mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
Nomination of Reta Jo Lewis (Executive Session)
Sherrod Brown (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2022-2-8

I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting American manufacturing and support the nomination of Reta Jo Lewis to be President of the Export-Import Bank. As President of Ex-Im and chair of the Bank's Board of Directors, Ms. Lewis will lead our Nation's official export credit Agency as it supports U.S. workers and manufacturers, especially in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and throughout our country. Ex-Im's job is to support American businesses in the face of competition--so often, unfair competition from countries like China. prgtoken Ms. Lewis is the leader we need in the fight to help U.S. manufacturers compete globally. She has 25 years of distinguished leadership experience in international affairs, law, and public policy. She is a historic nominee as the first Black woman to lead Ex-Im. prgtoken She serves as a senior fellow and director of congressional affairs at the German Marshall Fund, where she leads bipartisan efforts to strengthen transatlantic cooperation. Before joining the German Marshall Fund, Ms. Lewis served in the administration as the State Department's first-ever Special Representative for Global Intergovernmental Affairs. prgtoken She will put American workers and exporters first. That has been the hallmark of this administration--putting workers at the center of our government; putting workers at the center of our economic policy. prgtoken Ms. Lewis understands that Ex-Im is vital to these manufacturing jobs and our Nation's economic competitiveness. prgtoken There are some 100 export credit agencies and credit programs around the world that support foreign manufacturers. China's export finance activity is larger--China's is larger--than all the export credit provided by the G7 countries combined. That alone is reason to move forward on Ex-Im. We know that the Chinese Government used export credit as a weapon to win manufacturing business in critical sectors and to undermine American companies and American workers. We must be in a better position to compete. prgtoken We have had so much good job news in Ohio over the last few weeks. It is not a coincidence that for the first time in my lifetime, we have a President who leads by talking about workers, who leads by talking about unions. As a result of his leadership, we are seeing more job creation in Ohio. We have seen more jobs created in 2021 than in any number of years in the past. We are seeing now tens of thousands of manufacturing jobs--Intel, Hyperion, GE Aviation--coming to my State. It is all made possible because we are putting workers at the center of our economy. prgtoken Look at the results we are getting. Last year--this is worth saying like five times--last year, for the first time in 20 years, our economy actually grew faster than China's. Our GDP grew faster than China's GDP. Again, that is because we have a President of the United States who puts workers at the center of our economic policy, who understands
HONORING THE LIFE OF EDGAR STUART CAHN
Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democrat, DC) \u2014 2022-2-8

. Madam , I rise today to ask the House of Representatives to join me in celebrating the life of Dr. Edgar Stuart Cahn, who passed away at 86 years of age on January 23, 2022, in Bethesda, Maryland. prgtoken Edgar Stuart Cahn was born on March 23, 1935, and was raised in an activist household in New York. While earning his undergraduate degree at Swarthmore College, Edgar met and fell in love with fellow student Jean Camper, forming a partnership that would eventually spur substantial social, political and legal change for the benefit of our country's most vulnerable. They married in New York, because, at the time, interracial marriage was illegal in Jean's home state of Maryland. prgtoken Edgar and Jean both attended Yale Law School, where I met them as a fellow student. Following graduation, they moved to the District of Columbia in 1963, with Jean working as a legal advisor at the Department of State and Edgar as Special Assistant to and speechwriter for Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy. They would later work together in the Office of Economic Opportunity, where they, along with Sargent Shriver, established a first-of-its-kind federally funded program that provided legal aid to low-income Americans. This groundbreaking initiative, the predecessor to the Legal Services Corporation, is widely acknowledged as setting a blueprint for legal services and catalyzing what was then the burgeoning field of public interest law. prgtoken Edgar next undertook a two-year campaign organizing Native American leaders in an effort that led to the end of the official federal policy of terminating Native American tribes, and, with his book Our Brother's Keeper: The Indian in White America, a classic indictment of America's treatment of Native Americans, to enactment of Public Law 93-638, the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act. prgtoken Edgar and Jean founded the Antioch School of Law, the predecessor to the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law. He served as a member of the UDC law faculty until near the end of his life. prgtoken Edgar was a visionary in strategies to alleviate poverty, a pioneer in clinical legal education and a dear friend. He led with an unwavering focus to help the most vulnerable among us. He was equally beloved for his kindness, and he will be greatly missed. prgtoken Madam , again, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in honoring the incredible life and legacy of Dr. Edgar Stuart Cahn.
MOTION TO DISCHARGE
Christopher Murphy (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2022-2-8

