mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Tom Cotton (Republican, AR) \u2014 2021-5-18

over the weekend, Israeli fighter jets demolished an office building in Gaza that housed the members of Hamas, the terrorist organization dedicated to wiping Israel and its people off the map, and they are actively pursuing that mission as we speak by firing thousands of rockets and missiles indiscriminately into Israeli cities. prgtoken To minimize civilian casualties, the Israeli Defense Forces gave persons in the building 1 hour advance notice the building was coming down. Everyone evacuated safely, including, one sadly assumes, Hamas fighters. When the airstrike came, there were no reported civilian casualties. prgtoken Certain activists in the press seem to meet every Israeli airstrike against terrorists with outrage, but this one elicited even more self- righteous indignation than usual. It quickly came to light that the Associated Press and Al Jazeera had news bureaus in that very building. The AP had lost prime real estate in the strike--real estate with a rooftop terrace. Some even lost their cameras. prgtoken The AP's top newsman said he was ``shocked and horrified'' by an airstrike that caused no casualties. He also disclaimed any knowledge of Hamas's presence in the building, despite ``actively check[ing].'' Many other journalists and their advocacy organizations also mounted up on their moral high horses against Israel. prgtoken But the AP story just didn't add up. So I asked a few basic questions in a speech right here yesterday afternoon; namely, why was the Associated Press sharing a building with Hamas in the first place? Did it knowingly allow its journalists to be used as human shields by a U.S.-designated terrorist organization? Did the AP pull its punches and decline to report for years on Hamas's misdeeds? prgtoken One would think that these are simple and reasonable questions, but I directed them to a media organization. So the usual suspects circled the wagons, expressing more outrage at my audacity to question AP's leadership than they do at Hamas for trying to kill Jews by the thousands. prgtoken Keith Olbermann called me an ``anti-Constitution, anti-Free Press, racist fascist.'' One Slate reporter wrote that I was making ``deranged insinuations'' and going to ``bat against civilians in a war-zone,'' even though no civilians had been harmed in this airstrike. prgtoken The constant refrain of their criticism was that I was attacking the brave reporters of the Associated Press's Gaza bureau. My claims were baseless, reckless, ``without evidence,'' they claimed. But, in fact, there is plenty of evidence that some media outlet station in Gaza allowed themselves to be used as pawns by Hamas. prgtoken According to an article from the Atlantic magazine in 2014, written by none other than, yes, a former Associated Press reporter, the AP had abundant reason to suspect Hamas's presence years before the IDF informed them by telephone last weekend. According to the article, Hamas fi
UNREST IN THE MIDDLE EAST
Tim Burchett (Republican, TN) \u2014 2021-5-18

what Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad are doing to Israel is nothing short of evil and barbaric. Even worse, some of my colleagues across the aisle and in the national media are excusing this violence against our closest ally in the Middle East. prgtoken It is a fact that Hamas and the PIJ, if they were to lay down their weapons, there would be peace. But if the Israelis laid down theirs, they would be exterminated. This is no secret because these two terrorist groups explicitly say their goal is to wipe Israel off the face of the map, and their actions back up their words, . prgtoken I think a history lesson and global current affairs update is in order for Members of Congress and media organizations taking the side of terrorists intent on exterminating Israel and the entire Jewish population. prgtoken For starters, nobody should forget that, in 1997, it was President Bill Clinton's State Department that placed Hamas and the PIJ on the United States' list of foreign terrorist organizations. Both groups are still on the list today and for good reason. prgtoken Israel removed their forces from the Gaza Strip in 2005, but in 2007, Hamas violently forced out Fatah, its rival Palestinian faction, and consolidated its control over the entire Gaza Strip. A terrorist organization controlling territory within mere miles of Jewish communities leaves Israeli civilians vulnerable to violent attacks, Mr. . prgtoken Israel's military blockade protects its rightful homeland from infiltration by radical jihadi terrorists. The blockade is important for preventing the transfer of weapons from Iran's Revolutionary Guard, which gives support to Hamas and PIJ. God only knows the devastation recent missile attacks would have inflicted if the Iranians were able to smuggle guided missiles into the Gaza Strip. prgtoken Despite the blockade, Hamas and PIJ still construct their terror tunnels and manufacture their rockets with dual-use materials like concrete, steel, chemicals, fuel, explosives, and many other things. These materials, which the Israelis allow to pass through their blockade, are meant for infrastructure in Gaza, only to wind up confiscated by the terrorists for their horrific attacks, . prgtoken If anybody questions the existence of the tunnels or their use, I recommend they go on the next codel to Israel to prgtoken see for themselves. I have been there and stood in them. They are, in fact, 100 percent real. prgtoken This is a dilemma for Israel. They want to improve civilian life in Gaza by letting these important materials pass through its blockade, but they also know their enemies will steal these materials and try to harm Israelis. prgtoken The violence that began last week came as a result of protests regarding an ongoing Israeli court order to evict Palestinian families from the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of Jerusalem. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, who is serving his 16th year of what is
ENDLESS FRONTIER ACT
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2021-5-18

