mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
FURTHER CONTINUING APPROPRIATIONS AND OTHER EXTENSION ACT, 2024--MOTION TO PROCEED--Continued
Bill Cassidy (Republican, LA) \u2014 2023-11-15

the Senate will soon vote on the Congressional Review Act, a resolution of disapproval to overturn President 's newest student loan scheme. prgtoken Just like President 's original student debt cancellation scheme, this IDR does not forgive debt. It transfers the burden of $559 billion in Federal student loans to the 87 percent of Americans who don't have student loans, who chose not to go to college, or who already responsibly paid off their debts. prgtoken I want to emphasize this point. There is much said in this Chamber about those who do less well and the implication that a policy like this would benefit those who do less well. This benefits folks-- couples--who make over $400,000. They went to college precisely to get a degree to earn more money, and many of them are earning more money. And this forgives--no, it doesn't forgive their debt. It transfers their debt to someone who never went; someone--he and his wife, she and her husband who are making $65,000 a year. They are going to have to pick up the slack for a couple making over $400,000. prgtoken This is not a benefit for those who are less well-off. This is a benefit--a political payout--to folks who have done quite well precisely because they went to college. prgtoken Under this rule, a majority of bachelor's degree student loan borrowers will not be expected to pay back even the principal. Ninety- one percent of new student loan debt will be eligible for reduced payments subsidized by the taxpayers. Where is the forgiveness for the guy who didn't go to college but is working to pay off the loan on a truck he takes to work? What about the woman who paid off her student loans and bought a less expensive home but is now struggling to afford the mortgage that she has? Is the administration providing them relief? No, of course not. Instead, the administration would have them not only pay their bills but the bills of those who decided to go to college in order to make more money or who made a decision not to pay back their student loans so they could buy a bigger house. prgtoken This is irresponsible. It is deeply unfair. prgtoken Aside from being unfair, this student loan cancellation scheme does not address the root cause that created the debt in the first place. For example, President 's policy does not hold colleges or universities accountable for rising costs. In the last 30 years, tuitions and fees have jumped at private nonprofit colleges--nonprofit colleges--by 80 percent. At public 4-year institutions, they jumped 124 percent. prgtoken College is one of the largest financial investments many Americans make, but there is little information for the student and her family to know that they are making the right decision for where they are attending or the amount they are borrowing. So my colleagues and I recently introduced the Lowering Education Cost and Debt Act, a package of five bills aimed at directly a
HONORING TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY WALL OF HONOR, MILITARY & VETERANS TRIBUTE WALK AT PFLUGER FOUNDATION
August Pfluger (Republican, TX) \u2014 2023-11-15

it is with immense pride and gratitude that I join in honoring the November 17, 2023 dedication of the new Texas Tech University Wall of Honor, prgtoken Military & Veterans Tribute Walk at Pfluger Fountain. The names of Texas Tech alumni who fought in World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, the Iraqi and Afghanistan Wars, and others, can now be found at the memorial. prgtoken This powerful tribute encapsulates the unwavering commitment and sacrifices of our military service members and veterans. It stands as a testament to Texas Tech's commitment to honor and remember the generations of Texas Tech military service members and veterans who have served to protect and defend our freedom. prgtoken As Texas Tech reaches its centennial milestone, I commend Texas Tech leadership, the Texas Tech Alumni Association, and the Texas Tech Military & Veterans Alumni Network for this heartfelt recognition of the veterans who have played an integral role in the 100-year history of the university. prgtoken May this memorial serve as a perpetual reminder of the courage and selflessness embodied by our Texas Tech military and veterans.
RECOGNIZING NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP WEEK
Virginia Foxx (Republican, NC) \u2014 2023-11-15

. Madam , this week marks the ninth annual National Apprenticeship Week, a time when we can give our Nation's workforce development programs their annual physical. prgtoken Right now, there are more than 6 million Americans who are unemployed and more than 9 million job openings in our country. That is a real problem, Madam , and it is because the education-to-work pipeline is clearly fractured. prgtoken I have said time and time again that we need to promote workforce development programs that actually work. Let employers be the ones to lead the way on this front. Let free market solutions lead the way, as well. prgtoken Madam , earn-and-learn programs offer workers a viable path to pursue the American Dream on their own terms. We should do everything we can to support them.
REMEMBERING FRANK "SONNY" SEILER
Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (Republican, GA) \u2014 2023-11-15

