mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND CONDEMNING EFFORTS TO DEFUND OR DISMANTLE LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES
Jerrold Nadler (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2023-5-18

the balance of my time. prgtoken Again, if the gentleman wanted to support our Federal police, the ATF, the FBI, the Capitol Police, he had the opportunity in committee, and the s refused to let us consider that. prgtoken We have all of these statements from people like the chairman of the committee saying defund the FBI, defend the ATF. This is being a little, shall we say--I don't want to use the word ``hypocritical,'' but I can't think of a different word. prgtoken We should oppose this resolution because it is blatantly one-sided, it blames leftist agitators improperly, and it does not deal with Federal law enforcement agencies. prgtoken , in closing, police week ought to be a unifying event, a time when we can all come together in a bipartisan fashion to recognize and support the men and women of law enforcement who risk their lives to keep us and our communities safe. prgtoken Instead of offering serious legislation, s have brought forward misleading and incendiary political talking points that will neither protect law enforcement nor enhance public safety. prgtoken , I urge all Members to oppose this resolution, and .
NATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE WEEK
Jim Costa (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2023-5-18

I rise today to speak on National Infrastructure Week. prgtoken For far too long, we have been living off the investments our parents and grandparents made a generation or two ago. prgtoken Thanks to the bipartisan infrastructure law which we passed in the last Congress and President signed into law, we now have moved from infrastructure week to infrastructure decade. prgtoken In California it has created over 48,000 jobs in this short time with an investment of $42 billion. In my district, we are seeing progress. Some of the examples here are reinvestment in San Luis Reservoir dam, another 130,000 acre-feet of additional water storage, upgrading and expanding miles of highway improvements, funding clean school buses for communities like in Cutler and Orosi, and we will be breaking ground for the expansion of the Yosemite International Airport to provide greater service. prgtoken These are just some examples, and we are just getting started in my district. prgtoken Three years of funding remain, and now we have an opportunity to move from infrastructure decade throughout America. It is about time.
U.N. GLOBAL ROAD SAFETY WEEK
Chris Van Hollen (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2023-5-18

this week, May 15-21, 2023, marks U.N. Global Road Safety Week, with a focus this year on sustainable transport. As governments look to tackle the issues of climate change, some of the answers lie in making it easier for people to walk, cycle, and use public transport as a way to navigate our cities, but in order to do that, we need to prioritize making these options safer. I recognize the tremendous contributions of our partner organizations in this global effort, including the Association for Safe International Road Travel ASIRT. prgtoken More than 1 million people die from road crashes every year, and tens of millions are seriously injured. Road traffic crashes are leading cause of death among young people between the ages of 15 and 29 and the eighth among all people worldwide. It is time to draw attention to the need for improved legislation, awareness, infrastructure, and technology to save more families from the tragedy of losing a loved one. prgtoken On this seventh anniversary of U.N. Global Road Safety Week, it is critical to recommit to the goals of raising awareness about road safety and the importance of taking steps to end these preventable deaths. The World Health Organization, in collaboration with partners including governments, NGOs, businesses, and individuals, organizes periodic U.N. Global Safety Weeks. It was initiated in 2007 and, as of 2019, has become an annual event. prgtoken In September 2020, the U.N. General Assembly announced the ambitious goal of halving road deaths within 10 years through the adoption of the resolution ``Improving global road safety,'' proclaiming the Decade of Action for Road Safety from 2021-2030. The Global Plan for the Decade of Action provides a roadmap for achieving these goals through improving the design of roads and vehicles, enhancing laws and enforcement of road safety measures, and providing timely and lifesaving emergency care for those injured. Using these policies can help promote walking, cycling, and public transit. Additionally, the U.N. Sustainable Development Goal 3.6 calls on governments and their stakeholders, including NGOs and private citizens, to address the personal, medical, and financial burdens associated with road traffic deaths and injuries. prgtoken We must improve the safety of our roads for all who wish to use them, be it for walking, cycling, or driving. As we continue to shift towards more sustainable modes of transit, it is imperative that our laws enable us to curb dangerous behaviors and keep people safe. It is our responsibility to protect our citizens through designing road networks with the most at-risk in mind, and doing the utmost to prevent untimely death or injury due to crashes.
EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND CONDEMNING EFFORTS TO DEFUND OR DISMANTLE LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES
Joseph D. Morelle (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2023-5-18

