mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Jerry Moran (Republican, KS) \u2014 2022-6-15

thank you for the opportunity to address the U.S. Senate and the American people. prgtoken In a few moments, the Senate will vote on the Tester-Moran Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our PACT Act. prgtoken For far too long--way far too long--our Nation's veterans have been living with chronic illnesses as a result of exposures during their time in uniform. Today, we are continuing to take the steps necessary to right this wrong with our legislation that will provide veterans and their families with the healthcare and benefits that they have earned and that they deserve. prgtoken In March, Secretary McDonough testified before our committee, the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and he stated that the House toxic exposure bill needed additional work before being brought to the full Senate for a vote. Because of the improvements we have made in the House bill, the VA Secretary yesterday told our committee that he can now ``certify'' this legislation will be implemented without negative operational impacts on existing disability claims and healthcare for veterans. prgtoken All along, I have had concern about the consequences of this legislation and the volume of cases that the VA will now encounter, what it may mean for those veterans as well as veterans who need VA care and benefits who are not toxic-exposed. Secretary McDonough yesterday went on to say: ``We're ready for it, we've been preparing for this. . . . I think we can do this and do it well and in all cases do it transparently.'' prgtoken While I appreciate the Secretary's assurance, our committee must continue its oversight of the VA and make certain that this bill is implemented correctly and that all those with toxic exposure and all veterans can rely upon the system for benefits and for healthcare. We still have our work cut out as a Congress, as a Senate, to make sure that the promises that are made in this bill are promises that are kept and that the promises that are made to other veterans are kept. prgtoken This bill is designed to fix a broken system that has been cobbled together over decades of patchwork fixes. Congress has been trying to solve these problems. The Department of Veterans Affairs has been trying to solve these problems. Finally, we bring together a solution that should make things significantly better for many. prgtoken While I continue to insist my GOP colleagues should be allowed to offer and debate and to vote on amendments, it is time to advance the Tester-Moran substitute and bring us one step closer to connecting all generations of toxic-exposed veterans with the care they need and they deserve and to provide veterans with certainty and support. prgtoken .
SETTING FORTH THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET FOR THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023 AND SETTING FORTH THE APPROPRIATE BUDGETARY LEVELS FOR FISCAL YEARS 2024 THROUGH 2032--MOTION TO PROCEED
Rand Paul (Republican, KY) \u2014 2022-6-15

the United States has the largest economy in the world and also has the largest government apparatus in the world. This year, we will bring in $4.8 trillion and will spend about $5.8 trillion, and yet we will have no budget this year. How inexcusable, how embarrassing it is for a country--the largest country in the world, the largest government in the world, the largest bureaucracy in the world--to have no budget. Is it any wonder that we are $30 trillion in debt? prgtoken Most small businesses have a budget. Most businesses in our country have a budget and a prediction for what will come in and what will go out for the year, and this year there will be no budget. Not only will there be no ic presentation about it, there will be no presentation as a party. prgtoken So today I will introduce my budget. This is a budget that balances in 5 years. The reason we chose 5 years is that the constitutional amendment to the budget amendment--the constitutional amendment that would balance the budget--balances in 5 years. We voted on that amendment previously in this body, and the , in unison, opposed it. They were opposed to a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution. The s were unanimous in voting for the balanced budget amendment, constitutional amendment. In that amendment, the text of it would balance the budget in 5 years. So you would think, if all 50 s are on record as being for a balanced budget amendment that balances in 5 years, that all 50 s would be for a balanced budget, a budget that actually balances in 5 years. prgtoken Now, why is it important to have a budget? Well, you ought to have a blueprint or a plan for what your government is going to do, so it is inexcusable not to have any budget at all. prgtoken But also we have another problem that we are facing in our country: We are facing the problem of inflation. Every American is seeing it. You are seeing your gas prices go through the roof. You are seeing your prices at the grocery store going through the roof. prgtoken Why do we have inflation? Well, inflation comes from debt. When the United States runs up a debt, it is sold. Foreign countries buy the debt, Americans buy the debt, but the biggest purchaser of our debt is the Federal Reserve. prgtoken When the Federal Reserve buys the debt, do they buy it with money that they have sort of laying around? Do you go to the Federal Reserve, and some guy opens a big safe, and here is the money to buy the debt? No. The Federal Reserve doesn't have any money, so the Federal Reserve simply prints up the money and buys the American debt. But what does that mean? When the Federal Reserve prints the money to buy the debt, this floods the system with money. So we are flooded with money right now. In the last 2 years, we borrowed $6 trillion, so $6 trillion is entered into the system. prgtoken When you look at the amount of money that is
INFLATION
James Lankford (Republican, OK) \u2014 2022-6-15

