mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
ENSURING VETERANS' SMOOTH TRANSITION ACT
James A. Himes (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2022-1-20

I thank Chairman Takano for moving this very important legislation. prgtoken In this polarized and angry time, one of the lights of this institution is that we have always come together to better serve our veterans, to better serve those men and women who took the ultimate risk and were prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of all of us and the system that this room embodies. prgtoken And this is a real problem. As I go around my district and I talk to young veterans, they face any number of transitional issues; with housing, with healthcare. And let's face it, the change from being on active duty to being a veteran is a challenging one, one that all too often results in the kind of tragedy that we have acknowledged here in this Chamber today. prgtoken And so I rise in strong support of the EVEST Act. It is consistent with something that I am very proud to have accomplished many years ago when we passed the SERVE Act, which made it easier for veterans to show that they had an income so that they could get the housing which they were entitled to. It was a small thing, but it just eased the passage for those young men and women who have so well served this country. prgtoken This is important, and it is not a big deal, but it is going to affect tens of thousands of veterans. My friends know that I respect and value their input and their objections to our ideas. It makes us better when you pose objections to our ideas. But I am a little puzzled by the objections that I am hearing today. prgtoken I have heard sitting here that this is not paid for. Okay. It is $3 billion that I think is well spent on perhaps the most valuable population that we have. But the notion that it is not paid for, let's remember it was just a couple years ago that my friends on the side passed $2 trillion in tax cuts, 83 percent of which benefited the top 1 percent of this country's citizens. I have to believe that if we can do $2 trillion in tax cuts that largely benefits the richest Americans, that we can find $3 billion to ease the passage for our veterans. prgtoken I have heard the ranking member say that the VA maybe can't handle it. Let's remember that the VA supports this idea and that we are just asking them to do a little bit more of what they already do. This is not some new and fanciful program. No, it is making a program that is well-established available to more. prgtoken , this is a good bill. I am particularly proud of my friend and neighbor-- Joe Courtney will talk about this shortly--that my neighbor, Jahana Hayes, is proposing an amendment that will increase the notification that goes to veterans about what is available to them. prgtoken This bill needs to pass because, at the end of the day, we are answering the question: Do we want more veterans to have access to what we have promised them, or do we want fewer veterans to have access to what we have promised them? That is what is
VOTING RIGHTS
Bill Foster (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2022-1-20

for decades, Americans have been asking their elected leaders to fix crumbling roads and bridges and modernize our Nation's transportation infrastructure. For decades, politicians of both parties promised to deliver on an infrastructure package. President even promised that he would be the one person to get it done. But he didn't, not even when s controlled the House, Senate, and Presidency. prgtoken It was President and this ic Congress that finally got it done even though more than 90 percent of my colleagues voted against it. Thanks to this new law, people in my State will benefit from robust Federal investment in the infrastructure that they rely on every day: $11.2 billion for highway and bridge repairs; $1.7 billion to make sure that everyone has access to clean drinking water; $4 billion to enhance public transportation; $616 million for infrastructure enhancements at Illinois airports; and over $100 million for broadband internet expansion. prgtoken Just last week, the Department of Transportation announced that $1.4 billion was already on its way to Illinois to repair bridges all across the State. This is the largest investment in our State's bridges since the construction of the Interstate Highway System, and it is just the beginning of the infrastructure investments that will benefit the people of Illinois every day. prgtoken I have to say, I look forward to meeting my colleagues at the ribbon cutting ceremonies for all of these projects that they voted against.
Biden Administration (Executive Session)
Richard Blumenthal (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2022-1-20

just to be clear, I understand my colleague's point, but I think I have highlighted and I want to emphasize again the limited purposes for which our taxpayer dollars are used and the advocacy, the healthcare, the contraception, HIV screening and treatment--world health--that would be prevented by this legislation. prgtoken I think that is an unintended consequence. Maybe, it is unintended that it is gargantuan in its potential impact, and, therefore, I continue my objection. prgtoken .
VOTING RIGHTS
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2022-1-20

