mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
RESTORING NORMALCY IN AMERICA
Ron Estes (Republican, KS) \u2014 2023-1-11

I rise today to introduce the Restoring Normalcy in America Act. prgtoken In a little over a week, we will be 3 years past the first recorded case of COVID-19 in the United States, and over 2 years since the COVID-19 vaccine has been available, thanks to the rapid development under Operation Warp Speed. prgtoken Despite the time elapsed, President and his administration continue to prolong the pandemic--promoting policies that are destroying our economy, burdening small businesses, and hurting Kansas families. prgtoken Just yesterday, the NFIB announced that their Small Business Optimism Index declined 2.1 points in December, making it the 12th consecutive month below their 49-year average. prgtoken The December jobs report was the worst of 2022 and the worst during the entirety of the administration so far. With out-of-control spending in the name of COVID relief, rampant inflation has made real average hourly earnings fall 1.9 percent since last year, the 20th month in a row that inflation has outpaced wage growth following the implementation of the so-called American Rescue Plan in March of 2021. prgtoken While Washington was under total control, President increased Federal spending, continued lockdown procedures for far past their effectiveness, and held the country hostage until his self-chosen vaccination rates were reached. Receiving the vaccine is a choice, a choice made with careful consideration between a person and their doctor; not an action that can be forced by the Federal Government. prgtoken When the administration failed to achieve their vaccination goals, they forced through unconstitutional vaccine mandates. We are currently experiencing near historic lows of COVID hospitalizations and 41 States have ended their states of emergency. prgtoken Yet, the administration has decided to extend the COVID-19 public health emergency--despite in September President stating that the pandemic is over. The continuation of the public health emergency significantly strains State and Federal budgets when we are already combating inflation and rising prices. prgtoken These actions by President and the administration have hurt the American people and stunted our recovery. It is long past due that Washington is accountable for persistent pandemic restrictions placed on the Kansans I represent. prgtoken The legislation I am introducing today holds the Federal Government responsible and is a step toward restoring normalcy through five objectives of research, accountability, process, access, and restoration. prgtoken The American people deserve answers from the Federal Government on the effectiveness of the forced administration COVID-19 policies. My bill requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct research on the effectiveness of vaccines and current treatments, the rate of transmission of COVID throughout the public health emergency, and
SHERIFF JOHN D'AGOSTINI SERVED HIS COMMUNITY WELL
Tom McClintock (Republican, CA) \u2014 2023-1-11

if you want to understand successful law enforcement, the first place to look is the career of El Dorado County Sheriff John D'Agostini. prgtoken It is not hard. It was under his leadership--in fact, it was because of his leadership--that the day-to-day operations of his department became the subject of the popular TV series ``Sheriffs: El Dorado County'' that ran from 2014 to 2019. prgtoken It is the very definition of successful policing, pioneered by Sir Robert Peel and perfected and practiced by Sheriff D'Agostini. Ideal police departments are run as extensions of the communities they serve. They work in partnership with local citizens, and this was the heart of Sheriff D'Agostini's success. prgtoken I have seen it over and over in action. During the devastating King fire, I watched him at his post even when his own ranch was imminently threatened. During the Caldor fire, he opened that same ranch to the stream of evacuees who had fled the devastation with only the clothes on their backs. I can't tell you the number of times I watched him during these terrifying disasters--always calm, always focused, always reassuring, and omnipresent. prgtoken He is loved by his community and his department because he loves them, and that caring is what binds the community to the sheriff's department and exemplified and, indeed, defined his successful record of modern policing. prgtoken He was first elected in 2010 by a razor-thin margin of 1,300 votes, but as he proved himself, he became a beloved institution in the community and won reelection overwhelmingly in 2014 and 2018 and would have won by acclimation in 2022, but for the fact that he chose to retire back into the community he has so faithfully served and protected. prgtoken They were not all easy years. He lost a deputy to an illegal alien in a marijuana grow in 2019 and became a national figure warning of the dangers that our porous border and sanctuary policies present to communities across America and to those who risk their lives to protect us. prgtoken When State bureaucrats ordered businesses to shut down during the COVID hysteria, Sheriff D'Agostini stood up for the constitutional rights of his constituents and refused to destroy their livelihoods. His courageous stand has since been affirmed by the mounting evidence that the lockdowns cost lives, destroyed livelihoods, and did nothing to slow the spread of the disease. prgtoken Sheriff D'Agostini worked his way up through the ranks, first graduating from the Sacramento County Sheriff's Academy in 1993. Throughout his career, Sheriff D'Agostini served in numerous positions, including patrol deputy, detective, SWAT team member, narcotics investigator, rangemaster and firearms instructor, and investigator for the Amador County District Attorney's Office. prgtoken Sheriff D'Agostini is well known for his many accomplishments and contributions to the community, including his leadership in constructing a ne
CONDEMNING INTIMIDATION TACTICS OF PRO-ABORTION ACTIVISTS
Harriet M. Hageman (Republican, WY) \u2014 2023-1-11