I want to give today's reality check. The Federal Reserve today raised interest rates 75 basis points--three- quarters of a point--with a statement they may come back and do that again in another month. prgtoken A point and a half in 2 months is a pretty dramatic effect. It is going to be a situation where many people, 40 and younger, are about to face interest rates they have never faced in their lifetime. The cost of buying a car that is already high is about to get higher. The cost of buying a home that is already really high is about to get much higher. prgtoken Inflation is now at 8.6 percent. A lot of people are beginning to feel what that really means. This is not some strange anomaly. This is inflation over the last decade. It has bounced around about the same level, basically, for a decade until right there--March of 2021--and then it just skyrockets at that point. prgtoken This is the reality that we are facing at this point. What does inflation really look like when you say it is 8.6 percent? Well, people know what that feels like. The cost of eggs has gone up 32 percent in the past year--32 percent for eggs. The cost of milk is up 16 percent; the cost of butter, also 16 percent; the cost of coffee, 15 percent; the cost of baby formula, if you can find it, is up 13 percent. prgtoken And gas prices? Oh, hello. Gas prices--that really has had an effect. This is gas prices since January of 2017. Again, we look, and it stays about the same until January of 2021. I wonder what happened then. prgtoken And then look at this. prgtoken Then, with the conversation about gas prices that, per the administration lately, has been about, ``Well, it is all Putin's fault,'' well, here are the rising gas prices since President 's inauguration--right there--and right there is the war that began in Russia. So this little increase right here is the part that is actually there. prgtoken This is our consumer price inflation. This is on gas prices. It is the same thing. To be able to see this flat line on gas prices, that spike--that is the invasion of Ukraine happening right there--and to be able to see what has been added onto it since then. So this is not just about the invasion in Ukraine. This has been ongoing since late January 2021. prgtoken The challenge now is, Is this something intentional or is this something accidental? Quite frankly, I think it is a bit of both. prgtoken We all remember very well this moment during the Presidential campaign. It was when President was prgtoken campaigning, and he walked over to a young lady on the campaign stop and said: [L]ook in my eyes. I guarantee you . . . we are going to end fossil fuel. I guarantee you. prgtoken That was this moment that happened here. prgtoken This was not something totally accidental. It was a drive to say, We have got to shift to solar; we have got to shift to wind; we have got to shift to hydro; we have got to shi
TRIBUTE TO ERIC ATKINSON
Roger Marshall (Republican, KS) \u2014 2022-6-15

I rise today to honor and recognize Mr. Eric Atkinson of Topeka, KS. prgtoken Growing up on a farm outside of Winfield, KS, Eric would listen to the radio at night as his way to stay connected with current events. Captivated by the transmissions that reached him, he became involved with radio in high school, resulting in a lifelong passion for broadcasting. Eric graduated from Kansas State University with a broadcasting degree and worked several jobs in radio, as well as on the family farm, before the opportunity to host ``Agriculture Today'' arose. He would go on to host the radio program for 39 years, broadcasting over 9,000 shows and interviewing hundreds of agriculture experts and professionals about the issues most relevant to Kansas agriculture. prgtoken In the 39 years Eric hosted ``Agriculture Today,'' he made it his goal for the show to serve as a platform for agriculture professionals to share their expertise. He made an effort to ask the most relevant questions and discuss important research topics during his time on air. Throughout his time on the radio, Eric has been credited as an accomplished professional who always worked hard to make sure the issues at hand were easily relatable for farmers across Kansas. His substantial presence in farm truck radios across the State as the host of ``Agriculture Today'' will continue to be on the hearts and minds of farmers and agribusiness officials. prgtoken I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the wonderful impact Mr. Eric Atkinson has had on the agriculture industry and to honor him for his 39 years of service to Kansas farmers.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2022-6-15

