mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF THE SENATE AMENDMENT TO HOUSE AMENDMENT TO SENATE AMENDMENT TO H.R. 2617, AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES...
Guy Reschenthaler (Republican, PA) \u2014 2022-12-23

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , this omnibus underfunds border security. Let's just give a few stats. prgtoken This year, 98 suspected terrorists have been apprehended attempting to cross the southern border. prgtoken There were more than 14,000 pounds of illicit fentanyl seized in fiscal year 2022. That is just what was seized. But we know that we only seize 5 to 10 percent of the fentanyl coming across our border, and that has deadly consequences for Americans. There has been a 94 percent increase in fentanyl deaths since 2019. prgtoken To put that in context, that is one fentanyl overdose every 7 minutes in the U.S. For more context on that, that would be the equivalent of one commercial airliner going down every single day in this country. It is an unmitigated disaster, and it is being caused because we have such a porous southern border. prgtoken , I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from the great State of Texas (Mr. Sessions), who is a former chairman of the Rules Committee.
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF THE SENATE AMENDMENT TO HOUSE AMENDMENT TO SENATE AMENDMENT TO H.R. 2617, AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES...
Scott Perry (Republican, PA) \u2014 2022-12-23

this is completely disgusting. Everything about it is disgusting: the fact that it showed up in the middle of the night, the fact that we knew for essentially a year, everybody in this place knew what was coming, that this had to be done. prgtoken The folks on this side of aisle made sure we were going to do this right before Christmas. We all know what is going to happen. Everybody has got to get home for Christmas, not troops that go overseas. They are not going to be home for Christmas, but you folks are. prgtoken This is not about America's priorities, this is about your priorities, your personal priorities. prgtoken You know how we know that? Because your names are on these things. Somebody wrote this. prgtoken Somebody wrote in there that we are going to protect Tunisia and Egypt's border, but we are not going to do anything to protect our border. Somebody wrote that. Yeah, I know you are all over there talking about it, somebody has got a name attached to that, and you are proud of it. prgtoken This is a Christmas tree of 7,000 of your priorities, not America's priorities. prgtoken This does absolutely nothing to fix our border. prgtoken It does nothing to fix the fire of fentanyl deaths that are raging across the United States of America, absolutely nothing at all. prgtoken It does nothing to fix the fact that people that I represent can't afford butter, milk, bread, gasoline, and energy. It does nothing to fix any of that. These are about your priorities. prgtoken Now, my friends on the other side of the aisle say we are not willing to be constructive. Well, forgive me. Forgive me for voting ``no'' and not being constructive in playing a part in you destroying our country. Our country is sick of what you are doing. This is why you are doing it now. prgtoken My friend on the other side of the aisle says, well, this is about getting things done. People on this side of the aisle don't want to get things done. Look at what is in this bill, ladies and gentlemen. This isn't about getting things done. This is about getting things before you are done. That is what this is. That is why it is happening now. That is why it is happening the way it is. The American people are sick of this and it must end.
FAREWELL TO CONGRESS
Bill Huizenga (Republican, MI) \u2014 2022-12-23

as the 117th Congress comes to a close, I rise today to say it has been an absolute honor and privilege to serve Michiganders across Kent, Ottawa, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, Lake, Mason, and Allegan Counties in the current Second District. prgtoken West Michigan is blessed to have beautiful beaches, world-class manufacturing, and an incredible variety of top-notch agricultural produce. But what makes places like Muskegon, Grand Haven, Ludington, Pentwater, Fremont, Baldwin, and Grandville so special are the people who call these communities home. prgtoken It is embracing servant leadership. It is emphasizing the value of hard work, and it is fostering the drive to go the extra mile that makes west Michigan such a wonderful place to live, work, and raise a family. prgtoken , as I say goodbye to the current Second District, I will never forget the residents who have called the Second Congressional District home over the past 10 years or the memories we have shared. prgtoken Please know that I will continue to be a champion for you and for Michigan. It has been an honor and a blessing to be your voice in Washington.
CONGRATULATING TYSON BAGENT AND THE SHEPHERD UNIVERSITY RAMS
Alexander X. Mooney (Republican, WV) \u2014 2022-12-23