the world was safer when the JCPOA, the Iran nuclear agreement negotiated by President , was in place. The world became a much less safe place when President tore up that agreement against the advice of his Secretary of State and his Secretary of Defense. prgtoken We have an opportunity right now to reconstruct that agreement--or the most important elements of it--so that Iran once again is as far as possible from being able to obtain a nuclear weapon. That would make the region safer. That would make the United States safer. prgtoken But time is of the essence. U.S. negotiators, European negotiators, the Russians, the Chinese, and the Iranians are right now entering what could be the last round of discussions, and it is absolutely imperative that the U.S. Senate provide this administration with the support it needs to effectuate an agreement. prgtoken I want to talk to my colleagues for a few minutes about how important it is for the United States and our European allies--for the world, indeed--to reconstruct a diplomatic agreement with Iran. prgtoken And I want to also talk for a moment about how disastrous the last 5 years have been--a period of time during which the United States has largely been out of compliance with that agreement. prgtoken The JCPOA was signed by the United States and European allies and was entered into, on behalf of a coalition that included Russia and China, with the Iranian Government. It was signed in July of 2015, and within about 6 months, the IAEA was able to verify that Iran had completed its obligations under the nuclear agreement. prgtoken This included commitments that would increase the amount of time that Iran needed to acquire enough material for a nuclear weapon from 2 to 3 months--that was the amount of time that it would have taken them prior to the nuclear agreement--to at least a year or more. prgtoken The agreement reduced Iran's stockpiles of enriched uranium by requiring it to ship 25,000 pounds of it out of the country. Iran committed to dismantling and removing two-thirds of its centrifuges. It modified its heavy water reactor at Arak and filled it with concrete so that it could never be used again, preventing Iran from producing weapons-grade plutonium. And, finally, Iran agreed to provide unprecedented access to its nuclear facilities and to its nuclear supply chain--not only the sites that we knew about, but it also agreed to adopt what are called the additional protocols which allow the IAEA to be able to request and get access to sites in which they might have some suspicion that there was new prohibited nuclear research activity happening. prgtoken Under this deal, Iran reduced its stockpile of uranium by 98 percent. It kept its level of uranium enrichment at 3.67 percent, significantly below the levels that you would need to make a bomb. prgtoken The JCPOA, as I said, got the Iranians to reduce their number of centrifuges from 20,000
NFL'S LACK OF RESPONSE TO RACISM
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2022-2-8

many of our jurisdictional committees have oversight over the major league sports teams, from baseball to basketball to football. prgtoken As a member of the Judiciary Committee, I have been engaged with my committee in the oversight of the National Football League. In fact, I remember more than a decade ago we were the first committee to deal with brain concussions and the lack of response by the NFL to the players. prgtoken Today, I rise for the lack of response to racism and racial discrimination in the NFL. I take note of the lawsuit filed by Coach Brian Flores and would hope that the words, ``it is without merit'' will not stand. prgtoken I believe it is important, with the number of minority players versus the number of coaches to that in terms of statistics, that we address the seeming appearance of racial discrimination in the NFL. I think it is important to reassess the Rooney rule to give a criteria for how coaches are selected, so mistakes like the coach from Boston sending the wrong notice that ``you have been hired'' to someone else would not happen. prgtoken To Mr. Goodell and the owners, let's work together, let's get the teams to look like America.
Government Funding (Executive Calendar)
Jack Reed (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2022-2-8

