mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
RESPECT FOR MARRIAGE ACT
Bob Good (Republican, VA) \u2014 2022-12-8

I rise today in strong opposition to the so-called Respect for Marriage Act. Honestly, this bill should be called the disrespect for marriage act. prgtoken This bill certainly disrespects God's definition of marriage, a definition that has served His creation well for more than 5,000 years of recorded history. And His definition is the only one that really matters. prgtoken This bill would codify into Federal law the Supreme Court's wrongly decided Obergefell decision and ensure that the marriage laws in the most liberal State--irrespective of how more radical they might become in the future, think polygamy, bestiality, child marriage, or whatever--must be legally recognized in all States. prgtoken It was wrong when the Supreme Court made law in the Obergefell decision requiring that the marriage law in Massachusetts had to become the law of the whole country when Massachusetts approved gay marriage. prgtoken This was overriding the will of the people and their elected Representatives as no other State to that point had been able to pass through referendum or State legislature a gay marriage law. prgtoken The fact is that traditional, biblical marriage is the foundation of a strong society and a strong culture. prgtoken I will say it once again: almost everything that plagues our society is a failure to follow God's design for marriage, morality, and the family. The perfect, omniscient, and immutable God knows what He is doing. prgtoken But this legislation repeals the correct definition of marriage in Federal code and requires the Federal Government to recognize any marriage if the marriage was valid in the State where it was performed. prgtoken Perhaps even worse, this bill eliminates all religious freedom protections for churches or other faith-based organizations and requires everyone to participate in and recognize gay marriage. prgtoken It empowers the IRS with their newly hired 87,000 agents who apparently need something to do to go after the religious institutions that simply seek to operate according to their beliefs. In fact, the bill does nothing to prevent the IRS from attacking and harming the religious organizations that have made an incredible impact in our communities across our Nation. prgtoken It is simply designed to undermine marriage as a union between one man and one woman. God's perfect design is, indeed, marriage between one man and one woman for life, and it doesn't matter what you think or what I think. That is what the Bible says. prgtoken This proposal is yet another attempt to undermine the fundamental values which formed our Nation and continue to hold our country together: recognition of the institution of marriage as between one man and one woman and respect for the freedom to operate according to your sincerely held religious beliefs. prgtoken The legislation we are considering today is a sobering indication of the erosion of the moral values that made this Nation great. <|
YOU CAN'T MAKE THIS STUFF UP
Ben Cline (Republican, VA) \u2014 2022-12-8

American families are ready for a joyous holiday season. Unfortunately, the administration is the grinch that stole Christmas, as its failed Green New Deal agenda is forcing folks to pay record-high costs to heat their homes, fuel their cars, and feed their families. prgtoken From diesel to fuel oil, energy prices have skyrocketed. Households will pay an average of $1,359 on energy bills this winter, the highest in 25 years. prgtoken Diesel prices are up 50 percent, and we shouldn't be surprised. President likes to say: ``I guarantee you, we are going to end fossil fuel.'' He has worked with the Pelosi majority to continue to push anti-energy policies. prgtoken Just last week, the White House doubled down, saying they are still committed to phasing out fossil fuels. Well, they should look at what is happening over in Europe. After the European Union struck a deal to ban new fossil fuel cars and speed up the switch to electric vehicles, Switzerland is now going to ban electric vehicles if it faces blackouts this winter. You can't make it up. prgtoken It is time for this administration to end its war on American energy. If we are going to regain our energy independence, we need an all-of- the-above approach.
Tribute to Rob Portman (Executive Calendar)
Mitt Romney (Republican, UT) \u2014 2022-12-8

