mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
Recognition of the Majority Leader (Executive Session)
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2022-1-5

earlier this morning, I had the opportunity to join my colleagues in the Senate Rules Committee for a hearing on the progress our Capitol has made to increase the security of this complex in the aftermath of January 6. prgtoken We heard testimony from U.S. Capitol Chief of Police Thomas Manger, who in his first 6 months has done an outstanding job to make this building safer and better prepared for the sorts of horrors that befell this hallowed space only 1 year ago this week. prgtoken That day, on January 6, 2021, the men and women of our Capitol Police stood on the frontlines of the unimaginable: a violent assault upon the U.S. Capitol instigated by former President and carried out by a mob of radicals looking to halt the peaceful transfer of power. That day, our Capitol policemen were outnumbered and underequipped. Yet their bravery and quick thinking saved many lives and prevented a violent riot from becoming something even worse. Today, we honor all those who stepped up that day, especially those whom we have lost in the aftermath. prgtoken In the year since that attack, we have gotten a lot of things done in the Senate to strengthen our Capitol Police Force, to ensure from a security prgtoken standpoint that the violence of that day never happens again. Thanks to this work and to the new leadership of the Capitol Police, the U.S. Capitol today is undoubtedly considerably safer than it was a year ago. prgtoken But let's be clear. Let's be very clear. January 6 was not merely a senseless act of violence; it was an attempt to reverse through violent means the outcome of a free and a fair election. And make no mistake, the root cause of January 6 is still with us today. It lives on through the Big Lie pushed by that is undermining faith in our political system and making our country and our democracy less safe. prgtoken A year after January 6, the biggest threat to our Capitol, our Capitol Police, and our democracy today is the Big Lie perpetrated by . Without addressing the root causes of the event of January 6, the insurrection will not be an aberration; it could well become the norm. prgtoken Just like the Senate has the power to pass legislation supporting our Capitol Police Force, we have the same power and obligation to pass legislation to address these root causes that brought the Big Lie to life. That is what my Senate colleagues and I are focused on and are committed to doing. We must act. prgtoken More than any other point in recent history, threats of political violence are on the rise. Election administrators are facing harassment and even death threats for just carrying out their duties. These are people who are sort of like civil servants. They are simply in charge of making sure the vote is counted fairly and accurately. In many States like mine, they are bipartisan. In some States, they are nonpartisan. But they are simply doing a job to make sure th
ORDERS FOR THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 2022
Christopher Murphy (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2022-1-5

I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 10:30 a.m Thursday, January 6; that following the prayer and pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, and morning business be closed; that upon the conclusion of morning business, the Senate proceed to executive session to resume consideration of the Bose nomination; further that at 12 noon, there be a moment of silence in observance of the events of January 6, 2021; and finally, that the cloture motions filed during today's session ripen at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, January 10.
Recognition of the Majority Leader (Executive Session)
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2022-1-5

November 9, 2020, was the first day that the Senate was in session following the Presidential election that year. Six days had passed since the polls had closed. It had been 2 days since enough votes were tallied for the Associated Press and TV networks, including FOX, to conclude that was elected President of the United States. But inside the White House, former President was busy. He was tweeting a torrent of lies and conspiracy theories to deny the obvious. He was ready to pull the White House and the people's house, this U.S. Capitol, down around him in order to overturn an election he had lost. prgtoken Never before--never in the history of the United States--has a President or Presidential candidate shown such utter contempt for the will of the American people or for the peaceful transition of power in a democracy. Yet, when the Senate convened 6 days after the election, some of our colleagues actually offered excuses for the poor feelings and the attitude and the demeanor of the former President and his incendiary actions. prgtoken The Senate leader, who was on the floor a few minutes ago, defended President at that time, saying that he was ``100 percent within his right to pursue recounts and litigation.'' prgtoken Never mind that the lawsuits were based on the same lies that former President was spewing. Over the next few weeks, those lawsuits were initiated. prgtoken What was the final score? So 64 of the 65 legal challenges brought by the campaign to dismiss the results of the election were dismissed themselves as meritless, many by judges that had appointed. prgtoken Also on November 9, a person identified only as ``a senior official'' told a Washington Post reporter something that is chilling. Speaking about the defeated President lashing out with poisonous lies and conspiracy theories, this nameless asked: ``Well, what's the downside for humoring him for a little bit of time? No one seriously thinks the results will change.'' prgtoken This unnamed official went on to say: ``He went golfing this weekend. It's not like he's plotting how to prevent from taking power on January 20. He's tweeting about filing some lawsuits. The lawsuits will fail, then he'll tweet some more on how the election was stolen, then he'll leave.'' prgtoken That was the attitude toward President after the election results were in. In fact, we know now that plotting to prevent from taking power on January 20 was exactly what was up to. He abused the powers of his office to exert extraordinary pressure on the Justice Department. prgtoken I know this because I was in the actual deposition in the Judiciary Committee, which I chair, when those in the Justice Department who were contacted by the President for this purpose testified under oath. prgtoken Polit
EXECUTIVE CALENDAR--Continued
Elizabeth Warren (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2022-1-5

