mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
Nomination of Shalanda D. Young (Executive Session)
Patrick J. Leahy (Democrat, VT) \u2014 2021-3-23

I am proud to be here on the Senate floor to offer my strong support for Shalanda Young to be Deputy Director of the Office of Management and Budget, as I have spoken about her earlier before the committee. prgtoken She has worked on the House Appropriations Committee for nearly 14 years. She has been the House Appropriations staff director since 2017. prgtoken It is from my position on the Appropriations Committee that I got to know her very well. I can tell you, without any reservation, there is no one better suited for this position. Her deep understanding of, really, the often arcane Federal budget process, her years of experience on the Appropriations Committee, her tenacity, and her dedication to public service will serve the Agency and the American people. prgtoken I think after we had the last closedown of the government--I believe the longest in history--we ended up, finally, with four of us meeting for several weeks in my office here in the Capitol. When we forged the agreement to reopen, Senator Shelby and myself, Congresswomen Lowey and Granger from the House--we were chair and vice chair of our respective committees--but, most importantly, Shalanda Young was there for the House, as was Chuck Kieffer, and she had an opportunity to work for the Senate. Her knowledge of the intricacies of that and her ability to help us reach agreement were absolutely essential. prgtoken Ms. Young began her career in public service in 2001 at the National Institutes of Health. She first came to work on Capitol Hill as a detailee for the House Appropriations Committee in 2005. She came back as a professional staff member in 2007. She worked her way up in the committee over the years. She helped develop a budget for and conducted oversight of key Agencies. That has given her a critical insight into the operation of some of our Nation's most important Agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of the Interior, the Environmental Protection Agency, the General Services Administration. She even served as a staff director for the Legislative Branch Subcommittee, which covers the budget for Congress. prgtoken Ms. Young became staff director of the House Appropriations Committee in 2017, coincidentally the same year I became vice chairman of the Appropriations Committee. But she has helped the House navigate some of the most difficult issues before the Chamber. As I said, she was a critical player in helping to end the longest Federal shutdown in history in 2019, and she was instrumental in crafting 2020 bipartisan COVID relief bills. prgtoken She has a reputation as a tough but fair negotiator. That is high praise on Capitol Hill because she gets it from both s and . I can attest to the truth of these statements. I have seen these skills firsthand. prgtoken I have already said that the Office of Management and Budget is one of the most powerful government Agencies
VIOLENCE AGAINST ASIAN AMERICANS
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2021-3-23

now, as I mentioned, the shooting in Colorado comes only a week after another tragedy in the communities outside Atlanta, GA, where eight people were killed in a string of shootings, six of whom were women of Asian descent. prgtoken It is important to place the Atlanta area shootings in context. Over the past year, there has been a rising tide of violence against Asian Americans driven by fear, misinformation, and age-old prejudices against the Asian-American community, from shouted insults and racial slurs to outright assault. prgtoken A 61-year-old Filipino American was slashed in the face by a box cutter on the New York subway. An 84-year-old Thai American in San Francisco was shoved so violently it led to his death. And now this attack in Georgia. prgtoken Every day, Asian Americans walk down the streets looking over their shoulders, wondering if they will be assaulted or even worse--even worse. prgtoken The poison of racism has always existed in America, but over the past 4 years it seems to have found new life. There is no question that the former President , through word and deed, fanned the flames of racial bias in our country. It is not a coincidence that it is worse now than it has been before. fanned those flames--fanned those flames, often with glee. prgtoken With respect to the Asian-American community, specifically, the former President encouraged rhetoric that blamed the Chinese people for the coronavirus--an absolutely despicable notion that has led to all sorts of verbal and physical assaults on Asian Americans. You could see him with his chin strutted out when he called it the virus that he named it--you know what--the China virus. So despicable. And he did it with almost a joy. prgtoken Here in America, we all know that an attack against any one group is an attack against all of us. So it is up to all of us now to stand up and speak out in support of the Asian-American community in America. prgtoken Over the weekend, I joined several vigils to stand with Americans of all ages, races, and faiths to support the Asian-American community. There was a large turnout, and our Asian brothers and sisters were so relieved that so many of us from the elected community were there. We should all be doing that in every part of the country. prgtoken Here on the floor of the Senate this morning, I started the process to make two pieces of legislation available for action by the full Senate. prgtoken First is a bill led by my friend Senator Hirono of Hawaii, very similar to the same bill introduced by our New York Congress Member, Grace Meng, of Queens. This legislation by Senator Hirono will address COVID-related hate crimes against Asian Americans head-on. It would assign a point person at the Department of Justice to expedite the review of COVID-19-related hate crimes, provide support for State and local law enforcement agencies to respond to hate crimes, and work on s
UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST--H.R. 1868
John Barrasso (Republican, WY) \u2014 2021-3-23

