mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
ILLICIT CAPTAGON TRAFFICKING SUPPRESSION ACT OF 2023
J. French Hill (Republican, AR) \u2014 2024-4-16

I thank the gentleman from Texas, and I certainly thank my good friend from New York, the ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, for his collaboration on this bill, H.R. 4681, the Illicit Captagon Trafficking Suppression Act. prgtoken I appreciate Mr. Moskowitz, my partner and collaborator in drafting this measure. With the help of Mr. McCaul from Texas and Mr. Meeks from New York, this bill passed the House Foreign Affairs Committee 44-0. It is a key follow-up to my CAPTAGON Act of 2022, which was enacted into law as a part of the National Defense Authorization Act of that year. prgtoken This measure would further press the Assad regime in Syria by imposing new sanctions to directly target individuals and networks associated with the production and trafficking of this dangerous drug, captagon, and the resulting illicit finance. prgtoken This illegal drug trafficking is being orchestrated by Assad's relatives, leaders in his security forces, and those affiliated with Iran-backed terror group Hezbollah. These sanctions and a successful U.S.-led captagon strategy are necessary in order to disrupt the illicit funds to the Assad regime and Hezbollah. prgtoken , this drug is exiting Syria by way of Lebanon and the Syrian ports to the Mediterranean. It has been found in Europe. It has been found manufactured in Europe. Most of it passes across the land border in Jordan and finds its way to the Gulf, where it is addicting citizens in Jordan, it is addicting citizens in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and that illicit money is fueling terrorism in the region. prgtoken For 12 years, Assad, with his terror partners, Iran and Russia, have murdered and imprisoned Syrians, bombed hospitals, and gassed his own citizens. Since 2018, narcotic production and trafficking in Syria have turned Syria and the Assad regime from simply a broken, failed state of mass murder to a narco-state, with Assad's crimes against his own citizens expanding to drug trafficking. prgtoken If we fail to stop captagon's trade, then the Assad regime will continue to drive the ongoing conflict in his country, provide a lifeline to extremist groups, and permit our adversaries such as Iran, Russia, and China to strengthen their engagement in Syria, posing a larger threat to Israel and other allies in the region. prgtoken To enhance greater stability in the Middle East, the U.S. Government must continue to work with our allies and partners in the region and in Europe to increase pressure on stopping the proliferation of this drug. prgtoken In 2023, following the State Department's initiation of the U.S. captagon strategy, I traveled to the region. I visited the area three times, and captagon was an essential topic on each trip. Everybody I visited with, from a diplomatic point of view, wanted to talk about the impact of captagon. prgtoken Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq directly have seen captagon trade infiltrate their borders. Egypt, Israel, a
REFORMING INTELLIGENCE AND SECURING AMERICA ACT--MOTION TO PROCEED-- Continued
Marsha Blackburn (Republican, TN) \u2014 2024-4-16

