mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
Nomination of Lisa DeNell Cook (Executive Session)
Sherrod Brown (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2022-3-29

I rise to urge my colleagues to join me in confirming Lisa Cook to the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. prgtoken Dr. Cook hails from the Presiding Officer's home State of Georgia. She grew up in Milledgeville, GA, where my mother's college roommate-- during World War II, before she moved to Washington to be part of the war effort--was a roommate of my mother who is from Mansfield, GA, as the Presiding Officer knows. She roomed with someone from Milledgeville, GA. prgtoken Lisa Cook has good smalltown values, good southern values. She now teaches at a great Midwestern State university with good midwestern values. prgtoken She is unquestionably qualified, an economist with many years of experience. She is a graduate of Spelman. She was a Truman Scholar in England, something that very few Americans qualify for. It is a very small, elite, important program. She then got her Ph.D. at Berkeley. prgtoken She brings a breadth of research and international experience on monetary policy, on banking, and on financial crises. In fact, she is one of the country's leading researchers on international economic growth and innovation economics. prgtoken Dr. Cook currently serves as a dual-tenured professor of economics and international relations at Michigan State. She previously taught at the Kennedy School of Government. She served on the Council of Economic Advisers during the eurozone crisis and at the Department of Treasury. prgtoken She is a historic nominee. If confirmed, she would be the first Black woman ever in the more than 100-year history of the Fed. Think about that. In 1913, the Federal Reserve began, created by this body and the House of Representatives, signed by President Wilson. So in 109 years, seven Governors on the Fed--most stay no more than 5 or 6 or 7 years-- and she will be the first Black woman to ever serve on the Federal Reserve. prgtoken I am thrilled about this nomination. I am thrilled because of the diversity of gender and race but also--maybe especially--the diversity of experience. She knows, in her recognition, that workers should be at the center of our economy. She knows that workers drive our economic growth. She knows how important local communities are. She spent her formative years in the South and a significant portion of her career in the industrial Midwest. She has seen how the economy works and sometimes doesn't work so well for all different kinds of people in different parts of the country. prgtoken She arrived on campus in East Lansing, MI, a few years before the financial crisis. She saw its impact on the students, the professors, the entire community. She takes that with her--that experience, that knowledge, that insight--to the Federal Reserve. prgtoken That is an unusual thing for a Fed Governor. She has made it clear she is dedicated to Fed independence. She will uphold the Fed's dual mandate of maximum employment and price stability. prgtoken Her n
PAYING TRIBUTE TO THE HONORABLE DONALD EDWIN YOUNG
Eddie Bernice Johnson (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2022-3-29

. Madam , today is a solemn day. prgtoken Today, in the National Statuary Hall of the U.S. Capitol, we paid tribute to the Dean of the House of Representatives, the late Congressman Don Young. And how fitting is it for Congressman Young to lie in state in National Statuary Hall. Much like this hall, Don Young is an icon--a pillar--in the history of the House of Representatives. prgtoken Longevity as an elected official isn't a given--it has to be earned. And for 49 straight years, Don Young earned the honor of representing Alaska in Congress, which he considered the privilege of a lifetime. Congressman Young loved Alaska, and Alaska loved him. By the end of his tenure, not only was he the longest-serving politician in Alaska's history, but also the longest-serving Member of the House of Representatives in U.S. history. prgtoken Now, you may not think that a nurse from Texas and a frontiersman from Alaska would have a lot in common. And for the most part, you'd be right. But that never stopped us from working together when it meant the betterment of our constituents. We partnered on legislation that provided Pell Grants to Gold Star Families. We led an annual letter advocating for increased funding for the Innovative Approaches to Literacy (IAL) program. We spent long days and late nights together in the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee hearings. The list goes on and on. prgtoken We also had the opportunity to travel the world together on CODELs. He sponsored valuable and worthwhile trips that I never hesitated to sign up for. And the farther away we got from Washington, the closer we became. prgtoken My thoughts and prayers are with his beloved wife, Anne, with whom I had the pleasure of getting to know over the years, as well as his children, grandchildren, and all those who loved him. He will be dearly missed.
Nomination of Amy Loyd (Executive Calendar)
Tim Kaine (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2022-3-29

