mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Rick Scott (Republican, FL) \u2014 2022-1-19

like many of my colleagues, I often speak about my family here on the Senate floor. As most of my colleagues know, I grew up poor and spent years of my childhood living in public housing. I never knew my biological dad, and my mom and my adopted father did the best they could for our family with the very little they had. prgtoken I think that small part of my life is well known, but what may not be known to many people is that my parents were . Sadly, the ic Party my parents belonged to no longer exists. Today's ic Party would be totally unrecognizable to my parents, just as it is to millions of Americans all across our country right now. prgtoken I am a proud . It is no secret that I am trying to expand my party, but I still believe in the benefits of our centuries-old two- party system. It makes our Nation stronger; it pushes us to listen to both sides, work together, and leads to progress. prgtoken That is why the filibuster is so important. As a rule, the filibuster embodies what is most essential to the survival of our Republic. It weakens the sometimes attractive nature of tribalism and bolsters the importance of and need for consensus when crafting policy. prgtoken The filibuster protects our democratic process. That is why the Founders designed the Senate to operate this way, as a cooling saucer that could resist the temptation of political expediency that leads our country to wild swings in policy and position. prgtoken I make this point not only to highlight the foolishness of doing away with this rule as my ic colleagues would like to do but to draw attention to the gravely concerning abandonment of democratic principles we see in today's ic Party. prgtoken , I take no joy in saying this, but today's ic Party has become the new anti-democracy party. The terrifying examples of this are all around us: packing the Supreme Court, pushing a radical Federal takeover of State elections, ignoring our laws on border enforcement and criminal prosecution, and forcing unconstitutional vaccine mandates on American workers. None of these things give more power to the people we are elected to represent. prgtoken What these dangerous ideas show is that today's don't believe that people are capable of getting it right. don't think their ideas can win enough elections to control a majority in the Senate. Senator Schumer said as much just last week. He said that if the don't pass their ``Corrupt Politicians Act,'' they will lose their majority. A party that once prided itself on being a voice for working Americans like my parents is now turning to authoritarian tactics to impose its will on government by force because it does not trust the decision voters will make. prgtoken In trying to pack the Supreme Court, are saying they do not trust the decisions of the State legislatures--bodies comp
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Jerry Moran (Republican, KS) \u2014 2022-1-19

confidence in our elections is vital to self-governance, and voting is a fundamental right. This is something that and s can agree on. prgtoken Article I, section 4 of the Constitution states that ``Times, Places and Manner'' of congressional elections ``shall be prescribed by the States.'' prgtoken Over the last year, my ic colleagues have introduced and tried to pass several versions of what they call voting rights legislation--the For the People Act and the Freedom to Vote Act. But these wholesome titles are seriously misleading. The bills are partisan power grabs that will give the Federal Government unprecedented power over our elections and weaken the ability of State legislatures to administer their own election laws. prgtoken Federalizing election procedures would export traditional State authority to the Federal Government and defer decisions on how citizens elect their congressional representatives to Congress. This is inherently less responsive and less accountable. prgtoken This legislation would undermine State legislatures by sending taxpayer dollars to political candidates for the House of Representatives, weaken popular State voter ID laws, and make updating rolls more difficult. prgtoken According to a Gallup poll, 80 percent of Americans support voter ID laws. Yet, under this legislation, States would be required to accept essentially any document that includes a person's name as a valid form of ID. If you wanted to dispel the notion that voter fraud occurs in our elections, this is not a good start. prgtoken One-size-fits-all solutions--the approach the are pushing-- is completely unfit for Kansas and for the country. prgtoken Perhaps even more alarming--and this is the point that I would make more strongly than what I just said--more alarming than this Federal election takeover is the ' proposed means of passing it. prgtoken President and Majority Leader Schumer, realizing the limitations of their slimmest possible majority in the Senate, have advocated for weakening the legislative filibuster, the ability for the Senate to debate legislation until a 60-vote threshold is met. prgtoken Ironically, utilized the filibuster vote margin just last week to block sanctions on Russia's Nord Stream 2 Pipeline, making use of the same 60-vote threshold they are so determined to demonize. prgtoken The filibuster protects the minority. It doesn't necessarily mean s or . It may mean just somebody with an odd idea. It may mean rural, where I come from, or urban, where other Members of the Senate come from. It may mean the ability for a Member of the Senate to speak on behalf of his or her constituents and advocate for their views. It allows every Senator to have the opportunity to garner more information, to seek out sponsors of a bill, to have conversations, and to pull people together before we decide on how to p
FEDERAL TAKEOVER OF ELECTIONS
Virginia Foxx (Republican, NC) \u2014 2022-1-19

