mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
John Cornyn (Republican, TX) \u2014 2023-9-20

by my watch, today is September 20. The fiscal year for the U.S. Senate and for the U.S. Government ends in 10 days. Congress, which is required to fund the government by passing appropriations bills, has not passed a single appropriations bill 10 days before the end of the fiscal year. prgtoken The obvious point is that, unless Congress acts to fund the government in the next 10 days, the government will be without funds, and large portions of the Federal Government will shut down; notwithstanding the fact that some people think maybe that is a good idea and that we are spending too much money here, so let's just shut it down. Well, tell that to the members of the U.S. military and their families. Tell that to the men and women who serve bravely as members of the Border Patrol and of the Customs and Border Protection, who are responsible for processing the goods that enter into our country from our trading partners who create millions of jobs. Tell that to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE. Tell them that they will have to work and not get paid. Programs that support our seniors, veterans, children, and some of the most vulnerable Americans will be paralyzed, and a range of services from passport processing to opioid treatment will be delayed. Good luck if you want to take a vacation and need your passport renewed. prgtoken Well, as may be obvious from my statements, I am not a fan of government shutdowns. I have noticed from my experience that when that happens, the same problems that caused you to shut down the government are still there staring you in the face when the government reopens, and it creates a lot of collateral damage and a lot of collateral expense. It doesn't actually save money; it actually costs more money because of the disruption. And shutdowns harm innocent people and create needless uncertainty for our economy. prgtoken I don't need to tell Members of the Senate that our economy is in a precarious position right now. Inflation is at a 40-year high--or it has been at a 40-year high--and the Federal Reserve continues to raise interest rates in order to try to deal with inflation. One of the largest autoworker unions in the country, the UAW, is currently on strike; and we don't know how long that strike will last or how far it will spread. So notwithstanding the fact that President likes to talk about the virtues of omics, I think if you ask most people whether they are feeling good about the economy and their personal and family prospects, they will tell you they are a little nervous--and with good reason. prgtoken I mentioned that shutdowns are not a useful tool nor do they provide leverage for negotiations. I know, here in the Senate, we are always looking for leverage to try to persuade people to do what we want or to vote for the things we like or to vote against the things we don't like. Leverage is part of the way we operate. But shutting down
HONORING THE DISTINGUISHED MILITARY SERVICE OF LIEUTENANT COMMANDER JAMES P. COSE
Diana Harshbarger (Republican, TN) \u2014 2023-9-20

I rise today to recognize Lieutenant Commander James P. Cose of Sneedville in Hancock County for his extensive service in the United States Navy. His military career began with his enlistment in September of 1969, where he volunteered for Nuclear Power Training and the Submarine Force. prgtoken After his training, he deployed to the U.S.S. Holland AS-32 in Rota, Spain as a Fire Control Ballistic Third-Class Petty Officer, but was soon transferred to the U.S.S. Thomas A. Edison SSBN 610, which made strategic missile patrols in the Mediterranean Sea. His next assignment was to the Naval Ordnance Test Unit at Cape Canaveral, Florida, where tests on the Polaris and Trident Fleet Ballistic Missiles were conducted. PO Cose then transferred for more strategic missile patrols on the U.S.S. Sam Rayburn SSBN 635, where he was commissioned as a Limited Duty Officer and sent to Officer Training School (OTS). After OTS, he deployed to the Alexander Hamilton SSBN 617 for more strategic missile patrols out of the North Atlantic, then transferred to the Officer Submarine Training Facility in New London, Connecticut, where he instructed Perspective Commanding Officers on weapons systems onboard the Nuclear Submarines. His next transfer was to the Naval Submarine Support Facility in New London, Connecticut to build torpedoes, as well as teach thousands of service members small-arms firearms training, as part of American nuclear weapons security. prgtoken His last command was to Commander Submarine Force, Atlantic Fleet (COMSUBLANT), at Norfolk, Virginia, where he served as a Chief Nuclear Weapons Inspector for all Fleet Ballistic Missile Submarines in the Atlantic Fleet. He retired with nearly 25 years of exceptional service in the U.S. Navy, rising through the ranks from an enlisted recruit all the way to Lieutenant Commander. prgtoken Please join me in thanking American patriot, Lieutenant Commander James P. Cose for his leadership and lifetime of service to our great Nation.
CLOTURE MOTION
Tommy Tuberville (Republican, AL) \u2014 2023-9-20

