mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
Vaccine Mandate (Executive Calendar)
Christopher Murphy (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2021-12-8

it is not often that you get the Business Roundtable, which is an organization representing some of the biggest private-sector companies in the world; the largest labor unions in the country; and the American public all on the same page on a policy. But that is what is happening with respect to the President's requirement that big employers in this country either test their employees regularly for COVID or they get vaccinated in order to stop the spread of this insidious disease. prgtoken This is a very popular proposal, and it is popular for a simple reason: People are exhausted with having their lives fundamentally changed, turned upside down by a pandemic that we have the power to stop. prgtoken We have the power to stop it because of researchers and scientists who discovered a vaccine that is wildly more effective than the vaccines that have been invented to attack other diseases--90 percent effective, if not more, against COVID. If everybody got vaccinated in this country, we could all take off our masks. If everybody was vaccinated in this country, we wouldn't have to be passing emergency relief bills to keep the economy afloat. If everybody got vaccinated, we could open back up all of our restaurants. That is what Americans want. That is why this policy is so popular. prgtoken And I understand what my friend from Oklahoma is saying, that they are not arguing over the efficacy of the vaccine, they are just arguing over the constitutional powers of the Presidency. prgtoken But come on. Come on. We understand the power of our words in this place. s know that when they come down to the floor and attack the vaccine mandate day after day after day, they know they are giving fuel to the fire of the anti-vaccine campaign. They know that they have become an extension of those that are trying to convince Americans that the vaccine has a microchip in it, that the vaccine kills you. prgtoken It just strains credibility for my colleagues to suggest that there is no connection between the anti-vaccination campaign in this country and those that are every single day on the floor of the Senate talking about how dangerous it is to require that people in this country get the vaccine. There is a connection, and the growing movement of people in this country who think that the vaccine is some conspiracy to hurt people--well, this movement to try to end the vaccine campaign by the President, it is wind underneath their wings. prgtoken But let's talk about what this policy really is because it is actually not a mandate for vaccinations. It is a testing mandate. Right? That is what it is. What it says is that everybody in these big employers has to get tested once a week, and if you don't want to get tested, then your employees can get vaccinated. prgtoken Let's be clear. This is a testing requirement, not a vaccination requirement, and that testing requirement is totally consistent with th
Tribute to Sara Hottman (Executive Session)
Jeff Merkley (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2021-12-8

few things are harder in this job than when you have to say goodbye to a member of your team. With all of the time we spend together, it is impossible not to grow close to the men and women who make up that team. The team members become our colleagues, our friends, our families. prgtoken I am here on the floor today to recognize and bid farewell to a valued and integral member of my Senate family who, after more than 5 years, is leaving to start the next chapter of her career. She is my State communications director, Sara Hottman. prgtoken During her time on Team Merkley, Sara has not only helped communicate my message to the people back home in Oregon about the work I am doing on their behalf here in DC, but she has used her well-connected ear to the ground to help keep me in the loop on issues evolving back home. prgtoken I have come to depend on her to keep me on the right track. She never shies away from delivering hard truths when they are needed. She has used her vast experience in all different facets of the communications world--as a reporter, as the communications director for a municipality, as head of strategic communications for the Oregon Zoo-- to help deliver our message to the people of the State. It doesn't hurt that in her spare time, Sara is a prolific kickboxer. So when she tells me something, I listen. She has been a real leader in our team, including participation in our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Steering Committee. prgtoken She has done an amazing job time and time again putting together State events. We have traveled all across our sizable State for events that included press conferences to announce policies; press conferences to hear from stakeholders in our State--for example, roundtables with nurses and medical professionals who are on the frontlines fighting the pandemic. Our events included townhalls--a gathering with community leaders in every county every year, followed by a public townhall with people who will ask any question they want. Our events included tours of State disasters. She expertly organized every event, ensuring media exposure and successfully striving to bring together a wide variety of expert and local voices to ensure that I was always learning more insights and perspectives on the issues that face us. prgtoken At the end of the day, as we prepared to overnight somewhere around the State in preparation for another long day, she always knew the perfect local watering hole for the team to post up at to reminisce on how things had gone and to recover in preparation for the day that followed. prgtoken When something went off the rails unexpectedly, she found a way to turn prgtoken it into an opportunity. When I was surveying damage to a town incinerated by the 2020 Labor Day fires, I became so immersed in examining the fire damage that the rest of the delegation went on to the next event, and suddenly I realized we were left behind. She didn't mi
CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE RESEARCH AND MANAGEMENT ACT
Ron Kind (Democrat, WI) \u2014 2021-12-8

