes from the ic Republic of the Congo, a country with a horrifically bad human rights record. That has to change. prgtoken Madam Chair, today, we offer Americans an all-of-the-above energy strategy that will reverse the America last policies currently in place. H.R. 1 will secure domestic energy supply and allow America to control its own destiny by restoring its position as a global leader in production.
EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS OF PARENTS
Joe Wilson (Republican, SC) \u2014 2023-3-29

parents everywhere must have the ability to make educational decisions for their children. Though an obvious right, unfortunately, many school districts have been influenced by extremist special interest groups ignoring parental wishes. prgtoken In response, House s, led by Chairwoman Virginia Foxx, passed the Parents Bill of Rights Act. This legislation will make clear to schools that parents have a right to know what is being taught to their children, be heard by teachers and school boards, see the school budget and spending, protect the privacy of children, and keep their children safe. prgtoken As a parent of four sons, Roxanne and I appreciate local elected school boards running schools. As a grandfather, I want my sons and daughters-in-law to have the same level of oversight for our nine grandchildren. prgtoken I am grateful for the leadership of Ellen Weaver, the South Carolina Superintendent of Education, a champion for the rights of parents. prgtoken In conclusion, God bless our troops who successfully protected America for 20 years as the global war on terrorism continues moving from the safe haven of Afghanistan to America. prgtoken God bless our Vietnam veterans.
LOWER ENERGY COSTS ACT
Gary J. Palmer (Republican, AL) \u2014 2023-3-29

. Mr. Chair, I appreciate the fact that my ic colleague admitted that half the stoves do not meet the standard. prgtoken When he says that half already meet it, you know, by my math, the other half doesn't. prgtoken , this amendment shows the clear difference in the vision between House s and the administration and my ic colleagues' views on these things. prgtoken Their claim that this regulation will save American households money is another painful example of how bad they are on math. prgtoken House s believe in American energy abundance, and the administration believes in energy restrictions. prgtoken We believe in consumer choice, and the administration believes in heavy-handed government mandates. prgtoken We believe that consumers back home should make their own decisions, while the administration believes Federal bureaucrats should decide what Americans can and can't do on a daily basis, including what they can use to cook their families' meals. prgtoken I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from North Dakota (Mr. Armstrong).
LOWER ENERGY COSTS ACT
Trent Kelly (Republican, MS) \u2014 2023-3-29

. The Mississippi delegation mourns those who lost their lives in the recent tornadoes that devastated our beloved State of Mississippi. prgtoken We also come together to honor the bravery and heroism of our first responders and county and city leadership, who worked tirelessly to save lives and restore order in the midst of chaos. prgtoken In Rolling Fork, Silver City, Winona, Amory, Wren, Egypt, Smithville, and all the other communities affected from the Mississippi River Delta to the north Mississippi hills, we know that the pain of loss and destruction is still fresh in your hearts. prgtoken We offer our deepest condolences to the families and friends of those who lost their loved ones. We cannot imagine the depth of your grief, but we stand with you in solidarity. prgtoken As we mourn the loss of life, we must also acknowledge the strength and resilience of our communities. prgtoken In times of disaster, we come together to support one another and rebuild. We have seen this time and time again, and we know that Mississippi will come back stronger. prgtoken In the face of such devastation, we find comfort in the words of the Bible. In Psalms 34:18, it says: ``The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.'' prgtoken We know that in times of trial, we can turn to God for strength and comfort. May God bless Mississippi, and may God bless the United States of America.
INTRODUCING LEGISLATION TO REDUCE CRIME AND ENHANCE PUBLIC SAFETY
David Kustoff (Republican, TN) \u2014 2023-3-29

