mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
SUPPORTING OUR PARTNERS IN AFGHANISTAN
Dan Crenshaw (Republican, TX) \u2014 2021-6-29

I rise today in support of legislation called the HOPE and ALLIES Act to support our interpreters in Afghanistan. prgtoken I can't tell you how important this is on a personal level to me. In 2012, I was hit by an IED blast. That IED went off because one of our interpreters stepped on a pressure plate. His name was Raqman. He was responding to a call, responding to do his job, like they do day in and day out. They never get a break. And he stepped on that IED, about 10 to 15 pounds of explosives, and it ripped off all four of his limbs right away. I couldn't see him because I was blinded by the blast, but I could hear him. prgtoken When someone gets hit by an IED--you have probably seen in the movies--you think they scream. But they don't scream. They don't have the energy to scream. It is more like a groan. It is the deepest kind of pain that you can imagine. And I will never forget that sound. prgtoken Before he was hit, he expressed to us that one of his dreams would be to come back to San Diego, California, enlist in the military, and become a Navy SEAL. That was the kind of patriotism that he had. He wasn't even a citizen. Imagine if our own citizens loved their country the way that these guys did. prgtoken And that story is not unique. Raqman later died, but that legacy lived on. These interpreters showed such dedication to the cause; it is unimaginable, really. And as military units rotate in and out, we get to go home, we see our families. The interpreters stay out there. It is just another day for them. Meanwhile, their families are under threat. They are receiving anonymous phone calls constantly, threatening their lives, calling them infidels all because they supported the United States. prgtoken Now we are about to leave them. This administration is not doing enough to make sure that they don't get left to die. I am confident this body will do what it can, but it takes this administration to actually do something now before this hasty retreat occurs and before thousands and thousands and thousands of interpreters and contractors are killed; and they will be killed. They absolutely will be killed. Their families will be killed. The threats have already come, and it will happen if we don't do something about it. prgtoken , I call on this administration to do something about it. I call on the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security to get this process going, to expedite this process as quickly as possible. These people are heroes and they need to come to their new home here in the United States.
MOTION TO SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS CERTAIN BILLS AND AGREE TO RESOLUTIONS
Byron Donalds (Republican, FL) \u2014 2021-6-29

. Madam , I was recorded as no, but meant to vote yes on rollcall No. 191. Members Recorded Pursuant to House Resolution 8, 117th Congress Babin (Nehls) Boebert (Gosar) Bourdeaux (Kuster) Cardenas (Gomez) Carl (Joyce (PA)) Cawthorn (Nehls) Clark (MA) (Kuster) Cohen (Beyer) DesJarlais (Fleischmann) Fallon (Nehls) Gallego (Gomez) Garcia (IL) (Gomez) Garcia (TX) (Jeffries) Gonzalez, Vicente (Carbajal) Grijalva (Stanton) Horsford (Jeffries) Hoyer (Trone) Jackson Lee (Butterfield) Jacobs (NY) (Garbarino) Johnson (TX) (Jeffries) Kind (Connolly) Kirkpatrick (Stanton) Lawson (FL) (Evans) Leger Fernandez (Jacobs (CA)) Lieu (Beyer) Lowenthal (Beyer) McClain (Bergman) Meng (Jeffries) Mfume (Evans) Mullin (Lucas) Napolitano (Correa) Owens (Curtis) Payne (Pallone) Rice (NY) (Peters) Ruiz (Aguilar) Rush (Underwood) Sewell (DelBene) Steube (Franklin, C. Scott) Strickland (DelBene) Timmons (Wilson (SC)) Torres (NY) (Jeffries) Wilson (FL) (Hayes) Young (Joyce (OH))
CONGRATULATING MIKE McINTYRE
Dan Bishop (Republican, NC) \u2014 2021-6-29

