mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
Nomination of Tanya J. Bradsher (Executive Session)
Chuck Grassley (Republican, IA) \u2014 2023-7-18

Congress and our Nation have no more solemn duty than the one we owe to our veterans. They have given their blood, their sweat, and their tears for our great country. They have fought on battlefields only to come home and face new battles, like difficulty accessing healthcare and challenges in transitioning to civilian life. A lot of them face homelessness, PTSD, and, of course, we hear it all the time, in our various congressional offices, about bureaucratic redtape at the Veterans' Administration. prgtoken I have long engaged in Veterans' Administration oversight. The VA has fought my efforts tooth and nail. I won't tire. Our veterans deserve nothing less than making sure the VA delivers in an efficient way, and particularly when we find things to be wrong there. prgtoken It is because of my oversight that I placed a hold on the nomination of Tanya Bradsher to be Deputy Secretary at the VA. I urge my colleagues to oppose the nomination as well. So I am here to tell you why. prgtoken Records in my possession, as well as statements from VA whistleblowers, show that Ms. Bradsher has failed to secure our veterans' private and sensitive protected health information, prgtoken personally identifiable information, and whistleblower information. Information also shows that she played a key role in the Veterans' Administration obstruction of my investigation of VA corruption. prgtoken My ic colleagues rushed Ms. Bradsher's nomination through the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee without even investigating the allegations that I brought to the committee's attention. Let's start with one of these: the VA Integrated Enterprise Workflow Solution, otherwise known by the acronym VIEWS. Records show that this system exposes sensitive medical, health, and personal information of many veterans, as well as whistleblower names and information. At least 1,900 Veterans Affairs employees have access to this system but without the need to view this sensitive information. prgtoken Now, Ms. Bradsher has direct responsibility for that system as the VA's Chief of Staff, her present position. Emails and screenshots from VIEWS were supplied to me by whistleblowers. And most of my colleagues know I get a lot of information from whistleblowers. These emails show that these whistleblowers notified Ms. Bradsher's deputy last July--a whole year ago--about these issues. One of these whistleblowers told Ms. Bradsher's office she had been harassed and that she feared for her safety. prgtoken To this day, Ms. Bradsher hasn't followed up or instructed anyone else to follow up with these whistleblowers to make sure that their concerns were addressed. Despite questions for the record asked by Ranking Member Moran and Senator Blackburn, Ms. Bradsher has offered no explanation whatsoever for why the specific personnel information brought to her office's attention was not secured as it should be secured. Instead, she pointed to a
RELATING TO A NATIONAL EMERGENCY DECLARED BY THE PRESIDENT ON MAY 22, 2003
Elijah Crane (Republican, AZ) \u2014 2023-7-18

such time as I may consume. prgtoken I rise in support of my bill today, which would terminate the 2003 national emergency for Iraq. This legislation serves as a much-needed check on the administration and forces Congress to do its job. prgtoken The National Emergencies Act was passed in 1976 and was originally enacted in response to Presidents FDR and Truman keeping the country in a perpetual state of emergency as part of their daily governance. prgtoken Specifically, section 202 requires Congress to vote on any resolution terminating each national emergency every 6 months: ``Not later than 6 months after a national emergency is declared, and not later than the end of each 6-month period thereafter that such emergency continues, each House of Congress shall meet to consider a vote on a joint resolution to determine whether that emergency shall be terminated.'' prgtoken In other words, the bill requires Congress to rein in emergency declarations. However, despite this requirement, Congress has never reviewed the national emergency related to Iraq. This is recklessly endangering our Republic, our system of checks and balances, and due process, and it undermines we the people. prgtoken The extended national emergency declaration related to Iraq provides the President with broad statutory powers only meant for times of actual emergency, including the power to draft Americans without consent into Active Duty. prgtoken , my colleagues on the House Foreign Affairs Committee are tasked with reviewing dozens of extended national emergency declarations as required by law every 6 months. prgtoken It is long past time for Congress to do its job and terminate outdated declarations. prgtoken I have personally been deployed to Iraq three times as a Navy SEAL. I am not naive. prgtoken U.S. military overthrew Saddam Hussein's regime within 3 weeks of being there, and we killed Saddam Hussein in 2006. We formally declared the end of the Iraq war an December 15, 2011. We should not leave this national declaration for Iraq in place as a green light for the administration to fuel forever wars. prgtoken , since President has been in office, he is now participating in a new proxy war with Russia in Ukraine and allowed an invasion at our southern border. Spending concerns, constitutional concerns, and concerns regarding the lives of our soldiers are easily and often overlooked by this administration. prgtoken Two-thirds of veterans and majorities of military families and the public support full withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq, and a vast majority of the general public, 80 percent, believe our military engagement around the world should be reduced or stay about the same size. Only 6 percent believe we should be more engaged. prgtoken The U.S. has many vital national interests--securing our borders, addressing the crisis of readiness within our military, and achieving energy security and independence.
CONGRATULATING DR. LALIT VERMA ON HIS RETIREMENT
Bruce Westerman (Republican, AR) \u2014 2023-7-18

