mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
VOTE EXPLANATION
Josh Hawley (Republican, MO) \u2014 2022-5-10

had there been a recorded vote, I would have voted no on the confirmations of Executive Calendar No. 660, Ryan K. Buchanan, of Georgia, to be United States Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia for the term of four years; No. 661, Jason M. Frierson, of Nevada, to be United States Attorney for the District of Nevada for the term of four years; No. 663, Mark A. Totten, of Michigan, to be United States Attorney for the Western District of Michigan for the term of four years; No. 739, Marisa T. Darden, of Ohio, to be United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio for the term of four years; No. 740, Delia L. Smith, of the Virgin Islands, to be United States Attorney for the District of the Virgin Islands for the term of four years; No. 805, Jane E. Young, of New Hampshire, to be United States Attorney for the District of New Hampshire for the term of four years; and No. 859, Vanessa Roberts Avery, of Connecticut, to be United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut for the term of four years. prgtoken Had there been a recorded vote, I would have voted no on the confirmation of Executive Calendar No. 803, Paul Monteiro, of Maryland, to be Director, Community Relations Service, Department of Justice.
Women's Health Protection Act (Executive Calendar)
Todd Young (Republican, IN) \u2014 2022-5-10

every year in schools around our country, students are taught about the Declaration of Independence. This remarkable document outlines the ideals on which the United States was founded and the principles on which our government and our very identity as Americans are based. prgtoken Perhaps the best known and most quoted line from the Declaration is that line about all being endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. prgtoken From our earliest days--when such a concept truly was revolutionary-- to the present day, as Americans, we believe in the dignity and value of every human person. This is an ideal that we should always aspire to. And in the spirit of that conviction, I believe that our Nation has a moral responsibility to protect unborn children--to protect life. prgtoken Through amazing advances in science, families and medical professionals now know that at 15 weeks, a baby can feel pain; a baby can move fully formed fingers and toes; a baby has a fully developed heart, pumping 26 quarts of blood per day. prgtoken Despite what these advances in modern science tell us, the current abortion policy in the United States is more in line with communist China and North Korea. We are only one of seven countries around the world that allow abortion to take place past the point at which a baby can feel pain in the womb--one of seven countries in the world. Some Americans might be surprised to learn that even in progressive Europe, 47 out of 50 countries have limits on abortion after 15 weeks. prgtoken Yet the legislation before the U.S. Senate would block States from protecting the unborn and enshrine late-term abortion into our Federal law. Going beyond codifying Roe v. Wade, this sweeping legislation would strike down commonsense, broadly supported laws that many States have adopted since that decision, including laws meant to protect the health and safety of mothers. This bill does nothing to protect the health and safety of women, and it would certainly not protect the unborn. And it would make these sweeping changes contrary to the wishes of the majority of Americans. prgtoken In fact, recent polling found that 61 percent of Americans say abortion should be either illegal or that the policy decisions associated with abortion should be left up to the States. prgtoken So I would urge my colleagues to vote against this bill, given our increased knowledge and understanding of how babies develop, given our understanding of the science. This is simply the wrong direction to take public policy. prgtoken I also want to take a moment and acknowledge that the issue of abortion is a very tough one for so many Americans, and, given recent developments, this is a topic on the minds of many Hoosiers and many Americans. I understand that. I want to reiterate my commitment to helping mothers and families choose life and supporting th
Women's Health Protection Act (Executive Calendar)
Steve Daines (Republican, MT) \u2014 2022-5-10

