mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
FIRST SERGEANT LEONARD A. FUNK, JR. POST OFFICE BUILDING
Fred Keller (Republican, PA) \u2014 2022-7-12

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , I rise in support of H.R. 5794 which honors Sergeant Leonard Funk. prgtoken Sergeant Funk was a paratrooper who served in some of the most critical campaigns during World War II, including the invasion of Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge. prgtoken He became one of World War II's most decorated paratroopers. Notably, he was awarded the Medal of Honor, the government's highest and most prestigious military decoration, as well as the Distinguished Service Cross. prgtoken Sergeant Funk exemplified what it means to be an American patriot. I am proud to say that following his military service, Sergeant Funk returned to the great Commonwealth of Pennsylvania where he continued his public service with the Department of Veterans Affairs in the Pittsburgh area. prgtoken , I strongly encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and .
Recognizing Ole Miss Rebels and the Pearl River Community Wildcats (Executive Calendar)
Roger F. Wicker (Republican, MS) \u2014 2022-7-12

for the second year in a row, the State of Mississippi is the center of the universe for college baseball. Senator Hyde-Smith and I are proud and delighted this afternoon to congratulate not one but two Mississippi collegiate baseball teams on becoming national champions for their respective divisions this year. Those teams are the Ole Miss Rebels and the Pearl River Community Wildcats. prgtoken It was just last year that the Mississippi State Bulldogs won their first-ever College World Series national championship. And with the new year, came even more successful baseball in Mississippi. prgtoken Last month, after sweating out selection day, Ole Miss went to the NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament and won 10 out of 11 games, sweeping Oklahoma in the final round of the College World Series to become national champions. prgtoken Just weeks earlier, Pearl River Community College, located in Poplarville, MS, defeated Madison College of Wisconsin in the Division II Junior College World Series. After spending the entire season ranked in the top five, Pearl River won five out of six games in the playoffs, defeating Florida State College at Jacksonville, Lansing Community College, and, finally, Madison College in a three-game series finale. prgtoken The Wildcats dropped game one to Madison, but then roared back with a 19-to-1 victory in game 2 and a decisive 7-to-2 victory in game 3. They finished their season with a sparkling record of 45 wins and 11 losses. prgtoken Just think about this for a moment. Three college baseball national titles in 2 years for the State of Mississippi. prgtoken Congratulations also go to the University of Southern Mississippi, which had an excellent season and even hosted their first super regional in Hattiesburg, ending with a record of 47 wins and 19 losses. prgtoken This year's Ole Miss championship run is a comeback story for the ages. After spending the early parts of the season ranked No. 1 in the Nation, the Rebels went into a deep slump in April, losing 4 straight series and 11 out of 16 games. In May, they were among the last 4 teams to be included in the field of 64. But they had finished the regular season hot, and some people believed they just might carry that momentum into the playoffs. And they did, outscoring their opponents 46 runs to 11 down the stretch. prgtoken Led by Coach Mike Bianco and Team Captain Tim Elko, Ole Miss beat one team after another--first Arizona and Miami in the regional, then Southern Miss in the Hattiesburg Super Regional, then Auburn and Arkansas in the College World Series, which led to a final best two out of three face-off with Oklahoma. prgtoken Game one was a slugfest. The Rebels put up 16 hits, including back- to-back-to-back home runs in the eighth inning by T.J. McCants, Calvin , and Justin Bench--a stunning feat not seen at the College World Series since 1998. prgtoken On the mound, the Ole Miss pitchers kept things quiet. Jac
The Economy (Executive Session)
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2022-7-12

