mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
ENDLESS FRONTIER ACT--MOTION TO PROCEED
Mike Crapo (Republican, ID) \u2014 2021-5-13

every year, the Senate unanimously passes a resolution honoring each law enforcement officer who died in the line of duty during the previous year. Their names are also added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC. Currently, this memorial contains more than 21,000 names. This year, one more Idahoan will be added to this memorial. prgtoken Wyatt Christopher Maser was born April 19, 1997, in Thermopolis, WY, to Christopher Michael Maser and Sandra Lorene Reid Arnold. After growing up in Casper, WY, Wyatt joined the U.S. Air Force, serving as a senior airman from 2015 to 2018. prgtoken After returning to his home and marrying the love of his life, Paige, Wyatt began his career in law enforcement, moving to Idaho Falls, ID, and joining the Bonneville County Sheriff's Office and graduating from the Idaho Law Enforcement Academy in 2019. Shortly before graduating, he and Paige welcomed a beautiful baby daughter, Morgan Emily. prgtoken He served as a sheriff's deputy with Bonneville County Sheriff's Office for 13 months. At the graveside service honoring his life, his career was characterized in two words: ``friendship'' and ``service.'' prgtoken It takes a special person to serve in our Nation's Armed Forces and an even better one to continue to serve one's community after leaving the Air Force. By all accounts, Wyatt was that person, befriending everyone he met. prgtoken On May 18, 2020, while attempting to help a woman in mental crisis in the middle of Bone Road, he was struck by another deputy's vehicle and was pronounced dead at Eastern Idaho Medical Center. prgtoken Wyatt left behind his wife, Paige; his young daughter, Morgan; his mother and stepfather, Sandy and Bill Arnold; his father and stepmother, Chris and Cheryl Maser; his siblings, Cole, Taylor, Jesse, and Alexys; and grandparents, uncles, and pets galore. prgtoken The Law Enforcement Officers Memorial preserves Wyatt's name in stone. Yet Deputy Maser was so much more than an Air Force veteran and a law enforcement officer. An avid waterfowl hunter, Wyatt and his fellow members of the Delta Waterfowl Snake River Chapter were building a hunting blind for disabled hunters to help those with limitations enjoy the pastime he loved so much. That blind is still being completed and will be named the ``Maser Blind'' in his memory. prgtoken Deputy Maser, your memory will not be forgotten. prgtoken To Paige and Morgan, I am so sorry for your loss, and thank you for the opportunity to join in honoring Wyatt. prgtoken The Book of Isaiah, chapter 6, verse 8, states: And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ``Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?'' Then I said, ``Here am I! Send me.'' prgtoken Sheriff's Deputy Wyatt Christopher Maser answered that call with the ultimate sacrifice, and for that, we say thank you. prgtoken Thank you, . prgtoken .
COMPREHENSIVE DEBT COLLECTION IMPROVEMENT ACT
Ann Wagner (Republican, MO) \u2014 2021-5-13

the balance of my time. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to oppose H.R. 2547. prgtoken This bill is misguided. It will not improve debt collection or credit reporting but will instead harm consumers and small businesses. prgtoken This bill would make extending credit more expensive for everyone, especially lower-income borrowers with thin or no credit files and who need it the most. prgtoken This bill is yet another giveaway to progressives who want to eliminate the core foundation of our credit market and financial system. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on H.R. 2547, and .
ALASKA TOURISM RECOVERY ACT
Lisa Murkowski (Republican, AK) \u2014 2021-5-13

we are at a much better place at this moment in time for the people of the State of Alaska, who have been anxious. We have all been anxious throughout this time of COVID, but we have been particularly anxious as we have watched our tourist sector just be decimated. And when I say ``decimated,'' I mean in the sense that when you have such a significant portion of one economic sector, the tourist sector, come to your State by one means, by one mode--and for us, in the State of Alaska, that is cruise ship. prgtoken We have had an extraordinarily robust tourist economy, growing over the years. People want to come and see the beauty and the splendor, and for many, they want to be on the comfort of a ship and watch the views go by, see the glaciers, see the whales come on up. It is a great place to visit. But for the past year, ships have not been sailing to Alaska. This is due to not only the CDC and the no-sail orders the CDC has imposed but also because of the limitations that have been put in place by Canada in terms of no sailing through the Canadian waters. prgtoken So there has been an effort to, as we try to regain our footing, rebuild a tourist sector, but you can't just flip a switch here. You just can't get an industry back on its feet this quickly without everybody pulling together, and this has been a struggle to get everyone pulling together. But I think we are at a place where there is a glimmer of hope for Alaska's tourism industry. prgtoken We were here on this floor just a couple weeks ago, Senator Sullivan and myself, talking about how significant cruising is as an element to Alaska's economy. At the time, I shared a chart with colleagues that showed that in 2019 we had 1.3 million visitors come to Alaska on a cruise ship, and in 2020 we had 48 come to Alaska on a cruise ship. I said at the time: That is 48 passengers, not 48,000. prgtoken You can just guess what that did to our economy--the statewide unemployment rate rising from 6.2 to 11 percent; municipal and State revenues dropping significantly; and every day that passes, more lost revenues, more lost salaries, more economic distress. So the effort that we have made to, again, try to get ships back in the water, try to get them heading north, has been considerable. prgtoken We have heard from so many in not only our coastal communities but, really, communities around the State about the economic impact and the hit they have taken. prgtoken In the Indian Affairs Committee, we had a hearing just yesterday about the impact on Native tourism due to COVID, and we had the CEO of Huna Totem Corporation, Russell Dick, describe to the committee the profound ``disruption of our local economy, as 80 percent of our local tax base comes from tourism,'' he said. Consequently, ``leadership from the city of Hoonah, the community, and Icy Strait Point are all eager for cruise ships to return.'' Consider that. Eighty percent of your local tax
ENDLESS FRONTIER ACT--MOTION TO PROCEED
James Lankford (Republican, OK) \u2014 2021-5-13

