mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
National Defense Authorization Act (Executive Session)
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2022-12-6

well, here we are, again, into the month of December with crucial business unfinished. s spent months urging the ic majority not to neglect this year's National Defense Authorization Act, not to leave our Armed Forces to the last minute. prgtoken Five months ago, I called on our colleagues to process the Defense bill as soon as possible; but, instead, the majority has prioritized not just gigantic partisan spending sprees, but also a parade of mid- level nominations. prgtoken The ic leader didn't even bring a Senate NDAA to the floor, forcing Senators Reed and Inhofe to conduct an informal conference with the House with a weakened hand. When the s controlled the government, we put our servicemembers first. prgtoken In 2017, the Senate passed our version of NDAA in September, and we had voice-voted the conference report by Thanksgiving. In 2018, the Senate was completely finished with NDAA by early August. But on ' watch, the Senate's schedule has not matched the Nation's needs. We have spent time on less important matters while both the authorization and funding for our servicemembers have languished until the eleventh hour. prgtoken Even now--even now--House and Senate are still obstructing prgtoken efforts to close out the NDAA by trying to jam in unrelated items with no relationship whatsoever to defense. We are talking about a grab bag of miscellaneous pet priorities--like making our financial system more sympathetic to illegal drugs or the phony partisan-permitting reform in-name-only language that has already failed to pass the Senate earlier this year. prgtoken If wanted these controversial items so badly, they had 2 years to move them across the floor. Heck, they could have scheduled those matters for votes this week. But, no, we are doing more mid-level nominations while keep half-threatening to take our Armed Forces hostage over these extraneous matters. prgtoken So there is an old saying that goes ``Poor planning on your part does not necessitate an emergency on the part of other people.'' The ' failure to plan ahead for unrelated liberal pet priorities should not be creating uncertainty and confusion for the brave servicemembers who keep us safe. prgtoken My colleagues across the aisle need to cut their unrelated hostage- taking and put a bipartisan NDAA on the floor.
TRIBUTE TO CONGRESSMAN LOUIE GOHMERT
Mary E. Miller (Republican, IL) \u2014 2022-12-6

today we honor Congressman Louie Gohmert and his years of service to the First District of Texas. I left the event I was at and rushed over here. prgtoken I appreciate you so much. Actually, Louie, you know you were the first Congressperson I met who was so warm, encouraging, and friendly. I appreciate how you initiated and were always there to be helpful. prgtoken Representative Gohmert, you have been a strong fighter for our constitutional freedoms of religion and speech, States' rights, Second Amendment rights, and more. You have been an inspiration to Members of this body, including myself, and you will be missed. prgtoken Oh my, the best ribs I ever ate. I need that recipe. You said you would give it to me. prgtoken Thank you, Congressman Gohmert, for your dedication to our Nation and all your hard work in protecting the prgtoken American way of life for future generations. You and I have talked about how much we care about future generations and what we are leaving them. prgtoken May God bless you and your family. My prayers will be with you as you transition to your next endeavor.
TRIBUTE TO CONGRESSMAN LOUIE GOHMERT
Matthew M. Rosendale, Sr. (Republican, MT) \u2014 2022-12-6

a lot of people have been speaking a lot of wonderful high praise about Louie. prgtoken I will tell you, I met Louie before I arrived in Congress. I am a freshman, so I haven't had the opportunity to spend as much time with him as many of you have. Before I got here, Louie sat me down, and he told me a story. prgtoken He was out in Montana doing an event for another Member of Congress. He told me this story: I used to be a judge. I was a judge there in east Texas, and one of the big cases that I had come before me when it was right before an election. prgtoken He said every other judge that had this case presented to them had recused themselves because they didn't want to have their fingerprints on it because it was a big problem. It was a man and a wife. There was a domestic problem. There was a murder involved. Half the town supported the husband, half the town supported the wife, and there wasn't a judge around that wanted to get involved in the situation. prgtoken Louie said: I thought about it. I thought about it, and I went to prayer that evening. I was really struggling with whether I needed to pick this case up or not, whether I needed to pick that fight or not. prgtoken He said: The next morning, I got up and knew what I had to do. It came to me, the words from the Holy Spirit came to me, ``You can't run from what you ran for.'' prgtoken You can't run from what you ran for. I have carried that message with me as I walk into this Chamber on a daily basis because there are so many people who are afraid to do the right thing. They know what is right, and they walk away and hide. They get other people to help them explain their way out of it. prgtoken But there is a right and a wrong in what we do up here, and Louie Gohmert personifies a man who is willing to stand up and say this is what is right, and this is what is wrong. We don't need a deep explanation about it. It is really rather simple: Don't run from what you ran for. It is difficult prgtoken issues that we are addressing every single day, and this is why we were sent here. prgtoken They tell us all that we are honorable when we get here. You get letters in the mail, the Honorable Matt Rosendale, the Honorable Randy Weber, the Honorable Clay Higgins, and, yes, the Honorable Andy Biggs. It is not so important when you get here to be called honorable as it is to still be addressed as honorable when you leave. prgtoken I will stand here and tell everyone that Louie Gohmert will be considered honorable when he leaves this place, and I am honored to call him my friend. prgtoken God bless you. Please come and kill a turkey on my place next year.
Tribute To Roy Blunt (Executive Calendar)
Debbie Stabenow (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2022-12-6

