mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
NOMINATIONS
Tommy Tuberville (Republican, AL) \u2014 2022-3-17

today I want to talk about the real March madness that we are having this month, moments about basketball and the tournament, but I want to talk about the madness of attacking title IX, attacking women's sports, and attacking women in general. prgtoken Last night marked the beginning of the 2022 NCAA Women's Swimming and Diving Championship. Instead of celebrating the many hard-working women who earned their spot in the championship, I expect much of the media attention to be around a singular competitor--a transgender athlete who competed as a male as recently as 2019. prgtoken But the discussion should not be about inclusivity; it should be about fairness. I have spoken about this issue before and, last March, actually forced a vote on the amendment that would have prevented Federal funds from going to educational institutions that allowed biological males to compete in women's athletics. prgtoken Unfortunately, colleagues on the left were more interested in pandering to the far left than they were in protecting the ability for girls and women to participate in fair--and I repeat, fair-- competition. They refused to support my amendment. prgtoken And I would argue that by allowing biological males to complete in women's athletics, have set serious efforts for women's equality back by decades. And, ultimately, this will have the effect of discouraging many, many, many young women from participating in sports. prgtoken In a recent article, two parents of a current collegiate athlete said: I think the NCAA needs to change its policies, and find a way to include transgender women without trampling all over biological women. prgtoken I agree. prgtoken Well, the NCAA has been silent. They have failed to take decisive action in ensuring a level playing field for all of women. prgtoken And so now Congress must act to do so. This is why I joined Senator Mike Lee and 16 fellow colleagues in introducing the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2021. This is critical legislation that would make it a violation--a violation--of title IX for a recipient of related Federal funds to permit a biological male from participating in an athletic program or activity designated for women and girls. prgtoken The bill would also establish the definition of ``sex'' in title IX as based ``solely on a person's reproductive biology and genetics at birth.'' prgtoken It is imperative for Congress to act so that an entire generation of women aren't discouraged from pursuing their athletic dreams, whether on the field, whether on the court, or whether in the swimming pool. prgtoken As some of the most talented female swimmers in the country prepare to compete over the next few days, it would be wrong not to call out the inherent unfairness in allowing a biological male to participate in several women's events. prgtoken Penn's transgender athlete will compete in the women's 100-, 200-, and 500-ya
SUSPENDING NORMAL TRADE RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA AND BELARUS ACT
Tom Rice (Republican, SC) \u2014 2022-3-17

. Madam , on February 8, President said that if Russia invaded Ukraine, America would impose crippling sanctions. prgtoken On February 24, President Putin kept to his word and invaded Ukraine. President has since then slow-walked the sanctions that he promised, those crippling sanctions that he promised. prgtoken Today, 3 weeks after the invasion, as we have watched on the news as Ukrainians have bravely fought, outmanned and outgunned, and yet they hold on tenaciously to their property at horrific costs. Their cities are being destroyed. Innocent civilians are being shot. Women and children are being attacked on the streets. And yet, the United States has been slow to move. prgtoken Madam , I rise today in support of this long-overdue bill to suspend permanent normal trade relations with the Russian Federation and Belarus. I am a cosponsor of this legislation and would like to thank Chairman Neal and Ranking Member Brady for their hard work on this issue. prgtoken Last week, the House took the much-needed step of blocking oil and gas imports from Russia. When we debated that bill last week, I said we should have gone much further and should not have taken that watered- down approach. prgtoken The United States must stop projecting weakness to Putin and his allies. President must live up to his word. prgtoken Today, we are finally taking a decisive step to punish Russia for their criminal aggression in Ukraine by ending their special treatment as a most-favored nation. prgtoken Can you imagine that we have continued to recognize them as a most- favored nation for three weeks, in light of the horrific war crimes that they are committing every day? prgtoken This is an action that only Congress can take, and we held off last week at the request of the administration.
NOMINATIONS
John Cornyn (Republican, TX) \u2014 2022-3-17

since Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine, we have all been inspired by the courage and leadership of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. prgtoken As Russian troops invaded and brutally attacked his country, President prgtoken Zelenskyy did not do as others have done in the past. He didn't run; he didn't hide; and he didn't give in. President Zelenskyy did what every leader hopes to have the courage to do in times of crisis: He stood his ground, spoke out, and rallied the rest of the world to get behind him. prgtoken Yesterday, as we all know, Members of Congress had a chance to hear directly from President Zelenskyy. prgtoken First, he expressed his gratitude to the United States for the support we have provided so far to his country, but he also issued an urgent plea for more defense articles. He showed us a videotape of devastating photos and videos coming out of Ukraine, demonstrating what the Ukrainian people are being subjected to every day by Putin's cruel and unprovoked war against innocent civilians. prgtoken Ukrainian troops need more arms. They need anti-tank capabilities, and they need additional aircraft. As President Zelenskyy put it, the destiny of Ukraine is being decided now, as we speak. prgtoken I believe we have a moral obligation--not necessarily a treaty obligation since Ukraine isn't part of NATO, but we have a moral obligation as the leader of the free world--and I am talking about the United States as a whole--to support Ukraine and help them defend their sovereignty and their people. prgtoken For example, Poland, a member of NATO, offered to transfer an entire fleet of MiG-29 fighters to the United States for delivery to Ukraine. Ukrainian forces already know how to fly those Russian aircraft, and President Zelenskyy assured us that they are desperately needed, but the administration rejected the offer out of fear that it might provoke Mr. Putin or, in terms of war, might escalate the conflict. prgtoken Winston Churchill, another great wartime leader, aptly said: An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last. prgtoken This cannot be the policy of the United States. We cannot appease Vladimir Putin, and we can't afford to be timid in the face of the greatest threat to world peace since World War II. prgtoken Here on the Senate floor, several weeks ago, I shared a maxim of another Russian leader, Vladimir Lenin, the leader of the Soviet Union, of course, at the time. This is something I would suspect that Mr. Putin agrees with. prgtoken Lenin said: You probe with bayonets. If you find mush, you push. If you find steel, you withdraw. prgtoken In short, if people like Vladimir Lenin and Vladimir Putin are met with weakness, they are going to keep coming; if they are met with strength, they may withdraw. prgtoken President Putin clearly subscribes to this world view. He doesn't respect weakness. In fact, weakness is a provo
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Marsha Blackburn (Republican, TN) \u2014 2022-3-17

one of the challenges we face in this era of great power competition is identifying unique threats before they escalate. prgtoken When it comes to Russia and Ukraine, these threats have come into full focus. Vladimir Putin took off his statesman costume and declared a war of choice on Ukraine. Last week, we received the first public allegations of his intent to unleash Syrian proxies on anyone still standing between his war machine and the territory he covets. prgtoken I am glad to hear more of my colleagues speaking up about the unique dangers of proxy wars. Last week, I laid out in detail how Putin has used proxies to install himself in countries that are leadership poor but resource rich. prgtoken We know that fighters from the Kremlin-backed Wagner Group have slaughtered their way through Africa and the Middle East on behalf of Putin's grand Soviet ambition. And now he is going to do the very same thing in Ukraine. prgtoken We have also seen Iran unleash proxies and State-sponsored terror organizations in Iraq, against American Armed Forces and against civilian populations in Lebanon, Yemen, and Gaza. prgtoken In their 2022 threat assessment, the intelligence community stated: We assess that Iran will threaten U.S. persons directly and via proxy attacks, particularly in the Middle East. prgtoken This is a public statement. This is the Annual Threat Assessment. It is backed by years of evidence, proving that Iran has done this before and they are going to try to do it again. prgtoken President should be doing everything in his power to keep this threat as far away from American citizens as he can--but no such luck. The impending nuclear deal he is trying to hand Tehran unlocks billions of dollars for Iranian banks, companies, and other entities that finance violence. prgtoken Where does the White House think that money will end up? prgtoken We know there is nothing Tehran loves more than a power vacuum. They have invested heavily in Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Hamas--all terrorist organizations hunkered down in some of the world's most unstable regions. Over the past decade, the Iranians have spent more than $16 million on carefully targeted bloodshed. That is right--Iran alone, the largest state sponsor of terrorism. prgtoken The landscape is chaos, and, still, the administration is pushing the world toward a sanctions relief scheme that would empower the Iranians to terrorize and subjugate even more people. prgtoken The regime in Tehran is a menace. This week, incoming CENTCOM commander, General Kurilla, said as much in his confirmation hearing when we asked him how sanctions relief would affect the Iranian influence. prgtoken I am quoting him: [T]here is a risk with sanctions relief that Iran would use some of that money to support its proxies and terrorism in the region, and if it did, it could increase risk to our forces in the region. prgtoken In t
CONGRATULATING THE BEARDEN HIGH SCHOOL LADY BULLDOGS
Tim Burchett (Republican, TN) \u2014 2022-3-17