I rise today to share some historic news out of the Second Congressional District of West Virginia. prgtoken Born and raised in the eastern panhandle, Tyson Bagent is the quarterback for the Shepherd University football team. prgtoken Last month, the Rams blew out host Indiana, 48-13, in the national quarterfinals. Bagent completed 19 of 28 passes for 231 yards and had four touchdowns. prgtoken Impressively, Tyson took the all-time lead for passing touchdowns in all NCAA college divisions with 158 in the game. prgtoken This remarkable achievement is just one of many for Tyson. He had a decorated career at Martinsburg High School, where he led the Bulldogs to consecutive Class AAA championships in 2016 and 2017. prgtoken Congratulations to Tyson, and I wish him and the Rams continued success.
AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2023
Kay Granger (Republican, TX) \u2014 2022-12-23

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , I rise today in opposition to H.R. 2617, an omnibus appropriations package to fund the government through the end of the fiscal year. prgtoken First, I have concerns about the size and the scope of the package, it totals almost $2 trillion, and it comes after nearly $3 trillion of spending was pushed through this Congress. This $3 trillion was enacted completely outside of the normal process and many programs received staggering increases. prgtoken This record-high spending has been a key driver of inflation. It has led to record-high prices for the American people and for everything from gas to groceries. prgtoken Instead of reflecting the economic realities we face, the package of bills before us represents continued spending in areas that have already received large increases. prgtoken Second, this omnibus package bails out the administration for many of their self-inflicted wounds on issues like the border crisis and the energy crisis. prgtoken In closing, I am disappointed that I am unable to support this bill that funds our Nation's military at the authorized level, but the excess spending on nondefense programs in this bill is just too much to gain my support. prgtoken , for these reasons, I urge my colleagues to vote ``no,'' and .
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF THE SENATE AMENDMENT TO HOUSE AMENDMENT TO SENATE AMENDMENT TO H.R. 2617, AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES...
Andrew S. Clyde (Republican, GA) \u2014 2022-12-23

I thank the gentleman for yielding. prgtoken If every Senate did their job, we wouldn't be in this mess. Yet yesterday, 18 Senators voted for this $1.7 trillion omnibus bill in order to skip town for Christmas. Those Senate s got played by the as expertly as my wife plays the violin. prgtoken Unfortunately, we are likely to see s in this body do the very same thing and get played the very same way as the Senate, hoping to quickly and quietly pass this massive spending bill with no questions or accountability. prgtoken But Americans deserve the truth. A vote for this bill is a vote for increasing inflation as Americans struggle to afford the costs of living; bolstering foreign nations' border security, while woefully ignoring our wide-open southern border, rubber-stamping wasteful pork projects like LGBTQ museums, to bee-friendly highways and everything in between, empowering alphabet agencies like the ATF with more money, as bureaucrats destroy our Nation and infringe on our freedoms, pouring an additional $45 billion into Ukraine, with zero accountability, and green-lighting another year of the left's Big Government, socialist agenda, right before the end of ' one-party rule in Washington. prgtoken A vote for this omnibus bill is a vote for America last. I urge all my colleagues to reject the swamp status quo and stand up for America and vote ``no'' on this monstrosity.
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF THE SENATE AMENDMENT TO HOUSE AMENDMENT TO SENATE AMENDMENT TO H.R. 2617, AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES...
Louie Gohmert (Republican, TX) \u2014 2022-12-23

