mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Rob Portman (Republican, OH) \u2014 2021-11-17

I rise today to pay tribute to Dr. Kristina M. Johnson and celebrate her investiture as the 16th president of the Ohio State University. prgtoken Dr. Johnson brings more than 30 years of experience and leadership in the academic, business, and public policy sectors to Ohio State, along with some very ambitious goals she has for the university. prgtoken Although the formal investiture was postponed until this Friday, November 19, due to COVID, Dr. Johnson actually assumed the presidency in August of last year, and her leadership has already helped the university community to come together during the past year of the pandemic. Ohio State is in full swing--classes, research, and other activities. They have a darn good football team under her leadership as well--currently No. 4 in the country and on its way up. Go, Bucks. prgtoken The Ohio State University was founded in 1870 as a land grant university--the first of its kind in Ohio. Over the years, the university has grown into one of the largest and best respected institutions in the country. prgtoken Dr. Johnson actually has close family ties to Ohio State. Family lore has it that Dr. Johnson's grandfather, who graduated from Ohio State in 1896, met Dr. Johnson's grandmother on the Columbus campus. We like to think those close ties to OSU and deep family roots in Ohio have made her a Buckeye in spirit all along. prgtoken Dr. Johnson comes to the Ohio State University after a long career in academic and business leadership. She previously served as the chancellor of the State University of New York system and has founded and served as CEO of several successful science and technology companies, served as the Under Secretary of Energy at the Department of Energy, and held academic leadership positions in institutions such as Johns Hopkins University, Duke University, and the University of Colorado at Boulder. Her breadth of experience from academic leadership, business, and public policy gives her the important tools to successfully lead the Ohio State University. prgtoken I have enjoyed getting to know Dr. Johnson over the past year and a half, and I have been impressed with how the students have embraced her. It is a great student body. I have seen that firsthand at Ohio State, having taught four courses at the Glenn School of Public Affairs--now the Glenn College of Public Affairs--before being elected to the U.S. Senate, and I am proud to have been a member of the advisory board of the exciting Glenn College for the past 12 years. prgtoken I believe the students and the faculty and the alumni and the friends who make up the Ohio State University community are very fortunate to have Dr. Johnson at the helm during this time. I wish her the very best as she continues to guide Ohio State into the future while focusing on academic excellence and building a strong and passionate community of Buckeyes. I look forward to continuing to work with Dr. John
SELF-INFLICTED CRISES OF THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION
Jay Obernolte (Republican, CA) \u2014 2021-11-17

. Madam , I thank the gentleman for yielding. prgtoken Madam , I rise today deeply concerned that this body is scheduling a vote on what will likely be the most expensive spending package in the history of the United States without knowing the true cost of that package. prgtoken Our own House rules, House rule XIII, requires us to wait for a score from the Congressional Budget Office before voting on a budget bill, and the budget reconciliation and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 requires the CBO to issue that score. But unfortunately, we are rushing through this vote without even knowing the true cost of the bill. prgtoken Last week, I led a group of almost half of the House of Representatives in sending a letter to the urging her not to vote on this bill until its true costs are known. I am sure most Americans saw the President of the United States go on television two weeks ago and tell the American public that this spending bill will not add a single dollar to the national deficit. And our response to that is, if that is the case, , prove it. Prove it by waiting for the CBO to issue a score on that bill. prgtoken The reason why we are so concerned about this issue is that any economist will tell you that deficit government spending is dangerously inflationary, and we are already seeing the highest inflation in the United States in over 40 years. prgtoken Folks in my district are paying over $20 more today to fill the gasoline tank on their cars just to go to work than they were just a year ago. This inflation is hurting everyday Americans and it will hurt them more if this bill spends more than it takes in in taxes, and every indication is that it will. prgtoken Madam , I urge this body to wait for the Congressional Budget Office to score this bill before voting on it. It is the responsible thing to do. Anything less would be an abdication of our responsibility to the people that we represent.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Roger F. Wicker (Republican, MS) \u2014 2021-11-17

