mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
RESOLUTION REGARDING VIOLENCE AGAINST LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS
Pete Stauber (Republican, MN) \u2014 2024-5-17

I am frustrated and angry but also deeply saddened. The law enforcement profession is an honorable one. To have so much compassion for others that you are willing to put your life on the line, it is, as we say, a call to service, and not many hear that call today. prgtoken If you had asked me a few years ago if my children should become law enforcement officers, I would have undoubtedly said yes. However, after these last few years of observing the treatment of our law enforcement officers, I would have to think twice about my answer. prgtoken Since 2020, I have watched the law enforcement profession become a punching bag, scapegoated by rabid media pundits more interested in clickbait than the facts, villainized by Hollywood, and disparaged by city councils, Members of this Congress, both men and women, and even our President. prgtoken Yet, all these people expect law enforcement to respond to their calls for service. They expect them to take the verbal assault and show up with a smile on their face ready to serve. prgtoken The wonderful thing about my brothers and sisters in uniform is that despite this treatment and abuse, they will show up. They will answer every call. They will sacrifice their safety for others. They will help protect their community no matter how much ridicule or resentment they face. prgtoken I am here to say the things that they can't. I am here to protect my brothers and sisters in the blue and brown because others won't. prgtoken Enough is enough. prgtoken Law enforcement officers deserve our respect, our admiration, and our support. To provide anything else is unacceptable. prgtoken The resolution before us acknowledges the change in attitude toward law enforcement over the last few years and the subsequent violence directed toward them. It acknowledges that they respond to calls for service no matter who is on the other line. prgtoken It acknowledges that the job has only become more dangerous and more mentally and physically exhausting, yet they still show up for work, not knowing if they have kissed their families good-bye for the last time. prgtoken Importantly, this resolution also acknowledges that we in this Chamber set the standard. We are the ones who must demonstrate a respect for the rule of law and a respect for our law enforcement officers if we are to expect the public to do the same. We must do so in our actions, in our conversations, and even the policies we consider. prgtoken Bills that never become law can have the most staggering ripple effect. They can persuade local municipalities to implement soft-on- crime policies and strip law enforcement of resources. They can encourage the public to cheat, steal, and disrespect fellow community members. They can cause good, noble people to change their minds about entering the profession that I love so much, which is law enforcement. prgtoken Actions have consequences, and our communities are suffering as a result. prgtoken Let's
THE GREAT STATE OF IOWA
Ashley Hinson (Republican, IA) \u2014 2024-5-17

I was born and raised in Iowa, and I have always known that it was the place that I wanted to live and raise my family. prgtoken Recently, U.S. News and World Report caught up to what Iowans have known for a long time and officially ranked Iowa as one of the best States to live. They also ranked Iowa third for new opportunities. Under Governor Kim Reynolds, Iowa is flourishing. prgtoken While President spent trillions of taxpayer dollars on woke priorities and created rampant inflation, Iowa cut taxes for families. prgtoken While President opened our borders and allowed countless illegal immigrants to invade, Iowa is working to deport illegal immigrants who endanger our communities. prgtoken Iowa is a model for the rest of the country. Our prosperity under Governor Reynolds is the perfect contrast to 's national failures. Iowa is leading the way with commonsense conservatism, and our future is bright.
RECOGNIZING GUEST CHAPLAIN PASTOR DAVID MASON
Bruce Westerman (Republican, AR) \u2014 2024-5-17

