mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
S.J. Res. 62 (Executive Session)
Jon Tester (Democrat, MT) \u2014 2024-3-21

I first want to express my appreciation to the good Senator from South Dakota, Senator Rounds. prgtoken You know, Senator Rounds comes from South Dakota, and I come from Montana. These are both States where we raise a lot of beef. If you come from a State like that, you understand how catastrophic lifting the ban on Paraguayan beef is. It is not a good idea. In our States, lifting this ban is not supported by , and it is not supported by s. The reason is pretty simple. The impacts that lifting this ban have on operations--ranching operations--and on our food security is real, and it is very, very, very serious. prgtoken This Congressional Review Act vote that we are going to take--the second one in this order--will overturn the administration's decision to lift that longstanding ban on beef imports from Paraguay. The truth is, the administration butchered this decision. I have serious concerns if Paraguay does not currently meet the animal health standards that are in place to warrant access to our markets. Congress must step in and stop this decision in order to protect the American producer and the American consumer. prgtoken Our ranchers in this country--I like to say our Montana ranchers-- raise the best beef in the world. In fact, there is a bumper sticker that says, ``Montana makes beef, and beef makes Montana,'' and that is a fact. And it is true all over this country. Our ranchers do it by holding themselves to the strictest standards when it comes to managing and maintaining their herds. Paraguay simply doesn't meet those same high standards. They have a history of foot-and-mouth disease, and lifting this ban poses a real threat to our food supply. prgtoken Look, while the chances of a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak to some may appear low, the effects of just one outbreak can be devastating. The cost to ranchers for our economy is estimated to be as high as $200 billion. And you say: Why could that happen? I mean, how could it happen? It is just a little bit of meat coming into the United States. Well, the fact is, this is highly contagious. What happens if a cow contracts this disease is--it is like pouring acid over their nose, over their udders, over their feet; it blisters the mouth, the feet, the udders; and, quite frankly, it goes through a herd like wildfire. It puts people out of business, and it impacts our food security. prgtoken Senator Rounds talked about this, but the USDA has to get more recent data and thorough data to show that Paraguayan beef is safe and healthy. It should be available behind the meat counter with the information that we have now because, as Senator Rounds pointed out, we haven't had inspectors there in 10 years, and there were only four there when they were there. Things change. prgtoken Look, this isn't about one single country. The fact is, I know Paraguay is a great ally, and I think the State Department is having a lot of i
SUPPORTING WATER AND SEWER INFRASTRUCTURE IN GASTON COUNTY
Jeff Jackson (Democrat, NC) \u2014 2024-3-21

I rise today proud to announce that our office secured nearly $1 million to support the Gastonia Police Department. prgtoken The funding will support a project equipping the Gastonia Police Department with technology to reduce crime, allowing officers to act in real time and protect the safety of Gastonia residents. prgtoken It is vital that we give our law enforcement the tools they need to safely reduce crime and help the people in our communities. I am proud to stand with the Gastonia Police Department to help them get the funding and tools they need to keep us safe. Supporting Affordable Housing in Mecklenburg and Gaston Counties
HONORING INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS OF THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY FOR WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH
Tony Cárdenas (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2024-3-21

I rise to honor an exceptional individual from the San Fernando Valley, Nancy Takayama. prgtoken Nancy has devoted her life to advocating for the Japanese-American community, promoting disability awareness, and tirelessly working toward the preservation of Japanese-American history and heritage. prgtoken Nancy's journey began with a simple yet profound act of kindness and inclusion, inspired by a coworker's effort to communicate in sign language. This experience ignited a passion for disability awareness, leading Nancy to advocate for the hearing impaired through education and public performances. prgtoken Her work aims to foster understanding and compassion, combating bullying and promoting inclusivity from a young age to all youth. prgtoken Upon returning to her roots in the San Fernando Valley, Nancy's focus shifted toward preserving the rich history and legacy of Japanese Americans in the region. Collaborating with elder community members, she embarked on a mission to capture oral histories, ensuring that future generations understand and appreciate their heritage. prgtoken Her dedication to this cause led her to pivotal roles within the community, including her presidency at the San Fernando Valley Japanese American Citizens League and her involvement with the San Fernando Valley Japanese American Community Center. prgtoken Under Nancy's leadership, the SFV JACL initiated the Katarou Histories Program, which bridges generations through the sharing of stories and experiences, enriching the community's collective memory. prgtoken Additionally, her volunteer work with the Grateful Crane Ensemble highlights her commitment to educating the public about the Japanese- American experience, utilizing the arts as a powerful medium for storytelling and awareness. prgtoken Nancy's advocacy extends beyond cultural preservation to encompass civil rights, as evidenced by her work with the Pacific Southwest District, PSWD, JACL. prgtoken Her efforts have significantly contributed to the protection of civil liberties and the promotion of Japanese-American heritage throughout southern California and the Southwest. prgtoken Moreover, Nancy's involvement in the Little Tokyo Business Association and the Little Tokyo Community Council underscores her commitment to preserving historical sites, including the Tuna Canyon Detention Station, a personal endeavor linked to her family's history. prgtoken Nancy Takayama's dedication to community engagement, her advocacy for the disabled, and her unwavering devotion to preserving Japanese- American history and heritage are inspirational to the people around her. prgtoken Her work not only enriches our understanding of the Japanese-American community's contributions but also serves as a beacon of inclusivity and understanding across diverse communities. prgtoken Her work is a testament to the power of community service and advocacy in shaping a more inclusive and aware society. Let us celebrate
EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF CONGRESS THAT A CARBON TAX WOULD BE DETRIMENTAL TO THE UNITED STATES ECONOMY
Earl Blumenauer (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2024-3-21

