mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
Nomination of Vernon D. Oliver (Executive Session)
Richard Blumenthal (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2023-9-18

I am very pleased and proud to speak to my colleagues today about Vernon Oliver, whose nomination is before us. We will vote on it shortly. I anticipate that he will be approved, and I hope it will be with bipartisan support because Vernon Oliver represents exactly the kind of jurist, lawyer, public servant whom we want on the Federal bench. prgtoken Judges on our Federal trial courts are often the face and voice of justice. All too often, litigants are there for justice, and it is the end of the road for them one way or the other because they don't have the resources to appeal to the courts of appeal, which sit in other States, far away often, requiring expenditure of resources. So that district judge sitting in the court where, often, they live is the person who represents justice--the face and voice of justice--for them. prgtoken Vernon Oliver is exactly the kind of person who will be trusted to give justice. He grew up in Bridgeport, with not a lot in his home in the way of financial resources. He worked hard, went to the University of Connecticut for his B.A. and then for his J.D. The University of Connecticut prepared him for a life of public service, and that is what he has done, with a brief break for private practice and as a temporary assistant clerk for the Hartford Judicial District. prgtoken He joined the Connecticut Division of Criminal Justice, serving in the Office of the Chief State's Attorney, and then as a prosecutor in the Bristol Superior Court. prgtoken Then I had the great honor to hire Vernon Oliver to be an assistant attorney general. And I say I had the great honor because when I knew him first, when I met him, I knew he was the kind of person who would be a really superior, extraordinary assistant attorney general. prgtoken He went to work in the child protection unit, which essentially tries to protect children from abuse and neglect, tries to hold families together or reach some resolution when there is violence or other kind of dispute that divides them. prgtoken Here is what I learned about Vernon Oliver: He has a strong mind, he has a big heart, and he has a passion for justice. He handled dozens, hundreds, thousands of those cases over the time that he served as an assistant attorney general, and each one of them required him to focus his mind and his heart and that passion for justice. He took every one of them seriously, the same seriousness for every one. They are often extremely demanding, not just intellectually but emotionally, and he stepped up. He showed the fiber of his character. prgtoken He was nominated in 2009 to be a judge on the Connecticut Superior Court. His nomination was done by a Governor, Jodi Rell. Throughout his 15 years on the bench, he has presided over numerous civil and criminal cases, including approximately 30 bench trials, approximately 20 jury trials, and thousands of hearings. prgtoken You don't really need to listen to me
ADVOCATING FOR WORKER BENEFITS
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2023-9-18

the strength of America is in her workers, prgtoken and today I rise on the floor of the House to stand with the UAW workers around the Nation and those that are striking now in the Midwest. prgtoken There are UAW workers in Texas, and I stand with them. Can we at least understand that the value of what these workers are advocating for are American values: health benefits; the ability to have a permanent job; the ability to have compensation; to be able to buy and keep a house, or to provide for your family, or to buy a car that you make. prgtoken This is a crisis that does not have to be. I ask and encourage the Big Three, the automakers, to sit with the UAW workers and resolve this the American way, and that is with fairness and justice and equality for all. prgtoken UAW is fighting for American workers. American workers over the decades and centuries have helped build this Nation. Let us not continue a strike that does not respond to the basic human needs of the UAW workers. prgtoken Again, I stand with the workers. I look forward to a reasoned and responsible resolve of all of this.
HONORING ANTHONY EDGECOMB
Abigail Davis Spanberger (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2023-9-18

