mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
PROVIDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL UNDER CHAPTER 8 OF TITLE 5, UNITED STATES CODE, OF THE RULE SUBMITTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS RELATING TO "REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH SERVICES...
Jacky Rosen (Democrat, NV) \u2014 2023-4-19

since the Supreme Court overturned longstanding protections for the fundamental right to access abortion care nearly a year ago, we have seen countless attacks on women's reproductive rights from anti-choice States across our Nation--States that are banning abortions without exceptions for rape or incest; States that are risking the lives of women who have miscarried; and I have been doing everything I can to stand up and to defend a woman's fundamental right to make healthcare choices for her own body without interference from anti-choice politicians. prgtoken And this includes making sure we protect our veterans' rights, and that includes the right for those veterans to make decisions over their own bodies. Our veterans and their families--you know, they have risked so much to protect our Nation, to protect our rights. And we owe it to them to defend their fundamental right to access reproductive care, regardless of where they live. They put themselves in harm's way. We must protect them. prgtoken That is why, last year, I urged the Department of Veterans Affairs to make it clear that they will provide access to abortion care to veterans and their families, and I am glad they listened. But today-- today--anti-choice s in Washington want to overturn that decision, and they want to restrict our veterans' access to reproductive care. prgtoken That is what today's debate is about. If they get their way and they roll back this rule, the VA healthcare system would no longer be allowed to provide abortion counseling or any kind of care to servicemembers and veterans and--listen to this--even in the cases of rape, even when the mother's life is at risk. prgtoken I am not going to let that happen. prgtoken My State of Nevada is honored to be the home of hundreds of thousands of veterans, and we are a proud pro-choice State. When Nevadans sent me here to the Senate, they sent me here to fight for their rights, and that is what I will always do. prgtoken So I urge my colleagues to join me in fighting back against this ideological attempt to restrict reproductive rights for veterans by opposing this resolution. prgtoken For our veterans, for our women in Nevada, for women everywhere in the United States, I urge a ``no'' vote.
ONE STEP CLOSER TO UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE AND THE AMERICAN DREAM AND PROMISE
Troy A. Carter (Democrat, LA) \u2014 2023-4-19

I thank Congresswoman Ramirez for her incredible leadership and energy to provide a needed voice on an issue that is so critically important. prgtoken , I rise to applaud President and the / administration for the incredible steps that prgtoken they have taken. Thank you for believing and demonstrating action and not just words. prgtoken I firmly believe in delivering permanent protections for Dreamers because immigrant rights are, in fact, human rights. President 's announcement to expand healthcare coverage for DACA recipients will protect some of our most vulnerable neighbors, family, and friends. prgtoken Dreamers strengthen our economy and enrich our workplaces, our schools, and our communities. Over the last decade, DACA has brought stability, possibility, and progress to more than 800,000 people--these are our family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues. Even though this is their home, they are being denied the basic rights of healthcare, something that everyone, regardless of their station, should enjoy. prgtoken Secretary Becerra's new proposed rule will allow DACA recipients to purchase qualified health insurance coverage. This is a step toward justice for folks who have been forced to pay sky-high, out-of-pocket costs for healthcare, or worse still, to go without lifesaving treatments because they are just too expensive. prgtoken Fixing our broken immigration system will save lives and we must keep fighting to give Dreamers a permanent pathway to citizenship. A permanent pathway to citizenship. These actions from the / administration are vitally important for so many Louisianians in my home State and people across the United States who need these vital protections. prgtoken Any policy is penny-wise and pound-foolish if we don't take into consideration all people. When people can't get affordable health insurance, they don't get it. It is that simple. When they can't afford it, they don't get it. It puts the burden on our emergency rooms. It ends up costing more money on the back end. Emergency room visits are far more expensive, and it is much more difficult to provide the needed care that individuals should have. prgtoken Preventative care is a heck of a lot cheaper than after the fact. Providing resources is a heck of a lot cheaper on the front side than after the fact. Having a process that is clear for people who are here to abide by is a heck of a lot cheaper than after the fact. prgtoken , I look forward to this proposed rule being finalized, and I stand firmly with my friends in the Progressive Caucus. I stand firmly with the White House in providing resources that will deliver permanent protection for Dreamers because, again, immigration rights are, in fact, human rights. They are rights that we all should stand firm for, that we all should stand together on, that we all should recognize as a human issue and an American issue.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Amy Klobuchar (Democrat, MN) \u2014 2023-4-19

