mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
PROVIDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL OF THE RULE SUBMITTED BY THE BUREAU OF CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION RELATING TO "SMALL BUSINESS LENDING UNDER THE EQUAL CREDIT OPPORTUNITY ACT (REGULATION...
Maxine Waters (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2023-12-1

. Madam , such time as I may consume. prgtoken Yes, I am a political activist. I am an activist for the people who send us here to represent them. I am an activist for the least of these. I am an activist for small business. I am an activist for veterans. I am an activist for children. I am an activist for education, for better healthcare, and I am very proud of it. prgtoken I tell you, it is shameful for us to continue to be dominated and controlled by the biggest banks in America, taking time on the floor of the people's House to defend them and to vote prgtoken against the very people who send you to this House to represent them. It is absolutely shameful. prgtoken It is time to get out from under the influence and control of the biggest banks in America and stand up for the people who really need to make these banks do what they should be doing rather than saying: No, we are not going to comply with the law, and yes, we will pay the fines because we are rich. We have so much money we can do that. prgtoken Madam , .
RECOGNIZING SGT. WILLIAM LIND ON RECEIVING THE FIRST RESPONDER HERO AWARD
Eric Sorensen (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2023-12-1

I rise today to congratulate Sgt. William Lind of Moline, Illinois on receiving the First Responder Hero Award from Black Hawk College in Moline, Illinois. prgtoken In October of 2022, Sgt. Lind was attacked and critically injured after trying to apprehend a suspect trying to flee the scene of an arson. After his long road of recovery, he finally got back to work at the East Moline Police Department. Upon his return, he received a Purple Heart because of the bravery he showed in the line of duty. The Purple Heart Award is given to officers in the department who have sustained a serious injury from an assault ``with potentially lethal force'' while on duty. On that day in October, Sgt. Lind sustained life threatening injuries while trying to protect those in our community. Following this Purple Heart, he received the First Responder Hero Award from Black Hawk College. I'm indubitably grateful to have an officer like Sgt. Lind serving the community I represent here in Congress. prgtoken , I would like to congratulate Sgt. William Lind formally on the honor of receiving the First Responder Hero Award. I join the rest of the community in thanking Sgt. Lind for his courage and bravery in the line of duty.
EXPANDING PASSENGER RAIL IN NORTHERN OHIO
Marcy Kaptur (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2023-12-1

I rise today to draw attention to the U.S. Department of Transportation to develop intercity passenger rail corridors across our Great Lakes region from Chicago to Cleveland. prgtoken We in the Great Lakes noticed the attention that the Department of Transportation pays to the East Coast and the West Coast, but please don't forget our Great Lakes northern region. prgtoken Take a look at the I-80/-90 corridor and think about that already being carved into the landscape. Use it. prgtoken In 2021, I joined other Great Lakes Members of Congress to urge Amtrak to retool its connect on U.S. 2035 Plan, which then excluded improvements to the Cleveland to Chicago corridor. To this day, we continue to lack daytime passenger rail service across this highly congested rail corridor and, of course, constricted Chicago. Boy, does it need help. prgtoken Our constituents deserve better. Leaders from the U.S. Department of Transportation; State, local, and regional Departments of Transportation; planning agencies; advocacy organizations; labor unions; and the private prgtoken sector have joined together to address this longstanding constriction to economic growth. prgtoken , I ask DOT: Please see us, hear us, help us.
PAYING TRIBUTE TO ROSA PARKS
Shri Thanedar (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2023-12-1

I rise today to pay tribute to Rosa Parks, a beacon of hope during the civil rights movement. prgtoken As we mark the 68th anniversary of her historic defiance against racial segregation, we remember her decision to not give up her seat on a Montgomery bus in 1955 and how it ignited a movement that reshaped our Nation's history. prgtoken Detroit, her adopted home and final resting place, has been indelibly marked by her courage. Her spirit and resolve continue to inspire generations in Detroit to stand up against racial disparity and champion inequality. prgtoken In her honor, and in recognition of the city she loved, we must persist in our efforts to dismantle systemic racism and build a society where every individual, regardless of race, can achieve their full potential.
NEGOTIATING SUCCESSFUL RELEASE OF HOSTAGES
Sara Jacobs (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2023-12-1

