mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2022-11-16

my office recently received a message from a woman named Amanda. She lives in Illinois and the Chicagoland area. She tells me that she and her wife Cally will be celebrating their fifth anniversary as a married couple. The two of them have actually been together for 8 years, but after the Supreme Court's 2015 decision in Obergefell, they decided it was time to tie the knot. prgtoken That ruling affirmed their love and, just as important, their constitutional right. The Court declared that their right to marry is a fundamental liberty under the Constitution--for every American, regardless of sexual orientation. So in 2017, Amanda and her wife Cally exercised that right, and today they are the proud parents of two beautiful young children: a daughter, Austin, and a son, Wren. prgtoken Really, that should be the end of the story. With Obergefell, Amanda and her wife were guaranteed the same rights as me and my wife, and it should be the beginning of a new story: a loving couple who can now focus on their family and taking care of their day-to-day responsibilities: paying the bills, feeding the kids, navigating life as working parents. prgtoken But, sadly, Amanda and many others are now living in fear. Like millions of Americans, she is facing the very real prospect that this Supreme Court could soon rule that her right to marry the person she loves is not protected by the Constitution. She saw what this radical, far-right Supreme Court did with the Dobbs decision just a few months ago, the decision that erased the constitutional right for the women of America to make their own reproductive health choices; and now she and Cally are wondering: Will they come for our rights to marry next? prgtoken Amanda wrote to my office: Justice Clarence Thomas, in his concurring opinion in [Dobbs] . . . wrote that the court ``should reconsider all of this Court's substantive due process precedents, including Griswold, Lawrence, and Obergefell.'' prgtoken She said: For the first time in our history, Americans are facing the loss of civil rights-- prgtoken by this Supreme Court. Our two young children are growing up in a world where they may, [and] in some cases [do], have less rights-- prgtoken fewer rights-- than their parents and grandparents. prgtoken Amanda tells me she and her wife are taking every legal step they can to ``ensure that our recognition as parents to our own children cannot be challenged. This is emotionally and financially taxing,'' she said, ``and yet, something that we feel we must do.'' prgtoken There are more than 700,000 married same-sex couples in America, couples like Amanda and Cally, whose love and legal status were recognized under the law and protected by a Supreme Court decision in Obergefell; couples who, along with their friends and families, are demanding the Senate do what we should have done years ago: codify marriage equa
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Sheldon Whitehouse (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2022-11-16

I rise today for my 286th ``Time to Wake Up'' speech, in this case to report back from the United Nations' 27th Conference of the Parties, or COP, the annual meeting where the nations of the world work to combat climate change. The Paris Agreement, for instance, sprang from the COP. Senators Cardin, Markey, and I went to this year's COP in Egypt. Pelosi led a separate House delegation, and President traveled there with a large executive branch delegation to make some important announcements. prgtoken Our Senate delegation met with government officials from many other countries, with American officials, with UN leaders, and with dozens of business leaders, labor leaders, environmental groups, environmental justice advocates, and oceans advocates. prgtoken We consistently heard that the work we accomplished right here in this Chamber through the Inflation Reduction Act and by ratifying the Kigali Amendment brought our country back into global leadership on climate. But we know that our work to tackle climate change is not over--not by a long shot. prgtoken Emissions from fossil fuel are still growing. 2022 fossil fuel emissions will blow right past previous record highs. Things are not getting better yet; they are getting worse. We need additional ambitious climate policies, both at home and abroad, to reduce those emissions. prgtoken And because climate disasters so often fall upon the most vulnerable, particularly in developing nations, we need the wealthier nations and the ultrawealthy corporations responsible for the lion's share of climate upheaval to step up to finance the clean energy transition for those countries. prgtoken So, what are the things the United States and other nations should do? At the COP, I spoke a lot about the upcoming European Union carbon border adjustment mechanism, or CBAM. The EU already applies a carbon price to energy-intensive manufactured goods. That is one of the main policies that is driving decarbonization in Europe, and they will start, later this decade, imposing a carbon tariff on goods from countries that don't impose a comparable carbon price on those imported goods. prgtoken My message to the COP: The EU CBAM is good policy. It creates an incentive for lower carbon manufacturing, no matter where the goods are produced. The United States should not--I repeat--the United States should not complain about the EU CBAM. Our manufacturers are among the least carbon intensive in the world, and they will pay far lower carbon tariffs than, for instance, Chinese manufacturers. That makes American companies more globally competitive and will move jobs and manufacturing our way to our shores. prgtoken So instead of complaining, we should match the EU CBAM or beat it with our own carbon border adjustment plan. And, by the way, we should urge the British and the Canadians and the Japanese and the Australians, anyone else interested in lowering emissions, to
REMEMBERING LIEUTENANT COLONEL ASA HERRING
Mark Kelly (Democrat, AZ) \u2014 2022-11-16

