mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
TRIBUTE TO JOE GROSSMAN
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2021-4-21

my friend Joe Grossman has approached his work for the last 35 years with a head for numbers and a heart for people. As an accountant turned CEO of the largest healthcare organization in Southeastern Kentucky, Joe's experienced leadership has helped improve the quality of life for hundreds of thousands. This summer, Joe will close his chapter leading Appalachian Regional Healthcare, ARH, and a career of excellence and accomplishment. As he begins a well-deserved retirement, I would like to share my congratulations and gratitude for his many contributions to the Bluegrass. prgtoken For nearly two decades, Joe has been entrusted with key financial and operational positions at ARH. At each step, he has helped the system expand and thrive. When the position opened, Joe was the obvious choice to take over as president and CEO. He pushed ARH to continue growing in service to its patients, employees, and communities. prgtoken Today, the system operates 13 hospitals in Kentucky and West Virginia as well as 80-plus clinic locations. With a team of more than 6,000 dedicated professionals, ARH serves nearly 400,000 individuals across the region. The system's extensive reach makes a transformative impact on rural Kentucky communities every day and helps make the area a destination for top-tier medical talent. Joe's leadership even contributed to a national magazine naming ARH one of the Top 10 Employers in Kentucky. prgtoken Overseeing an organization of ARH's size and importance would be a remarkable feat in any year, but Joe exceeded expectations once again during the pandemic. Last month, I visited the ARH facility in Hazard to speak with Joe and his team about the rollout of the multiple safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines. At that time, three prgtoken of the five counties in Kentucky with the top vaccination rates were in ARH's service area. I was proud to congratulate Joe and his team of healthcare heroes who were getting shots in arms to beat this virus. prgtoken Joe's contributions to Kentucky extend beyond the hospital doors. He has gone to great lengths to personally partner with the communities he serves. His work with organizations like One East KY, the Hazard-Perry County Economic Development Alliance, and One Harlan County has helped encourage new growth and opportunity. Joe developed a vision for a healthy and successful Kentucky, and he worked tirelessly over the years to bring it closer to reality. prgtoken So, we are all going to miss working with Joe. But now he gets to spend more time on his most important roles, husband to Leigh, father, and grandfather. Along with Joe's colleagues and friends, I extend my best wishes for a fulfilling retirement. On behalf of the Senate, I would like to congratulate Joe on all of his success and thank him for his leadership in Kentucky.
THE BIDEN BORDER CRISIS AND SO-CALLED INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN
Fred Keller (Republican, PA) \u2014 2021-4-21

. Madam , I thank the gentleman from Louisiana for yielding. prgtoken Madam , improving America's infrastructure should be bipartisan. Revitalizing our Nation's roads and bridges, delivering broadband to rural America, and working together to build a more connected society are all things we can and should strive to accomplish. prgtoken The administration's so-called infrastructure plan is not infrastructure, and it is definitely not bipartisan. Less than 2 months removed from the last multi-trillion-dollar bill, the American people are about to be saddled with another massive tax-and-spend package-- this time with a price tag of $2.3 trillion and a bag of empty promises. prgtoken With only a fraction of the $2.3 trillion going toward things like roads, bridges, waterways, dams, airports, and broadband, the majority of the plan is instead filled with non-infrastructure items. prgtoken Case in point: spends 74 percent more of your money on subsidies for electric vehicles than it allocates for rural broadband. It is ironic that Washington talk about improving infrastructure while simultaneously working to dismantle and eliminate American energy jobs. Make no mistake, it takes American energy to build American infrastructure. prgtoken While Washington talk about improvements to American infrastructure, they fail to recognize that 's $2.3 trillion plan is not the answer. Instead, we must embrace America's domestic energy industry, which has made greater strides in investing in our Nation's infrastructure than 's wasteful spending plans ever could. prgtoken If truly believes this is an infrastructure package, it is evidence that he has been in Washington, D.C for far too long.
ACCESS TO COUNSEL ACT OF 2021
Chip Roy (Republican, TX) \u2014 2021-4-21

