mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
FOCUSING ON REPUBLICAN PRIORITIES
Brian Babin (Republican, TX) \u2014 2023-11-29

I thank Mr. Moore for yielding, and I congratulate him on his new position, as well. prgtoken , more than 10 million illegal aliens have entered America under the negligent watch of this administration, which is a number higher than the individual population of 40 of our 50 States. It is incredible. prgtoken Migrant women and children from every corner of the globe are being raped and murdered on the dangerous journey to our southern border. Americans are dying from overdoses of fentanyl and other deadly drugs that are pouring into our country at an alarming rate from Mexico. Over 100,000 Americans just last year have died of overdoses. In fact, earlier this month, I spoke with a father from my district who lost his only son to fentanyl overdose last January. prgtoken While these horrible things happen to Americans, my colleagues across the aisle still dare to call s immoral for wanting to build and finish the border wall, which is just one commonsense solution that can be used to eliminate the crisis claiming thousands of lives down at our southern border. prgtoken Instead, they would rather abandon logic and continue to blindly accept everyone who shows up at our border without properly vetting them--criminals and all. They think that we should allow illegals to roam freely across all of our great States because they believe that one day they will be great voters for them and their party. prgtoken To every American I have spoken to, enabling the death of a U.S. citizen or migrant is, without question, an immorality. prgtoken Nevertheless, if the deaths aren't enough to warrant action by in Congress and the White House to secure the Nation, then how about the historic number of suspected terrorists who have been caught attempting to sneak into our country? prgtoken There have been nearly 300 since has taken office, , and you can bet that some, and God only knows how many, made it successfully into the interior and are planning for another 9/11-style attack on America. It is a matter of when and not if. prgtoken The President knows this, DHS Secretary Mayorkas knows this, and the in this sacred Chamber know this as well, and still they do nothing to stop or even address the worsening border catastrophe that is plaguing and endangering our Nation. prgtoken However, this administration seems to have no qualms whatsoever about turning the American people into second-class citizens. While law- abiding Americans deal with inflation and high prices, illegal aliens are given free transportation from the border to the city in America of their choice, free medical attention when they are hurt or get injured or are ill, free schooling for their illegal children, and much more. prgtoken If that isn't enough of a disgrace, the administration is now using public schools, airports, and national parks to house illegal aliens all paid for by the taxpayers' dollars. prgtoken What kind of Preside
FARM BILL IMPACT SERIES NO. 24: FIVE-YEAR FARM BILL
Tracey Mann (Republican, KS) \u2014 2023-11-29

I rise today to discuss the importance of reauthorizing a 5-year farm bill. America's farmers, ranchers, and agricultural producers deserve it; America's food and national security depend on it; and Congress must deliver it. prgtoken It has been said that the farm bill is like a Swiss Army knife: It does a little bit of everything. This 5-year bill tackles the whole scope of American food and agriculture policy, addressing things like how we conserve our resources to how we support research from our land grant universities to how we keep people fed. prgtoken Since it is a 5-year bill, the farm bill is long enough to provide certainty to ag producers, and it is short enough for Congress to respond to market changes and strengthen the farm safety net accordingly. prgtoken The farmers, ranchers, and agricultural producers that provide us all with food, fuel, and fiber deserve a 5-year bill. The last farm bill was signed into law on December 20, 2018. That legislation was put in place to respond to the needs of producers at that time. prgtoken Since 2018, a lot has changed. We had a global pandemic that devastated the supply chain. War broke out between Russia and Ukraine, one of the top wheat-producing countries in the world. The administration's failed trade agenda and delayed appointment of trade officials resulted in unprecedented market fluctuation. The list goes on and on, and we haven't even mentioned inflation or drought conditions yet. prgtoken Since 2018, when the last farm bill was signed, input costs on the farm have skyrocketed. At one point in 2022, when inflation was at its worst, fertilizer prices were up 222 percent, and diesel fuel prices were up 115 percent. For the producers whose operations even survived through that time, they are still shouldering the burden of an 80 percent increase in fertilizer costs compared to 2018 and diesel that costs $4.50 per gallon today compared to $3 per gallon in 2018. If you hear people talking about how input costs and inflation are coming down, it is an illusion if you compare it to 2018 when Congress signed the last farm bill. prgtoken Our national and global security depend on a new farm bill. Ninety years ago, Congress recognized the importance of protecting and strengthening America's food security, on which our national security depends. That is why the farm bill exists. prgtoken We cannot afford to have ag producers going out of business because of one bad crop year. Crop insurance helps us avoid that, and this year's wheat harvest in Kansas is a perfect example of why the program is so important. prgtoken In 2023, drought and market conditions caused producers to abandon the highest number of acres of wheat since World War I. Right now, crop insurance is helping thousands of producers keep their operations afloat until next year when they roll the dice again with Mother Nature and put their livelihoods on the line, all so that we can have stock
Border Security (Executive Session)
Thom Tillis (Republican, NC) \u2014 2023-11-29

