mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
FISA ABUSES
Clay Higgins (Republican, LA) \u2014 2024-2-15

I thank my friend from Arizona for yielding. prgtoken , we truly live in an interesting time in our country when Americans watch this and they see two lone conservative s, two members of the House Freedom Caucus, standing in an empty Chamber discussing some of the most challenging threats we have ever faced as a nation and what might we do. prgtoken So I think the answer lies in the simple acknowledgment of the fact that this is not our House. This House belongs to the people, and the people are always present because the people are watching. prgtoken Americans are quick to forgive and hesitant to condemn. It is in our nature. It is in our DNA. prgtoken Conservative Americans, particularly, find it difficult to believe that our own Federal Government has, in many instances and across several agencies and departments, become quite weaponized against the people in a regular course of events. prgtoken Every day, Americans read the headlines about the FBI violation of laws, a DOJ persecution of Americans that does not seem to comply with judicial righteousness. They see our former President's home raided by the FBI, they have friends and neighbors who are raided by the IRS and the ATF or the DOL or the EPA. Americans see this and acknowledge it, but we have been slow to condemn, again, because it is in our nature to be understanding and forgiving, compassionate, and supportive, certainly of some of the most historically admired agencies in the history of our country, like the FBI. prgtoken So although we, as a nation, as we look at men like Congressman Biggs and myself, we oppose--how dare we--but we oppose the expansion of police state surveillance. This echoes across the land where gradually America is waking up, and it is certainly time to wake up because we don't have too much time left. We could lose this thing if we don't respond now and act now to protect American individual rights, liberties, and freedoms from an ever-encroaching oppressive government. If we don't act, we will lose this thing. prgtoken Men like Andy Biggs and I know that. That is why we are here alone, . That is why we cry out on behalf of the Nation that we love. prgtoken The moment is coming when Americans across the land from sea to shining sea will say: I understand what is happening, and I condemn it. prgtoken That moment is coming when Americans will realize that everything we have stored in the cloud is already in the possession of our FBI, DOJ, NSA, and CIA. That moment of awareness is coming, and conservative constitutionalist s like me and my colleagues in the Freedom Caucus are standing in this moment of time not in opposition to Americans who disagree with us, but in support and love for the Americans whom we swore an oath to, to the freedom and the constitutional rights, the civil liberties, the protected right to travel the land and be secure in our persons, our effects, our papers, and our homes as s
UNLOCKING OUR DOMESTIC LNG POTENTIAL ACT OF 2024
Brett Guthrie (Republican, KY) \u2014 2024-2-15

I appreciate my friend from South Carolina prgtoken for yielding me time. I rise in support of the Unlocking Our Domestic LNG Potential Act. prgtoken Last month, the administration doubled down on its war against American energy production by effectively banning American LNG exports. This decision disincentivizes American LNG production, eliminates American jobs, and undermines our national security. prgtoken , 2 years ago, in the aftermath of Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine, we instituted an embargo on Russian oil and gas, defunding Russia's war machine. Our European allies joined us in this effort. However, with few domestic alternatives, they rely on our LNG exports. In fact, 87 percent of U.S. LNG exports went to the European Union, the United Kingdom, or Asian markets. prgtoken I often hear from our NATO allies about the importance of American energy production to global security. Without American energy independence, we and our allies become reliant on our adversaries for our energy needs and economic security. It is paramount to our national security at home and around the world that we continue to make energy in America. prgtoken , I encourage my colleagues to support this legislation.
BRING RAN GVILI AND ALL HOSTAGES HOME
Don Bacon (Republican, NE) \u2014 2024-2-15

