mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
Inflation (Executive Session)
John Thune (Republican, SD) \u2014 2022-9-21

on Sunday, the President appeared on ``60 minutes,'' where he was asked what he was going to do to help alleviate inflation in light of August's continued grim inflation news and the resulting stock market nosedive. prgtoken The President's response? Well, first of all, let's put this in perspective. Inflation rate month to month was just--just an inch, hardly at all. ``Let's put this in perspective''? That might be something to say if the inflation rate had ticked up from, say, 2 percent--the target inflation rate--to 2.1 percent, but I am pretty sure that that is not the appropriate thing to say when you are talking about the sixth straight month of inflation above 8 percent and the ninth straight month of inflation at or above 7 percent and the 11th straight month of inflation above 6 percent. prgtoken Even more concerning than August's consumer price index rising 8.3 percent from the same month a year ago was the increase in core inflation--a measure of inflation minus the volatile categories of food and energy. This measure increased to 6.3 percent in August, up from 5.9 percent in both June and July, suggesting that inflation is sinking its roots even deeper into various sectors of our economy--or in the words of a CNBC headline from last week: Inflation isn't just about fuel costs anymore, as price increases broaden across the economy. prgtoken But, of course, you don't have to take my word for it about the mess that we are in. Here is what one of President 's top economic advisers had to say last week after August's inflation numbers came out: Today's CPI report confirms that the US has a serious inflation problem. Core inflation is higher this month than for the quarter, higher this quarter than last quarter, higher this half of the year than the previous one, and higher last year than the previous one. ``Let's put this in perspective.'' That is what President had to say? Here is the American people's perspective: Fifty-seven percent of Americans disapprove of President 's handling of the economy, and 37 percent of voters say that President 's policies have hurt them personally, versus just 15 percent of voters who say his policies have helped them. prgtoken These numbers are no surprise. The President may somehow still believe that he is creating an economy that will ``work for working families,'' but the reality is that, in the economy, working Americans are suffering. Americans' utility bills are soaring; their grocery bills have ballooned; and they are paying $1.30 more per gallon every time they fill up their car than they were when President was elected. Real wages have dropped every single month since passed their $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan spending spree--the bill, I would add, that helped plunged our economy into our current crisis. And 40 percent of Americans
Inflation (Executive Session)
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2022-9-21

on Sunday's edition of ``60 Minutes,'' President made a bizarre attempt to deny the American people's pain from ' runaway inflation. After the latest nationwide data reported that consumer prices are rising at 8.3 percent year-on- year, the President suggested the country should prgtoken be celebrating that they weren't rising even faster. prgtoken Working Americans aren't buying that insulting spin. Middle-class families aren't rejoicing that their daily life costs 8.3 percent more than it did a year ago and--listen to this--13.2 percent more than when President took office. prgtoken In Parma, OH, one local grocer is working hard to keep her prices competitive but admits that ``[w]e have been getting hit with all of our suppliers with chicken, ground meat, everything.'' prgtoken And in Fairfield County, the head of one organization that helps feed folks experiencing economic hardship put it this way: I think things are going to get a whole lot darker and more bleak before they get a lot better. We're desperately worried about food. prgtoken Across the border in West Virginia, in Fayette County, persistent high prices have one retired grandmother worried about how the rest of her family is making ends meet. prgtoken She said: I'm already stressed and stressed and trying to figure out how [my daughter is] going to pay to keep the lights on, get groceries, get school clothes on her kid's back. prgtoken In Perryopolis, PA, one shopper told a reporter that besides cutting back at the grocery store, she had taken on a second job of working nights at a warehouse to help feed her family of four. prgtoken This is what she had to say: Clothing, gas, just about everything has gone up, and food is a large part of it. prgtoken Meanwhile, the head of a small manufacturer in Big Bend, WI, reports that amid price spikes and backed-up supply chains, ``trying to source products has been very difficult.'' prgtoken In each of these States' cases--West Virginia, Ohio, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania--one Senator tried to spare working families from all of this preventable pain. Each of those States has one Senator who warned about inflation, who voted against inflation, and who voted for amendments that would have reduced inflation. prgtoken But, unfortunately, each one of those States also has a ic Senator who decided to vote in partisan lockstep to plow ahead with the trillions of dollars in reckless, inflationary spending. One Senator each from West Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin cast the tie-breaking votes to bring this pain down on their citizens' heads. Now, sadly, they are all paying the price. prgtoken Working families in West Virginia are paying Washington ' inflation tax to the tune of an extra $563 a month. Ohioans are paying $661 more. In Pennsylvania, inflation is squeezing folks for an extra $605; and in
RECOGNIZING 250TH ANNIVERSARY OF FINCASTLE, VIRGINIA
Ben Cline (Republican, VA) \u2014 2022-9-21

