mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
HONORING THE LIFE OF SHERIFF RANDY ROYAL
Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (Republican, GA) \u2014 2021-2-24

I rise today to wish a happy 25 birthday to the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force. prgtoken Located only minutes from downtown Savannah, where the Eighth Air Force was activated in 1942, the museum features over 90,000 square feet of exhibits, interactive displays, historical artifacts, and a remarkable collection of aviation art. prgtoken Throughout its existence, the Mighty Eighth Museum has preserved stories of courage, character, and patriotism displayed by the men and women of the Eighth Air Force from World War II to the present. prgtoken One of the projects they worked on in recent years, is the B-17 restoration project. Once completed, the B-17 Flying Fortress ``City of Savannah'' will be restored to its full combat configuration, including operational systems and components. The goal of the project is to make the finest static B-17 bomber display in the world. prgtoken As the former mayor of Pooler, I have a deep appreciation for the museum and its contributions to the Pooler community. I am thankful for all of the Mighty Eighth's wonderful volunteers and workers throughout the past 25 years, and I am especially grateful for the men and women the museum honors. Thiokol Chemical Explosion Woodbine
Reopening Schools (Executive Session)
John Boozman (Republican, AR) \u2014 2021-2-24

in recent days the administration has backed away from its original goal to reopen most schools within the first 100 days. This comes despite new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention research recommending that schools can safely reopen for in-person instruction. prgtoken Arkansas schools reopened their doors in August of 2020. Currently, the Arkansas Department of Education reports that 67 percent of K-12 students are attending school in-person full time, almost 13 percent have a hybrid schedule, and 20 percent are entirely remote. prgtoken Natural State school districts invested in cleaning supplies, barriers, and retrofitting classrooms. Educators thought creatively and found solutions to these new problems. And although every school and community has different challenges, they moved ahead with the same goal: finding the best and the safest way to get and keep children and teachers in the classroom. prgtoken I had the opportunity to visit several school districts last fall. I was so impressed with their daily efforts to keep their doors open, keep their staff healthy, and provide the learning that children desperately need. prgtoken These heroes need our support. Over the course of this past year, Congress has delivered $113 billion--and over $686 million to Arkansas--to support education through the COVID-19 pandemic, including nearly $68 billion to help bring K-12 students back into the classroom. That money is already hard at work. However, much of it remains to be spent. prgtoken Parents can see that virtual learning simply isn't working. If you need more evidence of the unbalanced impact of 100-percent virtual learning, a study by the RAND Corporation in fall 2020 highlighted tremendous areas of concern. Researchers surveyed educators across the country and concluded that State and Federal Governments needed to prioritize making schools safe to attend. One particularly shocking result of the survey found that principals in America's highest poverty schools reported only 80 percent of their students had adequate internet access at home. When schools are virtual, we are knowingly failing 20 percent of those students without even getting to the question of how effective the instruction is or addressing the negative effects on students' social needs and development. prgtoken This crisis in education also means that families are falling behind. Women, in particular, are shouldering an incredible burden through this pandemic. In February 2020, women held the majority of nonfarm payroll jobs. They outnumbered men in the workforce for the first time in American history. Today, the number of women in the workforce is at a 33-year low. Much of this is attributed to the outsized role women are playing in balancing their families' financial, educational, and caregiving needs. prgtoken Of all the challenges we have faced through the COVID-19 pandemic, the mission of educating children cont
APPRECIATING RUSH LIMBAUGH
Joe Wilson (Republican, SC) \u2014 2021-2-24