. Madam , I rise today to share the story of Ran Gvili. Ran is a 24-year-old who loves playing guitar and, like me, has a passion for motorcycles. prgtoken On October 7, Ran was waiting for an operation when he heard what was happening. He left the house to go help and became one of the more than 240 men, women, children, and elderly who were brutally kidnapped by Hamas terrorists. prgtoken He and 134 hostages are still held captive in Gaza, enduring unthinkable torture and trauma. I stand here today to demand that Hamas release Ran immediately, along with all the remaining hostages. prgtoken Those who have been released have shared horror stories about sexual abuse, children being forced to take drugs, and inhumane conditions. prgtoken We must stand with Israel as it works to destroy Hamas and free its citizens wrongfully held by the terror group. prgtoken Israel has proven its willingness to pause the fighting for hostages to be returned home. Despicably, Hamas broke the first hostage deal, just as it broke a cease-fire that was in place before October 7. prgtoken I call on all nations with ties to Hamas to increase the pressure on this terrorist group to immediately free all prgtoken those it is holding captive. It is time to bring Ran and all the hostages home. Celebrating Contributions of John and Viv Ewing
RECOGNIZING GARRETT, INDIANA'S FFA CHAPTER
Jim Banks (Republican, IN) \u2014 2024-2-15

I rise today to recognize Garrett, Indiana's FFA Chapter as they celebrate 90 years of community service, leadership, and agricultural education. prgtoken Agriculture is at the very heart of Indiana. Indiana has some of the best farmers in the nation, and America has the best farmers in the world. Perhaps no organization has had more to do with this than the FFA, which teaches the longstanding values of American farming to each subsequent generation. Farmers don't just cultivate the land and grow America's food; they serve in other ways too. prgtoken The Garrett Chapter of the FFA is an excellent example of this service on display. The students spend many of their days in Northeast Indiana giving back, showing up to community events, and advocating for farmers at every level of government. prgtoken The Garrett FFA Chapter has experienced nine decades of often tumultuous history. Since its founding in the 1930s, its members have persevered and fed America through droughts, wars, and other perilous conditions. As such, the students who currently constitute this chapter are the recipients of an impressive heritage of Northeast Indiana farmers. They and their children can be proud to carry on this legacy for the next 90 years or more.
HONORING JIM BLACK
Adrian Smith (Republican, NE) \u2014 2024-2-15

I rise today to recognize Third District banker, community servant, and World War II veteran, Jim Black. prgtoken As the oldest World War II veteran living at the Norfolk, Nebraska, veterans home, Jim turned 100 years of age in January and has lived a life full of service to his community and his country. prgtoken A native of Fullerton, Nebraska, Jim's undeterable desire to serve led him to enlist in the Navy after he was initially denied enlistment by the Army and the Army Air Corps for supposed medical issues. prgtoken During the war, he served on three different submarines, including the USS Silversides, which is credited with the sinking of 23 enemy submarines. prgtoken After the war, Jim returned to Nebraska to work at Fullerton's First National Bank and Cones State Bank in Pierce. prgtoken For his remarkable dedication to bettering the world around him, he was honored with the title of 2008 Citizen of the Year for his championing of the Discovery Bridge project linking Cedar County, Nebraska, and Yankton, South Dakota. prgtoken Jim exemplifies Nebraska values of determination, patriotism, and civic engagement. Today, he lives in Norfolk, Nebraska, and is a model for giving back to the community. prgtoken His enduring willingness to serve and can-do attitude represents the best of Third District Nebraskans.
HONORING DEAN WEBER
Bruce Westerman (Republican, AR) \u2014 2024-2-15

I rise today to honor the life of Dean Weber. prgtoken In 1973, Dean Weber started as head athletics trainer for the University of Arkansas, where he provided care for thousands of Razorback student athletes. He never missed a football game as an athletic trainer, working over 415 games with the team under eight head coaches. prgtoken A Hall of Famer, Dean served the university for over 50 years and has the third longest tenure of anyone in Razorback athletics history, behind Frank Broyles and Norm DeBriyn. prgtoken Dean's love for the Natural State and Razorback athletics was immeasurable. Still, his legacy will always be in the relationships he built with the athletes, coaches, colleagues, and friends. prgtoken When I think about what made Dean special, I can say from personal experience that I was just a walk-on, but Dean treated me like an all- American. prgtoken We can all learn from that, and the world could use some more Dean Webers. We will miss our friend, but we are better having known him. Dean Weber made a difference. prgtoken Woo Pig Sooie. Go Hogs.
HONORING THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF VANESSA GRANT
Lloyd Smucker (Republican, PA) \u2014 2024-2-15

