mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN OF 2022
Jim Jordan (Republican, OH) \u2014 2022-7-29

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , for years, the told us: We are not coming for your guns. prgtoken Oh, yes, they are. prgtoken Let's be clear. The Second Amendment is as clear as possible. That is their beef. The Second Amendment says: The right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. But they don't care. prgtoken In fact, the sponsor of this legislation said so in committee. He said: ``Spare me the BS about constitutional rights.'' They don't care about that fundamental liberty law-abiding citizens in this country enjoy, and they are coming for your firearms. prgtoken Six weeks ago, it was the red flag law, where someone who doesn't like you can report you to law enforcement or to a judge. There is a hearing that you can't be at, your counsel can't be present, you haven't been charged with a crime, but they can take your firearm, they can take your property, they can take away your Second Amendment liberties, and then you have to petition for a subsequent hearing to get that right back. And you have done nothing wrong and have not been charged with a crime. prgtoken Then House passed the unconstitutional legislation that said 18- to 20-year-olds can't purchase a firearm. They can fight for our country, but they can't purchase a firearm. And today they are coming for your guns, 24 million of them. prgtoken That is right, 24 million AR-style rifles are in the hands of law- abiding Americans today, as we speak, and those individuals will not be able to sell or transfer that property. prgtoken In the Heller case, the Supreme Court made clear that the Second Amendment protects firearms in common use at the time. During the markup, Representative Bishop asked the chairman: ``Is it the point of the bill to ban weapons that are in common use in the United States today?'' And the chairman said: ``The problem is that they are in common use.'' prgtoken So, yes, this is the goal. This is why it is unconstitutional. Couldn't be any clearer. don't care what the Constitution says. prgtoken Fortunately, courts are correctly applying the Constitution. Last week, a Federal District Court judge in Colorado, who was appointed by President , issued a temporary restraining order against the Town of Superior, Colorado, to prevent it from implementing an assault weapon ban. prgtoken The judge wrote: Plaintiffs have stated that semiautomatic weapons, as well as magazines that hold more than 10 rounds, are commonly used by law-abiding citizens for lawful purposes and, therefore, cannot be banned. prgtoken And guess what this bill will do? It won't make communities safer. It won't make them safer at all. In fact, in the Heller case, the Supreme Court said: The Second Amendment protects firearms in common use at the time and also said ``for lawful purposes like self-defense.'' prgtoken Three weeks ago, July 7, 2022, a Florida homeowner used his AR-style rifle when individuals forc
ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN OF 2022
Jodey C. Arrington (Republican, TX) \u2014 2022-7-29

. Too often, , we skip over the fundamental principle and precept and driver of the Second Amendment, so let's reaffirm our faith here. prgtoken Our Founders were determined to fight against their own government for our freedom and independence. They stated unequivocally that when there was a train of abuses and usurpations, and the citizens were reduced to absolute despotism, it was our right and our duty to throw off that government. prgtoken We wouldn't have these United States, we wouldn't be here today, without this sacred Second Amendment. Every law-abiding citizen in America must be able to meet evil with equal or greater force, whether it is a violent criminal, a crazed killer, or a coercive government. prgtoken , we must reject this attempt to trample the Constitution, to violate the spirit of what those Founders wrote into that sacred document, and disarm our citizens.
CONTINENTAL DIVIDE TRAIL COMPLETION ACT
Pete Stauber (Republican, MN) \u2014 2022-7-29

. Madam Chair, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 5118, the so-called wildfire response package. prgtoken The Greenwood fire in northern Minnesota was the worst in decades. It ravaged my district, forcing home evacuations, closing the Boundary Waters, and upending people's lives. Still, even worse wildfires ravage southern California and across the West. prgtoken Wildfires are the result of weather, topography, and fuel. Madam Chair, the only factor we can control is fuel. Our forests are thick with dead wood fuel, and they are, predictably, going up in flames. prgtoken Real solutions include reforming our broken permitting process so we can get our loggers into forests on projects to really make a difference. There are no better conservationists and forest managers. They know better than anyone how to preserve our forests for future generations. prgtoken Like everything done by this majority, it throws money at a problem and offers no real solutions to ensure this doesn't happen again. And, no, not one single wildland firefighter receives a raise under this bill. $20 an hour is already the minimum wage, and when you authorize no money with it, it will, in fact, lead to wildland firefighting jobs being cut. prgtoken s are offering solutions. Ranking Member Westerman has the Trillion Trees Act. I have the ESA Flexibility Act and the Healthy Forests for Hunters Act. prgtoken Madam Chair, s will keep offering solutions until you accept them because we need to fix this problem. It cannot go on like this any longer.
RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF BOB SAKATA
Ken Buck (Republican, CO) \u2014 2022-7-29