2 hours ago, Senator Schumer announced that we will be voting on the Commandant of the Marine Corps, the Army Chief of Staff, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. prgtoken It is about time. I have called for individual votes on these nominees for almost 6 months. Instead of voting, have spent months complaining about having to vote. They want to use floor time for things like liberal judges, like the one we confirmed a couple of hours ago. prgtoken Senator Schumer could have confirmed these nominees a long, long time ago. We have had more than 80 days off this year in the Senate, not including weekends. Yet Senator Schumer is outraged that we are voting on these nominations. prgtoken As I have noted before, the current Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff was given a floor vote in 2018. The current nominee for that position, General Brown, was given a floor vote for his current position not long ago. Despite what Senator Reed and others have said, there is nothing wrong with a floor vote on these nominations. prgtoken I ran for Senate so I could vote on behalf of the people of the State of Alabama. I didn't come up here just to outsource my job to the Pentagon or the White House. Yet that is exactly what want to do. That is the current position of Senate . prgtoken The Constitution says we make the laws here in Congress, not in the Pentagon and not in the White House. So this is not about me. It is about the Senate and the Constitution. This is a win today for the legislative branch of government. Voting gives all Senators a voice for their constituents. prgtoken The Constitution says that the Senate is to ``advise and consent'' to the President's nominations. Over the last 6 months, in this Chamber have actually complained that the Senate has too much power. Senator Schumer made reference this afternoon to proposals by to make the Senate weaker. Senate have been more than happy to go along with executive overreach when a is in the Oval Office. prgtoken have spent the last 6 months attacking me for standing up to an illegal and immoral new policy. Many of these attacks have been wrong on the facts. First, they said I was leaving important jobs open. That is false. prgtoken Then they complained that we have acting officials in many important roles. They claim that generals and admirals just can't do the job as an acting official. prgtoken Senator Reed came to the floor 2 weeks ago and said we ``have no effective military leadership'' in several branches of the military right now. One member of the House said the military is ``paralyzed.'' prgtoken I don't even think the Pentagon would defend these accusations. still have never shown me one fact to show that we were behind on readiness. It is just not true. prgtoken Just last week, GEN Charles Flynn, our top Army general in the Pacific, said he hasn't not
LETTER TO ELON MUSK RE: TAIWAN
Andrew Ogles (Republican, TN) \u2014 2023-9-20

Elon Musk, someone generally known for promoting free speech and autonomy, falsely stated that Taiwan is an ``integral part of China.'' prgtoken On a practical level, think about what that means for our efforts. We in Congress can promote Taiwan's participation in international organizations. We can argue that Taiwan must have a seat at the table, but if we refuse or fail to confront the CCP on their falsification of the historical record, if we, as a Congress, can't confront the CCP with the truth, we are letting Xi Jinping dictate the terms of the debate. That is irresponsible and wrong. prgtoken Unfortunately, this wasn't the first time that Mr. Musk has spread misinformation about the relationship between the CCP, China, and Taiwan. prgtoken For Elon to spread the talking points of the CCP from a position of influence in the United States is unacceptable, which is why I am sending a letter to Elon Musk providing him with an accurate account of Taiwan's history and a clear message: Taiwan is not part of the People's Republic of China and their free will is not for sale.
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
Margaret Wood Hassan (Democrat, NH) \u2014 2023-9-20

