mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
PROTESTS
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2020-9-24

I have spoken repeatedly in recent months about the tragic killing of Breonna Taylor in my hometown of Louisville, the need for justice, and the healing work ahead for our community. prgtoken Kentucky's attorney general, Daniel Cameron, conducted exactly the kind of thorough and impartial investigation that justice demands. Yesterday, that chapter concluded, and the grand jury conducted the handoff to criminal prosecution. I have full confidence in the attorney general's painstaking pursuit of facts and justice. prgtoken Many Kentuckians have channeled their continuing grief and anger in a peaceful exercise of their First Amendment rights. But in Louisville last night, we saw more of the lawlessness, riots, and violence that have plagued American cities too often this year. Citizens' businesses were vandalized, fires were set in the streets, and two officers of the Metro Police Department were shot and wounded while protecting public safety downtown. As of last night, one officer was still undergoing surgery, but both were in stable condition. We are praying that both will make full recoveries. One suspect is in custody. prgtoken Peaceful protests honor the memory of Breonna Taylor. Peaceful protests move us toward justice. Smashing windows does not. Setting fires does not. Rioting in the streets does not. Trying to gun down law enforcement officers who were bravely serving their community is the kind of despicable cowardice that must be met with the full force of the law. prgtoken I sincerely thank all the Kentucky peace officers who continue to put their lives on the line every single day. I hope and expect that our Governor and mayor will take every necessary step to secure the justice, peace, law, and order that every Kentuckian deserves.
HONORING THE LIFE OF SANDEEP DHALIWAL
Ted S. Yoho (Republican, FL) \u2014 2020-9-24

I rise today as a proud Florida Gator. In the last ``Best Colleges'' edition of the U.S. News & World Report, the University of Florida was named the number 6 public university in the country. That ranking marks the fourth--I want to repeat that, that ranking marks the fourth--consecutive year the University of Florida has risen in the rankings for public universities, jumping from number 14 in 2017 to number 6 today. prgtoken UF is one of the finest research universities in the United States, attracting the best and brightest from around the great State of Florida, America, and the world. prgtoken I want to congratulate President Kent Fuchs, his staff, the faculty, student body, and the board of trustees for their collective efforts in continuing to elevate the University of Florida to higher and higher rankings. prgtoken And I can't end without saying: Go Gators. Supporting First Responders and Law Enforcement
PROMOTING FARM AND AGRICULTURAL WORKER SAFETY
Jim Hagedorn (Republican, MN) \u2014 2020-9-24

I rise today in support of bipartisan legislation, the Farm and Agricultural Worker Safety Education Act, which I am proud to introduce with my friend from Texas (Mr. Cuellar). prgtoken The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the need to ensure that we have a safe and reliable workforce to maintain our food supply. In order to win the battle with COVID-19, we must guarantee that the most up-to-date and science-based information is readily available and accessible for community leaders, educators, and rural businesses. prgtoken Our legislation will help guarantee that timely, relevant health and safety guidelines are reaching our rural workforce and communities by allowing higher learning institutions to apply for grants to distribute best practices and safety guidance to help farms, ag workers, and others who conduct business during this pandemic. prgtoken When we think about best practices and safety in the rural areas, we often think about tractor accidents and how to stop the farmers from being hurt in grain bin incidents and things of that nature. prgtoken We haven't really delved into this idea that we have to look at the health of our employees, the workers who are in the packing plants, the folks driving the trucks, the people at the distribution plants, and the people on the farms. prgtoken We have learned during this pandemic that when our health workers and when our workers on the farms and everything are in trouble, we are in trouble. We had shortages in our grocery stores of meat products, and that was not due to any problems having a supply of hogs, for instance. We had excess supply. But the folks who did the work at the packing plants were down, and we had disruptions, which led to those types of shortages. prgtoken So to make sure that we ensure our food supply and that we have everyone in as safe a condition as possible, we want to have these grants and best practices moving forward. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join me in supporting this important initiative that will help ensure the safety of our farmers in rural communities as we work to keep rebuilding our economy.
CONTINUING APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2021 AND OTHER EXTENSIONS ACT--MOTION TO PROCEED
Susan M. Collins (Republican, ME) \u2014 2020-9-24