I rise today to thank my colleagues for their unanimous support of H. Res. 793, which passed the House this week. prgtoken I was proud to be an original cosponsor of this resolution, calling on Hamas to immediately release the 240 hostages taken during the horrific and inexcusable attack on Israel on October 7. prgtoken In the 55 days since the attack, I have met with family members of many of the hostages. They have experienced unimaginable pain and loss but still have hope, and so do I. prgtoken I am deeply grateful to President and his administration for their leadership in negotiating the vitally important deal to release many of the hostages. I am relieved that 110 of them have been reunited with their loved ones, but we won't rest until every single one is home safely.
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE
Donald G. Davis (Democrat, NC) \u2014 2023-12-1

Seymour Johnson Air Force Base is getting it done for the American people. prgtoken As a proud U.S. Air Force veteran and member of the House Committee on Armed Services, I toured the base recently to better understand its challenges, including the possibility of losing F-15E Strike Eagles without any replacement. That is why I led a bipartisan letter encouraging House Members not to strike the Strike Eagle provision from the NDAA. prgtoken During my visit, I saw a deteriorating child development center, and this is unacceptable. While at the facility, a 4-year-old came up to the window and waved, smiling, which touched my heart. prgtoken , we must advance military construction projects like this and join in the work of the bipartisan Quality of Life panel, because this 4-year-old, her friends, and her family deserve nothing less. This is the best way that we can wave back to the children of our military families.
MOMENT OF SILENCE HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF JUSTICE SANDRA DAY O'CONNOR
Greg Stanton (Democrat, AZ) \u2014 2023-12-1

this morning, we lost one of our greatest Americans, and today, I rise along with my colleagues representing all of Arizona, s and alike, to honor the life and legacy of the most influential Arizonan in history, Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, who passed away this morning at the age of 93. prgtoken Justice O'Connor spent her life breaking down barriers in pursuit of a more just society. She blazed every trail she set foot on, defying the odds stacked against women in the legal profession to rise to become Arizona's assistant attorney general, our first female majority leader in the State senate, Maricopa County Superior Court judge, and, ultimately, the first female Justice on the United States Supreme Court. prgtoken She brought her Arizona brand of pragmatism and independence with her to the Supreme Court and was often the swing vote on deeply consequential decisions. prgtoken In the years since her retirement from the Supreme Court, I have admired her steadfast commitment to preserving our democracy through objective, fact-based, and collaborative civil discourse through her creation of the Sandra Day O'Connor Institute and, of course, through the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law at Arizona State University. prgtoken Her work will inspire future generations to follow her example to become engaged and thoughtful civil participants. prgtoken , from Arizona (Mrs. Lesko).
REMEMBERING BIG BROTHER HARRY W. DEAN
Madeleine Dean (Democrat, PA) \u2014 2023-12-1

. Madam , it is said that the Lord takes nothing out of season, and so in this season of Thanksgiving, I rise to give thanks for my big brother, Harry W. Dean. prgtoken After 74 years of life filled with adventure, love, and laughs, my brother Harry died on November 20. prgtoken Harry was the second eldest of our seven siblings, five boys and two girls; one for every day's grace, my parents proclaimed. We joked he was my mother's favorite. It turns out he was all of ours, too. prgtoken Harry was an exceptional athlete, a champion pole vaulter with a wicked fastball. He was effortlessly funny, a natural storyteller, king of the one-liners. prgtoken Harry was a Navy veteran, a good cook, a fisherman, surfer, a boater, a collector of cool and not-so-cool cars. prgtoken As we got older, Harry leaned into his quiet side. He was a careful collector of people, relics, and their memories. prgtoken He was a steward of our family's history, preserving the photos and legacies of those who came before. The same will be true for Harry. prgtoken Madam , in this season of Thanksgiving, Harry's brothers and sisters, alongside Claire; Adrienne, Joe; and his handsome, loving grandsons, Joey, AJ, and Jack, we are thankful for Harry. We are confident that we will see him on the other side. We love him.
DENOUNCING THE RISE OF ANTI-ARAB HATE AND ISLAMOPHOBIA
Becca Balint (Democrat, VT) \u2014 2023-12-1

