mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2024
Marcy Kaptur (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2023-10-26

. Mr. Chair, as a daughter of automotive and truck America and an aficionado of NASCAR and having spent a lot of my time on drag strips across the country, including my own reasons, I really rise in strong opposition to this amendment because it is not about the future. It is about the past. prgtoken This amendment prohibits funds for the Department of Energy's SuperTruck 3 program within the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. It is hard to make an engine. It is hard to conceive it. It is hard to build it. It takes a lot of creativity to understand propulsion. The parts of the country that I represent specialize in that. prgtoken The Department of Energy initially launched the SuperTruck initiative in 2009 to improve heavy-duty truck freight efficiency by 50 percent. That is a gulp. prgtoken The second iteration, SuperTruck 2, sought to double fuel efficiency for 18-wheeler trucks. prgtoken SuperTruck 3 is currently working to improve medium-and heavy-duty truck efficiencies and reduce emissions of freight transportation, that is underway. prgtoken This program consists of a public-private partnership with General Motors, Ford Motor Company, Daimler Truck North America, Volvo Group North America, and PACCAR. prgtoken Now, I want America to succeed. I want the free world to succeed. This program is building on a proven track record. Within 7 years, four truck makers exceeded the SuperTruck 1 goals and the five SuperTruck 2 projects are on track to more than double their fuel efficiency. prgtoken I invite the gentlewoman to come with me through some of these companies and some of these research sites to see what it takes to make America more fuel efficient. prgtoken These efforts help create good-paying jobs here at home and boost American supply chains, not in China, not in Japan, not anywhere else in the world, but right here. prgtoken Oil prices are on the rise again. Our transportation sector is currently largely dependent on petroleum and thus subject to oil price volatility and what will become diminished supplies in the decades ahead. I don't want America to be stuck on the whims of dictators throughout the world. It is common sense we should be developing energy alternatives and promoting energy proficiency and advancement in our transportation sector. prgtoken While it is clear that we need an all-of-the-above energy strategy that taps domestic oil and gas, we must also invest in alternative energy options to diversify our energy portfolio, including hydrogen, hydrogen fuel cells. Where the market is moving, the companies are moving. We need to help to propel that advancement sooner rather than later. prgtoken Mr. Chair, I strongly urge my colleagues to vote against this amendment, and .
PROVIDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL UNDER CHAPTER 8 OF TITLE 5, UNITED STATES CODE, OF THE RULE SUBMITTED BY THE FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICE RELATING TO "APPLICATION OF BOSTOCK V. CLAYTON...
Christopher Murphy (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2023-10-26

on the merits, this resolution is just absurd. The Department of Agriculture is not, as Senator Cruz alleges, punishing schools based upon how they label bathrooms or what they teach in health classes. The offenses that Senator Marshall and Senator Cruz are alleging here are just made up. prgtoken What the Department is saying is simple: If you are feeding poor kids, it shouldn't matter whether that kid is straight or gay or transgender, whether they are Black or White, whether they are Catholic or Protestant. You can't choose not to feed a kid because of their ethnicity, their race, or their sexual orientation. That is just common sense. I will guarantee you, 90 percent of the Americans agree with that sentiment. prgtoken The reason we are debating this resolution, though, isn't because there is a problem that needs to be solved. We are debating this resolution because the rightwing in this Nation has launched a relentless and unceasing campaign to marginalize, demonize, and bully kids who are gay, transgender, or nonbinary. prgtoken All across the country, the State legislatures are introducing bills designed to demonize gay children, to make people believe that these kids are a threat to others, hundreds and hundreds of bills all centered on the same lie as this resolution: That it is not OK to be gay, that it is abnormal to be transgender, and that society should rally around efforts to bully and shame these children and their families. prgtoken A few weeks ago, I finished up my annual walk across the State of Connecticut. I do it each year. I spend a week walking about 20 miles a day, talking to hundreds of people--most of them totally nonpolitical-- about what they care about and what they want their leaders to be working on. Do you know what nobody talked to me about on that walk? Children's sexual orientation, drag shows in schools, bathroom labeling. Do you know what they did talk to me about? Wages not keeping up with costs, the safety of their neighborhoods, Israel, opioids, drug costs. prgtoken This obsession that Senator Marshall and Senator Cruz and their rightwing allies have with the sexual orientation of our kids is so divorced from what people are actually talking about in this country. prgtoken It is no wonder the candidacy of Ron DeSantis--really founded on his relentless similar campaign of attacks against gay kids and adults in Florida--is floundering because even primary voting s think that this obsession that s have with children's sexual orientation or gender identity is just super creepy and super weird, and it has nothing to do with the actual set of problems this Nation is facing. prgtoken But there is one problem attached to this resolution: There are consequences to what Senator Marshall and Senator Cruz are proposing. When leaders choose to make bullying and marginalizing gay kids a top priority, kids listen. Fuel gets given to their b
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
Jack Reed (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2023-10-26