I rise today in remembrance of Frank ``Sonny'' Seiler. prgtoken Sonny died in his hometown of Savannah, Georgia, at the age of 90. He was a great attorney who was best known for being the caretaker and owner of the University of Georgia's beloved mascot, Uga. prgtoken Seiler started the Uga tradition when he and his wife Cecelia brought their English bulldog to the season-opening football game in 1956. Ever since then, Seiler and his family continued the tradition by raising a line of bulldog mascots for the football team. prgtoken Seiler also served as the lead defense attorney for Jim Williams in a murder case, which served as the centerpiece for the book ``Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.'' prgtoken His contributions to the University of Georgia as a student and alumnus were immeasurable and his loyalty to his alma mater was unmatched. prgtoken He was, as we say, ``a damn good dog.'' prgtoken , Mr. Seiler's legacy will live on forever and his impact will be felt for decades.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
John Thune (Republican, SD) \u2014 2023-11-15

yesterday morning, the monthly inflation report came out. Once again, inflation was well above the Fed's target rate of 2 percent. Overall, prices have risen by 17.6 percent since President took office--17.6 percent. prgtoken Price hikes in certain categories are even worse. Groceries are up 20.9 percent over that same period. Gasoline prices are up 54.8 percent. Electricity is up almost 25 percent. And rent is up 18 percent. Car repairs and maintenance are up 26.5 percent. And the list goes on. prgtoken The President said the other day that omics is the American dream. It turns out that omics is more of a nightmare for the American people. prgtoken President likes to talk about giving American families ``a little bit of breathing room,'' but that is the exact opposite of what his policies have provided. Wealthy may not be concerned about a 20-percent increase in the cost of their groceries or a 54- percent increase in the price of gasoline, but for a lot of hard- working American families, those kinds of price increases have meant the difference between having that ``little bit of breathing room'' and having absolutely none. prgtoken The Joint Economic Committee estimates that flation is costing American families $953 per month--$953 per month. Even at half that, inflation would be a massive burden on working families. How many families have put off needed home or car repairs, deferred a kid's braces, or eliminated a family vacation because they are paying hundreds of dollars more a month for their basic needs? And how many other families haven't even been able to pay for their basic needs thanks to the inflation crisis that the President helped create? prgtoken It is no surprise that 65 percent of voters say that they had cut back on their nonessential spending or that 52 percent of voters--more than half--said that they had cut spending on food or other everyday necessities or that 55 percent of voters say they are worse off financially under President . It shouldn't come as any big surprise. prgtoken Finally, 66 percent of Americans rate the economy as fairly bad or very bad. The fact of the matter is, Americans can't catch a break under President . First, there was the worst inflation crisis in 40 years, a crisis that has been improved from its worst point but is still very much with us. prgtoken And now there are the heightened interest rates that the Federal Reserve was forced to put in place to help rein in this inflation crisis. You have higher inflation, higher interest rates. prgtoken So now all Americans are dealing not only with consistently high prices; they are also dealing with these sky-high interest rates on credit cards and mortgages and car loans, which are being driven, in part, by the Fed's rate hikes, which have been done in response to out- of-control inflation. prgtoken The monthly mortgage payment on a single-family home increase
HONORING THE FLIGHT TO END POLIO
Ashley Hinson (Republican, IA) \u2014 2023-11-15

I rise today to honor and recognize two outstanding Iowans: John Ockenfels and Peter Teahen. prgtoken Between May 5 and July 30, these two lifelong friends embarked on a journey to fly around the world. Taking off from Cedar Rapids in a single-engine plane, John and Peter flew more than 25,000 miles to complete one mission: eradicating polio. prgtoken Only 700 pilots have ever flown around the world, and fewer than 300 of them are alive today. I am so proud to say that John and Peter are among their ranks, having accomplished this feat to help save children all over the world. prgtoken Iowans are so proud of John and Peter for this accomplishment and for their service to such a worthy cause.
BIDENOMICS FAILING FAMILIES
Joe Wilson (Republican, SC) \u2014 2023-11-15

the poor decisions of and far-left are failing American families and destroying jobs. prgtoken According to an October poll, about two-thirds of Americans report rising household expenses. More than 70 percent described the national economy as poor. prgtoken A Bankrate survey shows that 50 percent of Americans say their financial situation is worse since became President, as inflation has risen to a 40-year high, in contrast to President who created a record job environment. prgtoken omics is hurting American families. America has 6.5 million people who remain unemployed. Prices have risen 17 percent since took office. Families are paying more than $700 per month to buy the same exact goods and services they did just 2 years ago, according to the chief economist at Moody's Analytics. prgtoken s, led by Mike Johnson, will continue to fight to reduce inflation and create jobs. prgtoken In conclusion, God bless our troops, who successfully protected America for 20 years as the global war on terrorism continues moving from the Afghanistan safe haven to America with open borders creating an imminent attack on American families.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024
Cynthia M. Lummis (Republican, WY) \u2014 2023-11-15