January 6, 2022, marks 1 year since the attempted coup at our Nation's Capitol. prgtoken I am deeply grateful for the Capitol Police for their heroic acts on that dark day. The American people will always remember the sacrifices they made to protect our democracy. prgtoken But marking this date has another purpose, too. The January 6 insurrection made painfully clear that American democracy is seriously at risk. In November of 2020, American citizens braved a deadly pandemic to cast their ballots. But following that election, the defeated President refused to commit to a peaceful transfer of power. prgtoken Instead, he falsely sowed doubt about the legitimacy of the election and inflamed his most dangerous supporters to attack this Capitol. His attempts to cling to power through lies and violence were a violation of his oath of office and a grave abuse of power that can never be tolerated in a free and democratic society. prgtoken We mark this anniversary not only to reflect on that dereliction of duty, but also to call out the ongoing efforts to undermine our democracy. prgtoken Threats to our democracy are not new. For years, in State after State, legislatures have passed laws making it harder to vote, all on a purely partisan basis with simple majority votes. They have imposed strict voter ID requirements and purged voter rolls to disenfranchise minority voters. They have made it harder to vote by mail and register to vote. They have gerrymandered districts for partisan political gain. prgtoken Over the past year, these shameless efforts have become even more brazen. Just as the former President was clear that he wanted to overturn the results of the 2020 election, and his allies are entirely transparent about their goal of overturning future elections. Today, opponents of democracy are exploiting every possible avenue to allow their party to maintain control, even if that means overturning the will of the American people. prgtoken Rather than putting a stop to these attacks on voting rights, the Supreme Court has enabled them. The Roberts Court gutted the core of the Voting Rights Act, which is why legislatures right now can pass anti-voter laws with ease. prgtoken Last year, they destroyed what was left of the country's landmark voting rights law, making it nearly impossible to block laws with racially discriminatory effects. They twice overturned key protections against dark money in our elections, and they gave a green light to partisan gerrymandering. prgtoken The Senate must not turn a blind eye while the Federal judiciary and State legislatures lead an all-out assault against free and fair elections in America. It is clear that 's Party is embracing an increasingly authoritarian movement. prgtoken In 2006, the Voting Rights Act was reauthorized unanimously in the U.S. Senate. And yet today, only one supports the Voting
EXECUTIVE CALENDAR--Continued
Benjamin L. Cardin (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2022-1-5

