mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
Unanimous Consent Request--S. 3612 (Executive Calendar)
Patty Murray (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2024-2-28

thank you to my colleagues from Illinois, from Nevada, and other Senators who are out here to fight for the right for women to have basic healthcare services in this country. prgtoken You know, I have said before that attacks on reproductive freedom would never stop with Roe. They would never stop with abortion. I have said before that IVF was at risk, and now it has been so heartbreaking to see that warning become a gut-wrenching reality for women in Alabama. prgtoken And it is absolutely infuriating to see some of the same s who support so-called fetal personhood bills, who want to codify the very ideology in the Alabama Supreme Court decision that ripped away access to IVF care, suddenly acting surprised, suddenly acting like they had no idea this would happen, suddenly acting like this was totally unforeseen, when it is exactly what we have been warning about and exactly what the far right has been working toward for decades. This isn't some surprise. The Alabama Supreme Court decision is ideology in action. prgtoken So spare me the empty statements, especially after the objection that we just saw here. Unless you are actually going to work with us to protect IVF, save your breath. There are women in Alabama who desperately want to start a family, women who have tried for years to get pregnant, women who have gone through the heartbreak of miscarriage, women who are battling cancer and other devastating diagnoses for whom IVF is the only way they will be able to have children. And now, after everything they have been through--the hope, the disappointment, the thousands--the even tens of thousands of dollars it can cost to pursue IVF--after all that, these women have had their dreams shattered because s believe a frozen embryo kept in storage at an IVF clinic is the same and should have the exact same rights as a living, breathing human person. prgtoken That is not hyperbole. That is not hypothetical. That is what is happening. You don't have to imagine how painful this is. You just have to listen to the women in Alabama who have had their worlds turned upside down now by this decision. prgtoken Meghan Cole has a rare blood disease that prevents her from carrying children. Her hopes of starting a family through IVF and a surrogate were dashed last week when her doctor called to cancel her Friday appointment. She asked about transferring the embryos out of the State. Even that door has been slammed shut to her. prgtoken Jasmine York turned to IVF after previous ectopic pregnancies left her with no other options to have a baby. Now Alabama has left her with no options at all. As she said, ``It's completely just derailed a lot of hope.'' prgtoken Kayla Lee spent 9 years and $80,000 trying to have a child. She has gone through several miscarriages, and she was days away--days away-- from getting a viable embryo transferred. But instead of getting that em
WELCOMING THE HONORABLE THOMAS R. SUOZZI TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Jerrold Nadler (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2024-2-28

as dean of the New York delegation, it is my distinct honor to rise today to welcome my good friend Congressman Tom Suozzi back to the people's House. prgtoken The people of New York's Third Congressional District have elected a Representative with the experience, character, and commitment to solve problems confronting everyday Americans and deliver for his constituents. prgtoken Tom is also a great family man. He is a devoted father, husband, and public servant who upholds the values instilled in him by his family. He has devoted most of his adult life to public service: first as the mayor of his hometown, Glen Cove, for 8 years; then as the county executive of Nassau County for 8 years, before serving as a United States Congressman for 6 years. prgtoken From working tirelessly to secure investments for the Northport VA Medical Center in Long Island to helping secure billions in Federal support for New York in pandemic relief and infrastructure funding, Tom's outstanding record in Congress speaks for itself. prgtoken Tom loves New York, he loves his country, and his love for public service runs deep. He is the kind of person we need serving in this House at this moment, and it gives me great pleasure to reintroduce him as our colleague, the gentleman from New York, Tom Suozzi. prgtoken , I now yield to Mr. Suozzi.
Unanimous Consent Request--S. 3612 (Executive Calendar)
Catherine Cortez Masto (Democrat, NV) \u2014 2024-2-28

