mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
SECURING GROWTH AND ROBUST LEADERSHIP IN AMERICAN AVIATION ACT-- Continued
Maria Cantwell (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2024-5-8

reserving the right to object--and I will object-- from Kansas for his comments, but we are on the FAA bill. prgtoken The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board need reauthorization by this Friday. So the leadership, both the House and Senate, have decided to best move forward to meet that deadline--the best thing we can do is to keep the subject of this debate to germane amendments. We have all four corners, not one person, not one individual, but all four leadership teams saying we need to get this bill done, and we will consider amendments that are germane to this subject. prgtoken I hope my colleagues will turn down my colleague from Kansas' request and move forward with an FAA bill so we can get this done to make sure that we are implementing the most important safety standards possible today--more air traffic controllers, more near-runway-miss technology, 25-hour cockpit recording--and make sure that we are giving consumers the refunds they deserve. prgtoken , therefore, I object to the Senator from Kansas.
PROVIDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL OF THE RULE SUBMITTED BY THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION RELATING TO "STAFF ACCOUNTING BULLETIN NO. 121"
Wiley Nickel (Democrat, NC) \u2014 2024-5-8

I rise in support of the bipartisan resolution I am leading with my colleague across the aisle, Congressman Mike Flood. prgtoken , our Congressional Review Act resolution to disapprove of the SEC's Staff Accounting Bulletin 121 protects consumers, reinforces Congress' role in the rulemaking process, and pushes back on the SEC's hostility toward digital assets. prgtoken , SAB 121 makes the digital assets industry less safe for consumers. It prevents well-regulated banks from safeguarding digital assets that are owned by their clients. SAB 121 requires banks to place custody of digital assets on their balance sheets, contrary to how traditional assets are treated. This makes it nearly impossible for a bank to provide custody of digital assets at scale, leaving investors to rely on riskier, unregulated options. prgtoken , whether you love crypto or you hate it, you should want the most heavily supervised financial institutions who are experts at custodial banking to safeguard digital assets. We are also seeing this issue with SAB 121 play out in real time, the SEC's recent approval of spot bitcoin ETPs, which I pushed for, allows retail investors access to this asset class through a regulated product. However, most bitcoin ETPs are held by the same nonbank custodian. Notably, banks aren't serving as custodians for any of these products as they would with a traditional ETP. This could pose a risk to the safety and soundness of the financial system, a concentration of risk issue, for sure. prgtoken To make matters worse, Gary Gensler and the SEC deliberately sidestepped the customary regulatory process, amounting to an obvious overstep of the agency's authority. prgtoken Last October, the Government Accountability Office concluded that the SEC breached statutory rulemaking requirements by issuing SAB 121 as guidance rather than a rule, avoiding the notice and comment period. SABs are meant to serve as tools to interpret existing policies, not create brand-new policy like SAB 121. prgtoken Additionally, the SEC issued the rule without conferring with banking regulators, which is unacceptable given the SEC's lack of prudential authority over banking institutions. It is time for Congress to take action and conduct oversight of the SEC's missteps. We shouldn't have to resort to using a CRA to fix this issue, and Gary Gensler could re- issue this accounting bulletin prgtoken and work with stakeholders to find a solution, but, unfortunately, this is the only tool that we have left. prgtoken As with previously successful CRAs, the SEC will be able to re-issue its rule as long as it has made changes responding to statements made by Members in the Congressional Record. prgtoken , I ask my colleagues to support our bipartisan CRA of SAB 121, which will protect investors and the financial system, encourage innovation, bolster American competitiveness, and restore Congress' role in administrative rulemaking.
HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE DAY
Jamaal Bowman (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2024-5-8