it is an honor to join with my colleagues to speak about someone that is a dear friend. And I have often said to the Senator: You are not really leaving; I am putting you in a closet and locking the door, and we are not letting you leave. prgtoken But then I know that Abby and Charlie and your whole family would not appreciate that. prgtoken We first met back in the 1980s, when Senator Blunt was the secretary of state in Missouri and I was a State legislator. It was the first year that the national Jaycees went from 10 outstanding young men to 10 outstanding young Americans, and I had the honor of being one of three women honored that year. But we met in Tulsa, OK, and Roy has often joked that we met in a hotel room, but then he quickly explains what that was to Abby. But we had the opportunity to be there together. prgtoken And then it wasn't until the 1996 election. We were both elected to the U.S. House. We were standing on the steps of the U.S. House, outside, to take a picture of the freshman class, and 1996 it was, the end of the year. I turn around, and Roy Blunt is standing right next to me. And I said: I know you. prgtoken We gathered together again and really struck up a friendship. Then we both were on the House Agriculture Committee, and the very first bill I think either of us ever introduced was this very exciting bill about wheat germ. So I often was asked what was the first bill I ever introduced, and it was a wheat disease bill. But Roy and I got it done and went on to really form a wonderful friendship ever since. prgtoken I was very excited when he then joined us in the U.S. Senate. As many people know, in addition to our having led the bills on community health centers, we have partnered together on a new concept of community behavioral health clinics, actually, funding mental health and addiction services the same as physical health, and that started 10 years ago. prgtoken We stood on the floor of the Senate when we first introduced the bill and talked about how President John F. Kennedy had actually signed--the last law he ever signed, the last act he ever prgtoken signed, in 1963, was an act to create community mental health centers. And the idea was to close, at that time, what they called asylums and give people community care; care close to home, families, support people; to be able to be in the community and be successful. Well, the hospitals got closed, but the rest of it never happened. prgtoken So I am so honored to have partnered, and want to continue to partner, with Roy as he leaves here for other things, to move forward the rest of the story, which is effective community care for folks, not in a jail, not in an emergency department, but in the community, with their family, allowing them to be successful and work and living their lives because they are getting the care that they need. So I am very honored to have had the opportunity to work with Roy on that as well
DISGRACEFUL RHETORIC
Donald M. Payne, Jr. (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2022-12-6

I rise today, unfortunately, to address the horrible anti-American comments made by . prgtoken Recently, the prominent posted that it was time to terminate the Constitution. The Constitution is the foundation of our country and the backbone of our democracy. It is a brilliant document that continues to inspire democratic governments worldwide. prgtoken If a or I had made these comments, the person would be widely condemned and denied any attempt to run for office. But the s do the opposite. They give weak denunciations of the comments--if any at all. But they refuse to reject in public. prgtoken He rejects our institution, fights to deny our elections, and dines with racists. Yet, this is the type of person the s believe to be a viable candidate for our highest office. prgtoken It is a disgrace and a national embarrassment.
James P. McGovern (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2022-12-6

