mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
Biden Administration (Executive Session)
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2022-2-8

the administration spent the end of last week boasting that our economy added back more jobs in January than some economists had predicted, but American families aren't buying their spin. prgtoken The working men and women of this country know painfully well that the administration's economy is failing them. One typical recent survey showed a majority of Americans disapprove of the President's job performance, and ' poor handling of the economy is a major factor. prgtoken So let's be clear. The country was always--always--guaranteed to add back jobs following the 2020 COVID recession. The administration did not create the vaccines, it did not create this milder variant, and it is not owed particular credit for the fact that our economy is continuing to climb out of the crater caused by the 2020 lockdowns. prgtoken Our trajectory of adding back jobs has stayed remarkably consistent from late 2020 up through today. Job growth under President has just kept bumping along the trajectory that he inherited-- notwithstanding that blew trillions of dollars on supposedly job-creating policies in the meantime. prgtoken There has been no noticeable acceleration in job growth relative to the baseline that was forecast before took power, but inflation, on the other hand, has absolutely soared relative to those forecasts. Consumer prices exploded by 7 percent in 2021--the worst inflation in 40 years. More than 80 percent of Americans say the cost of everyday goods have shot up, and two-thirds disapprove of the job President is doing to help their wallets. prgtoken Even though American workers have been earning pay raises, inflation is leaving them with less purchasing power than they had in the first place. Once you factor in inflation, the average American has gotten a 2-percent prgtoken real pay cut--cut--under ic policies. According to one calculation, only in one single sector across the entire economy did wage growth outpace inflation last year. That was leisure and hospitality, as those incredibly hard-hit sectors rebounded from their especially nightmarish 2020. Everyone else, on average, got a pay cut. prgtoken The average retail worker got an inflation pay cut; same with miners and loggers--inflation pay cuts. Construction workers, manufacturing workers, and transportation workers got inflation pay cuts, and on and on. Americans know that ' failed policies are the reason.
Government Funding (Executive Calendar)
Todd Young (Republican, IN) \u2014 2022-2-8

in an effort to make the internet healthy, happy, and peaceful, the Chinese Government recently clamped down on what it deems as online bad behavior. prgtoken Beijing knows all about bad behavior. In fact, if behaving badly were an Olympic sport, China would take the gold, silver, and bronze. prgtoken Speaking of the Olympics, last week the Olympic cauldron was lit in the Chinese capital by a Uighur torchbearer. It was a spectacular opening ceremony, with thousands of participants filling the Bird's Nest. Its choreography was innovative, its artistry unprecedented as China sought to portray itself to the world not as it is but as they want to be seen. prgtoken There was an LED floor below, brilliant fireworks overhead. Children danced, sang, and raised glowing doves. The theme was socially conscious and environmentally aware. prgtoken The Chinese flag was passed through the hands of people representing the diversity within China, and it was raised where it billowed proudly, even though there wasn't a breeze. prgtoken And not a single American Government official was present--not a single government official. You see, we sent our regrets to the Chinese Communist Party, refused to join in the Xi Jinping games. We let a few of the reasons why we didn't appear be submitted candidly to the world. prgtoken A million Uighurs, Kazakhs, Kyrgyz are locked away in gulags--raped, tortured with electric batons, sterilized, forced into abortions--all in an effort to eradicate these religious and ethnic minorities not just from Xinjiang but from the face of the Earth. prgtoken Taiwan's sovereignty is continually threatened with the Chinese flying aircraft, streaking across Taiwan's skies. Hong Kong's democracy is strangled. prgtoken There and across the CCP's domain, dissidents, whistleblowers, and protesters are apprehended, imprisoned, persecuted, and reeducated-- free speech and expression stifled and censored, religious freedom denied. prgtoken A virus was recklessly unleashed on the world, upturning our lives, killing our most vulnerable, closing our businesses, damaging our economy, and dividing our people. prgtoken A nation is hosting a storied athletic competition, but that nation erases its own athletes for telling embarrassing truths about its government. prgtoken The history, distant and recent, of the communist Chinese Government is one of inhumanity, ruthless violation of the most basic human rights, and aggression toward America and its allies. prgtoken The Olympic Games in Beijing, spit and polished, even carbon-neutral, may present the face of a humane and caring world power, but we are not fooled. prgtoken We see through the charade--a slave state hosting the Olympics; its participants wearing uniforms made by Uighurs tortured and toiling in labor camps. prgtoken We see the authoritarian regime behind what the dissident artist Ai Weiwei calls China's fake smile. And we are leading by example. The CCP has
POSTAL SERVICE REFORM ACT OF 2021
Nicole Malliotakis (Republican, NY) \u2014 2022-2-8

