mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
U.S. Supreme Court (Executive Session)
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2022-2-8

I am sure that you, more than most Members of the Senate, remember our debate a few weeks ago on the Voting Rights Act. I remember your statement on the floor. It was powerful and really spoke to the truth of why we were meeting and debating this issue. prgtoken We realize that, sadly, since the Civil War, when African Americans were finally given the right to vote, this has been a battle every year since. And yesterday, the Supreme Court decision tells us that we still have a battle to fight when it comes to voting rights in America. prgtoken By a 5-to-4 vote yesterday, the Supreme Court's conservative majority allowed Alabama lawmakers to move forward with a congressional districting map that diminishes the power of Black voters in a State where Black Americans account for more than 25 percent of the population. prgtoken You see, this case had been considered by a three-judge district court panel in Alabama, and they ruled in a unanimous decision that the map likely violated the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and they ruled that we should block that map because it would violate the right to vote of African Americans. prgtoken I might say, for the record, this three-judge panel, two of the three judges were appointed by former President , and yet they came to that conclusion. So the Supreme Court had a decision of whether to go along with this three-judge panel and stop the implementation of this map until they prgtoken could have a full hearing on the subject or allow them to go forward. And, sadly, by a 5-to-4-vote, the Supreme Court's conservative majority stayed a lower court's decision, where they ruled unanimously that the district map was discriminatory. prgtoken The Supreme Court did not issue a well-reasoned decision; they issued basically no reason. They did so on what is known as the shadow docket. We are seeing it more and more by this Court--no explanation, no full briefing, no signed opinion for the majority. What we have was a scant reaction by the Court. prgtoken But I do want to note that Justice Kagan wrote that that decision by the Supreme Court in favor of allowing this Alabama map to go forward ``does a disservice to the District Court, which meticulously applied this Court's longstanding voting-rights precedent.'' She went on to note that ``most of all, it does a disservice to the Black people of Alabama who under that precedent have had their electoral power diminished in violation of the law this Court once knew to buttress all of American democracy.'' prgtoken Yesterday's decision is the latest example of the Supreme Court hacking away the protections of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, one of the most important civil rights laws in our history--a law singularly responsible for decades of progress in minority representation in public office. prgtoken As a result of these decisions, legal protections for voters of color throughout the country are being systematically dismant
BIDEN'S VOW TO END NORD STREAM 2
Marcy Kaptur (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2022-2-8

energy security for the free world is an imperative. I rise today to strongly endorse President 's vow yesterday that if Russia further invades Ukraine, there will, ``no longer be a Nord Stream 2 pipeline across Europe. We will put an end to it.'' prgtoken During the administration, this Russian energy pipeline was allowed to creep ever closer into the heart of Europe to make our closest NATO allies dependent on Russian gas. What a strategic failure. prgtoken Reliance on a tyrannical regime is dangerous. To our dear allies in Europe, if Putin were to succeed in clawing Ukraine back under Russia's command, he would not stop there. prgtoken The free world must place stronger sanctions on Nord Stream 2. It must ratchet up diplomat engagement to this strongest test of the rule of law since World War II. As Russian troops amass at Ukraine's border, the free world must deploy the defensive shield to protect her liberty and assure her territorial sovereignty through a coalition of the willing.
CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH
Frank J. Mrvan (Democrat, IN) \u2014 2022-2-9

. Madam , it is with great respect and sincere admiration that I rise today to celebrate Black History Month and its 2022 theme--Black Health and Wellness. prgtoken This year's theme recognizes the achievements and initiatives of African Americans in healthcare while simultaneously highlighting the disparities that still exist in our country. As we reflect on the past, we must examine how race and racism have created additional barriers for African American health outcomes. prgtoken Specific to Northwest Indiana, I would like to take a moment to recognize and commemorate the notable achievements of Dr. Clarence Boone, a well-known obstetrician-gynecologist and leader in our region's medical community. prgtoken Dr. Boone was born and raised in Gary, Indiana. He graduated from Froebel High School in Gary in 1949 and went on to attend Indiana University--where he earned a degree in anatomy and physiology. He then made history as one of five Black students enrolled at the Indiana University School of Medicine in 1952. prgtoken After medical school, Dr. Boone returned to his hometown in Gary and spent his career advocating for African Americans and women in the medical field. He served as President of the Medical Staff of Methodist Hospital and as Medical Director for Planned Parenthood of Northwest Indiana. Dr. Boone is remembered as a community mentor who was committed to providing medical service to individuals who would not otherwise have access to it. prgtoken While we have made progress to improve access to affordable health care options, there still is a long way to go. Generations of strict geographical segregation have left many hospitals and medical care centers that continue to serve African American communities under- resourced and under-staffed. prgtoken Evident prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, and certainly emphasized by it, these shortages have resulted in African Americans being more susceptible to illness, less likely to receive adequate treatment, and placed further at-risk for complications. prgtoken While I appreciate the milestones reached through the passage of the Affordable Care Act, more must be done to improve access to affordable health care and decrease the gap in health-related outcomes for African Americans. prgtoken With this year's celebration of Black History Month, let us honor Dr. Boone from Gary and all African American scholars and medical professionals who have played such a monumental role with their contributions to health care in the state of Indiana and throughout our country, and let us recommit to ending health disparities for African Americans that still exist today.
RECOGNIZING THORNTON FIRE DEPARTMENT
Ed Perlmutter (Democrat, CO) \u2014 2022-2-9