I rise to commend Mr. Anthony Edgecomb for his outstanding service as a part of the U.S. Army. prgtoken Throughout his 10 years of service in the U.S. Army, Mr. Anthony Edgecomb upheld the important values of loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage. His career included a Classified National Security mission that spanned over 4 years and earned him the Meritorious Service Medal. prgtoken The Meritorious Service Medal is awarded to servicemembers for ``distinguished service and performance above that normally expected, over a sustained period.'' Typically awarded to senior officers and senior enlisted servicemembers, Mr. Anthony Edgecomb achieved this milestone as an Army Staff Sergeant in 2013. prgtoken I am honored to extend my congratulations to Mr. Anthony Edgecomb. His hard work and sacrifice do not go unnoticed. prgtoken , I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating and thanking Mr. Anthony Edgecomb for his service to our country.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2023-9-18

the lesson of the past few years has been that bipartisanship is key to getting things done in the Senate, even in these divided times. prgtoken A few months ago, bipartisan majorities in both Chambers passed an agreement on appropriations top lines for the fiscal year 2024 and avoided a catastrophic default, which would have been so damaging to America. prgtoken Since then, Senate appropriators, led by Chair Patty Murray and Vice Chair Susan Collins, have drafted legislation honoring this bipartisan agreement. It took months of work and a lot of compromise, but all 12 appropriations bills have made it through the committee, all of them bipartisan and many with unanimous support. Nobody got everything they wanted, but disagreements did not stymie progress. prgtoken So, again, bipartisanship is getting things done. That has been proven over and over again in recent years. But the reverse is also true. When a small band of Senators chooses partisanship over progress--when they mimic the chaos of the House Freedom Caucus--it threatens the good work of this Chamber. prgtoken That is what happened last Thursday, when one Senator's objections prevented us from moving forward with the appropriations process. One Member, mimicking the House Freedom Caucus, has derailed the Senate and prevented us from considering amendments, including amendments. prgtoken It is a reminder that in both Chambers a small band of hard-right s are dead set on grinding down the gears of government. For these MAGA s, it is as if gridlock is a virtue and cooperation a crime. prgtoken I ask this small group of Senate s: What happened to wanting to do appropriation bills regular order? prgtoken We said we would allow amendments. We have put a minibus on the floor with the cooperation and guidance of Senate appropriators. These stunts of this very small band prgtoken only serve to undermine regular order in the first place and fly in the face of what our colleagues asked us to do. prgtoken That is the danger of MAGA extremism. It is incapable of governing. It only produces chaos. It is so bad that, last week, MAGA extremists in the House prevented even a defense bill--even a defense bill--from moving forward. It is a scary pattern we are seeing emerge with some on the hard right: extremism at all costs, even at the cost of our national defense. I urge my colleagues to resist and reject these hard-line attempts to derail the Senate's work. prgtoken A great majority of Senators from both parties want to see us move forward. In the coming days, I will work with my colleagues on getting the appropriations process back on track so we can finish processing these appropriation bills and get us one step closer to funding the government, because we all know, if the government shuts down, it will hurt millions and millions and millions of Americans who did nothing at all
RECOGNIZING THE PUBLIC SERVICE OF SUSAN GRELICK
Brian Higgins (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2023-9-18

today I am honored to recognize the first woman elected Town Supervisor and Town Clerk of Amherst, Susan Grelick. She embodies the very best of our community, and has shaped Amherst, NY into one of the best rated and safest places to live in the entire country. prgtoken A graduate of Union College, Susan would later earn her MBA, JD, and master's degrees in Information Science and American Economic History. She utilized her extensive education to the town's benefit--always in search of ways to improve its financial stand, promote local businesses, and preserve neighborhoods and green space. Indeed, during her 9 years as Supervisor, Amherst had the highest bond rating of any municipality in Western New York. Susan also initiated the Town's first Vision Summits, a tool she used to develop a comprehensive plan for her future agenda. Once her time had finished as a town official, Susan became the legislative director and counsel to New York Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins. This is in addition to involvement in countless local organizations, including as a Trustee Emeritus of the Buffalo Niagara Heritage Village, as a Board member of the Amherst Youth Foundation, and as Vice President of the Chautauqua Institution Women's Club Board of Directors. She previously worked as President of the Amherst Youth Foundation, President of the Buffalo Amherst Business and Professional Women's Association, and sat on the Board of Directors for YMCA of Greater Buffalo, the UB Alumni Association, and the Erie County Industrial Development Agency. Her commitment to public service goes beyond the listed organizations. She is unquestionably sincere in her desire to help others, and she has gone above and beyond to deliver for her neighbors and community. prgtoken Many groups have recognized Susan over the years, so it is only fitting that the Amherst ic Committee recognizes her efforts over the last 25 years as a member. Susan Grelick has been a steadfast friend to so many in the Western New York area, and all its citizens (particularly those in Amherst), owe her a debt of gratitude. She has been an asset to the growth of our region, and I am thrilled that she is being honored for her inspiring achievements. I wish her the best in all her future endeavors.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Patty Murray (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2023-9-18