this motion to instruct conferees would combat bad actors using crypto assets in financial transactions by preserving in the NDAA my amendment introduced alongside my colleagues from both sides of the aisle including Senators Kirsten Gillibrand, Elizabeth Warren, and Roger Marshall. prgtoken This amendment would not only combat money laundering, it would crack down on countries evading sanctions and funding terrorism through crypto assets. prgtoken It does this by requiring the Treasury Department to establish comprehensive exam standards for financial institutions engaged in crypto asset activities and requires a study on the use of crypto asset mixers, tumblers, and other anonymity-enhancing technologies. prgtoken Preventing illicit finance in the crypto asset industry is integral as we work to provide comprehensive regulation to the industry--and passing these provisions into law will protect our national security and ensure our adversaries are not using crypto assets to finance those who would do harm to the prgtoken United States. I strongly urge my colleagues in joining me in support of my motion to instruct.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2023-11-15

today, the Senate will vote on yet another bipartisan resolution to overturn a harmful administration regulation. prgtoken In its latest iteration, the administration's bid for student loan socialism--its so-called income-driven repayment scheme--would likely go down in history as the most expensive Federal regulation in our history. prgtoken Leading estimates predict this policy would heap a $559 billion bill onto taxpayers over the next decade. In exchange, a majority of the high-earning borrowers who choose to take on student debt would avoid ever paying back the principals they borrowed. prgtoken The administration's plan would actually remove the guardrails that ensure Federal loan relief goes to low-income households. Apparently, loyal blue-State doctors and lawyers are the most important beneficiaries of student loan socialism. prgtoken Whichever way you slice it, the President's policy is a raw deal for working Americans who have made the sacrifices to pay off their student loans or avoided debt altogether. But with taxpayers footing the bill, it is also a powerful incentive for schools to raise the price of college even higher. prgtoken A bipartisan majority of our colleagues has already rejected the socialist fever dream, and President 's first attempt at massive loan cancellation was actually struck down by the Supreme Court. But today, thanks to the leadership of Chairman Cassidy, Senator Thune, and Senator Cornyn, the Senate has another chance to kick student loan socialism to the curb. prgtoken I would urge my colleagues to support the resolution later today. Border Security prgtoken , on another matter, it is impossible to ignore the crisis at our southern border that has erupted on Washington ' watch--back-to-back, record-setting years that saw millions upon millions of illegal arrivals at the border and historic quantities of fentanyl and other lethal drugs pouring across to decimate American communities. prgtoken Let's remember where this crisis came from. President campaigned on open-borders policies. His message was so compelling that crowds literally showed up at the southern border with his campaign logo on their shirts. As one put it back then, the President had ``promised us that everything was going to change.'' prgtoken Vice President offered a refrain of her own. She said: Say it loud, say it clear, everyone is welcome here. prgtoken She called the previous administration's commonsense border security measures ``criminalizing innocent people.'' prgtoken Well, this is the administration that canceled commonsense policies like ``Remain in Mexico,'' shelved DHS resources meant for border wall construction, and abandoned overstretched border enforcement personnel to contend with the tidal wave of mass migration. prgtoken Today, cleaning up the administration's mess at the southern border is a matte
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
John Kennedy (Republican, LA) \u2014 2023-11-15

I want to talk for a few minutes today about elementary and secondary education, more specifically about school choice. School choice is inextricably related, in my opinion, to social justice. Put another way, I just don't understand how one can be a fairminded person and believe in social justice but not support school choice. prgtoken In Congress, of course, we seem to face a new crisis every week, and while we need to respond to them, I think it is important that we not lose sight of what I call the foundational issues that ensure that our country is free and democratic and aspirational and prosperous for our children and our grandchildren. One of those issues, one of those foundational issues, is education. prgtoken Right now, the American people are focused on the border, which is an open, bleeding wound; they are focused on inflation; they are focused on crime; they are focused on turmoil abroad. I don't blame them, as we need to be focused on those things, but while we focus on those things, it is a fact that the quality of our students' elementary and secondary education has been steadily slipping, steadily slipping. And it is clarion clear. Unless you have been living in your parent's basement, it is clarion clear that the status quo of education in America isn't setting our kids or our country up for success. I take no joy in saying that, but sometimes you can't look reality in the eye and deny it; you have to admit it. prgtoken Here are a few examples of how America's and Louisiana's pre-K to 12 students are falling behind. The numbers are the numbers: Math and reading scores among American 13-year-olds are at their lowest levels in decades. That is not my opinion. That is according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress. As the Presiding Officer knows, that is a study done annually, known as ``The Nation's Report Card.'' On ``The Nation's Report Card,'' just 35 percent of American fourth graders--35 percent--are proficient in math. Only 32 percent of American fourth graders are proficient in reading. prgtoken American students are slipping globally as well. In 2008, the IMD World Competitiveness Center ranked American students first in the world. By 2023, the United States had slipped to 10th overall. In science, American students ranked 11th. In math, American students ranked 30th. prgtoken In Louisiana, I regret to say that roughly half of my students in Louisiana in grades K through 3 are not reading at the grade level-- half. Only one-third of my kids in grades 3 through 12 are at grade level in the four subjects that the Louisiana Educational Assessment Program--we call it LEAP--tests. In fact, we have, in Louisiana, 24 school systems--24--in which fewer than a quarter of our students-- fewer than a quarter--have proficient LEAP exam scores. prgtoken Now, I have said this before on the Senate floor, and I am going to say it again: The American people can do extraordin
HONORING CRIS EDWARDS, NATIONAL DISTINGUISHED PRINCIPAL
Mike Bost (Republican, IL) \u2014 2023-11-15