. Madam , America has lost a treasured Icon of Truth with the death of Rush Limbaugh. My wife Roxanne and our family and community extend our most sincere sympathy to his wife Kathryn and the Limbaugh Family. He was America's Number One broadcaster with tens of millions of listeners in every community in America. prgtoken Rush Limbaugh was the Ronald Reagan of broadcasting proving conservatism is positive, friendly, faith-based, and even funny as he itemized the Greatness of America never apologizing for Exceptionalism. prgtoken Also, like President Reagan he achieved and promoted the American Dream that all can succeed with hard work. It was Reaganesque that he created thousands of jobs saving the AM Radio band enabling local hosts to penetrate daily newspapers' mostly fake news. Local hosts are highlighted by talented truth tellers--Keven Cohen, Gary David, Carl Gooding, Paul Kirby, Kelly Nash, Jonathan Rush, and Christopher Thompson. This is also a platform for affordable advertising by local businesses to create jobs. prgtoken His logical, common sense explanation of American political issues was vital for conservative success. prgtoken In 1994 he worked with speaker-to-be Newt Gingrich to achieve the first House majority in my lifetime--leading to a Congressional vote to establish the American Embassy in Jerusalem. prgtoken In 2010 he encouraged the grassroots to become active with the spontaneous Tea Party movement gaining an incredible 63 House seats. prgtoken In 2016 he recognized outsider to unexpectedly be elected President to successfully create jobs with record employment for African Americans, Hispanics, Asian Americans, women, and youth. prgtoken In 2020 in my home state of South Carolina he inspired young conservatives for additional State Senate, State House, and a Congressional seat achieving the largest majorities in 140 years. This follows Nikki Haley being elected the first female governor in 340 years and second Indian American in history with Senator Tim Scott being the South's first African American U.S. Senator. prgtoken Columbia's Morning News host Gary David is correct that there has been no one who has impacted our political culture more than Rush Limbaugh without serving in public office. prgtoken I saw firsthand the good-natured friendliness of Rush Limbaugh in 1990 when I served as his driver during his visit to Columbia for an address to the South Carolina Policy Council. He was not offended being crammed into our van with our four sons age 3 to 17 (helping inspire our son Alan to be elected America's youngest state Attorney General in 2010). prgtoken Last February 5th I was grateful to congratulate him at the Capitol following his being presented the Medal of Freedom by President during his historic State of the Union address. The opinion show host was clearly humbled by this deserved recognition. prgtoken It is so re-assuring that the Rush
EQUALITY ACT NEEDS TO BE STRUCK DOWN
Marjorie Taylor Greene (Republican, GA) \u2014 2021-2-24

I rise today in defense of women, girls, and children. prgtoken I would like to talk about the Equality Act. It is a bill that we will be voting on this week. It is a bill that was passed before, but it is a bill that needs to be struck down. This is a bill that will add sexual orientation and gender identity as protected classes under the Federal 1964 Civil Rights Act. prgtoken We live in a nation--thank God--that declares all of us equal. There should not be discrimination of anyone in the United States of America, and I fully believe that. But I ask everyone to take pause and truly consider what the Equality Act will do, because it has very serious consequences. prgtoken You see, women have come very far in America and our rights are extremely important. The work of our grandmothers and mothers to declare women as equal and push our way into the workplace and into sports has been a remarkable achievement. prgtoken Voting, being able to own businesses, achieve education the same as men in America is a gift that I feel so honored and blessed by. I know that every American woman treasures this. prgtoken You see, the Equality Act will change all of that, because it will put trans rights above women's rights, above the rights of our daughters, our sisters, our friends, our grandmothers, our aunts. It is too much. prgtoken , you see, as a woman, I have competed in sports, and I am so thrilled that I was able to do that, but I competed against biological women. It is a wonderful thing to be able to compete and prove yourself. Competition is a great, great thing. Little girls all over the country play sports. They play their hearts out, they practice, they enjoy time with their friends, then they compete at higher levels where they can earn scholarships, where they can go to college and achieve and receive an education through playing a sport for their university or college. prgtoken There are women that move on into professional sports fields and do remarkable things, incredible things for women. For example, Florence Griffith Joyner became the fastest woman in the world in 1988 when she ran the 100-meter dash in 10.49 seconds. I could only dream of being that fast. But in 2019, Matthew Boling caught the fastest high school 100-meter time ever in 9.98 seconds, an entire half-second quicker than the fastest woman in the world. prgtoken Biological women cannot compete against biological men. Biological little girls cannot compete against biological little boys. And they shouldn't have to. prgtoken I have a daughter that is a D-1 athlete. We traveled the country for 10 years where she competed at the highest level. She earned her scholarship, and now she plays fast-pitch softball. And I can't tell you how much fun I had watching her play this weekend, and she had a home run. But if she has to compete against boys in her sport, not only will they be on her playing field and she has to compete against them; they wi
COMMENDING TED McKINNEY
James R. Baird (Republican, IN) \u2014 2021-2-24

today, I rise to commend the work of Under Secretary of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Ted McKinney. Ted is the first person to hold this position, and he set a high bar for whoever succeeds him. prgtoken His work has been an integral part of shaping trade agreements, including the successful renegotiation of the NAFTA into the USMCA. His determination to help American farmers get their products to new markets has not only helped our American farmers but has helped feed the world. prgtoken Ted's remarkable passion for agriculture began at an early age, growing up on a farm in Tipton, Indiana, and was active in 4-H and with the Future Farmers of America organization. He then graduated from Purdue University with a B.A. in agricultural economics and later served as the director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture. prgtoken Thank you, Ted, for your outstanding work and devotion to our Nation's farmers.
GOVERNING REQUIRES COMPROMISE
Kevin McCarthy (Republican, CA) \u2014 2021-2-24

