mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
BIDEN'S UNILATERAL EXECUTIVE ORDERS ARE HARMFUL
Lauren Boebert (Republican, CO) \u2014 2021-2-4

. Madam , I thank the gentleman from Washington, and I thank my chairman of the Western Caucus. It is an honor to serve with him, especially in a time like this where our energy needs are so dramatically threatened. prgtoken Madam , I rise today as the proud Representative of Colorado's Third Congressional District, one of the most beautiful districts in the entire Nation, where waters like the Colorado, the Arkansas, and the Animas Rivers flow, and snow falling along the Rocky Mountains provides outdoor recreation in towns like Durango, Telluride, Aspen, and Steamboat Springs. prgtoken Colorado's Third District is also home to some of the Nation's most abundant energy resources. We all win when American energy workers develop our resources responsibly at home. Yet, this administration is laser-focused on eliminating fossil fuels and the majority of jobs in the energy industry. prgtoken It is not complicated. We are stronger and safer as a country when we remain energy independent and when dictators across the world can no longer fund their deadly terrorist activities on the backs of our energy needs. prgtoken Madam , there is no reason the U.S. should be dependent on volatile foreign sources from countries like Russia, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia when we can safely produce these resources right here in America, creating American jobs. prgtoken American ingenuity and innovation have resulted in the U.S. becoming a global leader in carbon emissions reductions. Protecting our environment while safely producing American energy are not mutually exclusive goals. prgtoken Advancements associated with fracking and horizontal drilling are the main reasons the U.S. has become a world leader in protecting the Earth. You heard me. Fracking, demonized by the left without any merit, has proven to be one of the best energy solutions for our environment. I think it is becoming very clear that my colleagues on the left have become fracking liars. prgtoken But these facts don't matter to the administration. All they seem to care about is appeasing extremist environmentalists in order to get more campaign donations. prgtoken With the stroke of his pen, which sometimes takes him a while to find, President has unilaterally imposed job-killing executive orders and overreaching energy mandates that are going to crush my district and the people who live within it. prgtoken From rejoining the Paris Agreement without asking the Senate to ratify this treaty, to unilaterally eliminating the Keystone XL pipeline, to banning all new Federal oil and gas leases, the administration has already taken actions that will eliminate thousands of Colorado's jobs, just as the gentleman mentioned, and send my people, the people I was sent to represent in my district, to the unemployment line. prgtoken Madam , I have met with my constituents. They don't understand why this administration is targeting their livelihoods and telling them
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Bill Hagerty (Republican, TN) \u2014 2021-2-4

I am pleased to join the senior Senator from Oklahoma as the lead cosponsor of this amendment in support of our shared objective, maintaining the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem, the eternal and the indivisible capital of the Jewish State of Israel. prgtoken This Embassy is paving the way for peace throughout the region and should be preserved. Now our allies there know we will stand with them.
IN HONOR OF MARINETTE F. ``MARI'' BARB
Robert J. Wittman (Republican, VA) \u2014 2021-2-4

. Madam , it is with deep sadness but great respect that I take this time to remember Marinette F. ``Mari'' Barb of Williamsburg, VA. Mari passed away on January 20, 2021 after more than a century of life. Mari bravely served the United States for many years, and her life after service was equally memorable and noteworthy. prgtoken Mari was born on September 16, 1919 in a small town in the south of France. Two decades later, she joined the French Underground when her home country was occupied by Nazi Germany. During this time, Mari worked with the O.S.S the predecessor of the CIA. Mari constantly risked her life, helping Allied soldiers and airmen who found themselves behind enemy lines. Using forged Algerian identification papers, Mari saved the lives of countless soldiers by smuggling them back to Allied territory. prgtoken Immediately after the war, Mari met her husband, James, while he was in France with the U.S. Army. She moved to the United States with Jim and was made an American citizen by an Act of Congress. A career in intelligence took Mari and Jim to the Pacific Island of Saipan, on two tours in Vietnam, and took Mari to Hong Kong for an extended stay. Mari and Jim made frequent returns to Camp Peary in Williamsburg between overseas assignments. prgtoken Once they retired, Mari and Jim moved to Williamsburg, VA permanently. There they became staples of the community, frequenting trivia nights and live music venues. In addition to retiring from work, Mari retired from cooking, so Mari and Jim could always be found at one of their favorite restaurants. Mari is survived by three sisters and many family members spread across both France and the United States. Madam , I ask you rise with me in memory of Marinette F. Barb. She will be profoundly missed, but her memory lives on in her friends and family.
MORNING BUSINESS
Chuck Grassley (Republican, IA) \u2014 2021-2-4