the balance of my time. prgtoken Let me remind all my colleagues that the Veteran Service Recognition Act is actually supported by the American Legion, one of our leading veterans' organizations in this country, but I guess that is not enough for some of my colleagues again saying ``no'' to everything. prgtoken , the EAGLE Act and the Veteran Service Recognition Act provide necessary reforms that will improve our immigration system. I know so much more can be done--as I said before, we need to do more-- but these two bills are small steps that we can take now to help clear backlogs and ensure that those who not only have played by the rules, but have sacrificed in the service of our Nation can become citizens. They are important policies that should become law. prgtoken I read today that some of my friends on the other side of the aisle are urging their next leader--I don't know who it will be--to use the debt ceiling not only to cut Social Security and Medicare and a whole bunch of other programs that are vital, including nutrition programs, but they want to use it as leverage to go after immigrants to mess up our immigration system even more. What a rotten way to legislate, to use the debt ceiling as an excuse to try to derail government. prgtoken We already know what the s are capable of doing. The last time they were in charge of the House and the Senate and the White House, they shut the government down and they left. That is their idea of responsible governing. prgtoken Well, we shouldn't be using the debt ceiling as leverage. We should actually be paying our bills that we have accumulated. If you don't like the spending--I didn't like 's tax cut that benefited mostly wealthy people in this country; I nonetheless voted to increase the debt ceiling because we had accumulated all of that debt because of that terrible tax cut geared to the rich. It is the responsible thing to do. It really is kind of disturbing to hear some of the priorities of my friends. prgtoken As I said before, their policy on immigration has been consistent. Demagogue, demagogue, demagogue. Fix nothing. They blame immigrants for everything. It is raining out today; they will blame immigrants. Having a fight with their spouse; well, it must be the fault of immigrants. Having a bad day; let's blame immigrants. That is their MO. That is what they have done, prgtoken and it really is offensive. It betrays the highest values of this country. prgtoken The two bills before us are modest. There is much more we need to do. As I said, we need to help the Dreamers. We need to fix the issue for our TPS holders. We owe that to them. prgtoken , let me close by saying that we are going to spend the next few weeks legislating and delivering for the American people, and I urge some of my colleagues to join with us in getting things done, or they can simply do what they usually do and complain a
RECOGNIZING THE COLORADO MUSIC INSTITUTE
Jason Crow (Democrat, CO) \u2014 2022-12-6

. Madam , I rise today to honor and congratulate the Colorado Music Institute (CMI) in Centennial, Colorado for being recognized as the 2022 National Music School of the Year by the Music Academy Success System. prgtoken Founded in 1996, CMI has been at the forefront of the music community in the state of Colorado. CMI has been steadfast in its commitment to teaching students of all ages--believing people are never too old to pick up an instrument and try a new skill. Their reach extends far beyond Colorado--as students from all over the world seek out lessons there. prgtoken This year, music schools around the nation worked to regain their rhythm with a return to predominantly in-person learning. Bringing music and joy to the community, CMI has a diverse staff from all over the world cultivating and developing students' musical talent and establishing the foundation for a lifelong love of music. CMI believes that music should be all about joy, therefore aiming to be Colorado's most fun, welcoming, and professional music school. prgtoken The National Music School of the Year award is presented annually to a school that has made significant contributions to the music industry. Hundreds of schools around the country compete for this highly prestigious award. prgtoken Teachers have a tremendous impact on the lives of their students no matter the age. I commend CMI for their tireless dedication to their students, and congratulate them for receiving this recognition. It is an honor to recognize CMI and their achievements.
RECOGNIZING THE RETIREMENT OF EARLE FRANCIS JONES
G. K. Butterfield (Democrat, NC) \u2014 2022-12-6

. Madam , I rise to recognize my dear friend, Earle Francis Jones who recently announced his retirement from Comcast NBCUniversal. Earle has been a fixture on the Hill for many years and I hope my colleagues will join me in congratulating him on a successful and storied career. Furthermore, I'd like to acknowledge the contributions Earle has made to the CBC community. They are too many to list here, but suffice it to say, the CBC can't thank Earle enough for his support and counsel to the CBC and the CBCF throughout the years. prgtoken Earle was born in Washington, D.C. to Earle Sr. and the former Sylvia Carroll. He is a product of the District of Columbia Public School system where he attended historic Coolidge High School. prgtoken There, he excelled in sports, music, and community service. Earle furthered his education by attending American University in Washington, D.C. He then went on to attend the University of California at Berkeley where he received his Juris Doctorate from the prestigious Boalt Hall School of Law. prgtoken Following law school, Earle practiced law at Holland and Hart in Denver, Colorado before entering private practice. During that time, he served on the Judicial Ethics Advisory Board as the Ethics Counselor for Colorado lawyers and as an adjunct Law Professor at the University of Denver. prgtoken Upon returning to Washington, D.C Earle joined Tele-Communications, Inc. (TCI) in 1989 where he served as Division Director for Government Affairs and then its Federal Communications Commission Washington Counsel. For three years, he led Washington, D.C.'s District Cablevision as its General Manager and oversaw Comcast's acquisition of District Cablevision from AT&T in 2001. prgtoken In 2009, Earle joined Comcast Corporation's Washington Federal Government Affairs where he cultivated a reputation for being an expert on issues and a sought-after counselor and mentor to many on the Hill-- especially in the CBC community. prgtoken Madam , I'm proud to say Earle Jones is my friend. I've always been impressed by his integrity and his ability to have empathy for others. I'd like to thank him for all the years he served on the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Board where he always provided excellent counsel and support. prgtoken Please join me in congratulating Earle Jones on a remarkable career and wishing him the best as he spends more time with his son Steve, daughter-in-law Heather and grandchildren Ryan and Rachel. prgtoken On behalf of the United States House of Representatives I congratulate Earle Francis Jones on his remarkable career and his contributions to our Country and our community.
Tribute to James M. Inhofe (Executive Session)
Thomas R. Carper (Democrat, DE) \u2014 2022-12-6