three young college students went for a walk in Burlington, Vermont, during their Thanksgiving break: Hishem, Kinnaan, and Taahseen spoke Arabic to one another and wore keffiyehs. prgtoken They were shot. prgtoken Whether or not this meets the legal standard for hate crime, we know this was a hateful act. The recent rise in Islamophobia in this country has led to deadly violence. It is deeply disturbing and frightening. prgtoken I want to be clear: Leaders in this very Chamber need to unequivocally denounce the rise of anti-Arab hate and Islamophobia. Words matter. prgtoken We need to lead with our values--community and acceptance--rather than hatred and fear. prgtoken No one should be targeted because of their ethnicity or their religion. It has no place in Vermont. It has no place anywhere. We all have a part to play. We need to speak up and stand with our Muslim neighbors and friends now. prgtoken The eyes of the Nation are on Vermont, and we want to make it absolutely clear to Americans that we will stand against this kind of violence and hate.
THE RIGHT OF THE STATE OF PALESTINE TO EXIST
Al Green (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2023-12-1

persons of color suffer greatly in this country. Disrespect. Disrespect because right across the street there is a building, the Russell Senate Office Building, that disrespects people of color. prgtoken Richard Russell was a self-proclaimed white supremacist. He was a Senator who fought the Voting Rights Act and voting rights in general. He was a Senator who was a coauthor of the Southern Manifesto. He was a racist and a bigot. prgtoken His name is on the building. We have been asking now for a long time that his name be removed from the building. We find that the Senate, in its wisdom, has not done so. That is disrespecting people of color. Yes, we are among the most disrespected in this country. prgtoken There is evidence and the Senate could remove Russell's name from that building tomorrow if they wanted to. It is not a question of whether there is a way, it is a question of whether they have the will. I marvel at how Senators' offices are in a building named after a racist and a bigot. I don't go into the Russell Senate Office Building. I respect myself enough to stay out of the Russell Senate Office Building. prgtoken Those Senators, they decide the timeline. Until they decide that it should be removed, it won't be removed. It will be removed. When it is removed, I am going to acknowledge it and be grateful for it. I will tell them that it took too long. It is just taking too long. Why? prgtoken They claim they can't remove a racist's name from a building paid for by taxpayer dollars because they can't agree on a new name. We have solved that problem. Simply call it what it was before it became the Russell Senate Office Building, and that was the Old Senate Office Building. prgtoken Let it become the Old Senate Office Building. Then take as much time as you like to conclude that it should have some worthy person's name. I have no name to offer. I only want that you do justice by Black people the same way you do justice by other people. prgtoken The same way you make an issue of an injustice against others. Make the same about television time available to criticize the Richard Russell Office Building and the name being on it. It is a symbol of national shame. prgtoken Why is it that CNN, MSNBC, FOX, all of them, why have they not made a big to-do of it? prgtoken One of the reasons may be because they report the news from the Russell Senate Office Building. Yes, they are all located right there near the rotunda where Richard Russell has a statue in his honor. prgtoken The Richard Russell Office Building is a symbol of national shame, and the news outlets ought to be ashamed of themselves to tolerate it and then participate in it--to participate in the perpetuation of the maintenance of the name on the building. They ought to be ashamed of themselves. prgtoken Yes, people of color are among the most disrespected. Yes, we are. prgtoken That is why I am concerned about this vote that we have taken today. It is
RECOGNIZING THE TIOGA CENTRAL AND WAVERLY HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL TEAMS
Marcus J. Molinaro (Republican, NY) \u2014 2023-12-1

