mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2024-6-13

. I want to thank Senator Murray for her leadership on this issue. Senator Tammy Duckworth. prgtoken I first met Tammy Duckworth about 12 years ago. She was my guest at a State of the Union Address. She was a patient at Walter Reed Hospital. She was recovering from the wounds which she incurred in a combat helicopter, fighting for the United States of America. prgtoken What happened to her is unimaginable. A terrorist shot a rocket- propelled grenade into the cockpit of her helicopter, and it landed in her lap. She lost her left leg as a result of it and went through at least a year, maybe more, at Walter Reed Hospital, patching her up, saving her arm, thank goodness, and giving her the kind of guidance she needed to lead a life. prgtoken When I met her, I knew she was an extraordinary person, an extraordinary American. I didn't know how extraordinary until I called her one day and said: Would you consider running for office? In a moment of weakness, she says, with medication, she answered yes. prgtoken I watched her elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and to the U.S. Senate. She has become more than just a colleague. She is a friend I dearly love. I believe we are lucky to have her in the Nation and in the U.S. Senate. prgtoken She made a phone call to me about 8 years ago. I remember it so well. I was driving on Interstate 55 up to Bloomington for a meeting, and it was Tammy that gave me some news. prgtoken I said: What is up, Tammy? prgtoken She said: I am going to have a baby. prgtoken You could have knocked me over with a feather. I couldn't believe it. After all she had been through--losing a leg, going through a year or more at Walter Reed Hospital--she and her husband Brian finally had a dream come true. Through in vitro fertilization, she was going to have a baby girl. It was a miracle. I couldn't believe it. Yet it did happen. prgtoken We had to change the rules of the Senate so Tammy Duckworth, the first woman Senator to have a child while serving in the Senate, could bring her baby on the floor of the Senate. We have a special rule for that. But it meant so much for her to let her little girl have that experience that we changed the rules. prgtoken The reason I tell you that story is it could be repeated over and over thousands and thousands of times. In vitro fertilization is the ticket for military servicemembers and veterans like Tammy Duckworth to have the joy of a child. In fact, she has had a second child through IVF. And with that joy, she showed that she cannot only be a great Senator and a great wife, but a terrific mother too. prgtoken What is at stake here is privacy and freedom--privacy and freedom--as to whether we as Americans are going to respect one another in making these fundamental human decisions. There are politicians in this Chamber as well as in legislatures across the country who want to make that decision for your family. Don't let them take that away fro
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Tina Smith (Democrat, MN) \u2014 2024-6-13

I rise today to urge my colleagues to vote in favor of the Right to IVF Act. So here is something that is close to a miracle. People who have struggled and struggled to have children are able today, through the very best science and medicine, to conceive and to bring a child into the world. It is incredible; it is a blessing. prgtoken In 2021, more than 86,000 babies born in America were conceived through IVF. And in my home State of Minnesota, I have heard from so many of my constituents who have struggled with infertility and who wouldn't have children but for IVF. So today, we have the opportunity to vote on a bill that protects us. Our bill is straightforward in its purpose. It would establish a clear and enforceable nationwide right for people to receive IVF, for doctors to provide IVF, and for health insurance to cover IVF. prgtoken So if you live in a State where a State legislature passes a law infringing on IVF, that would be stopped by our bill. If you get your health insurance through your employer, your health insurance would cover your care. If you are a servicemember or a veteran, as my colleague Senator Carper said, you are covered--same for Federal employees. And if you get your health insurance through Medicaid, which covers 40 percent of the births in this country, you are covered. prgtoken So you may be asking: Who could disagree with this? It is a good question. And here is the reality. Since the extremist Supreme Court Justices--appointed by and confirmed by Senate s--since they overturned Roe, abortion bans across the country have sown chaos and confusion. And they have emboldened States that have created this chilling effect on reproductive healthcare and emboldened States like Alabama to restrict IVF. prgtoken Now, if my colleagues on the other side want to protect IVF, if they believe that doctors and providers should be able to provide IVF without fear of criminal prosecution, then they would vote for our bill. prgtoken Colleagues, I hope that s will vote with us to proceed on our bill so that we can make real progress to protect access to IVF and to say very clearly that government has no business interfering in your families' decision about the healthcare that you need to treat infertility. prgtoken If my colleagues want to make it clear where you stand on IVF, please join us in voting for this bill today. If you vote no, your actions speak louder than any words.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Brian Schatz (Democrat, HI) \u2014 2024-6-13