last night was a reminder of a difficult but important reality of our great democracy: The march to freedom, through thick and thin, is never over--and we have to keep marching. prgtoken While last night's vote was disappointing, it will not deter Senate from continuing our fight against voter suppression, dark money, and partisan gerrymandering. are proud of the fight we held last night. The strength, eloquence, enthusiasm, and overwhelming participation of my ic colleagues during debate was exhilarating and shows the passion we feel about this issue. prgtoken Facing an uphill battle from the start, we lost the vote. But to have not voted would have been a far greater loss, a loss for our ic Party, which for generations has stood for voting rights; a loss for the civil rights advocates who have sacrificed so much on this issue; and a loss for the American people and what this country stands for. On an issue this important, not doing everything we could would have been unacceptable. prgtoken Now, the bromides of the beltway class hold we should not have held a vote on voting rights if the outcome was not certain. They are wrong. Imagine telling Dr. King not to march from Selma to Montgomery because he could not be sure what obstacles awaited him and his fellow freedom fighters. Imagine telling John Lewis he should never have crossed the Pettus Bridge because it was unclear what perils awaited him on the other side. prgtoken Every Member of this body who has ever invoked these great titans of freedom has an obligation--an obligation--to uphold their legacies not just with words but with actions. Senators were elected to vote. The examples of Dr. King, of John Lewis inspire us, give us strength, and show us that sometimes the only right option is to move forward. prgtoken And we need to remember what this is about. With the advent of and his many Big Lies, with the January 6 insurrection, with the vicious acts of voter suppression throughout the States, and with the greedy dark money interests that fuel the Party these days, this is a fight for the soul of America--nothing less. So will not shy away from an uphill fight; we will continue to face them. prgtoken And I believe that the lessons of history are clear: When Representatives have to take a stand, when they have to show to the American people where they are on the issues, the right side of history ultimately prevails. We know history is on the side of voting rights, and we know that forcing leaders to take stands will ultimately move the ball forward. prgtoken Now, finally, I want to thank all my colleagues who came to the floor yesterday to speak valiantly in defense of voting rights and for working assiduously for months on this vital issue: Senators Klobuchar and Merkley, Booker, Schatz, Senator Kaine--you, -- Senators King, Tester, Warnock, Ossoff, Durbin, P
VOTING RIGHTS
Mondaire Jones (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2022-1-20

I want to thank my friend and colleague, Congressman Allred, for his leadership in the fight to protect the fundamental right to vote and to save our ailing democracy. It has been an honor working with him, with Congresswoman Terri Sewell, and with Congressman John Sarbanes over the past year on the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the Freedom to Vote Act. prgtoken As you just heard, we are living through the worst assault on the right to vote since the Jim Crow era. And yesterday, on the Senate floor, white nationalists used the Jim Crow filibuster to block voting rights legislation. prgtoken But they did not win the contest for the soul of our Nation. I rise to affirm that we the people aren't giving up that easily. We never give up. prgtoken We the people didn't give up when, after we finally ended the scourge of slavery in this Nation, white nationalists fought back, violently unraveling Reconstruction, throwing duly elected prgtoken Black people out of office, and barring Black voters from the voting booth for generations. We responded by organizing. prgtoken Progress came in fits. It took us nearly a century, but progress came. prgtoken It came in the courtroom where Thurgood Marshall helped to end a century of legalized segregation. prgtoken It came on the streets, where the March on Washington and the Montgomery bus boycott produced meaningful social change. prgtoken Of course, it came in Congress where, after considerable pressure from the civil rights movement, this Chamber and the Senate passed the Voting Rights Act into law, and they overcame a filibuster to do it. Imagine that. prgtoken , like you, I was hoping against all hope that today's story would end the same way, with a majority of Senators doing the right thing. prgtoken To those of you watching at home, to the millions of you who put it all on the line to save our democracy, to see the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act become law, I feel your pain right now. But I do not despair. As Sherrilyn Ifill, the director-counsel of the NAACP's Legal Defense Fund, said recently: No story in the history of our quest for racial justice has ever ended with the words: ``And then they gave up.'' prgtoken Our story, the story of building a true, multiracial democracy in the 21st century, is no exception. The fact is, progress is not always linear. It is messy. There are false starts. There are setbacks, like what happened last night. But the weight of history and the force of reason are on our side. prgtoken I grew up in the Baptist Church. To quote from the book of Jeremiah: Like a fire shut up in my bones, I know that goodness will prevail. prgtoken As the elders used to say: Trouble don't last always. Weeping may endureth for a night, but joy--joy--cometh in the morning. prgtoken Look at how far we have come already. Just a few years ago, democracy reform was a pipe dream embraced by only the most committed activists. But thanks to an overw
MARYLAND SCHOOL BOARD RECOGNITION MONTH
Chris Van Hollen (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2022-1-20