I appreciate the words of my colleague from South Carolina. I fully support everything he said. And I want to come up and speak again to the challenge that we have at the border and why we need to take action now and why that action needs to be taken as part of a supplemental that includes funding for Israel and Ukraine. prgtoken The situation at the border simply has gotten out of control. But I think it bears repeating; it has been said by some of the folks who spoke before: We are talking about a fourfold increase. prgtoken was President for 4 years. President has been President for 3 years. And in 3 years, we have nearly four times the crossings that we did in the administration. prgtoken Now, let's say some of that is because we had title 42 and COVID. That is fine. We can argue that. But we can still recognize this is a two- or three-time increase in illegal crossings. prgtoken Now, we have lost operational control of the border. We don't have situational awareness at the border. prgtoken Let me explain what that means. When you have 1.5 million people who we know came into this country illegally--they paid money to a cartel-- $5 to $50,000, depending upon what country they came from--to get into this country illegally. But some of them specifically want to go through a sector that the cartels specialize in making sure that you never have to encounter a border agent. They are called ``got-aways.'' Over the last 3 years, 1.5 million ``got-aways'' have entered this country. prgtoken Now, I have been to the border several times. Once you cross the Rio Grande River, most people are going to go present themselves to a Border Patrol agent, and then you are going to be processed. You are either going to get screened for asylum or you are going to get paroled. But from the time you cross the border until the time you are released into the United States, it is a matter of days or a week. So why would somebody spend money--why would 1.5 million people spend money to expressly avoid being detained, unless they have a bad record, unless they have criminal intent or malign intent? prgtoken Ladies and gentlemen, we have apprehended people at the border who are on the Terrorist Watchlist. So we have lost operational control of the border by a fourfold increase in crossings. We have lost situational awareness because we don't know where these 1.5 million people are. We only know that they set foot on American soil, and it is highly unlikely that they went back. prgtoken Now, I hate to almost draw this parallel, but I think it is important. One of the things when Israel is able to be successful in their response to Hamas, Israel is going to have to go back and say: How did this even happen on October 7? prgtoken Well, we know. And I think a part of that analysis is going to be that they had lost situational awareness on the threat coming from Gaza. Now, people may say it is an unfair c
TRIBUTE TO VIENNA SCOTT
John Barrasso (Republican, WY) \u2014 2023-11-29

I would like to take the opportunity to express my appreciation to Vienna for her hard work as an intern in the Senate Conference. I recognize her efforts and contributions to my office, as well as to the State of Wyoming. prgtoken Vienna is a native of Connecticut. She recently graduated from Yale University with an undergraduate degree in religious studies and political science, as well as a masters in religion and literature. She has demonstrated a strong work ethic, which has made her an invaluable asset to our office. The quality of her work is reflected in her great efforts over the last several months. prgtoken I want to thank Vienna for the dedication she has shown while working for me and my staff. It is a pleasure to have her as part of our team. I know she will have continued success with all of her future endeavors. I wish her all my best on her journey.
REDEFINING IMPEACHMENT IS A PERILOUS PATH FOR CONSERVATIVES
Tom McClintock (Republican, CA) \u2014 2023-11-29

