mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
FIRST RESPONDER FAIR RETURN FOR EMPLOYEES ON THEIR INITIAL RETIREMENT EARNED ACT
Gerald E. Connolly (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2022-7-12

I thank my friend, the chairwoman of the full committee, and my friend, Mr. Keller from Pennsylvania, for their strong support for righting a wrong. prgtoken Federal firefighters and law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day for us. America depends on brave men and women to serve in these demanding, arduous, and hazardous duty positions. These individuals face the very real daily potential that an on-the-job injury could leave them disabled and unable to return to their previous service. prgtoken Given the hazardous nature of the job required of Federal first responders, Congress recognized that risk and created an accelerated retirement system for these positions and established a mandatory retirement age of 57. prgtoken Referred to as 6(c) for the section of the law in which this system was created, Federal first responders are qualified for an annuity after serving 20 years and reaching the age of 50. They pay a greater percentage of their salaries into this retirement system, and their annuity amount is calculated at a higher rate than other Federal employees recognizing the risks they take. prgtoken Unfortunately, not all Federal first responders can complete those 20 years of service. In cases where Federal first responders become injured and are no longer able to complete the essential functions of their jobs, they can be placed in civil service positions that don't qualify for 6(c) benefits. Any Federal first responder transferred to the FERS retirement system loses their eligibility to retire after 20 years of service no matter how many years they have got in the system or how much they paid into it. prgtoken Additionally, the employee is not reimbursed for the higher contributions required of them to be in the 6(c) system. The years of service are credited as if the Federal first responder who is injured had been in the normal 30-year retirement system for the Federal employees. prgtoken The First Responder Fair RETIRE Act offers a correction to current law and rights this wrong, authorizing Federal first responders to stay in 6(c) retirement if they are placed in a position outside of that system after returning to work from a duty-related injury. The bill also allows those employees to receive a refund of their accelerated contributions should they be separated from service. prgtoken The First Responder Fair RETIRE Act allows the Federal Government to uphold the retirement promise it made to its first responders. These first responders are Capitol Police officers, Secret Service agents, and other Federal law enforcement officers and firefighters across numerous Federal agencies. prgtoken For example, Bob Beckley was a smokejumper out West with the U.S. Forest Service. He parachuted out of a plane in 1985, and he landed in a tree in the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness area in Idaho trying to stop a blaze. The tree's branches broke, dropping Mr. Beckley 80 feet and breaking his ba
CONFIRMATION OF STEVE M. DETTELBACH
Patrick J. Leahy (Democrat, VT) \u2014 2022-7-12

today the Senate voted on the nomination of Steve Dettelbach to be the Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives--ATF. I commend President for nominating Steve, who I know will excel as ATF Director at a time when enforcement of our country's gun laws is so critical. prgtoken As gun violence continues to plague our country and as mass shootings become more and more common, it is prgtoken hard not to feel paralyzed by the endless tragedy. But we must take action. I am proud to reflect on this body's efforts to pass the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which was signed into law by President last month. prgtoken But we must do more, and we must continue to do all that we can to prevent these senseless tragedies from occurring in the first place. That is why this confirmation vote today was so crucial. The ATF is charged with enforcing our Nation's gun laws, but the Agency has been without a Senate-confirmed Director since 2015. How can that be? In a time when firearms have become the leading cause of death among children in our country, how can we expect the ATF to fully function without a permanent Director? Finally, thankfully, that changes today. prgtoken I know Steve personally, and I can attest not only to his strong work ethic, but to his extraordinary set of skills and professional experiences that will no doubt serve him well as ATF Director. Steve served on my Judiciary Committee staff as a detailee from the Department of Justice, a role requiring time-sensitive evaluations of a wide range of issues relating to criminal justice and law enforcement. I am grateful for his wise counsel during his 2 years on my staff, and I have taken a great deal of personal pride in observing all of his achievements and leadership roles he has held since that time. prgtoken Steve has spent more than two decades as a prosecutor within the Justice Department, and was confirmed unanimously by the Senate to serve as U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, a position he held from 2009 to 2016. Over the course of his 30-year career, Steve has demonstrated that he is a dedicated, principled, law enforcement official who is highly qualified to take on this position. With the passage of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, the Congress proved that it is not so paralyzed that it cannot take reasonable--rational-- steps to confront the scourge of gun violence. The Senate can further prove that today by confirming Steve Dettelbach to lead the ATF. There could be no one more qualified for this position. prgtoken I regret that personal matters kept me from casting my vote in favor of Steve's confirmation today, but my enthusiastic support for his confirmation remains steadfast. I look forward to continuing that support by doing all that I can to ensure that Steve and the ATF have the resources they need to enforce our Nation's gun laws and protect our communities. prgtoken It
HONORING THE CITY OF NAPA
Mike Thompson (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2022-7-12