can you imagine the free market person that Senator Cruz is wanting the government to set prices? This is dirty Big Oil versus clean-burning ethanol. (Applause.) prgtoken And for the benefit of people on the other side of the aisle, I had conversations with Mr. Regan this week. He said that your President-- our President--was for ethanol. He also said, and I know, campaigning in Iowa, campaigned for ethanol. prgtoken So this is an opportunity. And this business that this isn't going to cost anything--EPA itself said that there is no compliance cost. And EPA in the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals made very clear that these waivers for small refineries were violating the law. (Applause.)
MORNING BUSINESS
Mike Crapo (Republican, ID) \u2014 2021-2-4

this amendment simply makes permanent the individual and small business tax rate reductions and reforms from the TCJA. prgtoken The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the TCJA, gave American workers and families more cash in their pockets by significantly lowering individual tax rates, nearly doubling the standard deduction, and doubling the child tax credit. For American businesses, the TCJA lowered the tax rate and provided parity for small businesses operating in passthrough form. It also encouraged investment in the United States through the immediate expensing of property and equipment. prgtoken From the beginning of the previous administration up to the beginning of the pandemic early last year, the economy added more than 7 million jobs. Every U.S. metropolitan area had enjoyed income gains in 2018. Low-income workers were experiencing the highest wage growth in nearly a decade. prgtoken We need to give our economy its best shot at recovering to prepandemic levels. This means strengthening that pro-growth policy we have put into place by making permanent these expiring tax provisions from the TCJA.
REMOVING A CERTAIN MEMBER FROM CERTAIN STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Jackie Walorski (Republican, IN) \u2014 2021-2-4

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , let me be clear: I absolutely reject racism, anti- Semitism, and bigotry. I condemn conspiracy theories and calls for violence. I do not, in any way, condone these reprehensible views. I am not here today to defend any comments made by Representative Greene, whether as a private citizen, candidate, or Member of Congress. prgtoken I am here today to defend the precedent set by years of the majority and minority parties coexisting in this body; and I am here today to defend the House Ethics Committee, on which I serve as the ranking member. prgtoken H. Res. 72 is nothing more than a partisan power grab at a critical time when the majority party itself repeatedly calls for unity as our path forward. Bringing a majority resolution to the floor to remove a minority Member from her committee assignments is wrong and unprecedented. prgtoken Referring such a resolution to the House Ethics Committee is unprecedented. Referring such a resolution to the House Ethics Committee and then completely bypassing the committee's role is unprecedented. On this floor today we are witnessing one more effort to consolidate power with a majority party and diminish the rights of the minority. prgtoken This is not the first power grab effort by this majority in Congress. Earlier this year, the destroyed over 100 years of representation in Congress and effectively eliminated the only tool that safeguarded the minority's voice: the motion to recommit. And they are doing it again today with H. Res. 72. prgtoken In the last 20 years, several Members have been removed from their committee duties. Members on both sides of the aisle have been removed and for various reasons. But those reasons and that decision was always made by the Member's party leadership, or party's membership. Even if the decision to remove a Member was followed with a voice vote on the House floor, the decision itself was made by that Member's caucus following weeks of public and private infighting. prgtoken Last night, the Conference met to discuss statements made by Representative Greene prior to her serving the Congress. We listened to Representative Greene. She made similar statements as she did on the floor today. She assured the Conference that her prior statements did not reflect her views today as a member of this body. prgtoken The ic majority claims the Conference hasn't acted, but that simply isn't true. The Conference just hasn't done what the want it to do. prgtoken Regardless, the majority has brought this unprecedented resolution before the House today. The majority party could have brought this matter directly to the floor as a privileged question and the question of removal would have been a swift vote on the floor. prgtoken Instead, the majority referred the resolution to the Ethics Committee to then immediately and completely bypass the Ethics Commi
MORNING BUSINESS
John Hoeven (Republican, ND) \u2014 2021-2-4

this amendment ensures that we don't implement a carbon tax, and I am joined on it by Senator Lankford and Senator Cramer. prgtoken Simply put, a carbon tax is a national energy tax, and it is a regressive tax. Raising the cost of energy through a tax or fee hits hard-working families the most, making it more expensive to heat their homes, drive to work, and put food on the table. prgtoken In addition to keeping the lights on, every sector of our economy depends on access to affordable and reliable supplies of energy. A carbon tax increases the cost on our manufacturers, exporting American jobs abroad to other countries with fewer environmental regulations, meaning global emissions would actually increase. Instead of pushing new taxes, we must, instead, focus on innovation and making emerging technologies like carbon capture, utilization, and storage, or CCUS, commercially viable. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to vote yes on this amendment.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Todd Young (Republican, IN) \u2014 2021-2-4

