mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
ORDER OF PROCEDURE
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2022-2-9

I ask unanimous consent that notwithstanding rule XXII, upon the conclusion of morning business tomorrow, February 10, the Senate proceed to consideration of Calendar No. 264, H.R. 4445; that the time until 11 a.m. be equally divided between the two leaders or their designees; that at 11 a.m. the bill be read a third time and the Senate vote on passage of the bill without further intervening action or debate; further, that upon on disposition of H.R. 4445, the Senate proceed to executive session and resume consideration of the Vekich nomination and, at 11:45, the Senate vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination, and, if cloture is invoked, the Senate vote on confirmation of the Vekich nomination at 1:45 p.m.; finally, if any nominations are confirmed during Thursday's session, the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table and the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action.
RESTORING POWER TO WOMEN
Madeleine Dean (Democrat, PA) \u2014 2022-2-9

in an important moment of bipartisanship on Monday, this Chamber passed the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act of 2021. prgtoken Over 75 percent of Members voted to restore power to women, who far too often have been at the mercy of powerful men and even more powerful companies. prgtoken This bill is not simply about arbitration, but about ending forced arbitration. prgtoken According to the EEOC, one in four women have been sexually harassed at work. prgtoken For many, the fear of retaliation and being blackballed stops them from coming forward. prgtoken And the women who do find the courage to come forward can be challenged by the confidentiality clause so often tied to forced arbitration clauses in employment contracts. prgtoken This legislation will give sexual harassment and assault survivors the freedom to decide legal action. prgtoken This bill goes beyond recourse for the victim. It is about redress in a court of law, not in a closed arbitration room. prgtoken Because that is justice. I look forward to Senate passage.
IN RECOGNITION OF THE LATE NATHAN WENDEL GRAY
Matt Cartwright (Democrat, PA) \u2014 2022-2-9

. Madam , I rise today to honor Nathan Gray, who lost his battle with childhood cancer on January 6, 2022. In his eight years of life, Nathan's courage, positivity, and bright smile inspired many, raised awareness for childhood cancer, and banded a community together, inspiring others to do good. prgtoken Nathan was born on July 16, 2013 to Jeffrey and Patricia Gray, and he was the beloved brother of ten year old Jeffrey and six year old Natalie. When Nathan was two years old, he was diagnosed with Wilms tumor, a rare form of kidney cancer. He fought cancer with the bravery of a superhero, enduring 221 doses of chemotherapy, 26 surgeries, 33 days of radiation, an oral inhibitor, and more than 100 blood platelet transfusions. Despite the challenges of his illness, Nathan attended St. Nicholas-St. Mary's School and enjoyed swimming, playing video games, and riding his bike. prgtoken Nathan's bravery and joy garnered local attention in August 2016 when the Facebook page ``Nathan the Super Hero'' was started by his family lo document his battle with cancer. Thousands of people have followed the page, sharing words of encouragement. celebrating the joyful moments, and offering comfort and support during the challenging ones. Nathan quickly became a local celebrity, inspiring members of the community with his infectious simile and relentless courage. The community rallied around Nathan. cheering him on and making him feel special. In February 2020, the Wilkes-Barre Area Wolfpack named him honorary team captain before they played their inaugural home game at Wilkes-Barre Memorial Stadium. In August 2020, Wilkes-Barre police and fire department vehicles paraded past his home while well-wishers delivered gifts, and, in December 2021, carolers visited Nathan to spread some Christmas cheer. Just last month, the Wilkes-Barre council unanimously voted to rename the Barney Farms Park in Nathan's honor. prgtoken Nathan's family's willingness to be open and share their son's experiences with Wilms tumor helped shed important light on the issue of childhood cancer and the need for more aggressive research and increased funding for prevention and cures--so that children like Nathan do not have to suffer. prgtoken I am honored to recognize the life and legacy of this brave young man. Nathan's memory will live on with his beloved family and friends and the large community that he inspired with his determination and positivity.
AMERICA MUST STAND WITH KOSOVO
Ritchie Torres (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2022-2-9

I proudly stand before you to celebrate the 14th independence of Kosovo, one of the world's youngest nations. prgtoken Rising from the ruins of ethnic cleansing at the murderous hands of one of the worst dictators in the 20th century, Kosovo has built a burgeoning democracy in whose heart the United States holds a special place. prgtoken Indeed, the U.S. has no greater friend in southeast Europe than Kosovo, and Kosovo should have no greater friend in the world than the U.S. We owe it to that friendship, as well as to the greater cause of democracy, to stand firmly with Kosovo as it seeks universal recognition from the international community and membership in both the EU and NATO. prgtoken The time has come for Kosovo to be given the full respect and recognition that an independent country deserves. prgtoken The United States must stand with those that not only stand with America but also stand for America. Kosovo stands for the American vision of a more democratic world.
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
Richard Blumenthal (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2022-2-9