. Madam , I thank the gentleman from Ohio for yielding. prgtoken Madam , 185 years ago today in San Jacinto, Texas, the great State of Texas won its independence from Mexico. prgtoken General Sam Houston launched a surprise attack against Santa Anna, routed their forces, and then ultimately was able to negotiate with Santa Anna for his freedom the treaty that resulted in the founding of the Republic of Texas. prgtoken As a proud Texan, I am sitting here 185 years later recognizing that my State, the State that I am proud to represent, is under siege. It is under constant siege on a daily basis by dangerous cartels, but worse than being under siege by dangerous cartels, it is under siege by a President who refuses to do his constitutional duty to secure the border of the United States. prgtoken That is the fact, that this President, obligated under the Constitution, literally refuses to carry out and exercise his constitutional duty to defend our borders--our borders in Texas--where our communities are under siege, where our schools are overrun, where our hospitals are being inundated, where our ranchers are having people cross them, and where dangerous narcotics like fentanyl are pouring into our communities. prgtoken This is what is happening to my State of Texas on this, the 185th anniversary of the battle at San Jacinto. prgtoken One has to wonder whether the agreement that Texas made when entering prgtoken this Union remains worth it when the State of Texas is under siege by an administration that refuses to defend our border. prgtoken That is a question that we Texans are continuing to wrestle with, because it is the duty of this President and the duty of the Federal Government to secure the borders. prgtoken I look at Texans who have lost loved ones at the hands of people here illegally. I look at families who have families destroyed by fentanyl and dangerous narcotics. And I look at trafficking of human beings into the sex trade in the State of Texas where stash houses are being run by cartels. Then I watch as my ic colleagues want to put up every roadblock to security and launch every single way possible to prop up cartels, prop up the ability of our border to be exploited, and refuse to actually do the job necessary to secure the border. prgtoken It is incumbent upon this body to speak with one voice that we are going to defend the borders of the United States and do our duty under the Constitution while States are feeling the brunt every single day in very real terms.
ACCESS TO COUNSEL ACT OF 2021
Jerrold Nadler (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2021-4-21

. Madam , 3 minutes. prgtoken Madam , H.R. 1573, the Access to Counsel Act of 2021, is an important bill that will ensure that individuals who seek to lawfully enter the United States can contact a family member or an adviser if they are held for an extended period at a port of entry. prgtoken Last September, the Judiciary Committee and the Foreign Affairs Committee held a hearing to explore President 's Muslim ban and the chaos that unfolded at airports across the country when it was first announced. prgtoken I can personally attest to that chaos, based on my experience at JFK Airport immediately after the ban was implemented. Refugees, individuals with valid visas, and even lawful permanent residents were detained for hours and were prevented from speaking with attorneys. Some even had their phones taken away and were unable to call their family. prgtoken Although the issue grabbed the headlines then, it is, unfortunately, a problem that occurs daily. Due to the complexity of U.S. immigration law and the fact-intensive nature of questions regarding admissibility, it is not uncommon for some people to spend hours undergoing inspection by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, or CBP. prgtoken During this time, individuals are often prevented from communicating with those on the outside. And if the individual is lucky enough to have a lawyer, CBP will often refuse to speak to them, even if they can provide critical information or correct the legal error. Moreover, serious consequences can result from being refused admission. prgtoken Some have argued that this bill will require CBP to expend significant resources, but I believe they fundamentally misunderstand the substance of the bill. To be clear, H.R. 1573 does not provide a right to counsel, nor does it impose any obligation on the Federal Government to build any additional space to accommodate counsel or hire new staff, nor to pay for counsel. prgtoken The bill simply ensures that no one who presents themselves at a port of entry with valid travel documents is completely cut off from the world during the inspection process. It allows those seeking admission, including U.S. citizens, to communicate with counsel and other parties if they are subjected to secondary inspection that lasts longer than 1 hour. The bill specifically contemplates that this could be accomplished telephonically. prgtoken It is absurd to claim that providing these individuals with the opportunity to call their families or an attorney and potentially receive their assistance during the inspection process will consume significant CBP resources. prgtoken Madam , I would like to extend a special thanks to my colleague, Representative Jayapal, for her leadership on this issue and for championing this bill. I encourage my colleagues to support it, and .
NATIONAL ORIGIN-BASED ANTIDISCRIMINATION FOR NONIMMIGRANTS ACT
Hakeem S. Jeffries (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2021-4-21

. Madam , I thank the distinguished chair for his yielding and for his leadership. prgtoken The foundational model of this country is e pluribus unum, out of many, one. It doesn't say out of many Europeans, one. It doesn't say out of many Anglo-Saxons, one. It doesn't say out of many Confederate sympathizers, one. It doesn't say out of many Christians, one. It certainly doesn't say out of many nations, except Muslim countries, one. prgtoken E pluribus unum. Out of many, one. That is what makes America a great country. And no matter what xenophobic behavior is coming out of the halls of power in this country, we are not going to let anyone take that away from us; not now, not ever. prgtoken Vote ``yes'' on the NO BAN Act so we can continue our country's long, necessary, and majestic march toward a more perfect Union.
EXTENDING TEMPORARY EMERGENCY SCHEDULING OF FENTANYL ANALOGUES ACT
Frank Pallone, Jr. (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2021-4-21

