mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
Edward J. Markey (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2023-4-26

the award for excellence in STEM and contributions to the well-being of the U.S. was presented by Senator Joseph I. Lieberman to Aaron Seth Kesselheim, MD, JD, MPH, at a luncheon for guests of the Center for Excellence in Education. The center celebrated its upcoming 40th anniversary of the organization, started by Admiral H.G. Rickover and Joann DiGennaro in 1982. The celebratory event took place in the U.S. Capitol Kennedy Caucus Room on April 25, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. prgtoken Aaron Kesselheim attended CEE's Research Science Institute in 1991. He is professor of medicine, Harvard Medical School, and a faculty member in the division of pharmacoepidemiology and pharmacoeconomics in the department of medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital. prgtoken Dr. Kesselheim developed and leads the Program on Regulation, Therapeutics, And Law, one of the largest nonindustry funded academic research centers in the country that focuses on pharmaceutical policy and evidence-based use of medicines. Author of over 600 publications in peer-reviewed medical and health policy literatures, Dr. Kesselheim was recognized as one of the top three most cited health law scholars in the U.S. from 2013-2020 in Web of Science, Westlaw, and Google Scholar. Dr. Kesselheim has testified before Congress on pharmaceutical policy, medical device regulation, generic drugs, and modernizing clinical trials. He is the editor-in-chief of the Journal of Law, Medicine, and Ethics. In 2020, he was elected to the National Academy of Medicine. prgtoken Dr. Kesselheim earned his medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, his law degree from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, and his master's degree from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. He earned an AB degree from Harvard University. prgtoken The Senator Lieberman Award is given every 2 years on behalf of CEE's Board of Trustees. The Senator was an honorary member of the board of trustees of the center for 17 years and continues to champion the organization's programs in science and technology.
RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF THE 70TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SIGNING OF THE MUTUAL DEFENSE TREATY BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA ON OCTOBER 1, 1953
Chris Van Hollen (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2023-4-26

let me thank my colleague from Connecticut for his words in support of the Equal Rights Amendment and for his fight for justice. prgtoken Let me also thank my colleague, my Maryland partner and friend Senator Cardin, for teaming up with Senator Murkowski to push for passage of this legislation year after year. It is long overdue that we take this up and that we pass it in the U.S. Senate. prgtoken If you look at our history during the darkest of times and against the longest of odds, Americans from all backgrounds have stood together to insist that America live up to its promise--the promise of equality, the promise of equal rights for all. prgtoken In fact, if you think about the story of America, it really is the story of the struggle to make good on that fundamental promise to ensure that every individual receives equal dignity. prgtoken We talk about how we are endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights, and that is true. There are not more rights for men and not supposed to be more rights for any particular group. It is supposed to be about equal dignity, and equal dignity should include equal treatment under the law. prgtoken In their fight for voting rights, our Nation's suffragettes faced unjust arrest. They faced persecution. They faced resistance from a nation that was not yet willing to fulfill that full promise when it came to voting rights. Despite it all, through protests, through demands, through arrests, the suffragettes prevailed and made sure that we passed the 19th Amendment, at least fulfilling the right to vote for women. prgtoken But we have a lot of unfinished business. It is not just all men who are created equal; it is all people who are created equal. We have accomplished that when it comes to the ballot box. Although, as we in this body know, we also have a long way to go to make sure that that is made real in practice on the ground. That is why we have been fighting to pass voting rights legislation. But we also need to make sure that, when it comes to women's rights, we enshrine it in the highest law of the land in order to give the rhetoric legal teeth and legal backing. prgtoken Alice Paul, who really is the founder of the movement for the Equal Rights Amendment, knew that a century ago when she said: I never doubted that equal rights was the right direction. Most reforms, most problems are complicated. But to me, there is nothing complicated about ordinary equality. prgtoken There is great truth in the simplicity of that statement, and that is what equal rights is all about. It is not a lot of words, but they are the rightly chosen words: Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex. prgtoken That is it; a simple statement but a powerful statement because it is a true statement if we really want to live up to our full promise. prgtoken That is wh
RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF THE 70TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SIGNING OF THE MUTUAL DEFENSE TREATY BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA ON OCTOBER 1, 1953
Catherine Cortez Masto (Democrat, NV) \u2014 2023-4-26

