mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
Tim Kaine (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2023-11-1

today, I am introducing legislation to designate the General George C. Marshall House, also known as the Dodona Manor, in Leesburg, VA as an affiliated area under the National Park Service. prgtoken The legislation will be the final step in the year-long effort to recognize the Dodona Manor as a unit of the National Park System. It will also promote the public appreciation of the significant historic contributions made by U.S. military leader and statesman George C. Marshall. prgtoken George C. Marshall was an American hero, playing a significant role in the Allied victory in World War II and serving as an architect of one of the most significant foreign policy initiatives in our country's history. He led a lifetime of public service, serving as Chief of Staff to the Army during America's entry into World War II, as Secretary of State, where he orchestrated the historic Marshall Plan to rebuild Europe following the war and provided counsel to Presidents Roosevelt and Truman, and as Secretary of Defense after the onset of the Korean war. He acquired Dodona Manor while serving as the Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army in 1941 and lived there until his death in 1959. prgtoken Today, the George C. Marshall House is dedicated to preserving and advancing General Marshall's life's work and legacy by hosting international exchanges, historical exhibits, and community events, and supporting educational programming based on General Marshall's desire to inspire future leaders. The legislation would bring greater resources, including technical assistance, accessibility improvements, and new programming, to this historical site and enable the Marshall House to improve and expand its work. prgtoken I am hopeful that this designation will provide new resources to preserve, honor, and celebrate General Marshall's legacy at this historic site, and I am pleased that companion legislation is also being introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by my colleague, Representative Jennifer Wexton, who has led this effort for years.
CELEBRATING THE CAREER OF PORT EVERGLADES ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR LORI BAER
Jared Moskowitz (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2023-11-1

I rise today to recognize Lori Baer, the Executive Director of the Port Everglades Association and port industry veteran, for her three decades of contributions to the industry. prgtoken Lori gained her port experience in the public and private sectors, holding various distinguished roles. At AECOM, a global engineering and consulting firm, she held the positions of Vice President and Ports and Marine Lead for the Americas. She also served as Executive Director of the Port of Palm Beach. Additionally, she has performed in senior management positions at the Port of Miami and the Western Hemisphere- wide American Association of Port Authorities. Lori has dedicated her career to developing an unmatched expertise in the port industry, which has served her communities domestically and internationally. prgtoken , I ask that you join me in recognizing the Executive Director of the Port Everglades Association, Lori Baer, for her outstanding career and contributions to the ports of the Western Hemisphere and Florida's 23rd Congressional District.
LEGISLATIVE BRANCH APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2024
Adriano Espaillat (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2023-11-1

such time as I may consume. Today I rise in opposition to H.R. 4364, the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act of 2024. prgtoken First, let me thank Mr. Amodei for his efforts and, of course, my ic staffers, Faye Cobb, Monica Garay, and Raquel Spencer, as well as our staffers, Michelle Reinshuttle and Jacquelynn Ripke for their tireless contributions to this subcommittee. prgtoken As the chairman indicated, the bill before us today includes $5.3 billion in discretionary appropriations to fund the offices of the House of Representatives and joint legislative branch items. It also has a decrease of 4.7 percent from the fiscal year 2023 enacted House level and a 2.4 percent decrease in total allocation including Senate items. This bill merely keeps the lights on, but it could and should have done so much better. prgtoken Unfortunately, extreme MAGA culture war provisions have haunted all 12 of the House appropriations bills and, of course, legislative branch was not spared. This bill, too, contains provisions that harm diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and the LGBTQ+ community. prgtoken Moreover, this bill does not allow legislative branch agencies to employ individuals under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, the DACA program. These are young kids who are capable and have contributed to this Nation. All they are missing is a piece of paper, but they are Americans in every sense of the word you can imagine. prgtoken This bill eliminates funding for diversity, equity, and inclusion training or program implementation, including our very own House Office of Diversity and Inclusion, which s have benefited from. All of us have benefited from the efforts of diversity and inclusion. We have more women in our staff. We have greater diversity, greater life experiences. I think that makes this House stronger. Yet, this bill eliminates funding for that. prgtoken This House and the many agencies that make up the entire legislative branch of government should make every effort possible to be reflective and considerate of all the people that exist in our great Nation and the many districts that our Members represent. prgtoken This bill does nothing to facilitate the use of funds for collective bargaining rights to congressional staffers. Our staffers should be able to do that. prgtoken This bill removes a provision to eliminate or reduce plastic waste across the legislative branch of government, further contributing to the impacts of climate change. We are here at the center of government, and we should be fighting climate change, but we are not reducing the use of plastic. prgtoken , after the attack on January 6, the attack on two congressional staffers in their Virginia district office, and numerous threats to our cybersecurity, I feel strongly that our staff deserves to have a safe place to work, and our visitors deserve to have an even safer place to vi
EXECUTIVE CALENDAR (Executive Session)
Jack Reed (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2023-11-1