. Now, , on an entirely different matter, yesterday, the Senate took a step toward considering wide-ranging legislation that would touch on multiple parts of the U.S. economy in the name of increasing innovation and competitiveness. prgtoken A secure, productive, and innovative America that can outcompete China is something that all 100 Senators want. Of course, in a place like the Senate, you are guaranteed to find a wide variety of different ideas about the best ways to encourage that. A number of our colleagues have assembled a proposal that touches on a long list of subjects-- everything from funding universities, to regional economic development, to Indo-Pacific geopolitics, to artificial intelligence, to cyber security, and beyond. Legislation this broad needs a thorough, robust, and bipartisan floor process, including a healthy series of amendment votes. prgtoken As one of my colleagues--the ranking member on the Commerce Committee--explained, as he supported moving the legislation out of committee, the current draft is ``not ready for prime time'' yet and deserves a robust process here on the floor. prgtoken I understand this bill has come to the floor with a bipartisan understanding and the ic leader's assurances that there won't be an effort to close debate on amendments prematurely. So I look forward to the Senate's considering these important issues, and I hope all of this interest in our competition with China will lead our ic friends to rethink President 's intention to cut our defense spending after inflation. The single best thing we can do to stay competitive with China is to give our Armed Forces the resources they need to stay competitive with China.
NATIONAL LUPUS AWARENESS MONTH
Rick Scott (Republican, FL) \u2014 2021-5-18

I rise today in recognition of National Lupus Awareness Month. prgtoken This is an important time to pause to reflect on what more we can do to solve the cruel mystery of this disease, while providing caring support to those across our Nation who suffer from its impact. Lupus affects around 1.5 million Americans and 100,000 Floridians, including men, women, and children of all ages. It is a chronic autoimmune disease that is difficult to diagnose, and there is no known cause or cure. prgtoken I want to recognize the hard-working Americans fighting to understand, educate, and find a cure for this disease, and I want to thank the Florida Chapter of the Lupus Foundation of America for their work to raise awareness, support research, and conduct education programs so every Floridian affected by lupus can have an improved quality of life. prgtoken I also want to thank the volunteers that generously give their time throughout the year to educate and help patients with lupus, including two outstanding Floridians: Anne Bright and Denise Brown. prgtoken Anne Bright, who suffers from lupus herself, is one of the founding members of the Florida chapter and has dedicated her life to growing the organization and providing help to so many Floridians struggling with lupus. Anne leads the Butterfly Bash committee, which has raised over half a million dollars over the past decade. As a spirited lupus advocate, she touches countless lives, providing hope, resources, and comfort to those affected by lupus. prgtoken Denise Brown lost her 18-year-old daughter, Brooke, to lupus in 2017. Brooke had been diagnosed with lupus at the age of 12, and her courageous battle with lupus inspired her dreams to become a nurse. Unfortunately, Brooke never got to pursue those dreams. Denise honors Brooke's memory every day by dedicating her life to raising awareness of lupus and its effect on people of all ages, especially children, and helping those going through the unimaginable stress and hardship of this disease. prgtoken This Lupus Awareness Month, I thank the brave and hard-working volunteers like Anne and Denise and the wonderful organizations in Florida and across the Nation working hard to improve the quality for those struggling with lupus and getting us closer to a cure.
TRIBUTE TO SHERIFF DAVID MAHONEY
Tammy Baldwin (Democrat, WI) \u2014 2021-5-18