today I rise to congratulate the Honorable Mike McIntyre, former Member of the House from 1997 to 2015 prgtoken for his induction into the University of North Carolina's Order of the Golden Fleece, the oldest and highest honor society at UNC, where Mike received both a bachelor of arts and a juris doctorate. prgtoken After graduating from UNC law, Mike practiced as an attorney in his hometown of Lumberton until he was elected to Congress in 1996. During his 18 years representing Robeson County and other parts of southeastern North Carolina, Congressman McIntyre acquired a reputation for excellent constituent service and advocacy for rural communities, including his work on the Agriculture Committee and his coauthoring the landmark Tobacco Buyout legislation, as well as fighting for full Federal recognition of the Lumbee. prgtoken For Mike, country over party was not just a slogan, it was his approach to leadership. I am honored not only to carry on his work serving the rural southern Piedmont of North Carolina, but also to strive to emulate his example as I do so. prgtoken , I congratulate Mike on this appropriate recognition. prgtoken , I ask unanimous consent that the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, and the Judiciary be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 18, and I ask for its immediate consideration in the House.
LAMPETER-STRASBURG SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
Lloyd Smucker (Republican, PA) \u2014 2021-6-29

I rise today to honor the Lampeter- Strasburg High School softball team for winning the PIAA 5A Softball Championship earlier this month, with a 10-7 victory over Armstrong. This is the Pioneers' second State championship in just 3 years. This victory capped off a dominant 30-win season. prgtoken Through the halfway mark, the Pioneers were down 1 run entering the 5th inning, but after putting 5 runs on the scoreboard, including a 2- run home run from senior Cam Byler, the game was over as the Pioneers closed out to claim the championship. prgtoken , I extend congratulations to the team members for their success this season. It is a great credit to the players, their hard work, Head Coach Gene Charles, the entire coaching staff, that, for the past 3 years, the Pioneers have played in the championship game, bringing home the trophy this year and previously in 2018. prgtoken , our community is really proud of this truly outstanding accomplishment. We wish the graduating seniors best of luck in their future endeavors.
HONORING MRS. MILDRED MAE DUKE
Steven M. Palazzo (Republican, MS) \u2014 2021-6-29

. Madam , I rise today to honor Mrs. Mildred Mae Duke for more than 35 years of dedicated service as a federal employee. prgtoken Mrs. Duke is the third child of seven. She was born and raised in Biloxi, Mississippi, where she and her husband, Mr. Summer Isaac Duke, reside today. They have one son, Jon Maxwell ``Max'' Duke. prgtoken Mrs. Duke attended St. Michael's Catholic School from grades 1 through 6, and later attended Biloxi High School, where she graduated in 1974. Mrs. Duke's father, Mr. John Wallace Toche, served in the United States Army during the Korean War. As the daughter of a Korean War veteran, Mrs. Duke has always held a deep appreciation for our military. prgtoken Mrs. Duke's federal civil service began as an employee at the Pearl Harbor Navy Base in Honolulu, Hawaii from 1985 to 1986. Her first position was the Administration Assistant for the Officer-in-Charge Industrial Hygienist Office. Mrs. Duke's drive and determination quickly became apparent. She was promoted in November 1986 to Administrative Assistant at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, at the 15th Supply Squadron until May 1993. prgtoken After leaving Pearl Harbor, she traveled to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where she worked as Executive Assistant to the Director of Defense Intelligence Agency at the American Embassy from August 1994 until August 1996. prgtoken After returning from overseas to her hometown, she was hired as the secretary to the Military Personnel Flight Commander at Keesler Air Force Base from July 2002 until January 2007. Since 2013, she has served as Executive Assistant/Protocol Manager to the Commanding Officer at the Naval Construction Battalion Center in Gulfport, Mississippi. prgtoken Throughout Mrs. Duke's career, she has received 2 Civilian of the Year Awards, 2 Civilian of the Quarter Awards, 21 Exceptional Performance Awards, 2 Special Act Awards and a Civilian Meritorious Service Award. Mrs. Duke will be retiring this year, after over 35 years of dedication to the state of Mississippi and our great Nation. On behalf of the 4th Congressional District, we wish her the best.
BIDEN BORDER CRISIS
Troy E. Nehls (Republican, TX) \u2014 2021-6-29