. Madam , I rise today to condemn intimidation tactics of pro-abortion activists. prgtoken Since the very day the Dobbs v. Jackson decision was illegally leaked, acts of violence against pregnancy centers, places of worship, and other pro-life institutions have skyrocketed. prgtoken Cases of vandalism, harassment, firebombings, and physical assaults have been reported all across the country, in communities big and small. In addition to the actual acts, these violent acts amount to intimidation of those individuals that need the services provided by these pro-life, faith-based organizations. prgtoken Not only has President and his administration failed to condemn these attacks, but his Department of Justice has also refused to take any action to identify and prosecute those that have committed these crimes. This is curious considering the way that this administration has been weaponized against so many American citizens that haven't committed any crimes at all. prgtoken Over 100 attacks have taken place in the last 8 months alone. Every Member of Congress, and , should join in condemning the violence of these extremists. The rule of law matters, the sanctity of life matters, and equal justice matters.
CONDEMNING RECENT ATTACKS ON PRO-LIFE FACILITIES, GROUPS, AND CHURCHES
Claudia Tenney (Republican, NY) \u2014 2023-1-11

I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 3, condemning the recent attacks on pro-life facilities, groups, and churches. prgtoken New York is home to so many compassionate and committed pro-life pregnancy centers, such as CompassCare in Amherst, New York, and CareNet Centers dotted around New York State. prgtoken Pro-life pregnancy centers across our State and our country provide women with critical care, such as free pregnancy tests, pre-natal care, referrals, education, mentoring, and material support, including diapers, car seats, and clothing. They also provide love and support to these women in a time of need. From 2016 to 2020, these pregnancy centers saved over 800,000 lives by providing a compassionate alternative to abortion. prgtoken Tragically, on June 7, 2022, a CompassCare facility in western New York was maliciously firebombed by a violent anti-abortion group called Jane's Revenge. The perpetrators left graffiti: ``Jane was here.'' Those responsible have still not been held accountable. prgtoken Unfortunately, this was not an isolated incident. Over 100 pro-life facilities and churches were attacked in 2022 alone. prgtoken I was honored to join CompassCare's CEO, Reverend Jim Harden, and the CompassCare team at its reopening just a few months after the violent attack. As Reverend Harden said best, CompassCare now has 21st century telehealth tools to compete head-on with the billion-dollar abortion empire by reaching and serving every woman in America. prgtoken Pro-life pregnancy centers play a key role in helping pregnant women all across the country, but leadership has been silent on the unprecedented amount of violence leveled against these compassionate advocates for life. House s are united in our condemnation of the political violence these wonderful caregivers and those who choose life have always faced. prgtoken I am proud to support H. Con. Res. 3, condemning the recent attacks on pro-life facilities, groups, and churches; and I will not back down to violent extremists.
BORN-ALIVE ABORTION SURVIVORS PROTECTION ACT
Adriano Espaillat (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2023-1-11