look, 4,155 pages, and that doesn't include the couple of thousand pages of explanation, definition, and all this other stuff. prgtoken At least with Care, 2,500 pages, we had time to go through it. I did. I read it, highlighted, made notes. This is 4,155 pages, and we haven't had a chance. prgtoken Well, the House rules make sure that you can't shove a bill through without people knowing what is in it, and that is the rule that requires that the bill be read. But the majority, for a few days more, decided we don't want people to know what is in it; and as the previously famously said, we have got to pass it and find out what is in it. prgtoken That is why the majority in the Rules Committee, in this rule, said, we consider it as already read because we don't want you to know what is in that. That is dangerous because there is so much garbage. prgtoken There are people struggling, maxing out credit cards to get gasoline, and this bill is going to do for inflation--well, I won't go there, but it is going to do a lot of damage for inflation; and people that can least afford it will be harmed tremendously by the callous treatment that the rules of the House have gotten and that the people that are hurting across America are getting. prgtoken It should be voted down, and we should have time to look at exactly what is being given away.
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF THE SENATE AMENDMENT TO HOUSE AMENDMENT TO SENATE AMENDMENT TO H.R. 2617, AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES...
Pete Sessions (Republican, TX) \u2014 2022-12-23

I appreciate the gentleman from Pennsylvania yielding me time. prgtoken , today America faces the Congress as we debate--yes, debate--just days before Christmas, this spending that will take place next year. prgtoken In the 20 years I spent on the Rules Committee, I do know that the staff and the members do hard work, and I respect them for that. But the differences between our parties appear at the Rules Committee. prgtoken For 8 years, s--6 of those years with me as chairman of the Rules Committee--held government spending completely flat, discretionary spending. And yet we see what is happening now is a good bit of that discretionary spending they are moving to mandatory spending--mandatory spending that will put a burden on the taxpayer of this country--not just 4,100 pages, not just $1.7 trillion, but actually empowering government to intrude into the lives of American citizens. prgtoken Over $20 billion will be given to the IRS over this next year. prgtoken The Federal Government under President does not even have government employees reporting to work. They stay at home. Yet, we add 87,000 new IRS employees. prgtoken , what we have today is the difference on the priorities, I think, of the American people, people who want to have jobs and careers, people who want to be safe in their own homes. An open border with this President and the ic Party is openly assisting illegal immigration into this country with literally an unlimited amount of money. prgtoken Detaining people at the border is important for national security. This next year, the Texas delegation will engage in this issue on the floor. prgtoken I thank the for this time but will let them know that the American people will hear from the Party next year.
HONORING MR. BILLY JOHNSON
David Rouzer (Republican, NC) \u2014 2022-12-23

. Madam , I rise in recognition of William (Billy) on Johnson who was recently named Distinguished Alumnus of the Year by North Carolina State University College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHASS). Billy earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from NC State in 1986, and in recent years he has served on the NC State School of Public and International Affairs Advisory Board as well as the CHASS Dean's Board. These roles provide him with the opportunity to assist both students and alumni with educational and career-related opportunities in Washington, D.C. prgtoken Billy received this prestigious award at the annual Evening of the Stars, which honors those alumni whose success increases the value of an NC State degree and add to North Carolina State University's growing legacy of excellence, impact, and service. As a proud alumnus myself, I salute Billy for his hard earned achievements and commend his efforts to assist NC State's next generation of leaders. prgtoken As the chief lobbyist for the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI), Billy serves as a leading voice on Capitol Hill for both small and commercial businesses in the recycling field. Long a champion of the recycled prgtoken materials industry, Billy helped establish the bipartisan Congressional Recycling Caucus in 2004 to educate lawmakers regarding the economic and environmental benefits of recycling. Billy helped draft and enact the bipartisan RECYCLE Act, the first standalone piece of recycling legislation in history providing funding for public education and awareness programs to improve our country's recycling system. From 2004 to 2008, Billy also served as a judge of the White House Federal Recycling Initiative ``Closing-the-Loop'' Awards Program. prgtoken Billy has a proven record of helping members understand the importance of the recycling industry through Washington and district fly-ins, one-on-one meetings with congressional offices, and more. In 2021, his achievements led to his recognition by the National Institute for Lobbying and Ethics as one of the top 100 lobbyists in America for his demonstrated commitment to give back to the community and profession while adhering to the highest ethical standards. prgtoken Billy accepted this award along with several distinguished alumni including: Bryan K. Blinson--College of Agriculture and Life Sciences; Dr. Philip Snider--College of Agriculture and Life Sciences; Turan Duda--College of Design; Johnny L. Crow--College of Education; Quint M. Barefoot--College of Engineering; Dan Pleasant--College of Engineering; Mark Wyatt--College of Engineering; Amir S. Mehr--Poole College of Management; Kenneth O. Summerville--College of Natural Resources; Nora Ann Gardner--College of Sciences; Brian L McMurray--Wilson College of Textiles; Sarah J. Ewing--College of Veterinary Medicine. John C. Borden was awarded the Ronnie Shavlik Award. Other awards were presented to Kevin M. K
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF THE SENATE AMENDMENT TO HOUSE AMENDMENT TO SENATE AMENDMENT TO H.R. 2617, AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES...
Clay Higgins (Republican, LA) \u2014 2022-12-23