I rise today to thank our guest chaplain, Pastor David Mason, for his opening prayer on May 10th. I've had the pleasure of knowing David for quite some time, as he serves as Pastor at my home church, Walnut Valley Baptist in Hot Springs, Arkansas. prgtoken David and his wife, Aamie, who serves as a family counselor, are dear friends of mine who have a heart for sharing the gospel and ministering not only inside the church building but in the community with individuals wherever there is a need. prgtoken David and Aamie have been faithful servants and leaders for many years. It was a pleasure to host them in D.C. this week. prgtoken I, along with others in Arkansas' Fourth Congressional District, are grateful to Pastor Mason and his wife Aamie for their servant hearts and their obedience in serving God.
Iran (Executive Session)
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2024-5-20

last night, Iran confirmed that its President and Foreign Minister died in a helicopter crash. The condolences from sympathetic regimes were swift. The PRC declared that the Chinese people had ``lost a good friend.'' The Kremlin mourned ``a reliable partner.'' And Prime Minister Orban of Hungary, whose government has pursued deeper trade relations with Tehran, in spite of Western sanctions, offered his ``thoughts and prayers.'' prgtoken Well, I, too, would like to extend my condolences to the people of Iran--for their long suffering under the brutal, theocratic rule of the Islamic Republic. I suspect a great many Iranians would rather Western admirers stop lionizing a man known as the ``Butcher of Tehran'' for executing political prisoners. They might prefer that foreign leaders not further legitimize the regime that actively represses all of them. prgtoken In the meantime, conjecture about key players in the chain of succession and the relative strength of reform and hardline elements has already begun in earnest. To focus on this sort of speculation is to miss something more fundamental about the regime in Tehran, something I warned the administration about when President Raisi was installed through a customary sham prgtoken election 3 years ago: We should remember the President of Iran is just a figurehead. The real power rests with the aptly named Supreme Leader and the State institutions he controls. prgtoken Supposed ``reformers'' and ``moderates,'' along with hard-liners, have come and gone from Iran's Presidency without fundamentally changing how Tehran operates at home or abroad. Meanwhile, the regime's revolutionary orthodoxy has endured for decades, preserved by the clerical establishment and the IRGC. prgtoken Iran's leaders, its diplomats, and its enablers abroad can say anything they want about the regime's character and outlook, but actions speak far louder than words. And, for years, Tehran has moved steadily in just one direction: toward more terrorist violence abroad and more repression at home. prgtoken And no matter who Iran's President has been, the regime in Tehran has continued to engage in rampant proliferation of ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and UAVs while making steady progress toward nuclear weapons capabilities. prgtoken So I would also like to extend my condolences to Iran's neighbors who still live under the constant threat of a regime that practices what it preaches: Death to Israel, death to America, war on international commerce, and chaos across the Middle East. prgtoken The untimely death of the President of Iran does not change the underlying threats this regime poses to its own citizens, to its region, and to the free world. These threats continue to demand our collective attention.
Recruit and Retain Act (Executive Session)
Deb Fischer (Republican, NE) \u2014 2024-5-20

in 1969, the city of Montreal, Canada, discovered what it is like to live in a world without police. For 16 hours on October 7, the city's full police force went on strike. What ensued is now called Montreal's ``Night of Terror.'' The city rang out with gunshots, glass shattering, and flames erupting. prgtoken Just 3 hours after the strike began, the first bank was robbed. Robbers stormed nine more before the police returned. Thefts, vandalism, and mob violence took the city by storm. There were 450 break-ins and over 30 armed holdups. A crowd 800 strong overturned a bus and sent vehicles ablaze. prgtoken The government sent Provincial police and army officers into the city. But by then, the chaos was already in full force. A sniper shot one officer, killing him. The result of Montreal's ``Night of Terror'' was two dead men, dozens of injuries, over 100 arrests, and close to $3 million in property damage. prgtoken Less than a day without police was a nightmare for Montreal. prgtoken Here in America, we often take our strong police force for granted. We enjoy the safety and protection of law enforcement, sometimes without even realizing it. But if trends continue, we will inch closer to living the nightmare of a world without police. prgtoken In 2022, almost 50 percent more officers resigned than in 2019. Almost 20 percent more officers retired. The number of police officers nationwide decreased by 4,000 between 2020 and 2023. prgtoken A study in 2023 found that over the prior 2 years, at least 12 American towns completely dissolved their police departments. prgtoken I have been speaking with law enforcement in Nebraska and around the country about growing staffing challenges for years. I greatly respect the State and local control of law enforcement agencies so I always ask them how I can make existing Federal tools more supportive of their work. Based on those conversations, I introduced the Recruit and Retain Act, which the House passed last week. prgtoken I am thankful to the Nebraska officers and sheriffs who collaborated with me to craft legislation with bipartisan appeal. As retirements increase and new applications decline, departments are shrinking, burdening the officers who are trying to keep them afloat. Understaffed departments are doing their best to keep up, but they don't always have the resources to hire all the officers that they need. prgtoken The Recruit and Retain Act offers them better access to resources to reverse this trend. My legislation improved the Department of Justice's community-oriented policing services, or COPS, a hiring grant program. The bill expands COPS grants for specific onboarding expenses like background checks and psychological evaluations. prgtoken It also provides clear guidance to the understaffed agencies applying for this funding, and it alleviates administrative burdens that come with those applications. These changes will allow departments to consider
Vote on Aframe Nomination (Executive Calendar)
John Thune (Republican, SD) \u2014 2024-5-20