I rise today to recognize the 250th anniversary of Fincastle, Virginia. prgtoken In 1772, western-moving settlers John Mill and Israel Christian founded the town of Fincastle, and by 1784 there were 59 homes as well as taverns and the early formation of a justice system. prgtoken Once Virginia's gateway to the West, Fincastle is the county seat of Botetourt, which once extended to the Mississippi River. Meriweather Lewis and William Clark visited Fincastle during their great expedition into the West. William returned to Fincastle and married Julia Hancock in 1808 in the historic home, Santillane. The town has been nationally recognized as a Lewis and Clark community. prgtoken Passing settlers stopped in Fincastle on their way into the interior of what would become the United States, conducting business and buying goods from the merchants in town. prgtoken Today, Fincastle proudly maintains its heritage and history. prgtoken Their version of the Botetourt County Courthouse, designed by President Thomas Jefferson, is located in Fincastle and contains records going back hundreds of years. prgtoken Fincastle's annual Historic Fincastle Festival will be a bit more special this year, celebrating the town's 250th anniversary, and being held this weekend. prgtoken , I am proud to represent this historic town, a bedrock of the oldest colony and the great Commonwealth of Virginia. biden's radical agenda
Introductory Statement on S. 4916
Susan M. Collins (Republican, ME) \u2014 2022-9-21

I rise to join my colleague, the senior Senator from Vermont, in introducing the Runaway and Homeless Youth and Trafficking Prevention Act of 2022. This bill would update and reauthorize the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act programs, which have provided lifesaving services and housing for America's homeless youth for nearly half a century. prgtoken Homelessness is affecting youth in truly staggering numbers. According to the National Network for Youth, an estimated 4.2 million young people experience homelessness at some point each year. Some of these youth may be away from home for a few nights, while others have been living on the streets for years. No area of this country is immune from the scourge of homelessness, as it impacts rural and urban communities alike. prgtoken Tragically, runaway and homeless youth are at high risk of victimization, abuse, criminal activity, and even death. This population is at greater risk of suicide, unintended pregnancy, and substance abuse. Many are unable to continue with school and are more likely to enter our juvenile criminal justice system. The reality is that available data likely underestimate the scale and consequences of this problem. prgtoken I have met with teachers, social workers, and others from Maine who work directly with young people experiencing homelessness. We talked about the pressure that student homelessness places on teachers, school administrators, and their already strapped resources, and--most important--the homeless students themselves. I have also visited New Beginnings in Lewiston, where I saw firsthand how Runaway and Homeless Youth Act resources are providing essential safety nets for young people in need. The staff at New Beginnings helps young people with case management, provides referrals to State and local agencies, assists with housing needs and access to shelter, and connects individuals to local educational and employment programs. prgtoken Several years ago, as the chair of the Senate Transportation and Housing Appropriations Subcommittee, I held a hearing that featured testimony from Brittany Dixon, a former homeless youth from Auburn, ME, who gave powerful testimony on her personal experience with homelessness. After becoming homeless, Brittany was connected with New Beginnings. In her testimony, she said, ``New Beginnings provided many resources I could use to succeed, including assistance with college applications and financial aid. . . . New Beginnings has helped me to develop critical life skills and to become self-sufficient.'' ``Programs that support homeless youth are important to prgtoken so many young people like me,'' she added. ``It gives young people the chance to have a safe place to stay while they get their footing and figure out what they want to do in their lives.'' prgtoken Runaway and Homeless Youth Act programs helped make Brittany's success story possible. Sadly, however, there are still many home
BIDEN'S BORDER CRISIS
Claudia Tenney (Republican, NY) \u2014 2022-9-21