I rise to do a couple of things. I am awaiting the arrival of the Senator from Missouri. I am going to make a UC motion to bring up a very important nominee in the Secretary of Defense Department, but before I do, I want to comment on a UC that I made 2 hours ago. I stood here in this spot, and I sought unanimous consent to bring forward the nomination of Amy Loyd, who is the nominee to be Assistant Secretary of Education for Career and Technical Education. She passed out of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee unanimously. prgtoken We knew there was a hold on her nomination. We didn't know why. So I sought to bring forward her nomination, and the Senator from Utah, Mr. Lee, appeared, and I asked him why he was objecting to Amy Loyd. The good news was, he answered. He didn't have to, but he gave me an answer, and he said that her work indicated an attachment to critical race theory. That was his response, and he cited an article. prgtoken I went up to him after, and I asked him what the article was, and he referred me to an article dated August 2020, titled ``Diversifying Apprenticeship: Acknowledging Unconscious Bias to Improve Employee Access.'' That was the reason he and, he said, on behalf of others were opposing Ms. Loyd's nomination for a really important position focusing on career and technical education in the country. prgtoken I went back to my office, and I got the article. The article is seven pages long, August 2020--it is actually six pages long. It is entirely uncontroversial. Listen to this. There is a block that says ``What Is Unconscious Bias?'' Talk about fair and balanced language: Unconscious biases are social stereotypes about certain groups of people that individuals form outside their conscious awareness. prgtoken Is that controversial? Is that controversial? prgtoken There are recommendations for diversifying apprenticeships because, as we know, there are a lot of apprenticeships where there are not many women in apprenticeships. Ms. Loyd is a woman. She wants to diversify apprenticeships. That doesn't seem that unusual. prgtoken The recommendations for diversifying apprenticeships in this controversial article where the phrase ``critical race theory'' is never mentioned are widen the selection pool; seek out workers across skill levels; develop transparent, detailed, and uniform criteria; get multiple perspectives; complement selection processes with program designs that increase access. This is just basic human resources. There is nothing in this document about critical race theory. prgtoken When I read it thinking I was going to find some real reason to oppose Ms. Loyd, I found this basic human resources 101--nothing about critical race theory. But then I realized something even more amazing. I looked at prgtoken the author of the article. This was being held against Ms. Loyd's confirmation. The author of the article is Jessica Toglia, s
SECURING A STRONG RETIREMENT ACT OF 2022
Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2022-3-29

. Madam , the balance of the time. prgtoken Madam , as my colleagues have said, the bill makes meaningful and sensible improvements to America's retirement system. It will help workers, retirees, and employers. prgtoken I again congratulate my Education and Labor Committee colleagues who have authored provisions in this bill, and I want to recognize and thank the ranking member of the Committee on Education and Labor, Dr. Foxx, and her staff for their partnership and work on this important bill with my staff which includes Kevin McDermott, Richard Miller, Daniel Foster, and Eli Hovland who have worked hard on this bill from start to finish. prgtoken Madam , I urge all Members to support the bill, and .
DON YOUNG COAST GUARD AUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2022
Elaine G. Luria (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2022-3-29

. Madam , I come from a coastal district in Virginia, and the responsibilities and duties of the Coast Guard are integral to our everyday activities. prgtoken While I will vote to support the Don Young Coast Guard Authorization Act for all these reasons, I must express my concerns with language that was added to the bill in committee that makes significant modifications to crewing aboard the important and unique vessels that do the work lifting turbines on our growing and important offshore wind farms including a new project in development off the coast of Virginia. prgtoken This provision assumes that the United States presently has a sufficient number of vessels and mariners to perform this work. But as a recent report from DoE just states, we need 3-5 of these vessels and hundreds of skilled workers but unfortunately we currently lack them. prgtoken The proposed crewing changes--which go into effect immediately--would block the progress Virginia and other states along the Atlantic coast are making to produce clean energy and reduce the negative impacts of climate change. prgtoken I'm willing to continue working with the Members of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on a reliable crewing scheme that protects our national interests while ensuring that vital energy work can be done. This is not the right time to make this immediate and drastic change in the law.
Ukraine (Executive Calendar)
Gary C. Peters (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2022-3-29

