mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
END THE BORDER CATASTROPHE ACT
Chip Roy (Republican, TX) \u2014 2024-4-19

I thank my friend from Alabama for yielding. The gentlewoman is right, in part, in that we are here for two reasons. Yes, this bill will not become law--there is no question about that-- and it will not become law for two reasons. prgtoken The first reason is that our ic colleagues refuse to address the crisis at the border, and in fact, want to perpetuate it, encourage it, and cause more of it. The second reason it is not going to become law is because s continue to campaign on securing the border and then refuse to use any leverage to actually secure the border. That is the reason; those two reasons right there. prgtoken That is why this will not become law. Let's be very clear with what we are dealing with here right now. We know the numbers. We can talk about the numbers, the 7 million that have been released into the country, the 2 million plus got-aways, the extent to which we have had a thousand pounds of fentanyl pouring across our border every month for the last 6 months, the 24,000 Chinese nationals, the 85 percent of whom are adult single individuals that have come across this border since October 1, which is more than the entirety of fiscal year 2023, and certainly more than the 381 in the last year when the policies of President were in place prgtoken The reality is that we are being put in danger. The American people are getting killed. Laken Riley is dead because of policies of the administration, specifically the parole policies that release people into our country to kill Americans. prgtoken That is what has been happening. Yet, we are going to do nothing about it. We have legislation right now that would fix the problem in significant part. H.R. 2, we passed it a year ago. It is a great bill. I support the bill. I support what is in it. It changes the policies, frankly policies that President and Jeh Johnson asked us to change, like TVPRA and Flores. It changes the policies of abuse of parole and asylum by this administration. prgtoken We should get it signed into law. The only way to force to do it is to use leverage, and we are not going to. Despite the fact that the of the House repeatedly has said in January at the border, a trip I didn't take because I knew full well what would happen, it would be a show trip. That is exactly the truth. If President wants a supplemental spending bill focused on national security, it better begin with defending America's national security. prgtoken We wanted to get the border closed and secured first. He said in a letter in December, supplemental Ukraine funding is dependent upon enactment of transformative change to our Nation's border security laws. Well, here we are today with a sham vote. Let me be very clear, the people saying that we stopped H.R. 2 in the Rules Committee and didn't allow it to get connected to or allowed to be attached to the Ukraine bill, they are lying. That is not true. It
REFORMING INTELLIGENCE AND SECURING AMERICA ACT
Marco Rubio (Republican, FL) \u2014 2024-4-19

actually, what the bill does is it requires, especially in cases of politically sensitive queries, that it be approved by a supervisor to take it out of the hands of the career individuals who in the past have or potentially have abused this authority. prgtoken Now, there are two ways to skin this cat. The challenge of the political appointees is twofold. The first is it is a political appointee. There is a person who owes their job to the party in power in the White House. prgtoken And so the thinking was that if you put someone like that in charge, it actually might lend itself to this being abused for political use. prgtoken The second is, it is actually harder to hold political appointees accountable. As we saw this week, the only way to get rid of, for example, the Attorney General would be to impeach them. prgtoken In this particular case, if it is a supervisor, that supervisor could be fired. Everyone in these Departments is ultimately accountable to the Attorney General and/or the FBI Director. prgtoken And I would add one more point. Another reform that is in this bill that is important to point to is that the compensation of the FBI Director will now be directly tied to how the Department performs every single year on the audit of compliance with 702. prgtoken So I urge this amendment be defeated. Vote on Amendment No. 1834
ISRAEL SECURITY SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2024
Ken Calvert (Republican, CA) \u2014 2024-4-20

in closing, this is a day we are going to act. I urge all my colleagues to support these critical national security bills. They provide the resources necessary to bolster our military, reassure our allies and partners, and commit to stand against tyranny. prgtoken The world is waiting, watching, and wanting America to lead. This is our moment. prgtoken , .
SECURING GROWTH AND ROBUST LEADERSHIP IN AMERICAN AVIATION ACT--MOTION TO PROCEED--Continued
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2024-4-20

I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate receives a message from the House to accompany H.R. 815 and if Senator Schumer or his designee requests that the Chair lay the message before the Senate, the Chair lay the message before the Senate without further intervening action; further, that if cloture is filed with respect to the message, it ripen upon disposition of a Lee or designee motion to table a pending amendment or motion, if a motion to table is made, or 1 p.m. on Tuesday, April 23.
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
Christopher Murphy (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2024-4-23