today I rise to recognize Mrs. Gloria Miller Blick, a Connecticut resident who turns 100 on March 1, 2022. prgtoken Mrs. Blick is a lifelong advocate for the elderly, who has worked tirelessly to inspire positive change. prgtoken She was appointed to the Commission for the Aged by then-mayor of Stamford, Dannel Malloy. Mrs. Blick was also active as a member of Stamford's Smith House Nursing and Rehabilitation Center's board of directors and Southwest CT Agency on Aging's advisory board. Later, she served 8 years as the chairwoman of Stamford's Senior Centers board of directors. prgtoken Mrs. Blick's advocacy had far-reaching results. Passionate about providing end-of-life options and other choices for the elderly, she spoke before the Connecticut State Senate. Her statement took prominence in the State's discussion regarding access to medical marijuana for elderly people with glaucoma, a condition she has faced for nearly two decades. Her commitment to supporting those who are marginalized and underserved inspired her son, Dr. Gary Blick, to pursue a medical career and a lifetime of humanitarian work. She even worked as the office manager for his practice for over 20 years and his billing specialist for over 30, commuting independently at age 97. prgtoken A remarkable advocate, I applaud Mrs. Blick on her outstanding record of service. I hope my colleagues will join me in congratulating Mrs. Gloria Blick, her son Gary, and the rest of her family on this milestone of her 100th birthday.
Continuing Resolution (Executive Calendar)
Jeanne Shaheen (Democrat, NH) \u2014 2022-2-9

I am actually on the floor to speak to a different issue, even though I think expediting votes is an important one, and I support that. prgtoken But I am really here to highlight the negative consequences for our country of continuing to fund our government through continuing resolutions. prgtoken One of the most basic constitutional duties of Congress is the appropriations process. The Nation relies on this body to provide Federal funds for programs that support national defense, small businesses, our border defenses, conservation of public lands, food assistance for low-income families, and so much, much more. prgtoken And as a long-serving Member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I am extremely disappointed that Congress is about to pass yet another CR that is going to take us to March 11, nearly 5 months past the start of the fiscal year. prgtoken Now, on a positive note, I understand that there is a tentative agreement on top-line funding, so that we should have budget numbers for an omnibus that would fund the remainder of the fiscal year. And that is good news. But the fundamental problem remains; long-term CRs create uncertainty and inefficiencies inside and outside of the Federal Government. prgtoken CRs prevent Agencies from issuing new grants or expanding programs. They curtail hiring and recruitment. And moreover, those who rely on government programs and Federal resources--and that could be either SNAP recipients or defense contractors, but everyone is forced into a budgetary limbo. prgtoken And simply put, when Congress refuses to act, people can't do their jobs, and this is especially true for our military men and women who are serving. prgtoken From Russia's efforts to undermine democracies in Europe to China's rapidly expanding sphere of influence, to the unpredictable threat of rogue actors like North Korea and Iran, the threats we face today are varied and numerous. And nothing hinders our national security more than funding our national priorities in piecemeal fashion. prgtoken Make no mistake, as we are engaged in this crisis right now in Europe, where Russia is on the borders of Ukraine, threatening to invade, we can bet that Vladimir Putin is watching our Congress to see if we can actually get an agreement to get a budget funded for the rest of this year. prgtoken Recently, several of my colleagues from the Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense and the Armed Services Committee met with Marine Corps Commandant General Berger to discuss the challenges that are facing the Marines. The message from General Berger was clear: If we continue to fund our government through CRs, it will erode our military readiness, and it will cut training time and impede the maintenance processes we rely on to keep our soldiers safe. prgtoken The impact of continued CRs on our military would be wide-ranging, and the negative effects would continue to ripple for years. And we had this experie
SUPPORT AMERICAN ECONOMIC COMPETITIVENESS
Lauren Underwood (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2022-2-9

investing in innovation is vital to strengthening America's economic and national security. That is why I supported the America COMPETES Act of 2022, which makes a historic investment in American technology and innovation. prgtoken This bipartisan bill addresses 21st century challenges by turbocharging the domestic production of semiconductors, increasing the manufacturing workforce, and investing in STEM education. I am proud that my amendment, which creates partnerships with local industries to tailor STEM education to local economic needs, was included in the House version of the bill. prgtoken This amendment will broaden the scope of STEM education and offer new opportunities in rural communities like much of my district. With transformative investments in some of Illinois' biggest industries, like manufacturing, education, energy, and biotechnology, the America COMPETES Act will strengthen the STEM pipeline in my district and across the country. prgtoken I am proud of this bipartisan effort to support American economic competitiveness and urge my Senate colleagues to act quickly to send this legislation to the President's desk.
UKRAINE: THE SCRIMMAGE LINE FOR LIBERTY IN EUROPE
Marcy Kaptur (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2022-2-9