I have had both the good fortune and the misfortune of working closely with Senator Rob Portman. prgtoken I had the misfortune of debating him in 2012. He was kind enough to play the part of President in my debate practice sessions. He was relentless, determined, unforgiving, and anxious to delve into the most minute facts and figures in order to defeat me and to knock any complacency I might have had out of my heart. prgtoken He more than made up for my debate whooping by tirelessly and repeatedly accompanying me across Ohio and other States, drumming up support for my campaign, raising money, and jousting with the wing nuts that tried to derail my campaign. prgtoken When I came to the Senate, I found that many of those same qualities--his relentlessness, determination, tirelessness, and ability to dig into the details--have made him a singularly successful United States Senator. prgtoken I worked alongside him on several bills. On each occasion, they became law because he dug into them, negotiated the most thorny of issues, drove the process to a result, and never, ever gave up. prgtoken We formed eight working groups on the bipartisan infrastructure bill because there were too many conflicts, too many subjects, too many obstacles for our entire group of 10 to resolve without dividing it into parts we could deal with one by one. prgtoken He then decided that he would be a member of every single one of those subgroups, knowing that he would be needed to actually drive each of us to a conclusion and a result. prgtoken You see, there are some people in politics who believe that a fiery speech or a bold appearance on a cable show and a reputation for fighting the opposition, that that is the measure of success. Not so Rob Portman. prgtoken He came here to pass bills and actually shape policy that would help the American people and strengthen our country. He came to fight and win, not just to fight. And he has won for America time and time again. prgtoken More important to me personally than all his winning is his friendship, his honor, and his character. He is a genuinely good man, and he is blessed to have married an even better woman. I will miss Rob Portman in the Senate. As I think many of my colleagues know, he has been a bit of a stabilizer for me here. I will miss him and Jane in the neighborhood of our lives. prgtoken God bless you, Rob Portman.
EXECUTIVE CALENDAR
Bill Hagerty (Republican, TN) \u2014 2022-12-8

in the last week, new details have come to light regarding Twitter's top executives' past collusion with political figures to censor speech that they did not want the American people to see. This problem is not limited to Twitter, but this news underscores the problem and the need for congressional action to protect the rights of the American people. Americans deserve to know when their government and Big Tech platforms are trying to manipulate what they can say or what they can read. prgtoken Recently published emails among Twitter executives reveal the extent to which the company worked to prevent Americans from seeing a New York Post story, and this was just weeks before the election. The extent of the suppression was breathtaking. Indeed, the Twitter executives locked the Twitter account of the White House Press Secretary who simply mentioned a story that was published in an established American newspaper with one of the largest circulations in the country. Facebook admits that it likewise limited the spread of this story based on a general warning from the FBI about ``propaganda.'' prgtoken Evidence has also emerged that in 2020, and campaign officials were going so far as to send lists of tweets for their corporate allies to remove--requests that Twitter granted. prgtoken This censorship activity has carried over into the administration. In 2021, then-Press Secretary Jen Psaki stated that the government is ``in regular touch with social media platforms'' and ``flagging problematic posts for Facebook that spread [what she called] `disinformation'.'' prgtoken For example, a Facebook official emailed Surgeon General Vivek Murthy stating: I know our teams met today to better understand the scope of what the White House expects from us on ``misinformation'' going forward. prgtoken A Facebook employee later told the HHS Department that a number of posts had been deleted. prgtoken In addition to regularly flagging posts for Twitter and Facebook to take down, the CDC proposed setting up a monthly ``misinformation meeting'' with Facebook in order to censor American speech. prgtoken Additional Freedom of Information Act requests and lawsuits have also revealed improper coordination between prgtoken government Agencies and social media companies to restrict speech here in America. prgtoken Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, disclosed that it had communicated with more than 30 Federal officials about content moderation on its platform, including senior employees at the FDA, U.S. Election Assistance Commission, and the White House. YouTube, which is owned by Google, disclosed that it had such communications with 11 Federal officials. prgtoken The disturbing truth is that when the administration officials don't like what Americans are saying, they simply reach out to their allies at unaccountable big tech companies to silence it. prgtoken Governmen
HONORING COACH SHARI CAMPBELL
Glenn Thompson (Republican, PA) \u2014 2022-12-8

I rise today to honor Coach Shari Campbell of Clarion, who was inducted into the Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association Hall of Fame for 2022. prgtoken Coach Campbell has a distinguished career of leading women's volleyball teams to victory as coach of both the Clarion Area Bobcats and the Clarion Limestone Lions volleyball teams. prgtoken Coach Campbell has also had a uniquely impressive coaching record, earning 437 wins for her team out of 507 games. Additionally, Shari Campbell's teams have won three PIAA state championships in 2012, 2020, and 2021. prgtoken Shari Campbell got her start in 1990 as a junior coach at Juniata College in Huntington, Pennsylvania. She later became an assistant coach at St. Bonaventure University in Allegheny, New York. prgtoken , I want to congratulate Coach Shari Campbell on her outstanding achievement. Most importantly, I thank her for being a coach and mentor for the young women of Clarion. Her commitment to her students is not just demonstrated by her record of wins, but also by her dedication and commitment to seeing her players succeed on and off the court.
Tribute to Rob Portman (Executive Calendar)
John Hoeven (Republican, ND) \u2014 2022-12-8