. Madam , I rise today to recognize the generosity and patriotism of agricultural trailblazer Bob Sakata, who passed away on June 7, 2022, at the age of 96. Bob's life encapsulated the American principles of perseverance, endurance, and courage. Through his innovation and dedication, Bob left an indelible mark upon the Colorado community. prgtoken In 1941, when the U.S. declared war against Japan, Bob and his family were sent to an internment camp in Topaz, Utah. With the assistance of his former high school teacher, who vouched for his character, Bob obtained an early release from the internment camp and relocated to Brighton, Colorado, where he worked on a dairy farm. In 1944, Bob's employer loaned him the money to purchase 40 acres of farmland in Brighton. This land paved the way for Bob and his family to start a new life following World War II. prgtoken Bob became a giant in Colorado's agricultural industry and was renowned for his innovation in sweet corn growing. He transformed the industry in the 1980s with creative methods in seed development, consumer packaging, and the introduction of Sakata Farms Gourmet Sweet Corn. Through a dedicated work ethic and the assistance of his loving wife Joanna, Bob's farm would eventually grow from 40 acres to more than 3000 acres. Bob's agricultural knowledge resulted in two presidential nominations to the Advisory Board of the Commodity Credit Corporation. prgtoken As his farm and fame grew, Bob remained dedicated to giving back to his community. He served fifteen years on Colorado's Water Quality Control Commission, working collaboratively to find ways to address water shortages impacting Colorado's farmers. Bob's ingenuity and charity led to his induction into the Colorado Business Hall of Fame and the Colorado Agriculture Hall of Fame. Over the years, Bob was a member of the Colorado State University Extension Advisory Board, Colorado's Food Safety Task Force, the Brighton Rotary Club, and the Brighton First Presbyterian Church. Furthermore, Bob spearheaded the campaign to build the National Japanese American Memorial to Patriotism in Washington, D.C. prgtoken Bob Sakata is an example of the American dream. On behalf of the Fourth District of Colorado, it is my honor to recognize his many accomplishments and his legacy of generosity, faith, courage, and perseverance.
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 1808, ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN OF 2022
Chip Roy (Republican, TX) \u2014 2022-7-29

. Madam , I thank the gentleman for yielding and for his leadership on this matter. Yes, we shouldn't be talking about disarming the American people when it is my colleagues on the other side of the aisle that are leaving the American people exposed to dangerous cartels and dangerous narcotics flying through your communities and dangerous criminal gang members and criminals that are coming in and harming the American people, including people that are affiliated with terrorist countries and organizations. My colleagues on the other side of the aisle don't seem to care a whit about that. prgtoken Yesterday, Mayor Bowser was all upset because 4,000 people have been bused to D.C. from Texas since April. 4,000 people. Do you know how many people were apprehended in Texas yesterday? About 4,000 people. prgtoken Welcome to the party. Because that is the reality of what we are dealing with at our southern border. Virtually all of the people being apprehend are being released into the United States under notice to appear or parole. There is only one barrier to all being released, and that is the use of title 42 during a pandemic. prgtoken Now, I notice a number of the staff, a number of the folks on the other side of the aisle, people that are still masked. We still are under emergency declarations, and yet, we are going to allow people to flow into this country, and we are going to remove the one last vestige of security that this administration remotely will actually look at and use: title 42 at our border. prgtoken They are building facilities to process more people to release them into the United States. prgtoken Mayor Bowser wants to complain and then call out the National Guard because 4,000 people were shipped from Texas to D.C.; the 4,000 that Texas gets on a daily basis. Again, welcome to the dang party. prgtoken You know what? Do you know what you are not talking about, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle? The 73 human beings caught in a stash house in Washington, D.C this week. Seventy-three human beings in a stash house in our Nation's Capital. But my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, my colleagues particularly on the Judiciary Committee, brushed that aside, patting themselves on the back in the false name of compassion for how much they love Brown people for having open borders. Well, the Brown people in south Texas are sick and tired of it. The Brown people of south Texas that I know, the candidates on my side of the aisle, are standing up for a secure border, and that begins with enforcing our laws under title 42 during a pandemic to ensure that we turn people away. prgtoken My friend, Yvette Herrell, introduced a bill that would solve the problem, and that is what we would proceed to. We have a discharge petition that would unleash that bill. I welcome any of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to join that discharge petition, perhaps, particularly if you are in a tough race
HONORING DREW GRIFFIN'S SERVICE TO OHIO'S FIFTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
Robert E. Latta (Republican, OH) \u2014 2022-7-29

