mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
PROTECTING SPEECH FROM GOVERNMENT INTERFERENCE ACT
James Comer (Republican, KY) \u2014 2023-3-8

I rise in support of the Ogles amendment. prgtoken The Protecting Speech from Government Interference Act introduces newly created civil fines for the most senior officials. prgtoken My colleague's amendment further strengthens this enforcement penalty for senior officials by increasing the civil monetary fines up to $50,000. prgtoken This $50,000 will serve as a deterrent to the administration's most senior officials--Senate-confirmed Presidential appointees and the White House staff--to prevent them from censoring the lawful speech of ordinary Americans. prgtoken It is especially important that our Nation's most senior leaders are held to a higher level of accountability given their higher level of influence. prgtoken I thank the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Ogles) for proposing this amendment which preserves the carefully negotiated structure of the bill. prgtoken I ask my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on the amendment.
SECRETARY BUTTIGIEG SHOULD RESIGN
Mike Collins (Republican, GA) \u2014 2023-3-8

. Madam , I rise today to demand accountability. Pete Buttigieg has shown he is unfit to lead the Department of Transportation and must resign immediately. prgtoken From his first day in office, he has been more focused on diversity training and identity politics than on building and maintaining America's transportation system. He has abandoned his Department's mission of improving safety, technology, and efficiency of our infrastructure in favor of promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. prgtoken Case in point: The horrific train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. Buttigieg took 10 days to acknowledge this incident and 3 weeks to show up and support the community. prgtoken As Ohioans fled their homes and worried about their health, the Secretary of Transportation was on TV whining about too many White people in construction industries. His policies have continuously put the wokes before the folks, and we are again seeing the consequences. prgtoken After seeing another Norfolk Southern train derail this weekend, I was reminded of the fact that the company wrote to shareholders stating that it is focused on DEI. This administration's focus on DEI is forcing private companies to rethink their goals, and one has to wonder, if Norfolk Southern's DEI policies are directing resources away from the important things, like greasing wheel bearings. prgtoken This insanity must stop. Speaking of insanity, it looks like Secretary Buttigieg is spending a lot of taxpayer money flying on private jets, but he doesn't want the American people to know where he is going or why. prgtoken I don't know about you, but I seem to recall a recent Health and Human prgtoken Services Secretary being forced to resign over this same exact thing. prgtoken Anyway, why is the DOT refusing to tell the American people how much Secretary Buttigieg's 23 flights on private jets have cost them? prgtoken Maybe the Secretary should just come to Capitol Hill and answer these questions for himself. It would be a cheap trip, and it wouldn't require airfare. prgtoken Either way, it is time for him to resign. That will allow him time to promote wokeness and take private jets on his own dime and his own time.
DISAPPROVING THE ACTION OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA COUNCIL IN APPROVING THE REVISED CRIMINAL CODE ACT OF 2022
Roger Marshall (Republican, KS) \u2014 2023-3-8