. Madam , I proudly rise today in support of this bipartisan Postal Service Reform Act. prgtoken Our postal workers are the reliable chain that links Americans and businesses, from coast to coast. prgtoken This bill improves the efficiency of the Postal Service by streamlining the transportation network, optimizing the workforce to avoid costly overtime, and requiring reporting accountability. prgtoken Additionally, it eliminates the requirement that the USPS prepays 75 years' worth of retiree health benefits, saving $27 billion over the next 10 years. It also improves customer service by requiring 6-day delivery. prgtoken It is time for us to pave a better path for our neighbors who rely on and work for the U.S. Postal Service, like John Byers, who recently retired after 40 years of dedicated service to my district. prgtoken I strongly encourage my colleagues to stand alongside our postal workers and vote for this bill.
FURTHER ADDITIONAL CONTINUING APPROPRIATIONS ACT
Kay Granger (Republican, TX) \u2014 2022-2-8

the balance of my time to close. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues to join me in voting in favor of this bill. prgtoken I would now like to take some time to honor one of my committee staff, Dave Raser, who passed away suddenly on Saturday. At just 24 years of age, he worked just as hard as anyone and did so with a heart of gratitude and service. prgtoken Dave joined my staff as an intern in 2019 and did such a great job that he officially joined my staff in 2020. Next week, we would have celebrated his 2-year anniversary with the committee. He always had a smile on his face and a joyful spirit that uplifted everyone. He truly made a positive impact on everyone he interacted with. prgtoken On behalf of Congress and the Appropriations Committee, I offer our sincerest condolences to his family, especially his sister, Emily, whom he greatly admired and cherished. prgtoken Words cannot express how saddened we are at the loss of someone so young and so kind. prgtoken , .
CRISES FACING AMERICA
Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (Republican, GA) \u2014 2022-2-8

I thank the gentleman for yielding and I thank him for hosting this night. prgtoken , for years, have been pushing this ``defund the police'' rhetoric that has demonized our law enforcement officers and left them unequipped and abandoned by their government. Now, we are paying the price. prgtoken In the year 2021, 73 of our bravest police officers lost their lives in defense of their country and their communities. This is a 59 percent increase from 2020 and the most that we have had since 1995. This is utterly unacceptable. The language from top empowers those that wish to do harm upon others and leaves our law enforcement stranded with nowhere to look for aid. prgtoken After an entire year of this detrimental rhetoric, at least 16 U.S. cities have set new homicide records in 2021, 346 officers were shot, and we saw 115 percent increase in ambush-style attacks on law enforcement from 2020. aren't just downplaying the impacts of their soft-on-crime rhetoric, they are completely ignoring it. prgtoken Shoplifting in California and New York has gotten so bad that it is now mocked on social media and offenders simply walk into a store, grab what they want, and walk out. The First Congressional District of Georgia is unfortunately no exception to this current trend. prgtoken In the first half of 2021, violent increased 7 percent, property crimes rose 10 percent, and shoplifting has risen 9 percent, all in Savannah alone. prgtoken Folks, this rhetoric is harmful. It hurts our communities, it hurts our law enforcement, and it hurts our constituents. We must put a stop to this and reinforce the fact that we have the backs of our police officers. This issue is of the utmost importance, and I call upon President to say, unequivocally, that he supports our men and women in blue.
FOLLOWING THE CONSTITUTION AND RULES OF THE HOUSE
Louie Gohmert (Republican, TX) \u2014 2022-2-8