. Madam , Washington have become desperate to shield their slim majorities in the House and Senate; so desperate, in fact, that they are willing to silence millions of Americans by orchestrating a Federal takeover of elections. prgtoken Look no further than H.R. 1 and H.R. 4. These pieces of legislation are the ones Americans should be concerned about. prgtoken Madam , all Washington have done is operate off their own manufactured hysteria. prgtoken Thanks to ranking member Rodney Davis of the Committee on House Administration, we have the facts on why the ' narrative is wrong. prgtoken 2020 saw the highest voter turnout in 120 years, and according to Pew, 94 percent said it is easy to vote. There is clearly no widespread ``voter suppression'' issue in this country. prgtoken Georgia's new ``voter suppression law'' has more days of early in- person voting than New York. prgtoken Texas' ``voter suppression law'' ends pandemic exceptions like universal drive-thru voting and 24-hour voting. Neither existed in Texas before 2020. Neither widely exists even in blue States. prgtoken When it comes to abolishing the filibuster, there are even more facts. prgtoken The filibuster prevents Federal laws swinging wildly with every election. prgtoken If the filibuster is taken away, millions of citizens and entire States would be silenced. prgtoken Senator Schumer's push is not a response to the 2020 election or new State laws. prgtoken As early as 2019 and August 2020, Senator Schumer was already discussing abolishing the filibuster, but only if he won control. prgtoken If the filibuster is wiped clean off the map, imagine what will be done next: Packing the Supreme Court; ramming through the Green New Deal; defunding the police, and every other misguided item that Washington have in their political playbook. prgtoken The consequences would be disastrous for America. prgtoken Madam , Americans do not want the one-party rule agenda of Washington , the anniversary of which is tomorrow. prgtoken They do not want to see their own country become even more bankrupted by the failed policies under this administration and razor-thin majority. prgtoken s will continue to stand firm against this far-left agenda, and we will not sit on the sidelines. prgtoken It is vital that Americans know what these election bills will do and the consequences that will affect this great country if they are passed. prgtoken Thank you again to Ranking Member Rodney Davis and his staff for their continued hard work and diligence on this issue.
RECOGNIZING NATIONAL SCHOOL CHOICE WEEK
John R. Moolenaar (Republican, MI) \u2014 2022-1-19

. Madam , over this past weekend, the ic Party in my home State published a graphic saying public schools do not exist to serve the parents of those students and, rightfully, there was an outcry before they took it down and disavowed what they posted. prgtoken Parents absolutely have the right to know what their kids are learning, and over the past year and a half they have been fighting back against administrators and unions who have kept students out of the classroom. prgtoken When public school teachers in Chicago went on strike earlier this month, the phones rang off the hook at the city's private schools as parents finally had enough and searched for classroom opportunities for their kids. prgtoken Support for parental involvement in education and for school choice has risen over the past year, and my colleagues and I will soon be introducing a resolution to honor National School Choice Week that will be next week, from January 23 through January 29. prgtoken Parents and students should be given every opportunity to find a classroom where the kids can attend in person, see their friends, and learn directly from a teacher.
HONORING THE CAREER OF JAMES RAEBEL
Dan Newhouse (Republican, WA) \u2014 2022-1-19

. Madam , I rise today to express my sincere gratitude, and the gratitude of all Central Washingtonians, to Detective Sergeant James A. Raebel, and to congratulate him on his well-deserved retirement. prgtoken During his more than forty years of service with the Pasco Police Department, Det. Sgt. Raebel has truly embodied what it means to ``serve and protect'', working as a K-9 handler, an undercover narcotics officer, a detective, and a sergeant. Because of his work, the Pasco community truly was safer. prgtoken Without dedicated public servants like Det. Sgt. Raebel, our Republic, which is sustained by a system of law and order, and our very way of life could not endure. prgtoken I wish Det. Sgt. Raebel the very best as he enters this next chapter of his life. I commend him on a lifetime of service to his friends, family, and neighbors, and on behalf of all Central Washingtonians, I thank him for his service.
WILLIE O'REE CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL ACT
Tom Emmer (Republican, MN) \u2014 2022-1-19

I rise today in support of S. 452, the Willie O'Ree Congressional Gold Medal Act, and to recognize the incredible impact that Willie O'Ree has had on the great sport of hockey. prgtoken Willie etched his name into the history books in 1958. When he became one of the select few--and it is a very few--who got called up from the minors to play in the National Hockey League for the Boston Bruins, Willie broke down racial barriers for sure. He would go on prgtoken to play more than 24 seasons as a professional hockey player, despite facing countless challenges on and off the ice. prgtoken Willie O'Ree remains a trailblazer for many, but his contributions certainly did not end after his retirement from his playing career in 1979. As we have heard, in 1996, he became the NHL's diversity ambassador. In this capacity, he established the Hockey is for Everyone initiative to create a culture of inclusivity and provide an opportunity for disadvantaged children across this country and North America to play the game. His work continues even to this day to reinvigorate and grow the great sport of hockey while setting an example for underrepresented communities here at home and on an international level. prgtoken As the NHL and teams across the country finally recognized Willie O'Ree's incredible contributions to hockey, today is Congress' opportunity to honor a true legend of the game that is loved and enjoyed by millions. prgtoken Remember, we know that hockey was given to us directly from God because it is played on ice, which can only exist in Heaven. prgtoken , I am proud to co-lead this long overdue effort, and I urge all my colleagues in the House of Representatives to honor this icon of our God-given sport by voting ``yes'' on S. 452.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Alex Padilla (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2022-1-19