I rise today in support of my amendment to ensure that any new round of economic impact payments does not go to those in this country illegally. prgtoken It would establish a dangerous precedent if the Federal Government were to give a direct cash payment to those who have jumped the line and subverted our Nation's immigration system to enter the United States. prgtoken Now, I want to emphasize that this amendment is not a change. It is not a change from the way this body has approached EIPs during the last two rounds. Moreover, it does not affect the important fix that Congress implemented, with the leadership of Mr. Rubio, in December to ensure mixed-status families are not negatively impacted. prgtoken This amendment would simply make certain that do not loosen the existing eligibility requirements moving forward if there is a new round of EIPs.
IN HONOR OF USCP BRIAN D. SICKNICK
Brett Guthrie (Republican, KY) \u2014 2021-2-4

. Madam , this week, we had a hero lie in honor in the dome of the United States Capitol. prgtoken United States Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick gave his life to protect the U.S. Capitol, one of our greatest symbols of democracy. I had the opportunity to pay my respects to Officer Sicknick in the Capitol rotunda, which is safe and secure because of his sacrifice and also the bravery of his fellow Capitol Police officers and other law enforcement. prgtoken I am devastated by the loss of Officer Sicknick, and I want to provide my deepest condolences to Officer Sicknick's family and fellow officers. prgtoken I want each and every Capitol Police officer to know that I am grateful and appreciative of their work here that they do each and every day to protect democracy and all who work here, and they protect all of our constituents who visit.
RECOGNIZING THE SERVICE OF JOSHUA GRANT
Joe Wilson (Republican, SC) \u2014 2021-2-4

. Madam , I am grateful for the service of the Correspondence Director of the Second Congressional District, Joshua Grant. This week he is joining the office of my fellow Charlestonian, Senator Tim Scott, as a Legislative Correspondent for Finance. prgtoken Josh hails from the beautiful community of Walterboro, South Carolina, and joined the office of the Second District shortly after graduating from Benedict College, an historically Black college in Columbia, in 2016. During his time in the office, Josh continually went above and beyond and made every constituent and guest feel welcome. He instituted a small-town sense of community to Capitol Hill. prgtoken Congratulations to his parents, Joseph and Diannia Grant, as well as his siblings, Tahnee Johnson, Tiffany Gist, Lisa Grant, and Jason Grant, for raising a kind, smart, and inspired young man, a favorite of my wife, Roxanne. prgtoken In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September the 11th in the global war on terrorism. prgtoken After last night, s are united to stop socialism which destroys jobs.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Mike Braun (Republican, IN) \u2014 2021-2-4

my amendment helps ensure that the EPA cannot, through regulation or otherwise, ban fracking in the United States. This is an issue of energy independence, locking in our CO2 emissions reduction provided by clean natural gas, and it gives us time to find the cleanest, least expensive options down the road. prgtoken Due to our American renaissance, the United States passed Russia as a leading energy supplier in 2011 and passed Saudi Arabia in 2018. prgtoken But fracking has been a boon to the economy as well. According to the Global Energy Institute, if fracking were banned in 2021, the U.S. economy would lose 19 million jobs in 4 years, local and State tax revenues would plummet, and gas prices would double. This is why President promised: We will not ban fracking; we will protect and grow jobs. prgtoken Yet many in this body have called to ban fracking. The American people deserve to know who stands with energy security and American workers. I ask my colleagues to support this amendment.
MR. AND MRS. ORESTUS AND GERALDINE FLOWERS
James Comer (Republican, KY) \u2014 2021-2-4

. Madam , I rise today to honor Mr. and Mrs. Orestus and Geraldine Flowers of Burkesville for recently celebrating their 75th anniversary. prgtoken Mr. and Mrs. Flowers have displayed commitment in all facets of their life. At twenty-two years of age, Mr. Flowers left his then-girlfriend, Geraldine, to serve in the Army for three-and-a-half-years during World War II. Mr. Flowers kept a picture of Geraldine in his wallet during the war, and upon returning, married Geraldine on February 1, 1946. Mr. and Mrs. Flowers displayed an exemplary level of commitment to both each other and our nation through his military service. prgtoken Mr. and Mrs. Flowers raised their family in Cumberland County, Kentucky. They and their three daughters, four grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren have been a staple in the community of Burkesville. Mr. Flowers has served in numerous capacities in the local community. In 1952, he brought Houchens Market to Burkesville, where he served as manager for 32 years. After retiring from Houchens, he has continued work at Norris and New Funeral Home, where he is still showing off the picture of his wife that he took to war with him seventy-eight years ago. prgtoken Once again, I would like to join everyone in Burkesville and throughout the 1st District of Kentucky in congratulating Mr. and Mrs. Flowers on this extraordinary milestone.
REMOVING A CERTAIN MEMBER FROM CERTAIN STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Brian Babin (Republican, TX) \u2014 2021-2-4

