mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Marco Rubio (Republican, FL) \u2014 2022-5-4

this will not take long. prgtoken I don't think anybody at this point is unaware that China steals the things that we in America innovate: our research, our ingenuity, our products, our secrets. They steal it. So we are about to spend tens of billions of dollars on research, and if we are going to do that, I think we should take steps to make sure that the tens of billions aren't also stolen. prgtoken It doesn't make a lot of sense--and most people would agree--to spend all of this public money on research without enough protections to keep the Chinese from stealing it. So what this motion to instruct would do is it would ensure that the government undertakes a counterintelligence review to certify that the entities that are getting this public money--either through direct funding or through intellectual property developed as a result--have national security protections against the theft of American research and resources. prgtoken What this would ensure is that there are protections in place to strengthen the bill's research funding accounting requirements in section 2307 and to ensure review of the funding for university technology centers. prgtoken If this bill is to truly be the America COMPETES Act, we need to make sure that America's funding and grants and other taxpayer resources are not going to be stolen by our adversaries to beat us using our own money. prgtoken I ask my colleagues to vote yes on the motion to instruct. Vote on Motion
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Jeff Merkley (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2022-5-4

I rise in opposition to this motion to instruct for one simple reason: It is up to America to lead the world in reducing the use of fossil fuels and in pivoting to renewable energy. Yet this motion to instruct says we cannot do anything to help foreign entities address any aspect of the climate objective: not to fight forest fires that come from climate change, not to address the salinization or the acidification of the sea, not to address reforestation or deforestation. prgtoken It is up to America to help make sure that we provide nonfossil fuel energy for the future that will help us all address this huge list of issues. It is important that we lead the world, not neglect the world. Vote on Motion
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Thomas R. Carper (Democrat, DE) \u2014 2022-5-4

. I rise reluctantly in opposition to the motion to instruct offered by our friend from South Carolina. I genuinely enjoy his friendship. And working with him, I agree with him on many issues. This is one where we just disagree. prgtoken I have serious concerns with the motion he is offering tonight to prevent U.S. greenhouse gas emission mandates from being enacted unless China enacts similar mandates. Greenhouse gases that drive climate change threaten our planet, threaten our lives. They threaten our livelihood. prgtoken They also present an opportunity for the United States to lead on the global stage. We have an opportunity--a now-or-never opportunity--for our country to lead in deploying clean, American-made technologies, to lower greenhouse emissions, create American jobs, and position our economy to compete with and beat competitors, including China, like a drum. prgtoken Our ability to provide clean energy leadership or to collect climate change data should not be contingent on the action of our foes, as this motion to instruct recommends. The leadership is keeping out of step when everyone else is marching to the wrong tune, including China. prgtoken In conclusion, our country should be leading by example--not from behind--in tackling the climate crisis so that our businesses, our workers, and our planet reap the benefits of a clean economy. prgtoken And that is why I will be voting reluctantly on this motion to instruct our colleagues, and I hope you will join with me. prgtoken .
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Robert Menendez (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2022-5-4

this motion would establish an inspector general at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. prgtoken As we have seen over the past several years, inspectors general are a key way that Congress conducts oversight over our Federal Government. Through these independent watchdogs, we prevent waste, fraud, and abuse, increasing transparency while ensuring Federal Agencies remain accountable to the American people. It is a model that most of the Federal bureaucracy has adopted because it works. prgtoken When it comes to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, it remains an outlier--one of the only Cabinet-level Agencies without this key oversight tool. An Agency led by a Senate-confirmed appointee, tasked with carrying out decisions affecting every worker, business, and consumer in this country, is currently operating without one of the most effective guardrails we have against overreach. Just a few years ago, Congress saw how two negotiators for USMCA were using their positions to solicit consulting work on the regulations they had written. We saw how the Agency's opaque tariff exclusion process was beset by inconsistent decision making and political favoritism. prgtoken This is an amendment that has been sponsored by over 53 Senators, s and alike. It passed in USICA originally with a 91-to-4 vote. I urge my colleagues to support it. I am happy to take a voice vote. Vote on Motion
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Maria Cantwell (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2022-5-4

