mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024--Continued
Chris Van Hollen (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2023-7-27

I concur with many of my colleagues that spending on defense is important to meet our national security needs and support our allies like Ukraine. My State of Maryland plays an important role in bolstering national defense, advancing critical research, and supporting our military, and I strongly support the work of our bases. prgtoken However, it is clear to me that we as a country are not spending our money wisely. The defense budget has grown considerably and, despite its size, has not passed an independent audit. Admiral Mike Mullin, the former Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said in reference to defense spending that ``with the increasing defense budget, which is almost double, it hasn't forced us to make the hard trades. It hasn't forced us to prioritize.'' prgtoken While I do not believe that across-the-board cuts are ever the best way to reduce spending, I voted in favor of the Sanders amendment to send a message that we need to put our defense dollars to much better use and make the hard choices necessary to right-size our defense spending.
SUPPORTING OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Jill N. Tokuda (Democrat, HI) \u2014 2023-7-27

I am definitely out of breath. I ran here from my other hearing because this was just such an important hour that we participate in. prgtoken Patsy Takemoto Mink is the mother of Title IX. She had a vision and a dream for her daughter and for all of our children, to live a life free from the kind of discrimination she suffered as a woman of color. prgtoken Her groundbreaking advocacy and reforms have since paved the way to allow all of our children to fully participate and engage in their education, in sports, and in all other forms of learning as their true, authentic selves. prgtoken Removing discrimination and inequity on the basis of sex was personal for Congresswoman Mink. Throughout her pursuit of higher education, she faced racial discrimination, segregation, and limited opportunities simply because she was a woman. prgtoken Many of us serving here in Congress on both sides of the aisle are here because of Patsy's perseverance and courage, and I am humbled to serve in the seat that she held with such grit and such grace. Like Patsy, I see every action or inaction we take here in Congress through the lens of a mother. prgtoken While we cowardly delay action on gun legislation, I leave home each week terrified that one day an active shooter drill at my sons' school might not be a drill at all. prgtoken As we fight book bans and the perverse culture wars of the far right, I wonder how my boys will feel when they see less and less of themselves in what is represented as history, and in the books that are on the library shelves. prgtoken While we watch as bullies in Congress try to push our loved ones back into the closet through guilt and shame, I hug my babies, now teenagers, every single chance I get, and I remind them, as I have since they were little, of my unconditional love for them and my only wish for them to be whomever they seek to be. prgtoken As we fight in this Chamber, kicking and screaming against what is nothing less than a movement to use our children as a means to institutionalize racism, legitimize discrimination, and oppress marginalized people and communities of color around our country, I often sit and ask myself: What would Patsy say? What would Patsy do? prgtoken I cannot speak for this great tower of a woman, but I know in my heart that she would not stand for this kind of politicization of our children. She would stand shoulder to shoulder with all of us and say: Hell, no, not today. Not today.
SECURING THE U.S. ORGAN PROCUREMENT AND TRANSPLANTATION NETWORK ACT
Ron Wyden (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2023-7-27

. for being our leader here in the Congress and, frankly, for this Nation because he has consistently made the point that given the demographics of where we are going to have so many more older people, where we have so many young people at risk, we desperately need Chairman Sanders to do what he is talking about, which is to address this massive shortage of healthcare workers in America. prgtoken Addressing healthcare workforce shortages means we are going to have to have fresh, big league ideas to get these workers all across our country, and it is vitally important that we address several of the biggest ideas Chairman Sanders and I are talking about. prgtoken For example, expanding funding for the Medicare Graduate Medical Education Program--what is called GME--would grow the number of doctors, especially primary care physicians and psychiatrists. prgtoken This evening, Chairman Sanders, I want to make it clear that our two committees--yours doing important work, what is known as HELP, and ours on the Finance Committee--we are committed to bipartisan legislation that is going to increase investments in the Medicare Graduate Medical Education Program. We are also going to focus on incentivizing healthcare providers to partner with schools to train and develop healthcare professionals from medical assistants to advanced practice nurses. prgtoken We are also going to have to address expanding the number of behavioral health providers because we know we have an enormous mental health program challenge in America. We have to increase access to maternal health programs in rural areas and invest in the direct care workforce to ensure the health and safety of older Americans and those with disabilities. prgtoken What Senator Sanders is talking about is an all-hands-on-deck approach with our two committees, the two lead committees in the healthcare area working together to increase the number of workers. prgtoken Tonight, Chairman Sanders, as chair of the Finance Committee, I want to make clear that I intend to work very closely with you on these issues. We are going to be partners in the effort in the Finance and HELP Committees to bring forward legislation in the fall to address the healthcare workforce crisis in America. And I want to hear the rest of your remarks and hope then we can have a lifting of the objection and pass the bill.
BIDENOMICS
Ted Lieu (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2023-7-27