first of all, I want to start off by thanking my colleague Senator Duckworth for not only sharing her story of her wonderful family and beautiful two daughters--I have seen myself what an incredible mother they have, and they are fantastic girls. I also have to thank her for bringing forward this important legislation. prgtoken Women across the country use IVF to start their own families. You are hearing that not only from Senator Duckworth. I have heard it from so many people in Nevada and really across the country. They make that choice in consultation with their partners, their families, and their doctors, not a government official--not a government official. prgtoken There is no logical reason to deny women that right, and yet, after Roe v. Wade fell, we could see from a mile away that IVF was in danger. Senator Duckworth was one of the first to come forward in recognizing that, and that is why her legislation is so important. Why? Because attacking IVF was yet another chance for anti-choice s to erode women's rights in this country. prgtoken They have introduced a Federal abortion ban that would supersede State laws. They have stacked the courts with anti-choice judges. They have limited funding to women's healthcare, prgtoken and they have repeatedly ignored the very science behind reproductive healthcare in order to push their agenda. prgtoken We knew this was coming. In fact, we tried to do something about it a year ago. After Roe was overturned, not only did Senator Duckworth come to the floor with her legislation, but we have introduced numerous legislation on this floor to protect women's rights. And every single time, unfortunately, one of our colleagues comes forward to object, without any explanation, but continuing to really erode women's rights in this country. prgtoken And I have to say, these extreme GOP colleagues of ours claim to be pro-life. They claim to champion family planning. But, really, when it comes down to it, they don't support it. You just have to be in our communities and listen to the women and their families, and you understand that. prgtoken The difference this time around is that the Alabama Supreme Court is actually calling their bluff. The threat to IVF is no longer this hypothetical. In response to the ruling--and I believe it is an extreme ruling from this judge. But in response to this ruling, clinics--some clinics in Alabama--have halted IVF procedures. They have halted them. prgtoken I have seen heartbreaking stories of Alabama families who are being forced to put their dreams of starting a family on hold, and I am here to tell you: It will not stop with Alabama. The consequences of this ruling are that not only will it close some of those clinics in Alabama that we have heard about, but it will have a chilling impact nationally. prgtoken It is one thing to have the legislation that bans it outright, but the chilling impact is anothe
Unanimous Consent Request--S. 3612 (Executive Calendar)
Elizabeth Warren (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2024-2-28

just now, my friend and colleague Senator Tammy Duckworth, a longtime champion for IVF and a longtime champion for families, put forward an important bill that would ensure that families prgtoken have access to the services they need to have a baby, including IVF. prgtoken Since then, s have blocked this bill to protect IVF. Now, remember that for all their talk about supporting IVF, when it came down to it right here in this Chamber, s blocked IVF protection. prgtoken opposition to IVF is terrifying. It makes me furious. But it should not surprise anyone. set the stage for the attacks on reproductive rights when he stacked the Supreme Court with ultraconservative Justices and overturned Roe v. Wade. Since then, s have banned or severely restricted abortion in 24 States. They are trying to ban medication abortion nationwide. Now in Alabama, these extremists have virtually outlawed IVF, fertility care that gives people a chance to start a family. prgtoken This has always been about conservative politicians controlling women's bodies. This has been and the s' plan all along. And the opposition to Senator Duckworth's proposal today shows that s are doubling down against reproductive freedom. They are coming for medication abortion, they are coming for birth control, and they are even coming for prenatal care. Make no mistake-- we will fight them every step of the way. prgtoken I want to talk for just a minute about the people who are affected by these extremist policies: families in Alabama who have been wanting and praying that IVF can help them have a baby; women who have injected themselves with medication for weeks or months or even years; people who have spent their entire life savings trying to start a family, only now to see their hopes go down the drain; LGBTQ families who have spent years taking on every obstacle just for the chance to have a baby of their own, and for some, this was the last chance. prgtoken Now s like and those in this Chamber might try to backtrack, might try to say that they are working to protect IVF, but it is all talk. Senate s' actions today speak louder than any empty promises they make. Americans can tell when politicians try to talk out of both sides of their mouths. prgtoken The American people want reproductive freedom. The American people support parents and those desperately trying to become parents. prgtoken So here is what comes next. have made clear that we stand with President , with Vice President , and with the millions of families affected by these heartless policies. We stand to protect reproductive rights for people all across this country. Together, we will fight for every person to have access to a safe abortion. We will fight for every family to have access to the services needed to have a baby. And
ATOMIC ENERGY ADVANCEMENT ACT
Lori Trahan (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2024-2-28