nearly one in five American couples has trouble conceiving, and many of them turn to IVF for help. In the year 2021, more than 85,000 babies were created using this miraculous procedure--truly a miracle. Yet they will also tell you, these parents, that undergoing treatment is hard and long and painful and challenging and expensive and emotionally and physically draining. It is often a last resort. After a long journey of failed attempts, they talk to their doctor, and their doctor says: Would you like to try this? And even that is going to be super expensive and maybe not work. One in five families experiences this trouble, and there is this miraculous treatment that can help you to start a family. prgtoken So let's be really clear about what the so-called pro-life movement is about here. It is not about life at all. In this instance, it is specifically about assigning the rights of a fully formed human being to a fertilized embryo in a petri dish so that they can control females--so that they can control females. That is exactly what this is about. prgtoken Look, there is a fair amount of spin going around Washington--more than usual--because s understand how angry families are, how angry people who are not yet able to conceive are, and so they are trying to get people to believe something other than their own eyes and their own experience. prgtoken But here is the beauty of this place: We talk and talk and talk and talk and talk, and then we vote. There is one opportunity and one opportunity only to enshrine the right to IVF in Federal statutory law. prgtoken I don't care what you tweeted. I don't care what you said on cable news. I don't care what the memo from the campaign arm of the National Committee says. In a few minutes, we will know the official position of the conference on IVF, and the Susan B. Anthony list and the MAGA Court and these extreme forces in our society are going to show that the Party is not for IVF. prgtoken I wish it were different. I wish we could pass this law. But the beauty of the Senate floor is that everybody will be on the record by the end of the afternoon. prgtoken .
AUTHORITY FOR COMMITTEES TO MEET
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2024-6-13

I have six requests for committees to meet during today's session of the Senate. They have the approval of the Majority and Minority Leaders. prgtoken Pursuant to rule XXVI, paragraph 5(a), of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the following committees are authorized to meet during today's session of the Senate: committee on armed services prgtoken The Committee on Armed Services is authorized to meet in closed session during the session of the Senate on Thursday, June 13, 2024, at 8:30 a.m. committee on commerce, science, and transportation prgtoken The Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, June 13, 2024, at 10 a.m to conduct a hearing. committee on energy and natural resources prgtoken The Committee on Energy and Natural Resources is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, June 13, 2024, at 9:30 a.m to conduct a hearing. committee on finance prgtoken The Committee on Finance is authorized to meet in executive session during the session of the Senate on Thursday, June 13, 2024, at 9:45 a.m. committee on foreign relations prgtoken The Committee on Foreign Relations is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, June 13, 2024, at 10 a.m to conduct a hearing on nominations. committee on the judiciary prgtoken The Committee on the Judiciary is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, June 13, 2024, at 10 a.m to conduct an executive business meeting.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Bill Cassidy (Republican, LA) \u2014 2024-6-13

I have been sitting here listening to this, and I can't help but notice that my ic fellow Senators have chosen to disrespect and deceive the American people as they politicize a deeply personal issue for short-term political gain-- distorting facts, capitalizing on the pain and the longing of women desperate to conceive, families desperate to hold a child. are trivializing, for political purposes, the substantial emotional, financial, and personal investment required of a woman and of a family to become pregnant through IVF. prgtoken Let's set the record straight. I support IVF. s in the Senate support IVF. prgtoken Now, the tragic situation in Alabama has been used to fearmonger and scare that IVF is somehow in jeopardy, as though for someone who has a hope for a future family, that hope is threatened. And that is not true. Let's just say there is no State in the United States of America that prohibits a woman from growing her family through IVF, and know that. prgtoken Let me say that again. There is not a single State which bans IVF; and Alabama, which has been mentioned several times, specifically passed a law after the Mobile incident in which they make sure-- affirm--that IVF is available. prgtoken So this bill before us today would have done nothing to prevent that which happened in Mobile, where embryos were dropped and destroyed. In the recent case at Mobile's Center for Reproductive Medicine, a hospital patient wandered into the embryology lab--how did that happen?--removed five human embryos from cryostorage, and dropped them, destroying the embryos. prgtoken Tragically, cases like this are not isolated. There was a storage tank failure in San Francisco that resulted in the death of 3,500 eggs and human embryos and another in Ohio in which 4,000 eggs and human embryos died. prgtoken A recent investigation into a fertility clinic with 33 locations across the country uncovered multiple instances of accidental embryo destruction, mislabeled embryos, and labs with faulty heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. prgtoken Just this year, a fertility clinic in California used hydrogen peroxide instead of distilled water during the incubation period--used hydrogen peroxide instead of distilled water--rendering all of the embryos nonviable. Then, if you can believe it, the clinic allegedly transferred more than two dozen embryos into would-be mothers despite knowing that this would not end in a pregnancy. prgtoken It is expected, at a minimum, that fertility clinics protect and respect human life, keeping these treasured embryos safe. Women, mothers, parents--they deserve better. prgtoken But what we have today is a haphazardly copied and pasted bill that sets up a messy hierarchy of unfunded mandates and inconsistent policies. For example, under this legislation, private insurance companies are required to provide unlimited fertility treatments and relat
CELEBRATING THE 247TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CREATION OF THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES AND EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mike Braun (Republican, IN) \u2014 2024-6-13