I am honored to recognize Georgia Merrill of Brentwood as August's Granite Stater of the Month. For the past 8 years, 14-year-old Georgia has raised tens of thousands of dollars for the New Hampshire Food Bank through her Peach Project initiative. prgtoken When Georgia was 6 years old and driving in a car with her grandmother, she saw a homeless person on the side of the road holding a sign that read, ``I'm hungry.'' It was a moment that stuck with her and inspired her to give back to her community. She went home and asked her mom if they could set up a bake sale with proceeds going to people like the man she had just seen on the road. prgtoken Georgia--along with her mother Erin, her dad Josh, and brothers Owen and Miles--started holding bake sales, with sales going to the NH Food Bank. Georgia's nickname is Georgia Peach, and so they decided to name the initiative the ``Georgia Peach Project.'' Georgia's parents were touched by their daughter's commitment to helping those in need and worked with Georgia to take the project even further. Georgia started new projects, and they spread the word about them on social media and got other families in their community involved. prgtoken Now, the project's various initiatives include making and selling bracelets with proceeds going to the NH Food Bank, holding a food collection, passing out cards to classmates at school encouraging them to donate, and hosting a community holiday concert. In addition, every year, they organize a holiday stroll partnering with local organizations and families who commit to decorating a part of the walk. The event also includes a bake sale, a silent auction, and live entertainment--with all donations from the night going to the NH Food Bank. prgtoken Since the start of the Peach Project, Georgia has raised more than $66,000 for the NH Food Bank. Her commitment to serving her community at such a young age is an inspiration for all of us. After she saw a neighbor in need, it was clear to her that she needed to bring her community together to do whatever it could do to help. Georgia's ability to think about the needs of those around her and then act to address them exemplifies the Granite State spirit of generosity, and her work demonstrates that you can always make a difference by getting involved in your community.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2023-9-20

most Americans agree that the cost of prescription drugs is too high. Most Americans agree that President has done the right thing by reducing the monthly cost of insulin to $35 so that millions of people facing diabetes can afford their medication. Most Americans agree that it is almost impossible to explain why American drug companies sell the same drugs in Canada for a fraction of the cost they charge American consumers. Most Americans agree that the pharmaceutical companies should be able to take advantage of basic research by Agencies like the National Institutes of Health but, when it comes to their profit-making, they ought to be reasonable with the American taxpayers, who started them down the road to a successful product. prgtoken Most Americans also agree that the No. 1 driver in the cost of health insurance premiums is the cost of prescription drugs. BlueCross BlueShield of Chicago has told me as much. It stands to reason. prgtoken That is why it is very difficult to understand the statement just made by the leader in the Senate, who is suggesting that the idea of negotiating with the pharmaceutical companies so that Medicare, for example, doesn't pay the highest price for drugs isn't a reasonable thing. prgtoken What I heard from the leader was this was prescription drug socialism--socialism--that we would go to the private sector and say: Lifesaving drugs should be affordable. You are entitled to a profit, but you are not entitled to rip off taxpayers or consumers across America. prgtoken That seems like a reasonable approach. In fact, it seems so reasonable that someone suggested we do that for our veterans years ago. The Veterans' Administration has been negotiating prescription drug pricing for years. prgtoken What the Senator from Kentucky refers to as ``unelected bureaucrats'' are the officials of the Veterans' Administration who, on behalf of the veterans and their families, sit down at a table and negotiate a reasonable cost so that veterans will always have those drugs available to them and the government will pay not the highest price but a reasonable price for the product. prgtoken That has been going on for decades, and I don't recall any --or , for that matter--who stood before the Senate or the House and said: That is a bad idea. The Veterans' Administration ought to pay a much higher price for drugs, and taxpayers ought to foot the difference. prgtoken The reason you don't hear that is it doesn't make sense. We should be able to negotiate reasonable pricing for pharmaceutical drugs in Medicare, just as we do in the Veterans' Administration. That is what President has suggested. prgtoken If you took a look at the top 10 drugs that the Medicare system is buying across America, not surprisingly, these drugs, which have tongue-twister names, are familiar to most Americans. Why? prgtoken The pharmaceutical companies have put
MOTION TO INSTRUCT CONFEREES ON H.R. 2670, NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024
Betty McCollum (Democrat, MN) \u2014 2023-9-20