I rise today to congratulate McCaskey High School senior Vanessa Grant for her recognition as ``Most Outstanding Attorney'' at the Empire Mock Trial tournament in Chicago, Illinois. prgtoken For the past four years, Vanessa has participated on the McCaskey High School Mock Trial team, beginning her time virtually during the pandemic. Despite the added challenges, she overcame the obstacles and became the team's leader a few years later. prgtoken This year, Vanessa led her team of twelve to the invitational competition against teams from across the world before sitting judges. The judges awarded Vanessa a perfect score in the defense of her case, an esteemed honor coming from legal professionals. prgtoken Vanessa's dedication to her team is admirable. She spends hours every week reviewing numerous cases her team will argue at future competitions, or even for fun. prgtoken The coaches and attorney advisors of the team praise Vanessa's growth and confidence as a leader and future international criminal lawyer, high praise reflected in her long list of accomplishments. prgtoken , I want to congratulate Vanessa on her success at the Empire Mock Trial tournament and wish her and the rest of the McCaskey Mock Trial team all the best as they finish out the rest of their season and going forward. I wish Vanessa continued success in her future endeavors.
HONORING PRIVATE FIRST CLASS ELI TREMONTI AS VETERAN OF THE MONTH FOR MICHIGAN'S NINTH DISTRICT
Lisa C. McClain (Republican, MI) \u2014 2024-2-15

I rise today to recognize the valor and contributions of Private First Class Eli Tremonti, who I am honored to select as the Veteran of the Month for February from Michigan's 9th Congressional District. It is with great honor that I highlight the exemplary service and dedication of this true American hero, whose courage and commitment has left an indelible mark on our Nation's history. prgtoken Born on December 8, 1923, in Vassar Township, Michigan, to an immigrant family with deeply rooted values of hard work and patriotism. Eli Tremonti was drafted into the U.S. Army Air Forces in 1943, during a pivotal moment in world history. His service during World War II as a B-24 tail gunner in the European theater is a testament to the bravery and resilience of the Greatest Generation. prgtoken PFC Tremonti's military accolades reflect his exceptional service and dedication. During his service, he was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, World War II Victory Medal, and the European-African-Middle Eastern Ribbon, adorned with one Bronze Star and one Silver Star, which recognizes his participation in critical battles and campaigns. These include Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland, and ``Air Offensive, Europe.'' His accolades as a Carbine Expert and Rifle Marksman were beyond distinction, and also showcased his proficiency and steadfast service in the face of remarkable adversity. prgtoken Beyond the battlefield, Eli Tremonti's story is one of love, commitment, and community. Married to his beloved wife Virginia for 65 years, he has exemplified the virtues of loyalty and devotion not only on the front lines but in his personal life as well. After returning from the war, he dedicated himself to his work at Eaton Manufacturing in Vassar, contributing significantly to his local community until his retirement in the early 1980s. prgtoken PFC Eli Tremonti's life story is one of heroism, sacrifice, and unwavering dedication to our Nation. His service during one of the most challenging periods in world history reminds us of the profound impact that one individual's courage can have. It is with immense pride that I honor him today as the Veteran of the Month for Michigan's 9th District, a fitting tribute to a distinguished veteran who truly embodies the American Dream. prgtoken It is an honor to express my deepest gratitude and respect for PFC Eli Tremonti. His legacy serves as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by our service members and their families, inspiring future generations to uphold the values of freedom and democracy that define the United States.
UNLOCKING OUR DOMESTIC LNG POTENTIAL ACT OF 2024
Jeff Duncan (Republican, SC) \u2014 2024-2-15

thank goodness for the policies of the last administration. This administration seems to be touting that it has increased production. That came about because of policies of the administration, when, on day one, the administration shut down oil and gas leases, stopped American energy production, shut down pipeline projects, and thwarted the American energy sector. prgtoken , I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Walberg).
RECOGNIZING MR. WILLIAM LYNCH
David G. Valadao (Republican, CA) \u2014 2024-2-15