the have just passed a $1.9 trillion spending package. They filled the bill with lots of partisan priorities. They refused to work with Members on this side of the aisle. Almost all of what we are doing here--have done there is going on a credit card. That is going to have to be paid for by our children and their children. prgtoken also ignored the Medicare sequester as part of that $1.9 trillion bill. As a doctor, I have cared for patients in Wyoming for more than two decades. I cannot ignore this decision. prgtoken There are more cuts to healthcare providers serving seniors. That is what these have done. They go into effect starting April 1. They are coming. prgtoken Congress must help those working on the frontlines fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. It should be our highest priority. Ignoring cuts to Medicare while spending $1.9 trillion on other things, to me, is irresponsible. prgtoken Instead, just a few days after their partisan spending bill was signed into law, here we have the chairman of the Budget Committee back asking for additional money. prgtoken Now, he knows the right thing to do is to help these Medicare providers on the frontlines, and I want to do exactly the same thing. Once again, instead of working on a bipartisan basis, Senate are rushing through another partisan spending package. prgtoken There is a better way. Senator Cotton and I have introduced the Protecting Seniors Access to Healthcare Act. Our legislation takes a small amount of the money from State and local governments as part of that $1.9 trillion bill. Instead of billions going to Gavin Newsom and instead of billions going to Andrew Cuomo, our legislation gives a small fraction of that money to help our healthcare providers around the country. Instead of a blank check, our bill gets the money to where it is needed the most: to healthcare providers on the frontlines of this pandemic. prgtoken Our bill also includes commonsense provisions to ensure that taxpayer money is not given to illegal immigrants or prisoners. Our bill simply says that if you are here illegally, you don't get the payments in the ic spending bill. prgtoken Senator Cotton and I know we can't hand out American taxpayer dollars to illegal immigrants. That is why our border is being flooded right now--because President offers benefits for illegal immigrants. We also shouldn't be cutting checks to people sitting in jail. prgtoken The question is whether Washington are interested in solving problems or just playing politics. I think we can provide much needed relief for Medicare providers, and we should. It is completely irresponsible for the and the administration to spend $1.9 trillion and fail to help the healthcare providers who are working to serve Medicare patients. prgtoken Therefore, , I ask that the Senator modify his request to instead take up H.R. 1868 with my substit
FILIBUSTER
Dan Sullivan (Republican, AK) \u2014 2021-3-23

I have one more topic I would like to talk about today. It is another important one, and it is one that many have been talking about here on the floor of the U.S. Senate. Many have spoken very eloquently about this topic, and depending on when they have spoken about it--this year, this week, last year, a decade ago, a century ago--it is a topic that is really fundamental to this institution, and it looks as if Members in this institution are trying to change the institution forever. Now, I am talking about the filibuster. prgtoken As you know, there has been much talk recently about the possibility of getting rid of the filibuster. This is an action that will fundamentally transform this institution, certainly, but I believe, frankly, it will transform our country. I don't think this is a wise move at all. The irony is--and I am going to talk about it--until very recently, the vast majority of my colleagues, and ic, were in agreement on this topic in that getting rid of the legislative filibuster was not a wise move for the Senate and not a wise move for America. prgtoken Now, this might seem like an insular issue--something that people in Washington, DC, get incensed about, wound up about, and the people back home might not necessarily care because it might not impact them--but I don't think that this is the case at all. This rule, the filibuster, is at the very heart of what keeps extreme legislation, pushed by a small minority of the public, from passing. It is a rule that, in the Senate, certainly encourages, if not demands, compromise and bipartisan work both when one's party is in or out of power. prgtoken Now, look, our instincts as Senators--all of our instincts--are to get things done for our States, for our country, but what is good for Alaska isn't always good for Colorado, and what is good for Colorado isn't always good for New York. What is good for the majority isn't alway good for the minority and vice versa and isn't always good for the Nation. That is the heart of federalism. It is also why the majority can't wield unfettered power in the U.S. Senate. With the exception of a few laws, what is required here is typically 60 votes on legislation. It is what separates this body, the Senate, from the House. prgtoken For the good of the country, if you look at our history, we must work together, find compromise, find consensus, find solutions, particularly on major legislation, to get a broad-based buy-in from all Americans or most Americans. This is what the filibuster has required. prgtoken Remember, the Framers understood that, here in the Senate, we would be different from the House. We would be the bulwark against what James Madison called an anchor, a necessary fence, against the fickleness and passions that pervade the House. No offense to our Members of the House of Representatives, but as George Washington is said to have told Thomas Jefferson, the Fram
RECOGNIZING MAJOR DANIEL NASKE
Kay Granger (Republican, TX) \u2014 2021-3-23

