mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Mike Braun (Republican, IN) \u2014 2023-1-26

I rise today--Joe has gone over this, I think, very clearly; I support him in just sticking with the letter of the law. He said China produces 75 percent of the world's lithium-ion batteries; we, only 7 percent. China controls 80 percent of the facilities that convert critical minerals into usable battery parts. prgtoken Making things in America is not just about promoting our own manufacturing--which we need to do better generally--it is also about not funding prgtoken the human rights abuses by the Chinese Communist Party. prgtoken And to give them even more of a leg up, when you see what they have done trying to fit into the world economic chain, where they still steal intellectual property, they do things that take them out of the norm that we are all familiar with. prgtoken This is just simply to fix something that was recently passed in a reconciliation bill. I didn't vote for the reconciliation package because of disagreements with it in general. I do that on a lot of things, even when I like components of what is in something if it doesn't have that fiscal responsibility to go along with it. prgtoken So whether you agree with me or Senator Manchin about trying to do things here in America whenever we can and not to end up supporting our main geopolitical enemy in the process, I think you have to be careful. prgtoken Senator Manchin mentioned, also, we just recently did it and it is clear, and the IRS was sleeping at the wheel. This should not have come down to where we are right here, even having to argue about it. It is the letter of the law. prgtoken I have got, in my own home State, Stellantis and Samsung making a big investment in Kokomo, IN, for this very issue of getting our own foot into this kind of business. What is it going to do? What is the message going to be sending to them? prgtoken Allison Transmission is conducting R&D efforts on electrifying their own components. I think it sends a bad message if we are given the letter of the law, going to make exemptions, even when it might not be expedient for other concerns. prgtoken I think this is a type of investment that we need to make sure stays here. We recently put it in law to do so. It may delay a little bit, not give the speed at which some want to move. But when you look at everything we have talked about--the fact that it gives more to the Chinese economy when you look at what they are doing on the world stage--it is going to send a bad message to people in our own country about making the investments. And, clearly, in my own State, there is a vested interest. prgtoken So I am with Senator Manchin on this. We ought to stick with what we just passed, not let the IRS get by with being delinquent on what they should have done in the first place. prgtoken With that, to the Senator from West Virginia.
CELEBRATING THE WORK OF MR. BRADY GLEN WHITE
Aaron Bean (Republican, FL) \u2014 2023-1-26

I rise today to celebrate the work of Mr. Brady Glen White, a senior at Fleming Island High School and one of two high school students selected for the United States Senate Youth Program representing State of Florida. prgtoken Every year, two students from each state are selected to be part of the national student delegation that travel to Washington, D.C. to attend meetings and briefings to better understand our exemplary system of government. Additionally, those selected will receive a $10,000 undergraduate college scholarship provided by The Hearst Foundations. prgtoken To be eligible, students must rank in the top one percent of all juniors and seniors in their states while displaying remarkable leadership and commitment to volunteer work. Students are nominated by teachers and principals, and all nominations are confirmed by the chief state school officer for each jurisdiction. prgtoken A Clay County native and member of Florida's Fourth Congressional District, Brady has proven to not only excel as student, but he has emerged as a servant leader in his community. While ranking in the top one percent of all high school juniors and seniors in Florida, Brady serves as the elected chairman of the Clay County Superintendent's Advisory Council. prgtoken In addition, he is the only student on the board of the Clay Education Foundation nonprofit. Upon graduating Fleming Island High School, Brady plans to pursue both a study in political science and a law degree. Furthermore, he hopes to join the Armed Services as a JAG officer. prgtoken , I ask that my colleagues in Congress join me in celebrating and congratulating the work of Brady Glen White, a true leader with an incredibly bright future.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
John Cornyn (Republican, TX) \u2014 2023-1-26