. Madam , I rise today to highlight the ongoing, unprecedented disaster that is occurring at our southern border and underscore the need for immediate action. prgtoken In August, Customs and Border Patrol agents encountered 203,597 illegal immigrants at our southern border. That was an increase of 307 percent compared to the last August of the administration. prgtoken This also put the U.S. at over 2 million encounters for fiscal year 2022. This is the first time ever that we have eclipsed 2 million in a single fiscal year, and we have about 1 month to go. prgtoken Despite all these facts, Vice President said last week that the border is secure. If our so-called border czar thinks that this is secure, it is no wonder that we are continuing to see no viable options, and this problem continues to explode without a solution. prgtoken The administration must take swift and immediate action at the southern border. We must restart the border wall construction, invest in proven technologies, empower Customs and Border Patrol agents to enforce the law, and hire more Customs and Border Patrol agents to support the men and women who are already giving us honorable service there.
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 8873, PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION REFORM ACT
Guy Reschenthaler (Republican, PA) \u2014 2022-9-21

. Madam , such time as I may consume. prgtoken Madam , I can tell you that in my area of Pennsylvania, nobody is talking about this. What they are talking about is failed economic policy, failure to support law enforcement, which is leading to both inflation, economic hardship, and some of the highest crime rates we have ever seen on record. prgtoken I would implore my colleagues across the aisle to actually talk to real Americans, not just the woke yuppies that comprise their voting base, to see what Americans care about. But something tells me that the American people will say loud and clear what they care about come November. prgtoken It is also rich hearing about all of these ``assaults on democracy.'' Let's just go back to 2019. In 2019, Hillary Clinton said: ``No, it doesn't kill me, because he knows''--meaning --``that he is an illegitimate President.'' So you have the former Presidential candidate calling the former President an illegitimate President. That is clearly echoing some of the sentiments that my friends across the aisle are now accusing us of doing. prgtoken Adam Schiff, for example, my colleague from California, in his opening statement for the Senate's January 2020 impeachment trial said: ``The President's misconduct cannot be decided at the ballot box, for we cannot be assured that the vote will be fairly won.'' How about that for criticizing and questioning the democratic process? prgtoken Representative John Lewis, in 2017, said: ``I don't see this President-elect as a legitimate President. I think the Russians participated in helping this man get elected, and they helped destroy the candidacy of Hillary Clinton.'' That was a baseless claim based on the Steele dossier that was discredited. prgtoken Representative Jerry McNerney of California, in 2017: ``The election of Mr. lacks legitimacy.'' prgtoken Vicente Gonzalez of Texas, just this month--this isn't even the last Presidential election cycle. This was this month, regarding a special election. This month, when discussing Mayra Flores' upset victory in his upcoming election against her, said: ``They stole that last election.'' So it is quite rich hearing all of these accusations now coming from my friends across the aisle. prgtoken When we call into question election results, it is somehow a threat to democracy. When they do it, they are magically upholding democracy. prgtoken But it just doesn't stop with my friends across the aisle here in this Chamber. Let's talk about . She agreed with the radio show host that she should be concerned over 's legitimacy. She said: ``We should believe exactly what the intelligence community has told us, which is Russia did interfere in the election of the President in 2017.'' That is the now Vice President saying that. prgtoken Also, it is absolutely rich that she cites the intelligence community, when they knew the Steele dossier was a product of the Hillary
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION REFORM ACT
Liz Cheney (Republican, WY) \u2014 2022-9-21

. Madam , I want to begin by thanking the gentlewoman from California, Chairwoman Lofgren, for her work on this bill. The chairwoman and I certainly have our disagreements on issues, but there is no one I respect more in this body for their diligence, for their commitment, for their expertise, for their commitment to our Constitution, to her constituents, and to this country. It has been a real pleasure working with her, as well as the staff of the House Administration Committee. I particularly thank my counsel on the January 6th Select Committee, Joe Maher, for his tremendous work on this bill. prgtoken This bill has benefited from a wide range of input from constitutional experts, including many conservative constitutional experts, jurists, and scholars who worked with us on this bill. Their input has been invaluable. prgtoken I also want to praise those in the Senate who have been working hard on their version of Electoral Count Act reform. Our bill builds on what they have already put forth. prgtoken Commentary from conservatives on our bill has been exceptionally positive. Here are a few examples. prgtoken Judge Luttig, a widely respected conservative legal expert, wrote that our bill was ``masterfully drafted'' to ensure we never have another day anything like January 6 and to avert other future efforts to overturn our Nation's democratic elections. prgtoken The Wall Street Journal editorial board offered a range of positive comments, including explaining that the House bill would make it harder for ``partisans in Congress who want to get C-Span-famous to lodge phony electoral college objections'' or for them to raise objections on the House floor because ``somebody had a funny feeling about the vote totals in west southeastern Pennsylvania.'' prgtoken The conservative Cato Institute said this: ``In some respects,'' this bill is ``more conservative and originalist'' than the existing Senate bill. prgtoken Conservative commentator Quin Hillyer said in the Washington Examiner that the House bill adds to the work already done by the Senate and ``fills in almost all gaps with admirable and sensible specificity.'' prgtoken There are many other examples from conservative commentators, as well. Madam , I urge my colleagues to read those articles and editorials in full. prgtoken If your aim is to prevent future efforts to steal elections, I would respectfully suggest that conservatives should support this bill. If instead your aim is to leave open the door for elections to be stolen in the future, you might decide not to support this or any other bill to address the Electoral Count Act. prgtoken January 6, contrary to what my colleague from Illinois just said, was not ``democracy in action.'' Our oath of office is to support and defend the Constitution, which provides the method by which we elect our President. Legal challenges are not improper, but 's refusal to abide by the rulings of the cou
FARMERS NEED WATER
Doug LaMalfa (Republican, CA) \u2014 2022-9-21