with the COVID-19 pandemic continuing to devastate our public health and our economy, it is far past time that we reach agreement on another relief package that is so desperately needed. It will require good-faith negotiations on both sides of the aisle, not just saying no and turning the tragedy of 200,000 COVID deaths into a partisan political issue. prgtoken For my part, I believe there should be nine elements in the bill. First, there should be an extension of the Paycheck Protection Program, known as PPP. This is a program that I crafted with Senators Marco Rubio, Jeanne Shaheen, and Ben Cardin to provide forgivable loans to our small businesses so that they could pay their employees. prgtoken I am pleased to report that, in my State, 28,000 small businesses-- that is nearly three out of four of our small businesses--have taken advantage of $2.3 billion in forgivable loans, sustaining 250,000 jobs. It has truly made a difference. Now we need to do a second round of PPP for the hardest hit businesses, those for whom the first PPP loan was the lifeline but they need additional help. prgtoken So we have set a revenue test such that, if your revenue is 35 percent below what it was in an equivalent quarter last year, you would qualify for another PPP loan. In addition, those who have never received a first PPP loan could apply under the initial rules. This would make a difference in keeping our small businesses afloat, particularly those in the tourism industry that have been so hard hit, and ensuring that their employees will still have jobs. prgtoken Second, we need to provide aid to our schools. I have talked to superintendents all over the State of Maine, and I have visited schools in Hollis and Houlton. I have seen firsthand the enormous investments they have had to make in order to reopen the schools safely or adapt to a hybrid model, depending on where the location is and the incidence of COVID-19. prgtoken In one school that I visited, they have replaced all of the round tables around which the elementary schoolchildren would usually be working with desks lined up. It reminds me of when I went to elementary school because that was the style of teaching back then. prgtoken They are sanitizing and deep-cleaning the schools. They are trying to figure out what to do with the little toys that are used to teach children how to count: How do they sanitize them? Or do they get each child his or her own set of toys to place in individual bins? prgtoken They are cutting new doors into the nurse's office so that no longer will ill children or staffers have to go through the front office. They are putting up plexiglass shields. They are adding additional bus routes in order to safely separate the children. prgtoken These changes cost a lot of money, and it is one reason why, in addition to providing direct aid to our schools, we need to provide assistance to our States, our counties, and our communitie
EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mike Braun (Republican, IN) \u2014 2020-9-24

in 2002, 18 years ago, Senator Tom Daschle raised a similar resolution--a resolution on the importance of the Pledge of Allegiance. With unanimous support in the U.S. Senate, it passed on the floor uneventfully and without amendment. This body can choose to do the same today--to reaffirm our support for the Pledge of Allegiance. prgtoken I also rise to honor a Hoosier who understood the innate value of the Pledge of Allegiance to civic education. prgtoken In 1969, Red Skelton, an American comedian and entertainer who was well known for his program on CBS, ``The Red Skelton Hour,'' wrote a speech on the importance of the pledge. In reflecting on his time in Vincennes, IN, he wanted to talk about how important the value instilled by it is still applicable today. After the performance of his speech, CBS received 200,000 requests for copies. His speech would go on to be sold as a single by Columbia Records and performed at the White House. I think it would be an honor to repeat this, and I will do so after yielding the floor to my colleague, Senator Scott from Florida.
EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Rick Scott (Republican, FL) \u2014 2020-9-24

. First of all, , my friend from Indiana, for his absolute commitment of trying to make an impact on what is going on in Washington. We both came up here at the same time, and I have enjoyed working with him every day. prgtoken I had the opportunity to pursue the American dream. I got involved in politics because I saw that dream slipping away for far too many. All Americans should have their shots at living their versions of the American dream. prgtoken For me, I grew up poor. I never met my biological father. My adopted father was a busdriver, with only a sixth grade education, who did all four combat jumps with the 82nd Airborne in World War II. We lived in public housing. Even though my mom had no money, she was optimistic and hopeful. She told us we were blessed because God and our Founders created the greatest country ever, where anything was possible. prgtoken Unfortunately, the left has worked hard over the last 50 years to discredit the values of the America I was raised with and the values of the America I want my grandchildren to grow up with. Central to those values is faith and family. The Pledge of Allegiance explicitly acknowledges that our Creator is central to this American experiment. Unfortunately, the left is trying to undo the foundational principles of this country. prgtoken The left railed against our soldiers during the Vietnam war and is calling to defund our law enforcement. The left discredits those who believe in a supreme being or the commitment of marriage, and it doesn't place value in family. The left doesn't care about our enormous debt and pushes for socialism. The left thinks it is OK that our schools don't teach about the Founding Fathers or free markets and wants you to think America was never great. prgtoken We all acknowledge that Americans, our country, and our institutions have flaws, but the left has worked to discredit our Founders, our institutions, our churches, our law enforcement, our morals, and almost everything my mom taught me. Yet we join today to honor the Pledge of Allegiance, the very spirit of our Nation--``one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.'' That is the America I, along with my colleagues here, are fighting for. prgtoken The values that I grew up with--the ones my ``tough love'' mom taught me--are becoming a way of the past, but I believe these values, these virtues, can and should be part of our country's future. prgtoken I love it when my grandchildren pray before eating, recite the Pledge of Allegiance, ask to visit military museums, thank police officers and soldiers for their service, and place their hands over their hearts when they hear the national anthem. I hope they memorize the Declaration of Independence and the 23rd Psalm. prgtoken We will not give up on the American dream and a nation where anything is possible. We will not let the radical left take away our freedom and opportunity. prgtoken
EXPANDING ACCESS TO SUSTAINABLE ENERGY ACT OF 2019
Randy K. Weber, Sr. (Republican, TX) \u2014 2020-9-24