this Saturday, the International Criminal Police Organization, better known as INTERPOL, will begin its annual General Assembly in Istanbul. prgtoken INTERPOL is a vital global law enforcement network that helps police from different countries cooperate with each other to control crime. Unfortunately, it has also become a tool in the hands of despots and crooks who seek to punish dissidents and political opponents in an effort to turn other countries' law enforcement against the rule of law. prgtoken Rooting out this sort of abuse should be the top priority going into the INTERPOL General Assembly. These abuses make a mockery of INTERPOL and are threatening its continued existence. prgtoken INTERPOL's Constitution cites the universal declaration of human rights as the basis for police cooperation. Importantly and significantly, Article 3 of that declaration forbids INTERPOL from engaging in any ``activities of a political, military, religious or racial character.'' prgtoken All 194 member nations have committed to uphold Article 3 and the entire INTERPOL Constitution. So it is troubling--as a matter of fact, it is even worse than troubling; it is egregious--that INTERPOL chose to host this year's General Assembly in Turkey, a country that has become one of the worst abusers of INTERPOL's Red Notice and Blue Notice systems. prgtoken Turkey has repeatedly weaponized INTERPOL to persecute and arrest government critics on politically motivated charges. Journalist Can Dundar is a prime example. Mr. Dundar is one of Turkey's most prominent media personalities and has received international awards for defending freedom of the press. prgtoken In 2018, Turkey demanded that INTERPOL issue a Red Notice for Mr. Dundar's arrest. What had he done? He simply criticized his government. He had reported on the Turkish Government supplying arms to an Islamist group in Syria. He was charged by a Turkish court with espionage and aiding a terrorist group--the group was never named--and sentenced to 27\1/2\ years in prison in absentia. prgtoken Thankfully, Germany has refused to extradite Mr. Dundar, but this is the sort of thing we see from this year's host of the conference. prgtoken In June of this year, Turkish media reported that INTERPOL had rejected nearly 800 Red Notices sent by the Turkish Government. prgtoken A Swedish human rights group reported that in 2016, after the failed coup in Turkey, the Turkish Government filed tens of thousands of INTERPOL notifications targeting persons who were merely critics and political opponents of the government. Some of these people were stranded in international airports, detained and handed over to Turkey, where they ended up in prison. prgtoken There are also alarming signs that Turkey is trying to leverage this year's General Assembly to further its own authoritarian goals. This past June, Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Yavuz Selim Kiran openly asserted that the General
Biden Administration (Executive Session)
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2021-11-17

a lot has gone wrong since this unified ic government took the reins back in January. prgtoken Let's take a look at foreign policy. The administration's clumsy retreat from Afghanistan left Americans behind, who wanted out, and handed the country to a government staffed with terrorists that used to be locked up at Guantanamo Bay. prgtoken Let's take a look at energy independence. Or should I say energy dependence? President canceled our own Keystone XL Pipeline but cleared the path for a new pipeline for Vladimir Putin. The amount of Russian oil that America has to import has already nearly doubled on the ' watch. prgtoken Look at the border. Illegal crossers are flooding across our southern border at an all-time high. The have interior enforcement arrests down to a decade low. prgtoken But there is no question what crisis is at the top of the minds of middle-class Americans. There is no question what is keeping working Americans awake at night. It is inflation. Inflation. The runaway prices and unpredictability that ' policies have fueled. prgtoken Ninety percent of Americans told one recent survey that they are somewhat or extremely concerned with inflation. We are a huge and diverse country. It is hard to get 9 in 10 Americans to agree on almost anything, but less than 1 year under policies, 90 percent of America is worried about inflation. prgtoken And it is no wonder. Year on year, consumer prices have risen faster than they have in over three decades. Last month marked the fifth month in a row that inflation has topped 5 percent. prgtoken These across-the-board numbers can sound a little abstract, so let's make it very tangible. In the past year, buying meat, fish, and eggs has gotten 12 percent more expensive. A gallon of gas costs the average American $1.31 than it did a year ago. And heaven forbid anyone having to replace a family car this year; used auto prices are up 26 percent. prgtoken Even getting family and friends together for Thanksgiving is a much pricier prospect than it was last year. Turkey alone is an extra 25 cents per pound. Factor in all the fixings, and some estimates project a feast next week will run families up to 15 percent more than it did last year. prgtoken For a while, the White House tried to downplay the problem. President and his team told American families that costs weren't really rising as much as it seemed; or that, OK, costs were rising, but it would only last a few months; or, as some liberals argued, that if you remove food costs, housing costs, and transportation costs from the equation, inflation really wasn't all that bad. prgtoken Some have tried to argue that rampant inflation is actually a high- class problem to have because at least we aren't in a recession. I am not kidding. I guess they think working Americans should stop complaining and be grateful things aren't even worse. prgtoken But
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Mike Lee (Republican, UT) \u2014 2021-11-17