at the direction of the narrow majority, we are here today standing in judgment over a newly elected colleague of ours for things said as a private citizen that have since been retracted. prgtoken Meanwhile, some colleagues have engaged in anti-American, anti- Semitic tropes and commentary before and after their elections to Congress. Other colleagues have incited and called for violence across the country the day became President, and still encourage violence against him and those who support the Party, not to mention other dangerous words that have been harmful to the security of our Nation. prgtoken But, , none of those are in question. Those Members never saw any condemnation and, in this majority, they never will. prgtoken I went to the Rules Committee yesterday, strongly opposing to this course of action, with a suggestion to correct this blatant double standard, should it move forward. I was told by the chairman that, ``We don't share the same values,'' because I was demanding that we prioritize accountability for members of his party and their comments and dangerous rhetoric carried out while in office before we address Representative Greene's commentary made before she was elected. prgtoken Perhaps the chairman is right. My values are that anyone who blatantly calls for violence against Conservatives; praises deadly antifa riots; endangers Americans; encourages the destruction of our ally Israel; and, perhaps worst of all, dismisses the significance of 9/11 has no business serving in the House of Representatives. prgtoken In closing, , no one in Congress should be more grateful than the majority that eliminated our motion to recommit last month and the members who have made these inflammatory remarks over the years, because I have no doubt that a motion by s to oust those Representatives would have succeeded with very strong bipartisan support. By shattering this precedent today, perhaps this majority has set in motion a future majority's obligation to do so. prgtoken If my colleagues are attempting to take the speck out of our eye, I encourage them to also take the log out of their own eyes.
BIDEN'S UNILATERAL EXECUTIVE ORDERS ARE HARMFUL
Pete Stauber (Republican, MN) \u2014 2021-2-4

. Madam , I thank the gentleman for this opportunity. prgtoken I rise with my colleagues today out of serious concern for the well- being of America's workers and American energy independence. prgtoken Under the administration, America came first. The priority was lowering energy costs for Americans and ending our supply chain dependency, along with supporting high-wage jobs in the energy industry. prgtoken Sadly, within just 2 weeks, has started destroying much of that progress and setting our Nation back. President 's executive orders have ended high-wage pipeline jobs on Keystone XL. He has banned oil and gas development on Federal lands and forced America to rejoin the unfair Paris climate agreement which gives a free pass to polluters like India and Communist China. prgtoken His actions have serious consequences for my rural district and districts like mine. prgtoken In my district, gas prices have started to dramatically increase as keeps punishing American families with executive order after executive order. prgtoken In fact, since November 30, the gas prices have already risen $0.32 and counting. A 60-mile round trip for work is not uncommon in northern Minnesota. Already, that is a $244 a year increase per driver. Imagine what it will be like for middle class families if these increases continue. prgtoken Furthermore, 's executive order canceling critical projects like the Keystone XL pipeline sends a chilling message to union members nationwide, including in my district where many are currently working to replace the Line 3 pipeline. prgtoken Many workers are asking themselves: Will cancel their job next? And what about those individuals who were employed with a good- paying, high-quality job working on pipelines or in oil fields on our Federal lands? prgtoken Because of 's anti-jobs agenda, these individuals are not only being denied a living wage, but the dignity of work. Meanwhile, they will still need to put gas in their vehicles. prgtoken Prices will keep rising and the gas they use won't be produced by hardworking Americans any longer. Instead, they will be purchasing gas for their trucks from hostile countries like Russia, Venezuela, and China, all of which signed the Paris climate agreement, but not one of these countries has met their obligation. prgtoken Madam , 's unilateral executive orders are harmful. It may not be understood here in the Beltway, but my constituents know that these executive orders mean job loss and higher energy costs for the American family. prgtoken It has been less than a month and has already made his agenda very, very clear. American jobs, American families, and American energy independence are no longer first. prgtoken At this time of economic uncertainty, I urge the administration to change their reckless course. I urge the administration to abandon the failed -era policies and s
CHINA CONTINUES TO SEEK GENETIC TECHNOLOGY
Gregory F. Murphy (Republican, NC) \u2014 2021-2-4

. Madam , today I would like to bring attention to a troubling assessment that was issued by the National Counterintelligence and Security Center on Monday. prgtoken China continues to aggressively seek to acquire Americans' genetic information. They have targeted American hotels. They have targeted government agencies, as well as our universities, through hacks and ill-intentioned partnerships. They recently even tried to buy fertility clinics in the United States to gather American DNA. prgtoken And as was catalogued on ``60 Minutes'' last week, the Chinese are now targeting family research databases that Americans innocently use to research their family trees. prgtoken Make no mistake, our healthcare information can be and will be used against us. The Chinese have already demonstrated the lengths to which they are willing to go to use genetics against their own people as they experiment on the Uighurs in the Xinjiang province. This threat cannot be ignored. prgtoken China has already received personally identifying information on most Americans. As citizens, we must take better control of our information, and Congress must act to keep this problem from getting worse.