we gathered just a couple of hours ago to receive the impeachment articles on Alejandro Mayorkas, who is the Secretary of Homeland Security. How interesting that, as we look at going through this impeachment, we have Senator Schumer, who is the majority leader, who has decided he wants to change his tune when it comes to dealing with impeachment. prgtoken Now, in 2019, right before the started in on President and an impeachment trial for President , Leader Schumer stood right here in this Chamber, and he said: We have a responsibility to let all the facts come out. We [have] to remember our constitutional duty to act as judges and jurors in a potential trial. prgtoken Now, those were his comments at that point in time. He was all for an impeachment trial, and it is our constitutional duty. You can look at article I, section 2 and section 3. Section 2 lays out the responsibility of the House in impeachment. Section 3 pertains to the Senate and how we are to proceed with a trial of impeachment. prgtoken But, as I said, Leader Schumer has decided that he wants to change his tune, and all of a sudden, he is not wanting this even though we actually have a public officeholder who deserves to stand for an impeachment trial, and that is Secretary Mayorkas. Now that the shoe is on the other foot, if you will, and now that it is about a , Leader Schumer wants to change the rules and say no. He is even willing to take unprecedented actions that this Chamber has never taken when it comes to the issue of impeachment. prgtoken I believe this should incense every single American. I know it incenses the people of Tennessee because what we have learned in the last 3 years about Secretary Mayorkas--even though his title is ``Secretary of Homeland Security,'' he does not believe in securing the homeland, and he has refused to fulfill his duty of securing the homeland. prgtoken I know that Secretary Mayorkas is doing the bidding of and the administration. He is just doing what they tell him he has to do. That in and of itself tells you a lot about what this administration thinks about the security and sovereignty of this country. Here is why: On the -Mayorkas watch, you have more than 9.4 million illegal aliens coming into this country. That is in less than 3 years--9.4 million. prgtoken We know that there are between 1.7 and 2.5 million ``got-aways.'' Some of those ``got-aways'' are included in that 9.4 million number, and others are not because they didn't see them as they were coming through and couldn't get to them. They found things they left on the roadside or in the woods, in the brush, later on. prgtoken Out of this 10 million or so who have illegally come into the country--by the way, just to help everyone have the right context, that number of 10 million is greater than the population of 38 of our States--38. That is how many people are
CELEBRATING THE ROBBINS AREA LIBRARY'S 30TH ANNIVERSARY
Richard Hudson (Republican, NC) \u2014 2024-4-16

I rise today to recognize the Robbins Area Library for thirty years of service to the people of Moore County. prgtoken Thirty years ago, this library was established to serve as a center for community and learning for the people of Robbins, North Carolina. Before it was built, folks had to travel to neighboring towns in order to visit a library. But now Robbin's library has emerged as an integral part of the town. The library houses thousands of books, provides internet access in an area where coverage is limited, and caters to the learning of people of all ages. Additionally, it serves as a central meeting spot, hosting children's events, book groups, movie groups, sports clubs, and more. prgtoken Numerous folks have been integral to the success of this storied landmark. This includes people like Theron Bell, who was the chief advocate for the establishment of the library back in the 1990's, and Clara Bernicken, a thirty-year veteran of the local library system and one of the lead story tellers at Robbins. They, and many others, have performed a tremendous service to our community in Moore County. I think I speak for everyone in Moore County in thanking them for all they have done and continue to do. prgtoken , please join me today in recognizing the Robbins Area Library and all those who have helped it grow and develop on the thirtieth anniversary of its establishment.
REFORMING INTELLIGENCE AND SECURING AMERICA ACT--MOTION TO PROCEED-- Continued
Jeanne Shaheen (Democrat, NH) \u2014 2024-4-16

in light of the unprecedented attacks by Iranian forces on Israel over the weekend and on the 64th day since the Senate passed a bipartisan national security supplemental bill, I come to the floor to once again call on the House to pass critical funding for Ukraine, for Israel, for the Indo-Pacific, and, importantly, for our own national security needs here at home. prgtoken Over the past 6 months, I have worked with Senators from both sides of the aisle to urge the passage of supplemental funding to support our national security, and I am beyond disappointed that Johnson and prgtoken House s have delayed much needed critical aid, especially given the Senate bill that passed here with 70 bipartisan votes. I believe and my colleagues on both sides of the aisle believe that that would pass the House if only the would bring the bill to the floor. Now, we hear this week that House s may be nearing a vote on this aid, and while I am encouraged by that, it is way past time for us to help the courageous Ukrainians who are fighting, literally, for the life of their country. prgtoken As chair of the European Subcommittee of the Foreign Relations Committee, like so many in this Chamber, I have met with President Zelenskyy, traveled to Ukraine, and met with the women and men who are on the frontlines of this war. I know the dire state of affairs right now against Russia. We have heard from our Nation's top four-star generals and every single combatant commander. They have stressed the importance of what happens in Ukraine to operations elsewhere around the world. prgtoken Fortunately, Ukrainians remain fearless in the face of the brutality and aggression from Russia, but what the United States and our allies must do at this critical juncture is provide the military and economic support to help Ukraine win and define victory on its own terms. We must act now to ensure Ukraine's continued survival. We have heard testimony that, right now, for every shell that is being fired by the Ukrainians, five are being fired by Russia; and if we wait another month or more, it will be 10 for every shell that Ukrainians are firing. prgtoken Ensuring Ukraine's survival is not just about Ukraine; it is about pushing back on Vladimir Putin's campaign to return to the days of Soviet occupation and aggression. We have seen this movie before with Vladimir Putin. In 2008, he invaded Georgia. In 2014, he illegally annexed Crimea and parts of the Donbas in Ukraine. Then, of course, 2 years ago, he launched his full-scale, unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. If he wins--if the West fails to support Ukraine--we know that Vladimir Putin is not going to stop. prgtoken We have heard from the leaders of the Baltic nations of Poland, of other states in Eastern Europe, their fears for what happens if Vladimir Putin is successful in Ukraine. prgtoken Instead of letting Putin rewrite the rules of the road, we should put
IN MEMORY OF CANDACE CARROLL
Scott H. Peters (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2024-4-16

