mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
FOCUSING ON REPUBLICAN PRIORITIES
Beth Van Duyne (Republican, TX) \u2014 2023-11-29

I rise today because our Nation is in crisis. One cannot overstate the absolute border disaster and national security threat that we have been living under as a direct result of 's, Mayorkas', and the ' deliberate actions. prgtoken None of this is an accident. On day one, they got to work eliminating successful border policies that had us at the lowest levels of illegal immigration in years, actually, probably illegal immigration in our history. From that first day, the administration made clear that they would not enforce our laws and that they would not protect our country. They did this knowing the consequences. prgtoken They ignored Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement whose officers warned that these actions would create an unprecedented disaster and dangers for Americans. prgtoken Guess what, ? prgtoken That is exactly what happened. prgtoken President and Secretary Mayorkas have opened our borders to more than 10 million illegal immigrants, including millions of known got-aways and God knows how many potential terrorists and narco gang members into our country. By the way, that is more than the population of 38 States. prgtoken , we have had enough. Cities all across America are being overrun. Mexican cartels own the southern border. They are causing tens of thousands of fentanyl deaths in our country ushering in a new era of human slavery and crushing our cities and towns. prgtoken We are feeling the pain of 's border crisis not just in New York City where the border crisis is defunding the police department and other city services, but all across the Nation where it is driving up crime rates in our communities, letting fentanyl kill our children, and allowing terrorists into our Nation. prgtoken What is happening in New York City should be a wake-up call for cities all across America, but it is just the tip of the iceberg. Texas right now is being particularly hit hard and continues to have to fight its own Federal Government to be able to take care of its citizens. prgtoken Our Nation is less safe because our borders are not secure, and President and Secretary Mayorkas continue to make things worse. It is clear. They have no regard for the law, they don't want to secure our borders, and they don't care about keeping us safe. prgtoken If they cared about keeping Americans safe, why would they want our public spaces, which are paid for with taxpayer dollars, to become massive encampments for unvetted illegal immigrants, many of whom are indebted to dangerous and violent cartels? prgtoken Although this national security bill is an important reform, it is clear that as long as Secretary Mayorkas remains in office, our border will remain unsecured and vulnerable to human and drug trafficking. prgtoken Taxpayers in cities all across the country are footing multimillion- dollar bills. Hundreds of thousands of families are losing loved ones in fentanyl-
HONORING CHILDREN'S HOME SOCIETY OF FLORIDA
Aaron Bean (Republican, FL) \u2014 2023-11-29

when it comes to sports, many athletes will tell you that they play better when they play at home. It is referred to as the home-field advantage. Having that home advantage is just as important to kids as it is to athletes. prgtoken Kids do better and are more likely to succeed and thrive with family at home. Every child deserves a safe and loving home where they are supported and encouraged. Sadly, not all do. That is where the Children's Home Society of Florida comes in. prgtoken Today, I rise to honor the Children's Home Society of Florida, a champion in childcare that for 120 years has served as a place of refuge, providing abandoned and homeless children with safe homes and loving care. prgtoken Since 1902, this society has exemplified what it means to truly look after a community. Starting with a team of just two and caring for 24 children, the Children's Home Society of Florida now boasts over 1,000 team members empowering more than 80,000 children and family members. prgtoken Their services include mental health care, trauma-informed care, early childhood services, job training, and so much more. These wonderful people's work spans every aspect of the development of tomorrow's leaders, ensuring that Florida will still be the best State in the U.S. for decades to come. prgtoken These accomplishments and more are why I am proud, by the power vested in me, to announce that November 17, 2023, is now recognized as Children's Home Society of Florida Day. prgtoken , I am honored to ask you and my colleagues to join me in prgtoken celebrating this significant milestone. I wish the Children's Home Society of Florida to continue to score touchdowns and home runs for kids in the years ahead because every child is worth fighting for. Recognizing Mayor Ron Sapp
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 5283, PROTECTING OUR COMMUNITIES FROM FAILURE TO SECURE THE BORDER ACT OF 2023; PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 5961, NO FUNDS FOR IRANIAN TERRORISM ACT; AND...
Guy Reschenthaler (Republican, PA) \u2014 2023-11-29