I want to be able to comment on my colleague, Senator Portman, and some of the comments he has made about unemployment. prgtoken My State is not one of those States yet that has made the decision to be able to end the additional unemployment benefits that are coming from the Federal Government, and it is harming workers and it is harming jobs and it is harming businesses in my State. And I hope in the days ahead, my State will be one of those States to be able to step up and will say--and I believe my Governor will--to be able to step up and say: Let's actually make sure we are benefiting families long-term. prgtoken There is a whole group of folks who believe that if you only give people enough money, that is going to help them rise out of poverty. People need a job. People need a purpose. People need a plan to be able to do that. Folks don't need long-term Government benefits to be able to help sustain that. They need a way to be able to help earn a living to be able to pass it on to their family to set a job record for them and to set a path for their kids and grandkids after them. That helps people rise--every study we have seen on how to help people rise out of poverty, graduate high school, wait till after marriage to have kids, and have a job of any type. Let's help people rise. Let's help people be employed and engaged. That is a helpful thing. prgtoken I think about some of the things that are happening even today. Secretary Mayorkas was in front of our committee today, and it was shocking to me to hear the Secretary of Homeland Security talk about how much more efficient they have become at processing people at the border and getting them into the country. prgtoken It used to be our evaluation for how we were managing Border Patrol and Customs and Border Protection was how many people we were stopping at the border and returning to their home country. He, literally, over and over again, articulated how much faster they are now at processing people at the border and releasing them into the country. Even at one point when I challenged him and said: I understand people are being released into the country without even a notice to appear; that they are just being released into the country and told to go to a place somewhere in the country, self-report themselves to an ICE office and say: I would like to get a court order to be able to have a notice to appear. prgtoken At that point, I said: How many people have been treated that way? prgtoken He said: I am not sure. prgtoken Well, I have already looked up the record on it. It is 19,000 just in the past couple of months who have been brought across the border, released into the country, and told just self-report yourself to whatever ICE agent you see somewhere in the country. prgtoken I asked the simple question: How many people have already done that? prgtoken Not only could he not answer the number 19,000, which we have confirmed, but he didn
NATIONAL POLICE WEEK
J. French Hill (Republican, AR) \u2014 2021-5-13

I rise today in celebration of National Police Week and to honor the brave men and women in blue who selflessly serve in law enforcement across our Nation. prgtoken I want to extend my sincere gratitude to the officers back in central Arkansas, throughout the country, and right here in the U.S. Capitol who fearlessly defend our families and communities. Our communities could not run smoothly without the service and sacrifice that law enforcement officers make for us on a daily basis. prgtoken The best way to ensure better community-based policing is to support our law enforcement agencies with the proper training and the proper funding that they need. I will always support our law enforcement here in Washington, and I hope that our country can bond where all our communities are proud like I am to back the blue. prgtoken Once again, I thank all of our dedicated officers in this important week for their sacrifices and, importantly, their families' sacrifice as they serve all of our families on a daily basis.
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
John Boozman (Republican, AR) \u2014 2021-5-13