. Madam , I rise today to talk about important legislation I am introducing today. It is called the Cell Phone Jamming Reform Act. Senator Tom Cotton is introducing the companion bill in the Senate. prgtoken All around the Nation, one of the most important issues that I hear about is the rapid rise in crime, especially violent crime. prgtoken According to the Major Cities Chiefs Association Crime Report for 2022 for urban areas, homicide is up 13 percent, rape is up 23 percent, aggravated assault is up 33 percent--all since 2020. prgtoken Every one of us knows that this is unacceptable and everyone should feel safe being in their community. In the House s' Commitment to America, we promised that the new majority will work toward creating a Nation that is safe. A key pillar of that promise is alleviating this current crime crisis. prgtoken The Cell Phone Jamming Reform Act is a crucial first step in our effort to reduce crime and enhance public safety. This legislation will prevent criminals from conducting criminal operations from behind bars by allowing State and Federal prison officials to use cell phone jamming systems. prgtoken The technology will protect inmates, it will protect guards, and it will protect the public at large. prgtoken State attorneys general from across the country have determined that cell phones from within prisons, these contraband cell phones, are among the most serious threat to public safety facing prison administrators today. prgtoken Now, as cell phone technology has evolved, and it continues to evolve, mobile phones are easier to conceal than ever. They provide countless ways for criminals to communicate with the outside world. prgtoken Inmates use contraband cell phones to organize murders, riots, drug operations, fraud, extortion, and other crimes. I want to give you just a few examples. prgtoken In Tennessee, an inmate used a contraband cell phone to orchestrate drug conspiracy deals by shipping a package full of methamphetamine to his girlfriend from within the prison. In South Carolina, there have been four major drug trafficking cases where the operation was run by contraband cell phones from behind prison walls. In 2018, gang- affiliated inmates in a maximum security prison used cell phones to organize and coordinate a brutal attack that killed 7 inmates and injured 20. prgtoken All Americans have the right to feel safe in their communities, to walk their kids around the block without the fear of assault, to park their car without the fear it will be broken into, or maybe taken completely. prgtoken One of the most fundamental duties of government is to ensure that its citizens have the right and the ability to live, to work, and to raise a family without the fear of being a victim of crime. prgtoken The Cell Phone Jamming Reform Act is a key step toward reducing crime, enhancing public safety, and, ultimately, to fulfilling our goal to create a Nation that is s
LOWER ENERGY COSTS ACT
Jeff Duncan (Republican, SC) \u2014 2023-3-29

. Madam Chair, it is funny. I see polluters over people act. We are talking about increasing natural gas production and delivery in this country. According to EIA data, switching to natural gas has accounted for as much as 61 percent of U.S. emissions reductions from 2005 to 2020. prgtoken More natural gas--cleaner burning, American-produced natural gas-- delivered to where it needs to go will help prgtoken us lower carbon emissions and make America more energy secure. prgtoken Madam Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Allen).
LOWER ENERGY COSTS ACT
Scott Perry (Republican, PA) \u2014 2023-3-29

. Mr. Chair, this amendment prohibits the unelected and unaccountable Delaware River Basin Commission, the Susquehanna River Basin Commission, and the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River from improving hydraulic fracturing regulations more stringent, more stringent than those passed by the duly-elected State representatives and Senate in which the regulation is to be implemented or enforced. prgtoken According to the Energy Information Administration, last year, residential natural gas prices were the highest on record. That is awesome. I am sure consumers love that. prgtoken The best way to combat these record-high prices is with more competition; simply, more supply and demand. It is to produce more natural gas in America in places like my home State of Pennsylvania, the second-largest natural gas producer in the Nation. prgtoken Unfortunately, again, unelected, unaccountable bureaucrats at the Delaware River Basin Commission have instituted a hydraulic fracturing ban for a portion of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, stripping away property rights and mineral rights from Pennsylvanians in contravention of the will of their very own legislature. prgtoken The result is a prohibition on the development of critical shale plays in eastern Pennsylvania that can bring desperately needed natural gas to market and the unconstitutional taking of mineral rights of all Pennsylvanians. prgtoken Using this playbook, radical environmentalists and unelected bureaucrats will next prevent hydraulic fracturing in the Susquehanna River Basin and the Potomac River Basin, as well. prgtoken The threat of this expansion undermines investor confidence and exploration and development projects throughout the Commonwealth and further restricts domestic natural gas production. prgtoken To be clear, this amendment simply clarifies that these three commissions cannot impose restrictions more stringent than those passed by the State in which the regulation is being implemented or enforced. prgtoken It makes no changes to the ability of States to regulate hydraulic fracturing as they see fit, as their legislatures see fit, as their citizens see fit. This means prgtoken it would have zero impact on existing fracturing bans in the State of New York. prgtoken Instead, this amendment simply makes clear that Pennsylvanians can use their property and mineral rights as they see fit, subject to the Pennsylvania laws passed by their elected representatives, the way it is supposed to be done. prgtoken Enough is enough already. It is time to stop this underhanded attack on property rights, representative government, and State sovereignty and restore American energy security. prgtoken Opposition to this amendment is support for a hydraulic fracturing ban and for higher natural gas prices for your constituents and your citizens. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to do the right thing and rein in these unelected bureaucrats waging war on Americans in their very h
RELATING TO A NATIONAL EMERGENCY DECLARED BY THE PRESIDENT ON MARCH 13, 2020
Josh Hawley (Republican, MO) \u2014 2023-3-29