I thank Mr. Nadler for yielding, my longtime friend and distinguished ranking member of the Judiciary Committee. prgtoken , I rise in support of the thousands of brave men and women of Federal, State, and Tribal law enforcement that were intentionally left out of the resolution before the House, H. Con. Res. 40, by the majority. That includes, as has been described, omitting the United States Capitol Police, who heroically defended this very Chamber on January 6 from armed insurrectionists intent on disrupting the peaceful transfer of power in this Nation, who gave life and limb to defend the American democratic experiment. That to me is worthy of recognition in this resolution. It is the very least we should and could do. prgtoken I am privileged to serve as the ranking member of the Committee on House Administration, the committee charged with ensuring the safety and security of all who work and visit here. prgtoken This week, my committee heard testimony from the chief of the United States Capitol Police. The chief testified about the enduring impact that January 6 has had on the force and the physical and mental scars the officers still carry. prgtoken How did the committee's majority respond? prgtoken They blamed the department. prgtoken They didn't blame the former President who urged his supporters to come to Washington, claiming that he would march to the Capitol with them. prgtoken They didn't blame the insurrectionists that came armed with guns, knives, tasers, and used poles bearing the American flag to viciously beat Capitol Police officers. prgtoken They didn't blame the elected officials that were complicit in the former President's corrupt scheme to retain power. prgtoken No, they blamed the department. prgtoken Since my colleagues across the aisle won't do it, allow me to do it: To every one of the nearly 2,000 sworn Capitol Police officers, thank you. You deserve to be in this resolution. We thank you not just for your actions on that day, but for every single day. We have your backs, just as you always have ours.
Nomination of Nancy G. Abudu (Executive Calendar)
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2023-5-18

today, the members of this Senate have a chance to make history. We will vote to confirm Nancy Abudu to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. prgtoken A graduate of Columbia University and Tulane Law School, Ms. Abudu has dedicated her career to defending the civil rights of all Americans. She has experience litigating and overseeing complex civil matters. She also has significant appellate experience, filing a number of briefs in the U.S. Supreme Court and arguing five cases before Federal courts of appeals. prgtoken Throughout her career, Ms. Abudu has defended voting rights, protected religious freedom, and advanced criminal justice reform. Her perspective and experience will be a valuable addition to the Eleventh Circuit, which currently has no former civil rights lawyers on the bench. And when confirmed, Ms. Abudu will also be the first Black woman ever to serve on the Eleventh Circuit. She was rated ``well qualified'' by the American Bar Association and has the strong support of her home state Senators: Mr. Warnock and Mr. Ossoff. prgtoken As a lifelong champion of equal justice under law, Ms. Abudu will make an exceptional appellate judge. I am honored to support her nomination, and I urge my colleagues to join me.
ORDERS FOR FRIDAY, MAY 19, 2023, THROUGH TUESDAY, MAY 30, 2023
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2023-5-18

finally, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it stand adjourned to convene for pro forma sessions, with no business being conducted, on the following dates and times: Friday, May 19, at 9:45 a.m.; Tuesday, May 23, at 12 noon; Thursday, May 25, at 12:30 p.m.; and Friday, May 26, at 9 a.m.; further, that when the Senate adjourns on Friday, the 26th, it stand adjourned until 3 p.m. on Tuesday, May 30; that on Tuesday, following the prayer and pledge, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the morning hour be deemed expired, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, and morning business be closed; that following the conclusion of morning business, the Senate proceed to executive session and resume consideration of the Papillion nomination; further, that the confirmation vote occur at 5:30 p.m. and that if the nomination is confirmed, the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table and the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action.
JEWISH AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH
Kathy E. Manning (Democrat, NC) \u2014 2023-5-18

May is Jewish American Heritage Month, a time to acknowledge the inspiring history of American Jews and to celebrate their contributions to every facet of American life. prgtoken From science and medicine to education and technology to music, theater, philanthropy, civil rights, and the pursuit of justice, American Jews have worked hard to build our great country. prgtoken Yet, we are facing a frightening rise in anti-Semitism. The 2021 FBI hate crimes report showed a 20 percent increase in anti-Semitic hate crimes. prgtoken Jews are the most targeted minority group in America, despite being only 2 percent of the population. History has taught us that what starts with anti-Semitism never stops there. Hatred spreads to other minorities and threatens the foundations of democracy. prgtoken As the co-chair of the House Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Anti-Semitism, I am working with Members on both sides of the aisle and the administration to confront anti-Semitism. prgtoken I will continue this fight to honor the Jewish Americans who have contributed so much to American life.
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
Dianne Feinstein (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2023-5-18