the balance of my time to close. prgtoken I would hope at a time when it looks like we are starting to see some adjustment on the other side of the aisle, we are starting to see some of the people in the governing wing of the Party moving forward to try and rein in some of their more extreme elements, we may actually deal with what we should have done months ago, which is fund the government according to the agreement that 149 s signed onto last spring. prgtoken I have had a little fun tweaking some of my friends, but we know how this is ending up, and that is exactly what is happening. Some people in the more extreme elements of the Party may feel a little pinched, but this is what we agreed to. prgtoken This is an approach that solves the problem. It is not a good solution. It is not the solution we would have done, but it is the only one that the extreme elements of the Party will allow us to move forward with. It is better than having a collapse of the economy, our agreements moving forward. prgtoken I hope that we will have the governing wing of the Party moving forward and that this might be a path forward because there are so many things that we ought to be able to agree upon: innovation; protecting the American public; lowering costs, prgtoken like we did with our legislation for prescription drugs, like we are doing now in terms of energy innovation. prgtoken The record is pretty strong. We have the lowest rate of inflation of any developed economy in the world. We have watched the inflation rate, which my friends are focused on, and I think it is okay, but they deny reality. No major country has done a better job of controlling inflation. prgtoken It was 6 percent in 2021. It dropped to 5.6 percent, and this last year, 3.1 percent. Those are the facts; the best performance in the world. All the railing, yelling, and finger pointing don't change those facts. prgtoken We have opportunities that we could do on a bipartisan basis to help solve the immigration problem that was worked out on a bipartisan basis in the other Chamber. In fact, we were moving toward an agreement that would put more investment in border security, beefing up opportunities that could have bipartisan support that would help the public. It is not our solution. We would like to do better, but we thought it was the best we could do with our allies. prgtoken As it was moving toward enactment, went gunnysack: We can't do that. It would not help my reelection campaign. Afterwards, we have seen s retreat from a bipartisan solution on immigration. prgtoken I think this will be as shameful as my friend John Boehner's refusal to allow us to vote on a bipartisan solution from the Senate on immigration back in 2012. We can do better than that if the other side of the aisle will listen to some of the governing wing of the
CALIFORNIA WATER ALLOCATIONS
David G. Valadao (Republican, CA) \u2014 2024-3-22

after years of exceptional drought, California is in a second consecutive wet year. Every major reservoir in our State is above the 15-year average, and our snowpack in the Sierras is at more than 100 percent of average for this time of year. prgtoken This is all good news, but even with the current abundance of water, the South-of-Delta farmers are still not allocated 100 percent of the water they contract and pay for. This is unacceptable. prgtoken Central Valley Project contractors rely on meaningful allocations from the Bureau of Reclamation for their yearly planning, including the types of crops they will plant and when. prgtoken California grows a quarter of the Nation's food, and these allocations are critical to the fate of our Nation's food supply. prgtoken My farmers and communities have endured disproportionately low water allocations for many years, with contractors receiving well below their contracted supply even during wet years. prgtoken I urge the Bureau of Reclamation to increase these allocations for South-of-Delta water contractors to reflect the record wet year that we are seeing right now. Our ability to grow food for the Nation will not survive without reliable water supply for South-of-Delta agriculture.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Mike Lee (Republican, UT) \u2014 2024-3-22

when the rest of us board an airplane, we always prgtoken have to show a photo ID to prove who we are, that we are who we claim to be. Not so if you are an illegal immigrant. prgtoken If you are an illegal immigrant under the administration, all you have to do is pull out the CBP One app. It is an app that they created. It doesn't prove who they are. It just says you can board the airplane. That is not OK, and that is not fair. In fact, just between January and September of last year, 221,000 illegal aliens entered the United States this way, and they were allowed to fly around the country without having ID. prgtoken This has had tragic consequences. An example of the danger presented by this is reflected in the fact that Haitian immigrant Cory Alvarez, whose entry into the United States was facilitated by the CBP One app, raped a 15-year-old, mentally impaired girl in the United States. He has, thankfully, since been arrested for this horrific crime. It should never have had to come to this. This would stop that from happening. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to support this amendment and end this lawlessness.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Rand Paul (Republican, KY) \u2014 2024-3-22