this week we recognize Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, and the month of May as Jewish Heritage Month. prgtoken We honor the 6 million Jewish lives lost to anti-Semitism, hatred, and violence. The Holocaust is not a distant memory. It happened within the lifetime of many Jewish people. prgtoken We also must acknowledge that this year marks the first Holocaust Remembrance Day since the attacks on October 7. This remembrance day feels different and raw for many of our Jewish brothers and sisters. prgtoken Let us take the month of May to celebrate Jewish culture, history, and people. Let us also begin this month remembering the millions of souls lost to the Holocaust, acknowledging the many survivors of the horrific events prgtoken of October 7, and standing with the Jewish community and those who have experienced lasting trauma as a result of anti-Semitism. prgtoken Let us vow to fight together and say ``never again'' for anyone.
RECOGNIZING CAITLEN RULIFFSON
Brittany Pettersen (Democrat, CO) \u2014 2024-5-8

I rise today to recognize Caitlen Ruliffson for earning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award. prgtoken Caitlen has overcome many challenges along her journey to success, demonstrating perseverance at every step. Students who strive to make the most of their education, like Caitlen, develop crucial skills and a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. prgtoken This award is a testament to Caitlen's hard work, determination, and perseverance at Jefferson Jr./Sr. High School and is clearly just the beginning of a bright and promising future. prgtoken It is my honor to congratulate Caitlen Ruliffson on achieving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.
CELEBRATING MOTHERS
Delia C. Ramirez (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2024-5-8

(English translation of the statement made in Spanish is as follows:) prgtoken I rise today to honor the women in my community as we prepare to return home to our districts for Mother's Day. prgtoken I've said before that I'm the proud daughter of my courageous immigrant mother, Maria Elvira Ramirez. prgtoken A woman who almost drowned in the Rio Grande and sacrificed so much to give me a chance at a better life. prgtoken A woman who, to this day, never fails to lend a hand and offer support and guiding words to anyone in IL-03 who needs it. prgtoken She is a mother for the whole community. prgtoken And as I honor my mother, I can't forget women who have also served as mothers to community, including: Elvira Arellano, Juanita Barraza, Nancy Aardema, Leticia Barrera, Catherine Garcia, and Julieta Alcantar. prgtoken Each of these ``mujeres'' have nurtured, cared for, and supported whole communities, extending their love and compassion. prgtoken As ``madres de communidad,'' they have: taught us how to care for each other and keep each other safe; defended our causes and protected our dreams; created safe spaces and encouraged us to be our authentic selves. prgtoken These mothers have taught us that love is both gentle and fierce. prgtoken They taught us how to fight for each other and to stand firmly against that which seeks to destroy us: unaffordable housing, gun violence, a broken immigration system, and more. prgtoken These mothers taught us to stand up for each other--not only for their children, but for all children. prgtoken El dia de hoy me levanto para honrar a las mujeres de mi comunidad mientras nos preparamos para regresar a nuestros distritos para celebrar el Dia de la Madre. prgtoken Muchas veces he dicho que soy la orgullosa hija de mi valiente madre inmigrante, Maria Elvira Ramirez. prgtoken Una mujer que casi se ahoga en el Rio Grande y sacrifico tanto para darme la oportunidad de una mejor vida. prgtoken Una mujer que, hasta el dia de hoy, no deja de dar una mano y ofrecer apoyo y palabras de orientacion a cualquiera en IL-03 que lo necesite. prgtoken Ella es madre de toda la comunidad. prgtoken Y al honrar a mi madre, no puedo olvidar a las mujeres que tambien han servido como madres en la comunidad, entre ellas: Elvira Arellano, Juanita Barraza, Nancy Aardema, Leticia Barrera, Catalina Garcia, y Julieta Alcantar. prgtoken Cada una de estas mujeres ha nutrido, cuidado y apoyado a comunidades enteras, extendiendo su amor y compasion. prgtoken Como madres de comunidad, ellas nos han tienen: ensenado como cuidarnos unos a otros y mantenernos seguros; Defendido nuestras causas y protegido nuestros suenos; Creado espacios seguros y animado a ser nosotros mismos. prgtoken Estas madres nos han ensenado que el amor es a la vez gentil y feroz. prgtoken Nos ensenaron como luchar unos por otros y a oponernos firmemente a aquello que busca destruirnos: viviendas inasequibles, violencia armada, un sistema de inmigracion fallid
SECURING GROWTH AND ROBUST LEADERSHIP IN AMERICAN AVIATION ACT-- Continued
Sheldon Whitehouse (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2024-5-8