let me just finish with this, that the Senator from Kentucky decried the collection of personal data by American social media companies--and he is right to do that, by the way. I am concerned about that, too, no doubt. But he pointed out that many American social media companies collect all of this information, that they do it without users' consent, sometimes they sell it to third parties for profit, and you can't necessarily opt out of it. All fair enough, but he is protecting exactly what he decries. prgtoken The difference is with TikTok, that information is going to a hostile foreign government. It is not a market. It is total control. prgtoken So I would just say this to Americans out there who are using TikTok: Just know this--we need to tell you the truth about this app. Just know this: If you have it on your phone, it is tracking your key strokes; it is tracking your movements; it is tracking your location; and it is sending that information--whether you want it sent or not--to Beijing, to the Communist Chinese Party, where it can be accessed by anybody there who wants it, under China's national security laws. prgtoken That is a threat to your personal security, and that is why we should act to ban it. prgtoken Let me just finally ask the Senator from Kentucky--he and I talked about this before--would the Senator consider allowing us to set a rollcall vote, an up-or-down rollcall vote? Not unanimous consent passed but, as I said, a rollcall vote at a time certain. Would the Senator consent to that?
RECOGNIZING GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS'S WOMEN'S HOCKEY NCAA DIII CHAMPIONSHIP
Brad Finstad (Republican, MN) \u2014 2023-3-29

I rise today to recognize the 2023 NCAA DIII Women's Hockey Champions: the Gustavus Adolphus Gusties from St. Peter, Minnesota. prgtoken Last week, the team won their first-ever national title in Amherst, Massachusetts in a triple-overtime match. The Gusties claimed the win with a 2-1 final score. prgtoken The championship game lasted more than 101 minutes, setting a record for the longest title game in NCAA DIII history. The Gusties' win marks the first NCAA title for a women's hockey team in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, and the first for any team in the West region. prgtoken The team has been nothing but impressive all season, winning every major title and breaking a program record for wins in a season with a record of 27-3-0. prgtoken The national title is the first for Gusties Head Coach Mike Carroll, who currently ranks as Minnesota's second-winningest college hockey coach, with 492 total career wins. prgtoken It is my honor to recognize this year's NCAA DIII Women's Hockey Champions today. Thanks to the tireless leadership and encouragement from Coach Carroll, the team's staff, families, classmates, and community--these talented young women earned a state championship title and all of us across the First Congressional District are incredibly proud to call them our own. prgtoken Congratulations to Coach Carroll and his team on an unbelievable season.
LOWER ENERGY COSTS ACT
Nancy Mace (Republican, SC) \u2014 2023-3-29

. Mr. Chair, first off, I thank the leadership of our party and our Conference here today for H.R. 1 and for including some baseline text protecting the coastline of South Carolina. prgtoken South Carolina's beaches are paved with gold. We have clean air, clean water, a beautiful environment, beautiful trees, a beautiful landscape, beautiful beaches, and we were able to get baseline text in H.R. 1 this week that would protect our shoreline from offshore drilling. prgtoken There is no oil out there. We don't need to study it; we don't need to drill; we don't need to look for it. It does not exist, and the coast of South Carolina does not want it. I thank folks for including that in this legislation and protecting our coastline. My State of South Carolina is deeply appreciative of that in the baseline text. prgtoken This amendment really looks at the necessity to have an all-of-the- above strategy and approach to energy. Our policy should reflect our need to study and find uses for alternative energy sources, and that is what this amendment will do today. prgtoken This amendment requires the Secretary of Energy to report annually on ongoing assessments of alternative and renewable energy sources. It is needed to protect American energy security. As the world becomes more unstable, we need to rely on clean American energy right here at home and what other sources, alternative sources, of energy are available to us right here in the United States. prgtoken We need to ensure that we take steps to preserve the environment, as well as why we need an offshore drilling ban but also looking at alternative sources of energy. prgtoken Our overall goal here is to strengthen our supply chains and to advance American energy security with this amendment. prgtoken Mr. Chair, .
HONORING OUR VIETNAM VETERANS
Brandon Williams (Republican, NY) \u2014 2023-3-29