last week, I came to the floor to warn that we are moving closer to a yearlong continuing resolution, or a CR, that would have devastating implications for every Federal Agency-- particularly the Department of Defense. prgtoken We are 5 months into the fiscal year. Soon, the House will send over another stop-gap measure so we can avoid a shutdown for a few more weeks. When the short-term funding bill expires, the fiscal year will be halfway over. We need to get this work done. prgtoken As outlined last week, put a deal on the table months ago that gave s what they wanted--more funding for defense than the $22 billion increase that President sought and less money for nondefense programs than he requested. This should have been an easy deal for them to accept. Indeed, the defense funding number that are willing to agree to is the number that s on the Armed Services Committee proposed this summer and that was incorporated into the National Defense Authorization Act. But even with that defense number in hand, our colleagues continue to draw out negotiations, pushing us closer to a full-year continuing resolution that would fund defense at a level that is less than President initially requested and about $37 billion lower than the level set out in the NDAA. prgtoken I think that is important. If the s continue to reject a sensible agreement on an Omnibus appropriations bill, they will end up with a defense number that is less than what President sent up, and what he sent up was harshly and vigorously criticized by the s as being not only ineffectual but also somehow undermining our defense. prgtoken So it is very clear that we have to move quickly to make a full-year CR an impossibility and that we have to move and vote for an Omnibus appropriations bill. A CR for the full year will shortchange our military. It will disrupt the efficient operations of the Federal Government in the midst of international tension, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and a fragile economic recovery. prgtoken Let me focus on the Navy and Marine Corps for a moment. Like the other services, they would be hard hit. A full-year CR would lead to a shortfall of $4.4 billion from the level the President requested. prgtoken Even worse, the Navy estimates the impact could total more than $14 billion of misaligned funds because a CR prohibits any new starts and production rate increases. The military personnel accounts alone would be $1.6 billion below what the Navy needs, and that is the pay and benefits for our men and women in uniform. The Navy's Active-Duty end strength would be reduced by 23,000 sailors of its planned accessions. Almost half of the permanent change-of-station moves would be cut, and the Navy Reserves would also face a substantial reduction in its end strength. prgtoken A full-year CR could leave the training and readiness accoun
CELEBRATING THE CAREER OF TOM BRADY
Jake Auchincloss (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2022-2-8

. Madam , I rise today to celebrate the career of Tom Brady. prgtoken As the Congressman for Foxborough, Massachusetts, I represent the home of the New England Patriots. For 20 of his 22 seasons in the National Football League, Mr. Brady was a Patriot. He brought pride and six Super Bowl victories to my district and to the fans of New England. prgtoken Mr. Brady embodies excellence. He is the greatest football player of all time, and his final MVP-worthy season is an indication that he was still getting better when he retired. prgtoken He won 35 playoff games throughout his career. That is more than double the second-place quarterback. Even down by 25 points with little more than 15 minutes on the clock in the biggest game, he never gave up on his team. prgtoken Indeed, teamwork was Tom Brady's top talent. He elevated others through his team-first ethic and his competitive drive. From the sixth round to seven Super Bowls, the GOAT was always focused on the team, not himself. prgtoken On behalf of two decades of Foxboro Faithful, I thank Tom Brady for the memories.
Continuing Resolution (Executive Session)
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2022-2-8

yesterday, our colleagues in the House introduced legislation that will provide a temporary extension of government funding until March 11. The continuing resolution is expected to be taken up as soon as today, and once it is passed by the House, I intend to have the Senate take it up quickly and in time before the February 18 deadline. prgtoken While negotiations on the full-year funding agreement continue, we will in the meantime avoid a pointless and costly government shutdown. This CR provides a little more time to reach a deal for a spending package. It is the responsible and prudent path forward that eliminates the risk of a shutdown. prgtoken My colleagues have made good progress, and I am optimistic that and s can soon arrive at a top-line deal for an omnibus. I am more confident than ever before that we can reach agreement for an omnibus by March 11, which is far more preferable to the alternative, a CR for the rest of the year.
IN RECOGNITION OF JOHN WILLIAMS AND HIS SERVICE TO THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE
Jerrold Nadler (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2022-2-8

. Madam , I rise to thank John Williams for his service to the House Committee on the Judiciary. prgtoken John came to the Committee as merely the last step in a distinguished career in public service. He previously worked for various offices on Capitol Hill, including for former Representative Baron Hill of Indiana, the House Committee on Rules, the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. He has also held positions at the ic Congressional Campaign Committee, the IMPAC 2000 redistricting project, and, most recently-before rejoining us on the Hill-at the Federal Communications Commission. John received his bachelor's degree from the University of Virginia, his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago, and his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center. prgtoken John joined the Committee on the Judiciary as Senior Counsel and Parliamentarian in November 2019, as the House was in the midst of its first impeachment inquiry into then-President . His knowledge of House procedure and parliamentary rules were critical as we navigated the first Presidential impeachment in two decades--and again a year later as we conducted the second impeachment of that same president. prgtoken John has played an integral role advising me, our subcommittee chairs, and staff over the course of more than 75 committee hearings and more than 100 bill votes in committee and on the House floor. John also worked especially closely with our subcommittees as we participated in several reconciliation processes this Congress. prgtoken John's knowledge and counsel have been invaluable as we have worked to deliver tangible results for the American people over the past two years. His guidance has helped us move dozens of bills through both chambers of Congress and to the President's desk. We will miss John's work ethic and counsel as he takes the next step in his career. prgtoken We thank John for his service to the Committee and wish him the best of luck with this new chapter.
POSTAL SERVICE REFORM ACT OF 2021
Peter A. DeFazio (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2022-2-8