. Madam , I rise to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Buddy's Bar-b-q, a local favorite in east Tennessee, and one of my local favorites as well. My mama and daddy and I always used to eat there after church on Sundays. It was always delicious. I ate there with my best friend Chris Heagerty last week, and it was still delicious, and it was very price conscious, I will say. It is not too expensive. prgtoken Buddy and LaMuriel Smothers dreamed of opening a restaurant that served quality, homestyle barbecue with classic southern hospitality. In 1972, they made that dream a reality by opening the first Buddy's Bar-b-q in Knoxville. It quickly became a hit. Crowds packed into the restaurant to enjoy LaMuriel's delicious recipes, which are still on the menu today, and listen to the wonderful bluegrass bands that played on Friday nights. I remember a band called Knoxville Grass used to play there, and I would sing a little bit of the tunes here, but I don't want to run everybody off or be called out. prgtoken Ten years later, of course, Buddy's Bar-b-q was featured at the 1982 World's Fair in Knoxville, where I worked at the always very loud and impressive video expo. After appearing at the fair, though, the word spread far and wide that Buddy's Bar-b-q was outstanding. The restaurant became a barbecue staple in Tennessee, a reputation that it has maintained for the past 40 years. prgtoken Complementing the outstanding food at Buddy's Bar-b-q are the restaurant's charitable efforts in our community. The restaurant launched Buddy's Race for the Cure to honor Buddy after he died of cancer in 1992 and supports Alzheimer's Tennessee in honor of LaMuriel. It also hosts Mission Mondays and supports local schools, regional nonprofits, and the University of Tennessee. Additionally, Buddy's Bar- b-q will provide catering and support for the Congressional Medal of Honor Society's annual gathering to honor all the living Medal of Honor recipients. This event is again being held in Knoxville this year for the second time, and Buddy's will provide classic southern hospitality. prgtoken I congratulate the entire Smothers family; my good friends Anthony and Lisa Edwards, Mark and Jaime Lemoncelli; and everyone involved in making Buddy's Bar-b-q a wonderful success these past 50 years. It is good. If you all ever get to Knoxville, please stop in.
GAS PRICES HIT AN ALL-TIME HIGH
Rick W. Allen (Republican, GA) \u2014 2022-3-17

gas prices have hit an all-time high, averaging over $4 nationally for the first time since 2008. The rising price of fuel, groceries, and just about everything are an assault on the pocketbooks of working families, and it is all a direct result of President 's failed energy policies. prgtoken Under the administration we were energy independent for the first time in my lifetime. But within just his first few days in office, President reversed all the progress that we made. prgtoken Yesterday, we heard from President Zelenskyy who urged President to do more to support Ukraine as they defend themselves from Russia. While banning Russian oil imports is a vital first step, another way to support Ukraine is by unleashing American energy so we can help make the world less reliant on Putin and dictators who use the profits from oil exports to fund their malign activities. prgtoken President would rather pay dictators than Americans all in the name of climate change. What happened to Made in America? For the sake of our Nation and our European allies who could use an alternative to Russian fuel, I hope he listens to the American people--let's make America energy independent again.
NOMINATIONS
Rick Scott (Republican, FL) \u2014 2022-3-17