I am reintroducing the Stop Subsidizing Multimillion Dollar Corporate Bonuses Act with Senators Blumenthal, Whitehouse, Merkley, Baldwin, Warren, Van Hollen, and Sanders. This legislation would finally fully close a loophole that allows publicly traded corporations to deduct the cost of multimillion-dollar bonuses from their corporate tax bills. At a time when the gulf in pay between CEOs and average workers is 272 to 1, it is infuriating that U.S. taxpayers are being forced to subsidize lavish executive compensation packages, but that is what is happening. prgtoken Under section 162(m) of the Tax Code, publicly traded corporations cannot deduct more than $1 million in compensation paid to their top executives. But section 162(m) does not cover compensation paid to all public company employees, and corporations have long exploited this loophole to claim tax deductions for executive compensation packages that far exceed $1 million. Indeed, publicly traded corporations are offering these lucrative compensation deals to ever increasing numbers of executives--not just a few at the very top of the organization. prgtoken Both and ic administrations have recognized the need to close loopholes in section 162(m). Indeed, both President and President signed laws based on earlier versions of my legislation in order to curtail the abuse of this deduction. This includes ensuring that performance-based compensation is actualjy counted as compensation under section 162(m) and increasing the number of highly paid executives who are subject to section 162(m). Partially tightening the law in these ways has saved taxpayers well over $9.2 billion. But the full loophole has still not been closed and taxpayers continue to subsidize billions of dollars in extravagant compensation. prgtoken The Stop Subsidizing Multimillion Dollar Corporate Bonuses Act would address the remaining gaps by applying section 162(m) restrictions to all employees of publicly traded corporations so that all compensation is subject to a deductibility cap of $1 million per employee. prgtoken To be clear, under my bill, publicly traded corporations would still be able to pay their executives as much as they desire, but individual compensation packages above and beyond $1 million would no longer be subsidized through our Tax Code. This is a matter of fairness. It ensures that corporations and shareholders--not hard-working taxpayers--are shouldering the cost of the multimillion-dollar compensation packages they provide to their top earners. prgtoken I thank Public Citizen, Americans for Financial Reform, the AFL-CIO, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, MIT Professor Simon Johnson, Take On Wall Street, and the Institute for Policy Studies, Global Economy Project for their support. I urge our colleagues to join us in cosponsoring this legislation and pressing for its passage.
RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF CAMILLE BRANDON
Brian Higgins (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2023-10-26

today I am honored to recognize the life of Camille Brandon, a dedicated public servant and advocate for causes about which she cared deeply. Those of us who are fortunate enough to have worked with her will recall the kindness, the decency and the warmth that she brought to all of her governmental, political and civic efforts. prgtoken Camille was the Deputy Erie County Clerk under elected clerks of both major parties, was a trusted advisor in the administration of prgtoken Erie County Executive Dennis Gorski and held important positions at the Buffalo City Court. She was the Vice President of the Pulaski Association, chaired the Youth Services and Citizens Police Advisory Boards in the Town of Cheektowaga, and sat on the board of the YWCA Institute for Public Leadership Planning. She was an American Heart Association board member and had been Grand Marshall of Buffalo's Pulaski Day Parade. prgtoken Active in politics, she was a delegate to the ic National Convention in 1992, 1996, and 2012. She generously lent her time, her expertise, and her friendly and positive attitude to political efforts. prgtoken We join our friend, Camille's dedicated husband, Bob Brandon, in mourning this tremendous loss. All of us who knew and worked with Camille will remember her with deep gratitude and affection. If more people in the realms of politics, government and civic affairs shared Camille's deep commitment to kindness, decency and mutual understanding, our nation would be far better off. May she continue to be an example to all of us.
HONORING ANA IBARRA AS 2023 VALLEY LUCHADORA FOR HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH
Tony Cárdenas (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2023-10-26