. Madam , I rise in opposition to H.R. 26. prgtoken H.R. 26 is presented within the context of what happened last year when the Supreme Court stripped millions of women in our country of their status and free right for equal access to reproductive freedom. prgtoken As Members of Congress, we have a responsibility to correct this wrong and bring back reproductive freedom for women. This bill is not about the safety of children. This is more of the same. This is about policing the bodies of women. prgtoken A bunch of middle-aged guys in Brooks Brothers' suits stand here today and try to tell women what to do with their bodies. That is what this is about. This is not about the safety of children. That is already illegal. prgtoken Madam , I stand here to oppose H.R. 26. There are 64 million women across America of reproductive age. Many of them live in States that are beating up on their rights to reproductive freedom. prgtoken Madam , I stand here in opposition to H.R. 26 and ask my colleagues also to vote against it.
HONORING JAMES HOLMES
Abigail Davis Spanberger (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2023-1-11

I stand here today to honor the lifetime of achievement of Mr. James Holmes. prgtoken Following decades of service to the Culpepper community and 35 years of service to the Culpepper County Electoral Board, Mr. Holmes is stepping down as the current chair of the board at the end of this year. prgtoken Growing up in Culpepper, Mr. Holmes attended George Washington Carver School and was among the first integrated classes at Culpepper High School. prgtoken Mr. Holmes' determination to improve our Commonwealth for future generations of Virginians brought him back to Culpepper after he graduated cum laude from Virginia Union University and earned his J.D. from Howard Law School. prgtoken A licensed and ordained Baptist minister who has pastored in Culpepper for decades, Mr. Holmes has held many positions with the Wayland Blue Ridge Baptist Association. prgtoken From his service on the electoral board to casting an electoral vote in 2008 for our first Black President, Mr. Holmes has demonstrated a commitment to civic engagement and elevating the voices of Virginians within our communities. prgtoken Mr. Holmes has touched many lives throughout his career as president of Culpepper Housing and Shelter Services, president of the Culpepper County United Way, president of the Culpepper County Equalization Board, and as a caring member of his community. prgtoken Today I stand on the floor of the United States House of Representatives to thank James Holmes for his commitment to progress, equality, and community empowerment.
EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF CONGRESS CONDEMNING THE RECENT ATTACKS ON PRO- LIFE FACILITIES, GROUPS, AND CHURCHES
Jerrold Nadler (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2023-1-11

. Madam , the balance of my time for closing. prgtoken Madam , if House s were serious about condemning violence surrounding the debate on abortion, the resolution would be clear in condemning all acts of violence, lest we give tacit acquiescence to extremist anti-abortion violence and against abortion providers. This resolution does not do that at all. prgtoken Undoubtedly, my colleagues will attempt to portray any opposition to this partisan resolution as proof of ' so-called extreme position on abortion, but the American public is not so easily fooled. prgtoken They will recognize this resolution for what it is, a transparent political exercise intended to lay the groundwork for MAGA s' plans for a total nationwide ban on abortion. prgtoken Madam , I urge all Members to vote ``no,'' and .
COMMEMORATE THE LIFE OF JAMES THOMAS WILBUN
Marc A. Veasey (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2023-1-11

. Madam , I rise today to commemorate the life of James Thomas Wilbun of Fort Worth, Texas. prgtoken Born November 7, 1918, in Hope, Arkansas. Mr. Wilbun grew up there where he obtained his education, including agriculture school. A dedicated veteran, Mr. Wilbun served in the United States military during World War II. For his service, he was given a number of honors, including recognition at the World War II museums in Washington, D.C New Orleans, Los Angeles, and a ceremony that I was able to attend for him several years ago in Fort Worth. prgtoken Following his career in the military, he built a career as a landscaper and also served with the Fort Worth Independent School District until he retired. prgtoken A great listener and a happy man, Mr. Wilbun loved gardening, listening to gospel music, going to church, laughing, and he was an avid fan of the Texas Rangers and the Dallas Cowboys. prgtoken But most of all, he loved spending time with his friends, family, children, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren, along with a host of other relatives. prgtoken I want to end by commemorating Mr. Wilbun for 104 years on this Earth, and to his service to the city of Fort Worth and our independent school district. prgtoken Madam , our prayers go out to all of his loved ones.
REPUBLICANS HAVE GUTTED THE OFFICE OF CONGRESSIONAL ETHICS
Jake Auchincloss (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2023-1-11