at the National Prayer Breakfast in 1994, Mother Teresa famously said: I feel that the greatest destroyer of peace today is abortion, because it is a war against the child, a direct killing of the innocent child. prgtoken She went on to say: Any country that accepts abortion is not teaching the people to love but to use any violence to get what they want. That is why the greatest destroyer of love and peace is abortion. prgtoken That was Mother Teresa at the National Prayer Breakfast here in DC in 1994. I agree with those words. Frankly, it is shameful that the and pro-abortion activists have resorted to despicable tactics--some even illegal, some violent--in a last-ditch effort to intimidate the Justices in the Dobbs case to get the outcome that they want. prgtoken What began with the unprecedented leak of the majority draft opinion last Monday has quickly devolved into protesting at the Justices' homes, threatening and disrupting church services, vandalizing pregnancy resource centers that offer support services to pregnant moms, and even throwing Molotov cocktails at the offices of a pro-life organization. Frankly, it is chilling. It is unacceptable. We cannot let the far left's outrageous behavior obscure the fact that the Dobbs draft opinion authored by Justice Alito is a triumph of the Constitution and the rule of law. prgtoken There is no right to abortion in the text, in history or structure of our Nation's founding document, and the draft opinion masterfully marshals 98 pages of argument and evidence to demonstrate that very fact. prgtoken This watershed decision would be a tremendous victory for the fight for life and turn the page on a dark chapter of our Nation's history in which more than 62 million unborn children have been tragically killed. If the draft opinion stands--and I pray that it does--it transfers that power from unelected judges and gives it back to the American people, back to legislatures and elected representatives to enact compassionate laws that protect unborn babies and their mothers. prgtoken If the exploiting the unprecedented leak of the majority draft opinion, if it is to stir up the far left base and intimidate Justices, that is not bad enough, they are now trying to pass a radical bill to impose abortion on demand without limits across the entire country, even up to the moment of birth. Leader Schumer has once again scheduled a vote for tomorrow on the ``Abortion on Demand Until Birth Act.'' prgtoken Now, my distinguished colleague from Connecticut used the words ``radical'' and ``extreme'' a number of times in his remarks. Let me tell you what is radical and extreme about what is going to be voted on tomorrow. This is barbaric. It is a radical abortion bill that would mandate that every single State be a late-term abortion State like California or New York, where unborn children can be brutally
REMEMBERING THE LIFE OF MELINDA GAY POWELL
Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (Republican, GA) \u2014 2022-5-10

I rise today to remember the life of an incredible and selfless woman, Melinda Powell, affectionately referred to as ``Sweet Melinda.'' prgtoken A nurse and nurse practitioner by trade, Melinda led by example, setting an unparalleled standard of love and service, enriching the lives of her friends, family, and community members. prgtoken Melinda resided in Savannah, Georgia, where she remained an active member of the Savannah community for many years. She was a caring woman who looked after her patients like they were her own family. prgtoken She left a lasting impression on everyone that she encountered and was deeply loved by all who had the pleasure of knowing her. Her service and love for our community will forever be remembered and her memory will always be cherished. prgtoken My thoughts and prayers reside with Melinda's family and friends through this most tremendous loss, and I wish her Godspeed on her journey home.
Ukraine (Executive Session)
John Thune (Republican, SD) \u2014 2022-5-10

for more than 70 days now, the Ukrainian people have endured--and more than endured, they fought back. They stood up to their invaders and have achieved amazing things against a superior force--superior, at least, on paper. prgtoken Many feared that Russia would crush Ukraine in days. Instead, Ukraine has not only withstood Russian aggression but has inflicted humiliating defeats on Russia. Twelve--twelve--Russian generals have reportedly been killed. Russia lost thousands of its troops, as well as hundreds of tanks and scores of aircraft. One estimate from British intelligence suggests that Russia may have lost more than a quarter of its ground combat strength. prgtoken Ukrainians successfully pushed Russia out of the Kyiv suburbs, have retaken territory outside of Kharkiv, and still--still--maintain a defiant hold on the steel plant in Mariupol despite being encircled by Russian troops. prgtoken At the same time we recognize Ukraine's successes and the fierce determination that has made them possible, it is also important to remember the devastation this war has inflicted. Thousands of Ukrainian civilians have been killed. Somewhere around 12 million Ukrainians have fled their homes. And the list of Russian atrocities gets longer every day--schools and hospitals intentionally bombed, executions and mass graves, torture, rape, the deliberate targeting of civilians, apparent war crimes. prgtoken In a few short weeks, Russia has brought unimaginable devastation. The port city of Mariupol--once home to more than 400,000 people--has been reduced to rubble. The city essentially no longer exists. Across Ukraine, an untold number of homes and buildings have been destroyed. It will take years to rebuild or remove the imprint of Russian aggression from the landscape, and some things cannot be entirely recovered. Just last night, Russia intentionally struck civilian centers in Odessa, bombing a shopping mall and a consumer warehouse without regard for innocent human life. prgtoken The Ukrainian people have displayed an incredible gallantry and resolve. They have embraced this fight and the cause of their country's freedom. They have not spent any time waiting around for anyone else to come and save them. In fact, a recent news story highlighted the fact that Ukrainians not only continue to oppose the Russians, they have actually started rebuilding in places even as the war continues to rage. prgtoken But it is also important to remember that the Ukrainian people cannot sustain this war without military support from the United States and other free countries. The weapons and military resources we have supplied are playing a crucial role in enabling Ukraine to continue standing up to Russian aggression, and it is essential that we continue that support for as long as the Ukrainian people need it. prgtoken At the end of April, the President sent Congress a request for $33 billion in emergency supplemental f
ADDITIONAL UKRAINE SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2022
Harold Rogers (Republican, KY) \u2014 2022-5-10