I request a brief opportunity to respond since my name and my State were invoked by Senator Cassidy on this--you have got to give s points for creativity on their terminology--some type of ballot harvesting. Let me tell you specifically what he is referencing because, again, different States have different rules and different histories. prgtoken In my speech, I talked about vote-by-mail. In California, we have seen the wisdom of every eligible voter automatically receiving a ballot in the mail with multiple options for how to return their ballot, including in person if that is their choice, through the Postal Service if that is their choice, through ballot drop boxes if that is their choice. prgtoken If, after all that--in-person early voting, election day, vote-by- mail, Postal Service, drop boxes--if, after all of that, a voter decides for themselves that they need or would like assistance with returning their ballot, that is the voter's prerogative. prgtoken Imagine that--asking a family member, a neighbor, or a friend: Can you do me a favor? Can you make sure this gets to a mailbox or the polling place in time for my vote to be counted? prgtoken Yes, there is a requirement in California that if you are somebody assisting a voter with returning their vote-by-mail ballot, you, too, have to sign that return envelope, the official return envelope, and your relationship with the voter--relative, friend, neighbor, et cetera. prgtoken Imagine that--empowering voters to decide for themselves how to return their ballot. That is what it is. They don't call it ballot harvesting because--once again, what are s proving time and again they are interested in doing? Making it harder for eligible people to register to vote, stay registered to vote, and actually cast their ballot. prgtoken I just wanted to clarify what it is that we are talking about here. prgtoken .
ABOLISH FILIBUSTER OR LET DEMOCRACY DIE
Adriano Espaillat (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2022-1-19

. Madam , as we come off the historic Martin Luther King, Jr holiday, it is incumbent upon all of us not just to reflect on his legacy but to really honor it. prgtoken Honoring his legacy means really using our political strength, much of which was given to us by him and his struggle, to deliver the very voting rights protections he and countless other civil rights leaders, including our very own John Lewis, bled to secure. prgtoken We simply cannot accept empty promises anymore, Madam , in pursuit of his dream for a more equal and just America, not from Senators who have the power to live fully in those ideals today and not from Members of this very Chamber. prgtoken How can anyone, Madam , especially any Member of the Senate, celebrate this day of service, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, without standing for democracy and the rights of others? prgtoken How can they, in good faith, deliver empty words or celebrate his legacy in the shadow of this current attack on access to the ballot box when they themselves have the power to stop it? prgtoken But let me step back just a minute and put this in perspective, Madam . Just last year, s introduced 440 voter suppression bills prgtoken in 49 States. Nineteen States have already passed voting restrictions in 2021, with even more coming this year. prgtoken These are acts of voter suppression occurring in nearly every State of the Union, targeting Black and Brown communities, working-class and poor communities, telling them that their votes and voices shouldn't be heard, violating the sacred concept of one person, one vote. prgtoken Make no mistake, Madam : The restrictive voting laws that have passed and continue to be passed and pushed have directly targeted Black and Brown poor and working-class communities, directly targeting communities of color to make it harder for them to access the ballot box and to participate in our democracy. prgtoken As we continue to honor Dr. King and his legacy today, the Senate has a choice: Abolish the filibuster or let democracy die. prgtoken Madam , the filibuster is an arcane piece of Senate procedure that came to be by accident. It is a direct legacy to segregation and continues to hold back progress on civil rights to this very day. prgtoken Its most famous use was against the Civil Rights Act of 1964, where its opponents filibustered for nearly 60 days. But it wasn't the first time, and it won't be the last. prgtoken White southerners also invoked the filibuster to block a voting rights bill in 1891, with many of the same Senators filibustering again in the 1930s to block antilynching laws. prgtoken Imagine that. The filibuster was used to block antilynching laws. prgtoken We have a choice, Madam , between having a democracy or allowing racist systems to continue. It is simple. The filibuster is a monument to white supremacy, and we have to tear it down. prgtoken I refuse to hear any cheap excuse about why protecting the very fo
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2022-1-19