I thank the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania for the time. prgtoken Hopefully, at some point on this floor, we will be able to debate the Defense appropriations bill. That bill and this bill that we have the motion on, the NDAA, have extreme social policy riders that make bipartisan cooperation just impossible. prgtoken The restricting rider that we are focusing on today is in both bills, and it stops servicemembers, civilians, and dependents from seeking basic reproductive healthcare. As the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania pointed out, when certain care is not available where a person is stationed, they have the flexibility of going to seek out that healthcare. The DOD's current policy is totally under Federal law and is totally legal. prgtoken Another misnomer that I hear quite often sometimes is it is undermining the Hyde amendment. Well, it doesn't do that either. The Hyde amendment allows for abortion services in certain circumstances. This would be a ban if a woman was stationed at a military post where we don't even offer obstetrics and gynecology, where she would have to seek care in another State, and many of these States have limited and put so many restrictions in place that the doctors are fearful of performing even procedures after miscarriage or the procedures that were pointed out with the woman in Texas. They have to go someplace else to receive the service, even services that are provided under the Hyde amendment. prgtoken Make no mistake, I don't support the Hyde amendment, but that is the least we should be able to do. prgtoken As has been pointed out, nearly 20 percent of the people who serve in our military are women, 80,000 of them are in States that restrict abortions, and our troops don't get to choose where they are stationed. prgtoken We need to make sure that our servicewomen are not treated as second- class citizens and that they have full access to their reproductive rights. In the past and in the future, women have faced barriers to reach their full potential. Let's not put up another barrier.
HONORING THE MASSACHUSETTS GOLD STAR MOTHERS' TRIBUTE ON SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2023, AT BLESSED SACRAMENT
James P. McGovern (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2023-9-20

I rise today to celebrate the fourth annual Massachusetts Gold Star Mothers' Tribute at Blessed Sacrament Church in Worcester, Massachusetts on Sunday, September 24, 2023. prgtoken The celebration will honor the families of servicemembers who lost their lives while serving the United States military. The tribute joins together several families from across the state to cherish the memories of their loved ones. prgtoken , these veterans paid the ultimate sacrifice and gave their lives in defense of this country. We are each forever indebted to their service to keep us safe at home. However, it's far too easy to forget to cherish the family they left behind. prgtoken That's why Cecelia M. Mason will gather these families in Worcester on Sunday. She knows that, through community, we can all feel the legacy of these servicemen and women. We can join them to thank and remember the families these heroes left behind. I am deeply thankful for the tireless work she has done to bring these families together. prgtoken , please join me in celebrating the lives of our fallen neighbors and cherishing the Gold Star Mothers, Fathers, and Families who never cease celebrating the legacies of their loved ones. I thank the Blessed Sacrament Church in Worcester, Massachusetts in advance for holding such a beautiful event and reception.
Armenia and Azerbaijan (Executive Session)
Gary C. Peters (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2023-9-20