today I wish to honor Lieutenant Colonel Asa Herring, an American patriot and hero who served with the famed Tuskegee Airmen before going on to complete a 22-year military career in the U.S. Air Force. prgtoken Lieutenant Colonel Herring was born on October 3, 1926, in Dunn, NC. Despite being born during a time in American history when rights and opportunities for African-Americans were few, he persevered. At a time when high school graduation rates amongst African-Americans were in the single digits, Lieutenant Colonel Herring graduated at age 16 and then had to wait nearly 2 years before he could enter the military. After passing the Army Air Corps written examination, he entered Active Duty as an aviation cadet on December 27, 1944. prgtoken However, World War II ended before he finished his training. On April 26, 1945, the Tuskegee Airmen flew their last combat mission, and less than 2 weeks later, on May 8, 1945, Germany surrendered. Lieutenant Colonel Herring did not wish to serve in a segregated military, so he decided to request an honorable discharge in 1946. prgtoken On July 26, 1948, President Truman issued Executive Order No. 9981, ending the policy of racial segregation in the military. Less than a year later, Lieutenant Colonel Herring volunteered for service in the newly established U.S. Air Force and served until 1970. Throughout his service, Lieutenant Colonel Herring fought in both the Korean and Vietnam war, flew more than 350 combat missions, and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, a Bronze Star, and an Air Medal with 13 oakleaf clusters. He was also the first African-American squadron commander at Luke Air Force Base, where he trained pilots from several European countries in the F-104G Jet Fighter Gunnery Program. prgtoken After retiring from military service, Lieutenant Colonel Herring joined Western Electric in Phoenix, AZ, where he served in several management positions until 1989. Personifying the Air Force core values, he also dedicated much of his time and talent to community service organizations across Phoenix and to educating others on the history and incredible legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen. prgtoken I join Arizonans in mourning Lieutenant Colonel Herring's passing on May 22, 2022, at the age of 95. He was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Honor Herring, and is survived by his two sons, Asa D. Herring, III, and Mark Alan Herring; his seven grandchildren; and his 15 great-grandchildren--to whom we extend our gratitude for Lieutenant Colonel Herring's honorable service to his community and to his Nation.
RECOGNIZING MATTHEW ROBINSON AND HIS SERVICE TO THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE
Jerrold Nadler (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2022-11-16

. Madam , I rise along with my colleague, Rep. Henry C. Johnson, Chair of the Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet, to thank Matthew Robinson for his service to the Committee on the Judiciary, prgtoken Matthew came to the Committee after first entering public service as a Judiciary Clerk for Senator Russ Feingold, and then spending five years at Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale & Don LLP. Matthew received his B.A. from Yale University and his J.D. from the New York University School of Law. prgtoken Matthew first joined the Committee in 2019 as a Counsel for the Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet. For three years in this position, he played a critical role in reforming our courts system. Matthew spearheaded a courts agenda to promote transparency and accountability in the ``Third Branch'' of government with the goal of strengthening and supporting the rule of law and equal justice. Matthew also helped manage hearings that addressed the need for ethics reforms. Building off these hearings, he assisted in leading the passage of the Courthouse Ethics and Transparency Act, which became law in May 2022, Matthew also helped in the introduction of a comprehensive set of reforms for the Supreme Court in the Supreme Court Ethics, Recusai, and Transparency Act. prgtoken Matthew continued his dedication to reform in several additional efforts to create a courts system that truly works for all Americans. Matthew developed two hearings that highlighted the critical need for stronger workplace protections for courts employees, which led to the introduction of the Judiciary Accountability Act. He also worked on investigations on the state of the judiciary's information technology systems, and on the passage of the Open Courts Act, a bill aimed at overhauling the judiciary's electronic case management systems and making court records free to the public. prgtoken In addition to this portfolio, Matthew was always willing to go above and beyond by helping other efforts. In particular, he assisted the Subcommittee on Antitrust, Commercial, and Administrative Law on bankruptcy matters, as well as on its 16-month investigation into the state of competition in the digital economy that focused on the challenges presented by the dominance of Amazon, Apple, Facebook, and Google. Lastly, Matthew worked diligently on the first impeachment of former President Donald J including assisting in the compilation of the Committee's Report. Recognized for his dedicated service, Matthew was named as Senior Counsel to the Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet in February 2022. prgtoken Throughout all of his work, Matthew brought his tireless worth ethic and commitment to excellence. Our Committee, Congress, and the American people greatly benefited from his service. prgtoken While we are sad to see Matthew go and he will certainly be missed, we are happy that he w
PASSING ELECTORAL COUNT ACT REFORM
John Garamendi (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2022-11-16