I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me time. prgtoken , I rise today in support of H.R. 7691, the emergency supplemental appropriations act for Ukraine. prgtoken , this vital assistance will continue the support of Ukraine's heroic and inspiring assistance of their countrymen and will continue to support their heroic and inspiring resistance to Russia's unprovoked invasion. We and our allies must continue to provide the assistance critical to defeat Russian aggression and help preserve Ukrainian independence. prgtoken For those in this country and elsewhere, , who thought that war was a 19th or 20th century concern, this crisis has underscored the importance of capable military alliances, the centrality of NATO, and the critical importance of American leadership in the transatlantic alliance. prgtoken This bill provides essential military assistance across State Department and Department of Defense accounts. It also includes funding for Russian sanctions enforcement, returns our diplomats to Kyiv, and provides much-needed humanitarian relief for Ukraine and other countries impacted by this crisis. prgtoken , I urge support of the bill.
ADDITIONAL UKRAINE SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2022
Kay Granger (Republican, TX) \u2014 2022-5-10

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , I rise today in support of H.R. 7691, a bill that would provide additional assistance to Ukraine and other partners in the region. Ten weeks ago, we witnessed Russia begin its attack on the sovereign nation of Ukraine. prgtoken To support Ukraine and our allies during the unprovoked, illegal, and appalling attack, Congress provided nearly $14 billion in emergency funding through the fiscal year 2022 appropriations bills. That funding has been crucial in Ukraine's efforts to fight back against Putin's evil invasion. prgtoken The bill before us today would provide roughly $40 billion in assistance to address the ongoing conflict. With Russia continuing to take control of the country, more resources are needed to provide military assistance to Ukrainian forces, address the humanitarian crisis created by this conflict, and support our allies in the region. prgtoken A large portion of the bill will also go to backfill DOD's weapons and equipment. The United States has the best weapons in the world, and it is critical that we not only supply those to our allies in their time of need, as we have done in Ukraine, but that we ensure our own troops continue to have what they need. prgtoken As China, Iran, and North Korea watch our response, we must show the world that America stands firm with its allies and will do what is necessary to protect our interests abroad. prgtoken For those reasons, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill, and .
NOMINATIONS
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2022-5-10

now on a different matter, this week, our colleagues want a second run on some controversial nominees who stalled out last month. prgtoken Today, Senate will try again to confirm Professor Lisa Cook to the Federal Reserve Board. Professor Cook has no proven expertise in monetary economics at all, much less fighting inflation. One of her main supposed qualifications for this position is that she sits on the regional Fed Board in Chicago. The problem is, she was literally appointed to that position a few days before she was nominated for this one. prgtoken Professor Cook is a proven partisan who has promoted leftwing conspiracy theories and called for a fellow academic to be fired because that person did not support defunding the police. The American people deserve an independent, nonpartisan inflation fighter for this important post. prgtoken Likewise, the Federal Trade Commission is an important Agency that gets wide latitude to oversee our private sector. The American people need its Commissioners to be levelheaded experts who will put aside ideological ax-grinding. prgtoken The two current Commissioners who were appointed by a President were so qualified and uncontroversial, the Senate approved each of them on a voice vote. But to serve as their newest colleague, President has picked a radical partisan named Alvaro Bedoya. prgtoken Mr. Bedoya is such a poor fit that the first time Leader Schumer tried to shut down debate on his nomination, he lacked the votes and had to call it off. But want this hardcore partisan confirmed very badly, so here we are once again. prgtoken Mr. Bedoya has publicly attacked police and law enforcement and demanded that our country not enforce--not enforce--our immigration laws. He has called for States to essentially nullify Federal immigration law, saying: Maryland police have no business working with ICE [and] I think it's high time that state legislators understand that they can do something about this. prgtoken He has volunteered statements that align with ``defund the police,'' demanding that none of the ' trillions in stimulus waste should go to provide for law enforcement. prgtoken Mr. Bedoya's social media feeds have read like the rantings of a far- left activist with no aspiration to ever receive Senate confirmation. prgtoken He has embraced socialized medicine, critical race theory, and cracking down on citizens' Second Amendment rights. He has launched political attacks on current Senators and called the National Party Convention a--listen to this--``White supremacist rally''--a ``White supremacist rally,'' the National Convention. prgtoken The rabid partisanship is not just an extracurricular activity. We know Mr. Bedoya would apply it specifically to the work of the FTC. He is already on the record calling for the elimination of longstanding bipartisan FTC policy statemen
RUSSIA AND BELARUS FINANCIAL SANCTIONS ACT OF 2022
J. French Hill (Republican, AR) \u2014 2022-5-10