I rise to honor the inaugural graduates of the Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine, ARCOM, as they prepare to receive their hoods and diplomas on Saturday, May 15, 2021. prgtoken After 4 years, this class of 145 doctors will move on to residencies throughout the region and the Nation, but first, they will celebrate their unique role as leaders and standard-setters within what has already become a vitally important and game-changing institution in western Arkansas. prgtoken ARCOM welcomed its first class of medical students in 2017. Four years later, the school celebrated its first Match Day with 95 percent of students placed into residency programs. Of those moving onto residences, 7 percent will work in primary care and almost two-thirds received placements in Arkansas and surrounding States. Studies show us that a majority of doctors stay and practice in the region they are educated, so I was also pleased to see that more than 50 percent of ARCOM's first class of graduates matched in States that are considered in the bottom 10 percent for access to medical care. This is where they are needed and speaks to the mission and importance of ARCOM, not only to Arkansas but our entire region. prgtoken As part of the Arkansas Colleges of Health Education, ACHE, ARCOM is transforming healthcare education and helping prepare future doctors to practice in medically underserved regions. It is inspiring to think about the efforts it took to make this day possible. The need for more medical professionals in Arkansas is great, and the work put in by the students community leaders, generous donors, and true visionaries who saw the need should be applauded today. prgtoken In addition to this inaugural class of osteopathic physicians, ACHE is celebrating its second commencement for graduates receiving a master of science in biomedicine. The campus is now also home to the School of Physical Therapy, with its first class starting instruction in June 2021, and the School of Occupational Therapy, which expects to welcome students in January 2022. prgtoken I am grateful for the incredible work being done by administration, faculty, staff, and students. The campus is a cornerstone for new medical facilities, housing, and opportunities in western Arkansas and continues to draw new resources to the area. Its impact has been significant and stands to grow well into the future. prgtoken I am also proud of these graduates. They have prepared for their medical careers during a challenging time, with full understanding of the importance of their charge and the task ahead. As they embark on their careers, I know they have seen and experienced more than they expected. They have chosen this path for a reason, and our State and Nation are stronger because of their commitment to serving others. prgtoken Congratulations to the 2021 class of ARCOM and to everyone who made this dream possible for them and for Arkansas.
ORDERS FOR MONDAY, MAY 17, 2021
Tammy Baldwin (Democrat, WI) \u2014 2021-5-13

I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 3 p.m Monday, May 17; that following the prayer and pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date; the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day and morning business be closed; further, upon the conclusion of morning business, the Senate resume consideration of the motion to proceed to Calendar No. 58, S. 1260; and finally, that the cloture motion on the motion to proceed filed during today's session ripen at 5:30 p.m.
SHARING THE WASHINGTON POST OP-ED BY FORMER SEN. JEFF FLAKE
Steny H. Hoyer (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2021-5-13

. Madam , on Wednesday the Conference ejected the Gentlelady from Wyoming from the ranks of its leadership because she dared to speak truth and refused to join in spreading falsehoods regarding the recent election. This is a dangerous moment for our democracy, when one party is operating according to a set of clearly debunked falsehoods and punishes its Members who prefer actual facts. To underscore that danger, I include in the Record the following op-ed, which was published in The Washington Post on Tuesday and written by the former Senator from Arizona, Jeff Flake. I hope all of my colleagues--on both sides of the aisle--will read his words and consider carefully this perilous moment in which our country and this Congress finds itself. [From the Washington Post, May 11, 2021] Opinion: In Today's Party, There Is No Greater Offense Than Honesty (By Former Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ)) ``The further a society drifts from the truth, the more it will hate those who speak it.''--George Orwell Near the beginning of the document that made us free, our Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson wrote: ``We hold these truths to be self-evident.'' There you have it. From the very beginning of America, our freedom has been predicated on truth. For without a principled fidelity to truth and to shared facts, our democracy will not last. On Wednesday, Rep. Liz (R-Wyo.) will most likely lose her leadership post within the House Conference, not because she has been untruthful. Rather, she will lose her position because she is refusing to play her assigned role in propagating the ``big lie'' that the 2020 election was stolen from . is more dedicated to the long-term health of our constitutional system than she is to assuaging the former president's shattered ego, and for her integrity she may well pay with her career. No, this is not the plot of a movie set in an asylum. Ladies and gentlemen, this is your contemporary Party, where today there is no greater offense than honesty. It seems a good time to examine how we got to a place where such a large swath of the electorate (70 percent of voters, according to polling) became willing to reject a truth that is so self-evident. This allergy to self-evident truth didn't happen all at once, of course. This frog has been boiling for some time now. The period in American life has been a celebration of the unwise and the untrue. From the ugly tolerance of the pernicious falsehood about President 's place of birth to the bizarre and fanatical fable about the size of inauguration crowds, to the introduction of the term ``alt
THE LONG-TERM PROBLEMS BETWEEN ISRAEL AND PALESTINE
André Carson (Democrat, IN) \u2014 2021-5-13