as Homeland Security Secretary, Alejandro Mayorkas has carried out the administration's open border policy and deliberately produced the worst illegal mass migration in history. prgtoken Since he took office, he has released 3 million illegal immigrants directly into the country, a population the size of the entire State of Arkansas. prgtoken While the Border Patrol has been occupied changing diapers and taking names, an additional 1.7 million known got-aways have entered, as well. That is an additional illegal population the size of the State of Hawaii. prgtoken The impact on our schools, hospitals, homeless shelters, working families' wages, social programs, law enforcement, national security has been catastrophic. prgtoken The national security implications of 1.7 million illegal individuals about whom we know absolutely nothing are terrifying in light of the October 7 attack on Israel. prgtoken Now, in response, many are demanding Mayorkas' impeachment for ``failing to maintain operational control of the border'' as Congresswoman Greene's resolution puts it. He is certainly guilty of that, and a whole lot more: maladministration, malfeasance, and neglect of duties on a truly cosmic scale, but these are not impeachable offenses. prgtoken We know this because the American Founders specifically rejected these terms at the Constitutional Convention. prgtoken As Madison explained, they feared that such imprecise grounds could be twisted into a weapon for political grievances and turned against the executive branch whenever Congress saw fit. This would make the President a mere minister of Congress and make his subordinates answerable to the legislative branch instead of the executive powers that are vested solely in the President. This would utterly destroy the separation of powers at the heart of our Constitution. prgtoken They chose, instead, very specific and limited charges of treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors. prgtoken True, many politicians through the centuries have tried to pervert the term ``high crimes and misdemeanors'' into a similarly vague definition, but the Founders would not have substituted one vague term for another, and thus we are left with the plain meaning of the phrase, clearly defined crimes related to the duties of the office. prgtoken If Ms. Greene is successful in redefining impeachment, then the next time have the majority, we can expect this new definition be turned against the conservatives on the Supreme Court and any future administration. Furthermore, there will be nobody to stop them because s will have now signed off on this new and unconstitutional abuse of power. prgtoken We must never allow the left to become our teachers. Theirs is a world of strictly situational ethics antithetical to our Constitution and to the rule of law. I vigorously opposed the sham impeachments of for exactly the same reason. <|p|
RECOGNIZING THE 2023 MICHIGAN HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL DIVISION 6 STATE CHAMPIONS KINGSLEY HIGH SCHOOL
Jack Bergman (Republican, MI) \u2014 2023-11-29

it is my honor to recognize the Kingsley High School Varsity Football team for their recent victory in the Division 6 State Championship. With a 38-24 victory over Almont High School, the Kingsley prgtoken Stags charged on to the school's first ever State Championship. prgtoken Head Coach Time Wooer's unique approach led them to a dominant 12-2 season and an ultimate State Championship victory. In the team's exemplary win, the Stags were led by elusive running back Eli Graves. Finishing the game with 210 rushing yards, 4 touchdowns, and 3 two- point conversions, Graves is the first running back in Michigan Football State Championship history to account for 30 points in a championship game. prgtoken Coach Wooer aptly summed up the spirit and composition of his team to the Detroit Free Press after the game, stating, ``the one characteristic when you get a team of this caliber is the character, and the morals and the ethics and just the leadership.'' The Kingsley High School Varsity Football team did indeed exude immense talent, teamwork, and dedication which secured them the State Championship. prgtoken , it is my honor to congratulate the Kingsley High School Varsity Football team for their well-deserved State Championship. I wish the team, families, and staff all the best in their future endeavors. Go Stags.
HONORING DETECTIVE MIKE WAGGONER
Tim Burchett (Republican, TN) \u2014 2023-11-29

I rise today to honor Jack Gillooly, an American hero who served his country during World War II. prgtoken At 103 years old, he is believed to be the oldest living Navy football player and Navy aviator. He played in three Army-Navy football games and never lost to Army. Jack played in the last game held at West Point in 1943. prgtoken Jack had a long list of highlights, but most would say his best was his tackle of Glenn Davis, a Heisman Trophy-winning Army halfback. prgtoken After graduation, he was assigned to the USS Columbia and fought in the Battle of Leyte Gulf, the longest Naval battle in World War II. He survived three kamikaze attacks on his cruiser. prgtoken Jack wanted to get off the water and into the air, so he applied and was selected to become a Naval aviator. During the Cuban Missile Crisis in the early 1960s, he was the commanding officer of an antisubmarine fighter. prgtoken Captain Gillooly was also part of the Navy's first electronic countermeasure squadron during the Korean war, and he was the base commander at Orlando Air Base, which was later converted into the Orlando Naval Training Center. prgtoken Our country's heroes are the men and women of our Armed Forces, Mr. . It is my honor to recognize Captain Jack Gillooly as the Tennessee Second District's November 2023 Veteran of the Month. Honoring Colonel Edmund Morrisey
Border Security (Executive Session)
John Hoeven (Republican, ND) \u2014 2023-11-29