. I, too, oppose this amendment. prgtoken Striking the authorization does strike competition. NASA has asked for continued competition, and there are many defense contractors who have expressed interest--Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Dynetics. prgtoken So I understand my colleague's frustration and what he wants to complain about, but this is about safety, and it is about redundancy, and it is about us authorizing the Artemis program; not just having appropriators make a decision, but having the authorization of safety and redundancy that we expect if we as a Nation are going to take the next woman astronaut all the way to the surface of the Moon. prgtoken When I think about what happened with the space shuttle Columbia and the disaster, NASA suffered great consequences. They have said redundancy matters, and that is what we are authorizing, and the competition my colleague just mentioned.
ORDERS FOR THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2022
Christopher A. Coons (Democrat, DE) \u2014 2022-5-4

I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 11 a.m Thursday, May 5; that following the prayer and pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, and morning business be closed; that upon the conclusion of morning business, the Senate proceed to executive session to consider Calendar No. 887, Kathryn Huff, of Illinois, to be an Assistant Secretary of Energy; further, that the Senate vote on confirmation of the Huff nomination at 1:45 p.m.; finally, if the nomination is confirmed during Thursday's session, that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table and the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action.
Food Security (Executive Session)
Robert P. Casey, Jr. (Democrat, PA) \u2014 2022-5-4

I thank the majority leader. prgtoken I will resume my comments about food security. prgtoken As I mentioned earlier, across the world now, we not only have 276 million people who now face acute food insecurity--as I said, meaning that they are in immediate danger of not being able to find their next meal--but what is ahead is an exacerbation of that problem. Another 47 million people will likely face these same dangers by the end of this year. prgtoken So a food security problem, which was a substantial problem before the pandemic, made ever worse by the pandemic, has gotten much worse because of the war in Ukraine--all caused by an attack on a sovereign country by a brutal dictator, Mr. Putin. prgtoken So this is one of the many reasons why this war in Ukraine--or why all of us, I should say, across the free world have a stake in what happens in Ukraine. prgtoken I wanted to also highlight what the United States is doing in the midst of this terrible food insecurity crisis. prgtoken We can't afford to forget and should not forget about the tens of millions who are struggling to survive as a result of this invasion. To feed all of those in need, the World Food Programme, which does such good work all across the globe--goes into conflict zones to provide food to people--that program estimates it will take more than $18 billion. prgtoken The United States must not share this burden alone, but if we don't lead the way, no one will. That is true in so many instances. It is true with regard to the President's leadership against Mr. Putin by helping the people of Ukraine; it is also true in terms of American leadership on food security. prgtoken President 's request for $33 billion for all aspects of the challenge in Ukraine doesn't include enough, in my judgment. It includes $1.6 billion for food security and humanitarian assistance. Now, that sounds like a lot of money, but it is not enough to meet the moment. prgtoken And despite my consistent urging, Congress has appropriated flat funding for the U.S. food security program, Feed the Future, over the last 10 years. Adjusting for inflation, the program has been cut by almost a third of its total programming, from almost $1.5 billion in today's dollars to just over $1 billion. prgtoken So, today, we face the same global food crisis which the Feed the Future Program was originally created to address after the 2008 recession. So after a recession, we had a global food security challenge, and now after a pandemic, and exacerbated by the war in Ukraine, we have potentially an even greater challenge. prgtoken So we must again rise to the challenge. When I say ``we,'' I mean the U.S. Government, the Congress, the branch of our government that appropriates money, has to rise to the challenge by providing the resources that are necessary to feed those who face famine--not just missing a meal here and there, famine itself. prgtoken We have got to support these
MORNING BUSINESS
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2022-5-4