. Madam , I rise today to recognize Major Daniel Naske of the U.S. Air Force, upon his departure from the Department of the Air Force, Directorate of Legislative Liaison. As Executive Officer, Major Naske serves as the critical bridge between key senior leaders within the Department of Defense, to include the Secretary of the Air Force, Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Chief of Space Operations and Members of Congress and the White House. His responsibilities include leading a 6-member team in executing senior leader communication and resource support responding to 535 Members of Congress. His role as the principal advisor to the Director of Legislative Liaison's ensures the Department's strategic communication and vision is synchronized and thoughtfully executed across 6 divisions and 85 members in the planning of over 200 Member engagements on Department programs, policies and weapon systems. prgtoken Major Naske is a native of upstate New York and is a Distinguished Graduate from Clarkson University ROTC with a degree in Electrical Engineering. He also holds a Master of Arts in Military History from American Military University, and is a 2019 graduated Defense Legislative Fellow. prgtoken Major Naske began his flying career in 2009, and was first assigned as a pilot of the MC-12W reconnaissance aircraft. In 2011, Major Naske became qualified on the C-17A Globemaster Ill and became an Instructor Pilot in 2013. Additionally, he is a graduate of the esteemed U.S. Air Force Weapons School. Major Naske's exemplary U.S. Air Force career spans more than 2,741 hours in airlift and reconnaissance aircraft, and of that, 1,002 are in combat. prgtoken Major Naske and his wife, Caitlin, have two beautiful daughters, Ava and Mara and his family continues to support him and his service to our nation. prgtoken We wish Major Naske the best of luck in his new role leading an operational C-17 unit as the Director of Operations. Madam , on behalf of the U.S. Congress and a grateful Nation, I extend our deepest appreciation to Major Daniel Naske for his dedicated service to the U.S. Air Force, and to our Nation.
RECOGNIZING THE FRONTLINE HEALTHCARE WORKERS OF SOUTH DAKOTA
Dusty Johnson (Republican, SD) \u2014 2021-3-23