. Madam , I have an article here about the Justice Department. It says it continues to go easy on the 2020 rioters. prgtoken These are people that destroyed government buildings, destroyed places of business, yet this administration continues to not just prosecute but persecute people who just came into the Capitol wrongly that should be punished. But to have people let loose immediately after burning people, being prgtoken involved in incidents where people were killed, is absolutely an outrage to judgment. prgtoken Then, to put people under the control of a deputy warden at the D.C. jail who absolutely, maliciously, intentionally despises anybody that supported President --and she is in charge of these people? This is so dangerous and should not be allowed. prgtoken On top of that, we have the January 6th Committee. They were not interested in following the traditions and the rules of the House with regard to committees, where both parties could submit people for that committee membership. prgtoken There is so much damage that is being done to this institution. It is not the collegial working--sure, we have disagreements over the years, strong disagreements, but we have never seen anything like what we are experiencing now where we could have a commission that is totally made up of people that the one party only wanted on the commission and others that the other party wanted on were eliminated. prgtoken So, something has to be done. prgtoken Now, we have seen that this administration has not been particularly concerned with its constitutional duties, like the one in Article IV that mandates that the Federal Government must protect the States from invasion. prgtoken You know, to Woodrow Wilson, four or five dozen people was an invasion. Nowadays, this administration thinks 2 million is not an invasion even though they bring death and suffering in the form of drugs, sex trafficking, and human trafficking. prgtoken At the same time, for the first time since I have been in Congress, we have seen that our mail--we have gotten two mail just a day apart. One came in September 17, stamped by the Department of Justice as being received and reviewed and examined. Another, from a Christian missionary to me, it was reviewed by the Department of Justice. prgtoken The Supreme Court has made clear that the Department of Justice cannot even get a search warrant to search a Member's office, yet this administration, like this House, doesn't think the rules, the laws, the Constitution, perhaps, mean what they say. prgtoken We have to get back to following the Constitution if we are going to preserve this Republic. It is in a dire situation. It is in a desperate situation. prgtoken If we do not get back to following the Constitution and observing the rules of the House, then our Republic will be lost. That is where we are being taken right now.
REMEMBERING DR. LESTER CARTER
Tammy Baldwin (Democrat, WI) \u2014 2022-2-8

I rise today to honor Dr. Lester Carter, who passed away on January 31, 2022, at the age of 90. Dr. Carter was a pharmacist who founded one of Milwaukee's first Black-owned pharmacies and worked there for over five decades. prgtoken Dr. Carter enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served in the Korean war. He was sent to the Hospital Corpsman School in Portsmouth, VA, for training in healthcare and was later assigned to the USS Tortuga for 2 and a half years. After being discharged in 1954, he attended pharmacy school at Creighton University in Omaha, NE, and became the school's first African-American graduate in 1958. Dr. Carter worked at a ``Whites only'' pharmacy in Omaha for 6 years, only being allowed to work in the backroom out of public view. prgtoken After filling in at a pharmacy in Milwaukee, WI, Dr. Carter was offered a position at the store and moved to the city. He then began looking for his own store and found out about a pharmacy located on North 24th and West Burleigh where the owners wanted to retire. Dr. Carter purchased the pharmacy and set up shop in what at the time was a majority White and German neighborhood. Dr. Carter learned German phrases and quickly earned a great deal of respect and trust from his customers. prgtoken During his career on Burleigh Street, Dr. Carter always welcomed everyone with a smile. He touched thousands of lives in positive ways, making time to talk and get to know his customers well. Dr. Carter saw many children grow up and become adults during his career, and some went on to become pharmacists due to his influence. prgtoken Dr. Carter never retired after his pharmacy merged with Hayat, working part-time as the pharmacy's herbal specialist. Recognizing people's concern for medication side effects he developed 12 herbal formulas to resolve health issues his customers were having. He always listened to customer concerns and invested himself into the care of the community. prgtoken Dr. Carter served as an example for Milwaukee on how to break down barriers. He treated everyone with dignity and respect. A common consensus was that once you left his store, you were already feeling better just by being in his presence. In 2018, North 24th Street was named in his honor. While Dr. Carter will be missed, he will be remembered by the generations of families he helped take care of and by the community he helped shape.
COMMEMORATING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF HYATTSVILLE MAYOR KEVIN WARD
Steny H. Hoyer (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2022-2-8

. Madam , I rise today to pay tribute to the life and legacy of Mayor Kevin Ward. The Hyattsville community lost a trusted leader and a strong advocate when Kevin tragically lost his life to suicide on January 22. He was just forty-four years old and left behind a husband, two sons, and a grandson. His loss is deeply felt across the community and throughout Prince George's County in my district, and the outpouring of grief is a testament to the impact he left on so many. There was no one more willing to lend an ear to a neighbor or to do whatever it took to change someone's life for the better in the community to which he gave so much of his energy, talent, and love. prgtoken Kevin saw Hyattsville as `the jewel in the crown of Prince George's County,' and he dedicated himself to making that jewel shine brighter. In 2015, Kevin was elected to the Hyattsville City Council, and during his tenure as a Council member and later as Council President, he promoted an inclusive agenda to help Hyattsville residents thrive and get ahead. He cosponsored legislation aimed at making Hyattsville more welcoming to and inclusive of immigrants and voted to expand the municipal franchise to include non-citizen residents. Under his leadership, Hyattsville experienced unprecedented economic growth with the expansion of the Gateway Arts District and creation of new housing. prgtoken In 2020, Kevin became Interim Mayor and was elected to a full term last May. As Hyattsville's first openly gay and second Black mayor, Kevin was a trailblazer not only in representation but in the boldness of his vision. During his time in office, he was a champion for youth, affordable housing, and sustainability efforts. He worked zealously to help residents throughout the pandemic, partnering with the First United Methodist Church of Hyattsville to set up vaccination clinics and food distribution for those in need. prgtoken Kevin was more than an exemplary public servant: he was a devoted father, grandfather, and husband. His love for his husband Chad, his sons Sydney and Norman, and his grandson Elijah inspired him to work for a better future for them and all who shared their community. I offer my deepest condolences to Kevin's family, friends, and neighbors, who will surely be reflecting on his legacy for a long time to come and who have already been an enormous support to Chad, their sons, and their grandson during this very difficult time. Through the darkness of this moment, surely Kevin's memory will be the inspiring light to guide the community forward into brighter days to come. I hope all of my colleagues will join me in remembering Kevin Ward and his life of service, passion, and love for his community. prgtoken The rise in suicide among Black Americans is a challenge we as a nation cannot ignore. The pandemic has exacerbated mental health struggles for millions of Americans, and it is essential that we all do our part to reach out and hel
RECOGNIZING LANDMARK MAPLE WOODCRAFT
Patrick J. Leahy (Democrat, VT) \u2014 2022-2-8