today I rise to honor David Mahoney, sheriff of Dane County, WI, on his retirement. Throughout his long and notable career in law enforcement, Sheriff Mahoney has been a champion of those in the profession and an advocate of deepening community engagement. prgtoken After earning degrees from Madison College and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Sheriff Mahoney began his 41-year career in law enforcement, all but one of which was spent in the Dane County Sheriff's Office. He also graduated from the National Sheriffs' Institute Executive Management Program and the FBI National Academy for Executive Management. Sheriff Mahoney's distinguished career includes extensive experience in labor management, having served 12 years as a local, State, and national labor executive officer, including several years as head of the Wisconsin Professional Police Association. His leadership abilities were recognized when he was appointed president of the National Sheriffs' Association and the Badgerland Sheriffs' Association. prgtoken Sheriff Mahoney was elected as the 52nd sheriff of Dane County in 2006. He won reelection in 2010, 2014, and 2018. As Sheriff, Dave led an organization of 600 staff in a county spanning 1,238 square miles with over 575,000 residents. He was a steadfast advocate for justice, safety, taxpayers, and the men and women in uniform who served on his team. prgtoken During his tenure, Sheriff Mahoney worked hard to reduce recidivism and engage in partnerships to promote criminal justice reform. He is especially respected for his work in understanding the reasons people enter the criminal justice system and developing programming in a jail setting to address these reasons. He has been a strong advocate for more humane conditions in the county's aging jail facilities, including improving access to mental health and substance abuse treatment. He also expanded electronic monitoring programs to reduce a growing jail population and ended a costly program that transferred inmates to facilities in other counties. prgtoken But Sheriff Mahoney is perhaps best known for his efforts to expand community engagement and rebuild trust between communities of color and law enforcement. Under his leadership, the sheriff's office partnered with the Justified Anger Coalition, a local initiative designed to eliminate racial disparities and create opportunities for African Americans. He also served on the county's Criminal Justice Council, which pursues reform across both the legal and penal systems. prgtoken While Sheriff Mahoney is retiring from the Dane County Sheriff's Office, he is not retiring from his dedication to safety and security. He will continue his leadership in his new role as the director of Strategy and Support in the Protective Services Division of American Family Insurance, and he will remain a strong voice in the community's pursuit of racial justice reform. prgtoken I am proud to honor Sher
COVID-19 HATE CRIMES ACT
Barbara Lee (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2021-5-18

. Madam , I rise today in support of the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, of which I am a proud cosponsor. I applaud the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act's passage in the Senate, and I thank Representatives Meng, Chu, Beyer, and Senators Hirono and Duckworth for leading the call to address the rise in hate crimes against the AAPI community. prgtoken The COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act will help ensure that we are measuring the severity of hate crimes in this Nation so we can implement systemic change. prgtoken It is time that we address the rise in hate crimes against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. We cannot ignore the fear and the heartbreak that plagues our AAPI communities. We cannot ignore the hate and the violence perpetrated upon the AAPI community. We cannot ignore the fact that there have been at least 2,800 incidents of anti-Asian hate in the United States since the pandemic began and 1,226 incidents taking place in California and 728 crimes in the Bay Area alone. Unfortunately, this is only a fraction of anti-Asian hate crimes and incidents that we know because so many go unreported. prgtoken Madam , I urge my colleagues to support the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act so that we can continue to fight against hate and violence and support justice, equality, and safety for the AAPI community.
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 1629, FAIRNESS IN ORPHAN DRUG EXCLUSIVITY ACT DRUGS; PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H. RES. 275, CONDEMNING THE HORRIFIC SHOOTINGS IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA, ON MARCH...
James E. Clyburn (Democrat, SC) \u2014 2021-5-18