. Madam , I rise to mark the unfortunate designation today of the Tijuana River as one of America's most endangered rivers. While it gives me no pride that the Tijuana River is receiving this distinction, it will help bring critical attention to this environmental catastrophe and public health threat. prgtoken The sewage crisis has plagued the river for far too long, harming the environment, public health, tourism, our national security, and residents' quality of life. prgtoken We are finally beginning to turn the page on this crisis, thanks to advocacy efforts like this, and soon the story of the Tijuana River will, I hope, be one of triumph and not tragedy. prgtoken Last month, we celebrated a victory when we secured $156 million for the U.S. International Boundary and Water Commission's construction budget. This money will go toward fixing and upgrading the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant. It keeps us on track to begin work this year, but there is still a lot more to be done. prgtoken We will need to secure additional funding over the next few years to ensure this project is completed without delay and at the fully intended capacity. prgtoken I will continue working with my colleagues here in Congress to end this crisis so that, one day, the Tijuana River earns the distinction of being an environmental jewel and not an environmental disaster.
TAKING SPOONFULS' PLEDGE TO WASTE LESS
James P. McGovern (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2024-4-16

I have officially taken the pledge. An incredible organization from Massachusetts called Spoonfuls is calling on all of us to reduce our wasted food footprint while helping those who don't know where their next meal is coming from. prgtoken I have always said that, in America, we have a mismatch: Acres of fresh fruits and vegetables and some of the most talented farmers in the world, yet nearly 40 million Americans go hungry. We have enough food to feed everyone, yet so much goes to waste. prgtoken In fact, about 40 percent of the food the U.S. produces ends up thrown in the trash, and too much of it is perfectly good to eat. prgtoken In Congress, I was proud to get the Food Donation Improvement Act to President 's desk, making it easier for organizations to donate unused food. This law is a win-win for organizations looking to do good and for Americans who are hungry. prgtoken , I will continue to look for ways to minimize food waste in my life, and I hope that others, including my colleagues in Congress, will join me in this fun, commonsense commitment. Let us rededicate ourselves to ending hunger now.
REFORMING INTELLIGENCE AND SECURING AMERICA ACT--MOTION TO PROCEED-- Continued
Brian Schatz (Democrat, HI) \u2014 2024-4-16