devotion, commitment, resilience--these are just a few of the words that describe the professionals who comprise Maryland's 24 local boards of education. prgtoken The dedicated public servants who lead the school systems in Maryland counties and Baltimore City act with deep commitment to their communities and their time-intensive school board duties. Maryland school board members make critical budget and planning decisions, adopt policies to create supportive learning environments for all students, engage with parents, students, school staff, and other community stakeholders, work closely with superintendents, respond to crises, and undergo ongoing training to carry out effective governance, continue to grow as leaders, and stay up-to-date on the latest best practices. prgtoken As devoted professionals who serve students, school systems, and their communities at large, Maryland school board members face an array of daunting challenges every day, challenges made significantly more difficult and complex during the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet Maryland's 24 school boards have consistently risen to these challenges, working to ensure excellence in public education throughout the State. prgtoken School board members come from all backgrounds and professions. They may not agree on every issue, but they unite and volunteer to serve under the strong conviction that Maryland students come first. prgtoken Because of the extraordinary, continuing commitment of those who serve on our school boards to helping Maryland students grow, thrive, and excel each day--and with my ongoing commitment to Maryland public education in mind--I am proud to recognize January as Maryland School Board Recognition Month.
Cloture Motion (Executive Session)
Patty Murray (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2022-1-20

this weekend is the anniversary of the landmark Roe v. Wade decision. It is a decision that, without a doubt, changed lives for the better. It prevented a lot of harm and helped keep many patients healthy. It opened doors for women to pursue their career and education goals and affirmed the right to control our own bodies and our own futures. prgtoken Roe was a giant leap forward, and a majority of Americans want to protect it. But since Roe was decided, extreme s have peddled blatant misinformation, filled our judicial system with anti-abortion judges, and passed State laws designed solely to make it harder to get abortions--laws that are now hurting people of color, the LGBTQ+ community, immigrants, young people, people with low incomes, and people with disabilities the most. And they are not stopping at abortion. They are pushing to make it harder to get birth control and defund family planning clinics--including Planned Parenthood--which provide critical healthcare for so many communities. prgtoken In Texas, s have passed, and the Supreme Court green-lit, a law that essentially bans abortions and is enforced by pitting neighbor against neighbor. And even though medication abortion pills are safe to take at home, extreme s are now pushing to pass laws that not only dictate what happens in a doctor's office but also make it harder for patients to take a pill in their very own living room. prgtoken You know, s do like to talk about Big Government, but overriding people's individual decisions and science to dictate what people can do in their own homes sounds like a lot of overreach. prgtoken The Senator from Oklahoma is here with a bill today that has one goal: to make it harder to get abortion care by allowing someone else's personal beliefs, rather than a patient's best interest, to determine a patient's care. And that is just one example of the extreme agenda s are pushing, today and every day. prgtoken I have heard from so many people about the problems and the harm this has caused in their lives. I have heard from many patients who had to jump through unnecessary or even harmful hoops to get the abortion care they needed: patients who had to endure invasive ultrasounds that were medically unnecessary before they could get an abortion; patients who were harassed going in and out of a clinic; patients who had to drive hours or even days to get to the nearest abortion provider or who zeroed out their bank account to afford a plane ticket or childcare; patients, including many in Texas, who didn't have the means to get the abortion care they needed and were forced to stay pregnant when they did not want to be. prgtoken And then the Supreme Court took on a direct challenge to Roe that threatens the constitutional right to abortion. I have heard nonstop from people who are very anxious about their future, people who are scared and frustrated, peo
TRIBUTE TO RAY ZACCARO
Jeff Merkley (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2022-1-20