I rise in support of Nani Coloretti's nomination to be the Deputy Director of the Office of Management and Budget. prgtoken Ms. Coloretti is a dedicated public servant and a proven leader who is well qualified to serve as OMB Deputy Director. She has over 20 years of experience at the Federal, State, and local level executing complex government programs, improving service delivery, and managing large organizations. prgtoken Ms. Coloretti served with distinction in the administration as the Assistant Secretary for Management at the U.S. Department of the Treasury and then as the Deputy Secretary at the Department of Housing and Urban Development. prgtoken It is absolutely critical that we have Senate-confirmed leaders in place at OMB, and I have no doubt that Ms. Coloretti's experience will serve the Agency and the American people well. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting Nani Coloretti's nomination to be OMB Deputy Director. prgtoken .
Budget Proposal (Executive Session)
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2022-3-29

now, yesterday, President released the prgtoken second budget of his administration, a strong, forward-looking, and optimistic vision of our country's potential. It is a budget calling for greater investments in the things that make the biggest difference in the lives of middle-class families and in those working to get to the middle class: more support for our schools, increased funding for childcare and healthcare services, strong investments in clean energy and climate change mitigation, support for our farmers and small businesses, as well as relief for our strained supply chains. prgtoken The leader asserted yesterday that the President's budget is ``fundamentally disconnected'' from what America needs right now. This begs the question: Just how does the leader think the recovery of the past 12 months came to pass? prgtoken We have seen the greatest jobs recovery in history, the strongest economic surge in 40 years, and a steady return to normal after the worst health crisis of modern times. Does he think it happened by magic? Of course not. These were the results of the right leadership pursuing the right policies at the right moment in our country: robust investments in vaccines, aid for families trying to feed their kids through a crisis, help for businesses and local communities struggling to stay open. prgtoken And as our recovery continues under President , s seem to think the right answer is to shortchange the American people and cut off vital resources that help our country grow. prgtoken s can't stand the thought of asking the ultrarich to pay their fair share, and as a result, efforts to strengthen the middle class, which would be paid for by taxes on those at the very top, are anathema to them. Keeping the wealthy wealthy is more important for s than strengthening the middle class. prgtoken s, indeed, seem to think it is ``fundamentally disconnected'' to increase investments in things like public education, Pell grants, title 1, which helps kids most at need. s believe it is somehow wasteful or far left to dare help families afford childcare and pre-K, which never have been pricier than they are today. prgtoken And beholden as they are to corporate polluters, s seem to think it is radical for the Federal Government to dedicate resources to a clean energy future: more renewables, more clean cars right here from America, and a more prosperous planet for our kids and our grandkids. prgtoken But, of course, s think it is perfectly fine to try and rip away healthcare for millions of Americans and push trillion-dollar tax cuts that overwhelmingly benefit the wealthy, but helping the middle class with childcare and education and healthcare is a bridge too far for our friends--sad. prgtoken For all these reasons, the contrast between President 's budget and the vision we are
SECURING A STRONG RETIREMENT ACT OF 2022
Ron Kind (Democrat, WI) \u2014 2022-3-29

. This has been a great bipartisan effort in committee. Again, I thank the chairman and the ranking member for creating the environment not just with today's legislation, but the previous SECURE Act that we passed roughly 2 years ago, and the ongoing work that we will have. prgtoken My friend from Arizona is right, with 70 million baby boomers beginning their massive retirement, we have to figure out ways to make it easier for individuals to save for their own retirement and for future generations to participate and get a head start. I believe this legislation accomplishes that.
MARCH CONSTITUENT OF THE MONTH KAILLIE HUMPHRIES
Mike Levin (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2022-3-29

. Madam , it is my honor to recognize Carlsbad resident and Olympic athlete Kaillie Humphries as my Constituent of the Month for March. Kaillie has had a long and extraordinarily successful career as a bobsled athlete, including four Olympic medals and five championships in the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) World Championships, making her the most decorated woman in bobsled history. She had won two gold and one bronze medal for Team Canada in previous Olympic competitions, and this year, she won gold in the monobob event for Team USA. She is the only female athlete in Olympic history to have earned Olympic gold medals for two nations. prgtoken Kaillie had to overcome significant adversity during her journey to the 2022 Winter Olympics. After leaving the Canadian team due to abuse and harassment she endured, Kaillie began the arduous process of becoming a United States citizen with little time to spare before the games, all while continuing to train vigorously for the competition. As a Carlsbad resident and constituent of mine, Kaillie reached out to my office for help. With assistance from my staff, Kaillie became a United States citizen just two months before the Olympics began, allowing her to compete for Team USA. It is hard to overstate the stress and pressure Kaillie experienced, but she persevered and ultimately made our CA-49 community and our entire country very proud. prgtoken Kaillie is not only an extraordinary athlete, she is a person of integrity and upstanding character who is an excellent role model for all of us. It is my honor to recognize her as our Constituent of the Month, particularly during Women's History Month.
HONORING L.A. BLACK BUSINESS ASSOCIATION CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD EARL ``SKIP'' COOPER II
Karen Bass (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2022-3-29