I ask unanimous consent that the next four amendments be considered simultaneously and individually; that each individual amendment be listed at the table by number; that over the next 15 minutes we will vote on all four. Each person who is for the amendment can speak a minute for it, and each person who is against it can speak a minute against it, as we have been doing. But four amendments will be considered over the next 15 minutes, individually, at the desk. Each Senator will come forward and vote on all four amendments one at a time, but we will be done with four amendments in 15 minutes. I ask unanimous consent.
FURTHER CONSOLIDATED APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2024
Ralph Norman (Republican, SC) \u2014 2024-3-22

. Madam , I woke up this morning to a text from an elderly lady saying that we are under attack, can Congress do anything to protect our borders? The blood of further deaths of Americans is on your hands. prgtoken I disagree with my good friends on the right side. This is anything but a national security bill. Look at what is happening at the border. Look at what is happening to the agents that got bum-rushed in El Paso last night. prgtoken Now, anybody that votes for this bill, you are saying--and for all the listeners, are you agreeing to $500 million for Jordan, including $150 million for border security in Jordan? prgtoken Are you agreeing, and do you like $125 million to help Egyptians attend college in Egypt? prgtoken Is this where you want your money? prgtoken Do you want $286 million for title X family planning, which is an abortion clinic? prgtoken Folks, the list goes on and on. prgtoken This is insanity. prgtoken Here is the fix: I call on our --he is the only one that can do it-- prgtoken to vote this bill down. Take that mace down--which has to be in place; it has been in place for 182 years to have a session in the House of Representatives--cut the lights off, and until the Senate accepts a total shutdown of the border, until they accept a total H.R. 2, we don't come back. prgtoken Why fund a government that is working against us? It is total insanity.
UDALL FOUNDATION REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2023
Shelley Moore Capito (Republican, WV) \u2014 2024-3-22

as we near the end of the fiscal year 2024 appropriations process, I would like to thank Vice Chair Collins and Chair Murray, as well as my fellow committee members. The Labor-HHS appropriations bill, the largest non-Defense appropriations bill, is one of the most difficult appropriations bills to negotiate. prgtoken I see my chair over there. So it is good to be together again. prgtoken It is not a stretch to say that every year, when we go into appropriations season, it is assumed that Labor-H will be one of the hardest bills to pass. And many times it is. This is the first year that Senator Baldwin and I have been at the helm of the Senate Labor- HHS Subcommittee, and I am pleased to say we were able to work together to present a bipartisan Senate bill last summer that laid the groundwork for this final compromise bill. prgtoken First, I want to thank all of my colleagues, and I want all of my colleagues to know that in this bill we continue all longstanding legacy riders, such as Hyde and Hyde-Weldon conscience protections. And I want to make it clear that we worked together to avoid any new poison pill funding for controversial programs, such as title X family planning. prgtoken While we each approached this bill differently, it was important to present a bipartisan result, including Member priorities, such as greater investments in biomedical research, pandemic preparedness, mental health, childcare and education, efforts to combat the opioid epidemic, and rural health. prgtoken Our final bill includes $194.4 billion in base discretionary funding, which is $12.9 billion below the 2023 enacted level. Even with additional resources added, the Labor-H bill represents a 1-percent reduction from 2023 levels. prgtoken The final bill also allocates limited resources to certain programs by reducing funding by approximately $630 million across 35 different programs. prgtoken The Labor-HHS bill provides an increase of $300 million for the National Institutes of Health. This funding provides targeted increases for research in specific areas that are so important, such as Alzheimer's, mental health, and cancer, including funding--one that I am particularly interested in--the Childhood Cancer STAR Act. prgtoken We also continue efforts to fight the growing prevalence of substance use disorder. This bill provides $4.95 billion in funding across the bill for addiction prevention, research, and recovery programs. Investments to address this epidemic include $1.57 billion for State opioid response grants to address the opioid epidemic in ways that suit individual States' needs; $2 billion for the substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery services block grant--again, giving our States the ability to address the issues--and $640.5 million for the NIH, for their program Helping to End Addiction Long-term, also known as the NIH HEAL Initiative. prgtoken Additionally, we direct more resources to telehealth a
TRIBUTE TO CONNIE FLOHR
James E. Risch (Republican, ID) \u2014 2024-3-22