. Madam Vice President, what kind of democracy shall endure here in the United States long after our times in this Chamber come to an end? Shall American democracy in the 21st century be called a true heir to our Framers' vision--a nation where the people choose their own leaders, forge their own destiny, and add to the great legacies of those who expanded the franchise before us or shall we see American democracy backslide in our time, grow feeble in the jaws of its adversaries, and ultimately succumb to the cancer of voter suppression? prgtoken The answer, in a large sense, could depend on how we move forward this evening. As we have clearly laid out in over the past 2 days, the laws passed in legislatures throughout the country do nothing less than to discourage and prevent certain kinds of Americans--Black and Brown Americans, young Americans, elderly Americans, low-income Americans-- from participating in the democratic process. prgtoken My colleagues, my colleagues, we can begin to put a stop to these attacks tonight by voting to proceed to the final passage of the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. These are good bills; these are effective bills; and they should be passed by this Chamber as soon as possible. prgtoken And if cloture is not invoked, we must change the rules of the Senate so we can pass these bills into law. As we cast our votes, I urge every one of us, and , not to discount our place in history. The story of American democracy is full of contradictions and halting progress. prgtoken At the time of our Constitution's ratification, you had to be in many States a White, male, Protestant landowner to vote. But ever since the early days of this grand Republic, Americans launched mighty movements, fought a bloody civil war, and, yes, passed Federal election laws to expand the franchise until there were no more boundaries. prgtoken Today's vote is the next step in that long march. Are we going to let our democracy backslide in the 21st century? Are we going to be dragged back into the abyss of voter suppression? prgtoken I urge every one of my colleagues, left, right, and middle, for the sake of our democracy, unite, take a stand today. prgtoken To every Member of this body who treasures our precious experiment in self-rule, to every Member horrified by the muck of voter suppression, and to everyone who believes this Chamber is still capable of defending democracy in its hour of great need, I urge a ``yes'' vote. prgtoken . Cloture Motion
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Debbie Stabenow (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2022-1-19

I am not sure where to start, having just heard my colleague from Florida. I just have to say that who he is describing I don't recognize, either, because I don't recognize that at all of anyone who is here. prgtoken I just want to start by thanking my ic colleagues, first of all, for voting for the American Recovery Act that, among many other things, is helping to focus on ways to bring down the cost of food and our food supply chain, to help fix it, and a number of other issues that unfortunately not one colleague on the side voted for-- not one. prgtoken So we have heard a lot today about how we should be focusing on the needs of the American people. I think there would be a collective ``amen'' from our side about that. We would love to have our colleagues join us, frankly, in that effort. But nothing is more fundamental to our democracy than preserving our freedom to vote as Americans, and that is really what the debate and the votes are all about today. prgtoken We know there are people willing to use violence to stop accurate, legal certifications of our national Presidential election. How do we know this? Because we were here. We were here a year ago on January 6 and witnessed the violence and the death and the destruction. prgtoken We also know there is a coordinated effort across the country to limit the freedom to vote and make it easier to intimidate and remove election officials who won't do their bidding. And how do I know this? Because it is happening in Michigan as I speak. prgtoken Today's vote on the legislation in front of us is the fundamental act we must do to stop this destructive, partisan movement, and we also know that in order to make this happen, we have to return the Senate to its original principle--the original principle of majority vote. prgtoken Our Nation's Founders had a lot of opinions about the type of country we should be and the type of government we should have. At times, the discussions got heated--and not just because it was summer in Philadelphia, Senator Casey. They were actually wearing wool at the time, so it got heated in a number of different ways. However, there was one thing they agreed on: Government should be run by the will of the majority--not a minority, not a King. They agreed on this because they saw what happened when a nation is held captive to the views of the minority. prgtoken The very first Constitution of the United States, the Articles of Confederation, was, frankly, a dysfunctional mess. That is why they gathered in Philadelphia to try again and to get it right this time, and getting it right meant majority rule. prgtoken James Madison said that majority rule is fundamental to our democracy. Thomas Jefferson said that ``the will of the majority is in all cases to prevail.'' In Federalist 22, Alexander Hamilton wrote a lengthy description of the problems that arise when a minority can override the will of
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Jeff Merkley (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2022-1-19

. To my colleague from West Virginia, the challenge that we have today is that, in the course of Senate debate, it is never possible to get to a debate on the final question. And the proposal that the majority leader is putting forward is saying it is time to get to that final debate, and on that final debate every Senator can speak twice. prgtoken I can tell you, leadership on both sides probably is nervous about the idea of 100 Senators speaking twice, at length, but the single innovation of the talking filibuster is to say that there will be a period of debate in which we will consider final passage with all four of the mechanisms that currently exist, three that were created at the foundation--and that is the break in debate and that is the two-speech rule and that is unanimous consent and the 60 votes that was created in 1975.