witness then the demise of a nation once great. Witness the arrogance of thieves in suits from their wealth and comfort as they spend the American treasure of a generation yet unborn. prgtoken Witness as they smile, in full knowledge that they are comfortable with taking the position that they are better managers of our Nation's decline. prgtoken But witness ye, also, that the American people have had enough. We struggle, we the people. Americans from sea to shining sea cannot pay for groceries or fuel. They are cold and hungry and feel betrayed by this body. prgtoken I understand that sentiment and passion because I share it.
PRESIDENT ZELENSKYY IS A SYMBOL OF FREEDOM
Joe Wilson (Republican, SC) \u2014 2022-12-23

on Wednesday, Congress appropriately gave 18 standing ovations prgtoken in appreciation for President Volodymyr Zelenskyy from Ukraine for stopping war criminal Putin's invasion. prgtoken His address to the joint meeting of Congress was historic and heartfelt. Sadly, the world is in a competition between democracies with rule of law as opposed to autocrats by rule of gun. The first target is Ukraine with clear warnings to Moldova, Georgia, Taiwan, Israel, and America. prgtoken The resolve and courage of President Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian people have unified s and , NATO with Finland and Sweden, the European Union, Japan, South Korea, and Australia supporting Ukraine. prgtoken President Zelenskyy is a symbol of freedom and courage for Ukraine and all who cherish democracy and oppose murderous invasion maintaining borders. prgtoken In conclusion, God bless our troops, who successfully protected America for 20 years, as the global war on terrorism continues moving from Afghanistan's safe haven to America. prgtoken God bless Ukraine. God bless President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Ukraine will achieve victory for a merry Christmas.
SUPPORTING THE CHEROKEE NATION'S 1835 TREATY OF NEW ECHOTA
Tom Cole (Republican, OK) \u2014 2022-12-23

. Madam , as a member of the Chickasaw Nation and co- chair of the Congressional Native American Caucus, I have always voiced my support for the federal government to honor its treaty obligations. prgtoken For far too long in our Nation's history, the federal government accumulated a sorry record of making promises to tribes and then breaking those promises as soon as it was expedient to do so. Only in recent years has that record started to improve. prgtoken Last month the Rules Committee held a hearing on one of these treaty rights: a delegate to the House of Representatives as enumerated in the Cherokee Nation's 1835 Treaty of New Echota. This hearing marked an important step in examining this specific treaty and understanding the legal and procedural factors surrounding this issue. prgtoken I'm very proud that we held this hearing and want to thank Chairman McGovern for his leadership and the committee's willingness to highlight tribal sovereignty. prgtoken The conversations that we had in the Rules Committee that day are a starting point for other committees of jurisdiction to study this matter further and address some of the lingering questions surrounding this. As this work continues, all such claims by tribes that possess them should be considered and examined as well.
RECOGNIZING DON McSPARRAN FOR HIS SERVICE
August Pfluger (Republican, TX) \u2014 2022-12-23

