mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
Biden Administration (Executive Calendar)
John Barrasso (Republican, WY) \u2014 2021-11-16

this morning, the majority leader came to the floor of the Senate to talk about the ' reckless tax- and-spending bill. prgtoken Now, he repeated the claim that the bill would actually reduce inflation. It won't. Just like the claim the President makes that the cost of the bill will be zero, the American people know that that is not true either. prgtoken The majority leader asked a question. He asked why not a single would support the bill. Well, I am prgtoken happy to respond to the majority leader and explain why the American people and the s are rejecting what the are trying to force through the Congress. prgtoken So I come to the floor today to talk about rising prices. Next Thursday will be the most expensive Thanksgiving ever. As the New York Times put it, the Thanksgiving dinner will wallop your wallet. Turkey prices are up 25 cents on the dollar so far this year. Prices for meat, poultry, fish, and eggs are up more than 10 cents on the dollar in just 1 year. prgtoken Companies like Nestle and Procter & Gamble, well, they put out warnings that they are raising their prices. prgtoken Who would have thought that in just 10 short months of the Presidency we could set a record--a 30-year high record for inflation? prgtoken Millions of families this year will sit down for Thanksgiving dinner, and in addition to eating turkey, families around the table will also be talking turkey. They are going to have difficult conversations about how to make ends meet. prgtoken According to one estimate, families are now paying about $175 more every month because of inflation for the same things they were getting before became President. This works out to a $2,000 bite out of the paychecks annually of every working American. prgtoken So what is happening? Why is it happening? prgtoken It is for at least three reasons. First, 's incompetence and mismanagement has caused the worst supply chain disruption in at least 40 years. prgtoken Now, the supply chain crisis is largely the result of a labor shortage. Last week, the New York Times called the shortage of truck drivers--truck drivers; not of trucks, but of the drivers--the single biggest cause of the supply chain crisis. prgtoken We don't have enough goods in large part because we don't have enough workers. This is the worst labor shortage in American history. There are more than 10 million jobs which have gone unfilled in recent months. We have broken new records for unfilled jobs in 5 of the last 9 months that has been in office. prgtoken This isn't a coincidence. This is happening because of the policies that have been put in place by the in this administration. prgtoken In March, President and the extended a bonus payment to people who stayed home from work. Millions of people made more money by staying home instead of going to work. Well, in September, the bonus payme
REMEMBERING THE LIFE OF MAX CLELAND
Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (Republican, GA) \u2014 2021-11-16

I rise today with a heavy heart to remember and honor the life of the Reverend Monsignor William Oliver O'Neill of St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Savannah. prgtoken Reverend O'Neill served the people of Savannah for 46 years until his retirement in 2013. He served six churches in his time in Savannah and spent much of his time preserving the history of the church in the city. prgtoken Reverend O'Neill oversaw and managed the $11 million restoration of the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist in Savannah that was completed in 2000. In 2003, Reverend O'Neill successfully stopped an armed arsonist from damaging the church by telling him: Don't point that gun at me. I will knock your head off. prgtoken He removed smoldering cushions from the bishop's chair and a burning Bible from the pulpit as the arsonist looked on. Reverend O'Neill returned, intent on fighting the fire with a fire extinguisher before police stopped him and firefighters arrived. prgtoken He was the image of service to others and love for God. My thoughts and prayers are with his friends and family through this difficult time. Celebrating Willie Mae Hubbard-Wright's 103rd Birthday
RECOGNIZING THE RETIREMENT OF MR. TOMMY WHITAKER OF PORTLAND, TENNESSEE
John W. Rose (Republican, TN) \u2014 2021-11-16

. Madam , I rise today to recognize my friend and constituent Mr. Tommy Whitaker. On November 14, one day before his 70th birthday, Tommy retired after 45 years as an employee and 16 years as president and CEO of The Farmer's Bank headquartered in Portland, TN. Tommy is a proud Tennessean who has dedicated his career to serving the financial needs of his fellow citizens. prgtoken Tommy graduated from the University of Tennessee with a B.B.A. before attending the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University. prgtoken Tommy married his wife Shirley and raised two wonderful children-- Susan Hand and Joseph Whitaker--all while continuing to work for the Portland community. Today, he is the proud grandfather of Grayson Whitaker. prgtoken In addition to his many decades at the bank, Tommy serves the Upper Cumberland community as president of Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation, and as a member of the City of Portland's Industrial Development Board. Previously, he served for seven years on the University of Tennessee Board of Trustees. prgtoken Tommy is one of Tennessee's most influential bankers and his strong character and devotion to service before self has gained him the respect of his community and beyond. It is truly an end of an era for The Farmer's Bank. During his tenure, the bank has had significant growth, has produced steadily increasing returns to its stockholders, and now has a strong team to move the bank forward for years to come. prgtoken As the U.S. Representative for Tennessee's Sixth Congressional District, I am grateful for Tommy's friendship, his service to Tennessee, and his commitment to put people first. prgtoken An inspiring leader with a human touch, I hope Tommy Whitaker enjoys his much-deserved retirement back in Middle Tennessee.
SOUTHERN BORDER CRISIS
Gus M. Bilirakis (Republican, FL) \u2014 2021-11-16