I rise in opposition to the changes the House rules package made to the Office of Congressional Ethics. OCE is a critical independent ethics watchdog, and it is a poor indication of the GOP's commitment to integrity that House s have gutted the OCE as their first act in the majority. prgtoken The rules package term limits the members of the OCE board, and in doing so removes the three ic members of the bipartisan board, giving s a majority of seats instead of maintaining an even partisan divide. These rules also require the OCE to hire staff within a month, which requires a vote of four board members, guaranteeing a partisan lean amongst most staff. prgtoken With these rules changes, my colleagues are deviously turning the Office of Congressional Ethics into a zombie, alive in name but unable to execute its vital mission of investigating misconduct and ridding Congress of corruption. prgtoken After 14 failed votes and the undermining of independent ethics reviews, House s have demonstrated their commitment to dysfunction and poor governance.
HONORING THE LIFE OF GEORGE MILLS
Jared Huffman (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2023-1-11

I rise today to honor George Mills who passed away on November 18, 2022, to celebrate his extraordinary life and commitment to serving his community. prgtoken George grew up in Dearborn, Michigan where he played varsity football at St. Alphonsus School. In his youth, he worked at the Dearborn Independent, a weekly newspaper published and co-owned by his father. In 1959, the family moved to San Francisco where George earned a degree in Political Science from the University of San Francisco. He then attended the Naval Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island and served 3 years on the USS Ticonderoga. In 1964, George decided to further his education at the St. Patrick Catholic Seminary in Menlo Park, returning to the San Francisco Bay Area to earn his Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy. prgtoken George's long and impactful career in education began with his return to the University of San Francisco, where he earned both his teaching credential and his Master of Arts in Education. His entire teaching career was with the San Rafael High School District (District). He started as a teacher at the San Rafael Continuation School, and within a decade, he established a Title I Language Arts Learning Center at San Rafael High School. In total, George dedicated 32 years to teaching English, Yearbook, and Journalism in the District. He was also active in the San Rafael Federation of Teachers in San Rafael and a respected advocate for his profession and colleagues. prgtoken During his decorated career, he received the ``Classroom Excellence'' award from the California Association of Teachers of English in 1983 and was selected as a Bay Area Writing Project Fellow at U.C. Berkeley in 1985. Fittingly, he was named an ``Outstanding Teacher'' in Marin County in 1997. prgtoken In addition to teaching, George was deeply involved in the San Rafael community with his wife Gayle. As Chairman of the Sun Valley Neighborhood Association, George traveled door to door to convince his neighbors to contribute to a community purchase of the land around Sun Valley Trail. This effort preserved the land for public use in 1985, which today is managed by Marin County Open Space District. George also coached his son's soccer and baseball teams and served as Assistant Scoutmaster for his Boy Scout troop. prgtoken George is survived by his beloved wife of 53 years, Gayle Mills, his 2 children: Christopher and Claire, and 2 grandchildren: Georgia and Donovan Illingworth. While he will be greatly missed, George's legacy will live on through the positive impact he had on his family, Marin County, and beyond. prgtoken , there is no doubt that George Mills was a dedicated civil servant who will be missed and whose many years of service are worthy of commendation. Therefore, it is fitting and proper that we honor his many contributions and express our deep condolences to his family and friends.
BORN-ALIVE ABORTION SURVIVORS PROTECTION ACT
Rosa L. DeLauro (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2023-1-11

