mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
Nomination of Nicole G. Berner (Executive Session)
Chris Van Hollen (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2024-3-19

I come to the floor today to express my strong support for the confirmation of Nicole Berner of Maryland to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. prgtoken She is an outstanding nominee to represent Maryland on that court. That is why Senator Cardin and I were proud to recommend her nomination to the Senate Judiciary Committee. We are pleased the Senate Judiciary Committee advanced her nomination to the floor of the Senate, and today we are proud to recommend her nomination to the full U.S. Senate. prgtoken Ms. Berner's impressive legal career is a testament to her exceptional skill and unwavering dedication to justice, to fairness, and to service. prgtoken Ms. Berner is a highly experienced litigator. She knows the courtroom. She is currently a partner at the law firm of James & Hoffman, where she is on full-time retainer as the general counsel of the Service Employees International Union, or SEIU. In over 15 years as the general counsel to SEIU, she has represented the union's 2 million members in a diverse range of professional sectors, making her deeply knowledgeable about the challenges facing working people throughout the United States of America. prgtoken There are few judges on the Federal bench--and none on the Fourth Circuit--who have this practice background. prgtoken As part of her substantial litigation responsibilities, Ms. Berner has worked on a range of matters, including cases arising under labor and employment laws and regulations, as well as advising on legal claims involving criminal law, voting rights, Federal preemption, antitrust, bankruptcy, immigration, and the list goes on. prgtoken She has served as counsel in more than three dozen cases before the U.S. Supreme Court and dozens more in Federal courts of appeals. prgtoken Earlier in her career, Ms. Berner was a staff attorney with Planned Parenthood Federation of America, litigating cases to protect and expand access to reproductive care and healthcare. She also spent several years in private practice. She has also worked to train future lawyers as an adjunct professor at Vanderbilt Law School. prgtoken She earned her J.D. from the University of California Berkeley Law School and went on to clerk for two Federal judges--one in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and one in the District Court for the Northern District of Columbia. prgtoken Based on all her legal experience, the American Bar Association gave Ms. Berner its highest rating of ``well qualified'' for the position she has been nominated for. prgtoken Her confirmation would mark a significant milestone for the Fourth Circuit. If confirmed, she would be the first openly gay, LGBTQ judge to serve on that court. prgtoken Ms. Berner's qualifications, her values, and her life experience, coupled with her notedly steady, thoughtful, and calm demeanor, which was exhibited during the hearing and questioning on the Senate Judiciary Committee, will make her an excepti
Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery Funding (Executive Session)
Brian Schatz (Democrat, HI) \u2014 2024-3-19

Congress is failing disaster survivors across the country right now. Whether in Lahaina or in Burlington, survivors are not getting the full support of the Federal Government because Congress has yet to provide funding for long-term disaster recovery needs. That is in spite of the fact that, every passing month, more and more communities are being struck by extreme weather and need help in the rebuilding process. prgtoken It was more than 4 months ago that President requested $2.8 billion for the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery Program, or CDBG-DR. prgtoken CDBG-DR funding is a lifeline for families and businesses that are trying to recover from disasters, helping them to get back on their feet faster and more fully. Yet the spending package that Congress passed 2 weeks ago did not include a dime in new funding for CDBG-DR, despite the efforts of myself and my colleagues--including the Presiding Officer--on both sides of the aisle from disaster-affected States. prgtoken Supporting disaster survivors has never been and should never be a partisan issue, nor can it be buried at the bottom of a long list of Federal priorities. It is one of our most core responsibilities, as the Federal Government, to show up for Americans in their hour of need, when the State and local governments are overwhelmed. We have a chance to do that by including CDBG-DR funding in the appropriations package that we will be voting on later this week. prgtoken People on Maui and in every other disaster-struck community are counting on us for support, and it can't be that the Federal Government leaves them high and dry, midway through the process of putting their lives back together, because we couldn't get some numbers to add up. That is unacceptable, and we need to pass this funding now.
HONORING FLORIDA'S THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
Kat Cammack (Republican, FL) \u2014 2024-3-19