as a top-ranking State in livestock production, Arkansas is in need of food animal veterinarians like many other places around the country. prgtoken In 2022, 25 counties within my district applied for designated shortage area status. Of the 25 counties that applied, only 13 were awarded the status. Food animal veterinarians who practice in these areas are eligible to apply for the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program, or VMLRP. prgtoken Food animal veterinarians are on the decline, and this program is essential to encourage young Americans to consider practicing food animal veterinary. prgtoken With the 2018 Farm Bill set to expire in September of this year, I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to consider the importance of the VMLRP Program in addressing the food animal veterinarian shortage that poses a concern to my constituents and many of my colleagues' constituents, and also it is critical to the food supply for our Nation.
RELATING TO A NATIONAL EMERGENCY DECLARED BY THE PRESIDENT ON FEBRUARY 25, 2011
Paul A. Gosar (Republican, AZ) \u2014 2023-7-18

let's review the facts. There are currently 41 national emergencies that are subject to periodic congressional review, including the emergency declaration related to Libya, which is more than a decade old. prgtoken The National Emergencies Act mandates Congress consider joint resolutions terminating national emergencies at least every 6 months. Think about it; every 6 months. That is our job--not the President's; our job. prgtoken Yet, Congress has never, not even once, reviewed the legitimacy of the national emergency related to Libya since its declaration by President in 2011, nor has Congress reviewed any of the national emergencies debated today as required by law. prgtoken Almost comically, the extended national emergency related to Libya still cites Muammar Qadhafi as a reason for declaration Muammar Qadhafi has been dead for almost 12 years. You can't make this stuff up. prgtoken The situation in Libya poses no extraordinary threat to the national security or foreign policy of the United States. Once again, temporary measures, short-term, punch, terminate. prgtoken No group or person in Libya currently poses a threat to our national security. Furthermore, even if there was some hostility, none rises to the level of an unusual and extraordinary threat to national security. prgtoken To the extent that there is a desire for certain sanctions, they can be applied without these national emergency declarations in compliance with the Constitution, Federal laws, and national security needs. prgtoken Now, that is an important point here. We can adjust these. We can put these in in different places that adhere to our Constitution, our legal aspect, because once again, this is us. prgtoken Despite unfounded concerns, sanctioned individuals and entities can be redesignated pursuant to other authorities available to the President, including but not limited to existing national emergencies related to terrorism, Russia, and Iran. prgtoken National emergencies are supposed to be rare and brief. In passing the National Emergencies Act in 1976, Congress did not intend for the executive to utilize declarations for decades in order to apply sanctions. That is something Congress can do separately from a national emergency declaration. prgtoken In fact, let's look at the history of the National Emergencies Act. It was written to respond to FDR and to Truman in keeping the country in a state of emergency as part of their daily governance. That is what they used the national emergencies for. prgtoken Congress allowing these tyrannical authorities to remain in place is recklessly endangering our Republic, checks and balances, and the civil liberties of our constituents. prgtoken Under all these extended national emergency declarations, the U.S. Code provides the President with an additional 135 special statutory powers, including: Testing chemical and biological weapons on human beings, including American citizens. Can you
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
Joni Ernst (Republican, IA) \u2014 2023-7-18

as ranking member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize an outstanding Iowa small business that exemplifies the American entrepreneurial spirit. This week, it is my privilege to recognize Bloom Floral of Algona, IA, as the Senate Small Business of the Week. prgtoken Driven by her passion for designing floral arrangements, Kelsey Thompson founded Bloom Floral in 2011 to serve customers in Algona and the surrounding communities in North Iowa. Bloom Floral is a full- service floral and gift shop that offers a one-stop shop for fresh flowers. In addition, the shop offers permanent botanicals, live plants, and home decor. Bloom Floral specializes in weddings and events with a passion for creating floral designs personalized for each customer. Kelsey and her staff travel all over north Iowa to provide wedding flowers, event setup, and rental items for wedding customers. Bloom Floral's design team has over 60 years of combined experience and is dedicated to providing the freshest flowers and top-level community service. prgtoken In addition to teaching hands-on courses and mentoring other florists, Kelsey runs ``Petals & Profits,'' an online resource and content membership to help florists with business and marketing. Additionally, she produces a podcast called ``The Retail Florist'' that promotes her business and floral expertise. Kelsey is a nationally accredited designer and member of the Iowa Florists' Association. In addition to running Bloom Floral, Kelsey also serves as the president of the Algona Chamber of Commerce and sits on the Algona Retail Revolving Loan Fund committee. In September 2022, Kelsey won the first place award in the Sylvia Cup Design Competition at the annual Society of American Florists convention. prgtoken Bloom Floral's continual commitment to supplying floral arrangements in Algona is outstanding. I want to congratulate Kelsey Thompson and the entire team at Bloom Floral for the passion and care they put into each and every arrangement, wedding, and workshop. I look forward to seeing their continued growth and success in Iowa.
National Defense Authorization Act (Executive Session)
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2023-7-18