such time as I may consume. prgtoken It is time for another real-time fact check, . Homeland FY 2024 increased funding for border agents, $496 million for 22,000 new Border Patrol agents. That is the highest ever funded. prgtoken It is rich when I hear my colleagues from across the aisle talk about bills that are named one thing and do another. This is from a party that hung their entire term on the Inflation Reduction Act, which neither reduced inflation nor helped the economy. They later said that it was about preventing global warming. Again, it is rich coming from a party that often misnames their key legislation. prgtoken Let's talk about sanctuary cities because there is one thing that we can do. We can end sanctuary city policies. For years, have criticized House s and President for wanting to secure our border and protect our communities. They criticize us when we say that. When the crisis comes to their own backyard instead of a small rural town on the southern border, when it comes to their sanctuary cities, are the first ones to declare an emergency. prgtoken Look at Martha's Vineyard. When Ron DeSantis sent a few illegal immigrants to Martha's Vineyard, it took those woke yuppies less than 12 hours to call the National Guard to remove the illegal immigrants. I am willing to bet there were more ``Hate has no home here'' signs in the pristine, well-manicured yards at Martha's Vineyard prgtoken than actual illegal immigrants, but they still called the National Guard to remove those immigrants from Martha's Vineyard. prgtoken Don't just take my word for it. Take New York City Mayor Eric Adams'. Over 110,000 migrants have reached New York City. Mayor Adams decried: ``The national government has turned its back on New York City.'' prgtoken When illegal migrants showed up in Massachusetts, Governor Maura Healey declared a state of emergency and said the quiet part out loud: ``Massachusetts has stepped up to address what sadly has been a Federal crisis of inaction that is many years in the making.'' prgtoken One thing is clear. Even now, in their sanctuary cities, are realizing that has created this border crisis. prgtoken have ignored it for years. s, thankfully, are finally stepping up and leading where they failed. prgtoken Any of my friends from across the aisle who want to help us, if they want to end this crisis, can vote for the rule today and vote for the underlying legislation. prgtoken , I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Langworthy), my good friend.
RECOGNIZING CARVER PUMP
Joni Ernst (Republican, IA) \u2014 2023-11-29

as ranking member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize an outstanding Iowa small business that exemplifies the American entrepreneurial spirit. This week, it is my privilege to recognize Carver Pump of Muscatine, IA, as the Senate Small Business of the Week. prgtoken In 1938, Carver Pump was founded by brothers Ralph and Roy J. Carver in Matherville, IL, as a specialty manufacturer of self-priming pumps that are designed to prevent air pockets from forming while pumping fluids. Shortly after its founding, Carver Pump began providing pumps to the U.S. and the Allied navies during World War II. In 1941, Roy restructured the company and relocated to its current home in Muscatine, IA. Since World War II, Carver Pump has remained committed to providing high-quality pumps to the U.S. Navy. Currently, every Navy ship-building program, which is responsible for the ship construction of the U.S. Navy fleet, relies on a centrifugal pump from Carver Pump. Due to their hard work, Carver Pump received certification for their high-quality management systems by the International Organization for Standardization. Their pumps are used in a variety of industries, including mining, agriculture, automotive, and maritime. Roy J. Carver passed away in 1981, leaving behind a legacy of hard work, philanthropy, and business excellence. Today, Carver Pump is run by Carver family member Andrew Carver. prgtoken Carver Pump is an exemplary family business. Multiple generations of the Carver family have worked at the company and been recognized for their contributions to both the pump industry and philanthropic efforts in Iowa. In 2019, Roy and his wife Lucille were posthumously awarded the Muscatine Community College Legends award for their continued legacy in Iowa. The Roy J. Carver Trust was also posthumously established and has been involved with the University of Iowa, Iowa State University, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and Augustana College. At the University of Iowa, the Carver-Hawkeye Arena and Roy J. and Lucille Carver College of Medicine are named after Roy J. and Lucille in honor of their continued support of the university's academic and athletic programs. In 2023, Carver Pump celebrated its 85th business anniversary. prgtoken Carver Pump's commitment to producing high-quality pumps in Muscatine and supplying critical products to help the U.S. military is clear. I want to congratulate Andrew Carver, the Carver family, and the entire team at Carver Pump for their continued dedication to providing high- quality pumps throughout the world. I look forward to seeing their continued growth and success in Iowa.
NATIONAL RURAL HEALTH MONTH
Diana Harshbarger (Republican, TN) \u2014 2023-11-29