I rise today to discuss the dangerous situation at our southern border. prgtoken Since President took office, there have been over 1.4 million illegal border crossings. These record-high apprehensions keep increasing with no end in sight, and now a new caravan of migrants is headed through Mexico to our southern border, as we speak. prgtoken Instead of addressing what has become a humanitarian, health, and national security problem, this administration and congressional keep announcing plans that will only exacerbate the problem. prgtoken For example, the administration has discussed paying illegal immigrants settlement payments of up to $450,000, and the spending package being pushed through this Chamber includes amnesty for up to 10 million illegal immigrants and up to $100 billion in taxpayer-funded benefits for them. prgtoken These irresponsible proposals and dangerous open border policies will continue to fuel the crisis and encourage more illegal activity at the border. We must secure our borders and ensure that the rule of law applies to everyone.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Marsha Blackburn (Republican, TN) \u2014 2021-11-17

I appreciate my colleague from Missouri and his remarks about how we need the other side to work with us. And that is so very true because this administration, the administration, has refused to drag themselves away from the political posturing and move toward actually governing and prgtoken addressing the problems that the American people would like to see addressed. They have sent this economy into the gutter. prgtoken Now, think about it. Just a few years ago, we had the best economy that we had had in decades. Unemployment for women, for African Americans, for Hispanics hit an alltime low; wage growth at an alltime high. Now the economy is in the gutter. Our southern border is now in shambles. The hearing we had yesterday with Secretary Mayorkas was so dissatisfying because he did not have facts and figures and answers, and we see a country that is incredibly divided. prgtoken But at least the American people now know just how in denial the White House is about what is takes to be living in the real world. Their constant attempts to downplay the mess they have made have had the opposite effect, and now everyone knows just how out of touch they are with anyone who regularly pulls in at the gas station to fill up their own car or darkens the door of a grocery store to buy the groceries that they need. prgtoken Yesterday, I came to the Senate floor and asked the question: What will it take for the administration to take the threat of Chinese aggression seriously? prgtoken The evidence is staring them in the face, and yet they refuse to acknowledge that there is a danger; that China is our adversary. Certainly, the President's phone call did not give us any comfort in knowing that he understands they are an adversary. prgtoken And today, I have a similar question: What will it take for the administration to take the American people seriously when they repeatedly warn us that the economy is in trouble? They are living the warning signs every single day. prgtoken But try as they might to convince us otherwise, this administration's talking points are all about happy talk, better jobs numbers, and the pockets of growth. But this is not anything that is representative of the economy at large. prgtoken Still, every policy that they proposed this year assumes that the costs of inflation are a myth; that inflation is concocted by s; that it is there as a talking point to scare American families. prgtoken How completely out of touch can this administration be? They are proving the point that they are elitists; that they live in a bubble. prgtoken What they keep saying to people is: Oh, you know, it is a dollar here. It is a dollar there. It doesn't really matter that much. prgtoken But, of course, it does matter. prgtoken Anyone who has taken the time out of their life to rear a family and any mother who gets up in the morning and she is trying to feed the kids and get them to schoo
VACCINE MANDATES NEED TO STOP
Rick W. Allen (Republican, GA) \u2014 2021-11-17