today Bloomberg reported that U.S. GDP growth accelerated to 2.4 percent blowing past economists' estimates. prgtoken Consumer confidence is also at the highest level in over 2 years, and inflation has now declined for 12 consecutive months to a low of 3 percent. The United States has the highest GDP growth and the lowest inflation of all the G-7 countries. prgtoken So growth is up, consumer confidence is up, and inflation is down. This is omics, and it did not happen by accident. prgtoken When were in control last term, we passed numerous laws to grow our economy from the bottom up and the middle out. We passed the American Rescue Plan, the Inflation Reduction Act, the CHIPS and Science Act, and the infrastructure law. All those laws have now grown our economy and grown the middle class. prgtoken What are s focused on? prgtoken Putting women in jail for concealing abortions. Artificial Intelligence
IMPACT OF GUN VIOLENCE IN AMERICA
Shontel M. Brown (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2023-7-27

. Madam , I thank Congressman Jackson and Congresswoman Cherfilus-McCormick for leading a Special-Order Hour on July 25 to discuss the impact of gun violence on Black communities. prgtoken As members of the Congressional Black Caucus, we have an obligation to speak out prgtoken on behalf of our constituents, and an obligation to work towards a more just society for everyone. prgtoken And this Special Order is so important because gun violence is devastating our communities. The conservative Supreme Court and radical state legislatures have weakened our gun safety laws and Black families in Black neighborhoods are paying the price. prgtoken My district is not immune. In Cleveland earlier this month, 9 people were shot in a mass shooting. Gun violence is leaving trauma, fear, and pain across Northeast Ohio. The party that likes to talk about freedom, has left my constituents in fear, unable to enjoy everyday activities without the fear of gun violence. prgtoken And I am a licensed gun owner. But I fully support gun safety legislation, including an assault weapons ban, creating universal background checks, closing dangerous loopholes and more. Because I have the audacity to believe that my constituents deserve to feel safe. prgtoken Finally, I want to stress that we can't give up hope. prgtoken Large majorities of the American people want us to act. And last year, Congress passed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. That's right, it was bipartisan. And we were able to strengthen background checks and impose new penalties on illegal purchases. prgtoken That's why we have to continue to speak out and continue to work the legislative process. We owe our constituents nothing less.
HONORING NORTH RIVERSIDE'S 100TH ANNIVERSARY
Jesús G. "Chuy" García (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2023-7-27

today I rise to celebrate the centennial anniversary of the village North Riverside, Illinois. prgtoken This area now known as North Riverside sits on Potawatomi land that was purchased by a real estate and fur trading company in 1835. prgtoken By 1900, onion farmers had begun to move to the area, and the village grew from there. prgtoken The bright neon lights and blaring brass sounds of the legendary Melody Mill ballroom that were a mainstay of the big band era attracted people from all over who were looking for a lindy-hopping night of jazz and swing music. prgtoken North Riverside continues to be a thriving place with a vibrant theater scene, sports, scouting, and even a quilting club. Every street has a block captain who helps neighbors and seniors with errands and much more. prgtoken Here is to the next 100 years, North Riverside.
PROVIDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL UNDER CHAPTER 8 OF TITLE 5, UNITED STATES CODE, OF THE RULE SUBMITTED BY THE UNITED STATES FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE RELATING TO "ENDANGERED AND THREATENED...
Debbie Dingell (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2023-7-27

