mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Rob Portman (Republican, OH) \u2014 2021-6-22

from North Carolina for his thoughts. prgtoken We are on the cusp of a vote here on legislation that would dramatically change the way we conduct our elections in this country. As my colleague said, are all elections perfect? No. But I have to tell you, I am really proud of what we do in Ohio. We make it easy to vote; we also make it hard to cheat, and that is the right balance. prgtoken This bill, S. 1, is called the For the People Act, but what it actually does is it strips away control from people in Ohio and elsewhere to build the right election laws in our own States and centralizes that control here in Washington, DC. That is not consistent with the Constitution or the Federalist Papers. In addition, some of those proposed changes attempt to undermine the First Amendment rights that we hold so dear as Americans. prgtoken I am proud of the way we conduct our elections in Ohio, in part because we have high turnout. In fact, we had record turnout last year, and that is great. And I don't want to leave it up to Federal employees here in Washington, DC, to determine how our system should work in Ohio, which is what this legislation would do. prgtoken I mentioned the Constitution earlier. It gives the primary power over election administration to the States. It is very clear about that. It also says in Federalist 59, which is Alexander Hamilton, who was the guy most interested in these Federalist issues--he said it is clear that the Federal Government should only get involved in very extraordinary situations. prgtoken Last fall, 5.97 million Ohioans cast a vote--that is a record, as I said--and it represented 74 percent of eligible voters in Ohio. Despite that and despite the challenges of running the largest election in our State's history during an unprecedented pandemic, we ran what was wildly reported on the right, on the left, by the media as a secure and successful election--in fact, I think the most successful election we have ever had. Our State-run, bipartisan county boards of election, with two and two s in each county, were able to do that because they know what is best for Ohio and they are held accountable. prgtoken But this partisan bill claims Washington, DC, somehow knows better. S. 1 strips the power from accountable, democratically elected State representatives in my State and around the country to determine congressional districts and hands that over to a Federal panel, again, staffed by unelected, unaccountable third parties and a computer program. Again, I think it should be something that is part of what election representatives are held to account for, is how we draw our congressional districts. prgtoken It mandates the controversial practice of ballot harvesting. I don't like ballot harvesting. I think it makes it easier for partisan operatives on both the right and the left to conduct outright voter fraud. prgtoken It would force t
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Richard C. Shelby (Republican, AL) \u2014 2021-6-22

this afternoon, I want to discuss my grave concerns with S. 1. prgtoken Many have said that this political power grab is a solution in search of a problem. I agree with that. This bill contains, I believe, a number of alarming provisions that would have a devastating impact on our Nation's electoral process. It would make our elections more chaotic and less secure. prgtoken This legislation contains more than 800 pages of bad policies that I believe America does not need and does not want. I believe that the strength of our election system is in its diversity, allowing each State to determine what is best for them. S. 1 would force a single, partisan view of elections on more than 10,000 jurisdictions across the country. prgtoken For example, State and local election administrators would be forced to change, one, how they register voters and which voting systems they use; how they handle early voting and absentee ballots; and how they maintain voter lists. prgtoken It makes election fraud easier to commit and harder to detect by allowing unlimited ballot harvesting, undermining voter ID laws, and making it more difficult to maintain accurate voting lists. A recent university poll found that 80 percent of Americans support requiring a form of identification before a person can vote. Think about it--80 percent. prgtoken Remember, now, presently, Americans are required to present a photo ID to do a number of things. We all do it every day: at the airport to board a commercial flight; in a hospital for any outpatient or inpatient procedure; at the pharmacy to purchase over-the-counter sinus medication and certain prescriptions; at the bank to open a bank account; to apply for a mortgage; to drive, buy, or rent a car; to get married; to purchase a gun; to rent a hotel room; to donate blood; to obtain a passport; to pick up packages at the U.S. Post Office. We all do this every day. prgtoken This legislation would permanently tip the scales in favor of the by politicizing the Federal Election Commission, pouring Federal tax dollars into campaigns and chilling free speech. Do Americans really want their taxes going toward a Federal campaign fund that would finance the expenses of all candidates running for Congress? prgtoken S. 1 would reverse years of improvements that have been made in many States, improvements that protect the security, integrity, and the credibility of our elections. Each State, I believe, should be left with the freedom and flexibility to administer its own respective elections, without interference from the Federal Government. prgtoken S. 1 mandates ballot drop boxes, which increase the risk of fraud by allowing people other than the voter to drop off marked ballots outside of the view of election officials. prgtoken As I mentioned before, this bill provides government funding for campaigns: $6 of Federal funding for every $1 from small donors. My gosh, it would be a windf
CONSUMER SAFETY TECHNOLOGY ACT
Debbie Lesko (Republican, AZ) \u2014 2021-6-22

