mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
MOTION TO DISCHARGE
Cynthia M. Lummis (Republican, WY) \u2014 2021-11-3

I am joining my colleagues today to highlight the real harm that the President's overreaching vaccine mandates are causing the people of Wyoming and the United States. prgtoken While I am vaccinated and support others making the decision to get the COVID-19 vaccine to protect themselves, I am very concerned about unacceptable actions by the executive branch to force Americans to get the vaccine. Frankly, I cannot stay silent about these blatant violations of personal freedom. prgtoken Over the last several months, the President has signed numerous Executive orders mandating vaccines for Federal workers, contractors, and employers with over 100 workers. This is unacceptable. These mandates are far-reaching and burdensome. prgtoken Additionally, these mandates will not achieve the desired results of stopping the spread of COVID-19. Instead, they will only further politicalize healthcare choices, sow greater discord across the Nation, and exacerbate our employment crisis. I worry they will also further harm our supply chain issues. All of these should concern every American, particularly with the holiday season rapidly approaching. Consumers are going to face empty shelves in stores, and for what is available, prices will continue to rise. prgtoken In the freight industry, these mandates could mean that up to one- third of employees will be leaving their jobs. On Monday, POLITICO noted that several trucking companies are looking to end their work with the Federal Government as the vaccine mandate deadlines loom closer. This doesn't only impact the shipping industry but also our defense and law enforcement sectors as well. Former Deputy Under Secretary for Industrial Policy William Greenwalt noted that ``even a couple of welders or engineers who walk off their jobs on a highly classified program could wreak havoc with our national security.'' prgtoken Meanwhile, it is more than a couple of individuals who are looking at leaving. Defense contractor Raytheon says they expect to lose thousands of employees when the mandate goes into effect. prgtoken Finally, I would like to give an example of how this is impacting my home State of Wyoming. Across the Nation, we are facing nursing shortages, but in Wyoming, it is becoming critical. I have heard over and over again from my hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes that they just don't have the staff. Many have left the field, whether due to the strain of COVID-19 or because they believe they can find better work as traveling nurses. This has left our healthcare community shortstaffed. prgtoken If we lose additional nurses from these vaccine mandates, my State is looking at losing healthcare capabilities. This means turning away patients and potentially closing nursing homes. These patients, at the end of their lives, frequently have nowhere else to go. If there is no one else to care for them, the healthcare system will be at the end of its rope trying to fin
MOTION TO DISCHARGE
Chuck Grassley (Republican, IA) \u2014 2021-11-3

I want to thank Senator Lankford for letting me take 3 minutes to honor an Iowan who recently passed away, a former Member of the House of Representatives. And I think there is only one other United States Senator who would know who I am talking about, and this would be Senator Schumer, who served with this former Member of Congress from 1981 to 1995. Remembering Neal Smith prgtoken , I would like to take a moment to pay tribute to former Iowa Congressman Neal Smith, who passed away yesterday at the age of 101. prgtoken He was a true public servant. He entered public life for the right reasons and had no interest in self-promotion. He cared about Iowa and tried to do his best for our State, and he did. prgtoken Neal Smith was a humble but impressive man. He was a decorated bomber pilot in World War II. After attending Drake University Law School with his wife, Bea, and opening a practice with her, he became active in local government. prgtoken In 1958, Neal Smith was elected to the House of Representatives, where he served for 36 years. That is longer than any other Iowan has served in the House of Representatives. prgtoken When I was first elected to Congress as the only in the Iowa delegation, Neal Smith forgot about politics and was a mentor to me. I have never forgotten that. I try to follow his example. We worked in a bipartisan way on behalf of the people in Iowa, just as it should be. prgtoken I remember Congressman Smith as a real defender of agriculture, small prgtoken business, as a great Iowan, and as a good friend. prgtoken Barbara and I extend our condolences to his family. They will be in my prayers. prgtoken and thank Senator Lankford.
TRIBUTE TO MARK JOHNSON
Mike Crapo (Republican, ID) \u2014 2021-11-3

