mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
IN RECOGNITION OF CAROL DAWSON'S DEDICATED PUBLIC SERVICE TO VIRGINIA'S FIRST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
Robert J. Wittman (Republican, VA) \u2014 2022-4-27

. Madam , I rise today to recognize Carol Dawson for her service to this country and to Virginia's First Congressional District. Carol served in several positions in the Department of Energy during the Reagan administration, served across numerous Boards in Virginia, and most recently as a prominent member of the Lancaster County Party Committee. Carol's dedication to service and to citizen-leadership is an inspiration to others and I am thankful for her tireless efforts for Virginia's First District. prgtoken Carol has worked tirelessly, not only as a federal employee, but also as a state and civil servant. Carol served on the board of directors of the National Conservative Campaign, as well as a member of the Virginia Racing Commission under former Virginia Governor McDonnell. When I was informed that Carol would be leaving Virginia's First District to move closer to her family in Florida, I was saddened that this district would be losing an outstanding citizen. prgtoken Madam , I ask that you rise with me today to recognize Carol Dawson and her dedication to the constituents of Virginia's First District. Carol has and continues to live a wonderful life, and I wish her the best of luck on her future journey in life.
THE SOUTHERN BORDER
Glenn Grothman (Republican, WI) \u2014 2022-4-27

. Well, , while we were on break for the last 2 weeks, I spent some time at the southern border in three sectors, the San Diego sector, the El Centro sector, and the Yuma sector. And I think it is important that we try to educate the Chair of what is going down there. prgtoken I will start off by just talking about raw numbers that were recently released. And so our listeners understand, when you talk about the border, there are two groups: There are people who want to find the Border Patrol and check in and get a future date for a hearing as they ask for asylum; and there are people who sneak across, which we refer to as gotaways. prgtoken For certain reasons that I will soon address, the number of gotaways recently went up dramatically. And the number of gotaways is always an estimate because we don't catch them, we don't interview them. They are people who got away into the interior of the United States. prgtoken But we believe right now, or the Border Patrol believes, that in March, there were 62,000 gotaways; people who were not interviewed; people who we don't know who they are, who snuck in the country. prgtoken We also believe in March there were 90,000 people let in the country by the Border Patrol, usually asking for an asylum claim. prgtoken When we combine these two numbers--and by the way, there are other people who are turned around, and that is why you sometimes hear people say there were 220,000 contacts in March, which is true, but not all of those people were let in the country. prgtoken We do believe 152,000 people were let in the country. At least in the last 3 years, and as far as I know, forever, that is the highest number of people who have been let in the United States in 1 month. By way of comparison, a year ago, in March, we were at 63,000. So we went up from 63,000 to 153,000. prgtoken And if you go before March 2021, March 2020, coincidentally, a different President, we were at 11,000. So we have gone from 11,000 in March of 2020, to 63,000, to 152,000. That is a crisis by any standard. prgtoken Now, you might say, why are there so many more gotaways? Because when so many people are turning themselves in at the border--and by the way, there are about 10,000 unaccompanied minors who were let in this March as well, and it takes the Border Patrol a longer period of time to process the minors. prgtoken When there are so many people that have to be processed, the Border Patrol spends all their time doing paperwork and not guarding the border. There was a time when the Border Patrol reported to work and they guarded the border. Now, we were told in the sectors that I was at that 70 percent of the Border Patrol, when they show up at work, start doing paperwork. By the time their shift is over, 90 percent of the Border Patrol is doing paperwork, which is one of the reasons why so many more people are sneaking across the border. prgtoken By the way, if you wanted to take illegal drugs into the count
Introductory Statement on S. 4094
John Thune (Republican, SD) \u2014 2022-4-27