first of all, I have to thank my colleagues, Senator Cardin along with Senator Murkowski, for bringing S.J. Res. 4 that we will be voting on tomorrow. We need the Equal Rights Amendment today more than ever. prgtoken What we have been seeing across the country, the far-right using every opportunity they can to roll back women's rights. We are seeing this happen in real time with access to abortion care, and we know it won't stop there. prgtoken So it is shameful that in 2023 there are so many extremists who want to make women second-class citizens, but that is why we need a constitutional amendment to protect women from discrimination and guarantee their equality under the law. prgtoken Few States understand this better than my home State of Nevada. Nevada put the Equal Rights Amendment back on the table when it became the first State in the modern era to ratify the ERA in 2017. prgtoken Nevadans stood up and made it clear that our State believes men and women should have equal legal rights. And they didn't stop there. In 2022, Nevada adopted the most comprehensive ERA in the country in its State constitution, putting protections in place to ensure equal rights for all. prgtoken Over and over again, Nevadans have led the charge for equality and women's rights at both the State and the Federal level. Now, since Nevada kicked off the push in recent years to ratify the ERA federally, we now have the 38 States we need to codify the Equal Rights Amendment in the U.S. Constitution. The only thing that is stopping us is a deadline Congress made up in 1972 that was already extended once. That is why we must vote to remove this deadline and adopt the Equal Rights Amendment into our Constitution because, quite honestly, there is too much at stake and to let an arbitrary time limit hold women's rights hostage is just wrong. prgtoken So with that, along with my colleagues here this afternoon, I, too, urge the adoption tomorrow of bipartisan S.J. Res. 4. prgtoken .
RECOGNIZING NATIONAL INFERTILITY AWARENESS WEEK
Marilyn Strickland (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2023-4-26

I rise today to commemorate National Infertility Awareness Week. Started in 1989, we salute the parents, doctors, researchers, and others for working to destigmatize infertility and bring awareness to the many barriers people face when trying to start and build their families. prgtoken Most Americans are not aware that approximately one in five Americans are impacted by infertility. The disease affects both men and women of all races, religious backgrounds, and economic status. prgtoken Through the revolutionary contributions of research scientists and considerable medical advancements, fertility treatments have vastly improved since the first successful in vitro fertilization pregnancy and live birth occurred in 1978. Such advancements include early infertility detection through detailed and data-driven testing, advanced egg-freezing technology, and progressive procedures that allow young cancer patients to preserve their fertility prior to undergoing lifesaving chemotherapy treatments. Organizations like RESOLVE: the National Infertility Association advocate for millions of individuals and couples in this country who need medical assistance to have a family. Other groups, such as the Military Family Building Coalition (MFBC), have focused on raising awareness for active duty servicemembers and their spouses facing unique challenges with family building. They are actively working to bring awareness to these unique challenges and advance laws and policies that will help our servicemembers sacrificing for our country achieve their dream of building or expanding their own family. The Alliance for Fertility Preservation stresses the importance of affordable fertility preservation options for individuals undergoing cancer treatment. In fact, in the absence of comprehensive and reliable fertility preservation and family building healthcare coverage, the option of having children may not otherwise be available for millions of Americans without the financial assistance of organizations like RESOLVE, AFP, and MFBC, and countless other worthwhile organizations. prgtoken While advancements have been a substantial step forward for family building, significant medical, financial, and health equity barriers still exist for others who require medical assistance to combat infertility. prgtoken During this National Infertility Awareness Week, I call on my colleagues in Congress to do more to remove many of the barriers that currently exist for those experiencing infertility challenges in their pursuit of having a child. The ability to have children and the timing of building a family is a basic human right, and thus we must work together to pass legislation to create a path for these American families.
DESIGNATING LEBANON FOR TEMPORARY PROTECTED STATUS
Rashida Tlaib (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2023-4-26

today, I am proud to renew our fight to designate Lebanon for Temporary Protected Status to prevent Lebanese nationals in the United States from being forced back to the dangerous crisis facing their home country. prgtoken Between the pandemic, the aftermath of the Beirut Port explosion, economic devastation, and the ongoing political crisis, Lebanon is experiencing one of the worst humanitarian crises globally, resulting in widespread lack of access to medical care, clean water, food, and electricity. prgtoken According to the United Nations, , over 3.5 million Lebanese people are estimated to live in poverty and 1.38 million people are experiencing extreme poverty. The Presidency has been vacant since last October and the parliament just extended the terms of local officials without elections to avoid a complete collapse at the local level. prgtoken , 40 percent of the doctors there in Lebanon have left the country and we continue to see huge amounts of illnesses spreading throughout on top of the pandemic. prgtoken Our country must not retreat from its long tradition of providing a safe haven for those that need it the most. Temporary Protected Status for our Lebanese neighbors is critical to prevent more hardship. I call on my colleagues to support this legislation. Celebrating Lee Vernon Newby, Jr.'s 100th Birthday
TRIBUTE TO PAUL BIANCHI
Jon Ossoff (Democrat, GA) \u2014 2023-4-26