yesterday, I came to the Senate floor and spoke on President 's vaccine mandate. I explained that I have now come to this Chamber a total of 16 times and offered 12 different bills that would counteract, limit, or, in one way or another, restrain the vaccine mandate. I also explained that, unfortunately, each of these bills has been rejected by in the Senate. prgtoken I have spoken to Utahns and folks from across country who have expressed to me their frustration at moving goalposts and changing expectations in the middle of the pandemic. President 's vaccine mandate, which has been halted now by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, happens to be among the latest attempts to force Americans to make health decisions under the threat not just of unemployment but also under the threat of becoming unemployable. prgtoken That is a taxing burden for anyone to bear. Anyone who has kids at home or prgtoken if they don't have kids at home, if they are just supporting themselves, these days all Americans are helping someone or something that they love, that they care about, and they ought to have the opportunity do that. They ought not have their ability to make a living threatened by virtue of a distinct religious belief or a particular medical concern or a particular desire not to receive a particular treatment. prgtoken I will reiterate here what I have said before. I have been vaccinated. My family has been vaccinated. I believe that the vaccines are helping countless Americans be protected against the dangers of the COVID-19 virus. prgtoken Just the same, there is a big difference between believing the vaccine does good and receiving the vaccine, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, saying that anyone who disagrees or who thinks that it is not right for them, for one reason or another, ought to be fired from their job and rendered unemployable as a result. That is very, very different. That is something that very few Americans would agree is right. prgtoken In fact, according to a recent Axios poll, only 14 percent of Americans believe that someone who decides not to get the vaccine should be fired as a result of that decision. prgtoken Now, in some lines of work, this sort of thing is already coming into play. For example, our military servicemembers and frontline workers who sacrificed so much to care for and protect the American people during the pandemic are already being forced out of work. I have heard from many members of our Armed Services from Utah who are being discharged under less-than-honorable conditions and under conditions that are in no way, shape, or form appropriate in light of their many, many years of faithful, honorable service to this country. They are losing their jobs--and not just their jobs but also their benefits, their dignity, their ability to serve further. You know, I have introduced and offered up a bill that would help them, but De
CONGRATULATING KATIE HEARN
Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (Republican, GA) \u2014 2021-11-17

. Madam , I rise today to congratulate Katie Hearn for her appointment to the Georgia State Rehabilitation Council. prgtoken Beginning as an intern for the Atlanta Braves, this year's world champions, Katie's passion for the Braves community propelled her to a full-time position within the organization. However, at the age of 28, Katie was diagnosed with a rare brain disorder that caused her to lose her sight. prgtoken Her illness forced her to step down from her position as she adjusted to her new normal, but Katie is resilient and soon returned to the Atlanta Braves, where she currently works as a senior coordinator for digital and accessible services. prgtoken Katie has always been committed to ensuring every visitor has an incredible experience in Truist Park. prgtoken In 2018 the Braves awarded her with the Walker Banks Award for her extraordinary customer service. prgtoken Katie's passion for providing opportunities to Georgians with disabilities to live, work, and thrive in our State is truly inspiring. prgtoken I am honored to recognize Katie for this prestigious accomplishment, and I am grateful for her service.
REMEMBERING HUGH K. LEATHERMAN, SR.
Lindsey Graham (Republican, SC) \u2014 2021-11-17

along with my fellow Senator from South Carolina, Mr. Scott, I rise today to honor the life of South Carolina State Senator Hugh K. Leatherman, Sr who passed away, surrounded by his loving family, on November 12, 2021, at the age of 90. prgtoken Senator Leatherman was born on April 14, 1931, in Lincoln County, NC. He was raised on a farm and attended North Carolina State University, earning a degree in civil engineering in 1953. In 1955, he moved to South Carolina to start a concrete company, before starting his political career. His expansive political career began in 1967 after being elected to serve on the Quinby Town Council. During his term on the town council, he served as mayor pro tempore for the town of Quinby from 1971 to 1976. In 1980, Senator Leatherman ran for South Carolina State Senate and served the people of District 31, which includes Darlington and Florence Counties. On June 18, 2014, Senator Leatherman was elected president pro tempore. He also served as the chairman of the powerful senate finance committee, as well as a member of the ethics, interstate cooperation, rules, transportation and the labor, commerce and industry committees. prgtoken As a State senator, a position he held for more than 40 years, Senator Leatherman's dedication to the State could not be questioned. When it came to the needs of South Carolina, he was always at the forefront of getting things done. His statewide perspective led him to championing the Port of Charleston Harbor Deepening Project, as well as recruiting companies like Boeing, Honda, and Volvo to come to the State he loved so intensely. He will be remembered as having one of the most effective voices for his region and the State and was always looking towards what the State of South Carolina could become. prgtoken Senator Leatherman's devotion to his State and his constituency should be a model from which all public servants look to follow. We grieve his loss prgtoken but celebrate the accomplishments of this great, honorable man we ask that you and our colleagues join us in applauding Senator Leatherman's many contributions made to the State of South Carolina. A true champion of South Carolina, Senator Leatherman will be sorely missed.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Roy Blunt (Republican, MO) \u2014 2021-11-17