I rise today to recognize Midland local and World War II veteran Don McSparran for his service to our community. prgtoken For the past 22 years, Mr. McSparran has spent countless hours patrolling Midland as a volunteer with the Midland Police Department. With his wife, Doris, in the passenger seat, Mr. McSparran drives around town assisting folks at any given moment with something as minor as a local traffic accident or as major as a lost child. He has helped countless people around Midland and is seen as a staple of the MPD. prgtoken Over the years, Mr. McSparran has selflessly given so much of his time to keep our community safe. Now, at the age of 96, Mr. McSparran has no intention of slowing down. He continues to serve with the utmost commitment, dedication, and patriotism. His efforts strengthen and engage our community, and he improves every life that he touches. prgtoken At the beginning of this month, Midland Mayor Patrick Payton officially declared the day ``Don McSparran Appreciation Day,'' a wonderful time to recognize Mr. McSparran's lifetime of service and incredible dedication to our community. prgtoken , I thank Mr. McSparran for his time, for his heart, and for his efforts to make Midland a better place. Our district is blessed to have wonderful servant leaders like Don.
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF THE SENATE AMENDMENT TO HOUSE AMENDMENT TO SENATE AMENDMENT TO H.R. 2617, AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES...
Chip Roy (Republican, TX) \u2014 2022-12-23

I thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania for yielding. I can't help but be amused when the gentleman from Massachusetts says that we refused to come to the table. As if the gentlewoman who will soon be the chair of the Appropriations Committee, Ms. Granger, my colleague from Texas, doesn't want to sit at the table with colleagues on either side of the aisle to come to consensus about how to spend taxpayer dollars; or better stated, how to borrow money we don't have, as if that is actually true. prgtoken What table is the gentleman referring to? prgtoken At what table does he want us to come sit down and negotiate? prgtoken It is not this table. prgtoken I don't have the power to offer an amendment on the floor of the House of Representatives, despite being elected by 750,000 Texans. I don't have the ability or the right to be able to stand up for them and have a debate on the floor of this Chamber. prgtoken Everything the American people are watching right now is a complete sham. It is a fraud, a fraud being perpetrated on the American people right before their eyes, right as we head into Christmas, sitting here on the 23rd of December when--240-what--246 years ago those boys crossed the Delaware and we were dealing with Valley Forge, or the boys in 1944 sitting in foxholes in Bastogne over Christmas. prgtoken We had 18 s who joined with in the Senate get in their fancy planes and go home, and we are sitting here trying to do the work of the people, not spend money we don't have, not drive up more inflation, not have 7,500 earmarks for $16 billion for pet, leftist projects across this country. prgtoken What you see here on the floor of the House of Representatives should make everybody ashamed. This is the people's House. Not one amendment has been offered on the floor of this body since May of 2016 in open debate. prgtoken The gentleman from Massachusetts dares to impugn the character of the Appropriations Chairwoman Kay Granger and those s he says won't sit at the table when, in fact, what you see here is a 4,100-page bill cooked up by a handful of people behind closed doors brought before the Rules Committee with no ability to offer an amendment, no ability to debate, no actual discussion on the people's House floor. prgtoken My colleagues on the other side of the aisle know it. We are spending money we don't have. prgtoken Go home and sell your projects. Go home and talk about all the pork you are bringing home. But you are destroying the United States of America, and you are absolutely destroying this body. prgtoken The American people did not send us here to do that. My colleagues on the other side of the aisle know that. My colleagues on the other side of the aisle know full well that this body is broken, but they do not care. prgtoken , $45 billion to Ukraine. prgtoken Have we had a full debate on Ukraine? prgtoken Or do we take $45 billion of funding for Ukraine, package it in a