. Madam , I rise today to honor the City of Napa in celebration of the city's 150th anniversary of its incorporation and its 175th anniversary of the town's founding. prgtoken The City of Napa was founded in 1847 by Nathan Combs and Nicolas Higuera. On March 23, 1872, the settlement was first incorporated as the town of Napa. Two years later, it was reincorporated as the City of Napa. prgtoken The city originated as an important freight and trading post, and it began to flourish after the arrival of river ferries on the Napa River and the Napa County Railroad in 1860. Although its early history is comprised of hostility, intolerance and discrimination, today, the City of Napa prides itself as a multi-cultural hub for families of diverse backgrounds, including indigenous peoples; Californians of Spanish descent, Chinese immigrants, and more. prgtoken The City of Napa has a population of just under 80,000. Much of Napa's growth and prosperity can be attributed to its industrial businesses, including the famous Sawyer Tannery; founded in 1869, the Basalt Rock Company; founded around 1920, and Kaiser Steel; founded around 1940. As the heart of Napa County, the City of Napa has over 500 dedicated employees who provide a variety of municipal services, including police, fire, utilities, public works, and parks and recreation. prgtoken Every year the city attracts approximately 3.85 million visitors who experience Napa's internationally renowned food and wine culture. Both tourists and residents attend annual events hosted by the City of Napa, including, but not limited to, the Napa Lighted Art Festival, BottleRock Music Festival, and the annual 4th of July Celebration. prgtoken Madam , it is evident that the City of Napa is home to a culturally rich, diverse, and vibrant community. Therefore, it is fitting and proper that we honor the city and its residents here today.
Unanimous Consent Requests--Executive Calendar (Executive Calendar)
Brian Schatz (Democrat, HI) \u2014 2022-7-12

I rise today in support of the nominations of Dr. Lester Martinez-Lopez to be the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, Dr. Agnes Schaefer to be Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, and Mr. Franklin Parker to hold the same position within the Navy. prgtoken The office Dr. Martinez-Lopez is nominated for is responsible for ensuring that we are medically ready to fight and win wars. This is a critical role for our national security at all times, but, of course, it is even more important during a pandemic. prgtoken Leaving this office without leadership jeopardizes our ability to respond to this health crisis and prepare for the next one. Having spent more than two decades as an Army surgeon and commander of medical centers at major U.S. military bases both stateside and overseas, and more than a decade as a leader of private medical research organizations, Dr. Martinez-Lopez clearly has the experience to fill this position. prgtoken The Assistant Secretaries for Manpower and Reserve Affairs across the branches ensure our military and civilian workforce have the education, the training, and the skills needed to meet current and future threats. Mr. Parker, who is nominated to head this office for the Navy, has demonstrated his ability to fill the role and will be able to hit the ground running, having held the position before. prgtoken Dr. Schaefer, nominated to head this office for the Army, will bring firsthand knowledge from her 15 years at the RAND Corporation, where she specialized in military personnel policy, reserve component issues, national security strategy, and emerging threats. prgtoken All three of these positions play important roles in our national security. All three nominees to fill them were voted out of committee-- a committee on which the Senator from Missouri serves--without objection--without objection--4 months ago. But all three remain vacant. prgtoken The Senator from Missouri, as someone who serves on the Personnel Subcommittee of the Armed Services Committee, I know would know better than most the issues our military branches and the troops face. These include recruitment and retention challenges, ensuring safe workplaces, including implementing IRC reforms to prevent and respond to sexual assault and sexual harassment within the ranks, and addressing the high suicide rate among troops and veterans--all issues which impact military readiness. But there is a hold on all DOD nominees. prgtoken I am unaware of any substantive objections to these nominees based on their qualifications or their ability to serve, reasons which we have a constitutional duty to review based on our advice and consent role. prgtoken My understanding is that the Senator from Missouri is implementing a blanket hold based on general policy disagreements with the administration. In addition to our advice and consent role, the Senate has oversight responsibi
Recognizing London Business School Graduates (Executive Calendar)
Mark R. Warner (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2022-7-12