. Madam , I thank the gentleman for yielding. prgtoken Madam , I rise in opposition to this amendment. prgtoken We have heard the same sensible logic from our side of the aisle countless times over the past 24 hours as we have debated this bill and these amendments. The package is over-funded, incorrectly prioritized, and a partisan process nightmare. prgtoken So in a way, I guess it is fitting that this is the only standalone amendment we will consider today. It is one that is seeking even more funding for one of this bill's most misguided priorities. prgtoken The United States Chamber of Commerce said it best when they penned that this bill needed to avoid ``contentious and extraneous issues'' for this bill to be supported. prgtoken Let me tell you, the ' unyielding focus on massive increases to applied energy and, in particular, for the DOE's already well-funded Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy is the most contentious issue here. prgtoken By now, I am sure you can all say it along with me, but I cannot stress it enough: It is basic research, not applied energy, that will put us in the best global position to develop the long-term clean energy solutions to address our changing climate and, yes, lay the foundation for our clean and affordable energy future for generations to come. prgtoken The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy has grown considerably, starting with what was supposed to be a temporary recovery in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Remember that? Temporary. prgtoken What was it President Reagan said? There is nothing more permanent on Earth than a temporary government program. Here is a great example. Today it is funded at $2.8 billion, with a B, which is more than DOE's research in fossil energy, nuclear energy, electricity, and cybersecurity combined. And let me just say, there is no clean energy future without nuclear energy. prgtoken H.R. 4447, just the base text, would spend more than $3.7 billion on the EERE programs. Really? This amendment, which seeks to increase authorizations by an additional 50 percent, can only be labeled as irresponsible. prgtoken This is a contentious and extraneous issue. The country doesn't have unlimited Federal research funds. It just doesn't. I am sorry to disappoint y'all. It doesn't. prgtoken Look, it is difficult, but we must set priorities and invest strategically. That is our job, folks. That is our job. This amendment does exactly the opposite. prgtoken As the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Energy of the House Science Committee, I support an all-of-the-above energy strategy, and, yes, that includes renewable energy. Texas is number one in wind energy. But supporting an all-of-the-above energy strategy does not mean increasing Federal investment for every R&D program in perpetuity. prgtoken What did Reagan say? Closest thing to eternity. prgtoken I would like to ask my friends on the other side of the
RECOGNIZING OFFICER BLAKE CRULL
Greg Pence (Republican, IN) \u2014 2020-9-24

I rise today to give my proud support of the Second Amendment. prgtoken The Constitution affords the right of the people to keep and bear arms, and that shall not be infringed. prgtoken As a lifetime member of the NRA, I understand what it is like to have your constitutional rights attacked. We take a look at the riots, looting, and danger right here on our own front doorsteps, and we see that the ability to protect our families and ourselves has never been more important. prgtoken As the Representative from Indiana's Sixth District, I promise to uphold the Constitution. Applauding Administration's Support of Farmers
EXPANDING ACCESS TO SUSTAINABLE ENERGY ACT OF 2019
Garret Graves (Republican, LA) \u2014 2020-9-24