the holiday season having just passed is a wonderful reminder that the products of many small, local businesses often make the best gifts. I would like to take some time today to highlight Maple Landmark Woodcraft, a prgtoken Vermont business that I have turned to year after year for gifts for our children, grandchildren, other relatives and friends. prgtoken Today, Maple Landmark is one of the most prominent handmade wooden toy manufacturers in the United States. However, like many businesses, it started small, in Mike Rainville's family woodshop in rural Vermont in the 1980s. Mike's business began with building and selling mostly cribbage boards and tic-tac-toe games, but quickly grew to encompass a wide range of toys, games, puzzles, and home decorations. Among Maple Landmark's most famous products are the wooden letter train sets that have graced the bedrooms of millions of children across the country. They are also in the Leahy homes. prgtoken Over the past 40 years, due to its beautiful craftsmanship and joyful products, Maple Landmark has been able to expand its sales operation to toy stores and distributors throughout the United States and abroad. All the while, it has maintained all manufacturing and sourcing operations in Vermont, at their facility in Middlebury. Mike and his team's devotion to their craft has allowed for the development of a strong homegrown business in Vermont that has helped to show the world all that our State has to offer. prgtoken In March 2020, as much of the world shut down and many families and children began learning, working, and spending more time at home, the popularity of Maple Landmark's toys and games exploded. Facing an unprecedented increase in orders from across the United States, Maple Landmark has been firing on all cylinders. This past holiday season was its busiest yet. prgtoken Unfortunately, Landmark Maple has not been immune to the labor shortages that continue to strain businesses nationwide. While labor shortages are nothing new for many businesses across rural communities in Vermont, those brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic have been particularly challenging. The inability to find a sustainable workforce coupled with the greater effort necessary to recruit and train new workers has made it more difficult for Landmark Maple to take advantage of rising demand that would otherwise be a boon for the business. prgtoken The story of Landmark Maple is far from unique, and it reaffirms that we need to do all we can to control the pandemic, vaccinate the population, and fully restore the economy. Everyone who can get vaccinated must get vaccinated. Everyone who is eligible for a booster shot, must get their booster shot. If we make these responsible choices and continue to prioritize the collective health and safety of our families and communities, more Americans will be willing and able to enter, reenter, and remain in the workforce. In doing so,
CONGRESS MUST DO MORE TO ENSURE AMERICANS HAVE SAFE DRINKING WATER
Rashida Tlaib (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2022-2-8

. Madam , I rise today to celebrate Project We Hope Dream and Believe from the 13th District Strong on their hard work on getting civil rights leader Malcolm X's home in Inkster, Michigan, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. prgtoken Malcolm X was born Malcolm Little in 1925 in Nebraska. During his childhood, his family relocated many times to communities in our Nation's midwest, including Inkster, Michigan, before moving to Boston and New York City in his teens. prgtoken The home on Williams Street where Malcolm X and his family resided from 1952 to 1953 sat neglected for decades until the leadership of local organization Project We Hope Dream and Believe worked to preserve this historic site. prgtoken The house will be transformed into a museum that will focus on the life and significance of Malcolm X, his advocacy, and as a youth learning center. prgtoken Thank you to the Michigan State Historic Preservation Office and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation for their help in preserving our district's Black history and Malcolm X's legacy and impact on our communities. prgtoken Please join me in congratulating Project We Hope Dream and Believe on their incredible accomplishment and their hard work in preserving our history.