I rise today to recognize and honor the Thornton Fire Department in Thornton, Colorado, for earning the 2021 Congressional Fire Services Institute's Masimo Excellence in Fire Service-Based EMS Award, which is given annually to the top fire department in the country. prgtoken Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the Thornton Fire Department has gone above and beyond to serve their community. As part of their efforts, they created a Pandemic Response Team that has conducted over 20,000 COVID tests for public employees, senior citizens, first responders, and other community members. When vaccines became available, the Pandemic Response Team expanded their services to administer over 80,000 vaccinations at drive-through sites for city employees and other community members. prgtoken The Pandemic Response Team's success led other fire agencies around the country to look to Thornton as a model for how to effectively respond to the challenges of COVID-19. prgtoken In a very difficult year for fire and emergency services, the Thornton Fire Department's innovative approach to a rapidly changing public health crisis is something we should all thank them for and model.
UKRAINE: THE SCRIMMAGE LINE FOR LIBERTY IN EUROPE
Andy Levin (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2022-2-9

I am pleased to join my colleagues in the House Ukraine Caucus in this strong show of resolve to keep our focus on what is happening in Ukraine and on its borders. And I especially want to thank my dear friend, Chair Marcy Kaptur, for her leadership in organizing this timely event, and the co-chair, Brian Fitzpatrick, for his strong leadership on this issue and all of the other Members who are joining today. prgtoken I represent one of the most vibrant Ukrainian-American communities in the United States. And I have spent time with my constituents in Michigan at memorials and commemorations of the Holodomor, and even just last weekend at a peace vigil in a Ukrainian church to pray for peace and for no more war in Ukraine. prgtoken The Ukrainian-American community in Metro Detroit and around this Nation is deeply worried about their family, about their friends in Ukraine, and what might happen if Russia were to newly invade their country because we know Russia has already invaded their country. prgtoken It is 8 years of Russia invasion and occupation of Crimea and their interference in the Donbas and eastern parts of Ukraine, and it has been a really traumatizing time for Ukrainians, obviously, but also for Ukrainian-Americans. prgtoken I have been supportive of the efforts here in the House and by the administration to focus on both deterrence and diplomacy. I am proud to cosponsor the Defending Ukraine Sovereignty Act which seeks to deter Russia by imposing tougher sanctions by providing more defensive equipment and weapons, and expanding programming to counter Russian disinformation and cyber activity. prgtoken I also want to commend President emphasizing diplomacy to deescalate tension. Above all, we must avoid a war between the two largest nuclear powers. I appreciate how much he has worked to unify all of our European allies behind this effort, and I appreciate the leadership of those European allies in pushing for a peaceful resolution to this situation. prgtoken , I am glad to join with my colleagues today and to share this commitment to helping the Ukrainian people, and I am hopeful that our work in the Congress, coupled with measures taken by the administration, will ultimately prevent more conflict from breaking out. But we have got to make it very, very clear to Vladimir Putin that he will get exactly what he doesn't want if he insists on attacking Ukraine further. prgtoken He has said he wants less NATO involvement in the eastern reaches of the alliance, and his aggression and his provocation is causing just what he says he doesn't want. So I am hopeful that diplomacy can carry the day, but we have to be ready with all measures of deterrence to prevent an attack, and we have to be--even though it doesn't make sense to implement sanctions in advance, it definitely makes sense that we be very clear with Putin and the oligarchs and the people around him just as Representative Fit
Housing (Executive Calendar)
Amy Klobuchar (Democrat, MN) \u2014 2022-2-9