. Madam , I rise today to urge unanimous support for H. Res. 398, recognizing the 100th anniversary of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. As a former history teacher, I often quote George Santayana, who said, ``Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.'' prgtoken The Tulsa Race Massacre is a prime example of inflaming issues and ignoring history. They both significantly lead to the inability and failure to learn the lessons that history can teach us. prgtoken It was the inflammatory reporting of the chance encounter of a young Black man, Dick Rowland, and a young White elevator operator, Sarah Page, that ignited one of the deadliest episodes of racial violence in our Nation's history. prgtoken On May 31, 1921, the Tulsa Tribune newspaper printed the headline, and I am quoting here, ``Nab Negro for Attacking Girl in Elevator,'' and the same edition included a report of a White mob's plan to lynch Rowland. The newspaper account was based on false claims that Mr. Rowland sexually assaulted the White woman, and is cited as the spark that incited a mob to burn and loot 35 blocks in the Black Greenwood neighborhood of Tulsa and kill an estimated 300 people. Greenwood was known at the time as Black Wall Street due to its status as one of the most prosperous African-American communities in the country. prgtoken The devastation wrought by the mob, many of whom had been deputized and armed by local officials, took the lives and livelihoods of many in the Greenwood community. It caused irreparable damage to so many Black families who never received justice for their losses. prgtoken This horrific incident was erased from collective memory when the Tulsa Tribune destroyed all original copies of the May 31, 1921, edition of the newspaper and removed all copies from their archives. Scholars later discovered that police and State militia archives about the riot were missing as well. prgtoken We cannot overcome the issues of race that have troubled our Nation since its inception by ignoring the failings of our past. To repair our faults, our country must acknowledge past mistakes and work to ensure that we don't repeat them.
ORDERS FOR WEDNESDAY, MAY 19, 2021
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2021-5-18

I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 10:30 a.m Wednesday, May 19; 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, that upon the conclusion of morning business, the Senate resume consideration of Calendar No. 33, S.J. Res. 13; finally, that all time on the joint resolution be considered expired at 12 noon.
IN SUPPORT OF H.R. 2862 CAMPAIGN TO PREVENT SUICIDE
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2021-5-18

. Madam , I rise in strong support of H.R. 2862, the ``Campaign to Prevent Suicide Act,'' which creates an educational campaign recommended by suicide prevention advocates and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to raise awareness for a three-digit suicide lifeline phone number, suicide prevention resources, and more effective discourse on how to prevent suicide. prgtoken This bipartisan legislation is designed to help change the culture around suicide so that all Americans know to engage rather than ignore individuals who might be experiencing suicidal thoughts, and it would: prgtoken Fund campaigns to share information about suicide prevention resources like the suicide prevention lifeline, which has been shown to save lives; and prgtoken Create new media tools to help television and social media know how to shape the national conversation we need to reduce suicide. prgtoken America and Texas face a suicide crisis, and we must come together to fight this tragic epidemic. prgtoken Each day in Texas there are more than 6 suicide deaths and nearly 30 hospitalizations for attempted suicide. prgtoken Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death for Texans and the third leading cause of death among youth ages 15 to 24. prgtoken 60 percent of Texas suicide deaths occur among people 25 to 64 years of age. prgtoken Rates of suicide among Whites increased 12 percent since 2000, particularly among females; rates among Blacks and Hispanics have remained stable during the same time. prgtoken Estimated medical costs of Texas hospitalizations for suicide attempts average $8,849 per patient, or more than $95.6 million annually. prgtoken We need to start talking about suicide, and we need to keep talking. prgtoken For this reason, in 2019, I convened a panel to discuss mental health and suicide and an all-youth panel to account for how students handle their mental health and what policies they want to see come from Congress. prgtoken It was a beautiful and absolutely necessary convening of young people. prgtoken They shared with us and tasked us with the solutions and measures they know will positively impact their communities and their generation. prgtoken One problem was raised time and time again during the course of this panel: There are far too few resources available to our young people, especially our young people of color, to truly support the staggering prevalence of mental health ailments and effectively combat the growing number of youth suicide. prgtoken Matthew 21:16 says: from the mouths of babies shall come praise, and on that day from the mouths of babies came solutions: prgtoken Fund transportation infrastructure in the very communities you scrutinize for gang violence, help the children get home safely. prgtoken Create and support more after school programs and activities. prgtoken Provide students with mentors and examples of a life alternative to the poverty and violence that many of us are facing. prgtoken Support ment
COVID-19 HATE CRIMES ACT
Grace Meng (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2021-5-18

