mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Lindsey Graham (Republican, SC) \u2014 2024-1-16

I want to speak a few minutes on the business before the Senate here. Apparently, S. Res. 504 will be taken up in about an hour or so. And this resolution basically requires the Secretary of State to submit a report to the Foreign Relations Committees of the House and Senate regarding human rights practices and violations against the State of Israel regarding their operations in Gaza. prgtoken I can only imagine how this is playing in the Middle East. I can only imagine the joy that terrorist groups throughout the world have that we are even talking about such a proposal. prgtoken The question, I think, for this body--certainly, for me--is, what was October 7? Was it just a continuation of a tit for tat between Israel and Hamas, or was it an effort by Hamas--a terrorist organization under United States law--an effort to kill innocent civilians in Israel at a rate we haven't seen since the Holocaust? prgtoken I just got back. I would urge everybody in the body to go over there and take some time to visit the kibbutz--the kibbutzes in question, where Hamas came en masse, took over kibbutzes, cut the heads of children off, slaughtered people in front of their parents and their children, committed atrocities on par with the Nazis, if not beyond, and recorded them for posterity. So the response is, the U.S. Senate is going to ask for a report about how Israel is conducting military operations. Wow. prgtoken Again, to the terrorists who are emboldened, maybe, by this discussion--this is going to go down in flames. The Senate is going to reject this big time. And here's why: I think most people--at least on my side--see October 7 as Pearl Harbor on steroids. prgtoken What would happen after Pearl Harbor if some Senator or Congressman did something like this to America? prgtoken Did anybody in America believe that the response after Pearl Harbor was anything but total war? prgtoken The Japanese Empire and Nazi Germany were in league with Mussolini in Italy to destroy the world as we know it. A surprise attack against our forces on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, awakened this country, and we embarked on ``a noble crusade,'' I think as General Eisenhower-- eventually President Eisenhower--described, in destroying the Nazi regime and Imperial Japan. Nobody during those times would have suggested anything like this, because the only way you could prgtoken destroy those regimes was to destroy the infrastructure around the regimes. prgtoken The problem I have with this--not only does it empower the terrorists, it is the most tone-deaf thing maybe in the history of the Senate--is that it ignores the fact that Hamas has tunnels under hospitals, under schools. They use civilians as human shields. They routinely violate the law of war--and there is nothing in here about that. So all I can say is that the Senate will reject this idea. prgtoken And to the left, what are you thinking? To the people who go in and try to
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2024-1-16

yesterday, our Nation honored one of the most consequential lives in American history. The America in which Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr labored for change was the same America in which I grew up. prgtoken I was fortunate to be raised by parents who believed deeply in equal rights, but the scourge of segregation was not unfamiliar in the places I spent my formative years. prgtoken As I have shared with some of our colleagues before, I was especially lucky to witness one of the most climatic moments of the civil rights movement as I was a congressional intern here in Washington. I remember stepping outside my office on August 28, 1963, and taking in the enormous crowds that had flocked to participate in the March on Washington. I remember looking down toward the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial beyond. prgtoken I was too far away to hear Dr. King's immortal words with my own ears, but I was proud to be a witness to that remarkable history he wrote that day and throughout his extraordinary life. Government Funding prgtoken , now an entirely different matter, House and Senate negotiators worked hard and reached an agreement on top-line government funding levels for the current fiscal year, and work continues to deliver full-year appropriations through regular order. Shutting down the government, even part of it, would interrupt this important progress. That is why, today, the Senate will begin the process of passing a short-term extension of government funding to allow this work to continue. prgtoken I am grateful that the of the House was able to secure serious rollbacks on reckless spending, but it remains to be seen whether the administration can get serious on its responsibility to provide for the common defense. For 3 straight years, the President has turned in budget requests with real dollar cuts to funding America's Armed Forces. Even a quick glance around the world shows how little we can afford to shortchange the men and women defending the United States and our interests. We need to take this responsibility seriously. Iran prgtoken , now, on another matter, 3 years ago, I warned the administration that it needed to take a tougher approach to growing threats from Iran and its terrorist proxies. I warned against removing the Houthis from the Terrorist Watchlist, and I called attention to how, even then, Iran was increasing its shipments of ever deadlier and longer range weapons to the terrorists in Yemen. prgtoken But from the beginning, the administration chose to meet Iranian aggression with accommodation. The President's team operated on a profoundly naive assessment of the threat that we face. They abandoned pressure and squandered leverage in an attempt to revive a failed nuclear deal. prgtoken They hectored regional partners under attack, as if their defensive action
PROTECTING ALL CHILDREN, BORN AND UNBORN
John Joyce (Republican, PA) \u2014 2024-1-16