I rise to commend Paul Bianchi, whose leadership in education has helped thousands of children to flourish, improved our world, and built a Georgia legacy that will endure. prgtoken After 52 years as head of school for The Paideia School, Mr. Bianchi will retire on June 30, 2023. At Paideia, Mr. Bianchi has built an institution to nourish the minds and hearts of children in Georgia. prgtoken After earning an undergraduate degree and a M.A. in teaching at Harvard University, Mr. Bianchi was offered an opportunity to teach at The Galloway School in Atlanta. After 1 year at Galloway, Mr. Bianchi was approached by a group of Atlanta parents who asked him to establish a new school that would emphasize individualized instruction, academics, and the arts. Mr. Bianchi agreed to lead that effort, and in 1971, helped open The Paideia School. Under Mr. Bianchi's decades of leadership, Paideia has grown to serve a student body of 1,020 students. Mr. Bianchi added a high school in 1973 and has managed the growth of a thriving campus with gyms, theaters, science labs, and maker studios. prgtoken Mr. Bianchi's leadership has lifted thousands of young people to understand their world and their potential. His work has instilled in generations of students the knowledge, curiosity, and compassion to pursue their dreams and to make a positive difference for our State, our Nation, and the world. prgtoken As Georgia's U.S. Senator, like so many whose lives Paul has shaped, I am deeply grateful for his service to education, to Georgia, to the United States, and to the world.
LIMIT, SAVE, GROW ACT OF 2023
Judy Chu (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2023-4-26

I rise in strong opposition to this irresponsible bill that would hurt millions of seniors, workers, families, and veterans. prgtoken If this bill becomes law, the Social Security Administration will close field offices that seniors and people with disabilities rely on for services; nearly 500,000 low-income families could be evicted from voucher-supported housing; 200,000 young children will lose spots in Head Start; and cruel barriers to TANF will mean grandparents who rely on the program to keep their grandchildren out of foster care will lose crucial resources. prgtoken Meanwhile, s want to cut law enforcement funding and give wealthy tax cheats a license to avoid paying the taxes they owe. prgtoken What do we get in exchange for over a decade of crippled government? We get less than 1 year of reprieve from default and economic catastrophe. prgtoken s should do what they did three times under President and pass a clean bill free of brutal cuts.
TRIBUTE TO LYNN MALERBA
Richard Blumenthal (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2023-4-26

I rise today to recognize the accomplishments of Chief Mutawi Mutahash (Many Hearts) Marilynn ``Lynn'' Malerba, who was recently named the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut's 2023 Citizen of the Year. prgtoken Chief Malerba has an impressive list of accomplishments. In 2010, she became Chief of the Mohegan Tribe in Connecticut, the first female Chief in the Tribe's modern history. Before her current role, Chief Malerba held many leadership positions, including chairwoman of the Tribal council and executive director of health and human services for the Mohegan Tribe. Before her work in Tribal government, Chief Malerba also had a long career as registered nurse, earning a doctor of nursing practice at Yale University and eventually serving as the director of cardiology and pulmonary services at Lawrence and Memorial Hospital in New London, CT. prgtoken Currently, Chief Malerba serves as the 45th Treasurer of the United States, the first Native American to hold this office. As Treasurer, Chief Malerba has direct oversight over the U.S. Mint and Fort Knox and is a key liaison with the Federal Reserve. She also oversees the Office of Consumer Policy at the Department of Treasury and serves as a senior adviser to the Secretary of Treasury on community development and engagement. prgtoken From her long career as a healthcare professional, to her leadership of the Mohegan Tribe, and now her national role as U.S. Treasurer, Chief Malerba has made Connecticut immensely proud. I applaud her selection as the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut's 2023 Citizen of the Year, and I hope my colleagues will join me in celebrating Chief Malerba's remarkable achievements.
HONORING ENSIGN STEPHEN DICKMANN
Diana Harshbarger (Republican, TN) \u2014 2023-4-26

I rise today to honor my constituent, Naval Officer Stephen Dickmann of Greeneville, Tennessee for his distinguished service during the Vietnam War, from May 1965 to August 1967. prgtoken Ensign Dickmann served as Supply and Disbursing Officer and General Quarters Cryptography Officer aboard USS Richard B. Anderson, named after Medal of Honor recipient USMC PFC Richard B. Anderson. Anderson was deployed in the area of the Mekong Delta and the waters off the coast of Vietnam, the South China Sea, the Gulf of Siam, and the Gulf of Tonkin. Anderson engaged in search and rescue and surveillance operations and shore bombardment in support of ground troops. prgtoken Ensign Dickmann's Supply Department was responsible for maintaining the inventory of repair parts, as well as paying and feeding the crew, the ship's laundry, the ship's store, and the ship's barber shop until he was medically discharged. It was subsequently determined he had been exposed to Agent Orange.
REMOVING THE DEADLINE FOR THE RATIFICATION OF THE EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT--MOTION TO PROCEED
Joni Ernst (Republican, IA) \u2014 2023-4-26