. Madam , for over a year, against the backdrop of a raging COVID-19 virus and an economic crisis, Asian Americans have been fighting an additional pandemic: the virus of hate and bigotry. prgtoken Over 6,600 incidents of physical, verbal, and online attacks against those of Asian descent have been reported since March 2020. Of these, about two-thirds were reported by women. prgtoken Throughout this pandemic, over 2 million Asian Americans served our Nation as frontline workers, including those in healthcare, and yet some of these same Asian Americans became victims of hate as they were commuting to or from work. prgtoken Children as young as my two boys have been attacked on playgrounds in their own neighborhoods across the country in every single State. Elderly are being assaulted, tragically resulting in deaths. This culminated in the worst kind of tragedy, with the mass shootings in Atlanta. prgtoken We need to address this hate once and for all. That is why I introduced the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act. I am proud the Senate companion bill, led by Senator Hirono, passed in the Senate last month with resounding bipartisan support, 94-1. prgtoken The COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act is a necessary step to confront the second pandemic of racism and discrimination. We cannot mend what we do not measure. prgtoken I strongly urge my colleagues to stand with me and vote for the passage of this bill.
CONDEMNING THE HORRIFIC SHOOTINGS IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA, ON MARCH 16, 2021
Carolyn Bourdeaux (Democrat, GA) \u2014 2021-5-18

. Madam , I thank Chairwoman Maloney for yielding. prgtoken Across our country, the Asian-American and Pacific Islander community has felt deeply under attack. Over the past year, xenophobic political leaders used dangerous rhetoric to stir up hatred against many immigrant communities, including the Asian-American community during the COVID-19 pandemic. prgtoken Soon, words became action, and on March 16, 2021, the Atlanta area saw prgtoken the tragic and, in some ways, inevitable result when eight lives were taken from us. prgtoken The victims of this attack included mothers and grandmothers, fathers and sons, teachers and veterans. These are lives that cannot be restored, leaving pain that cannot be forgotten. prgtoken Today, we honor their memories. Tomorrow, the House will vote on a bipartisan and bicameral resolution that I coauthored with Chair Judy Chu of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus. It calls on Congress to affirm our commitment to combat hate and bigotry against the AAPI community and condemns the hateful actions taken in Atlanta. prgtoken It is a step in the right direction, but only a step. America is and has always been a nation of immigrants, a fact that deserves to be celebrated. I proudly represent one of the most diverse districts in the Nation, with about a quarter of my constituents having been born in another country. prgtoken When one group of Americans is hurting, we are all hurting. Watching my son grow up in our diverse community reminds me that none of us are born with hatred in our hearts. Rather, it is something that is taught. prgtoken As we vote today, let's teach compassion, let's teach acceptance, let's teach empathy. I rise in support of this resolution.