. Madam , I thank Mrs. Maloney for getting us to this point today, and I thank the ranking member also. prgtoken Postal reform has been languishing around here for more than a decade, and we are finally there. The two largest elements of this bill--one was already just mentioned by Representative Connolly, the absurd prefunding mandate that was stuck in at midnight in a conference, and no one knew it was there. It was back during the administration. They were trying to kill off the Postal Service. prgtoken It said you will prepay healthcare for the next 75 years of employees. That means people who weren't even born yet, people who might go to work for the Postal Service someday, that might retire, we are prepaying their healthcare. That has been an incredible burden on the Postal Service. prgtoken Now, that is going to be fixed. We are going to do away with that. That is a bill I have carried for many years, the USPS Fairness Act. We had, actually, 277 cosponsors on that bill in this Congress. I am very pleased it was included as a key part of reform. prgtoken The other one is to have postal retirees sign up for Medicare like our Federal retirees. That saves another $23 billion. prgtoken Those two things alone will put the Postal Service solvent into the near future, and we will take other steps to increase efficiency. prgtoken The Postal Service is critical. They will go where the private sector will not go, does not want to go. I have people who live in the most remote parts of my district, very remote. They make a living on eBay and selling things. If the Postal Service wouldn't pick up their packages and wouldn't deliver their packages with that box rate, they couldn't make a living. FedEx isn't going to go out there; UPS isn't going to go out there. In fact, they dump all the stuff about 25 miles away from Powers and say: Hey, take this out to that little town. We don't want to go out that far. prgtoken It is an absolutely crucial service for tens of millions of Americans, and today, we are going to ensure its future. prgtoken Madam , I urge passage of this bill, and I thank the chair and the ranking member for their work.
EXECUTIVE CALENDAR--Continued The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Montana.
Jon Tester (Democrat, MT) \u2014 2022-2-8

I rise today to speak in support of Martha Williams to be the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. prgtoken I represent a State that goes by many names. Most of you know it as Montana, but it is often called Big Sky Country, the Last Best Place, and even the Treasure State. Montana has earned these names through an abundance of beauty and natural resources, and as a result we have fostered a robust outdoor economy that relies on responsible forest management. Folks come to Montana from all over the world to enjoy all that our State has to offer. Thousands of folks make their living by working the land and showing folks the best way to enjoy it. prgtoken But the key to preserving our multibillion-dollar outdoor economy is proper stewardship and oversight of our natural resources. That means talking to folks on the ground. It means bringing competing interests to the table to find the most sustainable ways to manage our public lands. Not only do our forests and rivers create thousands of good- paying jobs, but they also create countless memories for families in our country. So it is critically important that we have balanced oversight in place to guarantee that Montana's outdoor economy remains vibrant for generations to come. prgtoken The Director of Fish and Wildlife Service plays a central role in this oversight, and that is why I am proud to support Martha Williams' nomination today. As Director, she will be tasked with the management and recovery of our Nation's fish and wildlife and overseeing a large chunk of our public lands--89 million acres, to be exact, from Montana's own Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge all the way to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. prgtoken As a Montanan and a former Director of the Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks, Ms. Williams has demonstrated time and time again her ability to bring folks together to find lasting solutions, to collaborate to find common ground. She always leads with science and has developed State management plans for issues ranging from grizzly bears to aquatic invasive mussels, and she has done it with input from all the relevant stakeholders. prgtoken She also has a profound respect and understanding of the bedrock laws that guide responsible land and wildlife management. She will be bringing with her over a decade of legal experience with the Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks as well as a well-regarded legal scholar at the University of Montana. prgtoken She has spent her entire career standing up for our public lands and proven herself to be a thoughtful, nonpartisan steward who works collaboratively with folks on the ground to make positive change. Her top-notch ability to find common ground between sportsmen and conservationists alike and her skills as an exceptional problem-solver will make her an outstanding Director at the Fish and Wildlife Service. prgtoken She has strong support from sports men and women, biologi