this week the Pennsylvania State Police released a report outlining the amount of illegal drugs that have been seized in Pennsylvania during arrests in 2023. The facts of this report are shocking, showing that over 240 pounds of fentanyl were seized in the past year compared to 35 pounds of heroin. prgtoken These statistics represent a dangerous new reality for our communities, that fentanyl and its analogues, which can be fatal in incredibly small doses, are now readily accessible and widespread throughout the State of Pennsylvania. prgtoken Right now, lives are at stake as this poison continues to permeate into the United States. As I travel throughout central and southwestern Pennsylvania, I have heard from coroners who tell me that these drugs are very easy to get and very fast to kill. prgtoken It is time for the Senate to immediately take up the HALT Fentanyl Act and permanently classify these drugs as schedule I narcotics and create strict penalties for the cartels and for the dealers who traffic them. prgtoken , we cannot afford to stand by as our constituents are killed by fentanyl poisonings.
AUTHORITY OF U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION TO CONSOLIDATE, MODIFY, OR REORGANIZE CUSTOMS REVENUE FUNCTIONS
Adrian Smith (Republican, NE) \u2014 2024-1-16

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , America's trading relationships, as well as the challenges we face in trade around the world, are evolving every day. We must respond to those challenges now, not years in the future. prgtoken Families, farmers, workers, and small businesses rely on us to look out for them in an increasingly complex world. prgtoken Last year, the Committee on Ways and Means traveled to the port of Staten Island in New York and a cattle auction barn in Minnesota to listen to the American people whose livelihoods depend on international trade. They all asked Congress to do more to insist on strong enforcement of our trade laws. prgtoken The bill before us, H.R. 5862, will help address the challenges of ever-changing threats around the world through more effective enforcement of U.S. trade laws. It takes six narrowly defined jobs at Customs and Border Protection and replaces them with a single position of trade specialist in the agency's Office of International Trade. prgtoken This streamlining will make CBP respond faster and more effectively to our Nation's trade challenges and protect and defend America's economic interests. prgtoken I thank the bill's sponsor and author, certainly, Representative Steel, as well as Representative Panetta, for taking the lead on this critical issue for American workers and the security of our supply chains. This bipartisan legislation will help ensure that American workers, families, farmers, and small businesses are not left behind. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and .
ISRAELI HOSTAGES' AWARENESS
David Kustoff (Republican, TN) \u2014 2024-1-16

this past Sunday marked 100 days since Hamas, an Iranian-backed terrorist organization, brutally slaughtered, tortured, and kidnapped innocent Israelis. prgtoken On the morning of October 7, 2023, these barbaric extremists murdered individuals and families in cold blood. They raped women; they beheaded infants; they mutilated bodies; they burned people in their homes; and they abducted men, women, children, and the elderly. These are things that are very hard to say on the floor of the House of Representatives. prgtoken This is an incredible statement: More Jews were murdered on October 7 than on any other single day since the Holocaust. Today, 136 innocent hostages still remain in Hamas' custody in Gaza. prgtoken Our hearts ache with the families of the hostages. We will not rest until every single one of their loved ones returns home. We are waiting for the hostages, and we are fighting for them. prgtoken That is why I am honored and privileged to lead a bipartisan initiative in the House of Representatives to highlight the stories of these innocent hostages. Together, it is my hope that we can bring awareness to those viciously kidnapped by Hamas, and we can clearly say with one voice: Bring them all home. prgtoken I will begin by sharing the story of Agam Berger. Agam, who is 19 years old, was more than one of 240 innocent Israelis taken captive by Hamas terrorists on October 7. prgtoken According to family and friends, Agam loves to volunteer with people with special needs and with children who have learning disabilities. prgtoken Agam and 135 hostages are still being held captive in Gaza, enduring incredible torture and trauma. prgtoken Agam's father, Shlomi Berger, said that he dreads what his daughter is going through after viewing footage of her wounded and scared along with three other teenage hostages. prgtoken Hamas should release Agam immediately, along with all of the other remaining hostages. Our country's strong support for Israel must not waver. It is time to bring Agam home. It is time to bring all of the innocent hostages home. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues to join me in this crucial effort to demonstrate our support for the hostages and for their families.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
John Cornyn (Republican, TX) \u2014 2024-1-16