I rise today in strong opposition to S.J. Res. 24. prgtoken This year, we're celebrating the 50th anniversary of the enactment of the Endangered Species Act. prgtoken This milestone anniversary is very special to me. Not only is protecting America's imperiled species one of my top priorities, but it's a value that was shared by my husband. prgtoken As an avid outdoorsman, strengthening our Nation's conservation and environmental policies was a core value of his, which is why he was 1 of the lead authors of the Endangered Species Act 50 years ago. prgtoken But instead of celebrating this historic legislation's successes over the course of the last half century, our colleagues across the aisle are pushing legislation to worsen the already-dire state of America's wildlife and attack the Endangered Species Act. prgtoken We are in the midst of a biodiversity crisis that's threatening the future of some of America's most treasured species. A report has recently found that 49 percent of bird species worldwide have declining populations, and monarch butterflies have declined 85 percent in 2 decades. This should alarm all of us. prgtoken That's why I'm so disappointed with the resolution under consideration, and further attack the ESA by using the Congressional Review Act to gut protections for the lesser prairie-chicken and northern long-eared bat. prgtoken I want to take a moment to point out how ridiculous and ill-timed these resolutions are. prgtoken We are all preparing to go home and spend the next 6 weeks working in our districts. So this week, the last time we will be passing legislation until September, our colleagues have decided to use these final moments to push bats and chickens to the brink of extinction instead of doing anything to actually address our Nation's worsening biodiversity crisis, like making proactive investments in wildlife to prevent the need for additional listings in the first place. prgtoken In the middle of an expanding heatwave that's directly harming communities across the Nation, I find inaction on the climate and biodiversity crisis irresponsible and these resolutions entirely misguided.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Tammy Baldwin (Democrat, WI) \u2014 2023-7-27

I rise in opposition to this amendment. prgtoken The author has not truly revealed what the amendment does. prgtoken On all of our Federal buildings, we often see many different flags-- the U.S. flag that we all join in pledging in this body but also, in certain States, the State flag. We see the MIA flag. I will tell you, in Madison, WI, at the State capitol, during the month of June, it adorns the Pride flag. prgtoken This really is thinly veiled. Let's be clear that this is about not being able to fly the Pride flag. prgtoken I was so proud last year to work across the aisle with both and s to pass the Respect for Marriage Act. It was a milestone for equal rights for all Americans. But like so many other Americans in leading this march toward equality, I am reminded of how much work we have yet to do. prgtoken LGBTQ+ Americans are our neighbors, our loved ones, our constituents, and our colleagues. They serve in our Armed Forces and in the Federal Government, making sacrifices every day for their country. They work in our Federal buildings, our post offices, and in our own offices. They serve in our military and put their lives at risk for our country. These Federal buildings connect Americans to their government--a government of, by, and for the people. But, for too long, LGBTQ+ Americans have felt unwelcomed and sometimes unsafe in these spaces-- these spaces that are meant to serve them too. prgtoken I think the American people are getting tired of politicians who make their support for our military servicemembers and their families contingent upon pushing a discriminatory agenda whether that be about women's rights or LGBTQ+ rights.
HONORING COLLEEN DOLAN
Janice D. Schakowsky (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2023-7-27

I rise today to honor my constituent Colleen Dolan, from Chicago, for a successful career and to congratulate her on her much-deserved retirement. prgtoken Graduating from Lewis University with a degree in sociology and psychology, Colleen Dolan entered the workforce in 1975 as a bank teller at the First National Bank of Winnetka. After a year, she took the first step in what would be an impressively steep climb up the human resources corporate ladder as a Profit-Sharing Analyst in corporate accounting at the Continental Illinois National Bank. At Continental, she held several positions, rising to the rank of Sales Director--Personal Banking Relations at the end of her 13-year stint at the bank. Along the way, she had two boys, Shaun and Ryan Dolan, and instilled confidence in her late father, a Zenith Business Executive, that her degrees would be useful in carving out a promising career in a field he was only beginning to understand. prgtoken In 1989, Colleen made a considerable leap forward as the U.S. Director of Human Resources for Leica Microscope, a position she held for 10 years before transitioning into the world of commercial real estate: first as the Vice President of Compensation & Benefits for a year at Equity Residential before moving to Transwestern, where she would spend the last and most fulfilling 23 years of her career. She embodied the company's purpose statement: empowering good people to do extraordinary things together, Colleen started at Transwestern as Vice President and ascended to hold the roles of Senior Vice President and Executive Vice President before ultimately prgtoken joining the C-suite as the Chief Human Resources Officer. prgtoken Of her many achievements and affiliations, Colleen is the proud recipient or member of the following: Transwestern Executive Committee and Board of Directors, Human Resources Management Association of Chicago, American Management Association (AMA), Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM), Chicago Compensation Association (CPC), Transwestern Founder's Award Recipient, Real Estate Forum's Women of Influence Recipient, Notable Leader in Human Resources by Crain's Chicago Business, and a member of Transwestern's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion program both at the Steering Committee level and through leadership on both the Training and Belonging committees. prgtoken I send my heartfelt congratulations to Colleen Dolan for a career spent putting people first, bettering the lives of others, and defining company culture based on her principles of inclusion, fairness, and deep compassion. I know she is looking forward to spending even more time with her grandchildren, Parker, Hadley, and Patch, her sons Shaun and Ryan, and their wives Ashley and Lizzie. I am hoping Colleen enjoys this time with her family, as she has earned it.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Ben Ray Luján (Democrat, NM) \u2014 2023-7-27