. Madam , such time as I may consume. prgtoken Madam , I rise to seek support for the Extending Temporary Emergency Scheduling of Fentanyl Analogues Act. prgtoken As we continue to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, we are also facing a tragic, growing trend of overdose deaths across this country. prgtoken We have lost nearly 1 million Americans since the beginning of the Nation's drug epidemic. These Americans are sons, daughters, mothers, fathers, neighbors, coworkers, and members of our communities. Now, data tells us that the COVID-19 pandemic, increased isolation, and related economic hardships over the past year may be hampering efforts to turn the tide. prgtoken Last week, Madam , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released its most recent data finding that, from August 2019 to August 2020, there were 88,000 overdose deaths reported. That is the highest ever recorded in a 12-month period. prgtoken This most recent data represents a worsening crisis driven primarily by synthetic opioids, such as illicitly manufactured fentanyl. This drug is 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine. Although fentanyl itself is often used for medical purposes, use of illicitly manufactured fentanyl has increased in recent years, including co-use with cocaine and methamphetamines. As little as 2 milligrams can cause a lethal overdose. prgtoken Congress has recognized this unprecedented threat and acted in strong bipartisan fashion to combat it with resources to communities around the country. We passed major pieces of legislation like the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act, the 21st Century Cures Act, and the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act. prgtoken At the end of last year, in the final omnibus bill, we included over $4 billion to increase mental health and substance use services and support. Recognizing the worsening trends early this year, we passed the American Rescue Plan last month that provided an additional $4 billion in resources. This critical funding will be used to enhance mental health and substance use disorder services supported by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the Health Resources and Services Administration, and the Indian Health Service. prgtoken Madam , while this critical assistance is on the way, unfortunately, due to the disturbing rates of overdose and substance use, more work is clearly needed. The administration is asking Congress to extend a temporary tool we provided last Congress so that agency experts can come together to examine the facts and come up with an effective, long-term solution. That tool is the authority to temporarily classify fentanyl-related substances as schedule I substances under the Controlled Substances Act. prgtoken Ensuring fentanyl-related substances remain scheduled will maintain an important deterrent to traffickers, manufacturers, and those distributing this substan
Nomination of Vanita Gupta (Executive Session)
Cory A. Booker (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2021-4-21

thank you very much for the recognition. prgtoken I think--I am not sure, but I think I am the only Senator here who lives in a low-income, Black and Brown community in the U.S. Senate. I live in a beautiful neighborhood in the beautiful Central Ward of Newark, NJ. prgtoken We don't mistake wealth with worth. In fact, I went off to get a fancy education. I may have gotten my B.A. from Stanford, but I got my Ph.D. on the streets of Newark, learning from some of the most incredible people I have ever encountered in my life. prgtoken If there is one lesson that I have learned early in my days, in the 1990s, living in the Central Ward of Newark at the height of the drug war, it is that this War on Drugs was not a War on Drugs; it was a war on people--and not all people but certain people. It was a war on poor people. It was a war on Black people. prgtoken And it was destroying lives. People were getting criminal convictions for doing things that two of the last four Presidents admitted to doing--simple possession, getting criminal convictions for it. prgtoken And here is what is even more anguishing at a time in the opioid addiction where everybody now is on the same page that people who are addicted deserve to have treatment. Back in those days, churned into the criminal justice system were African Americans, for simple possession, who were in desperate need of compassion and care and love and treatment. prgtoken And this gets me to Vanita Gupta. I watched the two statements that my friend and colleague from Texas put up, there--screaming--the difference between those two statements: I don't support the legalization of all drugs, but I do support the decriminalization of small amounts of drugs and getting people help and not a lifetime scarlet letter of being a convicted criminal. prgtoken She does not support the decriminalization of all drugs. I am glad to see that she is looking at the challenge that we have in this country of arresting people who need help. prgtoken And my friend Senator Durbin, with great patience and not relying on raising his voice like I do, a real gentleman, said it simply: Vanita Gupta is not a partisan. She is a patriot. prgtoken Look at her career. I mean, my mom used to tell me: Who you are speaks so loudly I can't hear what you say. In other words, judge a person by what they have done in their life, how they have lived, where they have sacrificed, what commitments they have made. prgtoken You chart Vanita's career, from her activism in law school to defend the Constitution, from her very first assignment as a lawyer in Texas defending an outrage of injustice--and winning. Where are the people lining up to criticize her in those days working in her nonprofit work? prgtoken And then, for the great high salaries of Department of Justice workers, she goes to lead the Civil Rights Division. Are there people coming forward from their experiences? Are there police officers, are the
AUTHORITY FOR COMMITTEES TO MEET
Ron Wyden (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2021-4-21