January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, and it is a great opportunity to improve awareness about the scourge of human trafficking and redouble our efforts to end it. prgtoken Throughout my career, I have worked with law enforcement, nonprofits, and advocates of all stripes to try to crack down on human trafficking and strengthen support for human trafficking survivors. These experts have helped me identify steps that we together can take in Congress to end modern slavery. prgtoken I am proud that one of those bills was signed into law earlier this month. The Abolish Trafficking Reauthorization Act, which I introduced with Senator Klobuchar, the Senator from Minnesota, is officially the law of the land. This law extends critical support to survivors of human trafficking, provides resources for law, funds prevention research, and promotes increased reporting to prevent human trafficking. It is a step in the right direction in our fight to end modern slavery, and I was glad to discuss the importance of this law with advocates and experts in Texas just a couple of weeks ago. prgtoken On January 11, National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, I had the pleasure of sitting down with some remarkable people in Dallas who are leading the fight. We gathered at the Letot Residential Treatment Center, which provides a full range of services to human trafficking survivors, specifically girls between the age of 13 and 17. Letot offers safe shelter, which I have learned is perhaps the most important thing, a safe place for these survivors to actually live. But it also provides education, job training, and mental healthcare to these young victims to help them find a clear path forward one day at a time. prgtoken I had visited the same facility a few years ago to learn about the work they do, and I was encouraged to note their continued impact in Dallas County, one of our largest counties in Texas. prgtoken I also learned about the dedicated work of New Friends New Life, which helps exploited girls, women, and their children to rebuild their lives and to move forward toward a brighter future. The organization also promotes a men's advocacy group, which raises awareness and mobilizes men to take action against sex trafficking and exploitation. prgtoken In addition to learning more about the impact of these organizations, I was able to hear from local law enforcement, including Dallas District Attorney John Creuzot. John noted that Texas is No. 2 in the Nation when it comes to human trafficking and added that Dallas is a major hotspot because it is at the crossroads of so many interstate freeways. prgtoken Rescuing victims of human trafficking, disrupting trafficking operations, and pursuing justice is a major focus for law enforcement. For sex trafficking in particular, they are working with groups like Traffick911 to free young people from this terrible life. I am blown away by the incredible work
STRATEGIC PRODUCTION RESPONSE ACT
Lauren Boebert (Republican, CO) \u2014 2023-1-26

this amendment is simple and straightforward. My amendment simply requires the administration to submit their plan to increase oil and gas production on Federal lands to the House Committees on Armed Services, Agriculture, and Energy and Commerce and Natural Resources, as well as the Senate Committees on Energy and Natural Resources, Environment and Public Works, Armed Services, and Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. prgtoken This simple, good-governance amendment allows Congress to take back its Article I authority in our system of checks and balances. prgtoken Without my amendment, the plan to bolster our domestic energy supply will be filed away and never seen again. This amendment will provide transparency for the administration to carry out its congressionally authorized duty. prgtoken More than 55 percent of my Congressional District is Federal land and accounts for nearly 44 percent of Colorado's natural gas production. The underlying bill requires the administration to be responsible for their actions. If and Secretary Granholm continue to dip into the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, they must have a plan in place to increase oil and gas production on land that has been locked up and overregulated by the Federal Government. That plan should be submitted to the congressional committees of jurisdiction. prgtoken By requiring the administration to submit its plan to the people's House, we can provide important oversight as to how the administration will carry out this plan and provide feedback. prgtoken On the Western Slope of Colorado, we have seen firsthand the harm leftist policies have created in our communities, literally regulating our communities into poverty. With the stroke of his pen, unilaterally locked up Federal lands for oil and gas production and development. Colorado's Western Slope used to have a booming energy production economy. We used to have 112 drilling rigs on the Western Slope, and now we have 4. These extreme leftist policies to lock up land have driven away those good-paying jobs and have helped drive up gas prices. prgtoken Congress needs to take back its power and advocate for the American people they represent. My amendment will ensure those voices do not go unheard and that we will hold the administration accountable for the responsible energy plan required by this bill. prgtoken , .
STRATEGIC PRODUCTION RESPONSE ACT
Randy K. Weber, Sr. (Republican, TX) \u2014 2023-1-26

I rise in support of H.R. 21. prgtoken President , true to his word of a war on fossil fuels, sold off an unprecedented 250 million barrels of oil in less than 2 years, which is more than 40 percent of the stockpile. Two of the four SPR sites along the Gulf Coast are now dangerously low on oil, leaving America more vulnerable to a true energy supply disruption caused by hurricane or natural disaster. prgtoken , this issue is very personal to me and to my Gulf Coast district. We house 60 percent of the Nation's SPR. So when I say ``personal,'' I mean it. prgtoken , I urge all of my colleagues to vote in favor of this bill to prevent further abuse of the SPR.
STRATEGIC PRODUCTION RESPONSE ACT
Cathy McMorris Rodgers (Republican, WA) \u2014 2023-1-26

this amendment would require the Secretary of Energy to consult with the EPA Administrator and the Director of the Bureau of Indian Affairs on the required leasing plan. I rise in opposition to the amendment because it expands the scope of EPA. EPA does not oversee Federal lands; the Department of the Interior does. prgtoken Further, this amendment is duplicative. H.R. 21 already requires the Secretary of Energy to consult with the Secretary of the Interior. The Bureau of Indian Affairs is in the Department of the Interior and falls under the Secretary's purview. prgtoken , I urge a ``no'' vote, and .
COMBATING CRIME IN NATION'S CAPITAL
Andrew S. Clyde (Republican, GA) \u2014 2023-1-26