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to executive session to consider the following nomination: Calendar No. 367; that the Senate vote on the nomination without intervening action or debate; that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table; that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action, and the Senate resume legislative session.
LEGISLATIVE BRANCH APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2024
Betty McCollum (Democrat, MN) \u2014 2023-11-1

I rise in opposition to H.R. 4364, the FY24 Legislative Branch Appropriations Act. prgtoken The Legislative Branch Appropriations bill provides the funding that all of our offices rely on for the resources we need to serve our constituents and legislate for the good of the nation. It funds our Capitol Police, Sergeant at Arms, and Architect of the Capitol to keep the Capitol complex safe, secure, and functioning for staff and visitors. It supports the research and preservation work at the Library of Congress and the beloved Botanic Garden. prgtoken I am disappointed that the bill before us today stalls the progress that we made under a ic majority in recent years by not investing enough in the resources needed to operate Congress as a modern, effective, and co-equal branch of our democratic government. prgtoken My opposition to the bill is not solely due to the inadequate funding levels. This bill, like all of the appropriations measures, embraces right-wing social policy fights that have no place in the bills that fund our government. prgtoken It eliminates direct funding for the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and prohibits funding from being used to train staff and improve the diversity, equity, and inclusion of the Congressional workplace. It does not include the language that allows the legislative branch to employ Americans certified under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. It creates a license to blatantly discriminate against LGBTQI+ people under the guise of religious liberty and face no penalties for that blatant discrimination. prgtoken The People's House should be a place where all people of this diverse nation are welcomed, included, and treated equitably. Instead, this bill advances an agenda that is hurtful to many of the staff that work here and the constituents we represent. prgtoken , this bill is dead on arrival in the Senate. We may have a new in this chamber, but s are still pursuing the same partisan path on appropriations bills. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to oppose this legislation.
HONORING GOLDIE BURBAGE, A TRAILBLAZER IN EAST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY
Donald M. Payne, Jr. (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2023-11-1

I rise today to honor a great trailblazer in my district, Goldie Burbage. prgtoken Ms. Burbage made history in East Orange, New Jersey. She was the first African-American woman to serve as the executive assistant to an East Orange mayor. She served under Mayor James Kelly and the city's first African-American mayor, William Hart. prgtoken During her time in Mayor Hart's office, Ms. Burbage created the Offices of Employment and Training, Drug Abuse, and Personnel. Her work earned her a promotion to become the city's first chief personnel officer. prgtoken Outside of her career, Ms. Burbage was a well-known and respected social justice advocate. She founded the Historical Society of East Orange and served as vice president of the East Orange Chamber of Commerce. Her community support earned her induction into the East Orange Hall of Fame. prgtoken Many residents referred to her as the matriarch of their community, and I am proud to honor her on this day.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Elizabeth Warren (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2023-11-1

I rise today about a resolution to make it harder for students--all students--to have access to school meals. I am referring to S.J. Res. 42. We deal with a lot of complex issues here every day. This is not a complex issue. prgtoken First, the Federal policy: the USDA memo clarifying that State agencies and programs participating in Federal school meal programs are required to abide by our Nation's anti-discrimination laws. This means that they cannot deny access to kids on the basis of their gender identity or sexual orientation. In other words, schools may not deny lunch to LGBTQ+ kids. prgtoken Now, this isn't some strange, new interpretation of the law that USDA came up with and announced out of the blue; this is the USDA implementing anti-discrimination laws that apply across government, in line with the Supreme Court's reading. This is what the s attempted to overturn with S.J. Res. 42. prgtoken Of course, S.J. Res. 42 was never really just about school lunches. The goal was to send a message to LGBTQ+ kids that they are not welcome, to send a message that it is OK to discriminate against these kids because of who they are. I want to be very clear. That is wrong. We proudly stand with LGBTQ+ kids. prgtoken Your rights matter. You are welcome at school. prgtoken The USDA guidance will help kids. It will also reduce discrimination and bring Agency guidance in line with Supreme Court precedent. prgtoken The USDA policy will also ensure that hungry kids get the food they need to grow and to do well in school. According to census data, LGBTQ+ individuals are almost twice as likely to live in a household that experiences food insecurity, and trans individuals are almost three times more likely not to have enough food to eat, as compared to cisgender individuals. prgtoken The last thing our kids need is adults behaving like classroom bullies and trying to justify taking away their lunches. I am glad the Senate rejected this resolution. prgtoken .
HONORING THE LIFE OF CHIEF MICHAEL D. LIDDELL
Bennie G. Thompson (Democrat, MS) \u2014 2023-11-1