. Madam , I rise today to honor Cris Edwards of Olney, Illinois, for her being named a National Distinguished Principal by the National Association of Elementary School Principals. prgtoken Cris is the principal of Richland County Elementary School, which serves nearly 1,000 rural students. The school's mission is to develop respectful and responsible learners and leaders. Under Cris Edwards' watch, that mission is being fulfilled. prgtoken Her devotion is recognized by students, parents, and teachers alike. prgtoken The school was given the high honor of a legacy school by the Leader in Me program. They host High Five Fridays to build connections in the community, and they launched a mobile library in an old school bus to deliver books in the summer. prgtoken Cris has earned her status as a National Distinguished Principal just as she has earned her position as the incoming president of the Illinois Principals Association. prgtoken Madam , please join me in recognizing Cris Edwards for all she has done to provide a positive learning environment for Richland County schoolchildren.
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
Susan M. Collins (Republican, ME) \u2014 2023-11-15

I rise to introduce the Supporting Seniors with Opioid Use Disorder Act with my colleague from Maryland, Senator Cardin. I very much appreciate his leadership on this issue. The United States is experiencing an opioid overdose and addiction crisis with devastating effects on communities across the country. The opioid epidemic is claiming the lives of far too many people, with a record 716 Mainers and nearly 110,000 Americans lost in 2022. While many perceive the face of opioid addiction as young, the epidemic harms older adults as well. In Maine, approximately 12 percent of drug overdose deaths last year were among residents age 60 and older. prgtoken Each and every opioid death is preventable, and more can be done to ensure that the unique needs of older Americans struggling with addiction are not forgotten. In December 2021, the Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General, OIG, identified an urgent need to increase the number of Medicare beneficiaries receiving treatment for opioid use disorder. The legislation we are introducing today would help improve seniors' awareness of, and access to, opioid use disorder, OUD, treatment covered by the Medicare Program. prgtoken The challenges of the pandemic, combined with the increased prevalence of fentanyl entering our country, have aggravated this national crisis. Even before COVID-19, however, the number of people age 55 or older treated in emergency rooms for nonfatal opioid overdoses was increasing, with a shocking 32 percent jump in ER visits from 2016 to 2017. In 2018, when I served as chairman of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, I chaired a hearing on this topic to shed light on the unique challenges faced by this often-overlooked population. One expert witness told the Aging Committee, ``Medicare beneficiaries are the fastest growing population of diagnosed opioid use disorders.'' Dr. Charles Pattavina, an emergency medicine physician in Bangor, ME, also explained how increased incidences of acute illnesses and injuries among older Americans make them more susceptible to opioid misuse. prgtoken In 2021, the Office of the Inspector General investigated the extent to which Medicare beneficiaries diagnosed with opioid use disorder received medication and behavioral therapy through Medicare. The report found that more than 1 million Medicare beneficiaries were diagnosed with OUD in 2020, yet fewer than 16 percent of those patients received medication to treat their OUD. The report also concluded that older beneficiaries were three times less likely to receive medication to treat their OUD than younger beneficiaries. Even fewer beneficiaries received both medication and behavioral therapy. The conclusion was clear: Medicare beneficiaries are not receiving the OUD treatment they need. prgtoken A followup OIG report from September 2022 revealed that the situation has largely failed to improve over time. About
CELEBRATING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF WILLIAM JUNG, III
Eric Burlison (Republican, MO) \u2014 2023-11-15

. Madam , I rise today to celebrate the life and the legacy of William Jung, III, of Springfield, Missouri. Bill was born in Overland Park, Kansas, on May 24, 1941, and passed away in Springfield, Missouri, on October 17, 2023. prgtoken He is survived by his wife, Ramona, and their 9 children, 36 grandchildren, and 41 great-grandchildren. prgtoken He is also survived by two sisters and a host of friends and relatives. prgtoken Bill was passionate about life and his love for the Lord. He was involved in many civic and religious organizations serving wherever he could. prgtoken Bill had a passion for traveling and adventure. He and his wife visited more than 30 countries, including a cherished trip to Israel. He was always game for any adventure that came his way. prgtoken Madam , Bill was a dear friend of mine. His smile and warm personality will be greatly missed by me, his many friends, and his wonderful family.