. For the information of all Senators, last week, an overwhelming 91 Senators voted to begin debate on the bipartisan appropriations package. This is a package of bills which--each one of them passed the Appropriations Committee unanimously. prgtoken We have been working very hard in a bipartisan effort and in good faith to set up a very robust process for amendments and for debate. Unfortunately, a few Senators decided to object to us last week, and now we are moving forward. prgtoken I would say a lot of Senators have come to me and others and spoken on the floor about how much they hate doing a gigantic omnibus at the end of the year. We have been working really hard on this package to make sure we don't get stuck doing that once again. So if everyone is serious about wanting to show that this place can actually work, well, now is the time to come together to make sure we can do that. prgtoken We cannot let a few Senators toss out months of hard work to move us closer to regular order and abandon an overwhelmingly bipartisan effort to do something as basic as funding our government and then put us on a collision course for another huge omnibus. That is why we are filing for a necessary procedural vote today that we will vote on later this week that will keep this bipartisan process on track. prgtoken , I would inform Senators that as we wait for this vote to ripen, we are continuing to work through a list of amendments and a package of amendments that we can approve as soon as we can get the necessary votes to get back on the bill. prgtoken .
HIROSHI "HERSHEY" MIYAMURA VA CLINIC
Mark Takano (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2023-9-18

. Madam , such time as I may consume. prgtoken Madam , I rise to express my support for S. 475, a bill to designate the clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Gallup, New Mexico, as the Hiroshi ``Hershey'' Miyamura VA Clinic. prgtoken This bill honors a great American from the Greatest Generation. I thank Senator Heinrich for sponsoring this bill and Representative Leger Fernandez for offering the House companion. prgtoken Born in Gallup, New Mexico, the son of immigrants, Mr. Miyamura joined the Army in 1944. He was assigned to the now-storied 442nd Regimental Combat Team, although he arrived too late in Europe to see much action. However, his military service did not end with World War II. prgtoken He enlisted in the Army Reserves after the war and was called into Active Duty with the outbreak of the Korean war. He became a squad leader in the 3rd Infantry Division. prgtoken On the night of April 24, 1951, Corporal Miyamura's unit of machine gunners and riflemen came under attack. He killed 10 enemy soldiers with his bayonet. He then blasted away with his machine gun, a rifle, and grenades and wielded his bayonet again to allow his men to retreat. prgtoken He killed more than 50 of the enemy before his ammunition was depleted and he was severely wounded. He was captured and held for 28 months as a prisoner of war until he was released in 1953 after the armistice. prgtoken For his conduct, then-Corporal Miyamura was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity. He was awarded the medal in secret in 1951 while he was a POW, but it was finally presented in public in 1953. prgtoken Achieving the rank of staff sergeant, Mr. Miyamura returned to New Mexico. His dedication and patriotism continued after he returned from South Korea to share his experiences in the war. prgtoken He also served as an integral part of the lives of veterans and others in his community. Mr. Miyamura once said: Until I saw that flag--the Star-Spangled Banner waving in the breeze--did I know. I've learned what it represents. That alone is what makes you feel so humble. So many of these fellas who deserve it never came home to any recognition. There are so many Americans who don't know what the medal represents or what any soldier or servicewoman or -man does for this country, and I believe one of these days--I hope one of these days--they will learn of the sacrifices that a lot of the men and women have made for this country. prgtoken Madam , let this legislation be an opportunity to let our fellow Americans know about the service and sacrifice that came before. prgtoken Madam , I support this important piece of legislation, and I ask my colleagues to do the same. prgtoken Madam , .
South Dakota (Executive Session)
John Thune (Republican, SD) \u2014 2023-9-19