Tom Oakley was a man with a mission. His mission was to put Quincy and Western Illinois on the map. The only sure way to do that was to personally redraw the maps. So he did. prgtoken In the late 1950s, there was not a four-lane highway anywhere within 100 miles of Quincy, IL. Critics called the region: ``Forgottonia.'' Thomas Oakley had more than a good memory. He had a vision, and Western Illinois was not about to be forgotten. prgtoken Any political candidate who paid a visit to Tom's Herald-Whig editorial board knew what to expect. No complimentary coffee or cool glass of water until Tom asked the question. With a dead serious look and his deep bass voice, he skipped the pleasantries. ``What's your position on completing the four-lane Central Illinois Expressway all the way to Quincy?'' ``I am for it,'' I quickly answered as a congressional candidate in 1982. prgtoken Tom smiled and asked how I liked my coffee. It was the beginning of a beautiful friendship. prgtoken For decades, Quincy and the Tri-States had no greater advocate than Tom. His indefatigable voice for the region rightfully earned him the honor of having a 60-mile stretch of the Chicago to Kansas Expressway highway named after him. From Quincy to Macomb, it is the Thomas A. Oakley Highway now. He also helped grow his family's media company Quincy Media, Inc into the 13th largest media company in the country. Last month, Tom passed away, and today, we honor the memory and legacy of my friend. prgtoken Tom was a member of the fourth generation of his family to work for Quincy Media, which operates the Quincy Herald-Whig, the Hannibal Courier-Post, and WGEM television and radio. Quincy Media has properties in several other markets as well. He was born to Thomas C. and Mary Oakley on June 24, 1932. As a young person, he began his career as a carrier boy for the Quincy Herald-Whig. In summers, he worked for Quincy Broadcasting and the Quincy Herald-Whig. prgtoken After graduating from Quincy High School in 1950, Tom earned a bachelor's degree in economics from Duke University and joined the U.S. Air Force in 1954. He served for 3 years, 2 of them flying a B-47 bomber with the Strategic Air Command. Tom was honorably discharged with the rank of first lieutenant in 1957 and was a captain in the Inactive Reserves. In 1958, he returned to Quincy and the family business. prgtoken Tom became the president and CEO of Quincy Media in 1969, following the death of his father. Under his leadership, he led the company through decades of growth, adding television stations in several markets and one additional newspaper. Tom also championed efforts to improve the Quincy infrastructure. He used his personal leadership and expanding media outlets to promote improving the quality of life in the region. prgtoken For more than 60 years, Tom worked toward developing a highway for the Tri-States, which had been bypassed by the Eisenhower era infra
200TH ANNIVERSARY OF CLAY TOWNSHIP, MICHIGAN
Gary C. Peters (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2022-5-4

I rise today to recognize the 200th Anniversary of Clay Township, MI. Forming the southernmost portion of St. Clair County, Clay Township is endowed with natural beauty, fertile farmland, and a rich tradition of entrepreneurship dating back to the fur trade between French explorers and the indigenous people, also known as the Anishinaabe. prgtoken Long before Michigan was incorporated as a U.S. Territory and western expansion encouraged migration to the area we know now as St. Clair County, the region was home to the Anishinaabe peoples. Members of the Odawa, Pattawami, and Ojibwe Tribes and more made their homes alongside the Otisi-Keta, and Otisi-Keta-Sippi waters, now known respectively as Lake St. Clair, and the St. Clair River. The nutrient-dense farmland, abundant natural resources, and easy access to trade routes provided by the many waterways endowed the Anishinaabe with a rich culture and community that would eventually attract the notice of French explorers arriving in the area. In fact, it was these early French explorers who would christen the Otisi-Keta as ``Lac-Sainte-Claire'' after discovering the crystal-clear waters on the day of the Festival of Sainte Claire. In time, the lake, tributary, and surrounding land became known as St. Clair, the modern appellation we see today. Although French explorers began to depart from the territory following the Seven Years War, the legacy of trade and industry established with the Anishinaabe laid the foundation for the development of Clay Township as a hub of local commerce. prgtoken Among the first settlers of Clay Township were Angus MacDonald and John Martin, who founded the city of Pointe du Chene--now known as Algonac--in 1805. MacDonald and Martin chose to settle the city at the head of the St. Clair flats, which had been the previous site of trade between the Anishinaabe and the French. Algonac quickly developed into the principal settlement in the area and is now recognized as one of the oldest cities in Michigan. Clay Township would be officially organized 17 years later in 1822. With this recognition, Clay Township became one of the four original townships that comprised the entirety of St. Clair County. prgtoken Today, Clay Township is comprised of 82.3 square miles of land and water. Bounded on three sides by water and divided into several islands by branches of the St. Clair River, it is known as a center for local water recreation and is home to over 9,000 residents. The freshwater delta formed by the St. Clair River and waters of Harsens Island is the only major river delta in the Great Lakes Basin and the largest freshwater delta in North America. Michigan's Department of Natural Resources manages two sites on Harsens Island, supporting pedestrians, cyclists, and other outdoor enthusiasts wanting to admire the wildlife and waters of the region. The Algonac State Park is comprised of 1,550 acres and provides sanctuary to
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Edward J. Markey (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2022-5-4