I rise today in support of H.J. Res. 26, a resolution to overturn the recent law passed by the DC Council to revise the city's Criminal Code. prgtoken I was pleased to join Senator Hagerty as an original cosponsor of the Senate's version he introduced in February. prgtoken The Nation's Capital is a unique American city in that it was established through the ratification of the U.S. Constitution in order to host the Federal system of government established by our Founders, separate from the authority of any one single State. Founded in 1790, the city has grown immensely since its earliest years and, with a population of nearly 700,000, has become one of the largest cities in the region. prgtoken In addition to the residents of this city and those who commute daily from neighboring Maryland and Virginia, Washington, DC, hosts nearly 20 million visitors on an annual basis--one of the most visited cities in the United States--as Americans from all prgtoken 50 States, including my home of Kansas, come to the seat of their government to meet with their elected officials and visit the National Mall, memorials, and museums their tax dollars go to maintaining every year. prgtoken Sadly, as the Capital City has expanded, so, too, has the influence of the far-left politicians who serve as members of the council. Similar to their ic counterparts in the White House, Congress, and other U.S. metro areas, the DC Council has gone full tilt in giving the keys of this city to its criminals and vagrants and in failing in their duty to protect its inhabitants and visitors. prgtoken This culture of lawlessness--the same that is on display at our southern border, where just yesterday we learned that two of the four Americans kidnapped by the Gulf Cartel were brutally murdered--is a product of cashless bail laws and efforts to defund the police. prgtoken In DC, these efforts have come in the form of major cuts to the city's police department. In 2020, the council implemented a $15 million cut to their own police force--$15 million. Since then, the number of sworn officers has decreased steadily year over year, and, predictably, crime has been running rampant ever since. In 2021, more than 200 homicides were committed. It was the first time homicides surpassed 200 since 2003. In 2022, DC topped its mark again, and the trend is continuing in 2023. Crime is up 25 percent from this time last year; murders are up 33 percent; sexual abuse crimes are up 120 percent; and motor vehicle thefts are up 108 percent. prgtoken Shockingly, despite these staggering numbers, the DC Council, over the objections of the city's police chief and chief prosecutor, moved in November of last year to eliminate mandatory minimum sentences and reduce maximum penalties for these very crimes. prgtoken Thankfully, the same Constitution that established the Capital City gave Congress authority over the District, and while I am a strong supporte
CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF LEWIS BEAR
Matt Gaetz (Republican, FL) \u2014 2023-3-8

. Madam , it is my honor to rise and celebrate the life of one of the greatest Florida men to have ever lived: Lewis Bear. prgtoken Lewis was a legend for all times. He was a prolific businessman and an even more prolific philanthropist. Lewis was CEO of Florida's oldest privately held company, the Lewis Bear Company. It was started by his grandfather in 1876. Lewis grew this small family grocery distribution business to one of Florida's largest beer distributors. If you have cracked open a beer in my district, there is a pretty good chance that Lewis moved it. prgtoken Lewis' generosity did not stop with libations. Through the Lewis Bear Family Foundation, he donated tens of millions of dollars to local organizations and charities, including hospitals and nonprofits focused on curing childhood cancer. He single-handedly protected the Deepwater Horizon oil spill settlement funds for northwest Florida and saw that the money was used for lasting economic development. prgtoken I know that Lewis will be sorely missed by our family and by his family, especially by his wife, Belle, and their three children: Lewis, Cindi, and David. prgtoken Northwest Florida will never be the same without Lewis Bear. We are certainly grateful that we had my friend for 82 years.
UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST--S. 650
Mike Rounds (Republican, SD) \u2014 2023-3-8

I rise today to ask a unanimous consent request on S. 650. This is a bill that I have introduced with Senator Hirono that would extend the Federal Communications Commission's spectrum auction authority until the end of the fiscal year, September 30, 2023. prgtoken Currently, this authority is set to expire tomorrow night. Our legislation would prevent this expiration and allow the Department of Defense and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to focus on a statutorily required study which is to be completed by September of this year. This will define DOD spectrum requirements and articulate the risks should the Department lose access to portions of the 3.1 to 3.45 gigahertz frequencies that are home to systems that are used to defend our country from attack. prgtoken The extension of this authorization until September 30 would allow time for the DOD and the NTIA to complete their study which, as I say, is expected in September. prgtoken We cannot allow potential authorizing spectrum legislation to affect any decision making related to the lower 3 gigahertz band before the DOD and the NTIA release their study, which is expected, as I say, in September. prgtoken The FCC's spectrum auction authority was previously extended less than just 3 months ago. Unfortunately, each time this auction authority expires at short and arbitrary intervals, we find additional language being proposed that would modify the current process by which any sharing of this spectrum would be determined. The Department of Defense finds itself responding to proposals that include offering up for auction critical bands of spectrum before this study has been completed. prgtoken The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 requires the Department of Defense to conclude the spectrum study by September 2023. Importantly, the study mandates examination of the feasibility of DOD sharing the 3.1 to 3.45 gigahertz band of spectrum, which is a very limited resource with the industry. prgtoken The extension which I call up today would make certain that the analysis of the study is completed before taking action or before actions could be taken which may potentially harm the national security of the United States. prgtoken While the development of 5G networks is important to both the economic prosperity and national security of the United States, the premature auction of spectrum must not jeopardize the systems that depend on radars and other critical sensors to protect our troops and our citizens from air or missile attacks. prgtoken Many of the reasons that make an extension until the end of the fiscal year vital simply can't be discussed here on the Senate floor because they need to be taken in a classified setting. prgtoken Over the past several months, I hosted a series of classified and unclassified briefings for my colleagues, their congressional staff members, the telecom industry, and the defense in
SYRIA WAR POWERS RESOLUTION
Ryan K. Zinke (Republican, MT) \u2014 2023-3-8