later today, the Senate will vote to begin consideration of this year's National Defense Authorization Act. The NDAA is our most significant opportunity to set priorities for competition with adversaries like China and Russia. prgtoken It is our chance to keep the administration focused on critical missions, like rebuilding America's defense industrial base, instead of the woke partisan agenda of political appointees. It is our time to lay the groundwork of robust investments in hard power. prgtoken For 62 straight years, from the thick of the Cold War through the Global War on Terror, the Senate has used the NDAA to match tailored solutions to evolving national security challenges. prgtoken This year is no different. Ranking Member Wicker, Chairman Reed, and our colleagues on the Armed Services Committee considered 445 amendments prgtoken and adopted 286 of them. Here on the floor, the full Senate should do the same. Senate s are committed to exceeding the President's woefully inadequate defense budget request and delivering the resources our Armed Forces actually require. So I expect the ic leader to allow thorough consideration for a range of important amendments as we begin that work with the NDAA. prgtoken First and foremost, I would like to remind all of our colleagues that the No. 1 piece of business on the Senate's agenda is actually already overdue. So it is especially important that we begin this process without further delay.
SCHOOLS NOT SHELTERS ACT
Marcus J. Molinaro (Republican, NY) \u2014 2023-7-18

I was here earlier today, and my colleagues on the other side of the aisle--and I heard it again repeated just moments ago--were talking a lot about what this bill isn't. I am very familiar with what this bill is not. prgtoken It isn't a fix to IDEA, although children like my own living with disabilities would love for us to effectively engage in that. prgtoken This isn't a bill about ensuring vocational training, yet we want vocational training. prgtoken This isn't a bill about other aspects of education. prgtoken It is about one basic thing: Our schools are not to be used for shelters. prgtoken We wouldn't be here today, nor would I be compelled to present this legislation, were it not for a failure of this Federal Government--by the way, I acknowledge it is for generations. This administration is not taking seriously the crisis at our border, a true humanitarian crisis. prgtoken Earlier today, I heard my colleagues on the other side of the aisle argue that Governors across this country shouldn't be in the business of moving undocumented immigrants from one State to another State. prgtoken While I might share, and I do, from a very compassionate perspective--I spent 12 years as a local elected leader responsible for finding housing and shelter for unaccompanied minors. It was my job to take those individuals seeking asylum and find them locations, all in accordance with Federal law, shelters established under Federal law for the purposes of caring for people. prgtoken We would not be here today, nor would this bill be even necessary, were it not for the reality that the city of New York made a choice. The city of New York made a decision to be a welcoming, sanctuary city and, by definition, welcomed individuals from around the world, irrespective of their status. prgtoken Then, when they were confronted with this very real crisis that the White House and the Federal Government have ignored, the city of New York chose to declare that schools within New York City could be used as shelters. prgtoken In one elementary school in Brooklyn, the gymnasium was being prepared to house migrants during the school year while children were in class. This led to after-school activities, including sports, being canceled. Additionally, in New York, Governor Kathy Hochul announced plans to house as many as 1,500 migrants at three different State universities in Albany, Buffalo, and Stony Brook. prgtoken We wouldn't be in this position if the city of New York worked effectively to address the crisis within the city. prgtoken Additionally, I heard earlier today that Governors from other States should have simply asked the President for financial help. Well, the same is true in the case of Eric Adams. He, in fact, did ask the President and the Federal Government for emergency action and additional financial assistance to contain the crisis within the city of New York and not export it to other parts of the State, and he was met with
Artificial Intelligence (Executive Session)
Marsha Blackburn (Republican, TN) \u2014 2023-7-18