I want to echo the comments of both the esteemed Senator from South Carolina as well as the Senator from North Carolina. And I rise to address the same subject, and that is, to bring attention to the crisis that is taking place at our southern border. prgtoken You know, the cause of the crisis is very clear, and the numbers do not lie. In fiscal year 2022, Customs and Border Protection--CBP-- encountered nearly 2.4 million illegal crossings at the southern border. In fiscal year 2023, the number of encounters rose to nearly 2.5 million--2.5 million. prgtoken Now, since the start of fiscal 2024--that's what, just the first month--there have been over 240,000 illegal crossings at our southern border. prgtoken Put differently, this means that after just over a month--end of the fiscal year, this fiscal year 2024--nearly a quarter of a million people have tried to illegally enter the United States via the southern border. prgtoken And these are just the individuals that we know about. Reporting shows that since the start of fiscal 2024, there have been more than 23,000 known ``got-aways.'' Since the beginning of the administration, there have been 1.7 million ``got-aways.'' prgtoken Additionally, CBP has confirmed that a dozen individuals on the Terrorist Watchlist have attempted to illegally enter the United States through the southern border already this fiscal year, in just 1 month. And look what is going on in the world right now. And we have people on the Terrorist Watchlist trying to cross our border. prgtoken The American people can see the problem, even if the administration can't or, worse, just continues to choose to ignore it. prgtoken This crisis is the result of the administration's failure to secure our border--pure and simple. It is not an issue of not having comprehensive immigration reform. It is a failure of the administration to enforce the law. prgtoken The open border policies of the administration jeopardize our national security because border security is national security. prgtoken I want to repeat that. And I will repeat it again. prgtoken Border security is national security. And Americans know it. prgtoken The situation at the southern border has turned every State into a border State. prgtoken Last month, I was in Jamestown, ND, to stand with the 817th Engineer Company of the North Dakota National Guard as they prepared to deploy for a yearlong mission to assist CBP in securing our southern border. prgtoken So now we have the National Guard down there trying to secure the border. But, again, they can't get the job done if they aren't given the enforcement authority to do it. prgtoken DHS writ large, as well as any other support down there, has to be given the authority to enforce the law. And the administration will not do it because the administration wants an open border policy. prgtoken As we continue to debate the upcoming supplemental appropriations packa
Iran (Executive Session)
Chuck Grassley (Republican, IA) \u2014 2023-11-29

if the administration decides to allow a terrorist state access to billions of dollars, then, at a bare minimum, the administration must perform exceedingly strict oversight of how that money is used. prgtoken It is pretty simple, common sense requires considering the attendant risk that this money gives to Iran. The administration has created a serious problem that needs strict oversight. prgtoken More than all that, the Congress must also have the same regard of how the executive branch conducts its business in regard to these billions of dollars. prgtoken Today, I have an on-point example to present to my colleagues. In September of this year, the administration's State Department provided Iran access to $6 billion as part of a prisoner swap agreement. Then, in mid-October, the United States and the Qatari Governments decided to refreeze these funds due to the October 7 Hamas terrorist attack on Israel. prgtoken Hamas, an Iranian-funded terrorist organization, as we all know, attacked Israel and murdered civilians, seized hostages, and destroyed towns. Hamas committed unspeakable acts of terror and evil, not seen since the Nazis, toward Jewish people. prgtoken On October 12 of this year, Secretary of State Blinken addressed the international media and, in that address, claimed that the State Department has ``strict oversight of the funds and retains the right to freeze them''--meaning freezing the $6 billion. prgtoken Now, there had better be strict oversight--the taxpayers ought to require that--exceedingly strict oversight. I now ask: What did the Secretary of State mean when he said ``strict oversight''? prgtoken I don't want lip service from the Secretary. I want details. So on October 12 of this year, I wrote a letter asking exactly that: What are the details? prgtoken My letter also sought to know what government Agencies are involved in this alleged oversight. What are the roles of the respective Agencies in this oversight? What enforcement mechanisms are in place to ensure compliance? How will the State Department be able to punish Iran if conditions of the $6 billion is violated? prgtoken I also asked what components of the State Department are responsible for conducting this oversight, among other questions. prgtoken Almost a month past the 2-week deadline to respond, the State Department did finally send me a letter. That letter was very incomplete and a very insufficient response that failed to answer the essential question, using his words: What does ``strict oversight'' mean? The letter didn't deal with that, and it seems to be a pretty simple question. prgtoken The State Department letter meekly said: ``The United States will have full visibility and will exercise strict oversight as to how and when the funds are used.'' prgtoken This isn't an answer; this is lip service. We are talking about billions of dollars accessible by a terrorist regime. prgtoken So as you would