I rise today to honor the Tioga Central and Waverly High School football teams. They are making history. prgtoken This is the first time two football teams from upstate Tioga County, New York, are competing simultaneously in State title games. prgtoken Tioga football's resounding 63-16 victory in the semifinals marks their third consecutive State title game appearance. prgtoken With 39 consecutive wins, they are not only chasing a third straight State championship but also their fourth title since 2015. prgtoken Just as remarkably, Waverly football's dominant win of 42-0 in the semifinals earned them a spot in the Class C State final for the first time in school history. prgtoken This historic moment is a testament to the dedication of our student athletes, the guidance of their coaches, and the unwavering support of our community. prgtoken I ask my colleagues in the House to join me in congratulating these young athletes, their coaches, their families, and the entire Tioga County community.
MOMENT OF SILENCE HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF JUSTICE SANDRA DAY O'CONNOR
Debbie Lesko (Republican, AZ) \u2014 2023-12-1

I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I thank our colleagues for standing in respect of a great woman. She was not only a great woman for Arizona but a great woman and trailblazer for all women across America. prgtoken As was said, she was the first female majority leader to serve in the Arizona Senate. She went on to be the first woman to serve as a Supreme Court Justice. She stood up for truth. She stood up for justice. She was not only a wonderful woman and representative of Arizona but a wonderful American. prgtoken We are saddened by her passing, but she set the trail for all of us women. She was a great , a great American, and we praise her each and every day.
CONGRATULATING WILLIAM "LOU" REED
Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (Republican, GA) \u2014 2023-12-1

I rise today to congratulate William ``Lou'' Reed on being named Rincon's new fire chief. prgtoken Reed started with the Rincon Fire Department in November of 2011 and has served as a firefighter, an engineer, and a captain. prgtoken Lou was appointed to be the Rincon fire chief on September 11 after having led the department on an interim basis for 20 months. prgtoken He recently received a bachelor's degree in fire administration and is working toward a master's degree in public health administration. prgtoken As the new chief, he has already created goals to reduce the number of fires and fire-related deaths by analyzing response data, providing safety education programs to residents, and enforcing State and local fire prevention codes. prgtoken Lou has already shown he has the skills of a true leader. I am excited to see what he accomplishes further as the new Rincon fire chief.
PROVIDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL OF THE RULE SUBMITTED BY THE BUREAU OF CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION RELATING TO "SMALL BUSINESS LENDING UNDER THE EQUAL CREDIT OPPORTUNITY ACT (REGULATION...
Mike Flood (Republican, NE) \u2014 2023-12-1

. Madam , I thank the chairman for yielding. prgtoken Madam , I rise in support of S.J. Res. 32 providing congressional disapproval of the CFPB's Small Business Collection Rule. prgtoken I am a businessman myself, and I am proud to say that I have made a payroll every 2 weeks since I was 24 years old. prgtoken I will tell you what happens in a situation like this. I am also a borrower. I am a borrower of small community banks across the State of Nebraska. prgtoken If you pass something like this, if you go from 7 statutory data points to 81 data points, I am going to have to pay an accountant to sit down and sift through all of our business data to put this together for my bank, my lender, and hope that I get it right so that on the next bank exam, they are not calling me wanting a whole bunch more information. prgtoken That is the real cost to small business. That is the real cost to businesses in this Nation. That is what people in this town forget. It is small businesses. It is small-town employers that make this country run, that make the money work, so that people can wake up and have cash in their pocket. prgtoken I will say this: If you go from 7 points to 81 points, this is just another example where the CFPB has expanded the scope of the rule as far as possible.
PROVIDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL OF THE RULE SUBMITTED BY THE BUREAU OF CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION RELATING TO "SMALL BUSINESS LENDING UNDER THE EQUAL CREDIT OPPORTUNITY ACT (REGULATION...
Roger Williams (Republican, TX) \u2014 2023-12-1

. Madam , as my colleagues and I have stated today, my biggest fear is that many lenders may decide to fully exit small business lending due to the overly burdensome collection requirements, or because they don't want to put their small business customers in an uncomfortable situation. prgtoken I do not believe this is the outcome Congress, or the CFPB, intended with the implementation of this section of Dodd-Frank. However, I know, as a small business owner myself, that if this rule goes into effect it will not bode well for small businesses seeking the credit needed to grow and support their communities. That is the bottom line. prgtoken We need to help small businesses. We need to help them create jobs but also to create net worth among their employees. prgtoken Madam , I urge my colleagues to support this resolution, and .
CALIFORNIA HIGH-SPEED RAIL BOONDOGGLE
Doug LaMalfa (Republican, CA) \u2014 2023-12-1