I rise today in solidarity with the Palestinian people as they face grave injustices, violence, and certainly abuse. I join the countless people around the world, Mr who are vehemently opposed to the planned, forced evictions of Palestinians in Sheikh Jarrah and saddened by the escalating violence that threatens Israelis and Palestinians alike. prgtoken We must condemn all forms of violence and mourn the loss of both Palestinian lives and Israeli lives. prgtoken I stand here today as one of the three Muslims serving in Congress on Eid day, heartbroken to see the attacks on the worshippers at the Al- Aqsa Mosque, one of the holiest sites of Islam in our holiest month of the year by the Israeli Government. prgtoken For decades, Israel has violated international law and basic human rights through its systematic displacement of Palestinians. For too long, America has looked the other way as Israel has engaged in this horrific campaign against Palestinians. prgtoken Israel is our security partner. In fact, the U.S. alone gives Israel billions of dollars per year. But we must make sure that our taxpayer dollars are not being used to fund human rights violations. prgtoken Enough is enough. prgtoken America has a moral obligation to use our influence to protect the victims of human rights violations including the Palestinian people. We must work to strengthen our work to bring peace to this region. This is our moral responsibility to do the right thing. It is not about Jews versus Muslims or Israel versus its neighbors. It is about right versus wrong. prgtoken Let me be clear: Israel's decade of forced displacement is wrong. That is why we are working hard in Congress to make things right. Our American Government must enforce international law and our own foundational principles, and our allies, like Israel, must be held accountable for human rights violations. prgtoken Now, we are going to keep working hard in Congress to pass much- needed legislation that achieves accountability, equality, and justice for all. prgtoken America is great and powerful--probably the greatest nation in recorded history. But America is complex. It is a complicated work in progress. For centuries she has engaged in and enabled the mistreatment of countless people from the slavery enshrined in its Constitution against Africans to the taking of land from Native Americans, or the shameful support of dictators beyond our shores. But today we face an inflection point, a reckoning of whether we will stand up for the values we claim to cherish or if we will turn a blind eye to repeated violations of human rights. prgtoken We cannot turn our backs now. We must recognize that this is an international struggle and stick by the words of Dr. King when he said that injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. prgtoken I am thankful for Dr. King and for the long list of great Americans who have helped bend the arc of the moral universe toward jus
HONORING DOMINIC ZURELLA
Tim Ryan (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2021-5-13

. Madam , I rise today to recognize Dominic Zurella, of Canfield, Ohio, to thank him for his service to our country and to wish him a very happy 100th birthday. prgtoken Mr. Zurella was a Technical Sergeant and radio operator during World War II in the U.S. Air Force. During the war, he participated in 26 missions with the 91st Bomb Group, ``The Ragged Irregulars,'' and the 324th Bomb Squadron from November 26, 1943 to March 26, 1944. prgtoken Dominic will be 100 years old on May 23, 2021 and I salute him on this tremendous milestone. Madam , I ask you and all our colleagues to please join me in wishing Mr. Zurella a happy birthday and thank him for his heroic service to our country
NOMINATIONS
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2021-5-13

on judges and on nominees, over the past several months, the Senate has moved quickly to confirm nominees to serve in President 's Cabinet and throughout his administration. The Senate also has a constitutional duty to provide advice and consent on the President's judicial nominations, and the Senate will begin to fill judicial vacancies very soon. prgtoken This morning, the Judiciary Committee is holding the first markup for a slate of President 's judicial prgtoken nominations, including two circuit nominees and three district court nominees, who will all receive a vote in the committee next week. The Senate is now going to scale up our efforts to fill more than 80 vacancies in the Federal judiciary. prgtoken It is no secret that, lacking a robust legislative agenda, the majority, under President , focused on judges, confirming around 200. President , in his 8 years, appointed 320. So even though, on a 4-year-to-4-year basis, did more, overall, had a greater effect on the judiciary than . prgtoken Now, President has the opportunity to fill more than 80 vacancies--likely more. Under this ic majority, the Senate will swiftly and routinely take up President 's appointments to the Federal bench. It will redress the imbalance that the administration caused by choosing so many judges who were so far hard right, way out of the mainstream not just of the American people but even of the Party. prgtoken Under this ic majority, we are going to swiftly and routinely take up President 's appointments to the Federal bench to restore some balance. And, I must say, President 's judicial candidates provide a stark contrast to the quality, to the caliber of President 's nominations. President 's nominees are qualified, mainstream, and actually reflect the diversity of the country. Many have spent years as public defenders, an experience that is sorely lacking on the Federal bench. They also include the first Native American to be nominated to the Federal court, the second-ever Puerto Rican, and the second Black woman to sit on the Second Circuit in my home State of New York. I am very proud of that. prgtoken That is a far cry from what we got under President and then- Majority Leader McConnell. For 4 years, the leader turned the Senate into a conveyor belt for inexperienced lawyers, many with deeply radical views on women's choice, voting rights, criminal justice, and civil rights. A few of them were so extreme on the issues of race and voting that Senators joined with to reject those nominations. prgtoken With President , we are going to bring balance back to the Federal judiciary by confirming judges who are beholden to the law, not some far-right agenda