I rise today to honor the life of a titan in conservative politics and thought in north-central Florida, Mr. Ward Scott. prgtoken Ward graduated with a bachelor's of arts in English in 1966 and a master's of education in 1969 from the University of Florida. prgtoken After his studies, he became a long-time Santa Fe College English instructor, from 1969 until 2007. He served as president of the college senate for multiple years in the early 2000s. prgtoken He returned to Santa Fe as a professor emeritus in 2008 and received the Santa Fe Lifetime Achievement Award in 2009. prgtoken Ward served the public in a variety of ways over the years, including on the city of Alachua's Affordable Housing Committee, the Economic Advisory Committee, and the Weed and Seed Grant Committee. prgtoken He also served on the Alachua County Rural Concerns Advisory Committee and, in 2009, as the city of Archer's interim city manager. prgtoken He was an avid tennis player, skier, and supporter of the arts. Most recently, in his retirement, Ward hosted the ``Ward Scott Files,'' a podcast/live show that he broadcast on Facebook to discuss local, State, and national issues. prgtoken I was honored to join his show on a number of occasions after my election to Congress, and it was always wonderful to talk with him and hear his passion for our country and the issues that mattered the most to him. prgtoken His loss is one that we will feel for a long time in our Gainesville community, and we send our condolences to Ward's wife, Barbara, and his family. His legacy will surely live on with those who had the honor of knowing him. prgtoken Rest in peace, Ward. We will miss you. Honoring the Life and Memory of Roger West
OCEAN SHIPPING REFORM IMPLEMENTATION ACT OF 2023
Dusty Johnson (Republican, SD) \u2014 2024-3-19

. Madam , the balance of my time to close. prgtoken Madam , I serve on the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, and we have heard expert after expert talk to us about the Chinese Government working to get coercive economic power over our country and, frankly, every other country in the world, and one of the primary tools of that push for coercive economic power is data. prgtoken One real focus of this bill before us is that it makes it harder for the Chinese Communist Party to be able to use the Shanghai Shipping Exchange or the LOGINK platform to be able to gather up all of this exquisite data about the world's supply chains and shipping information and have it be used against our country and others. prgtoken This also builds upon the strong bipartisan track record that Mr. Menendez spoke of, and it will make for a fuller and fairer supply chain and ocean shipping environment. prgtoken Madam , I would urge support of this legislation, and .
Government Funding (Executive Session)
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2024-3-19

this week, the Senate faces one more test to complete its annual appropriations process, and the stakes really couldn't be higher for Americans' security at home and abroad. prgtoken The work we have outstanding amounts to nearly 70 percent--70 percent--of the discretionary budget. Once again, I am grateful to our colleagues on the Appropriations Committee for their commitment to regular order. I am especially grateful to Senator Collins for fighting to advance priorities throughout the process, particularly in the Defense appropriations bill. prgtoken Predictable annual allocations are essential to meeting national defense responsibilities. They allow for effective investments in modernizing our forces, developing new, cutting-edge capabilities, and expanding the industrial capacity that will drive long-term strategic competition. Needless to say, investments like these are especially critical right now as the gulf between prgtoken the threats we face and the administration's willingness to address them seems to be growing wider. President has just turned in his fourth straight budget request that would cut defense funding after inflation. So the work before us is gravely necessary, and I am encouraged that we are beginning this week with an agreement in hand to actually complete the process. prgtoken Congress has secured a path forward to fund the Department of Homeland Security, which will allow us to complete the fiscal year 2024 appropriations process in the coming days. As always, making headway depends on serious cooperation, and I am grateful to our appropriators and negotiators for their commitment to working in good faith. Providing for the common defense is among our most basic constitutional responsibilities, and we need to be honest with ourselves: Growing threats and increasing military requirements make fulfilling this responsibility even more critical. prgtoken The legislation in front of us will not be Congress's last word, but it represents an important down payment, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to complete the annual appropriations process very, very soon.
CELEBRATING THE 175TH ANNIVERSARY OF WAYNESBURG UNIVERSITY
Guy Reschenthaler (Republican, PA) \u2014 2024-3-19

I rise to celebrate the 175th anniversary of Waynesburg University. prgtoken Originally formed in 1849 when the Cumberland Presbyterian Church united Greene Academy and Madison College, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania officially chartered Waynesburg College on March 25, 1850. The college gained early acclaim in 1857 when it became one of the first coeducational colleges in the United States and earned widespread praise for grounding its curriculum in faith and service. Following a decade of growth, the college gained university status in 2007 and officially became Waynesburg University. prgtoken Each year, the university's students, faculty, and staff engage in more than 50,000 hours of volunteer service to better the surrounding community. The university also remains committed to providing a quality and practical education. As a testament to its academic strength, nearly 99 percent of the class of 2022 reported employment or enrollment in a graduate program within one year of graduation. prgtoken Waynesburg University's reputation for excellence extends far beyond Pennsylvania. The institution's addictions counseling program ranked fourth nationally in 2021 and 2022, while its online Master of Business Administration ranked 21st nationally for the 2023-2024 academic year Additionally, Waynesburg University's business and nursing programs were placed on the Colleges of Distinction roster during the 2023-2024 academic year. prgtoken , Waynesburg University is an integral part of our region's heritage and history. On behalf of the people of Pennsylvania's 14th Congressional District, I congratulate the university's leadership and community on their 175th anniversary and thank them for their service to southwestern Pennsylvania.
Electric Vehicles (Executive Session)
Deb Fischer (Republican, NE) \u2014 2024-3-19