. Madam , I rise today to highlight the lawlessness happening at our southern border. prgtoken To no one's surprise, President attempted to conceal the ongoing chaos, chaos created by his disastrous policies at the southern border, by releasing the latest CBP report on a Friday night news dump. But these tactics can't hide the truth. prgtoken Last month, over a quarter of a million, over 251,000 illegal aliens were apprehended at the southern border, making December the highest monthly total on record. prgtoken More than a quarter of a million in a single month. If that doesn't pressure prgtoken the administration to fix this crisis, what will? prgtoken In a dangerous addition, 17 suspected terrorists were caught illegally crossing the border in December, bringing the total number of individuals to 38 who were on the terrorist watch list and caught at the southern border, in just the first 3 months of fiscal year 2023. prgtoken How many suspected terrorists have to cross the southern border before the administration will take this border crisis seriously? prgtoken To make matters worse, CBP has already seized over 9,000 pounds of fentanyl so far this fiscal year, which is enough to kill more than 2 billion people, over 6 times the population of the United States. prgtoken When will the administration finally put an end to the wide- open southern border that allows this deadly drug from China to devastate our communities? prgtoken While the White House willfully destroys our southern border and subsequently demolishes our national security, House s are determined to secure the border and put Americans first. prgtoken Part of that commitment is ensuring that every solitary individual responsible for this self-inflicted crisis will be held accountable, starting with Secretary Mayorkas, whose impeachment is long overdue. prgtoken Without accountability, Americans will not have the safe and secure Nation they deserve.
STRATEGIC PRODUCTION RESPONSE ACT
Bill Johnson (Republican, OH) \u2014 2023-1-26

. Mr. Chair, put plainly, this is not an appropriate role for EPA or CEQ, neither of which oversee Federal land. prgtoken The agencies consulted in the plan already must comply with existing requirements, so this amendment only serves to obstruct. prgtoken H.R. 21 is about strengthening the SPR by requiring any nonemergency use to be accompanied by a plan to produce American oil resources. This amendment undermines the purpose of the bill. prgtoken Mr. Chair, I urge a ``no'' vote on this amendment, and .
STRATEGIC PRODUCTION RESPONSE ACT
Jeff Jackson (Democrat, NC) \u2014 2023-1-27

. Mr. Chair, the gentleman from South Carolina concluded his remarks by saying this amendment ``would affect that'' and provided no specification for ``that.'' prgtoken Look, this was just about national security. We didn't get two words in response to the substance of this amendment. We got a bunch of platitudes that were completely unrelated. prgtoken I was under the assumption, given everything we had heard about national emergencies and national security, that making sure that the Strategic Petroleum Reserve could be used for national security used to be bipartisan. prgtoken If not, there would be a good reason as to why that exception should not exist. We didn't get a one. We got a speech about hurricanes. We got a speech about other uses for oil. I hear you. I am on board. This is national security. prgtoken The fact that you had no response whatsoever tells me your bill isn't serious. This bill is about messaging. You are looking to tie any future President's hands in a way that is fundamentally reckless. If this bill were serious, you would take national security more seriously. prgtoken Mr. Chair, .
WE ARE TEXAS STRONG
Sylvia R. Garcia (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2023-1-27

I rise today to bring attention to the resilience of residents of Houston, Pasadena, and our neighbors in Deer Park and Baytown that were hit by the tornado earlier this week. prgtoken We were hit hard, and it devastated our area, but the people are resilient. The tornado left dozens of families displaced in my district with homes without roofs and surrounded by debris. Thankfully, there were no deaths or serious injuries, and our spirit is not broken. prgtoken In this time of recovery, it is important to remember that our communities always come together in time of need. prgtoken I thank all the first responders, the workers who helped restore our electricity, the people who picked up the debris, and those who were there immediately to help our neighbors. That is what we are all about, helping each other. We continue to rebuild our communities because we are strong together. prgtoken As long as I continue to represent Texas-29, I will ensure that our district is well prepared and has the best available resources and information for recovery. prgtoken We are Houston strong. We are Pasadena strong. We are Texas strong.
GUN VIOLENCE
Maxwell Frost (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2023-1-27

I rise today because our Nation continues to have blood on its hands. This week, we, once again, bore witness to the senseless murder of dozens of innocent people where States like California experienced three mass shootings in just 44 hours. prgtoken How many more sisters, brothers, siblings, parents, grandparents, and loved ones have to be senselessly shot and killed? prgtoken That doesn't sound like freedom to me. Our people deserve the freedom to live without the fear of gun violence, the freedom to go to the grocery store, to school, and to live life for God's sakes. prgtoken When will we stop valuing guns more than human life? prgtoken Can anyone in this Chamber look a parent in the eyes who just lost a child due to gun violence and tell them that their child isn't worth meaningful action? prgtoken Because I won't. prgtoken Yet, here we are today, another shooting, another day, and another community devastated due to senseless gun violence.
HONORING THE RETIREMENT OF JAMES ANDERSON
Andy Kim (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2023-1-27