I rise today to recognize Mr. William Lynch for his dedicated service to the Kings County community and to congratulate him on his well-earned retirement from the Kings County Fire Department. prgtoken Mr. Lynch's passion for the fire service began 40 years ago as a volunteer firefighter for Kings County Fire Department. After a few years with the department, Mr. Lynch joined the Hanford Fire Department as a professional firefighter. He quickly moved up the leadership ranks, and was promoted to Captain in 1995, Assistant Chief Fire Marshal in 2004, and Deputy Chief in 2008. In 2011, Mr. Lynch was named Kings County Fire Chief following 24 years of dedicated service with the Hanford Fire Department. After his retirement from the department in 2016, he returned as the Fire Chief in 2020. Over the course of his career, Mr. Lynch has received many professional certifications by the California State Fire Marshal's Office, including Fire Instructor, Fire Investigator, and Fire Prevention Officer. Mr. Lynch has served as an instructor of fire technology at College of the Sequoias, as well as an instructor of hazardous materials for the California Standardized Training Institute, where he teaches students the skills required to protect their communities from fire hazards and other dangers. Throughout his entire career, and in his many different roles, Mr. Lynch continually demonstrated his commitment to ensuring the safety of our community. Mr. Lynch's decades of service to his community serve as a true testament to his character and leadership abilities. I am confident the impact he has left on the Kings County Fire Department and the broader Central Valley community will be felt by generations to come. prgtoken , I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me in thanking Lynch for his decades of service to the Central Valley and wishing him a happy and well-earned retirement.
WELCOMING PASTOR ZACH TERRY
Aaron Bean (Republican, FL) \u2014 2024-2-15

I rise today to honor First Baptist Church of Fernandina Beach, Florida, and our bold spiritual leader, Pastor Zach Terry. prgtoken My wife and I have discovered that First Baptist is a place to find strength and hope in times of adversity and to feel God's love. It is an incredibly welcoming place, and I challenge anyone to make it from the parking lot into the sanctuary without getting welcomed at least twice. prgtoken First Baptist is a cornerstone of our community, having reached and transformed countless lives, both in northeast Florida and, really, all over the world. Through its outreach programs and compassionate ministries, the church has been a steadfast advocate for the greater community, serving neighbors and sharing God's grace. prgtoken On October 7, Hamas had its attack in Israel. There were 54 members of the First Baptist Church of Fernandina Beach who found themselves stuck in Israel. Airports closed. Roads shut down. There was limited travel. It was indeed a scary time for getting these pilgrims out of that country safely. prgtoken Every day, we would text or communicate with the group, including Pastor Terry, about options, how we do it, what we could do. There was a lot of hunkering down. After a very, very long bus trip to Jordan over a week later, the team made it out. prgtoken During that time of chaos, Pastor Zach made several videos saying: We are calm. We are good. prgtoken Being a spiritual, dedicated shepherd, he reminded everyone what Mark 11:22 says: ``Have faith in God.'' By faith and hope in a God who never fails, our congregation did make it safely back home. prgtoken , I am proud to welcome Pastor Zach Terry; his wife, Julie; their children, Cole, Caitlyn, and Carly; and Pastor Zach's mother, Ms. Teresa Terry. prgtoken There are dozens of members of the congregation here in our Nation's Capital. It is a big day for everybody from the small town of Fernandina Beach.
DAM REMOVALS IN CALIFORNIA
Doug LaMalfa (Republican, CA) \u2014 2024-2-15