I thank the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis) for yielding to me. prgtoken , I rise in support of H.R. 3723, the Consumer Safety Technology Act. prgtoken This is important legislation that helps the U.S. solidify its position as a world leader in technology and innovation while protecting our constituents. prgtoken This legislation builds on the American COMPETE Act, which sought to remove burdensome regulatory barriers to promote American innovation and consider how safely using artificial intelligence can transform the future. prgtoken This is also a critical step in maintaining our global competitive edge in emerging technologies over foreign adversaries like China. It will make us less reliant on these bad actors for important technologies. prgtoken The Consumer Safety and Technology Act establishes a pilot program to explore how to safely use artificial intelligence to protect consumers from unsafe products while advancing cutting-edge American innovation. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.
Iran (Executive Session)
John Thune (Republican, SD) \u2014 2021-6-22

later today, the Senate will vote on S. 2093. S. 2093 is the new S. 1. It is the latest version of the so- called For the People Act, which is a massive, massive Federal takeover of election law. prgtoken So why are we taking up a massive Federal takeover of election law? Well, that is a good question. Two years ago, told us that we needed to pass this law because our electoral system was broken. Well, then came 2020. We had a record voter turnout, the largest voter turnout since the election of 1900, the largest turnout in 120 years in American history. And won the White House. prgtoken After that, it got a little awkward to complain that our electoral system was broken. So found a new argument. Now, we have to pass this legislation to stop States from taking away voting rights. According to , States' moves to update or clarify their election laws in the wake of pandemic challenges and vote-counting confusion are really plots to restrict voter access. prgtoken Of course, so far, most 2021 State election law updates have proved to be both standard and mainstream, but that hasn't stopped who have, at times, resorted to outright lies in their efforts to persuade Americans prgtoken that we are facing a voting rights crisis. prgtoken After all, need to give some reason for why we should allow the Federal Government to take over our entire electoral system. And ' real reason--because they think S. 1 will give them an advantage in future elections--is not really one that they can use to sell the bill, although Pelosi did admit on national television that she thought S. 1 would boost ' electoral chances. prgtoken The question is where to start when it comes to the bill's content. As I said, like the original S. 1, the new S. 1 is an unprecedented Federal takeover of elections. Historically, running elections has largely been a matter for States, which tailor election laws to the particular needs of their cities and communities. prgtoken S. 1 would impose one-size-fits-all, Federal regulations on elections--in many cases, deeply problematic regulations. S. 1 would require States to allow unlimited ballot harvesting, which is the controversial practice of allowing political operatives and others to pick up and deliver ballots, with all of the possibilities for fraud that that creates. prgtoken It would gut State voter ID laws--laws which, I would point out, are supported by a strong majority of the American people. A recent poll said 80 percent of Americans support voter ID laws. It would remove legal penalties for registering individuals who are here illegally--and so much more. prgtoken But the new S. 1, like the old S. 1, goes way beyond undermining the security of our elections and increasing the likelihood of voter fraud. It would implement public funding of political campaigns, which would mean that government dollars, money
CONGRATULATING TERRY HAMBY
James Comer (Republican, KY) \u2014 2021-6-22

I rise today to honor Private First Class Ernest Robertson of Russell County, Kentucky, who served and paid the ultimate sacrifice in the Korean war. Ernest was killed in action at 24 years old, but his remains have never been recovered. prgtoken After basic training at Fort Knox, Ernest was assigned to the U.S. Army's Far East Command, M Company, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. On April 23, 1951, he suffered a terrible injury and was captured by North Korean forces. On May 6, one day after his 24th birthday, Ernest was killed in action. prgtoken The service and sacrifice of our troops must never be forgotten, even long after they have perished. It is truly a tragedy that some brave soldiers have not yet made it home after their horrible death. We must appreciate their sacrifice and remember the cost of freedoms we enjoy here in the United States. prgtoken I join with all the First District of Kentucky in thanking Private First Class Robertson for his service, and his family for their efforts to remember him. He will always be in our thoughts.
Nomination of Kiran Arjandas Ahuja (Executive Session)
Josh Hawley (Republican, MO) \u2014 2021-6-22