there is nothing like summertime in South Dakota. prgtoken While I am in Sioux Falls almost every weekend, August gives me the opportunity to spend more time at home. It gives me a chance to travel South Dakota's wide-open spaces to meet with constituents and have important conversations that shape a lot of what I work on here in the Senate. It is a busy month. We covered a lot of ground this August, both figuratively and literally. prgtoken To begin with, August is fair season in South Dakota. So this year, I made it to the Turner County Fair, the Brown County Fair, where I got my usual Tubby burger, and the Sioux Empire Fair. Fairs showcase a lot of the best of South Dakota, but they are an especially big deal for our agricultural community. Whether I am serving lunch to producers at the Sioux Empire Fair's Agriculture Appreciation Day or giving an update on the farm bill at Dakotafest, which happens every year in Mitchell, SD, I appreciate opportunities to hear directly from farmers and ranchers. I do this every year, but it is especially important in a farm bill year like this one. prgtoken Many of my farm bill priorities come directly from these discussions. In fact, these discussions can often get into the weeds on policy. But the bottom line from farmers and ranchers this year was really quite simple: We need to get the farm bill done. Farmers and ranchers need certainty that the programs they depend on will be there when they need them. And finishing the farm bill is one of the most important things on the agenda for the end of this year. prgtoken Agriculture is the lifeblood of South Dakota, but there is a lot more that keeps South Dakota moving. This August, I had the chance to meet with electric cooperatives that provide power in South Dakota communities. I joined Midco Communications as they announced a new broadband expansion in the Black Hills to bring faster internet to more homes. I was on hand for the new I-29 exit 130 interchange ribbon- cutting in Brookings, SD. prgtoken Throughout the month, I also visited a lot of local businesses and talked with business owners from across the State. I visited Showplace Cabinetry in burg, SD, Load King Manufacturing in Elk Point, Dimock Cheese in Dimock, Dady Drug in Mobridge, and I met with startup leaders in Sioux Falls. We had some important conversations. It was clear that business owners are facing some headwinds at the moment. prgtoken Business leaders in Yankton, for example, discussed challenges arising from the workforce shortages in South Dakota. With unemployment at 1.9 percent in South Dakota, there are workforce challenges in just about every sector. At the Midwest Agricultural Export Summit, we talked about the importance of trade and how the administration has put expanding market access on the back burner, unfortunately. Business owners across the State expressed frustration with high interest rates and higher co
RECOGNIZING NEBRASKA MANUFACTURING MONTH
Mike Flood (Republican, NE) \u2014 2023-9-19

today, I rise to honor manufacturers across the First District of Nebraska. prgtoken Manufacturing is Nebraska's largest industry. According to the National Association of Manufacturers, manufacturing accounts for 11.81 percent of the total output in Nebraska, employing 9.8 percent of our workforce. prgtoken Across the First District, these manufacturers are creating jobs. Nucor in Norfolk, Nebraska, produced 33.6 million tons of steel over the last 50 years. Plattsmouth is home to the first creatine manufacturer in the United States. Blazer Athletic fabricates sports equipment in Columbus. Kawasaki makes train cars in Lincoln that ship to Washington, D.C and New York City. You should also know that Fremont is producing rotisserie chickens and other products for Costco stores across North America. prgtoken On behalf of the people of Nebraska's First Congressional District, I extend our sincere thanks to all the manufacturers that are helping make our communities a great place to live, work, and raise a family. Keep up the great work. Congratulating Northeast Community College on Its 50th Anniversary
WE MUST END THE DISASTROUS BORDER POLICIES
Barry Moore (Republican, AL) \u2014 2023-9-19