. We all know inflation and the economy are the biggest problems facing Americans today. The New York Times released a poll just yesterday showing a full 93 percent of working-age Americans are dissatisfied with the state of our economy. We are a big and a diverse country. Ninety-three percent of Americans hardly ever agree on anything, but are unifying the country in unhappiness at the dark path down which they have taken our economy. prgtoken Monmouth University released some data explaining why Americans are feeling so sour. Forty-two percent of Americans are struggling to stay afloat financially at the highest rate ever--ever--in this poll's entire history, even higher than the darkest days, the days of the COVID pandemic. prgtoken Sixty-three percent of Americans named economic issues as their chief concern. And they know who to blame for their misfortune: President and congressional , who plowed $2 trillion into our economy last year and created the highest inflation in four decades. prgtoken I am sure many of my colleagues heard heart-wrenching stories from constituents struggling with inflation during the past 2 weeks' State work period. I certainly did in Kentucky, where the average household now spends more than $500 more a month than they did before President took office. prgtoken At a meeting with homebuilders in Northern Kentucky, local employers told me their businesses were poised to slow down dramatically. For 2 years, they struggled as Washington ' exacerbated supply chain hiccups and worker shortages with freewheeling spending policies. Now, as the Fed tries to rein in inflation by hiking interest rates, home buyers have to contend with the most expensive borrowing environment in over a decade. Homebuilders foresee their industry literally stalling out. prgtoken In Paducah, I sat down with some of Western Kentucky's barge operators. Like the homebuilders, they are concerned with ongoing worker shortages, inflation, and of course spiraling fuel prgtoken costs. They also rightly worry that power outages could hit the Commonwealth in the coming months. prgtoken Washington pursued environmental goals crafted by activists with no sense of how the real economy functions. They sidelined powerplants that use cheap, reliable energy sources without acknowledging that shortages would occur when the wind doesn't blow or the Sun doesn't shine. Independent electricity reliability experts have been sounding the alarm that two-thirds--two-thirds--of the United States could endure electricity blackouts this summer. prgtoken Then, Kentucky's ongoing labor shortage hit home during a meeting with bourbon distillers in our famous Bluegrass region. As the distillers explained to me, the programs implemented by Washington in their $2 trillion spending package last year encouraged workers to exit the workforce and stay on the sidelines. The Commonwealth still h
DEPLETING THE STRATEGIC PETROLEUM RESERVE
Doug LaMalfa (Republican, CA) \u2014 2022-7-12

our Strategic Petroleum Reserve is meant to be preserved for an actual emergency, such as in the case of catastrophic weather or in times of war. But President has started the largest ever loan from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. prgtoken From that loan, we have seen he has shipped 5 million barrels of oil, not for lowering the prices, as they thought that putting some of that oil on the market might affect the price. No, they are actually shipping it to foreign countries, including China. A million barrels of oil is allegedly going to China out of our Strategic Petroleum Reserve, which is supposed to be for us in case of emergency, not playing markets, not trying to make some money. prgtoken It is unreal. Since day one, President walked into office and started shutting down our energy industry, the pipeline, exploration permits and leases. They have gone this direction. prgtoken That makes our fuel more expensive for everybody on the whole supply chain: Farmers, manufacturers, people taking their kids to school, people going to the store. It is hurting everybody. prgtoken They are sending it now to China. prgtoken Whose side is President on?
WE MUST SAVE THE GIANT SEQUOIAS
Bruce Westerman (Republican, AR) \u2014 2022-7-12

. Madam , after visiting the Mariposa Grove of giant sequoias, Teddy Roosevelt famously declared: ``A grove of giant redwood or sequoias should be kept just as we keep a great and beautiful cathedral.'' prgtoken Madam , today that cathedral is on fire. The very grove in which President Roosevelt stood is enveloped in flames as we speak, threatening to destroy these iconic trees forever. prgtoken We are seeing the horrific consequences of decades of forest mismanagement play out in Yosemite, and it is time to act to save our sequoias. prgtoken Wildfires burn so hot and so intensely that they quite literally explode giant sequoias and create ``fire-nados,'' sending branches and bark hurling so far into the air that they have narrowly missed taking out our firefighting planes. If giant sequoias can't withstand these raging infernos, no tree stands a chance. prgtoken Time is not on our side, Madam . I urge immediate action on the Save Our Sequoias Act to give land managers in California the resources they so desperately need, preventing firefighters from having to resort to desperate measures to save these national treasures. This is the only way we can conserve America's most beautiful cathedral for generations to come.
NATO Summit (Executive Session)
Roy Blunt (Republican, MO) \u2014 2022-7-12

