mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
REDESIGNING THE MARKETPLACE OF IDEAS
James R. Langevin (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2022-9-28

I rise today because Americans are divided. Our public discourse is broken. Instead of fostering open and honest political debate, our flawed information environment creates echo chambers and partisan silos. prgtoken At times, it feels like the very fabric of our Nation is being torn at the seams. This toxic polarization has infected the Capitol, too, where it is becoming increasingly difficult to get things done in a bipartisan manner. prgtoken The nonstop outrage and anger must end. prgtoken To begin solving some of these issues, I propose an idea, which I developed in partnership with my former science and technology policy adviser, Eric Saund, a phenomenal cognitive science and artificial intelligence researcher. Together, we call for redesigning what is popularly described as the ``marketplace of ideas.'' prgtoken As economists point out, markets are information systems. The invisible hand of supply and demand discovers the value of goods and services, and the equal access to information in a market yields collective efficiency. prgtoken Now, imagine a market where suppliers or, in this case, speakers of ideas hawk their wares in a public square, while consumers, or listeners, sample and choose the news, stories, and opinions they prefer. The best ideas would win by virtue of the audience's discernment and collective wisdom, right? prgtoken But what if the market's information architecture, the modes and pathways of information exchange and processing, is fundamentally broken? Just like a market wouldn't function properly if the vendors' loudspeakers and telephones were damaged, the algorithms, programmatic methods, and platform designs that govern our marketplace of ideas are clearly not working. When a market is broken, it is the responsibility of government to act. prgtoken How do we fix it? We start by leveling the playing field and modifying the shape, not the content, of our ideas marketplace to facilitate healthy exposure and competition among all ideas within our political discourse. prgtoken As it currently stands, our marketplace has been distorted to resemble a dome-like shape in which discourse is driven to the extremes of each side. Instead, we propose bending the dome shape of our marketplace into a bowl shape, encouraging people to seek common ground and creating space for productive conversation among ideological foes and compatriots alike. prgtoken By leveling the playing field through tweaks to both the supply and demand side, we can create a marketplace of ideas where fairness and civility are rewarded and extremism is discouraged. prgtoken On the demand side, we can invest in civics education initiatives that teach children critical reading, listening, and thinking skills, like how to spot disinformation on social media. Adults, too, can lose awareness of how their buttons are being pushed by sophisticated propagandists. prgtoken As our Founders recognized, our democracy requires an educ
SMALL PROJECT EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE DISASTER RECOVERY ACT
Daniel Webster (Republican, FL) \u2014 2022-9-28

such time as I may consume to close. prgtoken The amendments to H.R. 5641, the SPEED Recovery Act, is reasonable and will help to strengthen accountability. prgtoken , I thank Senators Portman and Peters, who are the bipartisan leaders of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Without their leadership in the Senate to push forward this measure, we would not be here today. prgtoken , I thank Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri, who also helped by being engaged in this particular issue. prgtoken Finally, I thank our great staff on both sides to get this bill to the finish line, especially my subcommittee staff director, Johanna Hardy and Maddy McCaslin. prgtoken , I urge support of this important legislation, and .
EXPANDING HOME LOANS FOR GUARD AND RESERVISTS ACT
Mike Bost (Republican, IL) \u2014 2022-9-28

. Madam , such time as I may consume. prgtoken Madam , I rise today in reluctant support of the Expanding Home Loans for Guard and Reservists Act. Last Congress, my bill, H.R. 7445, proposed expanding VA home loan benefits to members of the National Guard who have served on Active Duty or full-time guard duty. prgtoken Congressman Ryan's bill would expand the home loan benefit to members of the National Guard that are on Federal Active Duty orders for training. Unfortunately, this policy is being rushed in an election year gimmick. prgtoken Unlike other bills we are considering today, this bill has not had the benefit of legislative hearings, and I would have liked to have heard the views of the VA and other stakeholders. A hearing would have allowed us to understand the impact this legislation could have on the mortgage markets. It would also have provided insight on the effect this bill could have on recruitment of National Guard Active Forces. prgtoken That said, I do not want to stand in the way of legislation that can help members of the National Guard, and I reluctantly urge all my colleagues to support this bill. prgtoken Madam , .
BANKING TRANSPARENCY FOR SANCTIONED PERSONS ACT OF 2021
Bryan Steil (Republican, WI) \u2014 2022-9-28