I rise today to recognize National Rural Health Month and to highlight the work of the congressional Bipartisan Rural Health Caucus, which I am proud to cosponsor with my colleague, Representative Tokuda from Hawaii. prgtoken Over 60 million hardworking, everyday Americans live in rural communities throughout the United States. As my co-chair, Representative Tokuda, is fond of citing, nearly 97 percent of our Nation is designated as rural. prgtoken Compared to their counterparts living in urban and suburban areas, rural Americans experience lower life expectancy, poorer health status, and more difficulty accessing quality and affordable healthcare. prgtoken Rural patients face these challenges due to a limited number of rural healthcare providers and professionals, higher rates of uninsurance and underinsurance, and long journeys to care providers, sometimes lacking transportation entirely. prgtoken Having served as a community pharmacist for over 30 years in east Tennessee, which is a rural area, I understand the unique healthcare challenges and obstacles faced by our patients and healthcare providers each and every day. prgtoken It is crucial that Congress takes action to address the issues that rural healthcare providers grapple with such as workforce shortages, supply scarcities, reimbursement challenges, limited access to telehealth, and difficulties ensuring their patients receive the care they need. prgtoken The congressional Bipartisan Rural Health Caucus is here to provide a forum for Members of Congress to advocate for legislative action that will help increase access to quality, affordable healthcare and mental health services for all rural Americans. prgtoken As co-chair, I will continue my work to advocate for legislation and policies that will ensure long-term sustainability of rural communities. prgtoken Earlier this year, I introduced the bipartisan Rural Physician Workforce Production Act, which improves Medicare reimbursement and enhances the current structure of the Medicare-funded graduate medical education program, bringing more medical residents and doctors to rural areas in need. prgtoken I also worked with my fellow colleagues from the Tennessee delegation to introduce the Rural America Health Corps Act, which would provide incentives for healthcare professionals to work in rural health facilities in exchange for forgiving medical student loans. prgtoken In addition to these bills, I am a proud cosponsor of the Save Rural Hospitals Act, bipartisan legislation that will aid in curbing hospital closures in rural communities by ensuring fairness in Medicare hospital payments. prgtoken This legislative work is absolutely critical and complements House Resolution 870, which I introduced with the majority of the Members of the Bipartisan Rural Health Caucus to support the goals and ideas of National Rural Health Day. prgtoken National Rural Health Day, the third Thursday of each November, was est
Border Security (Executive Session)
Shelley Moore Capito (Republican, WV) \u2014 2023-11-29

I rise today to once again speak about a subject that President and his administration are refusing to address, and that is this crisis on our southern border. prgtoken I have been extremely outspoken about this topic--many of us have-- especially when it comes to the need for deterrence along our southern border, the alarming drug epidemic that continues to harm my State and the entire country, and the desperate need to make changes to our immigration policy and the laws that define our homeland security. prgtoken The American people see the numbers, but it is not just numbers; they see the actual human effects within their own cities and States of this rampant illegal immigration. It can no longer be ignored. In just the past year, there have been more than 2.4 million illegal encounters on our southern border--we have all seen them on our television sets--and that is more than a 180-percent increase since fiscal year 2019. There have been 169 encounters with individuals on our country's Terror Watchlist--six times the number of the past year; and fentanyl seizures along the U.S.-Mexico border have hit record highs. prgtoken I see my fellow Senator from Kansas. He has spent a lot of time on this fentanyl issue because it is so devastating to our States. prgtoken More than 26,000 pounds of illicit fentanyl were seized along the country's southern border this past year, and this is just the data we know. It is hard to fathom that there are 600,000 ``got-aways''--those are people who were not even disrupted in their journeys--drugs and threats to our national security that are streaming across our border that we might have missed. prgtoken This is truly and simply an unmitigated crisis. There is no doubt that this is leading to and sometimes already has created an unsustainable situation across this country. But don't just take my word for it. I will offer some quotes: The federal government's lack of intervention and coordination at the border has created an untenable situation. This issue will destroy New York City. A federal crisis of inaction that is many years in the making. prgtoken These are all direct quotes from ic Governors and mayors across the country. prgtoken Across the aisle and across the country, we know that President 's rhetoric and lack of action on the southern border has created a historic problem. In fact, this is a 50-State problem. I hear about this topic from West Virginians frequently. Constituents have expressed border security concerns to me, things like the catastrophic, flawed, and failed - approach to immigration and the loss of control of our southern border; the vulnerable state that our communities are left in by the flow of human trafficking and illicit drugs currently coming across our border; and the need to bolster our national security with the increase in crossings by those on the Terror Wat
Border Security (Executive Session)
Roger Marshall (Republican, KS) \u2014 2023-11-29