. Madam , what I am illustrating here today is one of the largest environmental disasters in American history. This was caused by environmental movement actions here. prgtoken What you see is the Klamath River up in northern California, which prgtoken reaches partly into Oregon. There have been four hydroelectric dams that have been there anywhere from 60 to 100 years, creating clean, renewable, CO2-free, green electricity, something that Americans seem to want and certainly the government is pushing hard for as it tries to electrify everything by mandate: our vehicles, leaf blowers, lawnmowers, stoves, what have you. On the other hand, they want to take away the generation capacity to make all this electricity. prgtoken Here you see this plume right here on the Klamath River, where one of the stems of the Klamath still has clean water. What you see here is the plume from where they started to knock down one of the dams so far, as well as release from the bottom, unplugging many, many years of silt and sedimentation that had been built up underneath at the bottom of the various lakes in the chain. prgtoken Guess what? We warned them about this. They just glossed over it and said: Oh, the silt will be fine. It will be fine. Well, they are finding out there are high levels of chromium and other heavy metals in that silt. We knew this. They ignored it anyway because these four dams for them are trophies for the environmental movement. prgtoken It is not about protecting fish. The latest projection by Fish and Game personnel, just said this week in meetings up in the north--again, you see here a normal part of the river, a tributary coming in. It is winter water there, so it isn't perfectly clear, but that is normal water for the winter. prgtoken Here is the dirty plume coming down the Klamath, this brown, mucky stuff that is killing the wildlife in that system. prgtoken They are actually expecting, and they said it with a straight face, that it might be 10 to 12 years now for the fish population that they ostensibly are trying to protect to return. The life cycle of a salmon is 3 years, so you are going to be wiping out several generations, hoping, I guess, that the salmon that are out in the ocean that return up the river will somehow find their way back after 10 and 12 years of forgetting about their habitat and where their imprint is to their normal breeding grounds. prgtoken Would you have bought into this idea that the salmon are going to be wiped out for 10 or 12 years and think that is an environmental win? I don't think any normal person would think that. That is what they are saying since they started this project of tearing down. prgtoken This shows an existing dam that makes hydroelectric power, but you can see the plume right here. It may be hard to see on TV, but this is a gray, blackish, brown crud hitting that dam from up above and coming through at the bottom where they have unplugged it and just let it
UNLOCKING OUR DOMESTIC LNG POTENTIAL ACT OF 2024
Kat Cammack (Republican, FL) \u2014 2024-2-15

I rise in support of H.R. 7176, the Unlocking our Domestic LNG Potential Act of 2024. This bill is a pivotal piece of legislation that would bolster United States energy security, foster economic growth, and promote environmental sustainability. prgtoken At its core, this bill would streamline the regulatory process for LNG exports and unleash the full potential of America's abundant natural gas resources. This bill reverses the disastrous administration's extreme liquefied gas export permit ban. prgtoken I know how much the left loves that word, ``extreme.'' They are the very definition of it. prgtoken This bill also presents a strategic opportunity for the United States to fortify its energy independence. By facilitating the exportation of LNG, we reduce our reliance on foreign energy sources, mitigate geopolitical risks, and improve U.S. national security. prgtoken The bill creates new jobs, stimulates investment in energy infrastructure, and fosters innovation across related industries. Increasing LNG exports will expand markets, bolster domestic production, and increase economic growth. prgtoken This bill would also provide cleaner, more environmentally friendly energy options for our partners and our allies, and it is important that they know where we stand and that they can depend on and trust us during these times. prgtoken This bill also supports global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while increasing global energy security. prgtoken My home State of Florida plays a pivotal role in the broader landscape of U.S. LNG exports, with JAXPORT serving as a hub for LNG expansion and development. JAXPORT is the only port on the East Coast to offer on-dock and near-dock LNG fueling capabilities. prgtoken , I urge all of my colleagues who care about national security to get on board with this bill.