I thank the gentleman from Oklahoma for yielding. prgtoken , let's look at this process. Here we have a bill that was a bipartisan bill, H.R. 4447, that passed out prgtoken of the committee on a bipartisan vote, and it was eight pages. It was eight pages. prgtoken Today, this bill is nearly 900 pages. Miraculously, from committee to the floor, it just exploded and became nearly 900 pages of text. This bill is now scored to cost the American taxpayers $135 billion. prgtoken This is an issue that we agree that we need to be discussing. We need to be discussing America's energy future. We need to be discussing the fact that Saudi Arabia, Russia, China, and other countries are trying to decimate the American energy industry. They are trying to force our dependence upon them. prgtoken Unfortunately, while there are some good components of this bill, much of it plays into the hands of those very countries by forcing the use or pushing the use of technologies by manipulating markets, by distorting costs, that forces us to play into the hands of those countries and become subject or dependent upon them for different resources. prgtoken , the United States, as I have heard people talk about emissions, we are the leader in the world in terms of reducing emissions. The United States has reduced emissions more than every other country. prgtoken People talk about emissions reduction. Under President , there was the Clean Power Plan. We have actually hit the Clean Power Plan target established by President , but we have done it 10 years early. prgtoken We haven't done it by distorting markets. We haven't done it by forcing the use of technologies. We have done it by letting the market do what it does, by letting innovators innovate, like they do. prgtoken So to my friends on the other side of the aisle, I will say it again: We absolutely would love to engage with you on America's energy future, on how we ensure the use of clean energy technologies moving forward, but also on building upon the success of the United States and how we are the global leader in reducing emissions. prgtoken We don't have to have a bill. We have got all these amendments. They have been thrown together en bloc, where maybe we have a great amendment, but it is paired together with nine others that are awful. This distorts the process, and it really makes us unable to even represent our constituents at home. prgtoken So I want to urge: Let's sit down and engage in this bill in a bipartisan way. Let's not take a bill that was 8 pages and add over 800 pages to it in the dark of night. Let's have a transparent process. Let's let us vote on amendments that make sense, that ensure America's energy future is based upon our resources, not those of Russia, not those of China, as this bill does. prgtoken This is a fatally flawed process. It is not in the interests of America. It is not in the interests of our children's and our grandchildre
EXECUTIVE CALENDAR--Continued
John Cornyn (Republican, TX) \u2014 2020-9-24

I just want to say how much I appreciate the resolution of the Senator from Indiana. It reminds me of discussions I know all of us have had about the teaching of American history and civics in our schools and, frankly, a collective concern that our children are being raised and educated without learning both about our founding principles and how unique we are as a nation. I think, as modest a step as this may seem, it is an important one, and I congratulate our friend from Indiana for taking it.
TRIBUTE TO TOM WICKHAM, HOUSE PARLIAMENTARIAN
Kevin McCarthy (Republican, CA) \u2014 2020-9-24

I rise today to say thank you and pay tribute to our friend and this Chamber's Parliamentarian, Tom Wickham. prgtoken Since the creation of the position in 1927, Tom is just the sixth Parliamentarian in the history of this body. prgtoken While Representatives come and go, and majorities change from session to session, one constant is the Parliamentarian's office and their commitment to uphold the rules and traditions of this very Chamber. prgtoken The Parliamentarian advises not only the , but serves with an open door to all Members, majority and minority, so our voices and our constituents' voices can be heard in this legislative process. prgtoken I speak for all s when I commend Tom for his professionalism, sound judgment, and steady demeanor in carrying out his duties. prgtoken You see, , America was founded on an idea. Our Founders determined that a deliberative body governed of, by, and for the people would best serve the interest of this Nation. prgtoken Our Congress, a literal coming together of people and ideas from every corner of the Nation, is tasked with debating the issues of the day. And it is up to Tom and his staff to make sure that we do so in a way that is consistent with the enduring rules and precedents of this institution. prgtoken Looking out for the institution is not exactly a glamorous job. Most of the Parliamentarian's work goes on behind the scenes and without public recognition. But it is essential to our democracy and it embodies the very best of civil service. prgtoken Tom has served this body and this country for 25 years. Some of my staffers refer to Tom as Dumbledore from Harry Potter--he knows all the answers, you just have to ask the right questions. prgtoken I know Members will continue to seek out Tom for advice, and I encourage all of them to extend the same courtesy to his successor, Jason Smith. prgtoken Now, let's not be confused, it is not Representative Jason Smith from Missouri, it is a different Jason Smith. prgtoken I want to especially thank Tom's wife, Heather, and his children, Brady and Elizabeth, for sharing Tom with us for all those years and all those late nights, through too many late-night voting sessions and last-minute negotiations to count. prgtoken Tom, you have served well. We wish you the best in retirement, and hope you get to watch lots of Iowa football now that the Big Ten has resumed play. prgtoken But on behalf of a very grateful Nation, I want to say thank you. I know times get heated. I know people are passionate about their ideas. I know your decisions cannot be made based upon who is in the majority or who is in the minority. prgtoken I have watched you make some of the most difficult decisions, but they are always the right one. This country could only imagine being a Parliamentarian when a decision is being made whether a has broken the rules or not. It would be easy to fold to the pressure of the majority, and I am proud to say Tom a