. Madam , if you want to look in the dictionary under the word ``boondoggle,'' you would probably find the California High-Speed Rail project. prgtoken It was passed in 2008 by a narrow majority with $9 billion worth of State funding by the taxpayers for this project to connect L.A. to San Francisco. prgtoken Fifteen years later, they still haven't laid any track. They have interrupted the flow of towns up and down the Central Valley and have put some causeways in so far, but many billions have been spent, and it is woefully over time. It was supposed to be completed by 2020. prgtoken They are going to seek more and more Federal funding. It started out to be a $33 billion project, and now it is a $128 billion project. At most, they would identify $20 billion worth of funding. They are going to come here looking for the rest of it. prgtoken Instead, why don't we invest in something that can help all Americans, such as food supply and building water storage in California. That would help all Americans, not a boondoggle running up and down the valley stopping at an almond orchard near Bakersfield. That is why I am seeking to get help for Sites Reservoir, raising Shasta Dam, and other water projects that will grow the food that Americans use from California.
ADDRESSING RED TAPE FOR MEDICARE ENROLLMENT
Young Kim (Republican, CA) \u2014 2023-12-1

under current law, American seniors who defer enrollment in Medicare may find themselves hit with higher fees prgtoken due to late enrollment charges. Permanently raising seniors' healthcare premiums for delaying Medicare enrollment only hurts seniors who are already struggling on fixed incomes. prgtoken That is why I helped introduce the Medicare Economic Security Solutions Act. This is a bipartisan bill to cap these fees and address red tape for seniors enrolling in Medicare. prgtoken As someone who is approaching the eligibility age myself--believe it or not--protecting the benefits our seniors have earned is personal to me. prgtoken I am proud to help lead this bipartisan and commonsense bill that would lower costs for my constituents. I urge my colleagues to join me on this bill.
COMBATING ANTI-SEMITISM IN AMERICA
Virginia Foxx (Republican, NC) \u2014 2023-12-1

anti-Semitism has reared its ugly head on our prgtoken very shores. It should be extinguished entirely. prgtoken Over the past few weeks, we have seen anti-Semitic demonstrations take place across the country. Turn on the television, open a newspaper, or go online and you will find a litany of examples. As Rabbi Moshe Hauer mentioned in his testimony before the Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development recently, the plague of anti-Semitism has afflicted the United States. prgtoken , I agree with Rabbi Hauer's assessment, and it is incumbent upon us all to stand with the Jewish community, push back on anti-Semitism wherever and whenever it crops up, and rid our country of this scourge. prgtoken Anti-Semitism has no place in any civil society, especially the United States--not now, not ever. I include in the Record a letter of November 14, 2023, from Rabbi Moshe Hauer. Orthodox Union, New York, NY, November 14, 2023 Rabbi Moshe Hauer Testimony--House Education and the Workforce Committee Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development ``Confronting the Scourge of Antisemitism on Campus'' , Ranking Member, and Members of the Subcommittee: My name is Rabbi Moshe Hauer. You have heard and will hear individual stories of what life has been like for Jewish students on America's university campuses. I would like to share with you the bigger picture. While I come to you today as the Executive Vice President of the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, also known as the Orthodox Union, the largest organization serving Orthodox Jews in the world, in this testimony I hope to represent the entire Jewish community, every Jew and every Jewish student on a university campus. Across the entire Jewish communal and religious spectrum, my colleagues and I work together daily to address the plague of antisemitism that has struck us all, a plague that is afflicting our beloved United States and that is firmly centered in its institutions of higher learning. I want to share with this committee three points. 1. The Orthodox Union, along with Hillel, Chabad, and others, directs significant resources and attention to our future, to our youth and students. Each of us places full- time educators on university campuses who seek to provide a Jewish home for those students on campus, creating a place where they can come to connect warmly to their faith community, to celebrate the Sabbath and holidays, to socialize, study, eat, and pray together with their religious peers, and to be supported and guided by nurturing mentors. Today, this entire community is in crisis. Jewish students on campus no longer need a home; they need a fortress.