you know, listening to Senator Portman's speech, I don't know how you cannot be impressed with his incredible record of accomplishment, and it is a record of accomplishment that will stand the test of time. It is not surprising because all you have to do is look at all the things he accomplished before coming to the United States Senate. So it certainly is no surprise that he has done incredible work over the last 12 years. prgtoken He was 14 years, I think, in the House and had a tremendous record of success there. He was U.S. Trade Ambassador for President , and that has the same status as full Ambassador. So for all of his time here in the Senate, he didn't want me to call him Senator Portman; he always wanted me to call him Ambassador Portman. Instead, I call him ``El Gran Toro,'' but that is another story which I will get to. And he was OMB Director for President . So when you look at the incredible experience and track record of accomplishment that he brought here, it is no surprise that--in his speech, he talked about a lot of incredible accomplishments, but there is a lot more that you didn't talk about. You could have talked for a long, long time because you truly did accomplish so many things that are important not just for the Buckeye State but for our country. I am just pleased to have had the opportunity to work with you. prgtoken You mentioned some of the things we worked on, and it is interesting because as you were talking about the things you worked on and the Members you worked with, I just took a quick count. There were more than 20 Senators sitting here, and you mentioned every single one of them and many, many more. I kind of got the feeling that if all 100 Senators were here, you probably could have mentioned every single one of them and something that you accomplished with them. Think about what that says--s and . prgtoken I think he could have had every single Senator on the floor, and he could have gone around and talked about, hey, you remember we worked on this and we worked on that, and not just worked on it but passed it into legislation, and in every case, it was something that had a meaningful impact for our country and for our respective States. prgtoken Senator Portman and I came here together, and we have been close right from the start, probably a little bit of our shared heritage from college. We worked together. We traveled together, you know, around the world--India, South Korea, obviously Mexico, Central America--and invariably learned an incredible amount on those trips. But whether it was on those trips or almost any other time, I always learned from Rob. I mean, the guy has incredible experience and a lifetime of learning but also such a keen intellect--such a keen intellect. He is somebody who imparts that knowledge to you in the best way possible, never coming across with any kind of ego or ``I know something that maybe
CONGRATULATING ROSS SHEPPARD
Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (Republican, GA) \u2014 2022-12-8

I rise today to congratulate Ross Sheppard for his recent selection to the Georgia 40 Under 40 list. prgtoken Ross is a successful real estate agent who wants to help buyers and sellers understand the value that historic preservation brings to the housing markets. prgtoken While many people view historic preservation and real estate development as conflicting ideas, Ross sees it differently. His desire to show people that preservation is a sustainable economic path for real estate has led him into philanthropic pursuits. prgtoken A member of the Georgia Trust and the Historic Savannah Foundation, a board member of Georgia's Old Capital Heritage Center, and a former board member of the Flannery O'Connor Andalusia Foundation, Sheppard's passion for preservation is a leading force in his life. prgtoken He has renovated and rehabilitated several historic homes, with one of his projects being featured on HGTV's ``Life Under Renovation.'' prgtoken He was chosen as Humanitarian of the Year by his alma mater, Georgia College, and has endowed a scholarship there. prgtoken Ross resides in Savannah's Landmark Historic District, one of the most beautiful parts of Georgia's First Congressional District. He leads a life dedicated to showing others the beauty that lies beneath the surface by championing historic preservation. prgtoken I, on behalf of the entire First Congressional District of Georgia, congratulate him for his outstanding service to this State and his selection to the Georgia 40 Under 40 list.
TRIBUTE TO MAJOR PATRICK ``RYAN'' ALBAN
Josh Hawley (Republican, MO) \u2014 2022-12-8