I am here today to talk about those things that unite us as Americans, and I am here to talk about those things that divide us. prgtoken For centuries, public service has been something that unites Americans, drawing us together. Citizens from all walks of life serve in our military. They serve in Federal and State and local governments. They serve in police units and in fire departments across our country. They serve as teachers and coaches. And we as a nation are better off for their service and for their sacrifice. prgtoken Those who serve our Nation do it not because they have to but because they want to. They do it because they believe this Nation is worth serving. They do it because they believe this Nation is worth defending. They believe it is worth celebrating. And they are right to think all of those things. Service to this country is an act of selflessness that affirms our Nation is a place worth believing in. prgtoken But I am concerned that the present administration and this President, President , do not share this point of view. I am worried that President is nominating for Federal office individuals who do not share a view of America as a good and decent place, who do not believe that the history of this Nation is worth celebrating; nominating, instead, people who believe that this is a country founded in racism and shot through with corruption. prgtoken Many of these nominees are partisans of a viewpoint that goes by different names but shares several features in common--a view that America is a systemically racist place and systemically unjust; a view of America as corrupt; a view of American society as one that needs to be deconstructed, that needs to be pulled apart, torn down, and then rebuilt in a fundamentally different way. prgtoken Now, this broad ideology has become known in public as critical race theory or sometimes just critical theory. And let me tell you, as someone who has taught in our Nation's universities, someone who has seen our institutions of higher learning up close, I would say to those in the media and elsewhere who now deny that there is any such thing as critical theory, that critical theory is, in fact, very real, it is very influential, and it appears to have become the animating ideology of this administration. That is cause for great concern. prgtoken Critical theory is an ideology that says the United States is rotten to its core. The leaders of this movement think our society is defined by White supremacy. They think our leaders are complicit, at best. prgtoken They think that all Americans are either oppressors or oppressed. In our world-class military, these critics see a vehicle for discrimination. In our American flag, they see propaganda. In our family businesses, they see White supremacy. In our police officers, they see agents of racial oppression. prgtoken These critics allow no room for merit, for experience, or for grace in
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Thom Tillis (Republican, NC) \u2014 2021-6-22

welcome back, and thank you for giving me an opportunity to talk about the bill that we will have before us in about an hour and a half. prgtoken I have to stand here and rise in opposition to the For the People Act. I think you could appropriately title it the ``Fool the People Act.'' We are going to be voting on it later today, but it would dramatically alter election laws across our country. prgtoken I have been in the Senate for 6\1/2\ years, and this ranks up there as one of the worst bills that I have seen come before this body. I know my friends on the other side of aisle like to talk about it as being essential for protecting democracy, but in the face of text that could be patently unconstitutional and taking away the rights of States to administer their elections, I find it hard to believe that it is anything but a motivated attempt to federalize the Nation's election system. prgtoken The For the People Act would achieve it through a number of, I think, overreaches. I am only going to talk about a few. prgtoken For one, voter ID. The For the People Act would essentially render null voter ID laws across this country. Instead of an ID, which most of us have, and virtually, I think, every citizen should have, you would simply just sign an affidavit to say you are who you say you are. I heard the Georgia law, for example, brought up as providing egregious limits or obstacles to proving who you say you are. prgtoken In a hearing a month or so ago, we had an official from Georgia in a Judiciary Committee, and I said: Could you explain to me what the challenge is? So if somebody gets an absentee ballot like you do in North Carolina--we have no-excuse absentee balloting. We have had it for years. I supported it. I voted that way several times. We had people say that it was just an egregious imposition to note a 10 or 12 character driver's license or government ID number on the affidavit. That is all it is. You don't have to send a copy of it. You just simply have to write a number down. prgtoken So if you have an ink pen--I guess you could argue if you don't have a writing instrument, then maybe that is an overreach or an imposition on a voter. I don't think it is. And even in the Georgia law that has been castigated by some of my friends on the other side of aisle, they even provide for people who want to vote, who may not have a government-issued ID, other documents that can be used in their place. prgtoken We talked about hundreds of bills that have been filed by legislators without a single ic vote that are like the Georgia bill that I just described, which I think is arguably a fair bill. But most of these bills are things that and s should be able to agree on. You should cleanse your voter rolls. You should make sure that people who have died and people who could be registered in one or more States are cleared from the voter rolls just to prevent f
RECOGNIZING OZZIE FLETCHER
Nicole Malliotakis (Republican, NY) \u2014 2021-6-22