I rise today to sound the alarm that the 117th Congress and, indeed, this body is on track to surrender its last chance to safeguard American democracy. prgtoken It has been 1,045 days since this Capitol, this very building, this very Congress, was attacked on January 6, 2021, in a violent insurrection orchestrated by President in an attempt to stop the transfer of power to the legitimate winner of the 2020 election. prgtoken Former President tried to use violence and the flaws of the 1887 Electoral Count Act to overcome his loss in the 2020 election. That was 1,045 days ago. prgtoken By contrast, there are less than 20 days during which this Congress can still pass legislation to reform, amend, and clarify the 1887 Electoral Count Act and ensure that events like January 6 never happen again. prgtoken We must act. We cannot fail. Former President has set the stage for his supporters to use the flaws in the 1887 law to put aside the electors that reflect the will of the voters in key States and, instead, send forward electors loyal to . prgtoken In 135 years since the Electoral Count Act of 1887's enactment, the United States was fortunate to experience continuous, peaceful elections and transfer of power. Former President shattered that cherished norm on January 6. prgtoken My colleagues, the fact that we came back into the House Chamber to formally confirm the 2020 electoral college count, despite the violent threats made against our lives, is a source of immense pride not only to us but to America. prgtoken We now know that the previous transfers of power took place despite the law and its failings, not because of it. prgtoken Tragically, President and his antidemocratic allies' efforts to exploit the loopholes in the Electoral Count Act did not end on that infamous day. Over the last 2 years, unscrupulous MAGA officials have been carrying out a deliberate and coordinated plan to build on the big lie by enacting State laws that allow partisan lawmakers to reject the will of the voters and undermine American democracy. prgtoken During the recent 2022 midterm election, 170 of 's endorsed election-denying candidates running for Congress and critical State offices have been projected to win their races. prgtoken Finally, last night, we watched former President carry out the next step in his plan by formally declaring his candidacy for Presidency in 2024. prgtoken The stage is now set for these actors to once again exploit the ambiguities of the Electoral Count Act as early as 2024. prgtoken These dangerous actions have already undercut public trust in our electoral system and their elected officials. If left unaddressed, they could prove catastrophic and bring about an end to America's 245 years of democratic tradition. prgtoken Congress must now reform the outdated 1887 law to ensure that no State legislature controlled by any party can subvert a Presidential e
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Maria Cantwell (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2022-11-16

I come to the floor tonight to urge my colleagues to support the Respect for Marriage Act. Today, we took an important step by passing the procedural hurdle to make sure that marriage equality is put into law. prgtoken This legislation would ensure that both the Federal and State Governments will continue to recognize all marriages and continue to not discriminate based on gender, sexual orientation, national origin, ethnicity or race. These are strong protections that are long overdue. prgtoken I understand some of my colleagues do not see a need for passing this legislation, but I would ask them to stand in the shoes of someone in a marriage that is in danger of being dissolved overnight by a court decision. The same rationale for overturning Roe v. Wade can be used in this landmark Supreme Court decision we just saw that could erode further privacy rights and be used in same-sex marriages. prgtoken While marriage equality is constitutionally protected today, the Supreme Court's reasoning in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization indicated the Court is open to reconsidering cases that determine certain fundamental rights are protected under the equal protection and due process clause of the 14th Amendment. prgtoken I believe it is our job here in the Senate to represent the voice of our constituents, and those voices are loud and clear. An overwhelming majority of Americans support marriage equality. According to a Gallup poll, 71 percent of Americans approve of same-sex marriage. In September, over 220 businesses, representing more than 8.5 million employees, called on the U.S. Senate to pass this legislation. prgtoken And this was not a bill that garnered support from just a few s for the sake of calling it bipartisan. Forty-seven s and over 20 percent of the House GOP Members recognized that this should be enshrined into law and supported the legislation. It passed the House by a large majority--267 to 157. prgtoken Americans support this bill. Businesses support this bill. And now some of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle have taken the step to also support this legislation. prgtoken The State of Washington was one of the first 10 States to legalize same-sex marriage and did so by a vote of the people. prgtoken I recently received a letter from a constituent from Everett, WA, saying that she and her wife moved to Washington in 2016 because ``they needed to be somewhere where our rights would be protected in the event that they would be threatened.'' prgtoken She said: ``As soon as I arrived in Washington, I felt like I had come home.'' prgtoken Marriage equality has been protected under Washington State law for a decade. It has been protected by the Supreme Court for 7 years, and yet, here in the Senate, there are some who don't believe that we need to take further protections. prgtoken At least 11.5 million people in this country are in an interracial or same
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Amy Klobuchar (Democrat, MN) \u2014 2022-11-16