the administration can't quite seem to decide on the status of the pandemic or the status of the economy. prgtoken On the one hand, we are being told that we no longer need pandemic- era border restrictions intended to help limit illegal immigration and prevent the spread of COVID. On the other hand, the administration is still fighting to require Americans to wear masks on public transit and airplanes and is urging Congress to pass additional COVID spending to fight the pandemic the administration seems to believe is over at the border. prgtoken It is a confusing message, to say the least. Americans know the pandemic can't simultaneously be over for migrants at the border but make it too dangerous for a South Dakotan to fly from Sioux Falls to Minneapolis without a mask. prgtoken The administration's messaging is similarly muddled on the economy and student loans. On the one hand, the President is proudly touting ``record'' job creation and ``record'' economic growth even though most of what he is taking credit for is the natural consequence of an economic recovery from the pandemic. On the other hand, the President recently announced that he is extending the moratorium on Federal student loan payments, interest, and collections for another 4 months, until August 31, because Americans are still suffering economically as a result of the pandemic. prgtoken Well, which is it? Is our economy thriving or are Americans economically distressed? prgtoken The student loan repayment moratorium and interest freeze included in the CARES Act at the beginning of the pandemic made sense. Our economy was starting to shut down, and Americans' jobs were in jeopardy, but it made sense as a temporary measure for a genuine emergency. We are no longer having double-digit unemployment as we did during some of the worst moments of the pandemic. In fact, our current unemployment rate is a low 3.6 percent. For college graduates, the unemployment rate is a staggeringly low 2 percent. prgtoken To paraphrase the Wall Street Journal's editorial board on the subject, if student loan borrowers aren't ready to return to making payments now, they will never be. prgtoken Even the Washington Post editorialized against the President's latest extension, noting: What was a needed emergency measure at the start of the pandemic is no longer justified. It is hard to make an argument that college graduates are struggling right now. The unemployment rate for Americans with a bachelor's degree or higher is a mere 2 percent. There is a near-record number of job openings. prgtoken That was from the Washington Post. prgtoken It is true that Americans are facing economic challenges as a result of the inflation that President and helped to create with their ill-considered American Rescue Plan Act, but, if anything, President 's latest student loan pause could help prolong our inflation p
RECOGNIZING THE HISTORIC PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY AND SCHWEITZER ENGINEERING LABORATORIES
Cathy McMorris Rodgers (Republican, WA) \u2014 2022-4-27

. Madam , I rise today to recognize the historic partnership between Washington State University (WSU) and Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL). prgtoken On Monday, April 18, 2022, Washington State University announced a gift of $20 million from Dr. and Mrs. Ed Schweitzer and Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories. This is prgtoken the single-largest philanthropic donation ever made to WSU's Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture, and it will go towards building the brand new, state-of-the-art Schweitzer Engineering Hall at WSU's campus in Pullman, Wash. prgtoken Dr. Schweitzer is a WSU alumnus and former professor who has participated in years of research collaborations with the university. He is also the founder of Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, which is Washington's 5th Congressional District's largest private employer. prgtoken Since its founding, SEL has employed hundreds of Washington State Cougars, including nearly 450 currently working at the company. This historic contribution represents an exciting new chapter in a long- standing and successful partnership between WSU and SEL that will undoubtedly contribute to new learning opportunities for the next generation of leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs. prgtoken I am incredibly proud of the leadership at WSU and SEL, and I am grateful to call the Schweitzers my friends. Their generous contributions and unwavering commitment to the future leaders of our nation is vital to ushering in a new era of innovation that will take America to new heights. prgtoken Madam , I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing this historic partnership and the tremendous impact it will have for students in Eastern Washington. I wish them nothing but success as they embark on this journey together.
HONORING SPECIAL OPERATIONS SUPERVISOR VINCENT DULESKY
Paul A. Gosar (Republican, AZ) \u2014 2022-4-27

. Madam , I rise today in honor of one of our finest. prgtoken I would like to commemorate Special Operations Supervisor Vincent Dulesky, who passed away on April 1, 2022. Supervisor Dulesky was the head of public affairs at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Yuma Sector Headquarters. prgtoken Supervisor Dulesky was born on June 15, 1974 in St. Louis, Missouri. He was a great boxer and earned a college wrestling scholarship. He attended Arizona Western College and the University of Phoenix. prgtoken He proudly served this country in the United States Marine Corps. He also worked as a Border Patrol agent in Ajo, Arizona and as a supervisor in Blythe, California. prgtoken My office staff met with Supervisor Dulesky a number of times and found him to be very informative and professional. He was cheerful, friendly and down-to-earth, a real man of the people. But what struck them most about Supervisor Dulesky was his sense of duty--the feeling that his profession was more than a job--it was a vocation or calling. prgtoken But Supervisor Dulesky was not just a great athlete and superb law enforcement officer. He had a softer side. He bonded with his family through his fandom of the Kansas City Chiefs. He was a farmer, had pet chickens, and loved to cook. And he was constantly smiling and laughing--but always accompanied with an outstretched hand to help. prgtoken Especially in these times of crisis on a southern border, the competence and care that Supervisor Dulesky never ceased to exhibit every day will be sorely missed. But nothing can compare to what this loss means for his family. prgtoken I would like his loved ones, his beloved wife Barbie, and children, Chloe, 25, Jaden, 19, Delilah, 11, and Gigi, 10, to know that they are in my prayers. Even though I know that they do not need me to tell them this, they should be incredibly proud of their husband and father's service to our country.
50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SUNSHINE MINE FIRE
James E. Risch (Republican, ID) \u2014 2022-4-27