. Madam , , Mr. Keller, for leading this important effort in letting the American people know that we are fighting for you. prgtoken As I said since day one, folks should consult with their doctor and get the vaccine if they are able. But instead of allowing local healthcare providers and communities to instill confidence in the vaccine, the administration is choosing to push a top-down government mandate, which does not work and will never work. prgtoken It comes down to this: Workers across the country are facing the choice to get vaccinated or lose their job. prgtoken This is the epitome of government overreach. Every American has the right to earn a living. prgtoken While I believe this mandate is likely unconstitutional, I look forward to watching it continue moving through the courts. prgtoken It is also our duty as Members of Congress to fight this legislatively. That is why it is important to exercise our authority under the Congressional Review Act to nullify this rule. prgtoken I am proud to fight for over 80 million workers who will be impacted by this overreaching mandate by ensuring this rule has no force or effect.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Chuck Grassley (Republican, IA) \u2014 2021-11-17

inflation soared to a 31-year high in October. prgtoken Now, after thinking about it, it seems President and his allies are sensing inflation may endanger their reckless tax-and-spending agenda. Now, as a result, they have taken to arguing that the cure for the inflation spurred by their reckless spending is to pursue even more reckless spending. prgtoken I am not buying it. The American people aren't buying it either. prgtoken President and his allies have been wrong about inflation from day one, and they are wrong now. Immediately after taking office, we all know what happened: They pursued a partisan $2 trillion liberal wish list package under the guise of COVID relief, and only 9 percent of it was to fight COVID. prgtoken Congress had already approved $4 trillion in bipartisan relief, including a nearly $1 trillion bill, only a month prior to the President's inauguration. And all that money that was spent recovering from Congress shutting down the economy in March of 2020 was all passed in a bipartisan, cooperative way, not like bills this year are tuned up to just be partisan, with the majority of the House and Senate supplying all the support. prgtoken Now, our economy was already on the road to recovery when the President was sworn in, and highly effective vaccines were allowing economic activity to bounce back, and it did bounce back quickly. prgtoken I, along with many on my side of the aisle, warned that adding $2 trillion on top of the existing relief--that money still entering the economy--risked sparking inflation, and it has. prgtoken And it wasn't just s sounding the inflation alarm. Longtime ic economist Professor Larry Summers, who held top posts in both the and Clinton administrations, also made his inflation concerns known. So in Congress and the White House don't even heed the advice of their own. prgtoken In a February Washington Post op-ed, Professor Summers warned President 's so-called COVID package might ``set off inflationary pressures of a kind [that] we have not seen in a generation, with consequences for the value of the dollar and financial stability.'' Six and two-tenths inflation just announced, which proves that Professor Summers was right. prgtoken With a prominent liberal economist such as Larry Summers raising inflation concerns, wouldn't one think the President of the United States would begin to take the risk of inflation very seriously? It is not how it is turning out. Instead, President and senior administration officials are doubling down, arguing the real risk was not spending enough. prgtoken Now, think about that for a second. Congress had already spent almost as much responding to COVID, in inflation-adjusted dollars, as it did in waging World War II. Yet we are somehow expected to believe too little spending, not inflation, was the real risk. prgtoken In reality, President and cong
DADS ON DUTY
Mike Johnson (Republican, LA) \u2014 2021-11-17

. Madam , I rise today to offer much- deserved recognition to the group of faithful fathers known as Dads on Duty, who have stepped up to serve as role models for the students at Southwood High School in my hometown of Shreveport. Since the dads came to school, instances of disruptive behavior have plummeted, and spirits have been raised to new heights. prgtoken These Dads on Duty walk the halls every day and talk to students about personal responsibility, self-discipline, and strong work ethic. They are there to encourage the kids and set an example in their words and in their actions. It is irrefutable the role that fathers play in the life of a child. And now since these dads have made it a point of engaging directly with the kids at Southwood, school fights haven't been a problem, grades and attitudes have risen, and the whole Nation's attention has been drawn to this inspirational endeavor. prgtoken They have made an incredible difference in the lives of everyone involved. So we want to say thank you to the Dads on Duty for their incredible work and extraordinary example. May it be duplicated nationwide.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
John Barrasso (Republican, WY) \u2014 2021-11-17