I rise today to honor a tenacious and self-motivated leader, the late Chief Michael D. Liddell. Chief Liddell has shown what can be done through hard work, dedication, and a desire to achieve. prgtoken Michael attended Humphreys County High School and obtained his GED in November of 1989. He then attended Coahoma Community College in 1990. After deciding that he wanted to work, he obtained a job at SuperValu Distribution Company in1991 in Indianola, MS, where he worked until 2003. Michael then attended Mississippi Delta Community College and graduated from the Law Enforcement Training Academy in March of 2005. After graduating, he became employed at the Pelzoni Police Department and served as a police officer until he assumed the position of Chief of Police in 2017. prgtoken Michael was a great officer. He took pride in his work and loved what he did. He dedicated many personal hours to protecting and serving his community. He was very passionate about his work. He had a huge heart and would help anyone he could. He served faithfully until he became ill in June 2022. prgtoken Of all his accomplishments, nothing meant as much as when Michael dedicated his life to Christ and became a faithful member of Shiloh MB Church Deovelente under the leadership of Pastor Charles Edwards on February 27, 2022. prgtoken , I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the life, legacy, and service of the late Chief Michael D. Liddell.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2024
Michael K. Simpson (Republican, ID) \u2014 2023-11-2

. Mr. Chair, first, let me say that I am not totally opposed to what the gentleman is trying to do. I think these air tours are important, but I think it is wrong to say they can't place any limitations on them. prgtoken The gentleman raises the point that they have been trying to address this for a number of years, and so far, they haven't been able to do it. I think that they need to be able to do that, and the Park Service ought to be able to look at the number of air tours. prgtoken I am not opposed to air tours. I think they are a great thing. I have taken a few of them. The reality is that completely eliminating the Park Service's ability to make reasonable limitations on these, I think, is the wrong way to go. It goes too far, but I understand what the gentleman is trying to say and what he is trying to do. I just don't think we can go this far. prgtoken Mr. Chair, .
ISRAEL SECURITY SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2024
Michael Lawler (Republican, NY) \u2014 2023-11-2

we must stand with Israel in its time of need. This funding will go a long way toward ensuring that Israel has the ability to defend itself from the horrific campaign of terror waged by Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran, and other terrorists organizations. prgtoken What occurred on October 7 is akin to what happened to our country on December 7, 1941, or September 11, 2001. Israel has a right to defend itself and fight back against those who would see them eradicated from the face of the Earth. No one told the United States after Pearl Harbor or 9/11 not to hold the perpetrators of those attacks accountable. prgtoken The perpetrators of this attack on Israel are an insidious organization that has attacked their country. Hamas' stated goal is the elimination of the State of Israel, and by extension, the genocide of the Jewish population living in it. We cannot let that happen. prgtoken We cannot let that happen. We have Members in this body who have voted against condemning Hamas and voted against holding Iran accountable. Members of this body are calling for a cease-fire despite the fact that Hamas has already stated this is just the first step. They will not abide by a cease-fire. prgtoken This legislation before us today would provide $14.3 billion in aid to Israel. This is a significant defense supplemental that includes $801.4 million in extra funding for ammunition procurement, $3.5 billion in funding for foreign military financing, $50 million in evacuation assistance support for the U.S. Embassy in Israel, $4 billion for Iron Dome and David's Sling defense systems and other Defense-wide procurement, and $38.6 million for Air Force procurement. prgtoken This bill is necessary for our closest ally in the Middle East, which is why I urge my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to join us in passing this critical aid for Israel to show our support for this beacon of hope and freedom in the Middle East. prgtoken We cannot let our differences divide us on this critical issue. We cannot allow the bright candle of democracy in the Middle East to be extinguished by Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran. We cannot allow Israel to lose. prgtoken This legislation is not conditioning aid. It is paying for it. Apparently, my ic colleagues still don't understand that we cannot just continue to borrow and print new money at every opportunity. prgtoken We have a debt that is approaching $34 trillion. It costs money, and we have to pay for it. To oppose this simply because you don't like the fact that there is an offset is absurd. prgtoken , I look forward to everyone joining in passing this bipartisan legislation.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2024
Mary E. Miller (Republican, IL) \u2014 2023-11-2

in April, EPA Administrator Regan testified before the House Agriculture Committee and told me the EPA doesn't incentivize solar panels, that they are a regulatory agency. His statement to the committee was blatantly false. prgtoken The EPA does incentivize solar panels, which is why I introduced an amendment to strip all funding from the EPA's Solar for All program. prgtoken The administration wants to cover rich, fertile farmland that we use to grow food with Chinese solar panels. prgtoken Mr. Chair, I support this amendment because we must send a message to the EPA to leave the farmers alone and never mislead Congress when testifying.
Vote on Mahoney Nomination (Executive Calendar)
John Thune (Republican, SD) \u2014 2023-11-2