the border crisis continues raging on our southern border. Cartels are getting rich, migrants are getting abused and assaulted, and Americans are becoming victims of crime. prgtoken With the record number of illegal aliens attempting to flood across our border, what has the administration done? prgtoken Nothing. prgtoken For months now, the administration has been denying this crisis exists; telling the American people there is no crisis; telling the American people the border is closed. But we all know better. prgtoken I saw it myself firsthand when I visited Del Rio, Texas, a place where every day, around 3:00 p.m buses pulled up to the Mexican side of the border and unloaded hundreds of illegal aliens. They then wade through knee-high water of the Rio Grande and into our country. Once they arrive on the American side, they are promptly picked up by Border Patrol agents in air-conditioned vans, given a wristband, and away they go to a city near you. prgtoken This happens tens of thousands of times every single day and there is no end in sight, not until we revert to 's policies.
A BILL FOR BAD OPTICS
Doug LaMalfa (Republican, CA) \u2014 2021-6-29

after the 5-month deployment of the National Guard around our U.S. Capitol, after the fact of the January 6 break-in, the bill has come due now of over half a billion dollars-- $521 million--for the thousands of troops to guard this Capitol. prgtoken This was, again, after the big break-in of January 6. Of course, had the decisionmakers on hand here at the Capitol with their security intel used ahead of time decided to employ just a handful of those troops, we wouldn't have had the January 6 situation happen. But they did not want the bad optics of armed troops standing in front here at that time. prgtoken So, instead, we got 5 months' worth of it with two rows of fence, razor wire, and the inability for the people to come visit their Capitol. So now we have months of those optics and a half-a-billion- dollar bill instead. prgtoken , if that bill doesn't get paid, now our National Guard will not be able to do their training and have their other readiness needs met because Congress hasn't paid the bill for what they did not want ahead of time--bad optics. prgtoken Instead, the taxpayers get the bad optics of that bill and a possibly decimated National Guard.
REQUEST TO CONSIDER H.R. 18, NO TAXPAYER FUNDING FOR ABORTION ACT
Ann Wagner (Republican, MO) \u2014 2021-6-29

I rise as a tireless advocate for the most vulnerable. I continue to fight for the Born-Alive Act to mandate lifesaving care for abortion survivors. And I also am proud to support H.R. 18, the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act, which will permanently prohibit taxpayer funding for abortions by enshrining the bipartisan Hyde amendment into law. Sadly, both the Born-Alive Act and the Hyde amendment are under attack by my colleagues. prgtoken The Hyde amendment protects taxpayers from paying for abortions and has saved hundreds of thousands of lives. prgtoken No one should be forced to financially support the abortion industry. I stand with the majority of Americans who believe in this essential conscience protection. prgtoken , I ask unanimous consent that the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, and the Judiciary be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 18, and I ask for its immediate consideration in the House.
REPLACEMENT OF BUST OF ROGER BROOKE TANEY WITH BUST OF THURGOOD MARSHALL
Virginia Foxx (Republican, NC) \u2014 2021-6-29