. The following Senators are necessarily absent: the Senator from Tennessee (Mr. Hagerty), the Senator from Missouri (Mr. Hawley), the Senator from Kansas (Mr. Marshall), the Senator from Kansas (Mr. Moran), the Senator from Florida (Mr. Rubio), the Senator from South Carolina (Mr. Scott), and the Senator from Alabama (Mr. Tuberville). prgtoken Further, if present and voting: the Senator from Missouri (Mr. Hawley) would have voted ``nay.''
FDIC (Executive Session)
John Kennedy (Republican, LA) \u2014 2024-5-20

with me today is a current member of my staff, one of my colleagues, Mr. Josh Dunn. prgtoken I want to talk, , about a topic I hate to talk about. It is very unpleasant, but it is necessary that we talk about this. Some of my colleagues want it to go away, but it is not going away. prgtoken I thought that we had all agreed that sexual predators and bigots are not welcome in America's workplaces. We have all heard of the #MeToo movement. The #MeToo movement, President endorsed it. Many of my colleagues have actively supported it, as have I. The #MeToo movement reminds us all that America is no place for creepy old men who sexually harass and demean their employees. I thought we had agreed to that. prgtoken I don't remember seeing any exceptions in the #MeToo movement for President 's appointees to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. We call it the FDIC. There is not supposed to be a carve- out for bigots and perverts at the FDIC to harass their coworkers when they are supposed to be regulating America's banks. prgtoken So why hasn't--why hasn't President shown FDIC Chairman, Mr. Martin Gruenberg, and his leadership team the door? Why hasn't he fired them? prgtoken Based on the latest report from the Agency, not a single appointee should keep his or her job at the FDIC. prgtoken Now, Mr. Gruenberg released a statement a few minutes ago. He didn't say he resigned. He said he is prepared to resign as soon as his successor is confirmed by the U.S. Senate. In the meantime, he is going to continue on as FDIC Chairman. It triggers my gag reflex. prgtoken I mentioned this report. This report, 234 pages, it was done by a law firm called Cleary Gottlieb at the request of the FDIC. The FDIC and Mr. Gruenberg were forced to ask for this report because the Wall Street Journal published a series of articles about the sexcapades at the FDIC, and the FDIC leadership was forced to respond. prgtoken Cleary Gottlieb issued this report. I was very suspect at first because Mr. Gruenberg and others had picked Cleary Gottlieb to do it. But after the report has been issued and I have had a chance to read it, it is clear to me the law firm--as it should have--pulled no punches. prgtoken The report tells us that nearly 1 in 10 employees--1 in 10--at the FDIC has experienced sexual harassment, racial discrimination, verbal abuse, or other inappropriate behavior while working at the Agency. prgtoken I want you to listen to this. I hate to have to say it, but I want the American people to understand what has been going on under Mr. Gruenberg's leadership at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. prgtoken This is what the report told us: One Hispanic employee told investigators with the Cleary Gottlieb law firm that his FDIC supervisor made him recite the Pledge of Allegiance at work to ``prove that they were American.'' Another FDIC employee reported that her supervisor told her ``You
Houston Storms (Executive Session)
John Cornyn (Republican, TX) \u2014 2024-5-20