50 years ago, on May 2, 1972, 91 miners lost their lives when a fire broke out in the Sunshine Mine. Along with my colleague, Senator Mike Crapo, I rise today to honor those men and commemorate the worst mining disaster our State has ever seen. prgtoken The Silver Valley mining heritage dates back to the 1860s. Whole generations of Silver Valley residents have worked in mines, with sons following their fathers and uncles into the mining tradition. As its name indicates, this area in North Idaho's Shoshone County is especially abundant in silver. Throughout its history, this region has produced over 1.2 billion ounces of silver, making it one of the richest silver-producing areas in the world. prgtoken Mining has always been a dangerous job. While safety conditions in the mines have improved over the decades, the hazards of mining can be reduced, but never completely eliminated. prgtoken Just before noon on May 2, 1972, a fire broke out on the air intake side of the Sunshine Mine as 173 miners worked underground. As the fire burned, the intake of air led carbon monoxide to fill the No. 10 mineshaft. Eighty men were safely evacuated from that shaft before the death of the No. 10 shaft hoistman. After that, only two more men were rescued. prgtoken The cause of the fire is still unknown, and in its wake, the Sunshine Mine shut down for 7 months before production resumed. It ceased operation in 2001, having produced over 360 million ounces of silver. prgtoken The 91 men who died during this horrific incident left behind 77 widows and 200 children, many of whom still reside in Kellogg and the surrounding area. The Sunshine Miners Memorial, which stands near where the mine was located, lists the name of each of the men killed along with a poem by former Governor Phil Batt commemorating the incident. Ken Lonn, a former Sunshine miner, sculpted the monument. prgtoken The Sunshine Mine fire looms large in the region's memory, and every year on May 2, the people of the Silver Valley gather at this memorial to remember the tragedy. This year, Idaho Governor Brad Little has declared May 2 as Miners Memorial Day. prgtoken We commemorate the tragic and untimely loss of these 91 men and the disaster's decades-long impact on the Silver Valley community. We commend the memorial committee for their efforts to preserve their legacy through maintenance of the memorial and by organizing the Miners Memorial Day ceremony. We hope all Idahoans will remember the events from May 2, 1972, and the men who went underground that morning but did not return.
PROVIDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL UNDER CHAPTER 8 OF TITLE 5, UNITED STATES CODE, OF THE RULE SUBMITTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES RELATING TO ``ENSURING ACCESS TO...
Marco Rubio (Republican, FL) \u2014 2022-4-27

for too long, Americans' taxpayer dollars have been used as a backdoor way to help promote abortion as a family planning service. President put a stop to this. Back in 2019, he barred the Federal Government from providing these funds, the funds through the title X Family Planning Program, from going to entities that refer or provide abortions, organizations such as the big business that is known as Planned Parenthood. prgtoken Now, understand, it didn't reduce title X funding. It didn't cut one penny of it. Instead, it directed it to organizations that do not perform and do not promote the taking of innocent life. prgtoken Last year, unfortunately, the administration, as was to be expected, pulled the plug on this vital protection, and now we see taxpayer money flowing once again to these abortion providers and to their referrers. This has to stop, and that is why I have worked with Representative Tony Gonzales in the House to introduce the Congressional Review Act of title X to ensure that not one more taxpayer dollar is used to fund the abortion industry. prgtoken By reversing this administration's ruling, abortion clinics will once again be excluded from receiving this taxpayer money, and it would put more money toward improving and saving lives instead of ending them.
Remembering Madeleine K. Albright (Executive Session)
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2022-4-27

I, along with others, had the opportunity to say goodbye to Madeleine Albright this morning--a truly remarkable life: first woman Secretary of State, a remarkable diplomat, and a friend. We had an opportunity to bond over an issue I am about to discuss: the people of Burma and the plight that they have had to endure over the years. Regretfully, as her life came to an end, things did not go in the right direction in Burma--at least not yet. I know she would not have given up hope; nor have I.
Federal Reserve (Executive Calendar)
Rick Scott (Republican, FL) \u2014 2022-4-27