I rise today--I have done this several times since I have been here in the Senate. It is always an honor to do it. When something is that important, I think it is worth repeating. I am rising today to offer a resolution expressing support for the Pledge of Allegiance as an expression of patriotism and honoring the 247th anniversary of the introduction of our U.S. flag. prgtoken Tomorrow, we celebrate Flag Day, which was established over 100 years ago by President Woodrow Wilson. As we pause to recognize all that our flag represents, let us also honor those who have sacrificed everything to defend it. prgtoken In 2002, Senator Tom Daschle raised a similar resolution with unanimous support from the Senate. It passed on the floor uneventfully. Today, I ask this body to reaffirm our support for the Pledge of Allegiance, also bringing into account somebody from Indiana--Red Skelton. prgtoken In 1969, the American entertainer, who was well known for his program ``The Red Skelton Hour,'' wrote a speech on the importance of the pledge. Reflecting on his time in Vincennes, IN, he spoke about the values instilled by one of his high school teachers. prgtoken After the performance of the speech, CBS received 200,000 requests for copies. I wonder if that would occur in this day and age. This speech would go on to be sold as a single by Columbia Records and performed at the White House for President Nixon. prgtoken I think it would honor Mr. Skelton's memory and the importance of the Pledge of Allegiance if it were recited again today on the Senate floor like I have done several times since I have been here. prgtoken Red Skelton: When I was a small boy in Vincennes, Indiana, I heard, I think, one of the most outstanding speeches I ever heard in my life. I think it compares with the Sermon on the Mount, Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, and Socrates' speech to the Students. We had just finished reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, and Mr. Lasswell, the Principal of Vincennes High School, called us all together. He says, ``Uh, boys and girls, I have been listening to you recite the Pledge of Allegiance all semester, and it seems that it has become a little monotonous to you. Or, could it be, you do not understand the meaning of each word? If I may, I would like to recite the pledge, and give you a definition of each word: I--Me; an individual; a committee of one. Pledge--Dedicate all of my worldly goods to give without self-pity. Allegiance--My love and my devotion. To the Flag--Our standard. `Old Glory'; a symbol of courage. And wherever she waves, there is respect, because your loyalty has given her a dignity that shouts, `Freedom is everybody's job.' of the United--That means we have all come together. States--Individual communities that have united into 48 great states;---- prgtoken
BIDEN ADMINISTRATION
Chuck Grassley (Republican, IA) \u2014 2024-6-13