I think you know Senator Sanders and I debated a number of issues before, but from the beginning, we have been strongly united on one thing, and that is bringing down costs for the American people. And that is, as he just said, not one bit radical. prgtoken We have joined together to introduce the Cutting Medicare Prescription Drug Prices in Half Act because that is what we should be doing. America pays more. The people of this country pay more for their prescription drugs than any other country in the world. How can that be, as Senator Sanders has noted, when it is our country, our taxpayers who are investing in all this research? How can we come up short when it comes to what our people are paying for drugs? prgtoken The examples: In the past 5 years, the cost of Lyrica--a drug that you see advertised on TV, millions of dollars in ads--a drug that treats nerve pain or Symbicort, an asthma medication, increased almost 50 percent. What is the result of these kinds of increases? Nearly 20 percent of older adults have reported not taking their medicines as prescribed because of the cost. prgtoken Last month alone, drug companies hiked the price of 742 drugs in America. What do we do? We sit. We sit; we talk about it; and we are not taking action. prgtoken That is why Senator Sanders and I are putting our bill in today. We would love to spend the week debating it. We would like to move to this bill so we can get this done. We know that prescription drug prices in the United States are more than 250-percent higher than other industrialized nations. prgtoken What is our simple solution? The VA, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, that we empower with the lives of our veterans and their healthcare--they negotiate the prices of the drugs they purchase and dispense for our Nation's veterans. One report found that the VA price is often half as much as what Medicare pays. Why? It is simple. The VA negotiates for prices; Medicare doesn't. prgtoken I kind of think--and Senator Sanders and I know this well--that 46 million seniors in America could get a pretty good deal if you allow the government to negotiate on their behalf, a good deal for the taxpayers of this country, for people who care about deficits, for people who care about the bottom-line budget, and a good deal for customers. prgtoken Guess what. It wouldn't just help seniors because that is such a large block of customers in this country that it would bring down the drug costs for everyone. prgtoken The stories in my State--people like Claire from St. Paul. When the cost of the prescription drug she relied on to manage her rheumatoid arthritis jumped from $60 a month to $1,400 per month, she could no longer afford it. In her words, her arthritis became so bad that she could barely handle a fork and a knife or the young man who is the manager of a restaurant, a full-time job. When he aged off his parents' insurance, what happened to him? You
HONORING THE HONORABLE SHIRLEY ANITA ST. HILL CHISHOLM
Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (Democrat, GA) \u2014 2022-2-9

. Madam , I rise today to honor and pay tribute to a trailblazer, icon, educator, and social activist, The Honorable Shirley Anita St. Hill Chisholm. prgtoken The daughter of immigrants, ``Fighting Shirley'' (as she became known) was the second African American in the New York Legislature (1964), the first African American woman to serve in the U.S. Congress (1968), and the first woman and African American to seek the nomination for the Presidency of the United States from one of the two major political parties (1972). During her impressive tenure in Congress, she introduced over 50 pieces of legislation and was a staunch advocate for education, expanding minimum wage standards, racial and gender equality, combating poverty, and ending the Vietnam War. She also co- founded the National Women's Political Caucus (1971) and became the first Black woman and the second woman to ever serve on the House Rules Committee. After she retired from Congress in 1983, she went on to teach at Mount Holyoke College and later lecture in Palm Coast, Florida. prgtoken Shirley Chisholm is known quite often for the quotes, ``Service is the rent that we pay for the space that we occupy here on this earth.'' ``If they don't give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.'' She was a formidable woman who fought against the odds (sexism and racial discrimination) during her career, inspired the future generation of leaders, and paved the way for others looking to pursue a career in politics and/or public service. prgtoken Madam , I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join my wife, Vivian, and me, along with the more than 730,000 people of the Second Congressional District and the distinguished members of the Congressional Black Caucus, in paying tribute to the life and legacy of The Honorable Shirley Anita St. Hill Chisholm.
GLOBAL RESPECT ACT
Gregory W. Meeks (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2022-2-9

I just want to state that the notion that this bill is not supported by the administration is just blatantly false. prgtoken Just last week, the administration released a Statement of Administration Policy in full support of the bill and noted the urgent need to address threats to the human rights of LGBTQI-plus, not just abroad but right here in the United States of America. prgtoken , I am honored to yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Cicilline), the author of this bill.
ADDRESSING AMERICA'S FENTANYL CRISIS
Theodore E. Deutch (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2022-2-9

last year, more than 100,000 Americans died from drug overdoses, 60 percent of them from fentanyl. These were mothers and fathers. They were relatives, neighbors, friends. One was my nephew Eli. prgtoken Eli died from an unintentional fentanyl overdose, using a legal herbal supplement that had been laced with fentanyl. He would have turned 21 tomorrow. prgtoken What happened to Eli is not unique. Young people on social media who think that they are buying Adderall or Xanax are being sold fentanyl- contaminated counterfeits. prgtoken It is the responsibility of every Member of Congress to acknowledge that fentanyl is killing our constituents everywhere in America. prgtoken We know that the chemicals to develop these drugs originate in China. They are shipped to Mexico and flood our country. prgtoken We know that social platforms are capable of changing their algorithms to cut dealers' access to buyers, and we know that fentanyl test strips save lives but remain illegal in too many States. prgtoken , we can address these challenges. It is how we ensure that our kids, other kids like Eli, aren't lost and don't miss the opportunity to celebrate their 21st birthday.
REMEMBERING HENRY C. ``HOPPY'' SHORES
Joe Manchin, III (Democrat, WV) \u2014 2022-2-9