. The institute warns that ``global annual damages are estimated to be at 38 trillion dollars, with a likely range of 19-59 trillion dollars in 2050.'' Thirty-eight trillion dollars is the midpoint in a range that could go as high as $59 trillion. That is pretty bad. prgtoken But it gets worse. This is not a complete accounting of the expected damages. It does not fully account for damage from weather extremes, things like storm and wildfire damage. prgtoken To quote the Potsdam report about its damage predictions, ``accounting for other weather extremes such as storms or wildfires could further raise'' these predictions. prgtoken And even that is not the end of it. It gets worse still. The Potsdam economic estimates leave out damages that are hard to monetize but, nonetheless, can be very real to real people. Again, quoting from the report, ``that is without even considering non-economic impacts such as loss of life or biodiversity.'' prgtoken If your grandfather taught you to fish in a certain place and you can't pass that on to your granddaughter because the fish aren't there or because the creek isn't there, that is a real and genuine harm, but they can't monetize it. So they don't even count it. prgtoken I am sorry to report that it gets even worse. The Potsdam global damage estimates are based on existing levels of fossil fuel pollution. prgtoken Back to the report: These near-term damages are a result of our past emissions. We will need more adaptation efforts if we want to avoid at least some of them. And we have to cut down our emissions drastically and immediately--if not, economic losses will become even bigger in the second half of the century. prgtoken Well, with an entire industry and an entire political party, dedicated here in Congress to make sure that we do not cut down our emissions drastically or immediately, this damage estimate is virtually certain to be worse in the out years. prgtoken In sum, economic damages could be as high as $59 trillion annually in 2050, prgtoken plus whatever added damages come from storm and wildfire, plus whatever added damages come that are hard to monetize, plus whatever economic damages come from failing to reduce emissions drastically and immediately. prgtoken How do these damages hit us? Here is the report: These damages mainly result from rising temperatures but also from changes in rainfall and temperature variability. prgtoken Those factors lead to ``income reductions . . . for the majority of regions, including North America . . . caused by the impact of climate change on . . . agricultural yields, labor productivity or infrastructure.'' prgtoken The result: Climate change will cause massive economic damages within the next 25 years in almost all countries around the world, [including] the United States. prgtoken That is report one: ``massive economic damages'' to the United States. prgtoken Let's move on
HONORING THE LIFE OF DR. JOYCE BENNETT JUSTUS
Juan Vargas (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2024-5-8

I rise today to honor the life of Dr. Joyce Bennett Justus, who was called home on April 12. prgtoken A beloved and gifted academic, as well as a dedicated educator and administrator, Joyce touched the lives of many people in San Diego and beyond. prgtoken Joyce was born in Jamaica and immigrated to the United States. She believed in excellence and pushed herself to earn a Ph.D. in anthropology from UCLA in 1971. prgtoken She devoted her life to teaching, especially higher education, from her time as an assistant professor of anthropology, to coordinator of urban and royal studies, to vice chancellor at UCSD. prgtoken She also served as Vice Provost of Academic Affairs with the University of California Office of the President, Peace Corps Advisor, and Assistant Director of Social and Behavioral Science in the Office of Science and Technology Policy in the Clinton White House. prgtoken Joyce loved her church, St. Peter's, especially the choir and the organ music. She also loved her Bible study and her friends there. prgtoken Joyce was loved by all her family and friends, and they look forward to reuniting with her in Heaven. prgtoken May she rest in peace.
ELIMINATING MEDICAL DEBT
Ro Khanna (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2024-5-8