. The following Senators are necessarily absent: the Senator from Indiana (Mr. Braun), the Senator from Arkansas (Mr. Cotton), the Senator from North Dakota (Mr. Cramer), the Senator from Texas (Mr. Cruz), the Senator from Mississippi (Mrs. Hyde-Smith), the Senator from Utah (Mr. Lee), the Senator from Kansas (Mr. Moran), the Senator from Kentucky (Mr. Paul), the Senator from Missouri (Mr. Schmitt), the Senator from Florida (Mr. Scott), the Senator from South Carolina (Mr. Scott), the Senator from North Carolina (Mr. Tillis), the Senator from Mississippi (Mr. Wicker). Futher, if present and voting, the Senator from Missouri (Mr. Schmitt) would have voted ``yea'' and the Senator from Florida (Mr. Scott) would have voted ``yea.''
Confirmation of Michael G. Whitaker (Executive Calendar)
James Lankford (Republican, OK) \u2014 2023-11-2

last week the Senate confirmed Mike Whitaker to be the FAA Administrator. I supported this nomination. He is very qualified. He has very valuable experience. prgtoken Obviously, this body has had a churn being able to look at previous FAA Administrators who came here and then were turned down in the process, and the administration has put forward someone who, I think, is very, very qualified. So I am pleased to be able to see that. prgtoken But many people may not know Oklahoma has a very special relationship with FAA, and we have for 70 years. For 70 years, the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center, which headquarters offices for so many different areas in the aeronautical center, has been in Oklahoma City. That spot has been there, and it establishes things like how to do testing, how to do research, the medical evaluation, occupational health wing, medical certification, a lot of education that happens there for aerospace. Air mobility is being tested there. prgtoken It is 1,100 acres and 133 buildings, across the airport site there in Oklahoma City, and it is just one of those hidden jewels of the United States that is actually there in Oklahoma City. As each of our States have different aspects and different tasks there, Oklahoma City is very, very proud to be a leader in aviation for the country. prgtoken There is also a vital component there at the FAA Academy. Now, again, most folks don't think about the air traffic controllers who are in the tower, but when you fly into any airport in the country, the folks who are in that tower were trained in Oklahoma City. prgtoken It is the academy. It is the first 60 days of training, and it is done consistently the same it is done everywhere in the country because, no matter where an air traffic controller goes, you want them to have the same consistent training in every location that they go to. So whomever they work next to in the tower, they have all been trained the same way in the basics. prgtoken Now, that academy is important to set the standard for all the basics in air prgtoken traffic control, and then they advance to the next level. They actually get out on the job and to be trained by folks who are in the towers. It is incredibly important as a task. prgtoken Now, for years, that academy has trained literally every single person that the FAA could send them. They haven't had a time where they were like: I am sorry. You have to stop. We can't take any more people. prgtoken They have got gaps and openings. In fact, right now we need more air traffic controllers, but, thankfully, the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center is ready to go. They are ready to take on more students to be able to expand. In fact, they have got room to double in size. If we wanted to double the number of air traffic controllers across the country, let's do it. Our challenge has been getting enough students to actually do it, to get the training, not actually training space or
Introductory Statement on S.J. Res. 48
John Barrasso (Republican, WY) \u2014 2023-11-2

today, I have joined Senators Manchin, Risch, Cardin, Boozman, and Hirono in introducing the Compacts of Free Association Amendments Act of 2023. In the House of Representatives, Congressmen Westerman, Grijalva, McCaul, and Meeks are introducing identical legislation. prgtoken This legislation renews the compact agreements between the United States and the Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia, commonly referred to as the Freely Associated States. prgtoken This legislation will protect American interests in the Pacific and block prgtoken China's efforts to expand its influence. The Compacts of Free Association give the United States exclusive military authority over the Freely Associated States' lands and waters. This authority guarantees that our military can operate bases on the islands and deny access to any potential adversaries in the region. This is critical because Chinese aggression in the region is an ever-present danger. prgtoken China is expanding its power in the Indo-Pacific and is threatening the Freely Associated States. China is actively trying to upset the security and power dynamic in the region and threaten Taiwan. In March of this year, the outgoing President of the Federated States of Micronesia outlined Chinese attempts to undermine his country's ties to the United States through bribery and threatening public officials. China has also tried to use aggressive and coercive actions against the economies of the Republic of Palau and the Republic of the Marshall Islands by threatening their tourism and fishing industries. prgtoken Today's introduction is a positive step. The House Natural Resources Committee intends to mark, up this legislation in order for it be included in the National Defense Authorization Act, NDAA. The Senate has already included language in the NDAA supporting renewal of the compacts. One important issue that is not addressed in this bill is how the legislation will be paid for. The question of a spending offset needs to be addressed as the bill makes its way through the legislative process.