I thank Congressman Mfume for his sterling remarks. His presence here adds enormous value to what we are attempting to do, to stop war, to promote diplomacy and peace, and to help protect a David against a Goliath. This is a very noble calling. prgtoken As we close today, I want to say for the record, for teachers who may be listening, for scholars, for other Members of Congress, there is a book by Dr. Timothy Snyder of Yale University titled ``Bloodlands.'' If you want to understand the struggle for liberty, that is a book that is a must-read. prgtoken , .
GLOBAL RESPECT ACT
David N. Cicilline (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2022-2-9

. Madam , I just want to respond quickly to two things before I close. The first is, again, the Global Respect Act, like Magnitsky, does not punish and cannot be invoked for speech. It is very clear. It has never been used in that way, and it specifically targets conduct. But out of an abundance of caution, to reassure our colleagues on the other side of the aisle, Mr. Harder offers an amendment that makes that explicit, that says that no one will be sanctioned due to their religious beliefs. Instead, only those who commit egregious acts of violence, including: torture, enforced disappearance, or extrajudicial killings will be denied entry into the United States. prgtoken This notion of like, well, we were concerned about this religion issue, but when it is explicitly addressed because it is offered by a through the prgtoken amendment process and not a , it doesn't satisfy my friends on the other side of the aisle. It is very disappointing; very disappointing. prgtoken This Global Respect Act legislation is designed to address a real problem, and I will just say one last time, in section 3 of the bill, the language in the bill includes gross violations of internationally recognized human rights as codified in 22 U.S.C. 2304. What is that? Not your view on marriage, not whether you like someone. It is defined as: ``. . . torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment, prolonged detention without charges and trial, causing the disappearance of persons by the abduction and clandestine detention of those persons, and other flagrant denial of the right to life, liberty, or the security of person.'' prgtoken This is a well-established definition for gross human rights violations. This bill simply says, if you engage in that kind of behavior, you do not have a right to enter the United States of America. We will deny you a visa because we stand for human rights. prgtoken So I urge my colleagues to support the en bloc amendment, support this bill, be proud today that the United States is standing again for the protection of human rights of all people here in the United States, and around the world. prgtoken Madam , .
EXTENDING THE CHILD TAX CREDIT
Shontel M. Brown (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2022-2-9

I rise today to call for an extension of the critical child tax credit. prgtoken Here is the truth: Before expiring at the end of 2021, the expanded child tax credit was working. Payments lowered hunger. They kept nearly 4 million children out of poverty. And they helped countless people make ends meet. prgtoken The child tax credit was a critical lifeline for more than 35 million American families. This includes more than 70,000 in my district, which has some of the highest poverty in America. prgtoken Shaneice, a mother of three from Cleveland, used the payments to pay rent and afford basic necessities. But now, 2 months after the payments stopped, Shaneice says she is just getting by, and she is looking for side jobs to support her family. prgtoken It is time to extend the child tax credit. We cannot--we must not-- let families down.
UKRAINE: THE SCRIMMAGE LINE FOR LIBERTY IN EUROPE
Victoria Spartz (Republican, IN) \u2014 2022-2-9

I thank Congresswoman Kaptur and Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick for their bipartisan leadership. prgtoken I know that this Special Order is about the situation in Ukraine, but the situation in Ukraine goes beyond Ukraine. It is a threat to the stability of the world order, the largest threat since World War II, and a threat to any democracy. prgtoken I would also like to remind us that millions of our predecessors died for freedom, peace, and democracy. I would like to read some excerpts from the recent joint statement of the Russian Federation and the Peoples Republic of China dated February 4, 2022. ``Today, the world is going through momentous changes, and humanity is entering a new era of . . . profound transformation. It sees . . . transformation of the global governance architecture and world order . . . a trend has emerged towards redistribution of power in the world. The sides note that Russia and China as world powers . . . have longstanding traditions of democracy which rely on thousand-years of experience. They stand ready to work together with all the interested partners to promote genuine democracy.'' prgtoken I know that President Putin is not going to listen to me, and I am not sure to anyone else, but I hope he still has to listen to the Russian people at least a little bit. I am not naive on his personal ambitions although I would still offer him an olive branch if he really cares about his people in his country. Therefore, I am going to direct my message to over 3 million Russian Americans. I am talking to you as a Congresswoman representing the great State of Indiana, who grew up under Communists in the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic. I was born in a country that doesn't exist anymore, and for good reason, as many of you, too. prgtoken I know that many of you have relatives in Russia and dual citizenship. I know that Putin has powerful anti-American propaganda on his TV. I was somewhat surprised over its extant. It's worse than during the Soviet Union times. prgtoken I want you to let the Russian people know that neither the United States nor the West are a threat to Russia's national security. prgtoken I would argue that Russia has a much bigger threat coming from the east. There is a very aggressive economic expansion of China in the Far East and Siberia. prgtoken I would also like to make it very clear that the American people do not want another war in Europe. prgtoken I also want to remind you of the human cost of any war. If Russia starts a war in Ukraine, which looks more and more likely, a lot of young people will have to die from both sides. No one will benefit from it. Maybe the Chinese Communist Party, but not the Russian people. prgtoken I just do not believe that the Russian people would want to go in history as a puppet to the imperialistic ambitions of China and would want to promote a so-called genuine democracy of the Chinese Communist Party. prgtoken The ball is in you
HONORING THE LIFE OF PATRICIA ANN LeMAY HOCKING
Randy K. Weber, Sr. (Republican, TX) \u2014 2022-2-9