I am here to talk about the Fire Grants and Safety Act. prgtoken I do appreciate the words of my colleague. It was good to hear his concerns, and I think we all share concerns about Americans being spied on and their data. prgtoken I also note that as we look at dealing with platforms and social media and the like at the same time we pursue this, we must pursue the bills that have been out there for well over a year now and passed through the Judiciary Committee last year and will do so again. And those are bills related to monopoly power; bills related to the incredible imbalance in power with two of the platforms, Google and Facebook, when it comes to dealing with small newspapers and radio stations and TV and their content, a bill that was nearly passed at the end of last year; another bill that Senator Grassley and I have that speaks to the fact that other countries in the world are now putting forth regulations and rules about self-preferencing and the unfairness to our small businesses; and then, of course, other bills, some of which are in the Commerce Committee, on privacy and children's issues and the like. prgtoken All of these bills must be considered on this floor because, as noted by my colleague, we have not passed any rules when it comes to not only the issues he was addressing but also when it comes to a competition tech policy since the advent of the internet. prgtoken I think we know a lot more than we knew when Facebook was in a garage. We know a lot more, and it is time for us to get up to speed and to actually pass some rules and stop talking about it.
PROTECTION OF WOMEN AND GIRLS IN SPORTS ACT OF 2023
Pramila Jayapal (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2023-4-19

I rise in deep opposition to this bill. We should rename it the cancel kids trans hate bill. This bill fuels a virulent hate campaign against kids who just want to play with their friends. prgtoken Don't believe for a minute that this is about protecting women and girls because if s cared about that, they would not be voting against equal pay, against paid sick leave, against universal childcare. prgtoken The way that this bill targets children in the name of gender equality is insulting. That is why women's organizations around the country, including the Women's Sports Foundation, have denounced this bill. prgtoken In reality, it actually endangers all women and girls. Think about it. How do you enforce this ban? How do you verify a girl's ``reproductive anatomy''? prgtoken If a young girl--if your daughter doesn't look feminine enough, is she subject to an examination? This is absolutely absurd. prgtoken s are cruelly scapegoating children to distract you from the very fact that you don't have actual solutions that answer the American people's problems. prgtoken This attack on transgender children, though, also has dire consequences. Over 75 percent of transgender students experience harassment or discrimination at school. prgtoken , 82 percent of transgender kids have considered suicide, and 40 percent have attempted suicide. prgtoken These bills tell some of the most vulnerable children in our country that they do not belong. Shame on you. prgtoken To trans people everywhere, I say, I see you, and I will fight for you. That is why last month I introduced the Transgender Bill of Rights with 100 cosponsors to stand up for trans kids so that you can lead your full lives as your authentic selves. prgtoken , I am the proud mother of a trans daughter, and when she came out to me, I unconditionally embraced her because I unconditionally love her. prgtoken If you don't understand what is going on with these kids, that is okay. I have learned so much from my daughter. Let's learn together, but don't, don't use our kids as punching bags and put them in danger. prgtoken When the Governor of Utah, Spencer Cox, vetoed a similar sports ban, he said this: ``I always try to err on the side of kindness, mercy, and compassion. . . . I don't understand what they are going through or why they feel the way they do, but I want them to live.'' prgtoken I want them to live. So to my colleagues, I say, stop targeting our children. Let them play. Let them live. Vote ``no'' on this hateful bill.
PROTECTION OF WOMEN AND GIRLS IN SPORTS ACT OF 2023
Mark Takano (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2023-4-19

. Mr. Chair, such time as I may consume. prgtoken Mr. Chair, fundamentally, the difference between the two sides is that my friends on the other side of the aisle do not recognize trans people as human beings. They do not even recognize the validity of trans. That is a terrible error, and it is wrong, and it does not grant trans people humanity. prgtoken A subsequent corollary to this stance is that they don't believe that trans people are who they are, that somehow it is a choice. I am going to tell you: This debate itself has been traumatizing. prgtoken I can remember when I was a teenager when debate in California was occurring over the Briggs Initiative, which would have banned LGBT teachers from teaching. One Governor, Ronald Reagan, at the last minute opposed the initiative, and to me that meant a lot. It means a lot to me that Spencer Cox of Utah recognizes that trans kids exist and that we prgtoken should protect them. This bill is horrible. All should stand opposed to it. prgtoken Mr. Chair, .
SUPPORTING TRANSGENDERISM
Ted Lieu (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2023-4-19

I rise today in solemn remembrance of the Armenian genocide. April 24 marks the 108th anniversary of the Armenian genocide, one of the most horrific losses of life in modern history. prgtoken The Ottoman Empire's brutal campaign of ethnic cleansing led to the deaths of roughly 1.5 million Armenians in the period between 1915 to 1923. prgtoken Despite this tragedy, the Armenian-American community today is strong and vibrant. Remembering the atrocities like the Armenian genocide is crucial to ensuring that this never happens again. A key part of this process is education. prgtoken I am proud to co-lead this year's Armenian Genocide Education Act with Representatives Anna Eshoo, Gus Bilirakis, and David Valadao, which we will introduce on April 24. prgtoken This legislation will authorize $10 million in funding to the Library of Congress over 5 years to develop Armenian genocide education programs and resources which can be used by educators across the country. Those resources will ensure that future generations learn about and never forget about these atrocities. prgtoken , I stand with the Armenian-American community in my district and across the U.S. as they honor and remember those who perished during the genocide.
FIRE GRANTS AND SAFETY ACT--Continued
Ron Wyden (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2023-4-19