I congratulate KTVB News anchor and journalist, Mark Johnson, on his remarkable career, as he retires after 40 years in the television news business. prgtoken Mark's dedicated career started in television sports in Missouri in 1981, brought him to Idaho, then took him to Wisconsin and Pennsylvania before, thankfully, bringing him back home to Idaho and KTVB in 1996. He served as KTVB's sports director before his 2003 promotion to serve as the station's main anchor. He is well-described by the station as, ``A constant in the lives of generations of Idaho families, Mark Johnson has watched 30 years of Idaho history unfold from his spot in the KTVB studio.'' prgtoken He has understandably earned significant recognitions for his work. This includes KTVB earning regional Emmy awards for the News at 10 while Mark was a pivotal part of the team as lead anchor and his winning of a national Edward R. Murrow award for his work involving the 2002 Salt Lake Olympics. In addition to the time and talent he has committed to reporting, he has also supported many community efforts. prgtoken His heartfelt appreciation for and deep interest in the people of Idaho and its valued spaces are reflected in his thoughtful journalism. Those who have had the opportunity to work with Mark and know him consider themselves lucky. His calm demeanor during challenges and his sense of humor have shaped the way many have faced the events that are part of daily life, and it is clear he will be greatly missed in the anchor chair. prgtoken Mark, as you start your next chapter, I wish you more, well-earned time with your many friends and loved ones, including your wife Chris; daughters Hannah, Lindsey, Alexa, and Grace; and grandson. I congratulate you on an amazing career and thank you for bringing Idahoans the news for all these years.
MOTION TO DISCHARGE
Mike Lee (Republican, UT) \u2014 2021-11-3

the United States is facing economic challenges that we haven't experienced in this country for decades. The supply chain crunch is leading to backlogged ports, and that, in turn, is spilling over into empty shelves. Inflation is exacting a punishing toll on American families; on their budgets, on their quality of life. prgtoken And it is not the well-off families that are being most harmed by it, no. It is those who are least prepared to endure that. It is America's poor and middle class; those who are working hard to survive from day to day, trying to reach that American dream, trying to ascend the economic ladder that the American dream has long enabled. prgtoken Now, each of these problems, in its own right, would be a really serious and vexing primary concern for most people and most businesses, even during normal economic times. But these are far from normal economic times. prgtoken In fact, when businesses are polled, their primary concern isn't about any of these things. It is the labor shortage. Businesses are struggling to find workers. The Joint Economic Committee s released a report recently explaining that Americans have lost many vital connections to work. Government policies and social pressures are leading to a lower labor force participation rate than at any time in decades. prgtoken This trend is worrying not only because work helps Americans put food on the table--and it does, and it is necessary to do that--but also because work often provides a sense of accomplishment and belonging and self-worth. Work is a social good in its own right. prgtoken But businesses across the country are struggling to find workers, and that is leading to more of these same problems, leading to higher prices on things that people need to buy. All this is making everything else more complicated, more difficult for America's poor and middle class. prgtoken I have spoken to businessowners in Utah, who are closing their doors for days each week because they can't find workers. Some businesses are offering extremely generous salaries and signing bonuses for those who are willing to work. Nonetheless, they are still struggling to find employees. prgtoken Now, work is often the primary connection Americans have with peers. Work provides a sense of involvement, taxpayer responsibility, and community with others. Work is also the way we get things done. It is how we manufacture, farm, mine, and build. Work is a requisite for prosperity at any level, in any form. prgtoken Unfortunately, President is making work more difficult and less enticing, increasingly less possible. Raising taxes on Americans gives them less incentive to work, and as the Penn Wharton Budget Model shows, the ' trimmed-down plan would cost almost $4 trillion over 10 years and cost American taxpayers $1.5 trillion in new taxes. prgtoken Through his unconstitutional and sweeping vaccine mandate, President is for
ADVANCED AIR MOBILITY COORDINATION AND LEADERSHIP ACT
Sam Graves (Republican, MO) \u2014 2021-11-3

. Madam , such time as I may consume. prgtoken Madam , I rise in support of H.R. 1339, the Advanced Air Mobility Coordination and Leadership Act. prgtoken I want to thank the sponsors of this legislation for introducing this very important bill. The bill directs the Department of Transportation to form a working group with other Federal agencies to ensure that the advanced air mobility industry has the Federal backing it needs to commence operations and to succeed. prgtoken I recently had the opportunity to fly a simulated advanced air mobility, or AAM, flight and was very impressed with the technology. prgtoken In just a few short years, we may be seeing multiple companies carrying paying passengers in highly automated electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft. prgtoken These operations will connect cities, towns, and neighborhoods all across the country in a very safe, quiet, and environmentally friendly way. prgtoken Madam , this is a good bill and keeps the momentum going for American leadership in the advanced air mobility industry. That is why I support H.R. 1339, and I urge a ``yes'' vote today. prgtoken Madam , before I reserve, I also want to pay tribute to Holly Woodruff Lyons, our longtime Subcommittee on Aviation staff director. After nearly 20 years on the committee, Holly will be retiring at the end of this year. prgtoken It is hard to imagine the committee without Holly. Each new chairman or ranking member has received the same advice from their predecessor: whatever you do, make sure Holly stays. I am sorry to say that the streak has finally ended on my watch, but her legacy will cast a long shadow in these halls for years to come. prgtoken Holly has helped shape every single piece of aviation legislation in the past two decades, and she is responsible for literally hundreds of provisions in law that have improved the lives of everyday Americans. prgtoken Holly is a consummate professional and dedicated staffer, and we will sorely miss her counsel and very much miss her wisdom. prgtoken I am personally grateful for her service to this committee, both as a pilot and a Member of Congress. prgtoken I thank her so much for dedicating her career to aviation safety and her service to the American public. She will never be a stranger around here, and I hope she and Mark make the most of their well-earned retirements. I thank her for all she has done. prgtoken Madam , .
MOTION TO DISCHARGE
James Lankford (Republican, OK) \u2014 2021-11-3