today, Senator Bernie Sanders and I introduced a historic bill to eliminate medical debt for every American. prgtoken Over 100 million Americans have medical debt. That is criminal in a country as wealthy as ours. No American should go into debt because they go to the ER or because they go to a doctor. prgtoken Our bill eliminates all medical debt for families. It eliminates the credit card damaging reports on medical debt, and it stops hospitals from sticking debt collectors on vulnerable patients. prgtoken Can we not agree in America that no one should have to give up their dream of owning a home because they have medical debt? No one should have to create GoFundMe pages to get medical attention. No one should have to decide between curing their cancer and medical bankruptcy. prgtoken This bill stands up for every American's right to healthcare. I thank Senator Merkley and Representative Rashida Tlaib for co-leading this effort.
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
Alex Padilla (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2024-5-8

I rise today to celebrate the life of the Reverend Doctor Cecil L. ``Chip'' Murray, who passed away on April 5 at the age of 94 after nearly five decades of commitment to his south Los Angeles community. prgtoken Rev. Murray was born on September 26, 1929, in Lakeland, FL, and moved with his family to West Palm Beach at a young age. From seventh grade until the end of high school, he served as a junior pastor and led services and sermons, showing an early interest in the ministry. But his path to the pulpit wasn't always so clear: after high school, he enrolled in Florida A&M University, an HBCU, and majored in history, before serving in the Air Force. prgtoken Rev. Murray would serve in uniform for a decade, training in fighter jets and working as a radar intercept officer in the Korean war, even earning the Soldier's Medal of Valor. After a life-threatening plane crash, Rev. Murray decided to pursue his doctorate in divinity from Claremont School of Theology in Southern California. prgtoken His early career in the ministry began at Primm AME Church in Pomona, CA, delivering sermons to just a seven-member congregation, a crowd that would one day be dwarfed by the community he would build in south Los Angeles. After stops in Kansas City and Seattle, Rev. Murray eventually landed at the historic First AME Church in Los Angeles, where a congregation of a few hundred soon became a congregation of thousands. prgtoken During his tenure at First AME, Rev. Murray would become host to leaders like President Bill Clinton and President and officiant of funerals for stars like Ray Charles and Eazy-E. prgtoken But to many, it was his leadership during crisis in Los Angeles that left the most memorable imprint on the city. prgtoken Throughout his life, he had a profound understanding of racial tensions in America. He was the descendant of slaves, had been beaten as a child in the Jim Crow South, and would later be threatened by racists plotting to bomb his church. But for all the violence he experienced, at the height of racial tensions during the Rodney King riots of 1992, he preached peace. As fires engulfed the city, he served as a calming presence for the community, even raising $1.5 million to rebuild from the ashes in the aftermath of the riots. prgtoken As countless Angelenos know, his service didn't end there. For decades, his church was at the center of the community: a lifeline providing food and clothing, affordable housing and home loans, economic and employment assistance, and even starting a private school and providing thousands of college scholarships to students. prgtoken Looking back, whether in 1994 or 2024, one wonders what south Los Angeles would look like without the faith and leadership of Rev. Dr. Cecil ``Chip'' Murray. As we celebrate him alongside his son Drew and all the loved ones and community members graced by his life, we remember the difference he made for Los Angel
SECURING GROWTH AND ROBUST LEADERSHIP IN AMERICAN AVIATION ACT-- Continued
Peter Welch (Democrat, VT) \u2014 2024-5-8