I want to thank my friend the Senator from Iowa for giving me a moment of personal privilege. prgtoken I also want to acknowledge our colleague who has been the Presiding Officer. I want to acknowledge our colleague who was presiding prior to you coming to the chair and acknowledge that it is her birthday today, a great day of celebration across Arizona and elsewhere. prgtoken , I will only rise for a moment, and I appreciate my friend the senior Senator from Illinois being here for this. I want to acknowledge my youngest daughter, Eliza, and her fellow classmates from the London Business School--not LSE; the London Business School--where, last Wednesday, I attended their graduation. My hope is that every one of these young men and women who are going to be from across the world--the United States, the UK, Nigeria, Lebanon, Israel, India, Singapore, and a host of other countries--one, I wish them all well. I know they are going to contribute to economies and growth around the world. prgtoken I also believe that almost all of them now are going to go off their family's payroll at this moment in time after they have received this great, distinguished MBA they received from the London Business School. prgtoken I do appreciate, again, my friend the Senator from Iowa giving me the courtesy of this quick acknowledgement and recognition. prgtoken With that, and yield to my friend the senior Senator from Iowa.
HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF DEREK TUCKER
Adriano Espaillat (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2022-7-12

. Madam , I rise today to honor a beloved constituent of our community, revered music guru and proclaimed ``Zen master''--Mr. Derek Tucker. prgtoken Throughout his life, he strived to bring people together through a shared love for music. prgtoken Over the course of his career, including as Vice President of a ticketing agency and veteran concert promoter, he organized worldwide tours for legendary figures like Miley Cyrus, Elton John, Paul McCartney, and Justin Bieber. prgtoken He's worked in what seems like every venue in New York City, from Brooklyn Steel to Terminal 5 to Central Park. prgtoken Despite constantly being on the road for work--managing events and venues--he always made time for family. prgtoken He had an extraordinary ability to unite people and despite being away, maintained close ties with his faith, his family, and his community. prgtoken It is through his leadership and the mentorship of his fellow colleagues that Mr. Tucker will continue to shape the music industry. He will serve as an inspiration for future generations as he exemplifies the resilience of my community in face of adversity. prgtoken He will be remembered by everyone in the Inwood, Albany, and music communities alike for his invaluable contributions.
Unanimous Consent Requests--Executive Calendar (Executive Calendar)
Tim Kaine (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2022-7-12

I rise and thank my colleague from Hawaii for stating plainly the qualifications of these candidates. prgtoken As a member of the Armed Services Committee, I have had a chance to review their qualifications. And as the father of a U.S. marine, I agree wholeheartedly with the Senator's contention that these three positions would be very important to fill at a time when the United States has so many security challenges. prgtoken Anticipating a productive dialogue with my colleague from Missouri, I would like to ask unanimous consent that the Senate consider the following nominations en bloc: Calendar Nos. 779, 780, 781; that the Senate vote on the nominations en bloc without intervening action or debate; that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table; that any statements related to the nominations be printed in the Record; and that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action.
U.S. Supreme Court (Executive Calendar)
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2022-7-12