I believe we are all familiar with the question: If a tree falls in the woods and no one is there to hear it, does it make a sound? Well, here in the U.S. Senate, we can ask the question: If we accomplish something important but fail to communicate that to our constituents, did it actually happen? prgtoken The majority of the American people have so much on their plates that they are not following the intricate, daily workings of this Chamber, so they expect their Senators to speak to them on a regular basis about the work they are doing on their behalf. prgtoken As the author and former Presidential speechwriter James Humes has said: ``The art of communication is the language of leadership.'' That is why each and every one of us, in turn, relies on the dedicated men and women to help us communicate with folks back home. prgtoken I am here on the floor today to say farewell to a member of my team who has been so instrumental in helping me communicate to the people of Oregon. prgtoken For the past now 7\1/2\ years, Ray Zaccaro has served as my communications director. What a 7\1/2\ years it has been, especially when you consider how drastically the media and communications landscape has changed in that 7\1/2\ years. We have gone from local newspapers and cable news in serving as the dominant means of mass communication to Facebook and Twitter and Instagram and Snapchat and TikTok and others that are far too numerous for me to keep track of, but that is why we have a communications team. prgtoken One day, produced video content performed the best. The next, it was suddenly selfie-style videos. Videos used to do very well on Facebook. When the algorithms changed, they didn't do so well. Then Instagram reels took off, and on and on and on. It is incredible how fast the communication world keeps changing. Since March of 2020, it has only gotten more chaotic as the pandemic has turned everything upside down, including how we consume information and how we communicate. prgtoken Ray Zaccaro expertly helped me and the entire team navigate this ever-shifting media landscape. As recording studios shut down, he mobilized the communications team to quickly transition to use a vast array of tools, including Skype and Zoom, so that we could continue to get our message and timely information to the people of Oregon. prgtoken That foresight and quick action are just extensions of his entire approach to communication--always challenging the members of our team to think outside the box and never being afraid to suggest new ideas, no matter how crazy they might initially seem. It doesn't matter if they work in communications or on the legislative team or with constituent services. He believes everyone on the team has a role to play in helping to develop and tell the story of what we are working to do. And he has proven right, time and time again, over the last 7-plus years. prgtoken When Jeff Sessions, as Attorney Ge
HONORING THE LIFE OF OFFICER BOBBY REED
J. Luis Correa (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2022-1-20

today, we honor the life and memory of Officer Bobby Reed. prgtoken He was born November 23, 1951, and Bobby Reed's life was about service to his community and to his country. prgtoken As a marine, he was deployed overseas to Vietnam, where he served honorably and attained the rank of staff sergeant. prgtoken When he returned home to Santa Ana, California, my hometown, he decided to join the local police department to continue protecting and serving his community. prgtoken During his 28 years of service on the Santa Ana police force, Officer Reed was honored many times over by his colleagues and his community for his exemplary service and character. Multiple civic organizations, such as Kiwanis and MADD, recognized him with many awards. prgtoken He was also elected as a board member of the Santa Ana Police Officers Association, showing, again, his leadership and his positive influence on others. prgtoken As we celebrate Bobby's life, may his example continue to shine for the next generation.
RECOGNIZING THE SERVICE OF JAMES HOOLEY, HEAD OF POLITICAL SECTION AT THE BRITISH EMBASSY
Ron Kind (Democrat, WI) \u2014 2022-1-20

. Madam , I rise today to recognize the invaluable service of James Hooley, who has served as the head of the political section at the British Embassy in Washington D.C. for the past five years. Throughout his tenure, James has personified the Special Relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom with his tireless work, diligent commitment, and affable personality. prgtoken As one of our key liaisons with the United Kingdom, James has facilitated bipartisan engagement with Congressional members and all levels of the British Government, from Prime Ministers to Cabinet Ministers, Members of Parliament, and members of the Royal Family. Through two Presidential Administrations and two Prime Ministers, James has led the British Embassy's political operations, ensuring we in the United States remain well connected with our allies across the Atlantic. James has been steadfast in ensuring the highest diplomatic channels between our two countries remain open and well-used for the range of issues covered by the U.S.-U.K. relationship. prgtoken James will be transitioning back to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office in London where I have no doubt he will achieve the same success. The Special Relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom remains special thanks to the work of diplomats like James Hooley. We in Congress will miss his work at the Embassy and wish him nothing but the best for his future endeavors.
EXECUTIVE CALENDAR
Sherrod Brown (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2022-1-20

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate consider the following nomination: Calendar No. 638, Joseph Donnelly, of Indiana, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Holy See; that the Senate vote on the nomination without intervening action or debate; that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate; that any statements related to the nomination be printed in the Record; and that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action.
CONGRATULATING CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF PHILADELPHIA
Madeleine Dean (Democrat, PA) \u2014 2022-1-20

. Madam , I congratulate and thank the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia on the opening of their second inpatient hospital, in my district, in King of Prussia. prgtoken CHOP's Middleman Family Pavilion will dedicate more than 250,000 square feet of space solely to children. In our continued fight with COVID-19, we need more facilities like this one that families from all over our region can access. prgtoken As the first pediatric emergency room in Montgomery County, CHOP will ensure that more children in Pennsylvania will have timely, nationally acclaimed care. prgtoken The Middleman Family Pavilion will also create many jobs for the Montgomery County community, bringing needed jobs to communities like Norristown, Bridgeport, and Conshohocken. prgtoken Now more than ever, with CHOP, it is all about children. That is the same for me. We need healthcare facilities that meet the demands of today, that treat our children with expert care and our families with compassion. Congratulations to CHOP.