I rise today to honor the retirement of James Anderson, a public servant in New Jersey's 3rd District who dedicated his career to the Willingboro Fire Department for four decades. prgtoken James began his work with the fire department as a volunteer firefighter in May of 1982, serving our community day in and day out in times of crisis. Since that starting point of his career, he grew into a professional many in our district consider one of the most recognizable firefighters throughout Burlington County. After his first six years as a volunteer firefighter, James helped to establish the Willingboro Fire Department Underwater Search and Rescue Team, one of the first in the county. Following its development, he applied his expertise and leadership as the Dive Team Coordinator for the program. prgtoken Only a year after his work as Dive Team Coordinator, James earned the title of a career firefighter for the Naval Warfare Center right on our Joint Base in Lakehurst. It was there where he continued his work as an Aircraft Crash Rescue Firefighter. Even throughout his time on the Joint Base, James still held service in the highest regard and continued his volunteerism at the Willingboro Township Fire Department. prgtoken In 1991, James gained the title of Provisional Career Firefighter at the Willingboro Firehouse he started in, with which he served an additional eight years before transitioning to the Willingboro Township Bureau of Inspections applying his investigative and interpretative skills to fire investigations. In May of 2008 James returned to the Firehouse as a senior firefighter, where in his final professional role, he took the most pride in being a ``senior man'' and mentoring aspiring firefighters, who eventually graduated to become supervisors and officers themselves. prgtoken James' contributions to our Burlington County community have earned him numerous awards and accolades over the years. He earned life memberships within the Willingboro Fire Department and eventually the New Jersey State Fireman's Association. He was also recognized as Firefighter of the Year in 2014. His respective units and teams were recognized time and time again for their courageous actions--twice with Unit Citations for multiple rescues--as well as most recently in 2022, with the Valor Award. prgtoken Through these remarkable milestones and achievements, James culminated his career with founding the Sean Anderson Foundation to give back to his fellow firefighters. Through this organization, they provide assistance and support to firefighters, emergency medical technicians, and the overall community relief efforts of Burlington County. It is because of his dedication both in his career and personal life, that many people can continue to feel safe every day as well as have the resources they need to succeed. prgtoken New Jersey is grateful for the work that James has done, and I hope that his career can inspire others to
DIRECT ATTACK ON STRATEGIC PETROLEUM RESERVE
Donald M. Payne, Jr. (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2023-1-27

I rise today to criticize the Strategic Production Response Act. prgtoken This bill is a direct attack on the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and threatens our country's economic and national security. prgtoken The reserve was created in 1975 to protect Americans from another oil embargo and create stability in our economy, and it was created by a President, Gerald Ford. prgtoken Now, s want to connect oil releases from the reserve to dangerous oil drilling on Federal lands. prgtoken The release of oil from the reserve helped lower gas prices by almost $2 after the Russians invaded Ukraine. It helped working Americans put food on the table and pay their rent during that time. But s want to punish middle-class Americans with higher gas prices and ruin the environment in the process. prgtoken , it is a disgraceful bill, and they should be ashamed to even introduce it.
Suzanne Bonamici (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2023-1-27

. Mr. Chair, I regret to inform you that I was unable to attend today's legislative session. Had I been present, I would have voted: ``yea'' on rollcall No. 61, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 62, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 63, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 64, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 65, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 66, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 67, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 68, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 69, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 70, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 71, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 72, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 73, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 74, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 75, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 76, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 77, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 78, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 79, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 80, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 81, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 82, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 83, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 84, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 85, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 86, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 87, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 88, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 89, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 90, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 91, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 92, and ``nay'' on rollcall No. 93.
COMMONSENSE SOLUTIONS FOR THE HEARTLAND
Nikki Budzinski (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2023-1-27

I rise today for the first time as the proud Representative of Illinois' 13th Congressional District. For those of you who don't know me yet, , I am Nikki Budzinski, and I am honored to serve the people of central and southern Illinois. prgtoken I am a trade unionist who came to Congress because too many Americans work hard every day and still find themselves struggling to make ends meet. prgtoken I am here to work across the aisle on commonsense solutions for working families in the heartland. This week, I was appointed to serve on the House Agriculture Committee and the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs--two places where bipartisanship is still very much alive. prgtoken I am ready to get to work on the farm bill that supports Illinois agriculture and the family farmers who prgtoken keep our communities fed and our cars fueled. prgtoken I am eager to advocate for the heroes who put their lives on the line to protect our families and our future. I look forward to bringing voices from all of our communities to Congress as we tackle the most important issues facing our country. prgtoken , I thank them for trusting me to represent them.