tomorrow will mark the first anniversary of one of the darkest moments in our Nation's history. One year ago tomorrow, a mob attacked this building. A mob of Americans, incited by a sitting U.S. President, was determined to prevent the peaceful transition of power that is the hallmark of our representative democracy. A mob of Americans savagely attacked and overwhelmed the men and women of the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police departments, smashed their way into this sacred space, and disrupted the joint session of Congress fulfilling its constitutional duty to count the electoral college ballots awarding the Presidency to . prgtoken January 6, like December 7 and September 11, is a date which will live in infamy. prgtoken I refer to the U.S. Capitol as a sacred space because it is so much more than a building where the Senate and House of Representatives meet and conduct business. It is the embodiment of our ideals, our aspirations and hopes, not just to Americans but also to all of humanity. prgtoken In the 1960 essay on ``national purpose'' for the New York Times and LIFE magazine, Archibald MacLeish wrote: There are those who will say that the liberation of humanity, the freedom of man and mind is nothing but a dream. They are right. It is the American Dream. prgtoken Insurrectionists desecrated this sacred space and everything it stands for, including liberty, self-government and the rule of law. The Architect of the Capitol can measure the damage they did to this building in millions of dollars. The damage they did to our moral standing in the world is inestimable. prgtoken I want to take this moment to acknowledge and pay tribute to the thousands of people who work in Congress or cover it for the press and continue to suffer from the trauma of January the 6th. I am talking about the brave police officers who protected us. They engaged in a battle that one officer described as ``medieval.'' prgtoken And 140 of them, including Metropolitan Police Department officers, suffered physical injuries. One of them, Officer Brian Sicknick, died. I imagine all the officers who defended the Capitol bear the psychological scars of the attack. prgtoken Four officers--Howard Liebengood, Jeffrey Smith, Gunther Hashida, and Kyle DeFreytag committed suicide in the aftermath. But I am also talking about the staff who work here in the Capitol, in the Senate and House Chambers: the doorkeepers, the Parliamentarian's office, the bill clerk, the Congressional Record staff, the floor and cloakroom staff, and so many others. Many of them had to shelter in place. They had to barricade themselves in offices, hoping the police would get to them before the insurrectionists did. prgtoken I am talking about the committee and legislative staff in our DC offices and back in our State and district offices, who watched the attack in horror and disbelief and feared for the safety of th
HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF LATE SENATOR JOHN ``JOHNNY'' HARDY ISAKSON
Raphael G. Warnock (Democrat, GA) \u2014 2022-1-5

I come to the floor today to honor a friend, our late Senator from Georgia, my predecessor, Senator Johnny Isakson. prgtoken I mourn this great loss with the rest of Georgia and people all across our Nation, and since his passing, I know I have joined many of you in reflecting on the countless memories and moments that we shared with Johnny Isakson. prgtoken Without a doubt, Senator Isakson cared deeply for Georgia, and he cared deeply for our country. He was a patriot, a public servant, and there are members of my staff, I am proud to say, who used to work for Johnny, and they will tell you that he never hesitated to show up. prgtoken I often talk in my other job about the ministry of presence. Sometimes, half a job is to show up, and he knew how to show up for people, whether it was paying a visit to an ill patient, the ill parent of a staffer, or seeing a disabled veteran. prgtoken Senator Isakson dedicated years of service to our beloved State, to our veterans, our families, and our children. prgtoken He always made it a point to join us at the Ebenezer Baptist Church for the annual service and commemoration of Martin Luther King, Jr. I always smile when I consider the fact that he showed up. A lot of politicians showed up. He always stayed for the whole service, and, I will tell you, it is no short service. But Senator Isakson was there the whole time as we recognized and celebrated Georgia's greatest son, Martin Luther King, Jr. prgtoken Johnny Isakson was my friend. In fact, when this country elected its first Black President, he recognized the historic significance, although he was in a different party. He called me on the phone. He thought I might want to be there. So I witnessed in person the inauguration--the first inauguration--of as a guest of Johnny Isakson. prgtoken And then, a few years later, when we were at a flash point--a flash point of division in this country--and there were some, as we were approaching a State of the Union Address, who were saying we should not have the same kind of partisan scene where one side stands up and the other one sits down, that we ought to try to find the ways in which we are connected, and the folks who work here will all try to find somebody. You all might remember that. Johnny Isakson reached out to me, and I was his guest sitting in the House, witnessing for the first time in person a State of the Union address. And the very first time I stood on the floor of this Chamber, I came as Johnny Isakson's guest, as Chaplain of the day, opening the Senate in prayer. prgtoken He was my friend, which is why I was not surprised when he called me up and he said: Raphael, I am retiring. I want to say good-bye, and I want to come by your church. prgtoken So on a Sunday morning, Senator Isakson and his wife and other members of his family came by. We enjoyed conversation in my office, and then I shortened my sermon that morning so he could sa
Vote on Witkowsky Nomination (Executive Calendar)
Thomas R. Carper (Democrat, DE) \u2014 2022-1-5