. Madam , I rise today to recognize, celebrate, and honor the frontline healthcare workers of the great state of South Dakota. prgtoken Some of these South Dakota heroes are Ashley Beck, Jordan Beck, Joshua Beck, Charleen Beckel, Bonnie Becker, Janet Becker, Michele Becker, Ellen Becker, Carianne Becker, Rebecca Becker, Jody Becker, Amber Becker, Heidi Becker, Brooklyn Becker, Beth Becker, LaTora Becker, Myranda Becking, Vicki Beckler, Nicholas Beckler, Crystal Beckman, Danielle Beckmann, Lindsey Beckstrand, Erin Beckstrom, Briana Beckstrom, Sheri Beckwith, Nicole Beckwith, Krista Beckwith, Loni Bedard, Cassandra Beech, Kelsey Beeck, Darla Beedle, Andrew Beedle, Amy Beeghly, Allison Beeman, Debra Beermann, Amelia Beernink, Chelsi Beers, Erika Beers, Amanda Beeson, Dalene Beetem, Naomi Beetsch, Marsha Begeman, Katelyn Begeman, Cynthia Begley, Cambreya Behan, Margaret Behl, Rebecca Behl, Keith Behl, Ashley Behl, Brenda Behlings, Nancy Behr, Kristina Behrend, Christina Behrends, Travis Behrens, prgtoken Briana Behrens, Alyson Behrens, Kylie Behrens, Jordan Beiswanger. prgtoken Ephrem Bejiga, Bethlehem Bekele, Birtukan Belay, Kirsten Belcher, Lisa Belcher, Morgan Beld, Sarah Belden, Amanda Belding, Connie Belford, Leila Belile, Tina Belisle, Darcy Belitz, Cassandra Bell, Amy Bell, Megan Bell, Elizabeth Bell, Misrak Bellayneh, Denise Below, Douglas Belton, Kristy Bemis, Susan Bendel, Edna Bender, LaDonna Bender, Chris Bender, Karen Bender, Andria Bender, Bryan Bender, Grace Bender, Lucas Bendlin, Jennifer Benedetto, Kelsey Benedetto, Darla Benedict, Jamie Benedict, Deanna Benesh, Paul Beninga, Candice Benne, Sarah Benne, Stacia Bennett, Bruce Bennett, Theresa Bennett, Lesly Bennett, Amanda Bennett, Melissa Bennett, Andrea Bennett, Kayla Bennett, Lisa Bennett, Steffani Bennett, Katherine Bennett, Marcia Benning, Patricia Benson, Marlys Benson, Cynthia Benson, Angelique Benson, Christina Benson, Heather Benson, Susan Benson, Amanda Benson, Matthew Benson, Polly Benson, Tonya Benson, Blake Benson, Tessa Benson. prgtoken Jonathan Benson, Allison Benson, Ellie Benson, Stephanie Benson, Taylor Benson, Kelston Benson Goupil, Ruth Bentaas, Jamie Bentaas, Nancy Benter, Kayla Bentley, Jennifer Bentley, Mardeena Bentz, Laura Bentz, Janis Bentzen, Mary Benz, Klarissa Benz, Katherine Benz, Lisa Berbos, Mary Berdahl, James Berdahl, Whitney Berendes, Ann Berens, Jeffery Berens, Ian Berens, Whitney Berens, Paula Berg, Teresa Berg, Thomas Berg, Therese Berg, Ronda Berg, Molly Berg, Laura Berg, Heidi Berg, Kari Berg, Heidi Berg, Jessica Berg, Jaci Berg, Crystal Berg, Adam Bergdale, Judy Bergeland, Darlene Bergeleen, Brenda Berger, Jan Berger, Nicole Berger, Kathleen Berger, Alison Berger, Kate Berger, Rebecca Bergeson, Tiffany Bergeson, Demetria Bergeson, Robert Berglund, Josie Berglund, Leslie Bergquist, Candice Bergst, Robert Bergstrom, Cheryl Bergstrom, Anthony Bergstrom, Jean Beringer. prgtoken Amy Berke, Bonnie Berkemier, Carl
RECOGNIZING LIFESTREAM BEHAVIORAL CENTER'S 50 YEARS OF SERVICE
Daniel Webster (Republican, FL) \u2014 2021-3-23

. Madam , it is my pleasure to recognize LifeStream Behavioral Center as they commemorate 50 years of service in bringing hope to life during the month of March. LifeStream is dedicated to their mission of supporting recovery, promoting health and creating hope. Over the years LifeStream has grown to meet the needs of our communities and become a leader in behavioral health, substance use disorders, and social services. prgtoken In 1969, LifeStream began as a component of Waterman Memorial Hospital in Eustis, Florida, providing community-based care as an alternative to institutionalization. In 1971, LifeStream became a non- profit organization, originally founded as Lake/Sumter Community Mental Health Center, with 18 inpatient beds located inside Waterman Hospital and two outpatient clinics located in Lake and Sumter Counties. prgtoken Since its founding, LifeStream has expanded to multiple facilities with over 50 programs and 1,000 staff providing services throughout Central Florida, proudly serving the individuals and families of Lake, Sumter, Citrus, Hernando, Marion, Orange, and Hillsborough Counties. As a leader in behavioral healthcare, LifeStream offers a multi- disciplinary approach helping people reclaim their lives and take what for many is their first step towards hope. Their integrated health system provides behavioral health, substance use, primary healthcare, and social services. For 50 years, LifeStream has helped thousands of individuals in our community achieve recovery and reach their highest potential. prgtoken This is a momentous year for LifeStream, and I am honored to join my friend, Jonathan Cherry, CEO/President of LifeStream in celebrating this milestone. The community and families of Central Florida are blessed to have a committed behavioral health center such as LifeStream, and I commend them for the measures they are undertaking to support recovery and provide hope to those in need.
Coronavirus (Executive Calendar)
Ted Cruz (Republican, TX) \u2014 2021-3-23