today I honor a superb leader, liaison, and soldier. After 3 years of Active-Duty service with the Army Office of the Chief, Legislative Liaison, MAJ Patrick ``Ryan'' Alban is deservedly moving on and transitioning to the Army Reserve. On this occasion, I believe it is fitting to recognize Major Alban's distinguished service and dedication to fostering the relationship between the U.S. Army and this Chamber. prgtoken Ryan started his service on the Hill as a legislative liaison in the National Guard Bureau, where he was responsible for the Army National Guard's military construction portfolio until May 2019. He then served as my defense fellow for 12 months where he was instrumental in the drafting of legislation and providing policy advice. Following his time in my office, Major Alban served for over 2 years in the Army Senate Liaison Division, where he was invaluable in informing Senators and staff on Army priorities and policy initiatives. prgtoken Over the course of the last 2 years, Major Alban also provided support to multiple congressional delegations to locations within the United States and to various countries around the world. He became a trusted adviser and friend to many of us. He distinguished himself by going above and beyond the call of duty to facilitate and successfully execute each and every trip, despite any number of weather, aircraft, and diplomatic complications. prgtoken Prior to his time on the Hill, Major Alban served our Army and our Nation for more than 10 years. He commissioned as an Active-Duty infantry officer from Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, GA. He began his career as a weapons platoon leader, air operations officer, and adjutant in the 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) at Fort Drum, NY. While there, he deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. After returning home, Ryan transitioned to the Missouri National Guard. Soon after, he was mobilized to Ferguson in order to protect persons, property, and civil liberties. He was then selected to command a rifle company and, later, a headquarters company, the former of prgtoken which he led to the Middle East in support of Operation Spartan Shield. prgtoken Major Alban is the epitome of a soldier-scholar. He holds a master of laws in national security law from Georgetown University Law Center, a juris doctor from St. Louis University School of Law, a master of professional studies in legislative affairs from George Washington University, and a bachelor of arts in political science from Webster University. prgtoken On behalf of Congress and the United States of America, we thank MAJ Ryan Alban, his wife, and their son for their continued commitment, sacrifice, and contributions to this great Nation. We join our colleagues in wishing him future successes as he continues to serve our great Army and Nation.
Unanimous Consent Request--S. 4431--Continued (Executive Calendar)
Bill Cassidy (Republican, LA) \u2014 2022-12-8

I regret that my colleague has objected to this bill, but I reject the characterization that this would do anything to promote abortion. prgtoken But it is probably not important what I think. I will quote the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Last night, they said--and this is the Catholic bishops: We believe that [this] version of the bill, read in light of existing liberty protections, helps advance the [U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops'] goal of ensuring that no woman ever feels forced to choose between her future and the life of her child while protecting the conscience rights and religious freedoms of employers. prgtoken This is the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops last night. prgtoken And I think as a physician, I can now speak. As a physician, I will say that there are times when a woman, if she wishes to continue in the workforce, needs an accommodation. prgtoken The Louisville police officer who was quoted in a Cincinnati paper spoke about her need for light accommodation; but those who were ultimately her boss would not give it to her because she was not ``injured.'' So they have a policy in which if you need it and on a doctor's order you should, unless it was a doctor's order because of pregnancy. And she was told that if she sought to use that, she would lose her insurance. At 5 months pregnant, she is going to lose her insurance. prgtoken I would argue the pro-life position is to make an accommodation for that woman who has those needs so she can safely carry the baby to term. prgtoken Now, by the way, it is also good for business. Others are endorsing this from the business sector. I will just give one: the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. They clearly see that this is something that is a reasonable accommodation not forced by unnamed bureaucrats in Washington, DC, or important people who are employing others across the Nation. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has made this a top priority. prgtoken With regard to pro-life issues, let me also point out that the March of Dimes, who are so vitally concerned about the health of children, likewise supports it. prgtoken My colleague has mentioned that it passed out of the HELP Committee 19 to 2, strongly bipartisan, and then passed the House with 315 bipartisan votes. prgtoken Now, we have experience with these laws nationwide; 30 States have laws such as this already. But that leaves millions of American women uncovered, and our goal was to address it with this bill. prgtoken Now, let me just go back once more, because, apparently, this is a sticking point. prgtoken Is it possible that this law would permit someone to impose their will upon a pastor, upon a church, upon a synagogue, if they have religious exemptions? The answer is, absolutely no. This is what the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops was referring to. The title VII exemption, which is in Federal law, remains in place. It allows employers to mak
REMEMBERING DON YOUNG
Dan Sullivan (Republican, AK) \u2014 2022-12-12

I just want to follow on from what Senator Murkowski just said. prgtoken Here is our resolution, S. 5066, introduced by Senator Murkowski and myself, and we just want to thank our colleagues for agreeing to this tribute to Congressman Don Young. We miss him every day, and as Senator Murkowski so eloquently stated, we are naming buildings and job centers--he did a great job on that--but it is great to be able to be naming a volcano, very appropriately a volcano, for Don Young. prgtoken So good to be here on the floor with my friend and fellow colleague from Alaska, and it is great to see the majority leader and my colleagues agree to this naming. prgtoken Hopefully, we will get this signed into law soon--a volcano, a Federal courthouse in Fairbanks, a job training center, all in the name of our greatest Congressman ever--50 years, half a century almost. Pretty remarkable and really an honor to be here on the Senate floor to watch it get passed. prgtoken .