I have a real concern for our economy, for the future of what is happening right now, and a lot of it wraps around the vaccine mandates that are being laid down by President . prgtoken On September 9, President had announced: I am losing patience with the American people, and it is time for you to get vaccinated. prgtoken And he laid down a rule on every Federal worker, every Federal contractor, everyone in the military, and everyone who is in a private business with 100 employees or more. He created a new mandate. prgtoken He literally reached into union shops and changed their collective bargaining agreement unilaterally and said: The President's going to add a new feature in your collective bargaining agreement, and it is going to be that you are going to have a vaccine or you are going to be fired. prgtoken He told every police officer; he told every firefighter; he told every doctor, every nurse; he told every member of the military, no matter how many badges they wear or how many decorations they received: You will be fired if you don't follow my instructions. prgtoken It didn't matter if they were frontline workers. It didn't matter if they laid their lives on the line all of last year. It didn't matter. He declared to them: You will be fired if you don't follow my instructions. prgtoken He made it very, very clear: If you have already had COVID and recovered and have natural immunity, I don't care. prgtoken If your personal doctor has told you not to--his perspective in what is coming down is, if the CDC from Washington, DC, says it's OK, it doesn't matter what your personal doctor says. prgtoken While he said you can have a religious accommodation, so far, as I checked in with the military services, no one has been given a military or religious accommodation. And across the Federal workforce, I have yet to hear a soul getting a religious accommodation. prgtoken The words are: ``We are going to pay attention to your local doctor.'' prgtoken The reality has been totally different. And we have pushed in every way possible against this administration, and will continue to do that not because it is unjust, not because, quite frankly, I think the vaccine is the wrong thing to do--I think it is the right thing to do-- but the mandate is absolutely the wrong thing to do. prgtoken Americans have a lot of different reasons to not take a vaccine. Allow Americans to be Americans. prgtoken I have a friend of mine who, by the way, is a liberal . Yes, I have liberal friends. He called me and said his son has had long-term COVID. Eight months he has been in recovery from COVID. He does not want to have the vaccine not knowing how his body will react to that. This week, he will lose his job because the President of the United States told him he is losing his patience. prgtoken That is not right. Build Back Better Agenda prgtoken , on a separate but r
TOXIC MILITARY BURN PITS
Gus M. Bilirakis (Republican, FL) \u2014 2021-11-3

. Madam , I want to thank my good friend, Dr. Ruiz, for organizing this very important Special Order. I know he is a terrific doctor, and the fact that he has sacrificed to be here, to complete the mission. I appreciate it so very much. I have a similar story as well, but we must complete this mission as soon as possible. As Jennifer said, this is the Agent Orange of our era. prgtoken Providing the care and support for our veterans, our Nation's heroes, has been one of my top priorities since I was elected to Congress, and I will continue to fight to ensure that our veterans get the benefits they deserve. prgtoken As a matter of fact, after one of our hearings a few years ago on the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, we had many veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange. Their families were present with them, their children were present with them, and I invited them into my office. One-on-one, they told me the stories of what happened. The spouses would tell me: my husband, my wife, was exposed, and now he or she can't work. Who is going to support the family? What is going to happen to these children if their father or mother passes away? Who is going to take care of them? They need healthcare now. They need their benefits now. prgtoken We can't wait any longer, Madam . Burn pits are the Agent Orange of our era, as Jennifer said. And the fact that we haven't resolved the issue of burn pit exposure is an absolute disservice to our veterans. They were exposed, and we must help them. prgtoken I have fought for over multiple Congresses, with my colleague Dr. Ruiz and my colleague Brad Wenstrup from the great State of Ohio, leading and sponsoring numerous pieces of legislation to get toxic- exposed veterans the treatment and benefits they deserve, because many cannot afford to wait any longer. prgtoken Tragically, one of our veterans came to me a few years ago, Lauren Price. Similar to Dr. Ruiz and Jennifer, we made it our mission to get this done. During Lauren's service to our country, she was exposed to burn pits. This past spring, she sadly passed away due to an illness linked to her burn pit exposure, but not before taking up the cause for her fellow veterans to make sure they or their families would not have to experience the same suffering she and her family experienced. Lauren knew that she was going to pass away, but she wanted to make it better for her fellow veterans. Her goal was to pass this legislation and similar legislation that Dr. Ruiz and I have cosponsored over the years. prgtoken I was incredibly moved to see her husband and my good friend, Jim Price, continue this tireless advocacy by testifying as a witness before the Veterans' Affairs Committee just this past year in support of the TEAM Act, which would comprehensively address toxic exposures now and in the future. prgtoken This critical bill adopts provisions for my legislation that I previously authored, the Protection for Veterans' Burn Pi
VACCINE MANDATE UNDERMINES ESSENTIAL SERVICES
Tim Burchett (Republican, TN) \u2014 2021-11-3