tomorrow, the administration's Environmental Protection Agency will release new tailpipe emission standards formulated to push electric vehicles on the American people. The administration says that because of EVs ``the future of American transportation is on track to be cleaner, safer, more affordable, and more reliable than ever before.'' And Vice President has said that our Nation's embrace of electric vehicles will determine ``the health of our communities, the strength of our economy, and the sustainability of our planet.'' prgtoken The way the administration and their activist friends paint EVs, you would think these cars are a time-tested environmental blessing with transportation, economic, and community benefits to boot. But behind the curtain of this climate crusade there is little supportive evidence and plenty of problems--problems the administration has tried to hide. prgtoken So what is the truth of the matter? The truth is that electric vehicles are not a magic bullet for the environment. They are underdeveloped and they pose safety risks and they create more problems than they solve, both at home and abroad. prgtoken So let's talk science. Climate activists say electric vehicles are bringing on a Green Revolution, but the facts--the facts--do not support that claim. The President said in a recent speech that ``when I got elected President . . . we vowed to enact the most ambitious climate and environmental justice campaign in American history.'' prgtoken That campaign, according to President , includes ``moving to all-electric vehicles in the future.'' And Vice President has styled the push for electric vehicles as ``an approach that is about clean energy and being smart around a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.'' prgtoken When the administration makes these inflated claims about electric vehicles, they are only looking at what comes out of the exhaust pipe, but there is much more to the life of an electric vehicle. We will start at the beginning. The production of electric vehicle batteries requires a massive amount of electricity, usually produced by generators that burn fossil fuels. The manufacturing of EVs produces at least 60 percent more carbon emissions than that of gas-powered cars. prgtoken EVs, they start their lives with carbon debt. But even after they are on the road, EVs have their problems. They weigh significantly more than gas-powered cars because of those heavy batteries. This extra weight, it wears down an EV's tires as it drives. One study compared an electric car to a hybrid car and found that the electric one emitted about a quarter more particulate matter because of tire wear. Driving the electric car heightened overall emissions compared to a hybrid. prgtoken The climate activists pushing EVs aren't just ignoring this science; they are actually trying to hide it. When the California Air Resources Board analyzed the facts of the
Farm Bill (Executive Session)
Jerry Moran (Republican, KS) \u2014 2024-3-19

first day of spring, National Ag Day, a perfect time--a fitting time--to address the Senate on something that I think is really important and something that is frustrating to me and to the people I represent. American agriculture is at a crossroads, a pressure point. Things are really challenging for those who provide our food, fuel, and fiber. There is record-level volatility in the farm economy, and farm income is falling by the most significant amount of all time. prgtoken We ought to be providing certainty to those who provide our food. I was troubled to read a report that the Senate Committee on Agriculture--its chair--indicated that there is a level of comfort with scrapping negotiations for a new farm bill and continuing with the outdated, now at least 5-years-old, policies from the past. In that same article, surprisingly, disappointingly, Secretary Vilsack expressed his support for that decision. prgtoken Our farmers deserve and, even more importantly, they need better. Agriculture is an incredibly difficult industry, as farmers and ranchers face challenges from weather events, economic shocks, and supply chain shortages. Added to these challenges are the inflationary policies that have raised the prices on farmland and, ultimately, at the grocery store. This includes soaring input costs, which are up nearly $100 billion since the last farm bill, which covers interest on loans, livestock feed, fertilizer, labor, fuel--to name just a few of the things that farmers need to produce that food. prgtoken Looking back at 2023, USDA, or the Department of Agriculture, forecasted that America's farmers and ranchers would see farm profitability fall by $42 billion nationwide, nearly a 25-percent drop compared to 2022. prgtoken So during the life of the farm bill, USDA is estimating that profitability will decline by $42 billion. This is just unsustainable. Farmers can't manage these circumstances. These challenges don't just impact farmers, but, ultimately, they impact American consumers trying to feed their families. prgtoken For Kansas, agriculture is our State's largest economic driver, with a total output contribution of $81 billion into the State's economy and supporting more than 250,000 jobs, which is about 13 percent of our entire State's workforce. prgtoken Beyond crops and animal husbandry, Kansas agriculture is at the forefront--forefront--of producing renewable energy, critical research and education, and furthering sustainability and conservation practices throughout Kansas and worldwide. prgtoken Kansas is also a leader in animal health science. As part of the animal health corridor, Kansas has the largest concentration of animal health interests in the world. Last year, Manhattan, KS, welcomed the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility, or NBAF. This is a state-of- the-art facility that protects and will defend our Nation's farmers and citizens from potentially severe zoonotic and
TRIBUTE TO BRIAN NESTANDE
Ken Calvert (Republican, CA) \u2014 2024-3-19