I come to the floor today to talk about our Nation's defense. prgtoken Last week, America marked Veterans Day. I was in Wyoming and started Veterans Day the way I do every year, which is in Douglas, WY, in Converse County, at the American Legion. prgtoken We raised the flag at 7 a.m. We kicked off a day of Veterans Day ceremonies all around Wyoming. Last week, I visited with veterans all around the State. I will share with you the things that I hear all across Wyoming. prgtoken What I continue to hear is that since took office, our Nation has become weaker--weaker--and the prgtoken world has become more dangerous and our Nation is now less safe. prgtoken In August, oversaw the tragic and failed withdrawal from Afghanistan. Because of the President's weakness, incompetence, and mismanagement, the Taliban took over Afghanistan in just a matter of weeks. Just before the withdrawal, terrorists killed 13 of our troops. It was the deadliest day for our military in a decade. prgtoken One of those fallen heroes was Rylee McCollum of Wyoming. All of Wyoming felt the terrible loss of this 20-year-old marine. He was a statewide high school wrestling champ. prgtoken On August 30, the administration left hundreds of Americans behind enemy lines, in spite of the fact that the President said he wouldn't leave anyone behind. The administration has admitted to the Armed Services Committee that more than 400 Americans are still behind enemy lines. prgtoken 's Afghanistan surrender was a national disgrace. The consequences are being felt all around the world. Our friends are furious. Our enemies are emboldened. prgtoken Last month, we saw a hypersonic missile being tested. We see that an emboldened Vladimir Putin now has stationed 100,000 troops near the border with Ukraine. Vladimir Putin continues to speak of Ukraine as if it is part of Russia. prgtoken North Korea showed last month that they can launch ballistic missiles from submarines. prgtoken Iran will soon have much, much more cash than they did when President took office. You say: How could that be? Well, one reason for the influx of cash is the rising price of oil and a weak enforcement of the sanctions that we have against Iran. It is easier for them to sell and more profitable to do so. The administration is trying to negotiate with Iran from a position of weakness. prgtoken Yet the most alarming developments are the strides being made right now in China. Since Afghanistan fell, China has aggressively flown dozens of military planes over Taiwan's air defense zones. The Pentagon admitted recently that China now has the largest navy in the world. China plans to build more than 100 new ships over the next 8 years. China is also building about 300 missile silos and plans to have 1,000 nuclear missiles in the next 8 years. China recently tested a hypersonic weapon capable of use around the world. prgtoken These are pre
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H. RES. 789, CENSURING REPRESENTATIVE PAUL GOSAR
Tom Cole (Republican, OK) \u2014 2021-11-17

. Madam , the balance of my time to close. prgtoken Obviously, I oppose the rule. Today's action threatens one of the key norms of this institution, the right of the majority and minority to make committee assignments for their respective Members. It threatens to set a new, dangerous precedent for this institution, allowing the majority to have a veto over the minority's assignments. prgtoken Representative Gosar has already addressed his misguided decision to post the video and has sought to rectify it. prgtoken Madam , I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on the previous question, ``no'' on the rule, and .
CENSURING REPRESENTATIVE PAUL GOSAR
Jackie Walorski (Republican, IN) \u2014 2021-11-17

. Madam , such time as I may consume. prgtoken First, let me say I am not here to defend any comments or actions made by Representative Gosar or his staff. Let me be clear. I condemn all acts of violence. prgtoken In fact, I am a recent victim of violence. Just a few months ago, a political activist attempted to run me over with his car. When this happened, I immediately contacted law enforcement. prgtoken If a Member of Congress, anywhere, anytime, feels threatened, they should contact the police. prgtoken Unfortunately, this posted video is not the first video or statement by a Member of Congress inciting or depicting violence. Members on both sides of the aisle have made choices that I surely wouldn't have made. prgtoken But as the ranking member of the House Ethics Committee, I find myself on the floor now for the second time this year to address an issue that has been referred to the Ethics Committee but which has seen no committee process before coming to the floor for a vote. prgtoken Yesterday afternoon, the majority party drafted this resolution and scheduled this debate and floor vote today. The House Ethics Committee has had no time to consider this matter through the Ethics Committee process. prgtoken And there is a process. The nonpartisan staff should have had the time to research and gather information, and the committee members should have conversations before making a decision on whether and how to move forward with any further investigation. prgtoken The chairman claims to have reached out to schedule an emergency committee meeting last night, but the reality is that he did so at a time when we had just been notified to appear on this resolution in front of the Rules Committee last night. prgtoken Just for the record, the majority controls when this resolution was introduced, when the Rules Committee was scheduled, when the Ethics Committee meets, and when the resolution comes to the floor for a vote. If there is a scheduling conflict or an excuse as to why we are standing here today rushing this to the floor, it is a conflict that was totally intended by the majority. prgtoken So, here we are today, voting to remove a Representative from his committee and censure him on the House floor. prgtoken Traditionally, Members are placed on committees by their own party, and they are removed from committees by their own party. Yet, this majority has broken precedent again and is removing a second Member during this Congress from their committees. prgtoken Let me just say again: Members on both sides of the aisle have made choices that many of us would not have made. prgtoken By rushing this vote to the floor today and ignoring the institutional process, the majority is setting a precedent again that may not serve this institution well in the future. prgtoken Madam , .