I want to join with my five colleagues who have been here today and the two people who were with us, Senator Durbin and Senator Fischer. prgtoken I would say one of the great things about this effort was the unanimous feeling that all seven of us had about both what is happening in NATO and our commitment to win in Ukraine. We were able to demonstrate that to every group we met with from every country we met with. I think with the strong leadership of Chairmen Shaheen and Tillis that it made an impression on where we were and the unity we have on this. prgtoken It would be interesting to know if Putin was more surprised by the Ukrainian resistance, the poor performance of his own military, or my guess would be he may have been most surprised by what has happened at NATO--the great turnaround of the NATO--the current NATO countries and their commitment to NATO, their commitment to what they have been willing to do and pledged to do with NATO and then to see these two incredibly important security contributors join NATO after 73 years of being neutral and an important part of the world and saw that as part of their long-term commitment. prgtoken But both Finland and Sweden, which, by the way, have been NATO contributors for some time now in terms of being willing to be part of NATO missions, training with their future NATO allies--all that is incredibly important, but these countries not only bring incredible security contributions to NATO, they also bring significant geographic contributions to NATO. When you look at a map, suddenly not just Norway, which has been in NATO, but Sweden and Finland in NATO has an incredible impact on the ability of what happens in the Baltic. That is important to us as we look to the future. prgtoken Now, with the exception of Russia, every country that borders and has part of a claim on the Arctic will be a NATO country. This is a part of the world we have been talking about much more the last 5 years than we did the previous 25 years. To have this NATO unity as we look at the Arctic is an important thing. prgtoken The 800-mile border that Finland has shared for years and defended for years against Russia doubles the NATO border in Europe. prgtoken The intimate understanding that both Sweden and Finland have of Russia brings a different point of view and a helpful point of view to NATO. prgtoken For the current members, particularly the new members of NATO, when you look at these Baltic countries of Estonia and Latvia and Lithuania and then look at Poland and Romania, seeing what happens when the unity is created and the force multiplier is there--I have heard my colleagues already talk about the jet planes, the submarines, the navy, the air force that both of these people bring, the cyber ability that both of them bring to the fight is real. prgtoken You know, in a meeting that I was in before this meeting occurred with the Latvian Defense Minister, the Latvian Defe
LANCE CORPORAL KAREEM NIKOUI MEMORIAL POST OFFICE BUILDING
Ken Calvert (Republican, CA) \u2014 2022-7-12

I rise today in support of H.R. 5809, legislation I introduced to designate the U.S. Post Office located in Norco, California, as the Lance Corporal Kareem Nikoui Memorial Post Office Building. prgtoken As we approach the 1-year anniversary of Lance Corporal Nikoui's death, my congressional district continues to honor the life and memory of Kareem, who was a Norco resident and will be forever remembered as an American hero. prgtoken As a student at Norco High School, Kareem was inspired to answer the call of service to his country. When he joined the Marine Corps, Kareem was following in the footsteps of patriots. Like his fellow marines, he was not signing up for glory or reward, but out of a sense of duty. Kareem was willing to make sacrifices in his own life so that others could live freely. prgtoken In his final days, Kareem was on the front lines of a mission to secure freedom for desperate people trying to flee Afghanistan. Like so many of the U.S. servicemembers and coalition allies, Kareem conducted himself with bravery and compassion, despite the chaos that resulted from a poorly planned exit from Afghanistan. In addition to securing the airfield, Kareem helped care for children, women, and the elderly by sharing with them water and candy. prgtoken The suicide bombing that claimed the lives of Kareem and 12 other U.S. servicemembers, as well as hundreds of Afghans, was an act of cowardice and evil. The worst of mankind heartbreakingly robbed us of so many who represented the best of mankind. prgtoken This bill, this Congress, and this country can never fully repay the Nikoui family for the sacrifice that they have made, but by passing this bill, the House remembers Kareem's bravery, and we pay tribute to a young life taken too soon. As the sponsor of this bill, I will continue to work so it becomes law so that the community of Norco will forever honor and enshrine the name of Lance Corporal Kareem Nikoui.
PROTECTING ALL LIFE
Bob Good (Republican, VA) \u2014 2022-7-12

finally, mercifully, the most destructive Supreme Court decision in history has been reversed, something many of us believed we would never live to see, after decades of disappointment. prgtoken Not only was the Roe decision without constitutional merit, but no other decision in the history of the Court caused so much destruction, so much carnage, so much devastation, with 63 million lives lost. prgtoken Sixty-three million lives, about the population of France, more than the population of Italy, Ukraine, or Canada. Sixty-three million lives, 1.4 million a year, more than the 2-year amount attributable to the China virus, for every year for nearly 50 years, all of them 100 percent attributable and 100 percent preventable. prgtoken Thank God for the hundreds of thousands of relentless pro-life activists, for millions of pro-life marchers, for tens of millions of pro-life voters, and thank God for the courage of six Supreme Court Justices who withstood the pressure, the threats, and the intimidation to do the right thing morally and constitutionally. prgtoken May our legislative bodies in Washington now match that courage. The responsibility passes to us now, the people's elected representatives, to pass laws protecting all life in the womb.
NATO Summit (Executive Session)
Joni Ernst (Republican, IA) \u2014 2022-7-12