I rise today to honor and pay tribute to my good friend and former California State Assemblyman Brian Nestande, who passed away at his home in Palm Desert earlier this month. Brian was a dedicated leader in the Coachella Valley who has left us far too soon, and he will be deeply missed. prgtoken Born in Orange County, California, on January 10, 1964, Brian was exposed to the world of public service and politics at an early age. Brian's father, Bruce, was a staff member for then-California Governor Ronald Reagan and later an elected member of the State Assembly and Orange County Board of Supervisors. After graduating from California State University, Fullerton in 1991, Brian started his own political career by taking a position as the Deputy Campaign Manager for the successful congressional campaign of Michael Buffington in Santa Barbara County. A few years later, Brian managed then-Palm Springs Mayor Sonny Bono's congressional campaign, which was also successful. He went on to serve as Sonny's Chief of Staff. In 1998, it was Brian who made the unforgettable phone call to me to share the shocking and tragic news of Sonny's death. prgtoken After Sonny's passing, Brian went on to serve as Chief of Staff to Congresswoman Mary Bono from 1998 until 2000. He launched a government affairs consulting business named Nestande and Associates, and worked collaboratively with clients on alternative energy and healthcare issues. In 2008, Brian's own name was on the ballot for the first time and he was elected to the California State Assembly, where he would serve until 2014. In Sacramento, Brian was a tireless advocate for the Coachella Valley and Riverside County, working on important local issues like the Salton Sea and improving our infrastructure. After his time in the Assembly, Brian joined the County of Riverside where he served as Deputy CEO, coordinating legislative priorities with state and federal representatives in the region. prgtoken Brian is survived by his wife Gina; his son Hayden; his daughter Sophia; and his stepchildren Sadie, Tad, Mason, Molly and Savana. I extend my personal and heartfelt condolences to the Nestande family, his friends, and everyone fortunate enough to know Brian. Although he may be gone, the many contributions he made to his community and family have left an enduring legacy.
EMBASSY CONSTRUCTION INTEGRITY ACT OF 2023
Cory Mills (Republican, FL) \u2014 2024-3-19

the Embassy Construction Integrity Act is very simple: America's adversaries must not be involved in building our diplomatic and consular posts. prgtoken This, in my opinion, is a commonsense bill, or at least it should be. Last year, Congress was made aware that a Chinese state-owned enterprise was involved in the construction of a post in south Asia. prgtoken Despite all of the bureaucratic red tape the State Department goes through to establish these posts, somehow checking whether the Chinese Government controls the companies constructing the building didn't quite make the list. prgtoken The Chinese Government has established a pattern of leveraging its state-owned enterprise to serve dual functions during and after construction to spy on sensitive facilities. prgtoken Chinese-owned companies built the African Union headquarters. Like many things, they can't just build something, they have to build it with Chinese characteristics. In this case, those Chinese characteristics were spyware that was utilized to quietly siphon enormous amounts of data every night for the Chinese Government. prgtoken According to a study by Joshua Meservey, an expert in African geopolitics, Chinese companies have built nearly 200 government facilities in Africa, a number that is sure to have only increased since the study was published. prgtoken I am not telling other countries who they can or cannot employ to construct their buildings. My bill is simple, however, that when our adversaries show us how they operate, that we should believe them and take steps to mitigate those risks. prgtoken Specifically, this bill requires the State Department, before establishing a new diplomatic or consular post, to identify the beneficial owners of the companies involved in the construction and maintenance of those buildings. prgtoken Further, this bill prohibits the State Department from entering into contracts or agreements if the beneficial owners of the companies are affiliated with the Chinese Government. prgtoken Finally, if inconsistent actions are discovered, the Secretary of State would be required to report it to Congress within 7 days. prgtoken Briefly, it is important to address the fact that it would be impossible for the State Department to operate in China if they weren't allowed to contract with some of these companies. The bill is carefully crafted to avoid stifling the important work of the State Department in China or the limited other locations where inconsistent measures may be the only option. However, even in these cases, Congress should be notified so that we do our job and have proper oversight for all of these activities. prgtoken Aside from those extraordinarily limited circumstances, the State Department must conduct greater due diligence to secure the integrity of our embassies and other consular posts around the world. prgtoken I express my sincere gratitude to Chairman McCaul, Ranking Member Meeks, my bipartisan colle