today I rise to tell the story of Ozzie Fletcher. prgtoken Seventy-seven years ago, on D-day, June 6, 1944, 22-year-old Osceola ``Ozzie'' Fletcher was working as an Army crane operator on Omaha Beach when he was hit by a German missile, leaving him with serious wounds on his leg and head. prgtoken Despite the injuries he sustained that day, Ozzie was overlooked, in fact, denied a Purple Heart simply because of the color of his skin. At the time, our forces were segregated, where Black soldiers could not serve alongside White soldiers. prgtoken The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff learned of Ozzie's story, sending the Army on a 2-month-long fact-finding mission. prgtoken This weekend I was honored to attend the ceremony at Fort Hamilton Army Base in my district in Brooklyn, New York, when an historic wrong was corrected and Ozzie was finally awarded the Purple Heart he earned more than seven decades ago, as the Nation observed Juneteenth. This recognition of Ozzie's service was long overdue. prgtoken I have great and profound appreciation for his service during World War II and his acts of bravery on that fateful day that changed the course of our world's history. prgtoken After the war, Ozzie served as a sergeant with the NYPD, a community relations officer in the Brooklyn District Attorney's Office, and later retired to become a social studies teacher in New York City public schools. prgtoken Ozzie has spent his entire life giving back to our country and the residents of New York City, and I am happy to see him finally get the recognition he deserves.
RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF GEORGE DALE BURT
Trent Kelly (Republican, MS) \u2014 2021-6-22

. Madam , I rise today to celebrate the life of George Dale Burt, a beloved husband, grandfather, and friend. He passed away peacefully at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Oxford on May 9, 2021. I join his loved ones in mourning his loss. prgtoken He was born on February 2, 1937 to Hattie Patterson Burt and George Lee Burt. He attended Oakland High School and Delta State University. He later earned his master's degree from the University of Mississippi. Mr. Burt went on to become the principal of Senatobia High School. It was there he began his thirty year coaching career in football that allowed him to impact countless students. prgtoken Dale was an outdoorsman and spent time on the family farm. For twenty-five summers, he served as a park ranger at Arkabutla Lake. prgtoken Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Elizabeth Hawkins Burt; children, Teri Lynn Burt Scoggins, David Allen Burt; Carol H. Darby, Patsy Williams; eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. prgtoken Mr. Burt was a dedicated mentor, loving husband, and diligent father. l thank him for his service to the state of Mississippi and offer my deepest condolences to his family and friends.
WOKENESS
Pete Sessions (Republican, TX) \u2014 2021-6-22

. Madam , I thank Congressman Roy for not only standing in tonight to speak forthrightly to the American people, but also including other Members of the Texas delegation to have conversations with the American people not just about the topic of being woke, but actually the things that are actually happening to the United States of America. prgtoken The Congressman is exactly right, there is a crisis in America today. There is a crisis that takes place because of such a rapid and swift transition to the ultraleft. The transition that has taken place began immediately upon President accepting the oath of office and walking, driving, going back to the White House after he had taken an oath of office, where he raised his hand and he repeated, among the other words, to ``well and faithfully execute the laws of the United States.'' prgtoken Well, there is a little bit more than just ``well and faithfully execute the laws of the United States.'' I believe the American people want and need a stable person who will recognize that they need someone to work in their best interest, in the best interest of their community, in the best interest of their job, in the best interest of safety, in the best interest of trying to give every single person in this country a better opportunity to have a better life. That is what I believe is behind the ``well and faithfully execute the laws of the United States.'' prgtoken In fact, what has happened is there is a sweeping revolution that is going on in the United States of America by the elected officials. Elected officials who have turned a blind eye to the things in the past that were seen as stable, as reasonable, and something that was in the best interest to protect the people that they represent. prgtoken Day after day we have watched what happened down at the southern border of this country. I, too, went down. I am no stranger to the border. I previously lived in El Paso, Texas, for a number of years. My father served as the chief judge of the Western District of Texas and had to deal with not just the crime, but some of the circumstances that happened along the border. They came home to roost, so to speak, within the United States of America. prgtoken And as a Federal district judge, he tried his best to deal favorably, fairly, with people who violated the law. But where there were people who were criminals, who were not here to serve in the best interest of the United States of America, those who would become enemies of the State because what they did is they would import drugs, drugs which would kill Americans. prgtoken We have just been through a terrible epidemic in this country of opioid abuse. Opioid abuse that we all recognize, much of it was inherently begun and started here in the United States, but that has taken hold with other drugs now, fentanyl, methamphetamines, heroin, cocaine. prgtoken And in that process, we look to where this comes from. This comes fr