American families are being crushed by a giant backdoor inflation tax, and it has been fueled, in large part, by ' huge mistakes. prgtoken Month after month, families pick up the newspaper, flip on the television, and hear that ' inflation is setting new 40-year records. prgtoken Month after month, families find themselves shelling out hundreds upon hundreds of extra dollars per month just to actually tread water. Forget about saving and getting ahead. prgtoken In this -run economy, working Americans have to shell out hundreds of extra dollars every month just to remain standing still. Even when you factor in the nominal pay raises that workers have earned, the average American worker got a 3.9 percent pay cut--pay cut--last year due to ' inflation. prgtoken According to the Joint Economic Committee, inflation cost the average American household $635 last month alone--$635 in 1 month. prgtoken For families in Colorado, combined effects of ' inflation and higher household spending put that number at a staggering $825. In Arizona, it is $733 extra per month. In Nevada it is $731. For New Hampshire families, it is $653. It is $599 in Washington State, and $598 in Georgia. prgtoken Everybody knows why this is. Food costs are up more than 10 percent, year on year. Gas is up nearly--listen to this--50 percent. Rent is at a 35-year high, and would-be home buyers are being squeezed between high prices and soaring interest rates. prgtoken In my home State, Kentucky, that monthly inflation bill comes out to more than $500 every month. prgtoken Right before Senate spent $2 trillion last spring, the ic leader said he wasn't worried--wasn't worried--about the possibility of inflation. Now, working families are paying dearly for that incredibly bad judgment. prgtoken I hear from hard-working Kentuckians who are falling behind on home payments or late on their utility bills prgtoken or cutting back at the grocery store, families who are skipping-- literally skipping--summer vacation. prgtoken Every month, the average Kentucky household now spends over $500 more than they did before the Presidency. prgtoken One of my constituents from Beaver Dam wrote to tell me: Things are looking pretty grim for me and my family right now. Everything-- prgtoken Everything. --is too expensive. prgtoken His family was already giving up buying chicken and beef at the grocery store. Next they may have to stop making car payments. They are literally out of slack. prgtoken Another constituent from Science Hill told me that his family is maxing out credit cards to stay above water. He is watching as the who control Congress continue--continue--to advocate for more reckless spending and laments that Washington does not appear to understand what is happening--what is happening--to our heartland. prgtoken A third constituent from Paint Lick is struggling
HONORING VICE PRESIDENT MATT McLOGAN ON HIS RETIREMENT FROM GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
Fred Upton (Republican, MI) \u2014 2022-6-15

. Madam , I rise today to recognize Mr. Matt McLogan for his 35 years of distinguished service as Vice President of University of Relations of Grand Valley State University. prgtoken After obtaining his bachelor's and master's degrees from Western Michigan University (Go Broncos), Mr. McLogan worked at WOOD TV as a journalist and news manager, making sure folks across west Michigan were kept informed. Later, he served as the Public Service Commissioner for the state of Michigan, overseeing the state's investor-owned utilities. prgtoken Matt's dedication and passion for higher education has allowed him to serve students at several Michigan institutions. Matt served as an adjunct faculty member at Grand Rapids Community College where he taught political science. He also served at Michigan State University as a faculty member of the annual Regulatory Studies Program. prgtoken Over the course of his distinguished tenure at Grand Valley State University, he has ensured the university not only has met but exceeded its goals. He has led government relations, University Development, and the communications team, which included the university's public radio and TV stations. He has worked with many leaders at the local, state and national levels to obtain essential funding and support for GVSU, including for the Medical Mile in downtown Grand Rapids. During his tenure, the university's enrollment nearly tripled, expanding from one campus to five. prgtoken Aside from his work at Grand Valley State University, he also has served on numerous boards, including the Grand Rapids Art Museum, the Public Education Fund, Frederik Meijer Gardens, and Opera Grand Rapids, ensuring all in West Michigan have access to a strong and vibrant cultural life. prgtoken Madam , as the Grand Valley State University community gathers this month to celebrate a truly remarkable leader, I want to congratulate Mr. McLogan on 35 years of extraordinary service to GVSU and West Michigan. I thank Mr. McLogan for his decades of service and extend congratulations on a well-deserved retirement.
FEDERAL RESERVE RACIAL AND ECONOMIC EQUITY ACT
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2022-6-15