last Thursday night, as I was sitting on my airplane scheduled to go into Houston, TX, a severe storm slammed the entire southeastern portion of our State, bringing heavy rains, roaring winds, and flooding to millions of people in the area. prgtoken Now, Houston and Southeast Texas are no strangers to hurricanes and natural disasters, but this was something altogether different 100-mile-per-hour winds ripped through the region, tearing windows out of skyscrapers in downtown Houston and toppling transmission towers, power lines, and uprooting trees. Homes, businesses, roads, and vehicles were damaged by the storms, and, sadly, at least eight Texans have lost their lives. prgtoken Shortly after the storm, more than 1 million Texans lost power, and it is starting to get warm in Texas as we approach the summer, and some 200,000 homes remain without electricity or air-conditioning. Today, more than 50 campuses across the Houston Independent School District are closed due to power outages. prgtoken As I said, the Houston region is no stranger to storms, and Texans did as they always do: They immediately mobilized to support those who suffered the worst impact. I want to commend the brave first responders and volunteers and just the good neighbors who supported the emergency response over the last several days as well as the crews who are working to clear debris and restore power even as I speak. prgtoken As we move from rescue to recovery efforts, my team and I are prepared to help in any way we can to help those communities rebuild.
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
Steve Daines (Republican, MT) \u2014 2024-5-20

today I have the honor of recognizing the Montana Youth Challenge Academy's--MYCA--25th anniversary. prgtoken The Youth Challenge Academy in Dillon, MT, is one of approximately 40 programs of its kind across the country and the only one located on a college campus. Over the past 25 years, MYCA has graduated almost 4,000 successful cadets. These young people are empowered to complete their education and choose a new path in life, whether that be enlisting in military service, becoming skilled in the trades industry, or enrolling in college classes; this program lays the foundation for a successful future through their implementation of a quasi-military training model. prgtoken Academy leaders and mentors teach valuable life skills while forging trusted relationships with program participants, their parents and guardians, and a network of supporters. Mentorship continues to be among the most unique and important aspects of this program, as it ensures each cadet is receiving support that best fits their needs and promotes a seamless transition into the next phase of their journey. Upon completion of the program, each graduate is connected with a local community mentor for 1 year to help them see how the skills they have learned in the program translate beyond the academy to benefit not just themselves, but their communities. It is clear that when cadets successfully exit the program, they bring with them a renewed sense of confidence, responsibility, and positivity they are ready to share with others. prgtoken The Montana Youth Challenge Academy exemplifies what it means to look out for your neighbor and pour into the next generation of Montanans.
Nomination of Seth Robert Aframe (Executive Session)
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2024-5-20

today, the Senate will vote to confirm Seth Aframe to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. Mr. Aframe has deep ties to the First Circuit. Born in Boston, he received his B.A summa cum laude, from Tufts University and his J.D magna cum laude, from Georgetown University Law Center before clerking for Justice Judith A. Cowin on the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. He then entered private practice in Boston, where he worked at a large firm and primarily practiced employment law. In 2003, he moved to New Hampshire, where he clerked for Judge Jeffrey R. Howard on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit in Concord. prgtoken In 2007, Mr. Aframe joined the civil division of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Hampshire as an assistant U.S. attorney. In 2010, he was appointed to serve as the appellate chief within the criminal division, and he was promoted to chief of the criminal division in 2023. Mr. Aframe has tried 19 cases to verdict, including 18 jury trials; and he has argued approximately 100 cases in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. In addition to his work as a litigator, Mr. Aframe also serves as the District of New Hampshire's elections officer and civil rights coordinator, and he represents the U.S. attorney on the District of New Hampshire's alternative drug court. prgtoken Mr. Aframe is strongly supported by both of his home State Senators-- Mrs. Shaheen and Ms. Hassan--and the American Bar Association unanimously rated him as ``well qualified'' to serve on the First Circuit. His significant litigation background and extensive experience in Federal court ensure that he will be a valuable addition to the First Circuit. prgtoken In a letter supporting Mr. Aframe's nomination, a bipartisan group of former U.S. attorneys for the District of New Hampshire wrote that, ``[t]o our minds, there is no one better-suited or better qualified to join the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit.'' I am of the same mind. I am proud to support this nominee, and I urge my colleagues to join me.
Israel (Executive Session)
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2024-5-20