I come to the floor to discuss the differences between foreign policy and foreign policy. prgtoken There seems to be a pattern where if a President is elected, partisan pundits warn that it will be very bad for our international relations. Now, by contrast, when a President takes over from a , the same partisan pundits often promise smooth overall international relations. These same left-leaning pundits then breathe a sigh of relief that our alliances will be shored up and everything will be miraculously harmonious, but if you look at the record, it often doesn't work out that way. prgtoken President Carter presided over a string of foreign policy disasters, leaving the United States looking weak and humiliated. prgtoken Ronald Reagan was portrayed as a dangerous cowboy who might start a nuclear war. On the contrary, Reagan's calculated efforts to push back against Soviet communism resulted in fewer nuclear arms and freed millions of people from repressive regimes. prgtoken In 2009, the new Vice President, , went to Munich to deliver the administration's first major foreign policy address. That address was hailed by some in the media as announcing a more cooperative approach with European countries. prgtoken 's promise to defer more to other countries rather than setting the agenda was a foreshadowing of President 's infamous ``leading from behind'' policy, which turned out to be a disastrous policy. prgtoken also said: It's time to press the reset button and to revisit the many areas where we can and should be working together with Russia. prgtoken Then look at what Russia did after that comment. This comment was 6 months after Russia had invaded and occupied territory of the Republic of Georgia, which, if you remember, had sent significant forces to fight alongside the American military in Afghanistan and Iraq. prgtoken Now, can you believe that in a unilateral effort to show good-- meaning good will--towards Russia, the - reset included abruptly scrapping planned missile defense cooperation with the Czech and Polish allies of America. prgtoken To add insult to injury, the administration made the announcement about abandoning our missile defense cooperation with the Czech Republic and Poland on the anniversary of the Soviet invasion of Poland--not an ideal time to make that announcement--and, of course, that announcement turned out to be a grave error. Not only did it offend some of our most pro-American allies, but it also sent the very exact wrong message to dictator Vladimir Putin. prgtoken Putin's Russia, like the old Soviet Union before, only understands strength. They respect even enemies that have strength. They are not going to take advantage of somebody that shows strength. Unilateral concessions are perceived by Putin as weakness and actually encourage further aggression, ju
SERVICEMEMBER QUALITY OF LIFE IMPROVEMENT AND NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025
Lauren Boebert (Republican, CO) \u2014 2024-6-13

. Mr. Chair, I rise in favor of my amendment, which would prohibit Federal funding for the Countering Extremist Activity Working Group or implement any recommendations from the group. prgtoken In 2021, and the regime unjustly used January 6 to prop up this woke working group to provide cover for unjustly targeting members of our military. The so-called Countering Extremist Activity Working Group has been weaponized and implemented to almost exclusively target s, Conservatives, and Libertarians serving in the military. Yet, by its own metrics, it has been a massive waste of money and time. prgtoken The Defense Department continues to spend large amounts of time and money to combat extremism, yet its own analysis of the situation shows that it is entirely unnecessary. In fact, fewer than 100 servicemembers have been subject to discipline due to engagement in extremist activities. That is only 0.005 percent of the approximately 2.1 million Active and Reserve personnel. Clearly, extremism is not the problem that my colleagues on the left and media outlets made it out to be. prgtoken The United States military is tasked with one mission: maintaining mission critical readiness to protect the American homeland. Sowing our Armed Forces with divisive rhetoric designed to pit races and genders against one another is not only morally wrong, it poses a very real threat to our national security. prgtoken Under the regime, DEI instruction and management has reached new heights that threaten to weaken the bond between America's Armed Forces and its civilian leadership and undermine our military effectiveness and readiness. prgtoken All of our men and women in uniform deserve to have the best tools needed to carry out their mission to support and defend the Constitution of the United States. Unfortunately, liberal ideology undermines this mission. In order to stand up to China, Russia, and terrorists, our military needs to project strength, not cultural wokeness. My amendment does exactly that. prgtoken I urge the adoption of this amendment, Mr. Chair, and .
REMEMBERING CAROLINE DOWLING
Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (Republican, GA) \u2014 2024-6-13

I rise today to mourn the loss of Caroline Dowling, who tragically passed away at just the age of 11. Caroline passed away on May 18 after sustaining multiple injuries in an accident. prgtoken Caroline is from Pierce County, Georgia, where she lived her whole life and attended Patterson Elementary School. In school, she was an A/ B honor roll student and received numerous awards. She was awarded the highest achievement in reading, the highest average in social studies, the PBIS award, the PE award, and the young authors winner in 2022. prgtoken Caroline also participated in sports, including basketball and softball, where she made the Pierce County 12U all-star softball team. prgtoken Caroline also had a love for animals. She enjoyed riding her horse, Honey, and playing with her dog, Rudy, and her cat, Milo. prgtoken She was a member of First Baptist Church and attended fourth and fifth grade Sunday School classes. prgtoken Caroline Dowling was a loving and caring young lady who made others feel valued, and I send my deepest condolences to the whole Dowling family.