tens of millions of kids in America are anxious, depressed, angry, lonely, sedentary, sometimes insecure, and sometimes suicidal. And just about everybody--whether they are parents, teachers, mental health professionals, or even the kids themselves-- points the finger at the same culprit: social media. prgtoken We do not need more data to tell us what is so painfully obvious in schools and homes across the country. Social media platforms, with their wildly powerful, covert, and addictive algorithms are driving our kids deeper and deeper into a sea of despair that they can't find their way out of. Kids are being unwittingly sucked into rabbit holes that leave them in a constant state of panic and outrage--ashamed of their own bodies, lacking meaningful friendships and connections. prgtoken The idea that a young kid--a kid--can feel so unhappy and so unfulfilled at the tender age of 8 or 9--so much so that they seriously contemplate self-harm--is appalling. And it is a uniquely modern crisis created over the past decades by profit-chasing tech companies for whom nothing and no one is off-limits, not even very young kids. The math for them is very simple: Attention means money. And the best way to hold people's attention is to make them upset and keep them upset. prgtoken You talk to any parent--whether they are raising a toddler or a teenager, whether they are a voter or nonvoter, a or a --they are worried and they are frustrated about all the ways that social media is harming kids, but they don't know what to do about it or if they can do anything at all. Some might work two jobs and not have the time to monitor what their kids are up to online. Others might lack the technical literacy to operate parental controls and set limits on screen time. prgtoken All they really want is for their young kids to be off social media altogether, because there is no good reason that a 9-year-old should be spending hours every day scrolling through TikTok that has been programmed with no concern for whether the content is age-appropriate or not. There is no First Amendment right for an 11-year-old to be on Instagram while algorithm targets them with content glorifying starvation and fueling insecurities. prgtoken By the company's own admission, social media was never meant to be used by young kids. Yet any parent, or anyone who knows a parent, knows that young kids are on these platforms anyway. And the only way that it will stop is if the Federal law finally mandates that companies keep young kids off of their services. prgtoken Over the past year, my team and I have worked extensively with a broad range of advocates and stakeholders, as well as the Senate Commerce Committee leadership, to update my bill to protect kids on social media. Our updated bill, called the Healthy Kids Act, would do two simple things: It would prevent kids under 13 from being on social media at all; and it would ban
URGING THE EUROPEAN UNION TO EXPEDITIOUSLY DESIGNATE THE ISLAMIC REVOLUTIONARY GUARD CORPS AS A TERRORIST ORGANIZATION UNDER COMMON POSITION 931, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Gregory W. Meeks (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2024-4-16

. Madam , once again, it is overdue for the EU to designate the IRGC as a terrorist entity. They are nothing but that. By shutting the IRGC out of both the American and European markets, we will be starving them of important resources of funding they rely on to conduct their terrorist and other destabilizing activities. prgtoken Madam , I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H. Res. 288, and .
REFORMING INTELLIGENCE AND SECURING AMERICA ACT--MOTION TO PROCEED-- Continued
Sherrod Brown (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2024-4-16

I rise early this evening to recognize D. Taylor, a fierce labor advocate, a key partner in our fight for workers in this country, a friend who retired from his role as President of UNITE HERE earlier this month. Everything D. has done--and I have watched him closely; I have worked closely with him. Everything D. has done over the course of his career comes back to the dignity of work, the idea that hard work should pay off for everyone, whether you punch a clock, whether you swipe a badge, whether you work in an office, whether you work for tips, whether you are raising children, or whether you are caring for an aging parent. prgtoken The dignity of work has guided D. Taylor through his whole career as he fought to unionize industries that have long been overlooked with workers who have long been underpaid and ignored. prgtoken For the past 12 years, D. served as President of UNITE HERE, a union that represents workers across the hospitality industry. Its members work in airports, in food service, in hotels. They make textiles; they serve on Amtrak trains; they cross the Nation. prgtoken It is not a coincidence we have seen momentum in the labor movement while D. has been at the helm of UNITE HERE. So often, where we have seen unprecedented union growth, D. and his members have been on the frontlines organizing, invigorating, calling for change. This generation--this youngest generation now--is quantifiably, certainly, the most pro-labor generation of our lifetimes. prgtoken Under D UNITE HERE has become one of the fastest growing trade unions in the country. Despite a pandemic that devastated workers in hospitality, D. has actually expanded UNITE HERE. He focused on southern States and right-to-work States--much harder States to organize than the Presiding Officer's State of Maine or mine in Ohio-- not that it is easy in those States with Federal law but even harder in those southern States. prgtoken Workers, traditionally, haven't had a seat at the table. During his time as president, D. oversaw the union's organizing of 140,000 service and hospitality workers in over 1,000 workplaces across the country. Because of D. and UNITE HERE, these workers now have a union card. That means higher pay; it means better benefits; it means safer workplaces; and it means something that many don't think about: It means more control over your schedule. prgtoken I remember being in Nevada at the Culinary Workers Union Local 226, which D. built into a powerhouse. That union is an inspiration for workers everywhere. They had a massive banner on the wall that said ``One job should be enough''; that workers should not have to have two and three jobs to support their families. ``One job should be enough.'' prgtoken I remember--this wasn't directly about D but I will never forget this discussion I had in Cincinnati. I was at an AFL-CIO dinner. There were a number of people--probably 300 people there. And there
IRAN COUNTERTERRORISM ACT OF 2023
Maxine Waters (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2024-4-16