I would like to thank the Senator from Alabama for leading this effort. prgtoken Iowa has a celebrated history of exceptional girls' sports programs. We recently saw the Iowa Hawkeyes women's basketball team make it to the national championship after taking home their fifth Big Ten Tournament title just days after cheering on the high school girls competing in the State tournament. Last year, the Iowa High School Girls Athletic Union proudly sanctioned girls wrestling, opening up new opportunities for girls to be part of a team and recognized for their achievements. prgtoken Title IX not only makes these events possible; it guarantees an opportunity for our female athletes. Whether it is growing as a leader, winning a championship, or securing a scholarship to college, sports opens doors for young women. But right now, President is working overtime to force institutions to allow biological males to share spaces with females and compete in women's sports. Doors that were opened over 50 years ago are being slammed in the faces of girls across the country because of the progressive left's gender ideology. Girls' locker rooms have now become a battleground for the ic Party, and parents continue to be iced out of the issue. prgtoken Thankfully, last year, Governor Reynolds protected girls' sports across Iowa, from elementary school all the way up to the collegiate level. prgtoken Here in the Senate, I am proud to join my friend from Alabama and our colleagues in supporting the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act. Under this legislation, any athletic program that receives Federal funds and permits a biological male to participate in competitions designated for women or girls would be in violation of Federal law. The House just passed this commonsense bill last week, and we should not waste any more time in passing it here in the Senate. prgtoken Payton McNabb is a senior in high school. She loves volleyball but was severely injured last fall because a biological male spiked the ball into her face. prgtoken Riley Gaines Barker, a 12-time NCAA All-American athlete, was forced to compete against a biological male, Lia Thomas, in the 200 freestyle. The two tied--they tied--for fifth place, with Thomas taking home the trophy. No kidding. Thomas took home the trophy. The NCAA told Riley it was necessary for photo purposes. prgtoken Lia Thomas is a 6-foot-4-inch biological male who swam on the men's team at the University of Pennsylvania for 3 years before switching to the women's team for his final year. Thomas beat female 2020 Olympic silver medalists and American record holders to win an NCAA Division I title. prgtoken Man, you might feel like a woman, but you aren't one. prgtoken We must protect our young girls and make sure they aren't pushed off the podium. Title IX is the law of the land whether the far left likes it or not. The law was created to offer the same playing field to
Inflation (Executive Session)
John Thune (Republican, SD) \u2014 2023-4-26

one of President 's favorite things to talk about is giving families ``a little bit of breathing room.'' It is a phrase he uses frequently, just as he also frequently talks about growing the economy ``from the middle out and the bottom up, not from the top down.'' prgtoken He used both phrases in a speech just last week. And, frankly, it is somewhat staggering to me that he continues to talk like this, because the economy is the story of taking away Americans' breathing room. It is a story of declining purchasing power for lower and middle- income families, of wages that don't keep pace with increased costs, of stretched budgets and difficult spending decisions. President has presided over a historic inflation crisis that has left American families struggling just to keep up. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture in February 2023, a cost-effective nutritious meal plan for a family of four cost $979.40 per month. prgtoken Two years earlier, that same family would have had to spend $674.80. That is a 45-percent increase--a 45-percent increase. The economy is costing that family of four an additional $304 a month for groceries, or $3,655 per year more. And, again, that is just on groceries. prgtoken I don't need to tell anyone that prices have risen across the board, 15.4 percent on average since President took office, and American families are feeling the pinch. A recent CNBC survey found that 70 percent of Americans are feeling financially stressed--70 percent--and that the majority of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck. And it is no surprise, given that inflation has outpaced wage growth for 24 straight months--meaning that under the administration, Americans have received a de facto pay cut. prgtoken Americans are cutting back on spending, dipping into savings, or charging expenses to their credit card to help make ends meet. Bloomberg reports on a growing trend of relying on ``buy now, pay later'' apps for everyday purchases, noting that and I quote: U.S. consumers are increasingly using such installment loans to pay for everyday items like groceries, highlighting the financial pain wrought by the worst inflation outbreak in four decades. prgtoken Credit card debt hit a record high in the final quarter of 2022, and nearly half of Americans are carrying balances now from month to month. More than two-thirds of Americans are saving less than they did a year ago. And the list goes on. Put simply, if President wanted to create more breathing room for Americans, he has failed. In fact, President has taken away Americans' breathing room, and there is little relief in sight. prgtoken Now, I don't need to tell anyone that one of the main reasons we are in the midst of this inflation crisis is because of and the President's decision to pass the so-called American Rescue Plan Act, which was a massive and pa