I would like to begin with a statement about the ICC prosecutor's announcement from earlier this morning. prgtoken The ICC prosecutor's decision seeking arrest warrants for Israeli leaders alongside Hamas terrorists is not only profoundly unfair, but it is reprehensible. As disappointing as the ICC's decision is, it comes as no surprise because, for decades and decades, the ICC has shown it harbors deep biases against Israel. This decision suggesting an equivalency between Israel and Hamas is another glaring example of that bias against Israel. prgtoken As I have said many times, there has never been and there can never be any equivalence between Israel's right to defend itself against terror and Hamas's barbarity. The ICC's decision seeking warrants against Israeli leaders is not only shameful, but it also fails to follow protocol and process in a country where it has zero jurisdiction. I fiercely oppose the ICC's decision, and I will work with President and Members on all sides to keep support for Israel strong and unwavering.
Nomination of Seth Robert Aframe (Executive Session)
Margaret Wood Hassan (Democrat, NH) \u2014 2024-5-20

I rise today to add my voice to that of my colleague's, Senator Shaheen, in supporting the confirmation of Seth Aframe of Hopkinton, NH, to serve as a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for prgtoken the First Circuit. As you have heard from Senator Shaheen, Mr. Aframe would be a valuable addition to the First Circuit bench. prgtoken Granite Staters know Mr. Aframe as someone who brings thoughtful judgment and a commitment to fairness to whatever work he is undertaking. He has demonstrated this unwavering commitment to fairness, to justice time and again in his work at the U.S. Attorney's Office, including when he argued cases before the First Circuit. prgtoken He exemplified those same values in his work on the LASER Docket, which is a drug court that helps people struggling with addiction to get the treatment that they need--an issue that is particularly important to the people of New Hampshire who have been hit hard by the fentanyl crisis. prgtoken His excellence on the job goes hand in hand with the commitment to his community. Even in the midst of his demanding legal career, he continues to find time to give back to his community. He has served both as a member of his local school board and as president of his synagogue, Temple Beth Jacob. Mr. Aframe has also been dedicated to raising up our next generation of advocates and judges. He taught at the University of New Hampshire's law school for 15 years, where he has regularly given his time to serve as a judge at student mock trials. prgtoken Mr. Aframe's commitment to the law as well as to his community extends far beyond the confines of his office or work schedule and reflects the values of someone who understands that the commitment to equal justice so essential to our democracy must be highlighted and revered at every level and in every corner of our society. prgtoken Throughout the nomination process, members of New Hampshire's legal community have also voiced their strong support for Mr. Aframe's confirmation. Four previous U.S. Attorneys for the District of New Hampshire--appointed by Presidents from both parties--wrote a letter, stating: Each of us regards Mr. Aframe as a distinguished and persuasive appellate advocate who has successfully represented the government and earned a well-deserved reputation for excellence. prgtoken It is not only Mr. Aframe's fellow prosecutors who have confidence in his abilities; New Hampshire defense attorneys, including public defenders, also trust and support Mr. Aframe. prgtoken Charles J. Keefe, in a letter on behalf of New Hampshire defense attorneys, wrote: In what is often a difficult role as a prosecutor, he epitomizes open-mindedness, courtesy, patience, freedom from bias, and commitment to equal justice under the law. prgtoken Mr. Aframe also has the backing of many New Hampshire law enforcement officers, including one letter that highlighted: W