last month the Supreme Court completed one of its most consequential and, in many ways, disastrous terms in American history, issuing a flurry of decisions that have upended our constitutional landscape. prgtoken In the scope of just a few weeks, the Supreme Court's radical new supermajority trampled over decades of longstanding precedent and usurped the power that has been traditionally left to Congress, State legislatures, and even individual Americans. prgtoken In fact, for the first time in the history of the United States of America, the Supreme Court revoked a constitutional right: the right to reproductive healthcare. prgtoken What we have seen from this Supreme Court is not guided by any coherent philosophy. It is judicial activism, plain and simple. The Court's radical majority is cherry-picking its way across text and history to impose their own ideological agenda on the American people, and, in so doing, the majority is not only damaging the Court's constitutional integrity. They are undermining the health and safety of the American people. prgtoken Let me explain, starting with one ruling that will severely limit the Government's ability to address what could be the greatest challenge of our time--the climate crisis. The case was West Virginia v. the EPA. The conservative majority on the Court misconstrued the law passed by Congress to side with the fossil fuel industry over the health of the American people. prgtoken When Congress enacted the Clean Air Act more than a half century ago, it charged the Environmental Protection Agency with protecting our air from harmful pollution, including greenhouse gases, which are causing catastrophic and irreversible damage to our planet. As Justice Kagan emphasized in her dissent, if the current rate of emissions continues, children born this year could live to see parts of the eastern seaboard of the United States swallowed by the ocean. Rising waters, scorching heat, and other severe weather events can force mass migration, civil unrest, and, in some parts of the world, even failure of state government. And, of course, Black, Brown, indigenous, and other communities bear the largest burden of environmental disaster. prgtoken With the Clean Air Act, Congress rightfully recognized that scientists--not politicians or judges--should be the authority on deciding the best methods to reduce emissions from powerplants. It was under that authority that in 2014 the EPA proposed the Clean Power Plan. That plan would have markedly reduced greenhouse gas emissions, but it never went into effect. prgtoken That is important because article III of the Constitution requires that there be an actual case in controversy in order for the Supreme Court to issue a ruling. Because the Clean Power Plan never went into effect, there was no case or controversy to refer to, but the Supreme Court still went out of its way to reject the plan and toss it aside in West Virgi
DON DAVIS
Ed Perlmutter (Democrat, CO) \u2014 2022-7-12

. Madam , I rise today to recognize Don Davis for his years of service as County Manager for Jefferson County, Colorado. prgtoken Throughout his five years as the County Manager, Don showed tremendous dedication, dependability, and leadership, directing the organizational and administrative operations of 3,000 employees and one of the largest counties in the state. As the fourth-most populous county in Colorado which serves as the gateway from the Denver Metro region to the Rocky Mountains, Jefferson County has had to face a variety of issues in recent years ranging from the COVID-19 pandemic and budget shortfalls to wildfire events and infrastructure challenges. At every turn, Don has led with a pragmatic and innovative approach. prgtoken Don began his post-graduate career as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served his country through numerous deployments to the Middle East. Following his 27 years of service in the U.S. military, he retired with the rank of Colonel in 2017. prgtoken Don has successfully navigated Jefferson County and its residents through an unprecedented pandemic while continuing to move the region forward on climate change issues and creating a better quality of life for all Jeff co residents. I am incredibly thankful for his service and dedication to the people of Jefferson County and wish him well in his future endeavors.
BENNY C. MARTINEZ POST OFFICE BUILDING
Sylvia R. Garcia (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2022-7-12

I thank the chairwoman and the ranking member for such kind remarks about a dear friend and colleague back home, Benny Martinez. prgtoken They have covered a lot of what was said, but I will repeat some of it because I think it is important, not just for people in my district to hear it, but for people across the district because, with the naming of this Post Office, , it will mean the first post office named for a Latino in the Houston area, which, too, is a remarkable achievement. prgtoken Mr. Martinez was a community leader, an advocate for Mexican-American civil rights, an Army veteran, a nurse, a Houston, Texas educator, and a friend. prgtoken Benny and his family came from humble beginnings in Goliad, Texas, but moved to Houston, like many others, to find more opportunities. prgtoken In 1956, at the age of 18, Benny was inducted into the U.S. Army. After completing his training, he was sent to Korea, where he was assigned to the 564th Quartermaster Company. prgtoken Benny put his education degree to use and worked as an associate teacher in the Houston School District at Crockett Elementary. prgtoken On top of this, , he served many organizations. As was mentioned, he was a lifelong member of LULAC, the League of United Latin American Citizens; the Veterans of Foreign Wars; the Knights of Columbus; and the American GI Forum. He also found time to be an usher at his local church. prgtoken The thing that has been mentioned but that I want to underscore, because it was another historical note, is that he is better known for facilitating a historic meeting between a Texas LULAC chapter--again, the League of United Latin American Citizens--and then-President John F. Kennedy in 1963. This event is the first known meeting between a U.S. sitting President and a Hispanic civil rights group--very noteworthy. prgtoken After a lifetime of a lot of achievements, Mr. Martinez passed away at 85 in 2019. This bill would name the post office after him. I urge all of my colleagues to support this bill in the memory of a history maker and a pioneer in our community.