. and colleagues, there are ideas in Senator Braun's bill that and s definitely could work together on, and I have always enjoyed working with Senator Braun. Unfortunately, there are two ideas in this proposal that are showstoppers. The first, in effect, deals with rigging America's tax system, and the second issue deals with rigging our political system. prgtoken As far as I am concerned, the tax laws on the books already make it too easy for the very wealthy, multinational corporations, and the politically powerful to avoid paying taxes already. To a great extent, those people can pretty much pay what they want, when they want to. And, unfortunately, the bill that Senator Braun has brought forward would rig this system even more. prgtoken , in the inflation reduction legislation, put a focus on coming down hard on tax cheating by the ultrawealthy. budget cuts in the past have made it far too easy for the wealthy and the multinational corporations to get away with cheating on their taxes. So, in late 2022, said ``enough already'' and put special protections in place to ensure that the IRS would focus on cheating at the top, not on people earning under $400,000. prgtoken The way this proposal busts open a huge new tax loophole is it would, in effect, redefine what counts as income when it comes to deciding who gets audited, and it would encourage billionaires to disguise their wealth. The bill would give billionaires like Jeff Bezos, who, allegedly, reported less than $100,000 of adjusted gross income, a free pass. It would be a loophole. prgtoken The tax part of this would encourage tax cheating and be a huge gift to these scofflaw billionaires who are ripping off working Americans who do the right thing and follow the law. prgtoken The second aspect of this proposal that, regrettably, I have to oppose is that this proposal would lock in a policy that opens the floodgates to more dark money influencing our elections and our laws. It codifies, in black letter law, rules to make it easier for illegal donations and foreign actors to intervene in our elections undetected, encouraging illegal campaign activity, and inviting Russia and China to undermine our democratic process. prgtoken I have just gone through seven open-to-all townhall meetings in counties in my State, in areas that were pretty darn red, and I don't recall anybody ever telling me they wanted to get hit with more nasty, shadowy political ads. prgtoken So, for those reasons, I object.
INTRODUCTION OF THE OCEAN SHIPPING COMPETITION ENFORCEMENT ACT
John Garamendi (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2023-4-19

today I introduce the ``Ocean Shipping Competition Enforcement Act,'' which would allow the Federal Maritime Commission to block any agreements among ocean carriers and marine terminal operators determined to be unreasonably anticompetitive without having to first obtain a federal court order. prgtoken Current federal law requires the Commission, which is an independent federal regulatory agency, to review proposed agreements to ensure they are not unreasonably anticompetitive. However, the Commission cannot block anticompetitive agreements without first obtaining a federal court order concurring with the Commission's internal determination that the proposed agreement would unduly reduce ocean shipping service to ports or substantially increase shipping rates. If the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia fails to act in time, then the agreement takes effect automatically, allowing ocean liners and marine terminals to collude openly. To the best of my knowledge, no other independent federal regulatory agency is required to obtain court orders to enforce similar regulations. prgtoken The ocean shipping industry was the last transportation sector deregulated by Congress in 1984 and again with the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 1998 (Public Law 105-258). Before the Shipping Act of 1984 (Public Law 98-237), the Commission could block anticompetitive agreements among ocean carriers and marine terminal operators without a federal court order. In December 2022, Federal Maritime Commissioners Max Vekich and Carl W. Bentzel requested that the U.S. House prgtoken Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, on which I serve, make this critical change in federal law. prgtoken The ocean shipping industry is now dominated by nine foreign-flagged ocean liners that collude openly under three carrier alliances, handling some 80 percent of cargo globally. Last June, President signed my bicameral, bipartisan Ocean Shipping Reform Act (Public Law 117-146) updating our nation's laws for the ocean cargo market for the first time in nearly a quarter century. Congress must now finish the job by restoring the Federal Maritime Commission's ability to ensure competitive ocean shipping markets by blocking illegal agreements to collude. We must ensure that the Commission can do its job and fully enforce the law. prgtoken , I have been working over the past two years to reform the ocean shipping industry to better protect American businesses and consumers from price gouging by foreign-flagged ocean liners. I urge all Members of the House to join me in cosponsoring the ``Ocean Shipping Competition Enforcement Act.'' As the top on the House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation from 2013 to 2018, I plan to make this new bill a top priority in my ongoing work to help fix the global supply chain crunch.
PROTECTION OF WOMEN AND GIRLS IN SPORTS ACT OF 2023
Ayanna Pressley (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2023-4-19