. Madam , such time as I may consume. prgtoken Madam , I thank my friend from Illinois for managing the bill. It is also good to be on this House floor again talking on an issue that we share in common, and that is the importance of sanctions being successful as a part of our strategy to get Mr. Putin out of Ukraine. So it has been very good to partner with my friend from California (Mr. Sherman) on H.R. 7066, the Russia and Belarus Financial Sanctions Act. prgtoken Madam , U.S. financial institutions are already prohibited from engaging in transactions with sanctioned Russian entities, but H.R. 7066 extends that prohibition to entities owned or controlled by U.S. financial institutions as well. This is a commonsense provision, and it has helped other sanctions programs be more successful, and I cite particularly the efforts to isolate Iran and North Korea. prgtoken Under the President's ongoing Russia measures, anyone providing support to a sanctioned person runs the risk of being sanctioned themselves. We know that U.S. financial institutions are fully aware of us. Congress expects their full compliance and to be watchful on their affiliates that may also do business with Russia. prgtoken As the U.S. continues to pressure the Putin regime, we must seek and prevent opportunities for Russia to find loopholes for non-U.S. financial institutions. prgtoken I am glad to see that our current sanctions on Russia are making it more difficult for Moscow to find alternatives to Western banks. However, opportunities remain for us to tighten these multilateral sanctions and increase pressure on Russia, particularly in Russia's energy exports. Both the United States and Europe continue to provide carve-outs for energy transactions, and the next step on the sanctions ladder is to close these loopholes so that Russia cannot receive hard currency by selling oil and gas. prgtoken I hope that s and can work together to pursue this kind of policy and continue to collaborate on how to tighten the financial noose around Putin. Just as we worked on this bill together, I hope Members on both sides of the aisle will come together and support the work of my friend from California. prgtoken Madam , I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and .
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 903, RIGHTS FOR THE TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION WORKFORCE ACT OF 2021; PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 2499, FEDERAL FIREFIGHTERS FAIRNESS ACT OF...
Lauren Boebert (Republican, CO) \u2014 2022-5-10

. Madam , I rise to oppose the previous question so that we can immediately consider H.R. 7690. prgtoken Madam , the regime wants to talk disinformation? Okay, let's give them something to talk about. prgtoken Let's talk about how the White House said that it was s that want to defund the police. prgtoken Let's talk about how Secretary Mayorkas said the southern border is closed. prgtoken Let's talk about how said his Build Back Better agenda cost zero American tax dollars. prgtoken Let's talk about how 's new press secretary falsely claimed stole the 2016 Presidential election. prgtoken And remember Afghanistan? Let's talk about how said any American who wants to come home, we will get you home. Well, that sounds like the words of a lying, dog-faced pony soldier to me. prgtoken The American people will not have their speech monitored by corrupt, career professional politicians who lie day in and day out. prgtoken And now the DHS, a militarized department, has established a new Disinformation Governance Board, or more accurately known as the department of propaganda. DHS was created to stop terrorism. Now it is being used to terrorize the American people. prgtoken And who did Mayorkas hire to run this Orwellian ministry of truth? This lady, Nina Jankowicz. Mayorkas calls her an expert on disinformation, probably because she tells lies all the dang time. Nina said that President would embolden ISIS. Well, he defeated it. Nina said the Hunter laptop from hell was a campaign product. Nina said that concerned parents who wanted a say in their children's education were pushing disinformation; and Nina said Big Tech should censor the Wuhan lab leak theory because it was, you guessed it, disinformation. prgtoken Nina doesn't seem to have a good relationship with truth and will surely use this board to silence Americans. Nina is no public servant. How is that, you say? Don't take it from me. Here are her words. Are these the words of a public servant? What do I need to do to--well, Madam , I will let you read the rest of that. This doesn't sound like someone who should be monitoring Americans' speech. prgtoken The ic Party has truly lost their minds, from intimidating judges at their homes, burning down pregnancy centers, and vandalizing churches, to calling moms and dads domestic terrorists, and now creating this department to censor free speech because extremists are scared of, what, Elon Musk?