as the original sponsor of H.R. 5608, the Chronic Wasting Disease Research and Management Act, I rise in strong support of this legislation, which did pass unanimously out of the Agriculture Committee. I do thank and commend my good friend and colleague from Pennsylvania (Mr. Thompson) for being one of the original sponsors of this legislation with me; of course, my dear friend, the chairman of the Agriculture Committee, Mr. Scott, for his support and leadership. prgtoken Throughout the years, I have been involved in a lot of debates and discussions on the House floor. I don't think I have ever been brought to blushing, and I thank the chairman for his kind introductory remarks and, of course, I thank my dear friend from South Dakota (Mr. Johnson) for those remarks. prgtoken , but to the task at hand, this legislation does authorize $70 million for research and management of prgtoken CWD, or chronic wasting disease, through USDA grants. Chronic wasting disease is a contagious neurological disease affecting cervid animals-- deer, elk, moose--and it is 100 percent fatal. And it is caused by misfolded proteins, or prions, as they are known, that ravages the animal's brain. prgtoken The legislation also authorizes USDA and State and Tribal agencies to develop educational materials to inform the public on CWD and directs USDA to review its certification program within 18 months. prgtoken CWD has been reported in over 25 States and is spreading. It not only is devastating to these animals and their herds but also to the outdoor recreation economy; namely, hunting, that depends on these animals. prgtoken Fortunately, the CDC has not found any jump from these animals to humans, and that is one of the reasons why we need further research to ensure that that does not happen. CWD presents one of the greatest threats to deer and other wild cervids in the United States and it has no known cure. prgtoken We have been battling this disease in Wisconsin for many years out of concern for the wildlife population and the adverse economic impact that it has, which is substantial. Hunters in Wisconsin have about $2.5 billion yearly economic impact, supports directly or indirectly over 35,000 jobs, and generates billions in salaries and wages. prgtoken Last year, 131 out-of-State hunters came into the State of Wisconsin just to participate in the 9-day deer gun hunt season, which always takes place during the week of Thanksgiving. They spent about $3.4 million. Nationwide, according to the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, hunting in America is big business, generating more than $67 billion in economic output and over 1 million jobs. prgtoken Now, we can stand here and throw more facts and figures about the economic toll the CWD is having, but as a kid who grew up loving to hunt in Wisconsin with my dad and my brothers--deer hunting, turkey hunting, duck hunting on the Mississippi, now we do most of our deer a
CATTLE CONTRACT LIBRARY ACT OF 2021
David Scott (Democrat, GA) \u2014 2021-12-8

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , I rise in strong support of H.R. 5609. prgtoken One of my goals, , as chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, is to ensure that our farmers and our ranchers are treated fairly. This bill, which creates a cattle contract library, will improve fairness through increasing transparency in the marketplaces. prgtoken , over the past few years, we have seen significant volatility in our cattle markets, and the Agriculture Committee has held hearings to discuss this volatility and the events that precipitated those price fluctuations. prgtoken As we look for ways to bring about parity to cattle markets, this bill is one good step in that right direction. prgtoken , I want to thank my friend, Mr. Johnson, for his work on this bill. This is a good reminder, another reminder, of the great bipartisan legislation that is possible when we and s work together to address important issues. I thank the gentleman, Mr. Johnson, for putting this bill forward. prgtoken , .
Unanimous Consent Requests--Executive Calendar (Executive Session)
Tim Kaine (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2021-12-8

we have no interest in silencing Senator Cruz. In fact, the agreed to allow Senator Cruz to present his amendment on Nord Stream 2 last week, and it was blocked by colleagues. prgtoken I have made a request for unanimous consent about two Ambassadors to the Americas and about someone who needs to attend a nuclear nonproliferation conference and lead the delegation from the United States. It happens once every 5 years, and it is coming up. prgtoken The Senator is allowed to speak about Nord Stream 2 for as long as he wants, but he shouldn't interrupt a UC for these three individuals to give a speech that he has given many times and that he is going to continue to give many times, and I am sure we are all going to hear it many times. prgtoken I would like a ruling on my request for unanimous consent on these three nominees.
PROTECTING OUR DEMOCRACY ACT
Carolyn B. Maloney (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2021-12-9