in the mountains of Nagorno-Karabakh, a humanitarian crisis is unfolding. Azerbaijan's blockade of the Lachin corridor has left over 100,000 ethnic Albanians cut off from the world--deprived of the food, the water, fuel, and medical care that they need to survive. prgtoken Last week, one resident made a plea. She asked: How many more people will have to die before the world takes notice? prgtoken Today, that question carries new meaning as the Armenian people not only confront dwindling resources but heavy bombardment. On September 19, Azerbaijan violated the fragile peace and began attacking Nagorno- Karabakh. While a cease-fire was announced this morning, we cannot ignore the violence, and we must stand with the citizens of Nagorno- Karabakh. prgtoken This conflict systematically targets the Armenian people. It is cruel; it is calculated; and it is inhumane--further demonstrating that the Armenian people are facing an existential threat. Experts from the International Criminal Court say there is reason to believe it amounts to an act of genocide. That word would always sound an alarm, but it creates a particular weight with the Armenian people and evokes a devastating chapter of their history. prgtoken The government of Azerbaijan has orchestrated a humanitarian disaster, only to further their political and their territorial claims. The blockade of the Lachin corridor has kept essential supplies out of the region since June. Pregnant women are being forced to walk miles to a medical clinic. Fuel shortages have shut down schools and sidelined emergency vehicles. People get sick from untreated water and then visit pharmacies with empty shelves. prgtoken Food shortages run rampant. Officials in Nagorno-Karabakh estimate that 95 percent of residents are suffering from malnutrition. Starving citizens are lining up for bread in the streets and wondering how they will find their family's next meal. The use of military force by Azerbaijan will only further endanger citizens who have already endured so much. prgtoken The administration has provided some crucial assistance, and the Azerbaijani Government has announced a theoretical agreement to open the Lachin corridor once again. But that deal has yet to bring the Armenian people out of harm's way. The prgtoken bombardment began after it was reached, and this increasing military aggression has only deepened the humanitarian crisis. prgtoken The Aliyev regime has now demanded that Nagorno-Karabakh's government be dissolved and the ethnic Armenian troops be removed. The Azerbaijan Government has made it clear their goal is to erase the historic presence of Armenians in this region. prgtoken Until it is proven that this cruel campaign has ended, we must be vigilant. Until the people of Nagorno-Karabakh have what they need to survive and to walk freely in their home once again, we cannot stand to the side. prgtoken In the midst of these unthin
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2023-9-20

today, Senators from both sides of the aisle will have a chance to affirm that bipartisanship still rules the day in the Senate appropriations process. prgtoken In a few hours, we will hold a cloture vote on the suspension of rule XVI, to override the stall tactics of one Member who objected last week to waiving rule XVI. It is yet another reminder that, in both Houses, a small group of hard-right s is dead set on grinding the gears of government to a halt. For MAGA s, it is as if chaos is a virtue and cooperation a crime, but I do not believe that this is the view of most Members in this Chamber, or s. prgtoken The appropriations process has been a true bipartisan success story to date. Our colleagues on the other side have asked for regular order, and we have worked with them to ensure we have done just that, just as we did on the NDAA bill. Our colleagues on the other side have asked for amendments, and we have worked with them to consider amendments. prgtoken We worked side by side with our colleagues in the Appropriations Committee to bring these three bills to the floor: MILCON-VA, Agriculture, and Transportation-HUD. It has taken a lot of hard work. We have had plenty of disagreements, as both sides normally do, but we have worked through them. It is a reminder that, prgtoken even in divided times, it is the hard work--hard work--of achieving bipartisanship that produced results. prgtoken Today, we have a chance to make sure all the good work of the appropriators is not wasted. Whether the s give us cloture or not, we on this side of the aisle are going to do our best to ensure that the minibus gets done. We have come very far, and there is no good reason to turn back. Government Funding prgtoken Now, , on the CR, every day we get closer to September 30, one truth becomes clearer and clearer: There is no scenario for avoiding a government shutdown without bipartisanship. prgtoken A government shutdown would be a terrible and unnecessary outcome for our country. Millions of Americans who count on government services would have their lives disrupted. It could impact the pay of our servicemembers, who so bravely serve us. Air traffic controllers and TSA employees would have to work without pay. FEMA's Disaster Relief Fund--needed by so many--could dry up. prgtoken A shutdown would be disastrous. A shutdown would be unnecessary. Make no mistake, a shutdown is certainly avoidable. Yet, with each passing day, House s seem less interested in avoiding a shutdown and more interested in catering to the hard, hard, unreasonable, adamant, and stubborn hard right. prgtoken A few days ago, House s released what they claimed was a deal for a CR--a slapdash, reckless, and cruel bill that everyone knew had no chance--no chance--of passing in the Senate. It would have cut 8 percent to virtu