. Before the Senator leaves, the Bible study that he has referenced is one that Jim and I and a handful of other and s join in every Thursday when we are in session, with Barry Black, the Chaplain of the Senate, and it has been hosted literally in the hideaway of Jim Inhofe. So it is a home game for him, but it is a home game for and s just to share some time together in prayer and faith and some of the challenges we face. prgtoken Some people across the country watch the news all the time--you would think we hate each other here and we never want to work together, never want to get anything done. Thanks in no small part to Jim Inhofe's hospitality and participation and example, that is not the case. prgtoken So I just want to add my comments as well. prgtoken He is the two-time chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee and a great partner with me in reducing emissions from buses and diesel engines and stuff like that. He is the lead on the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act. So I just want to say there are some good environmentalists in Oklahoma, and on all the issues we have dealt with, Jim Inhofe has been one of those.
Nomination of Elizabeth Frawley Bagley (Executive Session)
Amy Klobuchar (Democrat, MN) \u2014 2022-12-6

I come to the floor today to support Elizabeth Bagley's nomination to serve as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Federative Republic of Brazil. prgtoken Elizabeth brings to this position significant experience in diplomacy, law, and foreign affairs. Over the course of her incredible career, she has served our country as Ambassador to Portugal, as a senior adviser to multiple Secretaries of State, and as congressional liaison to the Helsinki Accords and the Camp David Treaties. prgtoken At the State Department, she was the first person to serve as the Special Representative for Global Partnerships, an office which worked to advance foreign policy priorities through private sector engagement. She has a background in international law and shared that expertise with the students at Georgetown University Law Center. Through her years advising key leaders like Madeleine Albright, Hillary Clinton, and John Kerry, Elizabeth gained the experience needed to represent our country on the world stage. prgtoken We all know about the key role Ambassadors play in diplomacy. U.S. and broader democratic efforts suffer when we do not have an Ambassador in place--someone to officially represent the U.S. Government, to lead our Foreign Service Officers abroad, and to strengthen diplomatic ties with other nations. prgtoken This is particularly true of Brazil, a country that is home to a U.S. Embassy, four consulates, a branch office, and decades of partnership. More than 40,000 students, teachers, and professionals have participated in exchanges between the United States and Brazil. The United States is Brazil's second largest trading partner, and our governments and law enforcement agencies work closely together to combat money laundering, arms trafficking, and human trafficking. prgtoken To manage the many challenges facing the world today--food shortages from Russia's invasion of Ukraine, rising temperatures and extreme weather events, continuing recovery from the pandemic, and China's growing influence around the world, we need capable Ambassadors in place to share democratic values and secure America's place in the world. Time and time again, Elizabeth Bagley has proven herself to be the kind of leader who is up for the task. prgtoken Don't take it just from me. Elizabeth has been awarded the Secretary of State's Distinguished Honor Award, given for those who have made significant contributions to the Agency's mission, and the Portuguese Government has conferred upon her the Grand Cross of Prince Henry the Navigator, Portugal's highest civilian honor. prgtoken I am proud to say I will be voting for Elizabeth Bagley as Ambassador to Brazil, and I urge my colleagues to do the same.
ARMS SALES NOTIFICATION
Robert Menendez (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2022-12-6

section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act requires that Congress receive prior notification of certain proposed arms sales as defined by that statute. Upon such notification, the Congress has 30 calendar days during which the sale may be reviewed. The provision prgtoken stipulates that, in the Senate, the notification of proposed sales shall be sent to the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. prgtoken In keeping with the committee's intention to see that relevant information is available to the full Senate, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record the notifications which have been received. If the cover letter references a classified annex, then such annex is available to all Senators in the office of the Foreign Relations Committee, room SD-423.
ORDER OF PROCEDURE
Margaret Wood Hassan (Democrat, NH) \u2014 2022-12-6

I ask unanimous consent that the cloture motions with respect to the Perez and Murphy nominations be withdrawn and that notwithstanding rule XXII, tomorrow at 11:30 a.m the Senate vote on confirmation of the Perez nomination and cloture on the Scott nomination; that if cloture is invoked on the Scott nomination, at 1:30 p.m the Senate vote on confirmation of the Scott and Murphy nominations; and that at 5 p.m the Senate vote on cloture on the Hopkins nomination and confirmation of the Blackwell nomination; further, that the cloture motions with respect to the Montgomery-Reeves and Douglas nominations ripen following disposition of the Hopkins nomination; and finally, that if any nominations are confirmed during Wednesday's session of the Senate, the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table and the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action.