. Madam , s and agree that racism, in any shape or form, is repugnant and must be denounced. I do intend to vote for this bill, as I did last summer, when Congress considered a similar measure. prgtoken It is interesting, however, that our colleagues across the aisle have only recently deemed the cause of removing statues worthy of immediate action. When you look at the facts, it is even more puzzling. prgtoken Since 1870, statues have been present in the United States Capitol, and retained a majority in the House 40 times since then. They have had ample opportunities to remove these statues that Members of their own party are responsible for placing in the Capitol in the first place, but have done nothing. prgtoken Again, the timing here is rather peculiar. After retaining the majority 40 times, one would think that if this were truly a pressing issue, they would have acted sooner. prgtoken For many years, I have advocated that North Carolina's statues of Charles Aycock and Zebulon Vance be removed based on their ties to the Confederacy. I have suggested that two statues of people that all North Carolinians and all Americans can be proud of be put in their place. prgtoken I am proud that the first majority in North Carolina's Legislature in 140 years voted in 2015 to replace the Aycock statue with a statue of Reverend Billy Graham. Yet this request has been awaiting action by the -chaired Joint Committee on the Library for months. If they were truly concerned about removing these statues, they might be quicker to act on the requests to replace some of the very same statues. prgtoken I will look past the times the North Carolina Party used Governor Aycock's name in fundraising materials and the meetings they held in buildings that sported his name. Maybe today's vote is to compensate for the decades of inaction under a -controlled House of Representatives. We will let the American people decide. prgtoken s are always open for a spirited debate on this issue, and I am confident that we can find common ground. prgtoken While I plan to support this legislation and recognize its underlying intent, this is an issue that is way past its due date.
DEFEND NOT DEFUND THE POLICE
Gus M. Bilirakis (Republican, FL) \u2014 2021-6-29

crime rates spike when you give in to leftist demands and defund the police. It is as simple as that. Sadly, we are seeing this play out in major cities across the country. prgtoken The New York Times reports a sample of 37 U.S. cities saw an 18 percent increase in murders in the first 3 months of this year when compared to last. prgtoken , this rhetoric and policy is dangerous and, worst of all, it is responsible for the dismantling and demoralization of police departments across the country. prgtoken We have also seen the dramatic increase on a tax against law enforcement this year. Tragically, two of my constituents are among those who have recently been killed in the line of duty. We must have law and order and support our heroes who place their lives on the line to keep our communities safe. prgtoken In short, we must defend, not defund, the police.
REMEMBERING THE LIFE OF JEFFERY ROBERT HALTER
Brett Guthrie (Republican, KY) \u2014 2021-6-29

I rise today to remember the life of Jeffery Robert Halter. Not only was he my neighbor and a family friend, but he was also a devoted husband to Kim, and director of constituent services for my congressional office. Additionally, Jeff was a loving father to Katherine Chelsey and Laura Leigh and supportive father-in- law to Andrew Smith and Austin Lowe. prgtoken Jeff was a proud Bowling Green, Kentucky, native. He graduated from Bowling Green High School in 1983 and attended Samford University School of Pharmacy where he graduated in 1989. As a prominent pharmacist and owner of two community pharmacies, Jeff served many patients in the local community and was always happy to help his customers. He was also a member of Broadway United Methodist Church. prgtoken Jeff's contagious laugh and kindness will be remembered by all who knew him. He loved the outdoors, but above all, he loved his family. In addition to his wife and two daughters, Jeff is survived by his parents, Charles Robert and Scottie Ann Halter; brother, Timothy Alan Halter; and many other loving family members. Jeff left a positive impact on our community and is greatly missed.
REPLACEMENT OF BUST OF ROGER BROOKE TANEY WITH BUST OF THURGOOD MARSHALL
August Pfluger (Republican, TX) \u2014 2021-6-29