``border, border, border''--I just had lunch with Mike Johnson. He is a great friend and a classmate. We came in together. That is what he said. He said he wishes he could get all of us a T-shirt that said ``border, border, border.'' prgtoken In my office, this week, no matter what the question is, the answer is ``Secure the border.'' In fact, I think Johnson has been talking to some of the same people I have been talking to. prgtoken I had the great time of my life these past 7, 10 days back home in Kansas. I got to spend time with my grandchildren, teaching them how to hunt and fish and sled in a very welcome 10-inch snow. I got to see a lot of friends and family members and share what is going on in their lives and get caught up. But no matter where I went, the No. 1 worry people had was about the concern for the safety and security of their own family. prgtoken In Kansas--the heartland, the middle of the country, the middle State--people are concerned about their own safety and security, and why wouldn't they be? prgtoken Since was sworn into office, over 10 million immigrants have come into our border, and over 1.5 million ``got-aways'' have occurred--10 million people crossing our border illegally, 1.5 million ``got-aways.'' prgtoken This crisis at our Nation's border is the No. 1 most immediate threat to our safety and security. This is a true, clear, and present danger to our Nation. prgtoken Just think about these numbers. Fentanyl is now the No. 1 killer of young adults in America. It kills a Kansan every day. Nearly 300 young Americans are dying every day from fentanyl poisoning, not to mention what is going on with human trafficking, the growth of the cartel, and the violence. As my dad the police officer taught me, the violence always follows the drug trafficking. prgtoken But it seems like these numbers are falling on deaf ears at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Just look at September, October, and November. These look like they are all going to be record-setting months for the number of people crossing our border illegally in these months. But yet, for some unknown reason, the White House wants to take border security off the table in the supplemental bill. prgtoken Why? That is what people are asking me back home. Why? That is the question Americans want to know. prgtoken They point out the facts that we know well up here. Under this administration, we have seen 279 known terrorists try to cross our border, more than 24,000 Chinese nationals, not to mention some 80,000 aliens of interest from countries like Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, and Syria who have breached our border. This is indeed an invasion of our border, and every American is now paying for it. prgtoken As a matter of fact, it is now costing Americans nearly $500 billion a year--let me say that again, $500 billion a year--to house and take care of these illegal immigrants. Can you imagine how many Border Patrol off
Border Security (Executive Session)
Pete Ricketts (Republican, NE) \u2014 2023-11-29

we have a humanitarian and national security crisis at our southern border. Just last month, Customs and Border Protection encountered 241,000 contacts, people coming across that southern border. That is three times the amount that we had in October of 2020. prgtoken Since has been President, there have been 6.6 million border contacts and 1.8 million ``got-aways.'' And the ``got-aways''-- those are the folks whom Customs and Border Protection, CBP, saw but couldn't encounter, couldn't get to. That is more than President and President 's administration combined. prgtoken Children are being trafficked; people are dying; and the cartels are profiting. And my colleague from Iowa just referenced the southern border. In total, we have seen 172 people on the Terrorist Watchlist try to enter our country in the last year--169 at the southern border. And to put that in perspective, that number used to be in the single digits every year. Last month, it was 12. We are encountering more people on the FBI's Terrorist Watchlist in 1 month than we used to get in an entire year. prgtoken Border security is national security. Certainly, the events in Israel should bring home to us the danger of a border that is not properly protected. And it is President 's policies that have led to this humanitarian and security crisis. prgtoken Now, I have been down to the southern border four times, just recently as well, and I have talked to the folks at CBP, and, yes, they need some resources. Things like the aerostat blimps have been hugely successful in being able to counter the cartel's drones to monitor people trying to come across the border. So there are resources that we can provide to our southern border to help strengthen. But you know what the No. 1 thing they told me they needed? It was a change in policy because it is the policy that is driving all these people to take this dangerous journey to illegally cross into our country. prgtoken Well, now the Senate is going to take up border security, and President 's solution is to ask for more money to help process all the people coming across the border. That is not going to fly. If you are just processing them more efficiently coming across the border, you are not deterring anybody from coming across our border. It is the policies that are sending a message to people to come here illegally. The policy needs to change. So as we consider a bill--perhaps a supplemental bill where we are going to have border security in it--it must contain policy changes. The policy is what caused this. We have to change the policy. prgtoken But what are some of those policies? We see that we have an asylum system and a parole system that are broken. We need to address that, and then we must have a first safe country policy. You may say, what is a first safe country? Well, if you are seeking asylum and you are fleeing your home country, prgtoken what thi