I stand before you today in strong opposition to H. Con. Res. 21 to pull forces out of Syria. prgtoken Like many in this distinguished Chamber, I have served in the region. I spent 23 years as a Navy SEAL. I have hunted war criminals. I have dismantled terrorist cells, and I have fought for freedom on foreign shores. prgtoken There are several self-evident truths in Syria. First, the U.S. troops are authorized by Congress. prgtoken Second, I do believe that we should review those authorizations. They may need to be reviewed. We should have answers on objectives, on failures, on victories, on a plan for ultimate success. I agree. prgtoken But there is no doubt that Syria also remains a center for radical Islamic forces and terrorism, like ISIS, like PKK. These are organizations that will never stop, ever. They are committed to destroying this Nation and our allies, and we should be aware of their objectives. prgtoken Lastly, the hard truth is this: Either we fight them in Syria or we will fight them here. Either we fight and defeat them in Syria, or we will fight in the streets of our Nation. prgtoken To understand the scope of the military presence, we are talking about 900 troops. That is 900 troops that have to have the capability for intelligence collection, self-defense, surveillance, targeting. In case our troops get in trouble, that force must be sufficient to get them out of trouble because every sailor, soldier, airman, and marine, deserves nothing less. prgtoken Nine hundred military personnel is an objectively small contingent. When you look at it, that is about the size of a Walmart which employs, on average, 300 people. prgtoken So I agree with many of the supporters of the resolution that Congress has the powers, and these powers should be reviewed. We should ask the hard questions: What is the path to victory? prgtoken What are the resources that are being spent? Are they being spent in the right spot? prgtoken Is there a clear path to victory, and what are the interests of the United States? prgtoken But believe me, , I understand the burden of war. I have lost a lot of friends. I understand the consequences of war on foreign shores, both to the servicemen and our families, which is why I call on my colleagues today to ask the right questions, but to reject this well-intended, but really, really bad idea.
DISAPPROVING THE ACTION OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA COUNCIL IN APPROVING THE REVISED CRIMINAL CODE ACT OF 2022
Bill Hagerty (Republican, TN) \u2014 2023-3-8