I rise today to introduce the Community Wood Facilities Assistance Act of 2023 and thank my colleagues, Senators Collins, Shaheen, and Kelly, for joining me as original cosponsors of the bill. prgtoken This bill will assist with the construction of facilities that make sustainable use of small-diameter timber from forest-thinning projects and other needed treatments in eastern and western forests. prgtoken In doing so, the bill would also create jobs in rural and forest- dependent communities while decreasing wildfire risk in our vulnerable forests. prgtoken The Forest Service reports that 80 million acres of Forest Service lands are at risk of catastrophic wildfire or abnormal levels of insect and disease infestations. prgtoken These impacts are only made worse by historic levels of drought. In California alone, 129 million trees have died across 8.9 million acres due to drought and bark beetles. Thirty-six million of those tree deaths were in 2022, triple the number from the previous year. This is clearly a crisis. prgtoken Removing select small trees and other hazardous fuels in our forests are critical for preserving our forests over the long term. Not only does this ease the competition large trees face for water, it also reduces the spread of bark beetles and makes the forest less susceptible to catastrophic wildfire. prgtoken Between the bipartisan infrastructure law and the Inflation Reduction Act, Congress has provided billions of dollars for hazardous fuels reduction and forest thinning work. What is needed now is the economic infrastructure to support this work. prgtoken Unfortunately, the number of sawmills, bioenergy facilities, and other forest-product companies have been shrinking for decades. This is due in part to increased production efficiency, but in other instances, market instability forced the closure of many large mills. prgtoken One result of the decrease in sawmills is the inability for the market to react nimbly to supply and demand. In 2020, even though massive wildfires should have meant a boom in salvageable trees, the COVID-19 pandemic constrained mill capacity and throughput. This constraint, along with a surge in consumer demand, led to a near 400 percent increase in lumber prices, which are only now resolving. prgtoken An analysis by The Nature Conservancy and Bain and Company management consultants recommended incentives to ``bridge the gap between the cost of ecological thinning and the economic viability of wood-processing infrastructure.'' prgtoken As the report explains, ``If more aggressive restoration targets can be met, there will be significant need for additional processing capacity to defray restoration costs and provide valuable end uses for thinned material.'' prgtoken Our bill would make targeted changes to existing Forest Service grant programs to help the forest product industry grow and provide outlets for the billions of acres of wood that will res
EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND CONDEMNING EFFORTS TO DEFUND OR DISMANTLE LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES
Pramila Jayapal (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2023-5-18

long after other people were evacuated from the gallery, some of my friends and I were trapped there. We saw everything happen. prgtoken I introduced an amendment to honor those Federal law enforcement people, and do you know what? s could have taken it and voted against it if they wanted to show where they stand, but they didn't. They hid behind a ridiculous assertion of germaneness and essentially silenced our voices. prgtoken I think we have to be real about what this resolution is, and with great respect to my friend from Colorado, we want accountability of all agencies. prgtoken They want to defend Federal law enforcement. We want to honor all law enforcement, including those who defended us here at the Capitol on January 6. prgtoken Let my colleagues call out that it was an insurrection on January 6 and that our Federal law enforcement and local law enforcement that defended us here deserve the same honor that they are planning to give to local law enforcement. prgtoken Let's honor all law enforcement, and let's take out the references to progressives, which I take great offense to. prgtoken , I vote ``no'' on this resolution, and I call on my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this partisan and, frankly, hypocritical resolution.
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
Alex Padilla (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2023-5-18

I rise to introduce the Supercomputing for Safer Chemicals Act or the SUPERSAFE Act. Through the use of supercomputing and artificial intelligence, we have an opportunity to transform our scientific understanding of the detrimental effects associated with certain industrial chemical uses and to shift American commerce towards safer and more sustainable products and manufacturing. prgtoken The legislation would establish a SUPERSAFE Consortium to be led by the Environmental Protection Agency in consultation with the heads of relevant Federal Agencies, the National Labs, academic and other research institutions, State agencies, and other entities as determined by the EPA. The purpose of the SUPERSAFE Consortium is to identify exposures to toxic substance and chemicals that are safer to use in commerce. prgtoken Specifically, the SUPERSAFE Consortium established by this bill would use supercomputing, machine learning, and other similar capabilities to establish rapid approaches for large-scale identification of toxic substances and the development of safer alternatives to toxic substances by developing and validating computational toxicology methods; address the need to identify safe chemicals for use in consumer and industrial products and in their manufacture to support the move away from toxic substances and toward safe-by-design alternatives; and make recommendations on how the information produced can be applied in risk assessments and other characterizations for use by the Environmental Protection Agency and other Agencies in regulatory decisions and by industry in identifying toxic and safer chemicals. prgtoken Importantly, establishing a SUPERSAFE Consortium would encourage interagency collaboration and leverage the best scientific ideas through inclusion of State agencies and public and academic research institutions. prgtoken Currently, tens of thousands of untested chemicals can be used in commercial products, resulting in consumer, community, and worker exposures to potentially toxic chemicals. Too often, there is insufficient scientific data for evaluating health effects or identifying safer chemicals, and existing approaches to generating this data are slow, costly, and rely on animal testing. prgtoken We are well poised to address this problem and discover safer chemicals by establishing a SUPERSAFE Consortium to use supercomputing, machine learning, and other similar capabilities. These technologies can be developed and applied to rapidly provide information to evaluate chemical safety to identify safe chemicals that avoid the chronic diseases and environmental harm caused by toxic chemicals. prgtoken Unfortunately, too many Americans are exposed to toxic chemicals such as PFAS and lead. Congress has stepped up and provided billions to remediate toxic exposures, including via the bipartisan infrastructure law, to address PFAS and lead pollution. Establishing a SUPERSAFE Consortiu
PRAISING PRESIDENT BIDEN'S SAFER COMMUNITIES WORK
Donald M. Payne, Jr. (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2023-5-18