. Madam , I thank the gentleman for yielding and for his leadership on this important issue as ranking member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. prgtoken Madam , I rise in support of this bipartisan legislation, in particular, the important changes it makes to how we regulate commercial fusion energy. prgtoken Last spring, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission took an important vote to regulate commercial fusion energy under its existing regulatory framework--specifically, the byproduct materials framework. This was a critical step toward unlocking commercialized fusion energy, and it was made possible by a recognition that fusion does not need to be regulated the same way as fission. prgtoken Since then, the Congressional Fusion Energy Caucus, which I have the honor of co-chairing alongside Representatives Don Beyer, Jay Obernolte, and Chuck Fleischmann, put pen to paper on the Fusion Energy Act, which will codify the Commission's decision and provide the fusion industry the regulatory certainty that it needs to continue pursuing their innovative research and development. prgtoken During consideration of this package in December, we offered the Fusion Energy Act as an amendment, which was adopted unanimously and is included in this legislation today. prgtoken I cannot overstate the importance of passing this package because fusion is the game changer. A future with fusion means thousands of good-paying, family-sustaining, clean energy jobs that we will create along the way. prgtoken Fusion unlocks a future where energy production is no longer tied to access to a resource. It means an endless supply of baseload clean energy, without any emissions. It means dictators like Vladimir Putin won't be able to manipulate energy markets to suit their needs. prgtoken Madam , but make no mistake, both our allies and our adversaries are racing to unlock fusion energy. The U.K. is investing 660 million pounds; Germany recently announced a 1-billion-euro investment; and China has already invested 1.8 billion in their state- owned facilities, with plans to massively ramp up over the next decade. prgtoken In China, there is no private industry investment in fusion. It is all government-controlled, and that is a huge competitive advantage that we have on them. prgtoken What the United States does best is innovate through public-private partnerships that leverage Federal research dollars with the work happening at cutting-edge startups and businesses across our country. prgtoken One of those companies, Commonwealth Fusion Systems, is located in the district I represent. Since its founding roughly 5 years ago, CFS has raised more than $2 billion in private investment, employs over 600 people, and is well on its way to building SPARC, a fusion machine that will achieve net energy and demonstrates that producing commercial fusion energy in just a few years is possible. prgtoken Madam , if we are going to beat China to fusion, then
RECOGNIZING OFFICER BRYAN SZOSTAK'S SERVICE TO THE CITY OF CANTON
Debbie Dingell (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2024-2-28

I rise today to recognize Officer Bryan Szostak on the occasion of his retirement from the Canton Police Department after 25 years of service to the city of Canton, Michigan. His decades of service to our community is worthy of commendation. prgtoken Officer Szostak joined the Canton Police Department in 1999 and has served as a midnight shift officer ever since. For the past 24 years, he has been a member of the department's Honor Guard as one of the founding members and leader, with which he has participated in Posting of the Colors for ceremonies across the state and funeral services for fallen officers. Officer Szostak also served the community's youth as a veteran advisor for the Explorer Unit, a program for teenagers interested in law enforcement. In these roles, Officer Szostak has showed his emphatic commitment to the units he has been involved in. prgtoken Most notably, Officer Szostak has been a committed Canine Officer for the past 20 years. His loyalty and passion for this program has been exemplified in his love for his current canine partner Ragnar, who is retiring alongside Officer Szostak, as well as his two previous canine partners, Poncho and Hoss. In this role, Officer Szostak has set new standards for training and policing, which will not soon be forgotten. Over the course of his extensive career, Officer Szostak earned many department awards, in addition to citizen recognitions for his service and commitmment to improving the city. prgtoken , I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Officer Bryan Szostak for his remarkable 25 years of service. His commitment to the canine program, Canton Police Department, and the City of Canton has been dedicated to the safety and improvement of the community. I join Officer Szostak's family, friends, and colleagues in extending my best wishes to him in retirement.
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
Alex Padilla (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2024-2-28