the Senate will soon take up my resolution to nullify the Revised Criminal Code Act recently passed by the DC Council--a measure that becomes more central every day as the harrowing reports of lawlessness and deadly violence in our Nation's Capital steadily accumulate. prgtoken Carjackings in DC have increased for 5 consecutive years and have more than tripled in the past 3 years. For the first time in 20 years, DC has experienced back-to-back years with more than 200 homicides. Car thefts are up 111 percent this year. It has gotten so bad that the city recently announced that it is giving away free steering-wheel locks to owners of frequently stolen cars here in the District. Instead, how about just enacting laws that stop crime in the first place? prgtoken Sadly, violent crime has become an epidemic in our Nation's Capital, where our constituents, Americans from across the country, and people from around the world come to live, come to work, and come to visit, from schoolchildren to World War II veterans. Yet, unbelievably, despite escalating crime and palpable unease from all who visit or live in DC, the DC Council recently passed legislation to reduce penalties and eliminate minimum sentences for violent criminal offenses, including carjackings, robberies, and even homicides. prgtoken DC's crime bill also dramatically expands jury trials in misdemeanor cases, which may sound good to a law school classroom but in practice will overwhelm the system and force dropped charges and crippling delays in countless criminal cases integral to preserving order and public safety. The DC crime bill reduces penalties on violent crime in the midst of a violent crime wave. It is the opposite of good policy and will make the crime wave even worse. It sends the wrong message-- that DC is not serious about fighting crime. prgtoken DC's own police chief recently concluded that one of the main reasons for rising crime in the District, especially among youth, is the perception among criminals that they will suffer no consequence. Yet the council proposes to reduce the consequences even further. prgtoken Make no mistake, this DC crime bill will deliver the wrong results. Under these soft-on-crime policies, public safety will deteriorate further. prgtoken This is common sense to most people. It should be no surprise, then, that Mayor Bowser recently vetoed the DC crime bill just this January. She said: This bill does not make us safer. prgtoken I couldn't agree more. prgtoken Yet, putting woke ideology over public safety, the DC Council overrode the Mayor's veto. That is why I am bringing forth this resolution to block the DC crime bill. prgtoken Washington is a Federal district, and the Constitution puts Congress in charge of governing it. This makes sense. Countless Americans from all over the country visit our Nation's Capital each week to meet with their Federal representatives and to enjoy our national histo
DISAPPROVING THE ACTION OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA COUNCIL IN APPROVING THE REVISED CRIMINAL CODE ACT OF 2022
John Hoeven (Republican, ND) \u2014 2023-3-8

I join my colleagues today to speak regarding the rising crime rate in our country. Crimes, specifically violent crimes, are exploding at troubling rates nationwide. Crimes are at a 25-year high across the country. prgtoken Connected to the rise in crime is the administration's open border policy, which is resulting in increased drug and human trafficking. At the same time, radical proposals to ``defund the police'' are the exact opposite of what we should be doing right now, which is supporting our men and women in law enforcement. We need to do that by giving them the resources, the tools, and training needed to do their job and protect our communities. prgtoken We must strive to protect our communities, enforce our laws, support our men and women in blue, and keep criminals off the street. Our Nation's Capital is, unfortunately, a prime example of the problems that we are having with crime right now in our cities. Crime is up 25 percent since March of 2022. In that same timeframe, homicides are up 30 percent and motor vehicle theft is up 110 percent. prgtoken As the center of our government and the symbol of our country, this is simply unacceptable. And instead of working to protect our Nation's Capital and all our constituents who visit here--and there are many of them here today--the DC Council has voted to ease violent crime penalties. prgtoken Last fall, the DC Council passed the Revised Criminal Code Act, which greatly weakens the criminal justice system here in the District of Columbia. This bill is so problematic that the Mayor of DC vetoed the bill, stating that ``it does not make us safe.'' prgtoken DC's law enforcement community is also deeply alarmed by the bill, raising concerns of overwhelming the court system and exploding the already-high violent crime rate here in the District of Columbia. prgtoken We must get serious about protecting safety and addressing the nationwide rise in crime by supporting our law enforcement and ensuring they have the resources and training they need to protect our communities. prgtoken That is why I helped to introduce the Resolution of Disapproval to prevent such a reckless rewrite of the DC Criminal Code from taking effect. And I thank the good Senator from Tennessee for taking the lead in this very, very important matter. prgtoken As legislators, we should focus on keeping criminals off our streets, instead of attempting to weaken sentences for violent crimes and criminals. Let's get back to the basics and support our law enforcement and ensure they have the tools they need to keep our communities safe. prgtoken Again, we have people visiting here from all over the country. This isn't just the District of Columbia where people live like another city. This is our Nation's Capital. People come here from all over the country. They should feel safe. They should feel safe in our Nation's Capital. prgtoken .
DISAPPROVING THE ACTION OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA COUNCIL IN APPROVING THE REVISED CRIMINAL CODE ACT OF 2022
Cindy Hyde-Smith (Republican, MS) \u2014 2023-3-8