the Senate is considering several of President 's picks to sit on the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve. I have already voted against two of these nominees. I believe they all should be voted down by the Senate. prgtoken Under its current leadership, the Fed has lost the trust of the American people and failed to uphold its role as an independent body. prgtoken I have been clear about my disapproval of the Fed's policies, especially its massive and its still-growing balance sheet. Both now and throughout recent history, the Federal Reserve has been behind the curve and far too late in taking action to keep America's economy stable. prgtoken Its policies to sustain and grow such a massive disproportionate growing balance sheet are a perfect example of its failure to properly manage the economic needs of our Nation. prgtoken For years, I have asked--I have urged--Chair Powell and members of the Federal Open Market Committee to reduce the Fed's unprecedented balance sheet. Nothing has changed. Month after month, we have watched the Fed continue to purchase billions in treasuries and mortgage-backed securities. There is still no plan to wind down and right size the Fed's balance sheet, which today, sits at nearly 40 percent of GDP. prgtoken Before the pandemic in 2019, the Fed's balance sheet assets totaled just under $4 trillion. Today, it is more than double to nearly $9 trillion dollars. That is more than 10 times the assets the Fed held in 2007, when the balance sheet was under $1 trillion. prgtoken The Federal Reserve's massive balance sheet is becoming a massive problem. When the Fed buys up treasuries and mortgage-backed securities and holds them like this, it is distorting the credit markets and allocation of capital, ultimately hurting our poorest families and Americans on fixed incomes. prgtoken And look at how the Fed's policies have made homeownership unattainable for young people. These policies have helped drive up home prices, putting the purchase of a home further out of reach for young families across our Nation. prgtoken Now, I will admit that the COVID-19 pandemic presented our Nation with historic challenges, but the Federal Reserve's overreaction and then refusal to react to changing economic circumstances over the last year is unacceptable. The Fed's mismanagement and their management failures have been especially disastrous during the administration. Instead of fighting for the interests of American families, he has chosen to appease the administration hellbent on reckless, inflation-fueling spending. prgtoken It is clear to me that the raging inflation crisis we are seeing across America is the fault of and alone. But the Fed's weak appeasement has helped grease the wheels in advancing 's reckless spending agenda. prgtoken This isn't just my opinion. The Fed knows this is true. Just weeks ago, the San Francisco Fed wrote that the spending
PATENTS FOR HUMANITY ACT OF 2021
Darrell Issa (Republican, CA) \u2014 2022-4-27

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , I join with my colleagues in what I believe will be unanimous support for the continued promotion of works useful to humanity. This pilot program, after 10 years, has proven to be not only a good one but one that continues to be necessary. prgtoken In 1790, when President Washington evaluated and signed the first patent, he did so in a matter of a few weeks from submission. It was an expectation that a timely patent was, in fact, critical. That first patent improved the production of potash, often used in fertilizer. prgtoken The fact is, over the years, our ability to quickly evaluate patents has, in fact, not continued to keep pace. So, when you have something like these humanitarian offerings, the fact that we are able to, at least in these cases and for known inventors, reward them with an accelerated consideration as part of their continued work, I think that is the kind of an award that means a great deal when it is the advancement of items of humanitarian interest and need. prgtoken My colleague from New York did a wonderful job of talking about some of those inventions. We could go on for hours about what inventive genius has come from this and other incentives. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues to vote for this renewal and, lastly, to recognize that the one area that America leads in is innovation. This body has a continued obligation to do everything it can to promote that innovation, including the modernization and the improvement of the Patent and Trademark Office. prgtoken , .
PARTICIPATION OF TAIWAN IN THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION
Christopher H. Smith (Republican, NJ) \u2014 2022-4-27

I support S. 812, which came to us from the Senate, and which calls for the Administration to develop a strategy for Taiwan to regain observer status at the World Health Organization. prgtoken As we know, Taiwan stands as a beacon of democracy in Asia--and indeed, an example for much of the world--and offers a stark contrast to the totalitarian model of Xi Jinping across the Taiwan Strait in Mainland China. prgtoken As a result, the People's Republic of China has doubled down on its longstanding efforts to delegitimize Taiwan and keep it from participating in international organizations. prgtoken As we rediscovered in 2020, however, a deadly virus doesn't play politics, and crosses borders without regard to diplomatic niceties. prgtoken To kowtow to Communist China and exclude Taiwan from having even an observer status at the World Health Organization is to play politics with global health. prgtoken It is especially galling when one recalls that pernicious misrepresentations were made by the PRC to the World Health Organization at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the warnings sounded by Taiwan as to the true nature and origins of the pandemic were ignored by the WHO. prgtoken , I also want to note that I, along with my colleague from New Jersey, Jeff Van Drew, also introduced legislation last year, H.R. 1775, to provide for a vehicle for victims of State misrepresentations to the World Health Organization to seek redress using US courts. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to support S. 812, and for this Administration to devise and implement the strategy this timely legislation calls for to allow our democratic partner Taiwan to accede to the World Health Organization as an observer.