such time as I may consume. prgtoken woman of the Financial Services Committee, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Waters), for bringing the bill to the floor today. prgtoken I rise in strong support of H.R. 2710, the Banking Transparency for Sanctioned Persons Act. This bill that I authored represents an important step forward for oversight of the Treasury Department's sanctions program. prgtoken Under current law, Treasury may issue licenses through its Office of Foreign Assets Control, authorizing U.S. financial institutions to engage in transactions that would otherwise be prohibited. These licenses typically allow for the facilitation of trade in humanitarian and agricultural goods such as medicines and food. prgtoken H.R. 2710 requires the administration to inform Congress that certain financial services-related licenses have been improved when they involve state sponsors of terrorism or others sanctioned for human rights abuses. prgtoken While OFAC may have good reasons to issue a license, it is essential for Congress to be aware of bad actors' access to our financial system. Though some OFAC licenses are made public, others are not disclosed or even their existence may be unknown to Congress. prgtoken By requiring a semiannual report on these licenses, my bill would make the disclosure of OFAC's actions more consistent with congressional notification procedures for other sanctions waivers. Without this knowledge, Congress is limited in its ability to oversee the implementation of sanctions. prgtoken I am pleased to note that our colleagues on the other side of the aisle have long supported this oversight, and they have provided helpful input as we have developed this important legislation. prgtoken , let me conclude by noting that our majority support for this measure is reflective of a strong spirit of bipartisanship on the Committee on Financial Services when it comes to safeguarding our national security. prgtoken While we may not agree on everything, our Members have been extremely productive in advancing our national security interests while maintaining a vibrant financial system. It is important to have a government that is accountable, and this bill brings needed accountability to our sanctions enforcement efforts. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2710, and .
HONORING THE LIFE OF NEAL J. KATZ
Van Taylor (Republican, TX) \u2014 2022-9-28

. Madam , today, I rise to honor and celebrate the life of Neal J. Katz. prgtoken On November 23, 1954, Neal was born to Regina and Louis Katz in New York City. In high school he would earn the name ``Statz'' after managing statistics for Horace Mann's Basketball Team, a lifelong skill to which he was well suited. prgtoken Following his graduation from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute where he received a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and a Master's in Business Administration, Neal and his wife, Diane, would move to Texas, eventually settling in Plano. prgtoken Mr. Katz would become an active fixture in Collin County politics where his roles included serving as an elector as part of the Texas delegation to the Electoral College, on the State Executive Committee, as a delegate to the National Convention, and as an active participant in more than a dozen local organizations. Most recently, he retired as Executive Director of the Collin County Party. prgtoken Service above self was an important component of Neal's life, and his passions included keeping his hometown of Plano safe. To that end, he was a graduate of the Plano Citizens Police Academy, a Field Training Officer, and a volunteer in several initiatives including Citizens Assisting Plano Police, the Plano Youth Police Academy, and Summer Safety School. prgtoken As a proud father to Janelle and Rachel, Neal proudly served as a Girl Scouts Troop Cookie Dad before being elevated to a University of North Texas sports fan and ISU theatre patron. prgtoken While we mourn Neal's loss, we remember his many contributions as a servant leader within our community. With much gratitude for his longtime grassroots efforts, I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me in celebrating the rich legacy of Neal J. Katz.
AFFORDABLE INSULIN NOW ACT--MOTION TO PROCEED--Continued
Marsha Blackburn (Republican, TN) \u2014 2022-9-28

last evening, I had the opportunity to get on the phone in a telephone townhall with citizens from Davidson and Shelby Counties in Tennessee, and crime was the No. 1 issue that people were talking about. And one of the points that came up several times was, Why is it that some of our colleagues across the aisle have stuck with this prepackaged, zero consequences crime narrative that they are still trying to sell to the American people? prgtoken Crime is an issue. And Tennesseans aren't buying the message. I don't think the American people are buying it because they are living with the real-world consequences of the ' refusal to work to get crime under control. prgtoken Now, a few days ago, I was watching the news, and I could not believe what I was seeing. Young people were ransacking a convenience store. They were doing this in full view of the cameras, continuing to talk to one another, just going through ransacking that store. prgtoken Now, I know I would like to say that was an isolated incident, but we all know that this is not an isolated incident. What is happening is, this has become a trend in many of our cities. The numbers aren't working in our favor when we talk about this trend, whether you are talking about theft or vandalism or something much worse. prgtoken Here are some stats. Since 2019, homicide rates in our largest cities are up 50 percent. That is since 2019. Aggravated assaults are up 36 percent. Last year, 108,000 Americans died of a drug overdose; 4,000 of those were Tennesseans. prgtoken Now, we can continue to engage in a cable news proxy war or we can do something about this. We, as lawmakers, cannot control what the pundits and the activists say, but we can do something to help the millions of Americans who have become or are at risk of becoming victims of violence. prgtoken Back home in Tennessee, the sheriffs and other local officials whom I talk to as I have done my 95-county tour, visiting with every county, these sheriffs, these local officials, parents, principals--they are all telling me exactly why they are struggling to get this crimewave under control. Go talk to a police chief or a captain or go talk to a sheriff or a deputy, and they will tell you: lack of manpower, lack of funding, and the ' soft-on-crime agenda. prgtoken We can help with the first two things right now without spending an additional dime of taxpayer money. That lack of manpower, that lack of funding--yes, this is something that we could take action on today if we chose to. prgtoken This month, Senator Hagerty and I filed a bill called the Restoring Law and Order Act that would establish a grant program to help State, local, and Tribal law enforcement officials do the work that obviously our President and the have chosen not to do. prgtoken First and foremost, here is what the bill would do. Our local law enforcement officers would be able to use these grants to hi
RECOGNIZING COMMANDER CALVIN JAMIESON FOR HIS SERVICE TO THE GARLAND- TOMPKINS AMERICAN LEGION POST 399
Jack Bergman (Republican, MI) \u2014 2022-9-28