. Madam , today I rise to acknowledge the legacy of Earl ``Skip'' Cooper II as he retires from the Black Business Association of Los Angeles. prgtoken For the last 50 years, Skip Cooper has fought tirelessly to break down barriers and uplift not only African American businesses, but all minority businesses. He has developed programs to assure that businesspeople, artists, and entrepreneurs had access to the financing, contracting, mentoring, and support that it takes to succeed, and he has served as an advisor to both the Latin and Asian business associations in Los Angeles prior to their formation. As a result, he has played a pivotal role in the success of countless businesses across the Los Angeles region. prgtoken Young Skip had a newspaper delivery route by age I0, and he never forgot the power of relationships and mentoring. Skip would go on to serve as a medic in the Vietnam War, and he returned home from service to study at Oakland's Merritt College, where he became one of the first in the country to earn an AA degree in African American Studies. He would later earn bachelor's and MBA degrees as well. prgtoken Early in his career, Skip interned at a Los Angeles area minority business resource center where he saw the need to promote and support minority-owned businesses. At the end of Skip's internship, he joined the staff of what became the Los Angeles Economic Development Corp. where, as program manager, Skip oversaw a state initiative that helped minority owned businesses secure purchasing contracts with public and private sector organizations. That led him to join the BBA where, in 1976, he embarked on its first trade mission to Washington, D.C. prgtoken Over decades of advocacy, Skip has had a significant role in the passage and implementation of legislation and regulations at the federal, state and local levels. He worked closely with legislators, especially the late California Asm. Gwen Moore and the late U.S. Rep. Parren Mitchell, to pass laws to address the historic disadvantage of minority businesses that had been shut out of public and private programs and funding opportunities. prgtoken The BBA will continue its annual salutes to Black history, Black women and Black music, its twice-annual veterans' procurement conference, and its e-commerce venture: a Black business shopping guide, all of which will further Skip's legacy, and his lifelong commitment to economic empowerment for people of color.
WOMEN OF THE REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS MOVEMENT
Lizzie Fletcher (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2022-3-29

. Madam , I thank Representative Green. prgtoken Madam , I have worked closely with my colleagues in the Pro- Choice Caucus to identify stories that need to be told during this Special Order hour this evening. I am grateful to my colleagues who have taken to the floor this evening to share with us the stories of their constituents, to share with us the stories of those who they know have been fighters for reproductive rights, for reproductive justice, for choice. prgtoken One of our Pro-Choice Caucus leaders could not be with us tonight but has submitted a statement for the record that I would like to read now. From Representative Judy Chu: ``I rise today to honor the women of the abortion rights movement who prgtoken have come before us. I remember what it was like before the days of Roe. So today, I am helping to remember and honor those who gave their lives, who put their own bodies in harm's way so that we might have the ability to decide what to do with ours. ``Women like Pam, who lives in my district in Pasadena, California-- Pam is in her seventies, retired, and spends her time volunteering in her community. But Pam told me about a time when she was 22 years old. It was 1969, and even though she and her partner had been using birth control, Pam found out she was pregnant. ``This happened in the days before Roe v. Wade, which meant that her options were limited. That is how Pam found herself standing on the curb of an airport in Mexico City, waiting for someone to pick her up. Finally, a large black car came up and rolled down the window. `Are you Pam?' the driver asked. `Yes,' she replied, and got in the car, forced to trust and hope for the best. Thankfully, Pam wasn't hurt during this experience, but she told me she has never forgotten the fear and uncertainty of putting her life in the hands of a stranger who could have hurt her and abused her, especially when we know that this is a procedure that is safe and can be done in a doctor's office, not someplace unknown and unsafe. ``That is why, now, Pam is determined to ensure that no one ever feels as scared and alone as she did that day. Pam volunteers at the Planned Parenthood Pasadena and San Gabriel Valley, serving as a support system to women who need a hand to hold or a shoulder to lean on. Pam is an abortion advocate in her community because she believes, like I do, that everyone, no matter where they grew up, what language they speak, or how much money they make, deserves to have a say in what happens to their bodies. ``I rise today, as part of Women's History Month, to honor Pam and so many others like her who were forced to make history so that others could have the choices that they were denied. The fight for reproductive rights would not be where it is today without advocates like Pam who stand up, time and time again, and demand that women have the right to decide.'' prgtoken Madam , this evening, the Pro-Choice Caucus and I also