we are all returning to a snowy Washington, DC, but it never ceases to amaze me, when I come back to the Nation's Capital from home, back in Texas, the disconnect between what people are focused on back home--namely, their jobs, their family, and, well, football. That didn't turn out so well for us this weekend. But the mainstream media and, of course, social media, which amplifies what people are talking about or the message that they want to convey-- the so-called influencers, which are, really, in some instances, no more than propagandists--and even our foreign adversaries are engaging in a nonstop battle to control the narrative here in Washington, DC, on a variety of issues, including the terrorist attack that occurred in Israel on October 7 of last year. prgtoken Yesterday marked 100 days since Hamas terrorists murdered more than 1,200 Israelis and took about 240 hostages. I traveled to Israel with several of my Senate colleagues on the Senate Intelligence Committee last week, and we witnessed the grief and the fear that has gripped the Israeli people over the last few months. It was a familiar feeling because it seemed very much like where the American people were 3 months after the attacks of 9/11/2001, when al-Qaida killed 3,000 Americans. prgtoken In Tel Aviv, photos of the hostages who were still being held captive by Hamas lined the walkway. The photo of a 9-month-old baby held hostage literally stopped me in my tracks, wondering who would it be, what kind of person would take a 9-month-old baby and hold it hostage. prgtoken In the face of every person I spoke with, from families of hostages to senior government officials, there was, understandably, a deep sense of shock, mourning, and anger. Again, it reminded me of how we felt after 9/11. We were grieving, we were shocked, we were angry, and we were absolutely committed to holding those responsible accountable. prgtoken Our shared sense of purpose extended far beyond the borders of the United States. Our friends and allies around the world said: We have America's back. And they have supported our mission to destroy the al- Qaida threat. prgtoken That is exactly the kind of response you would expect when a terrorist group viciously attacks a friend--solidarity. Sadly, Israel has not received the overwhelming support that our country did in the wake of 9/11. In the more than 100 days since this war began, Israel has been criticized for defending itself. It has been villainized for going after the terrorist group that murdered, raped, and kidnapped its people. prgtoken This is not a view just held by a few people. Anti-Israeli rhetoric has spread like wildfire across social media. It has taken root at elite college campuses and even here in the Halls of Congress. prgtoken This past weekend, we saw the latest chapter in blaming the victim, as thousands of protesters gathered in downtown Washington, DC, to demand a ceasefire in Gaza. I wou
CELEBRATING THE RETIREMENT OF WARD SWEAT
Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (Republican, GA) \u2014 2024-1-16

I rise today in remembrance of Bob Griffith, who passed away at the age of 79. prgtoken Bob Griffith, Sr was a longtime Effingham County football coach and was best known as a family man with dedication to his sport, his fellow coaches, and his players. prgtoken Griffith was a former Virginia Tech team captain, having also coached at Effingham County High School, Appling County, and Colquitt County. He was also a member of the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame, and he was awarded both State and regional Coach of the Year back in 1987. prgtoken Griffith worked for some time at Georgia Tech where he was honored with a scholarship established in his name, endowed by many of his former players. prgtoken However, coaching was about much more than any wins or awards. Friends of Griffith have spoken to his character, explaining how he was always helping out the Effingham program by showing up to spring practices and helping to raise money. Bob Griffith's legacy will be remembered by his teams, family, friends, community, and so many more. Congratulating Ricciardi's Pizza
DENOUNCING THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION'S OPEN-BORDERS POLICIES, CONDEMNING THE NATIONAL SECURITY AND PUBLIC SAFETY CRISIS ALONG THE SOUTHWEST BORDER, AND URGING PRESIDENT BIDEN TO END HIS...
Harriet M. Hageman (Republican, WY) \u2014 2024-1-17

for years, we have sounded the alarm about the crisis at our southern border. Yet, this can no longer be called a crisis. prgtoken What we face is an existential threat to our Nation, and it is a threat enabled by the administration. Since taking office, the administration has flouted and defied countless laws of the United States in order to prop up their blatantly illegal open-border policies. prgtoken Countless officials, including , Vice President , and Secretary of Homeland Security Mayorkas, have violated their oath of office by failing to faithfully discharge the duties of their offices and protect our Nation. prgtoken Under President , 8 million illegal aliens have been stopped at our borders, and over 1.7 million known got-aways have entered the Nation, with an untold number of illegal aliens crossing undetected. prgtoken In total, 's border failures have resulted in illegal immigrant totals that are well over 14 times the entire population of the State of Wyoming. prgtoken The 94 executive actions taken in President 's first 100 days alone have decimated all progress made by the administration to secure our Nation, ending the remain in Mexico program, halting construction on the border wall, and handicapping the ability of Federal law enforcement to actually enforce the law. These actions and dozens like them by the administration have deliberately created an environment where the rule of law no longer exists, where fentanyl kills our children and friends, and where no community in America can be considered safe. prgtoken Our hospitals are incurring literally tens of millions of dollars in uncompensated care, and our farmers are going broke because of the destruction of their crops. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of H. Res. 957 and call on the administration to end their dangerous open-border policies that place Americans at risk.
AMENDING THE PERMANENT ELECTRONIC DUCK STAMP ACT OF 2013--Motion to Proceed--Continued
Deb Fischer (Republican, NE) \u2014 2024-1-17