. Madam , it is my honor to recognize Commander Calvin Jamieson for his years of service to the Garland-Tompkins American Legion Post 399. Through his exceptional leadership, steadfast devotion, and willingness to serve, Commander Jamieson has become an indispensable part of Michigan's First District. prgtoken Born and raised on Old Mission Peninsula, Commander Jamieson has served his community and Nation his entire life. After joining the United States Army in 1955, he was stationed at Fort Knox in Kentucky. Part of an elite Combat Infantry Division, he and his fellow soldiers were always ready to answer the call of duty. prgtoken In 1972, Commander Jamieson joined the Garland-Tompkins American Legion, and in 1996, he became Post Commander. In this role, he worked tirelessly to ensure the successful operation of the Post. From building a new Legion Hall, to planning the Post's dinners, to coordinating community outreach events, Commander Jamieson has been a cornerstone not only of the Post, but also of the Old Mission Peninsula Community. prgtoken Madam , on behalf of Michigan's First Congressional District, I ask you to join me in recognizing the service of Commander Calvin Jamieson. His life's actions and work have embodied the highest level of patriotism and service to his community.
TRIBUTE TO ERNIE MANN
Ben Sasse (Republican, NE) \u2014 2022-9-28

the human spirit abhors tyranny. prgtoken Since February, the world has witnessed examples of extraordinary courage. In Ukraine, we have watched ordinary men and women mount a defense of their homes and their homeland against overwhelming odds-- people never having handled firearms before who are getting training, getting arms, getting munitions, and joining together in the cause of defending their homes and their homeland. We know what it has cost them. Across the border, we have seen thousands and thousands of ordinary Russians challenge the suicidal thuggery of Vladimir Putin. We know what it has cost them too. prgtoken Today, I want to call our attention to the courage on display in a different part of the world. I want to look to Iran. prgtoken Two weeks ago yesterday, on September 13, Iran's so-called morality police arrested a young woman named Mahsa Amini. They detained her on the grounds that she was wearing her hijab improperly. She was bundled into a van, where eyewitnesses could hear the police beating her. A few hours later, she was delivered to a local hospital, where she was declared brain dead. The police shamelessly claimed that she had had a spontaneous heart attack. prgtoken Thousands upon thousands of Iranians have poured into the streets since. Protesters are calling for an end to the savagery that has made absurd arrests and vicious beatings a regular part of the rhythm of life in Tehran. They are demanding dignity for the millions and millions of people who have lost it under Tehran's maniac theocracy. This is no small thing, what they have done--the courage that is on display as they pour into the streets. Protests have erupted now in more than 80 cities and in all 31 of Iran's provinces. This is not a minor demonstration. prgtoken The mullahs are facing one of the most significant challenges to their rule since they seized it 43 years ago, in 1979. How has the regime responded? As expected--with more brutality, with more repression, and with more savagery. Human rights groups estimate that 76 people have been killed so far by the authorities. prgtoken Meanwhile, the crackdown has also included a shutting off of social media and the internet. They hope that a country and a world that can't see their thuggery won't notice it, will pretend it doesn't exist, won't know. Well, they know, and we know. The Iranians know how this regime operates. We know that these pathetic cowards have no regard for human dignity. prgtoken Who are they? prgtoken These bloodthirsty men are the goons who hang homosexuals from gallows, who protect child rapists, who deny women education. The regime is rotten to the core. The people who are suffering under it know, and we know. These men have told the world exactly who they are again and again and again. prgtoken In 2009, Iranians erupted at the grotesque human rights abuses perpetrated by then-President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. In an election riddled with
SBIR AND STTR EXTENSION ACT OF 2022
Blaine Luetkemeyer (Republican, MO) \u2014 2022-9-28