I rise today to honor Ana Ibarra, also known as ``Dona Ana'', as a Valley Luchadora. Dona Ana is the founder and owner of Pozoleria Dona Ana. prgtoken Ana was born and raised in Nayarit, Mexico, and came to the United States 44 years ago at the age of 18. With only a middle school education, Ana began her business in her living room in Panorama City, selling a popular Mexican dish, pozole. prgtoken Despite struggling with depression, Dona Ana found motivation to pursue the American dream and open her own small business. prgtoken Despite three localities denying her the license to open her restaurant, she persevered and is now located in the heart of Panorama City. Today, she has brought people from all over the United States to try her meals and bring people together through her food. prgtoken Dona Ana is the embodiment of the American dream and our community's `si se puede' mantra. prgtoken Since her one-year anniversary she shared through her restaurant funds, she has been able to send donations to over 300 children in Mexico because she remembers her humble beginnings. prgtoken It is this same spirit of generosity that she has taught to her family-owned restaurant and customers. Today, Dona Ana feeds any homeless person that enters her restaurant because she believes ``a nadie se le niega un taco,'' which loosely translates to ``you don't deny anyone food.'' prgtoken I thank Ana. It is my honor to recognize her as a distinguished leader and luchador during Hispanic Heritage Month.
RECOGNIZING MRS. PENNY HARTSFIELD WHITE ON HER RETIREMENT AS SUPERVISOR OF THE 4TH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT WOMEN'S MISSIONARY SOCIETY OF THE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Danny K. Davis (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2023-10-26

I rise today to recognize the exceptional service of Mrs. Penny Hartsfield White, 4th Episcopal District Supervisor of the Women's Missionary Society of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. The 4th Episcopal District is headquartered in the 7th Congressional District of Illinois. prgtoken Penny is a native of Tallahassee, Florida, and the fifth of nine siblings, six girls and three boys. Her father, the late Richard Allen Hartsfield, Sr was the Assistant County Agent, and her mother, the late Mrs. Mamie S. Hartsfield, was an elementary educator and a staff member of Florida A. & M. University. Penny, along with her family, grew up in Fountain Chapel A.M.E. Church in Tallahassee where she participated in the Youth Choir and the YPD'ers (Young People and Children's Division).
Speaker of the House   Mike Johnson (Executive Session)
Bill Cassidy (Republican, LA) \u2014 2023-10-30

only in the United States of America can the son of a Shreveport firefighter, the first college graduate in his family--only in our country can a person like this win a seat in Congress and just a few years later be elected the 56th of the House. prgtoken Mike Johnson made history for our country and my home State by becoming the first of the House of Representatives ever from Louisiana. If you are from Louisiana--more particularly from Shreveport, Bossier, or Northwest Louisiana--or, by the way, if you graduated from Captain Shreve, you know Mike Johnson. He is the pride of them all. He is a straight shooter, a family man, a diligent man. prgtoken Jim McCrery was the Congressman who held that same seat at a time in the past. When I was first elected, he gave me this advice: Keep your word, show up, and do your homework. prgtoken I am sure he gave that same advice to Mike Johnson or, if not, Mike just was naturally that way, because it describes him to a tee. It is the reason why he is able to unify House s, winning every vote for for the first time since 2011. prgtoken He has the ability to bridge divides that a lot of very capable people were not able to do. Mike brought together people who disagreed and kept them talking until they found a way forward. That is what leaders do. He is strong in his convictions, but he is not someone looking to steamroll others. He is a unifier and has a talent for working with folks to find common ground. prgtoken We have all seen the push and pull between those who wish to govern and, frankly, those who are not very interested in governing. Mike wishes to govern. He wants to govern with conservative principles to get things done for the country and, hopefully, for my State as well. He has the temperament, intelligence, and integrity to do that as . prgtoken I look forward to working with him to address issues like investing in American energy, securing our southern border, addressing the insurance crisis in Louisiana and nationwide, and finally doing something about the long-term debt being driven, among other things, by a Social Security Program going insolvent. With a conservative working to secure conservative wins, the country will do well. prgtoken We both share a strong sense of duty, a deep faith, and a love for God. You prgtoken could see his faith shine through in his speech when he won the vote. Of course, we share a deep love for our home State, Louisiana. Having a from Louisiana will help bring some good Louisiana values, perspective, priorities, and maybe even a little boiled crawfish to Washington, DC. prgtoken Congratulations, Johnson, and to his wife Kelly and their four wonderful children. prgtoken .
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
John Boozman (Republican, AR) \u2014 2023-10-30