. Madam , I rise in strong opposition to the latest attempt by House s to control women's reproductive freedom, a ruse to ban safe and legal abortions in this country. This legislation purports to address something that does not happen. prgtoken The hypotheticals some of my colleagues described are not based in fact. Their arguments are untrue and do not represent how medicine actually works. Their suggestions are not only false, but they are callous. prgtoken The truth is abortions that occur after 3 months of pregnancy account for only 1 percent of all abortions, and they occur almost exclusively because a woman's life is at risk or her pregnancy is not viable. We should not be in the business of enacting laws that make these difficult and painful situations worse. prgtoken What is not hypothetical is the real pain and suffering that politicians across this country are imposing as they continue to chip away at what should be an essential right. prgtoken A woman must have the right to make health decisions that are in the best of interest of themselves, their family, and their circumstances. prgtoken Madam , I urge my colleagues to oppose this sham piece of legislation.
NO VOTE ON ANTI-CHOICE H.R. 26 AND H. CON. RES. 3
Betty McCollum (Democrat, MN) \u2014 2023-1-11

l rise in opposition to H.R. 26 and H. Con. Res 3, two pieces of legislation that yet again seek to limit access to reproductive health care and insert politics into personal reproductive health care decisions. prgtoken H.R. 26 is a deliberately misleading bill that effectively politicizes abortion care and criminalizes doctors. This bill is offensive to those who face pregnancy complications and opens the door to political interference when families are making difficult, complicated, and often heartbreaking medical decisions. This legislation is based on false claims; it vilifies families and the doctors who care for them, and carelessly misleads the public about these rare and complicated scenarios. When a family is dealing with the unthinkable, an infant that will not survive, they should be able to hold and comfort their child and peacefully say goodbye. If this bill were to become law, forced medical intervention would cut short parents' final moments with their child, and doctors across the country would face extreme penalties simply for doing what is best for their patients. prgtoken H. Con. Res. 3 is nothing but a political move by the extreme House majority that is both disingenuous and puts actual health care clinics at risk. Let me be clear: I condemn violence in all its forms. However, this resolution only focuses on protecting ``pro- life pregnancy centers'' and ``faith-based women's health clinics''-- not medical facilities. Here's a fact: attacks on abortion providers and clinics are on the rise, increasing 128 percent in just one year. The resolution before us falls short of fully condemning political violence, and I encourage my colleagues to stand together and condemn all violence, so that everyone can have the freedom to access reproductive health care without fear.
ISSUES FACING AMERICAN FAMILIES
Mary Gay Scanlon (Democrat, PA) \u2014 2023-1-11

as political violence rises in our country and abroad, our Nation's leaders should be united in condemning political violence in all forms, as well as the vile rhetoric that fuels it. prgtoken From Charlottesville to Pittsburgh to El Paso, we have seen the tragic results when lies spill blood and words echo as gunshots. These attacks ripple through communities stealing innocent lives, traumatizing survivors, and inflicting pain on those left behind. prgtoken The underlying drivers of domestic violent extremism, antigovernment sentiment, racism, misogyny, and anti-Semitism are constant as threats and attacks move from one community to the next. prgtoken We all have a moral responsibility to combat this scourge of hateful rhetoric, to ensure that every American can live free from bigoted speech and hate-fueled violence. prgtoken But the resolution presented by s today continues that pattern of stoking grievances and chaos in our communities rather than helping our communities work together to ensure domestic tranquility. prgtoken Their resolution is far from a clean condemnation of political violence. By condemning only vandalism and violence against anti- abortion facilities, it gives tacit approval to the far more frequent attacks against abortion clinics and other medical centers disfavored by the radical right. prgtoken Political violence is never the answer. prgtoken I look forward to working with our colleagues across the aisle when they are ready to take seriously the very real threat of political violence, condemning such violence in all forms, rather than using this issue to stir up more division, chaos, and ultimately more violence.