1 year ago tomorrow, a violent mob attacked our Capitol--this Capitol. Five Americans died, and hundreds sustained injuries in what has been described as the worst attack on our Capitol since the War of 1812 and the worst attack on our democracy, literally, since the Civil War. The mob assaulted and maimed police officers, desecrated our beacon of democracy, and in using force, sought to obstruct the peaceful transfer of power in this Nation. prgtoken One year later, as we recall the chaos and the bloodshed of that day, more than ever, I am convinced that we must fully understand what happened and make sure that it never happens again. prgtoken The 2020 election was hard fought, but it was not especially close. Not one example of widespread fraud was found nor was any evidence presented that would have altered the outcome. Let's take a moment and look at the facts. prgtoken There were 81.2 million votes for last year--81.2 million. There were 74.2 million votes cast for --74.2. That is about 51.3 percent of the vote for and 46.8 percent of the vote for ; 306 electoral votes for , 232 electoral votes for . prgtoken Ironically, earned the same number of electoral college votes as did in 2016. Why is that relevant? Well, in 2016, declared that his 232 electoral votes was a--no, his 306 electoral votes. got the same number of votes in 2020 as did in 2016. When won with 306 electoral votes, he said it was a landslide. When wins by the same number of electoral votes, says: No, it is not a landslide; it is a theft. You have stolen the election. prgtoken Despite these facts, pressed ahead with legal challenges in several States. Many of these claims were downright bizarre, and many were unfounded. More than 60 Federal and State courts, involving more than 90 judges, many of whom were nominated by Presidents, including , all agreed that no evidence of widespread fraud, wrongdoing or other irregularities were uncovered subsequent to the 2020 election--none. Allow me to quote one of them. prgtoken Judge Bibas is a longtime member of the conservative Federalist Society, whom actually nominated to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. In ruling against 's baseless claims of fraud in Pennsylvania, Judge Bibas said: ``Calling an election unfair does not make it so.'' Let me repeat that. ``Calling an election unfair does not make it so.'' prgtoken Rather than accept defeat at the ballot box and in the courtroom, the former President embraced conspiracy theories and outright lies. The January 6 insurrection occurred because these lies--and let me repeat: lies--were a call to action for White supremacists and other domestic extremists. prgtoken As someone who grew up in Danville, VA, the last capital of the
EXECUTIVE CALENDAR--Continued
Maria Cantwell (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2022-1-5

my colleague is right-- he has been to the floor to talk about this issue, and I don't think, though, that he has all the facts right. prgtoken We just had a major transportation hearing in the Commerce Committee before we left for the holiday recess, and we heard from airline executives--some who had implemented their own vaccines, some who had implemented other mandates and systems on their own, and others who basically responded to the Federal Government's desire to say that passengers would be required to wear masks. All of them said that this was a big success. All of them said that this, along with the Federal dollars that went into preserving the airlines, allowed us and our economy to recover better than other nations had; basically that when the upswing in transportation got to the point where people felt it was safe to travel, that those mechanisms themselves helped us have an airline sector and industry that could respond so that we literally, by Thanksgiving, were up to 85, 90 percent of where we had been the previous year. prgtoken So my colleague, I think, would like us to predetermine today exactly everything we are going to do on this issue; that we would prohibit the President, the Department of Transportation, Amtrak, and the Transportation Security Administration from making these decisions in the future. prgtoken Now, I can just tell you, I get up every day and I read the press. I also went to the gym today, and the first thing they said is, Where is your vaccination card or we are not letting you in? So there is the fact that businesses--the airlines and small businesses--are using this as a tool. Even though DC has the highest explosion of COVID cases in the Nation as a percentage right now--I understand that in the neighborhood I live in, there was a pretty hearty New Year's Eve, but everybody had to show a vaccination card to get into those businesses. Those businesses decided they were going to stay open. Those consumers decided they were going to participate--not the choice I would have made, but they decided to do that, and they showed their vaccination card. prgtoken So these businesses, the ones that the Federal Government is involved in--Amtrak and our transportation system--they also might have further issues in the future that they want to look at, so why pass a bill today that restricts them from showing proof of COVID vaccine in order to travel? prgtoken The proposals that were made at the time--we didn't really know 2 years ago now what was going to happen. But I can say--and that is why we had our most recent hearings--that we were right that the transportation sector was going to be critical to helping us fight the pandemic, that it was going to be critical for us to respond in our economy, and that it was going to be critical to providing essential services to some areas of the United States. The things we did allowed that air service to r