H.R. 2543 represents a seismic and powerful response to racial discrimination in financial products. Thank you to Chairwoman Waters, and to my colleague who is managing, for the leadership given. prgtoken My amendment is very important. I am pleased that my amendment is included in the en bloc amendment that the Financial Services Committee has today. prgtoken It requires the Federal Reserve Board to submit a report to Congress about the prevalence of racial discrimination in lending to victims of a Federally declared disaster. I know it well. prgtoken This amendment merits the support of all of my colleagues because no district is exempt from natural disasters. I am reminded of 2017, among others, in my district where it was devastated by Hurricane Harvey over an area of 41,500 square miles, 21 trillion gallons of rainfall, and one-third of Houston underwater. prgtoken There was major discrimination against Black and Brown Houstonians who sought loans or home loans or financing to pay for repairs. They faced obstacles, delays, and outcomes that were different than their neighbors. prgtoken , this endemic discrimination was seen in efforts to gain assistance from the Small Business Administration. prgtoken , as an outspoken advocate for equity in this country's economy, I rise in support of the Financial Services Racial Equity, Inclusion, and Economic Justice Act. prgtoken This bill requires that financial services regulators and companies establish procedures to ensure racial equity and eliminate racial disparities in all aspects of their operations including employment, income, wealth, and access to affordable credit. prgtoken In addition to the reforms in H.R. 2543, the bill requires regulators to provide reports to Congress about economic inequality, especially within the labor force, and enact plans to minimize said inequalities. prgtoken America's economy has only rarely worked to the advantage of working- class people. Worse still, there has been an endemic and vile trend of implicit and perhaps explicit discrimination against people of color within policies and overall economic policy. prgtoken However, unfair monetary policy is not just an anachronism from long ago or a relic from a different era. It is happening now. prgtoken Recent analyses have found that algorithms used by lenders often are designed in such a way that they result in black and brown Americans being charged higher interest rates. prgtoken This legislation takes a major step toward fixing long-overdue-- disparities and fundamentally changing the financial services industry to make it proactive in fighting economic discrimination. prgtoken I am also very pleased that my amendment is included in the En Bloc Amendment that the Financial Services committee is bringing before the House today. prgtoken My amendment requires the Federal Reserve Board to submit a report to Congress about the prevalence of racial discrimination in lending to victims o
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2022-6-15

it was 10 years ago today that President walked into the White House Rose Garden and said he had an announcement to make. prgtoken He made an announcement which changed the lives of hundreds of thousands of people living in America. He announced the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. Now, we call it DACA. prgtoken And with that announcement, I joined with, I guess, thousands of young leaders across this country and breathed a sigh of relief. prgtoken Over the past decade, DACA has allowed more than 800,000 Dreamers to remain in the only home they have ever known: America. These young people we call Dreamers came to this prgtoken country as children, some as young as a few months old. They grew up studying in our classrooms. They grew up befriending our children and grandchildren. They went to church with us, and when they were kids, every morning they stood up in that classroom and pledged allegiance to that flag. And the reason they did it, of course, is they believed it was their flag. prgtoken In the years since DACA was announced, a lot has changed in the world. Presidents have come and gone, wars have ended, and a once-in-a- century pandemic has rocked the world. prgtoken But in the face of all these changes and upheavals, one thing remains steady, constant, and predictable: the devotion of Dreamers to America. These young people have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to America. They served as our school teachers, first responders, members of the military, essential workers in the pandemic. prgtoken More than 200,000 DACA recipients were classified by our government as ``essential critical infrastructure workers'' during the pandemic-- 200,000 of them. And, remember, they don't enjoy the benefit of citizenship yet. Among them are 40,000 healthcare industry workers, doctors, nurses, paramedics. prgtoken Over the years, I have come to the floor of the Senate over 125 different times to tell the stories of the Dreamers. These stories show us what is at stake when we consider the fate of DACA and the Dream Act. prgtoken Today, I want to tell you the story of Yazmin Ruiz. She is the 130th Dreamer story that I have told on the Senate floor. prgtoken This is a photograph of Yazmin. prgtoken She arrived in this country at the age of 3, along with her twin sister and her mom. And even though her extended family remained in Mexico, she said she never felt alone growing up in Arizona because ``we were surrounded by community.'' prgtoken But when Yazmin was 16, the family suffered a tragedy that ignited her passion for medicine. Her mother had a stroke, and when the family arrived at the hospital, they were shocked to discover that none of the healthcare providers spoke Spanish. prgtoken At a young age, Yazmin, who was grappling with the trauma and fear that her mother might die, was forced to play the role of interpreter and translator to save her mother's life. prgtoken It was at that moment, eve