. Madam , with the 50th anniversary of the Clean Water Act, it is important to remind the administration that Congress did not give the EPA jurisdiction over every puddle in America, despite what they are trying to claim. prgtoken The 2015 Waters of the United States rule was nothing short of a land and water grab that gave bureaucrats the ability to meddle in intermittent and ephemeral streams, such as the kind farmers use for draining and irrigation. prgtoken Under the 2015 WOTUS rule, the EPA could fine farmers thousands of dollars if they simply rotated from one crop to another on their own land without first gaining permission from a Government entity. prgtoken Then the administration, through the Navigable Waters Protection Rule, eliminated the significant nexus standard set by the WOTUS rule which solved much of the overreach and uncertainty around it. prgtoken The Navigable Waters Protection Rule clearly identified WOTUS in six categories and made further clarifications of the definitions of tributaries and adjacent wetlands. prgtoken So I was very dismayed by the EPA's and U.S. Corps of Engineers' decision to reverse the 2020 Navigable Waters Protection Rule and restart the rulemaking process around the definition of what is a navigable water. prgtoken If President were serious about helping farmers grow food to supply Americans and the world during this global food shortage, he would return to the Navigable Waters Protection Rule to give farmers certainty and then customers at the grocery store shelf certainty in price and availability of food.
RECOGNIZING BIOHIVE UTAH
Burgess Owens (Republican, UT) \u2014 2022-9-21

. Madam , on December 2, 1982, the medical team from the University of Utah successfully implanted the first permanent artificial heart in the world. prgtoken Forty years later, Utah remains a trailblazer in healthcare innovation. prgtoken Over the past two years, I had the pleasure of visiting many Utah businesses at the forefront of the healthcare industry. I would like to highlight the impressive work a few of our homegrown companies are accomplishing in the healthcare space. prgtoken The team at Ortho Development Corporation works to restore mobility by perfecting the design, manufacturing, and distribution of surgical instruments used for total knee and hip replacements. prgtoken Xenter specializes in developing new wireless medical device technologies and digital health tools to address the latest challenges in medicine while helping Utahns manage their health information. prgtoken Canyon Labs is an accredited laboratory providing testing, scientific and technical consulting, and clinical research services for medical devices, pharmaceuticals, over the counter drugs, and biologics. prgtoken Ultradent is a global dental manufacturing company improving oral health throughout the world and ranked No. 9 best workplace by Fortune magazine. prgtoken My state's pro-innovation regulatory environment, advanced medical infrastructure, and highly skilled workforce work in tandem to cement Utah's invaluable role in the life sciences community. prgtoken Biohive, a collaboration of more than 1,100 companies representing Utah's life science and healthcare innovation ecosystem, is the driving force behind the beehive state's success. The collective effort of local government, the private sector, and other stakeholders facilitated by the Biohive initiative has delivered remarkable results. prgtoken Utah is ranked No. 6 in the Nation for medical device development, and No. 5 for diagnostics development. Utah also serves as the epicenter for lifesaving catheter technologies and is a rising force in bio-pharma. prgtoken Additionally, the Bioscience industry in Utah supports 130,000 local jobs, accounts for 8 percent of GDP, and produces hundreds of patents for lifesaving medical devices. prgtoken Behind these extraordinary accomplishments are the pioneering spirit, grit, and kindness of Utahns. I am proud to represent the beautiful state of Utah, and I hope Utah's success story serves as the blueprint for other states to emulate.