I rise in support of this amendment and thank the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Ocasio- Cortez) for her leadership in offering it. This amendment would clarify the Government Accountability Office's authority to investigate the intelligence community. prgtoken As Congress' watchdog, GAO helps to improve Federal Government performance and ensure accountability for the American people. GAO has the tools and expertise to ensure that classified information is treated with appropriate care and confidentiality. They have been doing that for decades. prgtoken For example, as part of its audit work, GAO is authorized to examine highly sensitive tax return information. Strict protocols are followed to protect that information while still enabling GAO to carry out its important legislative and oversight responsibilities. prgtoken This amendment includes important safeguards to balance the protection of sensitive information with the need for oversight of the intelligence community. prgtoken , I urge a strong ``yes'' vote on this amendment.
SOCIAL SECURITY 2100: A SACRED TRUST
Janice D. Schakowsky (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2021-12-9

. Madam , let me just close with this. We are going to hear, oh, well, you know, too much money. We can't afford to increase the benefits. I think it is important to remind people that Social Security was born during the greatest depression that this country had ever seen. prgtoken It was from the understanding of the President at that time, President Roosevelt, who understood that we cannot have poorhouses for older Americans. That this country, if we can't afford to do that, then we cannot call ourselves a real democracy, a country that really cares for people. prgtoken At this point we are the richest country in the world; the richest country ever on the planet. Now is the time when we need to do this. There is absolutely no excuse. You have said about the urgency of now. This is a moment of opportunity, and we should not make the mistake of overlooking it. prgtoken We have got everything in place. We have got your bill. We have got a President. It is time now to engage everyone in this country to say yes. Let's make improvements to one of the greatest things that ever happened in the United States, the greatest treasures that we have, and that is Social Security. prgtoken Let's make it even better. God bless you for leading the way on this. I am so proud to be helpful in any way that I can to be a partner with you. We can do this.
EDUCATORS FOR AMERICA ACT
Alma S. Adams (Democrat, NC) \u2014 2021-12-9

. Madam , today, I am proudly introducing the bicameral EDUCATORS for America Act, along with my colleagues, Representatives Axne, Hayes, and Gallego, and my partners Senators Reed and Casey. prgtoken Education is perhaps the most precious gift we have, the sharing of information about our world as we currently understand it to the next generation. Being an outstanding educator requires a generosity of spirit, a will of steel, and a heart full of empathy. prgtoken I understand the value of education. As an educator for forty years, l had the opportunity to see bright young minds in my classrooms hard at work. I always hoped that some of these bright young minds would go on to become educators themselves. prgtoken Unfortunately, I saw that students aspiring to become educators were sometimes discouraged--by the student debt they would face, by the salaries they would earn, and by the lack of support they would confront. prgtoken Educators are struggling, particularly as we continue to grapple with the pandemic. We cannot afford to neglect the educator pipeline any longer. We simply cannot wait for the next generation of educators to appear. We must act intentionally to urgently recruit educators into the classroom, and more importantly, retain educators in the classroom. As such, educators should be given the opportunities and support they need. This bill does just that: it addresses educator preparation, support for educators, financial assistance, and mobilization of states and local communities in improving the educator pipeline. prgtoken I will close with this quotation from a titan in American history, W.E.B. Du Bois: ``Of all the Civil Rights for which the world has struggled, and fought for 5,000 years, the right to learn is undoubtedly the most fundamental.''
MORNING BUSINESS
Robert Menendez (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2021-12-9

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 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.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2021-12-9