I rise to express my support also for the resolution of disapproval of the new soft-on-crime law approved by the District of Columbia City Council. The resolution represents my chance to say: Enough is enough. prgtoken Today, Americans feel increasingly unsafe. It is not hard to understand why, since it has become impossible to disregard or dismiss the unraveling of law and order across the country over the past few years. prgtoken Whether it is the lack of law enforcement on the border, anti-police rhetoric, or weakened punishments for the violent crimes, Americans know the shift away from law and order, right and wrong, is tearing all the fabric of their communities. Crime is at a 25-year high across the entire country. prgtoken Unfortunately, my home State of Mississippi is not immune from this trend. Our capital, Jackson, has recorded more than 100 homicides for 3 consecutive years. prgtoken It is the same song, different verse in our Nation's very own Capital, where overall crime is up 25 percent since last year. In fact, Washington, DC's murder rate is 34 percent higher today than this time last year. Auto thefts are up 110 percent in this city. prgtoken What has the response been from the ic leadership? Well, it certainly has not made public safety a priority. There is a good reason the Senate is considering a resolution of disapproval against the DC Council's Revised Criminal Code Act of 2022. With DC's growing record of lawlessness, the city council voted to eliminate mandatory minimum sentences and reduce penalties for crimes like robbery, carjacking, home invasion, burglary, and more. These are violent crimes that leave victims traumatized, injured, or worse--dead. prgtoken So why is the instinct to protect the criminal--to signal that the penalties for violating the law are being eased? prgtoken This law will put residents, constituents, tourists, Federal workers, and prgtoken elected officials directly in harm's way. Rather than holding them accountable for their own actions, the DC Council would prefer to let these violent criminals go back to the streets and commit the same violent crimes. Is it any wonder Washington, DC, has a police recruitment and retention problem? prgtoken At the same time, those responsible for enforcing our justice system seem more interested in carrying out ``justice'' based on politics. The administration's Justice Department, for example, appears to be laser-focused on parents at local school board meetings, pro-life Americans exercising their right to protest, and spying on Catholic Americans, while taking a nothing-to-see-here approach to threats of violence against sitting Justices at the Supreme Court or attacks on pregnancy centers. If things continue this way, Americans will start to wonder if their safety and protection is determined by their political affiliation. prgtoken , public safety should not be a political issue. It
SYRIA WAR POWERS RESOLUTION
Marjorie Taylor Greene (Republican, GA) \u2014 2023-3-8

I have the great privilege of serving with many veterans here in Congress, and to them, I am so grateful for their service. This is also why I rise in support for this resolution, to pull our great military from Syria. prgtoken I would point out, on the official website for the U.S. Department of Defense, when it tells who the Department of Defense is on the ``about'' page, it says: We are your defense. The Department of Defense is America's largest government agency. With our military tracing its roots back to prerevolutionary times, the Department has grown and evolved with our Nation. Our mission is to provide the military forces needed to deter war and ensure our Nation's security. prgtoken That is the job of our Department of Defense, not to wage war in foreign lands and foreign countries at the expense of the American taxpayer. It is to deter war. prgtoken It is also the role of the Department of Defense to ensure our Nation's security, but our border is being ignored. Every single day, our border is invaded by thousands, and over 300 Americans die daily from fentanyl brought into our country by Mexican cartels. I would say those are the enemies we need to be focusing on, not in a country called Syria where no one in my district ever demands: ``Marjorie, we must go to war in Syria.'' I never hear that request from anyone who voted for me. prgtoken As a matter of fact, the veterans in my district say: We are sick and tired of foreign wars. We are fed up with it, and too many of our American military have died in foreign lands serving their foreign borders and their foreign causes. prgtoken , Matt Gaetz, for introducing this resolution, and I strongly encourage all of my colleagues to support it.