I want to commend Mr. Hawley and Mr. Crapo for the work they have done here and all of our colleagues and staff who have contributed to telling this story and the support that I expect to see today and that I hope will get this across the finish line. prgtoken Almost 80 years ago, New Mexico became ground zero for the detonation of the first nuclear bomb. Millions of people across the country traveled to theaters this weekend, and they saw a blockbuster centered around this infamous date. But not enough people have focused on the collateral damage caused by our Nation's nuclear weapons testing. People who sacrificed on behalf of our country for national security purposes, working day in and day out, in States like Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Missouri, Wyoming, South Dakota, Nevada, Texas, Oregon, North Dakota, Idaho, Utah, Montana, and others--they deserve our support. prgtoken Folks have traveled to Washington with lung cancer, oral cancer, asthma, heart problems, begging us to extend and expand the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act. A few years ago, an elder from the Navajo Nation traveled here to testify, and she looked us all in the eye, and she asked a simple question: Are you waiting for us all to die for the problem to go away? prgtoken I ask this body to show these victims compassion, understand their pain and suffering so that they know it has not gone unnoticed. prgtoken I respectfully ask for your vote. prgtoken .
HONORING SINEAD O'CONNOR
Greg Landsman (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2023-7-27

I rise today to honor the life and work of Sinead O'Connor. For me, Sinead was the first truly incredible singer songwriter, and she made me think. prgtoken She made all of us think about justice and about fairness. She made us think about who gets left behind and why it is on us to care for those left out. She stood up for the most vulnerable, not only in her songs, but at the expense of her own career. prgtoken , I will take this 1 minute to make sure that her family, friends, and fans know how much she meant to so many of us. prgtoken May we all, especially those of us in Congress, honor her by fighting for those in our communities who are most marginalized.
COMMEMORATING THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT
Danny K. Davis (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2023-7-27

today, I wish to commemorate the 33rd anniversary of the enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act, or ADA. This core civil rights law prohibits discrimination against Americans with disabilities by requiring public and private institutions to provide equal access to goods, services, and opportunities, such as employment, public transportation, and telecommunication. prgtoken Today, 1-in-4 U.S. adults has a disability that substantially impacts life. The law provides a framework to make the United States fully- accessible to tens of millions of Americans, whether in workplaces, housing, schools, transit, or businesses. I applaud the successes that the disability advocates have secured over the past decades. We know the passage of the ADA law was the beginning and not the end. According the Federal Transit Administration, 99 percent of all busses are ADA- accessible, in contrast to just 65 percent prior to the ADA. However, we still have metros, trains, and planes that are not accessible. A 2020 GAO report found that two-thirds of school districts had facilities with barriers that could limit access for people with disabilities. We also know that advocates have waged and continue to wage the legal battles to improve access to buildings and transportation that should have occurred 33 years ago. prgtoken Although disability advocates have secured important accomplishments over the past decades, much more is needed to achieve an equitable society for Americans with disabilities. Americans with disabilities face an unemployment rate of 6.8 percent compared to 3.7 percent for their peers without disabilities. According to a new analysis by the National Partnership for Women & Families: only 36 percent of prgtoken women with disabilities are employed compared to 70 percent of nondisabled women; only 31 percent of employed women with disabilities are economically secure; and American Indian/Alaska Native and Black women with disabilities are the least likely to be employed. These gaps reveal unacceptable disparities in employment opportunities. Furthermore, Americans with disabilities face barriers to receiving quality health care, such as service providers with inadequate training on how to properly treat patients with disabilities and medical facilities that have yet to make appropriate accommodations. Affordable housing, businesses, airplanes, bathrooms, and playgrounds still are not uniformly accessible. This restricted access reduces quality of life and presents obstacles that none of us should tolerate. prgtoken I am proud that I helped improve health care for those with disabilities during my tenure in Congress, including provisions in the Affordable Care Act that I championed to encourage community-based services for individuals with disabilities. We must continue to work to make choice for receiving care in one's community mandatory, not just optional. People should have the freedom to choose wher