last weekend more than 20,000 illegal immigrants crossed the U.S. southern border. President 's only solution to historically massive border numbers is to warn migrants not to come and to claim our border is secure. prgtoken Meanwhile, the cities that migrants end up in are forced to figure out where to house them and how to care for them, and the American taxpayer is footing that bill. prgtoken So far this year, over $200 million of Chicago's $500 million budget deficit has gone to migrant care costs. prgtoken New York City Mayor Eric Adams, recently warned citizens that the cost of migrant care could mean cuts to city services due to a financial tsunami. prgtoken The Governor of Massachusetts has declared a state of emergency due to the onslaught. prgtoken Leaders in sanctuary cities might have asked for this crisis by offering themselves up, but the American people did not. The United States is nearly $33 trillion in debt. omics has caused a 17 percent inflation on the American people, and 70 percent of them are now saying they are feeling financially stressed, but still seems to think that taxpayers have millions to spend. prgtoken Let me say this to the administration: You can either close our border or we will close the government.
China (Executive Session)
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2023-9-19

in the past 2 months, the Chinese Government has reminded the world just how an authoritarian communist state operates. prgtoken In July, President Xi announced he had replaced the PRC's Foreign Minister after the official hadn't been seen in public in a month. Then, the senior official responsible for the PLA strategic missile force, who hadn't been seen for even longer, was replaced. And then the Chinese Defense Minister went missing for weeks before Beijing announced he had been fired and detained for investigation. The purge of senior leaders, growing economic volatility, bellicose foreign policy--these are concerning developments in a country with a reputation for repression at home and belligerence abroad. prgtoken China's neighbors and global powers alike are increasingly skeptical of official economic and budget numbers from a dictatorship that suppresses free speech, mocks the rule of law, and simply disappears its senior leaders--and rightly so. prgtoken One thing has long been certain: The PRC is arming itself at an alarming rate. Recent estimates suggest China spends close to $700 billion per year on defense. That is concerning for a number of reasons. First, a much larger percentage of China's defense budget than ours goes to modernization and capabilities. Further, since Chinese geostrategic ambitions--for now at least--are focused primarily on challenging the status quo in its immediate region, the PRC doesn't face the resource constraints that the United prgtoken States does due to our global interests and power projection requirements. prgtoken Beijing's decades-long modernization campaign has paid dividends for the PRC. Just last week, the Wall Street Journal detailed the significant progress China has made in testing and fielding hypersonic weapons and how such efforts have outpaced those of our own country. America also lags in shipbuilding. The infrastructure constraints that keep us from building more ships, testing more hypersonic vehicles, and training more pilots are well known. But the cold truth is that China, which has a shipbuilding capacity more than 200 times that of the United States, is set to reach 400 ships in 2 years, while the U.S. Navy is aiming for 350 ships--listen to this--by 2045. prgtoken This is precisely why Senate s, led by Senator Shelby and Senator Wicker, pushed for an amendment to the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework to create a Defense Infrastructure Fund and expand our capacity for testing, training, and production. Unfortunately, the ic leader did not allow this amendment to receive a vote. prgtoken For what it is worth, I appreciate the Pentagon's recent efforts to catch up. For example, the Deputy Secretary of Defense recently announced an initiative to dramatically accelerate production of autonomous systems to help level the playing field with the PLA. Her remarks were titled ``The Urgency to Innovate.'' But closi
TRIBUTE TO BENNETT AARON BERT
Marco Rubio (Republican, FL) \u2014 2023-9-19

I recognize Bennett Aaron Bert, a summer 2023 intern with my Orlando office, for the hard work he has done for my office and the people of Florida. prgtoken Bennett is currently studying at the Catholic University of America, where he is completing a bachelor's degree in politics with a minor in business. He is a dedicated and diligent worker who was devoted to getting the most out of his internship experience. prgtoken I extend my deepest gratitude to Bennett for his work with my office, and I look forward to hearing of his successes in the years to come.