I rise today to honor the life and legacy of a dedicated public servant, Army veteran, proud West Virginian, and my very good friend, Henry C. ``Hoppy'' Shores. prgtoken Put simply, Hoppy embodied what it means to be a true West Virginian, and the legacy he has left behind is an important part of our heritage. I believe that there is no greater accomplishment than being in a position to give back to your community, and Hoppy's work in public service truly benefited our home State in a profound way that touched countless lives. First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt once said, ``Since you get more joy out of giving joy to others, you should put a good deal of thought into the happiness that you are able to give.'' In that spirit, I am forever grateful to Hoppy for his commitment to his community and our shared passion for serving the people of West Virginia. prgtoken Born in Dunbar in 1930 to the late Henry Eugene and Mary Elizabeth Shores, Hoppy spent much of his life in the Kanawha Valley. He excelled in athletics as a legendary running back for Stonewall Jackson High School. As the star of his 1947 State championship team, Hoppy capped off his high school career as a Kennedy Award winner. In addition, he held a longstanding record in the 440-yard dash and was elected class president his senior year. Even then, his leadership skills were widely recognized. Following his glowing high school career, Hoppy attended West Virginia University on the Loyalty Endowment Scholarship, where his wide range of accomplishments continued. prgtoken Hoppy's life of service began in the U.S. Army, where he rose to the rank of major. I have always said that West Virginia is home to the most patriotic, hard-working people in the Nation; and Hoppy was no exception. Returning to Kanawha County after his military prgtoken service to our Nation concluded, Hoppy continued giving back as a coach and supporter of one of the local Little League football teams. Hoppy was well-known as a tenacious supporter of youth sports in the Kanawha Valley and, for many years, would continue to support the youth of the valley in a variety of initiatives. Good coaches win games, but great coaches, like Hoppy, have a lasting impact on your life. They are models for how to manage success and failure--and how to take the lessons you have learned in athletics and apply them to your adult life. I can only begin to imagine how many leaders Hoppy forged throughout his time as a coach--and how many of his former athletes still look up to him to this day. prgtoken Hoppy and his beloved wife Bronson, who shared his life for 68 years, raised their four children in Charleston. Despite his illustrious life filled with awards, accolades and achievements, Hoppy always considered his family his greatest accomplishment of all. He built a successful career in insurance; eventually, this career would culminate in the Hoppy Shores Insurance Company. His impeccable w
Introductory Statement on S. 3622
Jack Reed (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2022-2-9

service is at the heart of the Americans ethos. We take inspiration from those who have answered the call to serve, whether in defense of our Nation abroad or in strengthening our communities at home. Finding common cause through service is how we will overcome the major challenges of our time, from recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic to addressing inequality to strengthening civil society and democratic institutions to leaving a healthy, resilient planet to future generations. That is why I am proud to join Congressman John Larson of Connecticut in introducing the America's Call to Improving Opportunities Now, ACTION for National Service Act. Our legislation calls for a historic expansion of the number of service opportunities and an increased investment in those who serve. prgtoken The ACTION for National Service Act will honor our national value of service, while addressing the barriers that limit citizens' opportunities to serve. Our legislation will set us on a path to 1 million national service positions within 10 years. It will increase the educational award so that an individual completing 2 full years of service will earn the equivalent of 4 years of the average in-state tuition at a public college or university. Indeed, those who are willing to serve should not be left to carry a heavy financial burden of student loan debt. The ACTION for National Service Act will also ease other financial barriers to service by increasing the living allowance and eliminating the tax liability for the education awards and living stipends. The bill calls for a robust outreach effort to ensure that all young people will know about the many opportunities to serve their country and their communities. It will mobilize a Civilian Climate Corps to address the urgent needs of hardest hit communities. Finally, the ACTION for National Service Act calls for elevating the Corporation for National and Community Service to a Cabinet-level Agency and establishes a National Service Foundation to leverage private sector resources to support national service activities. prgtoken , it is time we reinvigorate the social contract we have with each other. Americans have a deep tradition of service, starting with the dedicated men and women of our Armed Forces and including all those who have served in AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, and the Peace Corps. However, as more Americans desire to serve, it is important that they be given the opportunity to do so. It is just as important to invest in the education and professional development of those who have sacrificed and given so much to our Nation. Developing the talents of our most committed citizens pays lifelong dividends. Our investment in the GI Bill not only honors our servicemembers but also enriches our Nation. Similarly, the education awards for those who have served through our national programs have economic impacts beyond the individuals who earn th