. Madam , I was absent from votes in order to tour the immigration and humanitarian crisis unfolding at our southern border. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall No. 193, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 194, ``nay'' on rollcall No. 195, and ``nay'' on rollcall No. 196. members recorded pursuant to house resolution 8, 117th congress Babin (Nehls) Boebert (Gosar) Bourdeaux (Kuster) Cardenas (Gomez) Carl (Joyce (PA)) Cawthorn (Nehls) Clark (MA) (Kuster) Cohen (Beyer) Fallon (Nehls) Gallego (Gomez) Garcia (IL) (Gomez) Garcia (TX) (Jeffries) Grijalva (Stanton) Horsford (Jeffries) Jackson Lee (Butterfield) Jacobs (NY) (Garbarino) Johnson (TX) (Jeffries) Kind (Connolly) Kirkpatrick (Stanton) Lawson (FL) (Evans) Leger Fernandez (Jacobs (CA)) Lieu (Beyer) Lowenthal (Beyer) McClain (Bergman) Meng (Jeffries) Mullin (Lucas) Napolitano (Correa) Norman (Wilson (SC)) Owens (Curtis) Payne (Pallone) Ruiz (Aguilar) Rush (Underwood) Sewell (DelBene) Steube (Franklin, C. Scott) Strickland (DelBene) Timmons (Wilson (SC)) Torres (NY) (Jeffries) Wilson (FL) (Hayes) Young (Joyce (OH))
HONORING WIAWAKA CENTER FOR WOMEN FOR THE COMPLETED RESTORATION OF THE HOUSE OF TRIX AND THEIR IMPACT ON THE LAKE GEORGE COMMUNITY
Elise M. Stefanik (Republican, NY) \u2014 2021-6-29

. Madam , I rise today to honor the Wiawaka Center for Women on their successful restoration of the House of Trix, one of the many buildings used by the retreat, and a historic landmark located on Lake George in New York. prgtoken The Wiawaka Center for Women has an important role in our community as a place of rest, rejuvenation, and support for women throughout the North Country and the entire United States of America. The center, founded by Mary Fuller in 1903, is on the National Registry of Historic Places and has been a place of retreat for generations of women. Wiawaka is the oldest and longest continuously operating site of its kind in the United States. The center has previously hosted the likes of Georgia O'Keefe, renowned American artist, and has a rich history of supporting and encouraging women in their fight for equal rights. prgtoken In renovating and restoring the historic House of Trix, Wiawaka continues to invest in and pursue their mission of providing a place of retreat for all women. This is the only building within the center that hosts a variety of programming including art workshops, wellness classes, presentations, and events. Through perseverance, teamwork, and with support of the community, they restored this historic building back to its original splendor and purpose. After receiving funding through a grant by the Alfred Z. Solomon Charitable Trust, Wiawaka will be able to continue their important work of serving the community of women around them. prgtoken On behalf of New York's 21st District, I would like to thank the Wiawaka Center for Women, and their entire team, for their dedication and commitment in revitalizing and restoring a deeply important historic property in our community. I congratulate them on their achievements thus far and the continued accomplishments of the women this center serves.
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 2662, IG INDEPENDENCE AND EMPOWERMENT ACT; PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 3005, REPLACEMENT OF BUST OF ROGER BROOKE TANEY WITH BUST OF THURGOOD MARSHALL...
Chip Roy (Republican, TX) \u2014 2021-6-29

if my colleagues vote for the previous prgtoken question, which I expect that they will do, they are choosing to pursue a radical leftist environmental agenda that will harm Americans, that will harm Americans, rather than secure our border, which we are presenting as an option, for us to do our job in the people's House, to actually do our duty as the people's House to secure the border of a sovereign nation to the benefit of our people, of the State of Texas, our entire Nation as a whole, and the migrants who seek to come here. prgtoken That is the choice right now, ladies and gentlemen. It is a choice for this body. Choose to secure the border of the United States and make our country stronger, or secure a political agenda which has no hope of uniting this country and benefiting the American people. prgtoken The small businesses that the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania was talking about, let's talk about the small businesses that got crushed under COVID, crushed by the policies of this body and others, that were shutting businesses down to the tune of 100,000 businesses, forcing them to close. prgtoken Let's talk about the impact of our kids and schools and the masks being worn, and the mental health issues, and the cancer screenings that didn't occur because we had locked down and shut down our economy. prgtoken And, right now, let's talk about the damage being done to this country because of wide open borders with empowered cartels. prgtoken We should, right now, defeat the previous question so that we can amend it to do the work of the American people.