I want to thank my colleagues, especially Senators Shaheen and Tillis, for leading an incredibly successful congressional delegation to the NATO summit. I want to thank them, as well, for organizing the colloquy today. prgtoken I join them in enthusiastically endorsing Finland and Sweden's accession into NATO. Both nations have representative governments accountable to their people. They conduct extensive commerce and trade with our great United States, and, broadly, they share many of our values. prgtoken Historically, perhaps these were conditions sufficient to readily welcome two European nations into one of our multinational security frameworks, but today, given the increasingly complex threats our adversaries are imposing on the homeland, protecting American security and prosperity demands partners who are capable of sharing NATO's manpower and resource burdens. prgtoken NATO isn't a club of democracies or a playground for exploring climate change or progressive cultural interests. It is a military alliance that is assembled to deter our adversaries from wreaking havoc on our partners and against our own homeland. prgtoken Today, the United States is the unquestioned and undisputed leader of not just NATO, but continues to lead the global coalition containing and destroying terrorist operations in the Middle East and in Africa. Beyond Europe and the Middle East, the United States must--and I will repeat that--must lead a coalition to deter China's looming imperial expansion around the world and potential takeover of Taiwan and our other partners in the Indo-Pacific. prgtoken The United States has the greatest military on the face of the planet, and the American people's support of our Armed Forces is unwavering. prgtoken Still, our Commander in Chief, our diplomatic and military leadership, and Members of the Senate must hold our partners accountable to their own defense and not lean on the reach and lethality of our soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, and guardians alone. prgtoken Going forward, NATO member countries must invest in their own defense. Two percent must be a minimum standard. Longstanding members of the alliance remain far too lax and sometimes neglectful of their obligations to the alliance and to their people. America is not the world's policemen, but we are the leader of the free world and this alliance. And Finland and Sweden are on target regarding their 2- percent commitment. prgtoken I am confident that Finland and Sweden are ready to stand up and help shoulder the resource burden on NATO's military obligations in Europe, particularly following Russia's bloody, lawless invasion of Ukraine. prgtoken The accession of Finland and Sweden to NATO is a great success, but regarding the war raging in Ukraine today, on day 140 of this conflict, the U.S. cannot grow weary. Our resolve to support our partner must carry on. China is watching. The Gulf States, South America, and Afric
Unanimous Consent Requests--Executive Calendar (Executive Calendar)
Josh Hawley (Republican, MO) \u2014 2022-7-12

. No accountability. There has been no one fired. There has been no one relieved of command. This administration has stonewalled. They have dragged their feet. They have refused to cooperate. Oh, we have had hearings, and they have had briefings almost entirely behind closed doors. prgtoken Here is my request. It is what I promised Corporal Schmitz's father I would do on the morning that I spoke to him, that I would seek accountability for what happened in Afghanistan, and that is exactly what I intend to do. It is what I have been doing, many a time have I been on the floor for the last 11 months seeking accountability. And I have been stonewalled at every single turn. prgtoken What I have asked for months on end is that the Armed Services Committee hold a public hearing on this investigation--a public hearing--not behind closed doors, not without the press, not cut off from the American people--a public hearing, and I have been denied every time. prgtoken So what I am going to do today is I am going to enter this report into the Record so that the American people can see what U.S. Central Command found. And until we have that accountability in public, I will continue to ask that the Senate observe regular order and actually vote on these nominees. prgtoken .
HONORING THE LIFE OF DAVID DICKSON
Blake D. Moore (Republican, UT) \u2014 2022-7-12

. Madam , I rise today to honor the life of David Dickson. Utah lost a wonderful father and a man of faith. David was just forty-two years old when he died late last month due to medical complications, and he leaves behind his eight children. As a single father, David devoted his life to ensuring his children could have full and prosperous lives. prgtoken Born and raised in Ogden, Utah, David was a man of the community. He graduated from Ogden High School and Weber State University--both of which I also attended. His life took him from Utah to Arizona to Idaho, where his family resides to this day. Despite difficulty in his most recent years, David was resolute in his determination to provide a bright future for his children and family. prgtoken David's eight children are between the ages of seven and eighteen years old. He was a devoted father who loved his children deeply. David will be dearly missed, and our community will continue to lift his family up in prayer.