. Mr. Chair, I rise today in solidarity with our children across the Nation. prgtoken I want to speak plainly to our trans kids: You belong. You are enough. You deserve to show up fully in this world. You deserve joy and every single opportunity. You are perfect just as you are. In the classroom and on the soccer field, you should not be subject to discrimination. You should be able to just be a kid. I will always be in your corner. prgtoken To anyone who supports this cruel bill, shame on you. If you want to advance policy on behalf of our kids, this isn't it. Ban assault weapons so they can live to the last school bell. Get off your soapbox and stop politicking with our kids' lives.
PROTECTION OF WOMEN AND GIRLS IN SPORTS ACT OF 2023
Robert Garcia (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2023-4-19

I thank the gentleman for yielding time. prgtoken Mr. Chair, I rise today in anger and strong opposition to this bill. Now, I know how painful life can be as an openly gay person, but that pales in comparison to what transgender Americans face every day. prgtoken Our voters send us here to address our country's biggest challenges, but instead of taking that responsibility seriously, House s are choosing to bully and belittle trans children. This is about attacking a small group of children, and it is shameful. prgtoken These people don't give a damn about women or girls. If they did, we would be talking about the very real problems of paid equity and ensuring sports are safe from sexual harassment and abuse, but instead, they are peddling open bigotry and its disgusting BS culture war right here from the House floor. Why are s so obsessed with attacking trans youth and children? We need answers. prgtoken To the trans and nonbinary youth that are watching this, I am so sorry your government is failing you today. We will never stop fighting to defend your dignity and your humanity. We love you.
Introductory Statement on S. 1239
Jack Reed (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2023-4-20

today, I am introducing important environmental literacy legislation, the No Child Left Inside Act, along with Senator Collins and Senator Merkley and Congressman Sarbanes. Our bipartisan, bicameral bill focuses on the fundamental goal of public education, which is to equip the next generation with the knowledge, skills, and experiences to understand the world around them and their ability to shape it. In the face of a global climate crisis, it is essential that all students graduate with environmental literacy skills to secure and sustain their future. prgtoken Environmental education provides broad benefits. It has been shown to enhance student achievement in science and other core subjects and to increase student engagement and critical thinking skills. Moreover, it promotes healthy lifestyles by encouraging kids to get outside. prgtoken Yet, environmental education often gets crowded out of the school day. In a Rhode Island Environmental Education Association survey, teachers identified challenges to integrating environmental education into an already crowded curriculum and ranked professional development as most helpful to remedying the situation. Some of the practices put in place in response to the COVID-19 pandemic have shown real promise. As the pandemic took hold, Rhode Island's environmental educators sprang into action, creating outdoor learning support opportunities and virtual programs for students as they did school from home. We need to build on these successes and build stronger connections between environmental education organizations and our public schools. That is what the No Child Left Inside Act aims to do. prgtoken The No Child Left Inside Act establishes a new grant program to support States in the development and implementation of environmental literacy plans to integrate environmental education and field experiences into the core academic program in public schools, with an emphasis on professional development in environmental education for teachers. With this funding, States will provide grants for partnerships between school districts and prgtoken parks, natural resource management agencies, educator preparation programs, museums, or other organizations with expertise in engaging young people with real world examples of environmental and scientific concepts. The legislation also establishes a pilot program for outdoor school education programs that offer intensive, hands-on learning experiences, such as residential programs and summer camps. prgtoken The No Child Left Inside Act will also help coordinate Federal efforts on environmental education. It requires the Secretary of Education to establish an environmental literacy advisory panel to coordinate and report on environmental literacy activities across Federal Agencies. It also will provide easy access to environmental education resources through the Department of Education's website. prgtoken The No Child Left I
PROTECTION OF WOMEN AND GIRLS IN SPORTS ACT OF 2023
Mark Takano (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2023-4-20

. Mr. Chair, I would just say let's allow, at the very elite level, organizations like the International Olympic Committee and the NCAA to make determinations of what constitutes fairness, not impose the Federal Government where it is not necessary. Transgender athletes have been welcomed into participation for 20 years now and only recently has it become a major issue in our country. prgtoken Mr. Chair, where have the s' concerns about government overreach gone? Where have the concerns about allowing States and voluntary associations to solve problems before the Federal Government is brought to bear gone? prgtoken Certainly, we should not be using one or two examples at the elite sports level to affect the participation of transgender girls and women all across our country in high schools and colleges. prgtoken Mr. Chair, .