I rise to urge my colleagues to vote no on this motion to instruct from Senator Barrasso. prgtoken If we want to talk solutions to the energy price crisis, if we want to talk solutions to the climate crisis, we have bills to do that. prgtoken Our Federal oil and gas leasing programs include critical State and public involvement that this amendment is attempting to undercut and sabotage and to try to weaponize this bill in order to have the hope of prompting yet another giveaway for oil and gas companies, which is not going to do a thing to help the American people or the American economy. prgtoken Oil and gas companies already have more than 1,500 offshore leases that they are not currently using, encompassing a swath of ocean larger than the entire State of Maryland. The top 25 oil and gas companies posted $237 billion in record profits last year, which they should be using, if they want, to drill there, but they are not doing it. prgtoken So we need to focus on delivering clean energy, efficient solutions to communities, not undercutting Federal processes and giving more handouts to Big Oil. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to reject this amendment. Vote on Motion
U.S. Supreme Court (Executive Session)
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2022-5-4

I thank the always gracious, always thoughtful, always perspicacious, always persistent--and many other good adjectives--Senator from Pennsylvania for yielding. prgtoken Now, , there is only one way--only one way--to describe the Supreme Court's reported decision to overturn Roe v. Wade: an abomination. prgtoken Such a decision, if it comes to pass, would be an utter abomination. Women across America would suffer irreparable harm to their rights, their health, and their dignity. It would go down as one of the worst and most damaging opinions that the Court has handed down in modern history, and the Court would suffer a mortal blow to its reputation that I fear will last forever. prgtoken Yesterday, I pledged that Senate will act on legislation to codify Roe into law. It is vital that we act quickly because this is no longer an abstract exercise. This is as real as it gets, America--as real as it gets. prgtoken Every single American is going to see where every single Senator stands on protecting a woman's right to choose. And rest assured, Americans will be watching. prgtoken Now, we must be clear. This week's draft decision didn't come out of nowhere. It didn't materialize in a vacuum. Indeed, the blame for the end of Roe lies primarily right across the aisle here with Senate s. prgtoken The Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe would never have been possible without Leader McConnell and Senate s spending years packing our courts with hard-right judges, judges who came from a list under the years that the Federalist Society approved. And the Federalist Society's purpose, when it was put into action, from what I have read, is to repeal Roe. And the s on this side of the aisle, right there, were willing--willing--accomplices in that deed. prgtoken Let me say it again. The Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe would have never been possible without Leader McConnell and Senate s spending years packing our courts with hard-right judges. prgtoken Now, s are twisting themselves into pretzels, trying to distract from this truth. Yesterday, Leader McConnell said that the real story was somehow the leaks and not the end of Roe. prgtoken Can you believe that? The leaks are more important than the rights of 100 million American women? Give me a break. prgtoken And when Leader McConnell evidently was asked at his press conference yesterday: Are you glad Roe would be repealed, he wouldn't even answer that, even though he had worked years to do it, because they know where history is going. They know where the American people are. They know they are on the wrong side of both so they are trying to ``low key'' it. prgtoken s have spent decades trying to achieve the end of Roe, and now that they are about to succeed, they are flailing around, talking about a leak instead of owning up to their own actions. We won't let them. We
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Sheldon Whitehouse (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2022-5-4

this is the second shot that has been taken this afternoon at the international climate fund by our friends on the other side. prgtoken America is a great and powerful nation, and it is usually good for great and powerful nations not to be a jerk, and therefore sticking up for the countries that are suffering because of climate pollution is something that a great and powerful nation ought to do. prgtoken Don't be a jerk and clean up your own messes are two things that I learned as a child. And I think that our national security and our economic advantage are both served by actually supporting the international climate fund and helping the world work its way through the predicament that the fossil fuel industry has foisted on us. I urge a ``no'' vote on this. Vote on Motion
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Margaret Wood Hassan (Democrat, NH) \u2014 2022-5-4

I rise today to offer a bipartisan motion with Senator Young that will help fuel American innovation. prgtoken The research and development tax credit gives critical support to small businesses and startups that power our economy. By strengthening the R&D tax credit for startups and preserving other tax incentives for research here in America, we can outcompete countries like China. prgtoken I would also like to thank the additional 16 Senators supporting the motion: Senators Baldwin, Marshall, Feinstein, Sasse, Warnock, Blunt, Kelly, Portman, Padilla, Fischer, Coons, Boozman, Cortez Masto, Capito, Rosen, and Wicker. prgtoken I yield to the Senator from Indiana.