I rise in support of the Respect for Marriage Act, and I am proud to be a cosponsor. prgtoken I come from a State that has long been at the cutting edge of progress. Minnesota began protecting LGBTQ people against workplace discrimination in 1993. At that time, it was the first and only State in the Nation to outlaw discrimination based on gender identity. And two decades later, in 2013, we became the 12th State to legalize marriage equality. prgtoken Across the country, as we know, many States have made advances. Today, 23 States have laws protecting people from discrimination based on prgtoken sexual orientation or gender identity. And in 2015, the Supreme Court recognized that the U.S. Constitution guarantees same-sex couples the right to marry. prgtoken But as far as we have come, we still have miles to go until LGBTQ Americans can live their lives with freedom, authenticity, and equality. And we must also make sure that we protect the progress we make. prgtoken From what happened recently with the Dobbs decision, as we know, rights that people take for granted--nearly 50 years of Roe v. Wade-- can vanish with one mark of a pen, with one signature on a piece of paper. prgtoken In fact, when it comes to gay marriage, when it comes to the protections granted by the Obergefell case--it was actually raised in one of the Justice's written opinions--we know that this is on the chopping block. prgtoken That is why, when a Supreme Court Justice signals that the hard-won legal protection for marriage equality could be on that chopping block, putting the legal rights of countless married couples and families in jeopardy, we felt--a number of s and --on a bipartisan basis, that we had to step in. That is why we are here. prgtoken The way I see it, all three branches of government have a responsibility to protect people's rights. This is why our system of government was set up this way brilliantly. If one branch doesn't do its job, then it is up to another to step in. Yes, it is a system of checks and balances. Checks. If someone's power is out of control, as I believe happened here--out of the mainstream, out of consistency with the American people--that is a check. That is why we have it this way. prgtoken That is why you are seeing today--thanks to the leadership of our friends Senator Feinstein, Senator Baldwin, Senator Collins, Senator Sinema, Senator Portman, Senator Tillis, and so many others--that we have reached a bipartisan agreement to move this bill forward. prgtoken As you know, in July, the House of Representatives passed the Respect for Marriage Act to protect marriage equality. They did that on a bipartisan basis as well. Forty-seven s voted for that bill in the House of Representatives. prgtoken For our Senate bill, I will note that the bipartisan text also has broad support from faith-based organizations to more than 250 businesses, including Minnesota's own Targ
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Kyrsten Sinema (Democrat, AZ) \u2014 2022-11-16

I rise today as our country takes an important step forward to protect the rights and freedoms of all Americans. Together with broad bipartisan support, the Senate will provide certainty to millions of Americans in loving marriages and enshrine into law the basic protections afforded all Americans while respecting our country's critical principle of religious liberty. prgtoken This historic milestone builds off of years of incredible strides we have made advancing freedom and equality, including hard-fought victories I have been honored to help lead. prgtoken Nearly two decades ago in 2006, at a time when our country was just beginning to debate marriage, Arizona proposed a ballot proposition banning same-sex marriage in our State's constitution. This issue was personal to me and to many other Arizonans. Similar ballot provisions had passed in States across the country, red and blue States alike, and the stakes were high. The pundits didn't give Arizona much of a chance. prgtoken I knew that in order to buck the trend and win, we would need to run a different kind of campaign that expanded the conversation, cultivated a diverse group of unlikely partners, and moved past the tired, partisan talking points. prgtoken That is why I worked across the aisle and teamed up with my good friend Steve May, a . Now, we faced some criticism at the time for how we chose to run our campaign. Some wanted us to run a partisan campaign, convinced that highlighting the divides in our community and focusing exclusively on the LGBTQ community would put us over the top. prgtoken But I knew we couldn't do it just by talking amongst people who already agreed with our position. The polling showed it. And, frankly, we felt that in order to do right by our friends, our neighbors, and our fellow members of the LGBTQ community in Arizona, we had to do more than run a campaign that made our core supporters feel good but ultimately didn't build the broad-based coalition of Arizonans needed to win. prgtoken That is why we expanded the conversation to include how the proposition would harm all unmarried couples across Arizona, not just those in the LGBTQ community but people in domestic partnerships, people in common-law marriages because here is the truth: When we reach beyond partisan talking points to find common ground, we expand what is possible in Arizona and in our country. prgtoken We had open and honest conversations about the hopes and dreams that unite us, instead of the superficial differences that divide us. prgtoken In Arizona, we value our independence. We are proud of our families and our communities, and we work hard to protect them. We have our differences, but we share a strong sense of service, hard work, and self-determination. prgtoken We believe that everyone has the right to define his or her own destiny and that no one should be treated differently under the law. By focusing on these shared valu