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , I rise in support in of S. 4900, the SBIR and STTR Extension Act of 2022. prgtoken The Small Business Innovation Research and Small Businesses Technology Transfer, or SBIR and STTR programs, are vital to the success of many small entities and have helped create thousands of new jobs by fostering innovation and stimulating the economy through cutting-edge research. SBIR and STTR's mission is to support scientific excellence and technological innovation for small businesses. prgtoken For the last 40 years, these programs have helped firms develop new technologies that have directly assisted Federal agencies meet their R&D needs. The American warfighter is no doubt stronger due to these programs. prgtoken However, a recent Department of Defense report revealed foreign adversaries have been exploiting the SBIR through shell companies, planted government researchers, and state-sponsored talent programs. The report found that the People's Republic of China has become a large beneficiary of SBIR and STTR. This is unacceptable, and the status quo must not continue, . prgtoken The programs must have heightened awareness and protections in place to prevent nefarious abuse. This legislation, crafted over months of negotiations, provides significant reforms to combat malign foreign influence and protect our small businesses from Chinese acquisition of innovation technologies. prgtoken Specifically, this bill mandates that agencies establish strong due- diligence safeguards to assess security risks and prevent influence from bad actors. It requires companies to disclose any business ties, investments, and contracts with China, and it gives agencies authority to deny any application if certain relationships are deemed a risk to national security. prgtoken In addition to safeguarding small businesses from China, this bill curbs abuse by multiple award winners, or SBIR mills. Mills are firms that consume a disproportionate number of awards but have low commercialization rates. These mills will have to meet enhanced performance standards in order to apply for new awards. These benchmarks will hold mills accountable and ensure that the programs are focusing on commercializing projects and attracting more private capital investments. prgtoken Finally, S. 4900 strengthens congressional oversight, increases public transparency, and safeguards taxpayer dollars during a time where government overreach has run rampant, and transparency has been limited. prgtoken These reforms are a win for small businesses and will protect U.S. R&D and innovative technologies. prgtoken I thank Chairwoman Velazquez, Ranking Member Lucas, Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson, as well as Senators Cardin, Paul, and Ernst for working in a bipartisan manner to ensure these programs are reauthorized before the end of the month. prgtoken I encourage all my colleagues to support S. 4900, which unanimously pa
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 3843, MERGER FILING FEE MODERNIZATION ACT OF 2022; PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 7780, MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS ACT; AND PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF S...
Michelle Fischbach (Republican, MN) \u2014 2022-9-28

. Madam , I am prepared to close, and the balance of my time. prgtoken Madam , while I want to be in favor of these bills, s are in agreement that the underlying problems these bills seek to solve are valid and warrant our attention. There are serious flaws with these bills as written that must be considered first. H.R. 7780 is a one-size-fits-all strategy that will not help the people on the ground. What a school in Minneapolis needs is not likely what a school in my rural district needs. Furthermore, it pushes people in the courts to settle disputes and discourages other methods of resolution. prgtoken H.R. 3843 trusts the FTC with no-strings-attached funding, even though the FTC is becoming increasingly partisan and cannot be trusted with more resources. prgtoken Madam , I oppose the rule, and I encourage other Members to do the same. prgtoken Madam , .
RECOGNIZING THE WORK OF THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF THE SUNCOAST
Gus M. Bilirakis (Republican, FL) \u2014 2022-9-28

. Madam , I rise today to recognize the Board of Directors of the Boys and Girls Club of the Suncoast. Their tireless work is being recognized this week when they will be named the Highest Performing Board Team of the Year. Board Chair Jeff Tanzer, Vice Chair Kyle Barr, Vice Chair Rolfe Duggar, Esq Vice Chair Christie Sullivan, Esq Vice Chair Beth Homer, Esq Treasurer Danielle Cartier Wendt, CPA, Secretary Elizabeth Constantine, Esq Immediate Past Chair Angela Wright, and Past Chair Doug Lewis have all excelled to make our local Boys and Girls Club worthy of this designation. prgtoken The mission of the Boys and Girls Club of the Suncoast is to provide high quality, out of school time Club experiences that proven to ensure our young people are on track to graduate from high school with a plan, demonstrate good character and citizenship, and live a healthy lifestyle. With over 21,000 kids and teens served and a 96 percent graduation rate among High School Seniors that are club members, the Club supports the next generation of community members that can make a positive impact. I have been proud to support their tremendous efforts during my time in Congress and look forward to their continued success.