I rise today to recognize the life of the First Lady of Bee Cave, Texas, and former First Lady of La Marque, Texas, Patricia Ann LeMay Hocking. prgtoken Patti, as she was affectionately known, was a fascinating woman with a colorful background. From an early age, Patti loved ballet. Patti took ballet lessons with the Houston Ballet Foundation. Patti worked hard in pursuit of that goal, and eventually, she danced professionally with the Houston Ballet Company. prgtoken Patti graduated from Incarnate Word Academy in downtown Houston, married Mr. Robert Ellis Hocking--Bobby Hocking--and they settled in Bee Cave, Texas, where she built, owned, and ran her first of two dance studios. prgtoken After Bee Cave was incorporated in 1987, Bobby Hocking was elected the town's very first mayor. Patti was always by his side as his biggest fan and supporter. They traveled together internationally when Bobby was lead singer in many bands, then as a gospel singer and evangelist. It was Patti's prayers and influence that brought Bobby back to his roots, and they spent many years in the ministry, prgtoken copastoring churches in Oklahoma and Texas. prgtoken Most recently, the city of La Marque was the beneficiary of her generous spirit and gift of public service. Patti was devoted to and passionate about her faith, her family, and her community. A gracious, giving, and loving woman, Patti was adored by all who met her. prgtoken , First Lady Hocking will be sorely missed, and I send Bobby our love.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
Jeff Duncan (Republican, SC) \u2014 2022-2-9

I thank the gentleman from Utah for yielding. prgtoken , I rise today to honor the life of a model American and South Carolinian, and let me add, a very good friend of mine, Raymond G. ``Jerry'' Strawbridge, who passed away Monday. prgtoken Jerry was chairman of the Saluda County Council, and epitomized what it meant to be a public servant and a true patriot, as he did so much to serve his church, his country, Saluda County, South Carolina's Third District, the State of South Carolina, and our great Nation. prgtoken Jerry was a family man, a business owner, a veteran, chairman of Saluda County Party for 8 years, chairman of Saluda County Water and Sewer Authority, a 32nd degree Mason, and very involved in his lodge. He was also a sergeant major for the South Carolina National Guard where he served for 40 years, and that is quite a feat. prgtoken His accolades include: National Defense Service Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, U.S. Meritorious Service Medal, and the South Carolina Guardsman Retirement Medal. prgtoken My heart goes out to Jerry's wife, Denise, and his children and grandchildren. I am praying for them as they mourn the loss of a truly incredible person who served so well. He will surely be missed by his community and his legacy will continue to have an impact on Saluda County and South Carolina for many years to come. prgtoken , during these times we are comforted by Scripture and the words of Jesus. ``Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.'' prgtoken May God bless the Strawbridge family, and may God continue to bless the United States of America.
CONGRATULATING SHARON HUGHES FOR 20 YEARS OF SERVICE
Warren Davidson (Republican, OH) \u2014 2022-2-9

I rise today to congratulate and thank Sharon Hughes for her 20 years of service to the Eighth District of Ohio. prgtoken Sharon was born in Marion, Ohio, and attended Bowling Green State University. She worked for Congressman John Boehner from 2002 to 2016, and she has been a dedicated staff member in my office since 2016. She served as a caseworker and office manager, and also directed the military academy nomination process with excellence, and the Congressional Art Competition with excellence as well. prgtoken Outside of her congressional work, she also served in several leadership roles for the Butler Philharmonic Orchestra. prgtoken During her 20 years of service to the Eighth District of Ohio, Sharon has made a difference in the lives of countless constituents, including assisting in prgtoken securing Federal benefits; solving tax return problems; and acquiring service records, passports, and military service-connected disability compensation. prgtoken I thank Sharon so much for everything that she has done for Ohio's Eighth District. May she enjoy her well-earned retirement.