reserving the right to object, the administration has failed to properly oversee the Pan American Health Organization, or PAHO. prgtoken President and Secretary Blinken know that PAHO has cooperated with the communist regime in Cuba to traffic doctors overseas, and they know there are Cuban doctors who are trying to sue PAHO and hold traffickers accountable. prgtoken Here are the facts. In July 2013, the Cuban Ministry of Health signed an agreement with the Brazilian Ministry of Health to formalize an arrangement for Cuban doctors to provide medical services in Brazil. prgtoken That agreement required the administration of former Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff to transmit a monthly payment through PAHO to the Cuban Ministry of Health for the medical services provided by each Cuban doctor serving in Brazil. prgtoken It also prevented Cuban doctors from seeking employment in Brazil outside of the formal structure of the arrangement. prgtoken More than 20,000 Cuban medical professionals serving in Brazil under the Mais Medicos Program had their wages stolen by the Cuban Government and received only a small fraction of what they earned, and that was with the support of PAHO. prgtoken Their family members were prohibited from accompanying them, and many had their passports confiscated. prgtoken Cuban doctors were the only medical professionals participating in the program who had their salaries directly garnished by their government. Meanwhile, doctors from other countries, serving in Brazil, received their full wages for their medical services. prgtoken Other Cuban doctors have suffered similar abuses in Angola, Guatemala, Mexico, Qatar, and Venezuela. prgtoken For example, in 2019, a group of Cuban doctors reported they had been directed and often coerced to use their medical services to influence votes in favor of the Maduro regime, including by denying medical treatment to opposition supporters and by giving precise voting instructions to elderly patients. prgtoken This gross program is a huge moneymaker for the communist thugs ruling Cuba. prgtoken In 2018 alone, they pocketed more than $6.3 billion from exporting Cuban professionals to work overseas. This is clearly human trafficking, and medical missions by Cuban doctors represent a majority of those profits. prgtoken Since I have been in the Senate, since 2019, I have been fighting for these Cuban doctors and against human trafficking. But actually nothing has been done to hold PAHO accountable. PAHO is hiding behind legal immunity. President has the power to lift their immunity, and I have requested his administration do so multiple times, but they have shamefully declined. It is wrong. prgtoken Victims of human trafficking deserve to see their alleged abusers in court, and PAHO should never be able to hide behind claims of immunity to avoid accountability for their role in facilitating those abuses. prgtoken I have informed Secr
EXPRESSING THE HOPE FOR JUSTICE FOR THE VICTIMS OF BLOODY SUNDAY
Daniel Meuser (Republican, PA) \u2014 2022-3-17

. such time as I may consume, Madam . prgtoken Madam , , Mr. Keating, and wish him a happy Saint Patrick's Day as well as thank him for bringing this resolution to the floor today. prgtoken Madam , happy St. Patrick's Day. prgtoken This January marked the 50th anniversary of Bloody Sunday when British troops in Derry, Northern Ireland, shot at a crowd of innocent protesters, killing 14 people. This unjustified act of violence marks a low point in the difficult history of Ireland in the 20th century. In fact, Bloody Sunday was just one of many tragic episodes during the Troubles which lasted 33 years and resulted in as many as 3,000 deaths. prgtoken This bipartisan resolution we are considering today commemorates this solemn anniversary. It also serves to remind the world that there is still work to be done to achieve full reconciliation and safeguard a lasting peace for all Irish people. prgtoken With the support of the United States, the 1998 Good Friday Agreement brought an end to the violence that characterized the Troubles and began a process to establish peace in Northern Ireland. Stories about atrocities, violence, and repression began to recede from the headlines. Today, Northern Ireland's story is one of prosperity, freedom, and peace. prgtoken Issues remain, however, and the United States and the U.S. Congress must continue to engage strongly in the pursuit of an enduring peaceful future for Northern Ireland. prgtoken The Good Friday Agreement signed in 1998 is the best framework to achieve this noble end. While post-Brexit arrangements for Northern Ireland have posed challenges to this historic agreement, both sides have worked in good faith to resolve them. This resolution also encourages both the European Union and Great Britain to continue acting in good faith negotiations to implement Brexit's Northern Ireland protocol. prgtoken I support our transatlantic allies' efforts to find a more workable solution for trade not only at the north-south Irish land border, but also at the Irish Sea border between Northern Ireland and Great Britain. prgtoken Madam , I urge my colleagues to continue the U.S. legacy of supporting a lasting peace in Northern prgtoken Ireland by joining me in supporting this resolution, and .
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Jerry Moran (Republican, KS) \u2014 2022-3-17