won the House by the slimmest of margins in November. In fact, it is the slimmest majority since 1875, a mere five seats. 31,718 votes are what determines the majority. Their victory in the other branches was also tight, 50/50 on the Senate side. prgtoken Usually, when one party has a tiny majority, they recognize that governing requires compromise. Not this majority. prgtoken Less than 2 months into controlling the House, despite promising to solve problems and restore democracy, have proven that their primary goal is not governing but grievance, the politics of censorship, not common ground. prgtoken In January, they eliminated the motion to recommit, the last chance for the minority to improve legislation, without a single vote. It will go down in history as the first time in the history of this body that a majority did that, deny the minority, the millions of constituents, their voice. prgtoken Already, millions have lost their voice in Congress due to the brazen partisanship. What are doing this week is even worse. prgtoken Today, they will hold a subcommittee hearing that will focus on broadcasters' and cable news' devotion to journalistic integrity. This explanation should concern every American. prgtoken It has never been Congress' role to define and enforce journalistic standards. The First Amendment expressly prohibits the government from controlling what the press says. prgtoken But are trying to give themselves the power to dictate what you can read and watch in your own home. And their assault on free speech goes beyond today's disgraceful hearing. prgtoken On Monday, Representatives Eshoo and McNerney sent a letter to 12 cable, streaming, and satellite companies, essentially threatening them to remove ``Fox News'', ``Newsmax'', and ``One America News Network'' from their airways. prgtoken Here is just a quick snapshot of the answers they are demanding from the carriers: ``What moral or ethical principles do you apply in deciding which channels to carry or when to take adverse actions against a channel?'' ``What steps did you take to monitor, respond to, and reduce the spread of disinformation, including encouragement or incitement of violence by channels your company disseminates to millions of Americans?'' prgtoken Then the other question, coming from Congress in a majority of a committee: ``Are you planning to continue to carry `Fox News', `Newsmax', `One America News Network', both now and beyond any contract renewal date? If so, why?'' prgtoken Now, I am not an attorney, but some people have asked me, does that reach an ethical complaint against these Members by using undue influence? prgtoken I don't know. I guess the Ethics Committee would have to decide that. prgtoken These are Members of Congress who are using their official position to coerce and control the information Americans can watch and access in their own homes. They are dem
Big Tech (Executive Session)
Chuck Grassley (Republican, IA) \u2014 2021-2-24

last week I held 12 meetings in Iowa. Those meetings are for the purpose of having dialogue with my constituents, mostly answering their questions. As many of my colleagues know, I hold face-to-face meetings with Iowans in all 99 counties every year. It has been a privilege to get to every county in every corner of the State every single year for the past four decades. prgtoken People have asked me why I do this. The simple answer is, in our system of self-government, I am one half of a representative government; my constituents are the other half. My county meetings are a good way for me to keep in touch and see for myself the challenges and successes going on in communities across my home State. In recent years, it has become an important way for me to counter disinformation, correct misinformation, and sidestep censorship that Americans digest daily in the mainstream and social media. prgtoken Big tech and big data companies, much like State surveillance and Big Brother, share something in common: If left unchecked, Big Tech can undermine the privacy, civil liberties, and constitutional freedoms that every American should hold sacred and should never take for granted. prgtoken Responsible digital citizenship is more important now than ever, particularly with the censuring that is going on. Consumers must be mindful about their digital footprint. Anything typed into a search engine is effectively a digital diary, saved in the cloud for some rainy day. Consumers must be mindful about what is posted, what is downloaded, what is shared, and what is liked on social media platforms. prgtoken The road to responsible and accountable digital citizenship isn't solely the consumer's responsibility. Social media companies, as well as content and internet providers, are not exempt from ethical corporate stewardship, especially when the welfare of the next generation is at stake. Keep in mind that human trafficking is a pervasive crime that grooms and blackmails young people on Main Street but also in online communications. prgtoken However, having said all those question marks about Big Tech, I think we all realize that Big Tech isn't all bad. Technology companies have revolutionized our way of life and how we connect with friends and family. During the pandemic--and we are still in that pandemic-- technology delivered invaluable connections for e-commerce, for digital learning, for teleworking, and for telehealth. However, that doesn't give big tech and big data companies license to undermine constitutional protections or disregard harmful impacts their products and services have on civic life and public trust in our American democracy. Titans of technology need to take responsibility for the products they build, sell, and profit from fellow Americans. prgtoken Policymakers and regulators have a duty to shape and enforce the rules of the road. Big Tech and all of its stakeholders, from content makers,
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTION
Susan M. Collins (Republican, ME) \u2014 2021-2-24