AI is really grabbing some headlines, and over the past few months, Tennesseans have been watching the Senate as we go about having hearings and deciding how to handle this emerging technology. This technology has broken boundaries in ways that most people never imagined would be possible, and they see great potential in it. prgtoken Healthcare companies in Tennessee are already using AI to enhance the quality of care that doctors can offer their patients. If you have been in for a doctor's checkup in the past few years, you have probably noticed that your doctors and nurses are using more digital tools to help inform their diagnoses and choose which drugs they are going to prescribe. Most of those tools are powered by AI, as are many of the apps and gadgets that healthcare providers recommend to their patients to monitor their health and keep their treatments on track. We have seen the use of these remote monitoring tools just explode, especially in rural areas during the pandemic. prgtoken We are also seeing AI make a substantial impact on manufacturing. The largest auto manufacturers in Tennessee are already using this technology to make our cars safer and more efficient. Many of them are experimenting with automated driving systems. They are also using it to make operating a vehicle a little more practical. One that I found amusing is that Ford used AI to develop a program that would automatically hook a trailer to a hitch. Now, I know some of our Members who have farms and ranches probably think you should have that skill, but I think, for many of us, that would be a practical application. prgtoken So whether we are talking about making things safer, finding which pharmaceuticals are going to better treat diseases, or making things more convenient, AI has the potential to completely transform entire industries. Indeed, innovators are working on those components as we speak. prgtoken It also comes with significant drawbacks, and nowhere are those problems more pronounced than in Tennessee's music industry. All things considered, technology has been great for the business side of the music industry. The increased use of social media by up-and-coming musicians has allowed record labels to sign artists who have millions of fans. Platforms like Spotify automatically generate playlists that promote new music, and all of that music is available instantly via an app on your cell phone. But the thousands of musicians, songwriters, and artists who call Tennessee home are really quite worried about the lack of control they have over how AI platforms exploit their creations and their intellectual property. prgtoken This month, the Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing to examine the downsides of making technology an essential element of the creative process. The most obvious problem that we have uncovered in our discussions with artists and songwriters comes down to a basic question of copyrig
RELATING TO A NATIONAL EMERGENCY DECLARED BY THE PRESIDENT ON MAY 11, 2004
Joe Wilson (Republican, SC) \u2014 2023-7-18

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , I rise in opposition to this resolution. The Syria National Emergency is the basis for sanctions against the regime of the murderous dictator Assad and his comrades. prgtoken For over a decade, the Assad regime, war criminal Putin, and the terrorist regime in Tehran have committed brutal atrocities against the people of Syria. The civilian mass murder in Aleppo should never be forgotten, which was facilitated by war criminal Putin. prgtoken In the last 5 years, sanctions issued pursuant to this authority have prevented over $100 million from reaching more than 100 dangerous entities and individuals affiliated with the Assad regime and its backers, including ISIS middlemen. prgtoken This murderous regime has supported international terrorism, committed innumerable atrocities against civilians, assisted with the manufacture of ballistic missiles, and developed weapons of mass destruction. prgtoken Let me be clear: Some of the people sanctioned under this national emergency quite literally developed chemical weapons, and we know when President determined that chemical weapons were used, he immediately responded with a direct attack on the Assad regime. prgtoken If we overturn this national emergency, those sanctions will automatically and immediately disappear. The criminals behind Assad's weapons of mass destruction program should not be able to access credit cards to do business with Americans. prgtoken These sanctions are more than just an essential tool in countering the war criminal Bashar Al Assad. As previously mentioned, most of the proceeds from violations of the sanctions, including these sanctions on Syria, go directly to the U.S. Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism fund, which benefits American victims of terrorism, including our Nation's 9/11 families. prgtoken In addition, this resolution would terminate sanctions on people like George Haswani, who the U.S. Treasury has named, and I quote: ``A Syrian businessman who serves as a middleman for oil purchases by the Syrian regime from ISIL.'' prgtoken It would also lift sanctions on a number of Assad officials who support Hezbollah terrorists who threaten daily the people of Israel from Lebanon. prgtoken Today, Assad is not only a war criminal, but also the head of a narco-state. His regime spreads both the malign influence of his Iranian puppet masters and the scourge of drugs throughout the region. prgtoken The Assad regime is a critical player in the growth of regional and global trade of the narcotic Captagon. Removing these sanctions would be a gift to Assad, Putin, and the Iranian regime, as the civilized world confronts the unprovoked attacks on democracies which have rule of law being attacked by the dictators with rule of gun. prgtoken Terminating this national emergency would immediately terminate sanctions on hundreds of Assad cronies and financiers, developers of Syria's chemica
TRIBUTE TO TAYLORANN WOOLEY
Mike Rounds (Republican, SD) \u2014 2023-7-18

today I recognize TaylorAnn Wooley, an intern in my Washington, DC, office, for all the hard work she has done on behalf of my office and the State of South Dakota. Ms. Wooley is a graduate of Wright Junior Senior High School in Wright, WY. Currently, she is attending Black Hills State University, where she studies political science and international studies. Ms. Wooley is a dedicated and diligent individual who has been devoted to getting the most out of her internship experience. Ms. Wooley has been a true asset to my office. I extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to Ms. Wooley for all of the work she has done and wish her continued success in the years to come.