with my colleagues Senator Mike Crapo and Congressman Mike Simpson, I rise today to recognize the career and service of Connie Flohr, manager for the Idaho Cleanup Project. For more than 22 years, Flohr has been a key member of the Department of Energy--DOE--and the Idaho Cleanup Project, ICP. prgtoken Flohr joined DOE's Office of Environmental Management--EM--in 2001 as a program analyst, before moving into positions as chief financial officer, EM budget director, and EM Deputy Assistant Secretary for Resource Management. In these roles, she managed the budget, planning, strategic analysis, human resources, and information technology activities for EM's 1,450 Federal employees and over 20,000 contractor employees. prgtoken Since moving to Idaho in 2017 and taking on roles at the Idaho Cleanup Project, Flohr has served as deputy manager and as the ICP manager since March 2020. She consistently delivered results, saved taxpayers millions of dollars, protected the Snake River Plain Aquifer, and removed substantial risks for the people of Idaho. prgtoken Along with these accomplishments as project manager, she is known as an agent of positive change for her influence in improving morale, developing and motivating staff to creatively identify and resolve issues, and effectively incentivizing contractors to make substantial and lasting progress in cleaning up the Department's legacy nuclear waste. Flohr is responsible for all management and disposition of high- level, transuranic, mixed low-level waste, and spent nuclear fuel-- SNF--at the Idaho National Laboratory--INL--Site, providing management oversight and leadership for an annual budget of $470 million, 52 Federal employees, and over 1,900 contractors. prgtoken It is our great honor to congratulate Connie Flohr on this accomplishment, and thank her for her years of service. We wish her the best of luck following her retirement from DOE and the Idaho Cleanup Project.
PURPLE HEARTS FOR THE SOLDIERS LOST IN THE JOLLY 51 CRASH
Nick LaLota (Republican, NY) \u2014 2024-3-22

the seven young men who lost their lives in the 2018 crash of Jolly 51 in western Iraq deserve Purple Hearts. prgtoken Four of the seven were based out of the 106th Rescue Wing in Westhampton Beach in my district on Long Island. Two of those four were raised in my district: Master Sergeant Christopher Raguso of Huntington and Staff Sergeant Dashan Briggs of Riverhead. prgtoken For years now, the men of Jolly 51 have been denied Purple Hearts by the Air Force, despite efforts by my predecessor and me. prgtoken After having the privilege of speaking at a memorial service last week to honor the sixth anniversary of the crash, I am here today to recommit to the families of the men of Jolly 51 that I will do everything in my power to ensure they are posthumously awarded Purple Hearts. prgtoken They gave their lives in action against an enemy of the United States. Posthumously awarding each of these seven brave men a Purple Heart is the very least we can do.
FURTHER CONSOLIDATED APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2024
Chip Roy (Republican, TX) \u2014 2024-3-22

. Madam , such time as I may consume. prgtoken Madam , the ic leader talks about the mosaic. I assume by the mosaic, which anyone who votes for this bill today will be supporting, we are talking about $156,000 for the Hartford Gay and Lesbian Health Collective, an organization self-described as champions of LGBTQIA equity and provides training in cultural competency and access to healthcare for LGBTQ youth, or $2 million to an Oregon clinic that provides hormone therapy for kids, or the $850,000 for gay senior housing in Massachusetts, or $400,000 for Briarpatch Youth Services in Wisconsin that has gender-affirming clothing program for kids 13 to 18, or $400,000 to the Garden State Equality Education Fund, which helps minors transition genders, promotes biological boys playing girls' sports and using the same restrooms. prgtoken I could go on and on. How about the million dollars for the Inner- City Muslim Network, which calls for the destruction of Israel? That is what we are funding. That is precisely what we are funding in this legislation. prgtoken When the ic leader talks about a mosaic, that is what he is talking about. prgtoken My colleagues, who will campaign against it all year--they will--they are voting to fund it today. prgtoken To be very clear, my colleagues are voting to fund that so-called mosaic today unless they choose the right path and vote against it. prgtoken My friend from California, when he talked about the horrors that will happen if we have a CR, well, we shouldn't be here. This is the swamp acting like it does: have government funding expire on the Friday before a 2-week recess heading into Easter precisely to have the pressure of jet fumes so that the American people are the ones left holding the bag so that we, Members of Congress, can go off to our codels, can go travel, can go do your fundraisers, can make sure you get home. The ones left holding the bag are the American people. prgtoken When we talk about this, the game was given up when we talk about defense. Everything that is happening here is being done in the name of defense, everything that you see, and talking about our national security being undermined. prgtoken Well, tell me about national security in Texas when you have the National Guard getting rolled over in El Paso, when you have Texans dying from fentanyl poisoning, when you have gangs and cartels operating in Texas. Talk to me about national security then. prgtoken Madam , I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Biggs).