I rise today to introduce the American Broadband Buildout Act. This legislation would help ensure that rural Americans have access to broadband services at the speeds they need to participate fully in the benefits of our modern society and economy. I want to thank my colleague Senator Rosen for joining me in introducing this bill today. prgtoken Twenty-five years ago, Americans typically accessed the internet using their home phone lines via modems, capable of downloading data at just 56 kilobits per second, too slow even to support MP3-quality streaming music. Today, the Federal Communications Commission defines broadband service as having a threshold download speed nearly 500 times faster. prgtoken Many areas of our country, particularly our rural communities, simply do not have the infrastructure to achieve these speeds and fully tap into the opportunities that digital connectivity can deliver. According to a 2019 Pew Research Center survey, nearly 37 percent of rural Americans lack a broadband connection compared to 25 percent of urban Americans. prgtoken Similar disparities occur in terms of broadband adoption. That is the rate at which Americans subscribe to broadband service once they have access to it. prgtoken The survey also found that 15 percent of rural Americans don't use the internet at home compared to just 9 percent of urban Americans. prgtoken The current pandemic has brought these connectivity challenges into stark focus as many families have had to move their education, their workplaces, and their healthcare services online. prgtoken Andrea Powers, the town manager of Fort Fairfield in northern Maine, recently described a number of challenges in her community: students who have to sit on the town's library steps in order to finish research projects and submit their papers; a business owner who was forced to relocate his company to another community in order to have a chance to succeed; a senior citizen who requires the care of distant doctors but does not have the capacity to travel nor access the telehealth options. prgtoken Andrea told me the story of one family whose jobs rely heavily on access to high-speed broadband. They were told that it would cost them $15,000 to bring that connection to their doorstep. Andrea summed up the reality facing so many rural communities that lack access in this way. She said: ``We will continue to see a loss of business retention and expansion along with job creation. We simply cannot afford to allow this to happen. Online schooling, business growth and development, telehealth care, and economic agriculture success are all dependent on . . . affordable fiber optic broadband.'' prgtoken Telehealth services are an essential piece of the national broadband conversation. Often, rural communities struggle to attract and retain healthcare providers that they need to ensure access to quality care. Broadband is vital to bridging that gap to enable inno
Reopening Schools (Executive Session)
Steve Daines (Republican, MT) \u2014 2021-2-24

outrage--that is what American families should be feeling right now, and many are. We are seeing President and the support opening the border, the southern border, for illegal immigrants while bowing to political pressure and keeping many of our Nation's schools closed for our students--opening the southern border for illegal immigrants, closing our Nation's schools for our students. prgtoken Schools across the Nation remain closed to in-person instruction largely due to teachers unions and their influence on many of our local and Federal leaders on the other side of the aisle--all, unfortunately, to the detriment of the education and the health of our students. prgtoken In States and localities where schools remain closed, America's youngest and brightest minds are posed with challenges that generations before have never dealt with. Children are continuing to cope with the unprecedented hardship of virtual classrooms, a lack of social interaction with their peers, and other impediments to their education. But this isn't because of the pandemic itself; it is because President , the , and local leaders have caved to the political pressures of teachers unions and have kept many classrooms closed and students at home despite what the available science and other experts are telling us. The science is clear: Schools are not major COVID-19 spreading grounds, and younger students are a low-risk group. Studies indicate that students across the country are months behind where they should be academically. prgtoken The hardships our students face go beyond academics because the mental and physical health of children has also taken a toll. We are seeing depression and anxiety rates skyrocket among our young people. I was on a call today, a Zoom call, with several elementary school principals in Montana, hearing their firsthand, frankly, tragic accounts of what is happening with the mental health of our students in elementary school and hearing about elementary school students assaulting teachers. A whole year without full-time, in-person learning has done irreparable damage. The status quo is truly devastating to many of our students. Despite this--despite the science, despite the overwhelming data--schools across the country, in many parts of our country, remain closed. prgtoken Frankly, it is unacceptable that many of my colleagues across the aisle and the administration are standing by while this happens to our students across our country. They have chosen to play politics with our Nation's students instead of ensuring that prgtoken our children are getting the very best education possible, which is full-time, in-person instruction. They are intent on jamming through this partisan $1.9 trillion COVID package, which does include billions of dollars for schools. prgtoken Incidentally, in working together, we have passed five bipartisan COVID relief packages. Yes, it i