I rise to introduce the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program Establishment Act or LIHWAP Establishment Act. This legislation would establish the first-ever permanent, national water assistance program to help low-income households pay their water bills. prgtoken In 2021, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress provided $1.1 billion of critical assistance through the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 and American Rescue Plan of 2021 to low- income households struggling to pay water and sewer bills. Since then, prgtoken LIHWAP has helped 1.4 million households across the country maintain or restore access to water service. However, LIHWAP was created as an emergency program and expired at the end of fiscal year 2023. prgtoken Recognizing the importance of Federal water assistance, Congress passed the Infrastructure Investment Jobs Act, which directed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, to create a Rural and Low-Income Water Assistance Pilot Program and report to Congress on the results of the pilot. prgtoken The LIHWAP Establishment Act would provide the necessary congressional authorization for a permanent LIHWAP beyond the COVID-19 emergency. prgtoken The LIHWAP Establishment Act would direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Administrator of the EPA, to establish a permanent low-income water assistance program. Just as the program did during the pandemic, LIHWAP would award grants to States, territories, and Tribes to assist low-income households in paying for drinking water or wastewater services. prgtoken The bill would also empower nonprofit organizations to assist small, rural, underserved, and Tribal water systems apply for and access LIHWAP funding, as well as direct HHS to provide technical assistance to help agencies and water systems set up data sharing agreements to streamline eligibility requirements for low-income households. prgtoken In addition, the bill would transfer authority for the program from HHS to the EPA upon completion of the EPA's Rural and Low-Income Water Assistance Pilot Program. prgtoken Safeguarding water affordability for all Americans remains critical as household water and sewer bills rise faster than electric bills and inflation. Families continue to struggle to pay their water bills on time, and low-income communities suffer from disproportionate vulnerabilities affecting their access to clean, affordable water services. prgtoken Like heat and nutrition, which already have established Federal assistance programs, water is a vital and fundamental resource for public health and economic prosperity in all communities across the country. A permanent LIHWAP ensures we can continue to provide the necessary water assistance to low-income households at risk of losing access. prgtoken I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass the LIHWAP Establishment Act as quickly as possible.
WELCOMING THE HONORABLE THOMAS R. SUOZZI TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Thomas R. Suozzi (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2024-2-28

I thank Jerry and the New York delegation, all my colleagues, and my friends and supporters who are here tonight. prgtoken , I never thought I would be back here, but the Lord works in mysterious ways, and God made a way when there was no way. prgtoken I thank God for blessing me with this great responsibility, and I thank God for my best friend and partner for 30 years, my wife, Helene. She hates that. prgtoken , on the night of my election victory, I promised the people of Long Island and Queens I would deliver a simple message to this Chamber: Wake up. The people are sick and tired of the finger- pointing and the petty partisan bickering. They want us to work together. prgtoken They want you guys to work together, too. What are you doing? You are supposed to be clapping for that. prgtoken , I know there are so many good people in this Chamber on both sides of the aisle, but people are worried about the cost of living; they are worried about the chaos at the border; they are worried about Israel, Gaza, and Ukraine. prgtoken They look to Congress, and what do they see? The extremists get all the attention. We are letting ourselves be bullied by our base. We aren't getting anything done. We need less chaos and more common sense. prgtoken The last few months, I have talked with , s, and Independents, and they all ask the same thing: What about me? What are you doing for me? Enough with the theater and the drama, enough with the hyperbole and the histrionics, enough with the shutdowns and the put-downs. prgtoken The people aren't paying us to make things worse. The people pay us to be in the solutions business. prgtoken , you and I came to Congress together in 2017. I remember when you founded the Honor and Civility Caucus. You said at the time it was to restore collegiality and encourage productive dialogue. Sign me up. Sign me up right away I know you believe in collegiality and productive dialogue. We need more of that and less of the hot air fanning the flames of anger that happens much too often in our country these days. prgtoken , after my recent election you said something I must gently take exception to. You said: Tom Suozzi ran like a . Now, I know you meant that as a compliment. Let me be clear. Mr I am a true blue, dyed-in-the-wool ; but more important, like you, , and the men and women in this Chamber, I am a true blue, dyed-in-the-wool American. prgtoken Like any patriot of the greatest country on Earth, I am willing to compromise to try and solve problems like the chaos at the border. The bipartisan Senate bill doesn't have everything I wanted. I believe that Dreamers and TPS recipients should be granted a pathway to citizenship, and millions of others should have a path to legalization, but I will support a bipartisan compromise. prgtoken To not do so will keep the border open, will endanger peace in Israel, and will empower Vladimir Putin. prgtoken I