from Hawaii. First of all, I want to acknowledge my great appreciation for the work that the Senator and his committee have done on bringing attention to the ongoing challenge that communities that have been hammered, like your community of Lahaina and my State of Vermont, from natural disasters, and I am going to speak in support of the efforts you are making to get supplemental funding for the absolutely essential, flexible funding that goes with the block grant Disaster Relief Fund. Thank you very, very much. prgtoken You know, we are all in this together. What Senator Schatz said about the formality of a Federal disaster declaration--the formality is it is an acknowledgement that what happened, through no fault of anybody in Hawaii, through no fault of anybody in Vermont, is beyond the capacity of the communities in Vermont and Hawaii--beyond the capacity of Vermont and beyond the capacity of Hawaii--to handle the entire consequence of those events. prgtoken What is more important, more essential for the Senate than to acknowledge that all of us as Americans, that there but for the grace of God goes our community when a natural disaster occurs? So we have to respond. prgtoken There are two times that there is a response. One is in the immediate trauma of the event. It is all hands on deck. The community does everything it can. And there is one story after another in Lahaina; in Ludlow, VT; in Johnson, VT, of people coming together literally to save fellow citizens and neighbors and oftentimes people they don't even know. And the Federal Government comes in--President was immediately responsive in Vermont, as he was in Lahaina--and our FEMA administration came in and was immediately responsive, and that really helps. It really, really makes a difference. prgtoken But do you know what? This is a photograph of the capital of Montpelier right after the flood. It is totally inundated in water. Every business on Main Street was basically destroyed, and the immediate relief efforts were about the water going down, getting the mud out, trying to find some temporary place to live, and see if you can save your business. But on that Main Street in Montpelier, our businesses are coming back, but they are not all back yet. prgtoken What I have seen is that the money that comes in right away and the help that comes in right away gives hope to folks. It gives all of the citizens in the State who are sad by what has happened to their neighbors but who, by the grace of God, avoided their own home and their own business from being flooded, it gives them and me hope that those folks are going to get some help from the Federal Government. And they did. Our roads and bridges, we are putting them back together. Some of the water treatment facilities that were destroyed, we are putting some of those back together. But the reality is, there is a long and lasting trauma and practical c
RECOGNIZING GREYLOCH LLC
James E. Risch (Republican, ID) \u2014 2024-5-9

as a member and former chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each month I recognize and celebrate the American entrepreneurial spirit by highlighting the success of a small business in my home State of Idaho. Today, I am pleased to honor Greyloch, LLC as the Idaho Small Business of the Month for May 2024. prgtoken Custom Oak Furnishing, a custom cabinet and furnishing shop, began in Shaun Fickes' father's garage in 1991. A few years later, Shaun renamed the business Greyloch Custom Cabinetry after a peak near Lowman, ID, where his grandfather worked as an Idaho forest ranger. Over 20 years, Greyloch grew from a two-man shop to more than 35 employees. In 2015, Shaun began to explore the potential for automation in the industry. While he visited manufacturing plants all over the world, his vision for a first-of-its-kind cabinet manufacturing facility in North America came to life. With a dream that became reality, Shaun rebranded once more to Greyloch, LLC, in anticipation of the unlimited potential for the company's growth. prgtoken Greyloch most recently opened a 96,909-square-foot advanced cabinet manufacturing facility in Star, ID. The new facility provides opportunities to establish relationships with schools and educators about technical training. Facility tours shed light on the advancements of automation in manufacturing and insight into where the classroom meets the real world. prgtoken As a family-owned and operated business, Greyloch has made family a key aspect of its operations. Shaun's four children--on Fickes, Brennon Fickes, Sydney Peel, and Tyler Moorhouse--grew up with Greyloch and now work full-time alongside their father. Shaun established a supportive work environment for his 73 employees and prioritizes the well-being of his employees who are proud of their work. prgtoken Congratulations to the Fickes and all the employees at Greyloch, LLC on their selection as the Idaho Small Business of the Month for May 2024. Thank you for serving Idaho as small business owners and entrepreneurs. You make our great State proud, and I look forward to your continued growth and success.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
John Thune (Republican, SD) \u2014 2024-5-9

. The following Senators are necessarily absent: the Senator from Wyoming (Mr. Barrasso), the Senator from Indiana (Mr. Braun), the Senator from Alabama (Mrs. Britt), the Senator from Tennessee (Mr. Hagerty), and the Senator from Utah (Mr. Romney). prgtoken Further, if present and voting: the Senator from Alabama (Mrs. Britt) would have voted ``yea'' and the Senator from Tennessee (Mr. Hagerty) would have voted ``yea.''.