one of the most striking things, I think, we are beginning to notice this year is that the holidays are taking on a really different look than we have seen in a long time. prgtoken Actually, for about a generation now, we have seen more choices and, more often than not, declining prices, which has made it possible for American families to have things that, in the past, they had not thought were possible for them to have. prgtoken The pandemic, of course, was a big obstacle a year ago, as people were forced to alter or cancel their plans for their families to get together. And I think many of us were really looking forward to a more traditional holiday season this year. Hopefully, that season still allows people to get together. prgtoken But I think we are also beginning to see people think they are going to have to scale back their celebrations or be prepared to pay a lot more for them; maybe just simply paying a lot more to get there, to start with, as gasoline costs have gone up dramatically. I think we are about 46 percent higher in our gas costs than we were a year ago. For a lot of families, that is a deciding item of whether you can actually get to Grandma's house or not. prgtoken This time, the change in plans isn't because of the virus; it is because of inflation and supply side issues that, frankly, the government has done a lot to help cause. prgtoken Jason Furman, who was the Chairman of President 's Council of Economic Advisers, said recently: ``The original sin was [the size of the] American Rescue Plan.'' prgtoken According to Jason Furman, he said: ``It contributed to both higher output [and] also higher prices.'' prgtoken Now, what he was talking about was the American Rescue Plan. This was the so-called COVID relief plan from March. It was a law that the passed entirely by themselves--despite there being a lot of warnings that the economy was already beginning to recover--that put another $2 trillion into the economy, including a lot of money that went to State governments that, clearly, didn't need it and local governments that, maybe, needed it a little more than the States did. prgtoken We had States that were having alltime high revenues, and we had already prgtoken helped States in a number of different ways. Then, suddenly, we had to beat all of that by sending money to States and sending $2,000 to everybody, almost, and thought that wouldn't have any impact. prgtoken I am not sure who we were trying to save in this effort for relief. There was no reason to believe, in March, that the economy wasn't headed on the way back. What we did in March with that legislation was just pour more fire on an economy that was already about to roar back in a good way. prgtoken The warnings were right on the money. In October, inflation rose 6.2 percent over the cost of a year ago. That is the highest increase in inflation in 30 years. prgtoken A lot of Americans alive today and, c
SELF-INFLICTED CRISES OF THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION
Barry Moore (Republican, AL) \u2014 2021-11-17

. Madam , I appreciate your leadership on this. prgtoken Madam , I rise today alarmed by the unprecedented wasteful spending from Washington that is fueling inflation and risking the future of our Republic. prgtoken Last week, this Congress passed a $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill. Despite the bill's characterization, less than 10 percent went to traditional--what us southerners and commonsense people call roads and bridges. But $200 million went back to a park in Pelosi's own backyard. prgtoken According to The New York Times, certainly not an ally of the s, the ' reconciliation bill before us this week includes a $4.1 billion tax break for people who buy electric bicycles; $2.5 billion for tree equity--I am not sure what that is; and another $2.5 billion to help contingency fee lawyers recoup expenses. prgtoken Madam , this captures exactly what is wrong with Washington. Too many politicians up here will gladly endorse trillions in new spending for a few pennies of pork to come back to their district. They put their political futures above our own Nation. prgtoken Well, I am sick of it, and the American people are, too. Congress is bleeding the American people dry with waste and pet projects it claims is being spent in their own best interests. prgtoken Sure, I would love for the Federal Government to build a new road in my district, but I refuse to sacrifice the health and viability of this Nation to get it. Most patriotic Americans would agree with me. prgtoken Roads and bridges come and go, but if we foolishly squander the Nation our forefathers fought so hard to create, we will selfishly allow this great American experiment to die because of our own greed. Shame on us because we will have ultimately failed those who elected us and sent us here to protect their best interests.