I rise this afternoon here among my colleagues and those back home in Kansas to pay tribute to a Kansan, Sonny Rundell. prgtoken Sonny passed away this past Friday at the age of 89, and I want to take a moment to recognize his life and his service. A moment is insufficient, certainly, to pay the tribute that this gentleman and his family deserve. prgtoken Sonny was born in Pierceville, KS, a little town in Southwest Kansas. In places as rural as Pierceville, people are sparse, and so you quickly learn what is important. And Sonny learned that in his life, family, church, community were the important things. prgtoken Sonny embodied qualities that fostered his community: hard work and generosity. And like so many young men of his generation, he was called to service to his country. In 1953, he answered that call and left to serve in Korea. prgtoken When he returned home to Kansas in 1956, he finished his degree at Kansas State University, earning a degree in agriculture. He went on to farm land in Hamilton, Stanton, and Finney Counties for more than 30 years. prgtoken Sonny was involved in so many ways. He was a churchgoer, and he cared about education advocacy throughout our State. He was a member of the State board of education and was an advocate for education for all kids in our State. prgtoken He had preceded that by being a member of the Syracuse, KS, Board of Education, the High Plains Special Education Cooperative. He was a founding member of Garden City Community College Board of Trustees, a founding member of the Education Equity Advisory Council, the Education Commission of the States, the Kansas Commission on Teaching and America's Future, and the National Association of State Boards of Education, and that is only to name a few. prgtoken Sonny recognized, as I hope we all do, that education is the great equalizing opportunity for Americans, for Kansans. It allows us to pursue what we call the American dream. prgtoken He received lots of recognitions during his life. He received those for his advocacy, and in 2003 Sonny was awarded the Governor's Award for Distinguished Service to Secondary Education in Kansas. prgtoken From 2000 to 2003, our country recognized 50 years since the Korean war. And during this time, the Republic of Korea issued a service medal and awarded those to veterans who had served, coordinating with congressional offices like mine. I was pleased to be able to recognize Sonny's service to our Nation. prgtoken Particularly in these troubled times, these days in which we see the surge for support for freedom, Sonny committed to doing so and served his Nation and the world in that cause of freedom. prgtoken In 2002, while I was still a Member of the House of Representatives here in the Nation's Capitol, I was pleased to be able to honor Sonny for his recognition during the Korean war. prgtoken Then and now, I thank him for his dedication to our State, and I thank him for his
INFLATION'S IMPACT ON SMALL BUSINESSES
Roger Williams (Republican, TX) \u2014 2022-3-17

. Madam , rising gas prices and skyrocketing inflation are having major impacts on small businesses. In Hico, Texas, Mark Chapman of the Chapman Cattle Company said it best: ``We see smaller revenue and return on our products when the prices of gas increase, and it may be the death of small businesses, ranchers, and farmers, as we know it.'' prgtoken Chapman Cattle Company is one of the many small businesses that are struggling to keep up with record-high gas prices due to President 's anti-energy agenda. prgtoken continue to ignore Main Street's plea to get gas prices down and inflation under control. Small businesses weathered tough economic conditions throughout the pandemic only to be met with 's Green New Deal agenda that threatens everybody in all communities forever. prgtoken I will continue to fight for small businesses, work to get the government out of our lives, and let the free market compete and do great things. prgtoken In God we trust.