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , if my GOP colleagues want to combat terrorism finance, the way to do that is not through convoluted congressional waiting periods and lengthy proposal processes, tying the President's hands. Rather, I have a solid, bipartisan bill to propose, one which passed our Financial Services Committee markup with a unanimous vote of 50-0. That bill, my bill, is the Stopping Illicit Oil Shipments Act of 2023, H.R. 6365. prgtoken The bill would target Iran's oil shipments and the Iranian ghost fleet, which is one of the biggest sources of funds for the terrorist Iranian regime. Iran and Russia both use this tactic to circumvent U.S. and allied sanctions. In fact, it is estimated that 2 million barrels of oil are transported daily on these ghost ships. prgtoken If s were serious about countering Iran and Russia, they could have brought this bill to the floor with these other provisions, a bill that passed markup with the same bills considered this week. prgtoken , .
IRAN COUNTERTERRORISM ACT OF 2023
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2024-4-16

the Iran Counterterrorism Act would require the President to obtain a congressional resolution of approval before waiving certain sanctions on Iran. This would cause us to have greater deliberation with the President. prgtoken , I rise to bring concerns but to recognize that this is an important step that we need to digest and discuss in order to make the right decision to safeguard the people in the region but also the free, democracy-wanting people of Iran.
Introductory Statement on S. 4132
Alex Padilla (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2024-4-16

I rise to introduce the Chuckwalla National Monument Establishment and Joshua Tree National Park Expansion Act. prgtoken The Chuckwalla National Monument Establishment and Joshua Tree National Park Expansion Act would establish a new Chuckwalla National Monument to protect approximately 620,000 acres of public lands, while also expanding Joshua Tree National Park by adding approximately 17,842 acres of previously designated public lands that were identified as suitable for inclusion in the park by the National Park Service. prgtoken The proposed Chuckwalla National Monument's vast desert landscape spanning from the area along Joshua Tree National Park's southern boundary, along Interstate 10 from the eastern Coachella Valley, and all the way to the Colorado River are worthy of permanent protection. prgtoken This area has a unique, biodiverse ecosystem; is home to habitats for species like the Chuckwalla lizard and the endangered desert tortoise; and contains critical migration corridors for desert bighorn sheep. This area is also cherished for outdoor recreation activities like hiking and rock climbing. prgtoken The lands within the proposed national monument include the homelands of the Iviatim, Nuwu, Pipa Aha Macav, Kwatsaan, and Maara'yam peoples (Cahuilla, Chemehuevi, Mojave, Quechan, and Serrano Nations). Designating the Chuckwalla National Monument would help to protect important spiritual and cultural values tied to the land such as multi- use trail systems established by indigenous peoples, sacred sites and objects, traditional cultural places, geoglyphs, petroglyphs, pictographs, and native plants and wildlife. prgtoken I am proud to work to introduce this legislation that would preserve part of California's vast desert landscape, help ensure more equitable access to nature and recreation, protect biodiversity, and preserve decades of cultural riches, particularly for the Tribal governments who have worked so hard to protect this area. prgtoken I want to thank Representative Raul Ruiz of California for leading the House companion and Senator Butler for her cosponsorship in the Senate. I look forward to working with our colleagues to pass the Chuckwalla National Monument Establishment and Joshua Tree National Park Expansion Act as quickly as possible.