I rise to pay tribute to outstanding educator Pam Cummings, the 2023 Arkansas History Teacher of the Year. prgtoken Cummings has dedicated her life to education and teaching the next generation of Arkansans. She started her career at a public charter school in Little Rock before becoming a history teacher in the Benton School District. For the last 12 years, she has shared her passion for history with Panther students in a number of classes, including U.S. history, advanced placement government, and world history. Her interest in history shapes her lessons and that enthusiasm is passed along to her students. When students see the real-world effect of what she is teaching, it brings her joy to see the connection. In addition to earning bachelor's degrees in journalism and political science, she has master's degrees in American history and government and education theory and practice. This leaves no doubt about her expertise and excellence in the classroom. In 2018, Cummings was named a recipient of the James Madison Memorial Fellowship for Arkansas. She has also served on the Arkansas Coalition for Social Studies. prgtoken Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the History Teacher of the Year award is presented by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, the Nation's leading organization dedicated to K-12 American history education. The award honors one K-12 history teacher from each State, Washington DC, Department of Defense schools, and U.S. Territories. prgtoken Teachers shape the future. Arkansans can be proud knowing our youth have such a talented and knowledgeable educator who is committed to her craft. I congratulate Pam Cummings for this achievement and the positive impact she is making on the community. I am confident her efforts are inspiring a lifelong interest in history.
RECOGNIZING DARLETTA BERRY-JOHNSON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE IVINS OUTREACH CENTER
Brian K. Fitzpatrick (Republican, PA) \u2014 2023-10-30

I rise today to recognize an outstanding constituent from my district, Darletta Berry-Johnson--the founding and only Executive Director of the Ivins Outreach Center, headquartered in Morrisville, Pennsylvania. In 2023, Ivins is celebrating its twentieth anniversary in operation. The mission of Ivins ``strives to improve the quality of life for those within our neighboring communities, providing opportunities for them to be healthy, confident, connected, and secure, regardless of age, income, or background.'' Their goal is ``to create a community that is stronger, healthier, more involved, more generous, and more accepting of others.'' prgtoken Darletta has been the driving force and inspiration of Ivins' far- reaching success in making a significant difference in the lives of tens of thousands of individuals, young and old alike, in, around, and beyond Bucks County--an area I proudly serve and represent. In supervising and leading a small group of dedicated part-time staff members and scores of community volunteers, a sampling of Darletta's efforts has resulted in: prgtoken Services to senior citizens such as Ivins' Staying Put and Home Share programs that enable folks to remain in their homes despite illness, disabilities, food insecurities, safety concerns, lack of transportation, and a host of other physical and social issues. prgtoken Services to an annual enrollment of upwards of 3,000 youth through oversight and administration of 21st Community Learning Center Grants that provide after-school social and academic support, and summer employment and enrichment camps for students in the school districts of Morrisville Borough, Bristol Borough, Bensalem Township, Bucks County Technical High School, and the non-public Holy Trinity, St. Marks, and St. Ephrem elementary schools, and Conwell-Egan High School. prgtoken Covid Relief through Darletta's collaboration with the United Way, Lower Bucks Chamber of Commerce, area grocery stores, houses of worship, and local law enforcement agencies in providing meals for families and individuals in addressing grocery shopping, transportation needs, providing holiday experiences for the less fortunate of all ages, and shelter for the young, the homeless, the abused, and senior citizens. prgtoken Coordinating efforts to support law enforcement agencies by securing a COPS (Community Oriented Policing Services) grant through the United States Department of Justice for the Borough of Morrisville; successful submission of COPS grant applications for Falls Township and Bensalem Township police departments; and a submitted application along with the Bristol Borough Police Department to fund a School Safety Officer. prgtoken Leadership roles have included, but not limited to: Pennsylvania Department of Education Advisory Board, Bucks County Children & Youth Advisory Board, Established Morrisville Education Foundation, Morrisville Collaborative, Lower Bucks Family YMCA Board of
HONORING TENNESSEE'S SECOND DISTRICT VETERAN OF THE MONTH
Tim Burchett (Republican, TN) \u2014 2023-10-30

I rise to honor Seaman Lois Hensley, an American hero who served faithfully in the Navy from 1942 to 1945. prgtoken Seaman Hensley was born in New Philadelphia, Ohio. After high school she couldn't find a job in town and decided to join the Navy at the insistence of her father who was a Navy veteran. prgtoken She was sent to Yonkers, New York to become a teletype operator where she sent and received logistical messages. After her initial training, she was then stationed in Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia. prgtoken In 1945 she returned home and enrolled at Kent State University to study nursing where she was reacquainted with her former high school classmate James Hensley. They got married in 1946 and had three children together. prgtoken The couple moved around with James's job for many years before settling down in Friendsville, TN. After James passed away in 2003. Lois started doing volunteer work at Blount Memorial Hospital and Morning View Village Assisted living center. She started crocheting Prayer Shawls for friends and strangers. She made well over 600 shawls. She made it her life mission to wrap people in love with the shawls. prgtoken Our country's heroes are the men and women of our armed forces, like Seaman Lois Hensley, who continue to serve and sacrifice for our country and community. It's my honor to recognize Seaman Lois Hensley as the Tennessee Second District's November 2023 Veteran of the Month.