. Madam , I rise today to recognize a dedicated member of my staff, Drew Griffin, who will be leaving our office at the beginning of September. prgtoken Hailing originally from the Pacific Northwest, Drew has dedicated his career to public service, including time spent working on behalf of the people of Washington and Minnesota. We have been blessed to have Drew working on behalf of the Buckeye state for the past six years, three of which as my Chief of Staff, and we know it will be hard to replace him. prgtoken A dedicated sports fan, Drew could always be counted on to discuss the latest news impacting his Seattle Sounders or Washington Nationals. He instilled in everyone he interacted with a sense of comradery and purpose, showcasing the positive impact that individuals can have on their community if they worked together. prgtoken Drew is also a loving father to daughter, Eve, and son, Jack, and a dedicated husband to Ann. As he enters this next chapter in his life, I know that he will have the love and support of his family and friends to help him along the way. prgtoken I am eternally grateful for Drew for all he has done for me, and I wish him and his family the best.
HONORING AND CONGRATULATING THE SERVICE OF LT. COL. TIMOTHY S. SULLIVAN
Vicky Hartzler (Republican, MO) \u2014 2022-7-29

. Madam , I rise today to honor the career of Lieutenant Colonel Timothy S. Sullivan and congratulate him on his retirement from the United States Air Force. Lt. Col. Sullivan serves as the Force Support Squadron Commander for the 131st Bomb Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base. As the lead evaluator pilot in both the B-2 and T-38 aircraft, Lt. Col. Sullivan is responsible for the development and implementation of the B-2 Operations Group yearly flying and ground training programs for both active duty and Air National Guard. His outstanding effort on a wide variety of projects and major programs have greatly impacted the United States Air Force, and the great state of Missouri. prgtoken Lt. Col. Sullivan is a distinguished graduate of the University of Missouri Reserve Officer Training Cadet (ROTC) program where he began his military career eighteen years ago. He is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Weapons School Instructor course and is a command pilot with more than 3,200 flying hours in the T-37, T-38, and B-2 aircraft. Lt. Col. Sullivan is also a B-2 instructor and evaluator pilot with combat experience in operation Odyssey Lightning. He and his wife are the parents of two sons. prgtoken As an officer in the U.S. Air Force, Lt. Col. Sullivan continues to serve this nation with integrity and honor, always giving back to his country, community, and family. He is a passionate advocate for ending the military suicide epidemic and has gone above and beyond organizing events outside of work hours to connect those who are hurting with hope and healing through faith in Jesus Christ. His extraordinary talent and determination have led him to win various awards and recognition, including the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster, and the Meritorious Service Medal, among many others. It is a great honor to recognize the dedicated service of Lt. Col. Timothy S. Sullivan. Please join me in congratulating him for many years of service to our Nation and to the United States Air Force.
CONTINENTAL DIVIDE TRAIL COMPLETION ACT
Yvette Herrell (Republican, NM) \u2014 2022-7-29

. Madam Chair, I rise in support of the motion to recommit and in opposition to the underlying bill. prgtoken The legislation before us today is rightly labeled a wildfire response bill. But, Madam Chair, I believe instead of just focusing on wildfire response, we as Congress should be focused on wildfire prevention. prgtoken The most immediate way to protect Americans who are threatened by potential catastrophic wildfire is to prevent these fires from happening in the first place, and the only way to do this is to actively manage our forests. prgtoken Therefore, I urge my colleagues to support my bill, the Wildfire Prevention and Drought Mitigation Act, which is a part of this motion to recommit. This legislation would grant categorical exclusion authority for forest management projects whose primary purpose is to protect municipal water resources and to improve watershed health, water yield, and snowpack. prgtoken In addition, projects that are specifically tailored to adapt a forest landscape to an increased threat of drought would be granted categorical exclusion authority. Granting categorical exclusion authority to these projects would streamline the NEPA process and protect communities in my district that are adjacent to fire-prone forests. prgtoken The underlying bill we are debating here today will make it more difficult to prevent wildfires by adding new red tape and locking up millions of acres in wilderness. This is the same approach and continues to hurt my constituents. prgtoken Just a few months ago, the Black fire burned over 300,000 acres of mostly wilderness area in my district. In northern New Mexico, the devastating Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon fire burned through the unmanaged Pecos Wilderness and became the largest fire in our State history. These fires have destroyed hundreds of homes and will cost New Mexicans millions of dollars to clean up the damage and rebuild. All of this was preventable. prgtoken Instead of making it more difficult to prevent catastrophic wildfires, as the underlying bill would do, I ask my colleagues to support this motion to recommit.
ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN OF 2022
August Pfluger (Republican, TX) \u2014 2022-7-29