I rise today to praise the work of President to make our communities safer. prgtoken First, the American Rescue Plan provided $350 billion for States and cities to help Americans. Funding from this plan has been used to hire more police officers and first responders. prgtoken Second, President 's work led to the bipartisan efforts to keep guns out of the hands of criminals. His work expanded background checks for gun purchases, funded crisis intervention, and protected victims from domestic violence. prgtoken In addition, President has cracked down on illegal gun sales and the production of ghost guns to keep them off of our streets. He continues to provide necessary funding for police officers and other law enforcement officials, and he has made unprecedented investments in community-based crime prevention initiatives. prgtoken As a Congressman committed to reducing gun violence, I applaud President 's successful efforts to make our country safer.
EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND CONDEMNING EFFORTS TO DEFUND OR DISMANTLE LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES
Sydney Kamlager-Dove (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2023-5-18

I rise today to strongly oppose this resolution, a deeply partisan, messaging tactic from House s who are more focused on inflaming divisions in our country than on working for the American people. prgtoken If s cared about public safety, they would work to address the gun violence epidemic in our Nation, which even law enforcement says is out of control. prgtoken If they really cared about law enforcement, they would not try to defund agencies like the ATF and FBI. prgtoken This resolution is harmful and misleading. Violent leftist extremists and progressive politicians do not want to defund law enforcement. This characterization is a corrupt narrative that runs counter to the real conversations that Americans want to have about the issues their communities face. prgtoken The true irony here is that in the same breath that they denounce these so-called violent leftist extremists, they stay silent on the extremists from their own party that stormed the Capitol and attacked the United States Capitol Police, men and women still working here today, disrespected every single day by my colleagues. prgtoken Silence on this issue. prgtoken s are wasting time with empty bills and malignant rhetoric. prgtoken Yes, absolutely, we should be investing in people's livelihoods. Why is that wrong? prgtoken How come we cannot support good public safety and work to keep people alive, all people? prgtoken A study just came out yesterday that said Black people are twice as likely to die than anyone else just because we are Black, and that includes interacting with law enforcement. prgtoken , I respectfully ask that we vote ``no'' on this resolution.
JEWISH AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH
Cory A. Booker (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2023-5-18

today I would like to applaud the Senate's passage of S. Res. 203, a resolution recognizing Jewish American Heritage Month. This resolution is an important reminder of the numerous contributions of Jewish Americans to our society. prgtoken I have long felt connected to the Jewish values of ``tzedakah'' and ``chesed,'' values that, at their core, speak about justice, decency, kindness, and mercy. I would not be where I am today if it were not for the Jewish Americans who embodied these values, people like Rabbi Heschel, who marched side-by-side with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr and demanded equality and justice, or leaders like Rabbi Joachim Prinz, who fled Berlin in 1937, moved to Newark, NJ, and was one of five people who spoke before Dr. King at the March on Washington. Rabbi Prinz's entire speech was focused on helping people understand that one of the most urgent challenges we face in society is silence, silence in the face of injustice. Because of the leadership of so many Jewish Americans, who refused to be silent and decided to act, we were able to move the moral arc of this Nation towards justice. prgtoken So I stand here in the Senate incredibly proud to represent vibrant Jewish communities across New Jersey. And I stand here, at a time when anti-Semitism is on the rise, to speak out against this hate that violates our most commonly held values. We all have a responsibility to stamp out anti-Semitism and remind ourselves that our diversity strengthens the society and culture of the United States. prgtoken S. Res. 203 does just that by honoring and celebrating the incredible history of the Jewish people in the United States and their contributions to our country, and I strongly support this resolution's passage.
PERSONAL EXPLANATION
Danny K. Davis (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2023-5-18

I was unable to cast votes on May 15, 2023, due to a delay with my flight. If I were present for Roll Call votes, I would have voted Aye for the following votes: prgtoken Roll Call No. 213, On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, H.R. 3089--NDO Fairness Act; and prgtoken Roll Call No. 214, On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree, as Amended, H. Res. 363--Expressing support for recognizing ``National Police Week''.