the Senator from Oregon, I guess, demonstrates the principle that hypocrisy is the tribute that vice pays to virtue, because the Senator from Oregon suggests that somehow payments to people who are not criminals will be delayed if we don't pay criminals in prison. That claim, on the face of it, is absurd. prgtoken The Federal prisons are administered by the Bureau of Prisons. Government may not be good at everything, but I feel quite confident that the Federal Government can produce a list of currently incarcerated prisoners. I know the States can prgtoken The IRS, likewise, is perfectly capable of recognizing whether it is mailing checks to prisoners in prison. This is not whether you have ever been convicted of a crime. It is, Are you sending the checks to Sing Sing? If so, don't send it. prgtoken The claim that somehow Joe Six-Pack at home is not getting his check because we don't want to send checks to prisoners is demonstrably untrue. prgtoken The Senator from Oregon also claims s oppose stimulus checks, when he knows that is simply not the case. As he noted, this body overwhelmingly passed bipartisan COVID relief five times last year. It is only when Senate took the majority that bipartisan legislation ended because the decided to push a hard partisan bill instead. prgtoken A clean bill providing relief checks would have passed with an overwhelming bipartisan majority in this body, and the Senator from Oregon knows that. prgtoken We have now discovered, though, that given a straight-up choice between sending checks to criminals in prison versus sending checks to the victims of crime, Senate stand with the criminals. Unanimous Consent Request--S. 929
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
Kevin Cramer (Republican, ND) \u2014 2021-3-23

my State enjoys many legendary sports rivalries. But make no mistake about it, the Class B Boys High School Basketball Tournament played every March is, without question, North Dakota's premier sporting event. This year, 108 teams began the basketball season in 16 districts and 8 regions. The regional champions met the third weekend of March to compete for the State title. Every year, these games draw the attention of the entire State, along with fans from across the Nation, all of whom claim a connection with at least one of the competing teams. prgtoken This week, I stand a little taller as a proud 1979 graduate of Kindred High School. The Kindred Vikings won their first-ever boys basketball State championship title in Minot Saturday night, defeating the Edgeley-Kulm-Montpelier Rebels 40-34. Their 21-4 season was capped with impressive tournament matchups, where the Vikings showcased their agility and skill against some of the best basketball players in the State. In their semi-final victory against Four Winds-Minnewaukan, Kindred's Matthew Pearson sunk six three-pointers to score 18 points, as Paul Olson scored 15 points and Jaiden Peraza 10. In the championship game, Paul Olson scored 23 points, making 8 of 15 shots and 8 rebounds. Paul, Jaiden, and Gavin Keller were the Vikings named to the all-tournament team. prgtoken I want to recognize this year's team members: Brock Woehl, Cole Campbell, Ethan McKenney, Jeremiah Dockter, Matthew Pearson, Jorgen Swensen, Elijah Heinrich, Paul Olson, Maxwell McQuillan, Trey Heinrich, Jaiden Peraza, Chase Miller, Gavin Keller, Presley Peraza, and Riley Sunram, along with manager Jack Davis and statisticians Rylie Ranking, Leah Rolland, and Zoe Sharp. prgtoken As a Kindred High School student athlete who lettered 4 years in football, basketball, and track, I realize my high school skills would not qualify me to be the ball boy for this year's squad. I congratulate the team, as well as Coach Brad Woehl, his assistants Scott Milbrandt, Matt Hagen, and Jimmy Hoy, and the hometown fans on winning this championship. I join the rest prgtoken of North Dakota in thanking the Kindred Vikings for being an inspiration to all of us by demonstrating what can be achieved by combining a passion for excellence with determination and teamwork.