. I am disappointed by the objection by the Senator from Arkansas. prgtoken This has overwhelmingly bipartisan support in the House and in the Senate, and we had an opportunity to make history today and we missed that opportunity for the moment. prgtoken The suggestion that inspectors general are not up to the job of inspecting attorneys, I am afraid if you look at the fact that every other Federal Agency's lawyers are subject to review and scrutiny by the inspector general of their departments, it certainly says that particular observation is not accurate. prgtoken The argument that the Attorney General, because he is approved by the President directly and by Congress, should be the person to make this decision overlooks the obvious. Each inspector general goes through the approval process, the nomination process, and advise and consent of the Senate. So they are subject to the same level of scrutiny. prgtoken I might also add that what we are suggesting has been an evolution that I think really calls for this change that we have asked for in this measure. In the course of that evolution, in the year 2002, the inspector general's responsibilities were extended within the Department of Justice to apply to both the FBI and DEA agents who are involved, obviously, in significant law enforcement operations within the Department. The inspector general has handled that responsibility without jeopardizing any prosecutions. So I think that argument is certainly a weak argument when you look at the facts since 2002. prgtoken We will return with this. I am glad to have bipartisan support of Senators Lee and Grassley, who will have more to say on the subject. prgtoken I believe if we are going to apply this standard of IG responsibility for lawyers' activity across Federal Government, there is no reason to make an exception for the Department of Justice. prgtoken .
PROTECTING OUR DEMOCRACY ACT
Anna G. Eshoo (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2021-12-9

. Madam , I thank Congresswoman Maloney for her special leadership. I am so proud of my classmate. prgtoken Madam , as we gather here on the floor, it really is a somber day here at the Capitol with the remains of the former majority leader of the Senate, Senator Robert Dole. He was a man who fought for our democracy, paid for it in terms of the injuries that he sustained during the war, and came to Congress to defend our democracy. prgtoken That is what we are doing here on the floor of the House. We are working to protect our democracy. I am proud that my legislation is included in this. Let me say a few words about it. prgtoken Since Watergate, Presidential candidates and Vice Presidential candidates voluntarily put their tax returns out to the public. In 2016, there were two that were running, one on each side, that did not do that. I observed it. I was upset about it. I wrote legislation on it.
NOMINATION OF LUCY H. KOH
Dianne Feinstein (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2021-12-9

I rise today in support of the nomination of Lucy H. Koh to serve as a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. prgtoken Judge Koh is a highly respected member of the Federal judiciary and has served California well throughout her career. She would be a welcome addition to the Ninth Circuit bench. prgtoken I have long supported Judge Koh and am pleased that the Senate will soon be considering her nomination. I recommended Judge Koh for a seat on the Ninth Circuit back in 2016 and was pleased that President nominated her at that time. And I was disappointed that she did not receive a vote on the Senate floor, even though she received strong bipartisan support in the Judiciary Committee, which favorably reported her nomination. prgtoken I am pleased that Judge Koh was among the first circuit court nominees announced by President earlier this year. Her credentials are undeniably impressive. She received her undergraduate degree from Harvard College in 1990, and her law degree from Harvard Law School in 1993. prgtoken Judge Koh spent several years early in her career in public service, first as a legal fellow on the Senate Judiciary Committee's Immigration Subcommittee and then with the Department of Justice. Among her achievements while at the Justice Department, Judge Koh received an award from the FBI for ``Demonstrated Excellence in Prosecuting a Major Fraud Case.'' prgtoken She then brought her skills to the private sector, spending nearly a decade in private practice in Palo Alto, CA, where she became a distinguished intellectual property lawyer working on patent, trade secret, and commercial civil litigation. In 2008, she was appointed by California's then-Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, a , to serve as a judge on the California Superior Court for Santa Clara County. prgtoken In 2010, President nominated her to serve as a Federal district judge on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. The Senate voted unanimously, 90 to 0, to confirm her to that position. She has served with distinction as a Federal district judge for more than a decade. prgtoken Judge Koh has excelled throughout her career as a Federal prosecutor, in private practice, and as both a state and Federal judge. I have no doubt that she will continue to excel if she is confirmed to the Ninth Circuit. prgtoken Judge Koh has received bipartisan support each time her nomination has come before the Senate, including a bipartisan vote earlier this year in the Judiciary Committee. I urge all of my colleagues to support her nomination.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Brian Schatz (Democrat, HI) \u2014 2021-12-9

. I ask unanimous consent that, at 6:15 p.m all postcloture time on the House message to accompany S. 610 be expired; that the motion to concur with amendment be withdrawn; that if cloture is invoked on the Koh nomination, the Senate vote immediately--vote immediately--on the motion to invoke cloture on the Sung nomination; further, that if cloture is invoked on either nomination, all postcloture time be expired and the confirmation vote on the Koh nomination occur at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, December 13, and the confirmation vote on the Sung nomination occur at a time to be determined by the majority leader in consultation with the leader; further, that the cloture motions on the Elliott nomination and on the House message to accompany S. 1605 ripen on Tuesday, December 14.