. Madam , I rise today on this important day to commemorate those who served in Vietnam. I want to call attention to one servicemember, Colonel Marshall McRee, who passed from us just 4 years ago. prgtoken Colonel McRee started his life in North Carolina poor. He chose a college because they offered a football scholarship and clothing that he could not afford. prgtoken President Kennedy called him up to rush to Florida as a young officer in the wake of the Cuban Missile Crisis. Colonel McRee went on to serve for 30 years. He did two tours in Vietnam. In early 1965, he served first as an adviser but then in the fierceness of battles in 1967 and 1968, in the Battle of Caisson, supporting the Marine Corps from his artillery position, supporting marines on long-range patrols during the day, and defending his perimeter all night. prgtoken Marshall McRee earned three Bronze Stars with a V for valor for his service to our country. He returned to a Nation that was ungrateful, and he returned to a Nation that spit upon him when he returned. prgtoken There are those in our highest levels of government today who are among those who protested against our veterans before, more recently, it became popular to support the veterans. prgtoken I want to add that Marshall McRee did not stand alone. His wife of over 50 years, Patricia McRee, was part of the fabric of the Army community that when the telegrams would bring news of loss, she was part of the fabric of women who came and supported young women who were now widows with children who were now fatherless. That was the Army and the fabric that they provided. prgtoken I am proud to talk about Colonel and Mrs. McRee because they have a beautiful daughter who happens to be my wife. I am very proud to be a part of their family, and I am proud to stand up and talk about the Vietnam veterans who deserve our respect. Reducing Energy Prices
RELATING TO A NATIONAL EMERGENCY DECLARED BY THE PRESIDENT ON MARCH 13, 2020
Roger Marshall (Republican, KS) \u2014 2023-3-29

I rise today in support of H.J. Res 7, a bill that will immediately terminate the COVID-19 national emergency declaration. prgtoken Over a year ago, this body voted to end the COVID national emergency declaration. Actually, it has been a year and 26 days ago. Then, it was just 5 months ago that this body voted for a second time to end the COVID national emergency with an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 61 to 37. Today, we hope the third time is the charm, that the rumors are true that the President will finally sign this legislation and end this chapter of physical, mental, and financial strife seldom seen in our world's modern history. prgtoken Emergency powers are given to the executive branch so the Commander in Chief has the flexibility to quickly act in the event of a crisis. That declaration was appropriate in 2020, but now it is time for the proper constitutional checks and balances to be restored. It is time to end any and all authoritarian control and unilateral spending decisions without congressional consent. prgtoken Many, many Kansans have asked me, ``What's the holdup, why is the White House waiting to end this emergency declaration?'' Well, sadly, I have to tell them, because the emergency declaration has allowed the administration to justify increased spending and push harmful mandates. prgtoken Under this national emergency, we have seen a massive increase in government spending across the board. This spending over the past 2 years has resulted in the highest level of inflation Americans have encountered in 40 years. The gross Federal debt has increased by $3.7 trillion--$3.7 trillion--since this President took office, an increase of 12 percent. We sadly watched as interest rate hikes, combined with skyrocketing inflation, have raised the amount of debt many Americans hold and made almost everything cost more. prgtoken On top of all of this, the authority granted to the President by this emergency declaration has been the direct justification for the White House's efforts to cancel as much as $20,000 in debt for Federal student loan holders--a plan that would cost taxpayers an additional $400 billion. prgtoken We all understand what it means when politicians say: Never let a good crisis go to waste. But it doesn't stop there. With the national emergency in place, the administration also moved to mandate vaccines for private companies with 100 or more employees. If not halted by the courts, this massive Federal overreach would have forced millions of Americans to choose between the jab or their job. prgtoken Next, the White House tried to force healthcare workers, Federal employees, contractors, and even members of our military to receive the vaccine against their choice. Thankfully, these were also halted by the courts across the country. prgtoken These are the consequences of a 3-year emergency declaration. Take a good look at the decisions made under this prolonged, supersized g