I thank the ranking member for yielding. prgtoken , today, I am voting against the erosion of constitutional rights of law-abiding Americans. prgtoken In the long history of mankind, freedom and liberty are not lost overnight. It comes by way of a slow and gradual burn. prgtoken We have seen an unprecedented assault on our First Amendment through the legacy media and social media giants censoring the thoughts and opinions of individuals of the right while propping up their favorite candidates and covering up stories that could be detrimental to their public personas. prgtoken Policies are then implemented that are antireligious freedom, anti- due process, anti-free assembly, and, today, anti-Second Amendment, the right to bear arms. These rights shall not be infringed. prgtoken Instead of making families and communities safer, this backward, gun- grabbing attempt does nothing to harden school security, address our mental health crisis, or reverse the depreciation of our morals and values. prgtoken No, it does nothing for that, but it tears at the fabric of our Constitution. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues to protect the Constitution and vote ``no.''
CARDS FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS
Glenn Grothman (Republican, WI) \u2014 2022-7-29

everybody is obsessed with inflation, as well they should be obsessed, but there are so many stories out there that the mainstream media is not covering that the American public ought to be aware of. prgtoken Right now, ICE is proposing identification cards for illegal immigrants. First of all, we have a situation in which there are over 170,000 people allowed in this country every month who should probably not even be here illegally. prgtoken Why is this? prgtoken Already we promised free healthcare, and I think in many cases people coming here illegally are getting more healthcare or easier access to healthcare than people are originally. They are allowed to travel all around the country. prgtoken Now there is already a concern in my State that many illegal immigrants are getting public benefits, as well. I am afraid that these cards will be used to further solidify the programs to give free public benefits to those people who shouldn't be here. prgtoken I hope the press looks into it.
HONORING THE LIFE OF TO VAN LAI
Michelle Steel (Republican, CA) \u2014 2022-7-29

. Madam , I rise today to commemorate the life of one of my constituents. To Van Lai of Westminster lived a truly vibrant life and touched the lives of Vietnamese communities in Orange County and around the world. prgtoken After working as a university professor, To Van Lai established Thuy Nga Productions in Saigon, bringing the joy of music to the people of Vietnam. prgtoken When the communist government there banned his work, he took his company to France. There, he produced his most well-known and beloved work: Paris by Night, a renowned variety show that has brought Vietnamese entertainment to homes around the world. prgtoken Throughout his career, he valued the history, language, and tradition of the Vietnamese people. prgtoken He believed deeply that ``If you still have the Vietnamese language, then you still haven't lost the people.'' To Van Lai's life reminds us to treasure and honor the rich heritage and culture of our Vietnamese communities. prgtoken My prayers are with his family during this difficult time. May his memory of preserving the heritage of our Vietnamese neighbors live on, and may he rest in peace.
HONORING CAM SHOLLY, YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK SUPERINTENDENT
Liz Cheney (Republican, WY) \u2014 2022-7-29

. Madam , I rise today to honor Yellowstone National Park Superintendent Cameron (Cam) Sholly and his staff for the outstanding leadership they demonstrated in the face of a crisis situation, and to recognize their tireless efforts to address the needs of Yellowstone National Park and the surrounding communities after the devastating flooding that took place there on June 13, 2022. prgtoken Cam and his staff went above and beyond in service to the communities surrounding the park, even those not directly affected by the flooding. During the weeks following the flood, they held public virtual meetings with community stakeholders, oftentimes daily, to ensure the health, safety, and requirements of the people and businesses were being met. These meetings served as an opportunity to collaborate on effective ways to reopen and provide admittance to the park. Cam and his team also worked closely with the Wyoming Congressional Delegation and with state officials to ensure transparency throughout the cleanup and reopening processes. They all continue to check in with businesses and chambers of commerce in the communities several times a week to ensure that any outstanding issues are being addressed. prgtoken Cam is a third-generation park service manager and began his National Park Service Career in 1990. He assumed duties as the Superintendent of Yellowstone National Park in October of 2018. Yellowstone is one of the largest national park operations in the world spanning 2.2 million acres and receiving over 4 million visits each year. The park has a team of over 1,000 employees and volunteers. Cam was awarded the Superintendent of the Year Award for the Southeast Region in 2011 and the Department of Interior's Meritorious Achievement Award in 2015 for his wide-ranging executive leadership actions. Cam is also a veteran of the U.S. Army and deployed to Operation Desert Storm in 1991. prgtoken I express my most sincere thanks and admiration to Cam and his staff for their responsiveness and dedication to Wyoming and the communities surrounding Yellowstone National Park. Their exemplary service should serve as the gold standard for all governmental agencies.