I have 11 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 during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, April 21, 2021, at 2:30 p.m to conduct a hearing. 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 Wednesday, April 21, 2021, at 10 a.m to conduct a hearing on a nomination. 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 Wednesday, April 21, 2021, at 2:30 p.m to conduct a hearing. Committee on Foreign Relations prgtoken The Committee on Foreign Relations is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, April 21, 2021, at 10 a.m to conduct a hearing. Committee on Foreign Relations prgtoken The Committee on Foreign Relations is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, April 21, 2021, at 2 p.m to conduct a hearing. Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions prgtoken The Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, April 21, 2021, at 12 p.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 Wednesday, April 21, 2021, at 10 a.m to conduct a hearing. Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship prgtoken The Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, April 21, 2021, at 2:30 p.m to conduct a hearing on a nomination. Select Committee on Intelligence prgtoken The Select Committee on Intelligence is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, April 21, 2021, at 2 p.m to conduct a closed briefing. Subcommittee on Personnel prgtoken The Subcommittee on Personnel of the Committee on Armed Services is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, April 21, 2021, at 2:30 p.m to conduct a hearing. Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights prgtoken The Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights of the Committee on the Judiciary is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, April 21, 2021, at 2:3
CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS CELEBRATES THE LIFE OF THE HONORABLE ALCEE L. HASTINGS
Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2021-4-21

. Madam , I rise today to join my colleagues in honoring the life and legacy of our dearly departed friend and colleague Congressman Alcee Hastings, who passed away earlier this month. prgtoken Alcee and I were both elected to Congress in 1992. We were part of a historic class of new African American lawmakers from the South. Few would make such a tremendous and impactful mark on this institution than Alcee Hastings. He was one of Congress' most steadfast advocates for civil and human rights, working families, and the most vulnerable in our society. prgtoken He bravely battled pancreatic cancer for the last year and a half. And despite this devastating diagnosis, Alcee remained a powerful and active voice for his constituents and the state of Florida. prgtoken I will miss seeing him on the House floor. I will miss his sharp- witted questioning in the House Rules Committee. I will miss his friendship. prgtoken Madam , our nation lost one of its most dedicated public servants. And in Alcee Hastings, we lost one of our most unique, friendly and hardest working colleagues. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife Patricia, children, staff, constituents and many, many friends.
SECURE AND FAIR ENFORCEMENT BANKING ACT OF 2021
Ed Perlmutter (Democrat, CO) \u2014 2021-4-21

I submit the following letters of endorsement for H.R. 1996, the SAFE Banking Act of 2021. American Trade Association for Cannabis and Hemp, April 19, 2021. Re Support For SAFE Banking Act Legislation. Hon. Charles Schumer, Senate Majority Leader, U.S. Senate, Washington, DC. Hon. Nancy Pelosi, of the House, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Hon. Mitch McConnell, Senate Minority Leader, U.S. Senate, Washington, DC. Hon. Kevin McCarthy, House Minority Leader, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Majority Leader Schumer, Senate Minority Leader McConnell, Pelosi, and House Minority Leader McCarthy: We write to you today in support of the SAFE Banking Act, legislation that will permit banks to provide services to state regulated marijuana businesses, employees, and ancillary businesses. Unfortunately, under current federal law and regulations, state licensed and compliant cannabis businesses are unable to access banking services and are forced to operate primarily in cash. This creates an unnecessary risk to public safety for store operators, employees, and customers. As we continue to see more states and territories move forward with the regulation of some form of adult-use marijuana, medical marijuana, or hemp derived CBD, it is essential to address the crisis the industry faces to access banking. The threats faced by financial institutions of potential criminal prosecution for working with marijuana businesses as a result of the Controlled Substances Act are unacceptable and outdated. We strongly support the passage of the SAFE Banking Act and it is our hope that Congress will act swiftly. Sincerely, American Trade Association for Cannabis and Hemp, Missouri Medical Cannabis, Georgia Cannabis Trade Association, Washington Cannabusiness Association, Alaska Marijuana Industry Association, MTCIA. New Jersey Cannabis Trade Association, PCC, MICIA, Colorado Leads, HICIA, Southern California Coalition. Maryland Wholesale Medical Cannabis Trade Association, Commonwealth Dispensary Association, DC Cannabis Trade Association, Cannabiz, Nevada Dispensary Association. American Bankers Association, Washington, DC, April 19, 2021. Hon. Nancy Pelosi, of the House, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Hon. Kevin McCarthy, Minority Leader, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Pelosi and Minority Leader McCarthy: On behalf of the American Bankers Association (ABA), I am writing to express our strong