last week the administration announced over half a billion dollars in subsidies for electric vehicle, or EV, charging stations. That half billion follows 2 billion more that has already been handed out to States, despite the fact that only 4 percent of Americans own EVs. prgtoken This is a common trend for this administration: forcing untested, expensive solutions onto the American people in the name of climate change. prgtoken But according to the Wall Street Journal, only two federally funded EV charging stations have been built since became President, even though billions of taxpayer dollars are subsidizing those projects. prgtoken And Americans remain hesitant to drive these expensive cars. Last year, 84 percent of Americans said they are not considering buying one. The EV malfunctions that have happened over the past few days of this winter weather that we have been having across my part of the country only serve to confirm their choices. prgtoken The administration's plan for massive adoption of EVs over the next 8 years is a pipedream. But there are realistic, practical reforms we can make that would benefit the environment without limiting freedom or harming our economy. One of them is approving the sale of gasoline blends with 15 percent ethanol, or E15. prgtoken My legislation, the Nationwide Consumer and Retailer Choice Act, would cut redtape and remove roadblocks to the sale of E15. prgtoken Today, California is the only State that hasn't approved the sale of this partially renewable fuel, an unusual stance for a State that styles itself as a leader in protecting the environment. prgtoken Should California join the other 49 States in approving E15, that nationwide approval would benefit our environment, our economy, and our energy independence. prgtoken Emissions from ethanol are 46 percent lower than from traditional gasoline. One study found that corn ethanol contributed to a reduction of 500 million tons in emissions between 2005 and 2019. prgtoken Studies show that if all the gas in California had been E15 in 2022, there would have been a 450 million-gallon reduction in petroleum consumption. That switch, it would have resulted in greenhouse gas savings of 2.2 billion metric tons, and that is in California alone. These environmental benefits would increase exponentially if E15 were used more across this country. prgtoken Not only do higher ethanol blends of gasoline emit less greenhouse gases, but the corn used in its production soaks up massive amounts of additional CO2. This is a doubly positive effect that should please even the most skeptical of our environmental friends. prgtoken It has been proven by NASA--by the scientists at NASA with data that they have gathered from their satellites--that during the summer, the Corn Belt in the United States of America has more photosynthetic activity than even the Amazon rainforest. prgtoken Family farmers in the Corn Belt are help
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 6914, PREGNANT STUDENTS' RIGHTS ACT; PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 6918, SUPPORTING PREGNANT AND PARENTING WOMEN AND FAMILIES ACT; AND PROVIDING FOR...
Michelle Fischbach (Republican, MN) \u2014 2024-1-17

we are here to debate the rule providing for consideration of H.R. 6914 and H.R. 6918, which provides 1 hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the Committee on Education and the Workforce and the Committee on Ways and Means, respectively, and provides each one motion to recommit. The rule further provides for consideration of H. Res. 957 under a closed rule, with 1 hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the Committee on the Judiciary. prgtoken , citizens across this country, and even Members on both sides of the aisle, have been imploring this administration to end its open-border policies, yet these cries have fallen on deaf ears. The President has failed to maintain operational control of this Nation's borders, causing the worst border crisis in American history. prgtoken Of course, this crisis extends way beyond the border. Every community in the country is facing the consequences of this administration's failure, from the strain on schools to the horrifying fentanyl epidemic being worsened by the astonishing amount of narcotics coming across the border. prgtoken In short, the policies of this administration have created a border crisis, a national security crisis, and a humanitarian crisis. It is so irresponsible and embarrassing that I almost understand why the administration refuses to take responsibility for it. prgtoken Be that as it may, the fact is the responsibility lies with Secretary Mayorkas; the appointed border czar, Vice President ; and President . prgtoken H. Res. 957 condemns the national security and public safety crises these actors and other administration officials have created, denounces the administration's open-border policies, and urges the President to end said policies. prgtoken We are also here to discuss two pieces of legislation to support expectant mothers. H.R. 6914, the Pregnant Students' Rights Act, requires institutions of higher education to provide information on the rights of and accommodation and resources for pregnant students. According to the CDC, nearly one-third of all abortions performed in America are for women aged 20 to 24, college-aged students. While most colleges are required to accommodate pregnant students under Title IX, many women are unaware of those requirements and the resources available to them and feel that they have to have an abortion or give up their educational goals. prgtoken This bill simply requires these institutions to share information about resources and accommodations they already provide. prgtoken H.R. 6918, the Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families Act, a bill I introduced with Representative Tenney from New York and Representative Chris Smith of New Jersey, prohibits the Department of Health and Human Services from keeping TANF dollars from being used to support pregnancy centers. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families provides $16.5 billion annually to support ass