. Madam , when the coronavirus shut down this country, first responders and healthcare professionals kept our communities going and safe. The essential services they provide can't be done from behind a computer screen, Madam . prgtoken 's vaccine mandate undermines the preparedness of these services. The Americans we celebrated for the last 20 months are now forced to get the coronavirus vaccine or be fired from their jobs. It is disgusting that the administration is threatening these public servants' livelihoods over these issues. prgtoken Our country cannot afford labor shortages in essential services. Look at law enforcement, for example. The defund the police movement continues to embolden criminals and lower morale among the law enforcement community. prgtoken On top of these problems, thousands of police officers are facing termination thanks to 's vaccine mandate. prgtoken This is a recipe for disaster amidst rising crime. I guarantee that if you are in danger of or a victim of crime, the last thing on your mind will be the vaccination status of the responding officer. prgtoken Congress needs to stand up for these essential workers under attack from 's vaccine mandate. This week, I will introduce legislation allowing these workers to decide for themselves on taking the coronavirus vaccine, free from threats of termination if they decide against getting the shot, Madam . No American citizen should be fired for making a healthcare decision they believe is in their best interest.
Remembering Jean Rounds (Executive Session)
John Thune (Republican, SD) \u2014 2021-11-3

let me begin this morning by saying how sorry we are to hear the news about the loss of the former First Lady Jean Rounds of the State of South Dakota. prgtoken Mike and Jean have been friends of ours for many, many years. I was involved in Senator Rounds' first campaign for office when he ran for State Senate back in 1990. I have known Jean since I worked in the administration of late Governor George Mickelson along with her at the Department of Transportation, and I just can't tell you what a loss it is for the State of South Dakota. prgtoken She was an individual who carried herself with incredible grace, always kind, had a humility about her that I think people just found infectious. She was very down-to-earth. She never lost that. As a First Lady, she conducted herself in a way that represented a great model for the State of South Dakota, both in her character and her conduct. The style, the way in which she has served as First Lady, is something that I think made every South Dakotan proud. prgtoken So, today, along with all South Dakotans, Kimberley and I mourn her loss. We lift up the Rounds family in our prayers, and I hope and pray that through this time they will feel God's grace and comfort in new and profound ways. But just a tremendous loss, and I know for my colleague Mike Rounds, who has been a great partner of mine--we have been involved in politics together now, in South Dakota, for over 30 years--that he, too, is going to need our support and our prayers in the days ahead. prgtoken This is a tough job under ordinary circumstances, but with the burden that he has been and will be carrying now into the future, it is going to be really important that we do everything we can to support him and stand with him, and today especially with him and his family.
John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (Executive Calendar)
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2021-11-3

. This has become an almost weekly routine--my friends on the other side trying to give Washington unprecedented power over how Americans cast their vote. prgtoken We don't have time to do the NDAA or an appropriations process, but we always have time for a few more of these stunts. In many of these bills, congressional propose to make themselves into a national board of elections. prgtoken Today, there is a small difference. They want, instead, to hand that power to Attorney General Merrick Garland; different branch of government, same bad idea. prgtoken I just want to add one observation from last night. Governors' races and State legislative seats weren't the only prgtoken things on the ballot last night. Yesterday, the deep blue State of New York--New York, the home of the Senate majority leader--had two of America's signature proposals for weaker elections actually on the ballot as ballot measures. Citizens got to vote directly on whether to open the door to two changes that the politicians wanted: same-day registration and no-excuse absentee voting, on the ballot in New York yesterday. prgtoken And as of the latest tally a few minutes ago, both proposals were losing. They currently are both losing about 60/40. Even in deep blue New York, citizens appear to be rejecting the ' demands for weaker elections. prgtoken So I think there is only one question left: Where will the Mets and Yankees end up now? prgtoken Surely Major League Baseball can't let them stay in New York after this. prgtoken I urge a no vote.