The American Institute For Foreign Study--AIFS--which was founded in 1964 by Sir Cyril Taylor, is a global leader in cultural exchange and educational travel. For 60 years, AIFS, guided by its mission to ``bring the world together,'' has helped foster global understanding and cross-cultural communication among generations of young people. prgtoken From study abroad to the international au pair program, over 1.8 million people have participated in AIFS' high-quality educational and cultural exchange programming. In our increasingly interconnected world, these programs provide unique opportunities for young people to broaden their worldview and become globally minded citizens. AIFS also works in partnership with the State Department's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, including through their implementation of the au pair program, to advance public diplomacy and support lasting cultural ties between the U.S. and participating nations. prgtoken Headquartered in Stamford, CT, AIFS has offices in five countries and nearly 1,000 employees worldwide, including 100 in Connecticut. Under the leadership of its chairman, William L. Gertz, AIFS remains at the forefront of cultural exchange and educational programs with nearly 40,000 annual participants. prgtoken I am proud to congratulate AIFS on its six decades of success. May the next 60 years see AIFS continue its work building the next generation of global citizens.
NATIONAL SECURITY ACT, 2024
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2024-4-23

the Senate convenes at a moment nearly 6 months in the making. prgtoken A few days ago, the House of Representatives, at long last, approved essential national security funding for Ukraine, for Israel, for the Indo-Pacific, and for humanitarian assistance. Today is the Senate's turn to act. prgtoken For the information of Senators, at 1 p.m. this afternoon, the Senate will hold two rollcall votes related to the supplemental: one on a procedural motion and then a vote to invoke cloture. prgtoken The time has come to finish the job to help our friends abroad once and for all. I ask my colleagues to join together to pass the supplemental today as expeditiously as possible and send our friends abroad the aid they have long been waiting for. Let us not delay this. Let us not prolong this. Let us not keep our friends around the world waiting for a moment longer. prgtoken . prgtoken .
RECOGNIZING DAMON GOEBEL
Brittany Pettersen (Democrat, CO) \u2014 2024-4-23

I rise today to recognize Damon Goebel for earning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award. prgtoken Damon has overcome many challenges along his journey to success, demonstrating perseverance at every step. Students who strive to make the most of their education, like Damon, develop crucial skills and a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. This award is a testament to Damon's hard work, determination, and perseverance at Arvada K-8 and is clearly just the beginning of a bright and promising future. prgtoken It is my honor to congratulate Damon Goebel on achieving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.
RECOGNIZING MY 2024 SPRING INTERN CLASS FOR THEIR SERVICE TO ILLINOIS' 13TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
Nikki Budzinski (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2024-4-23

I rise today to recognize the class of interns who supported my office during the 2024 spring semester. Their incredible dedication to public service and commitment to learning has been truly inspirational, and the contributions they have made to Illinois' 13th Congressional District have had a significant impact. prgtoken In my Washington office, I was honored to work alongside Joshua Diamond, Will Daugherty, and Alexander Goldstein. These three interns have worked tirelessly to support my staff and have done an excellent job navigating the turbulent nature of Congress. From preparing for the State of the Union to helping my office work through appropriations requests, the policy experience and knowledge that these three individuals gained is truly impressive. prgtoken Back in Illinois, I was proud to work with Megan McCarthy in my Springfield office and Aidan Joyce in my Champaign office. Their commitment to constituent service by assisting my casework team has been amazing, and I am so proud of the work they have accomplished serving the people of Illinois' 13th Congressional District. prgtoken The impact that these individuals have had on my office will be felt for years to come, and we will be very sad to say farewell to this group of interns. I thank Joshua, William, Alexander, Megan, and Aidan, for their service. I wish them all the best as they continue their professional and academic journeys.
NATIONAL SECURITY ACT, 2024
Maria Cantwell (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2024-4-23

. I thank Senator Warner for his comments. prgtoken I find it most disturbing that they used TikTok to repeatedly access U.S. user data and track multiple journalists covering the company. Researchers have found that TikTok restricts the information that Americans and others receive on a global basis. prgtoken As of December 2023, an analysis by Rutgers University found that TikTok posts mentioning topics that are sensitive to the Chinese Government, including Tiananmen Square, Uighurs, and the Dalai Lama were significantly less prevalent on TikTok than on Instagram, the most comparable social media. prgtoken Foreign policy issues disfavored by China and Russian Governments also had fewer hashtags on TikTok, such as pro-Ukraine or pro-Israel hashtags. Here are some of those hashtags on TikTok: prgtoken The example of Tiananmen Square, which we all know was an example of students standing up to the military, and yet for Tiananmen Square, there are 8,000 percent more hashtags on Instagram than on TikTok. prgtoken The Uighur genocide protecting a Muslim population, there are 1,970 percent more hashtags about that on Instagram than on TikTok. prgtoken And my personal favorite, just because I had the privilege of meeting the Dalai Lama here in the Capitol, 5,520 percent more hashtags where the Dalai Lama is mentioned on Instagram than on TikTok. prgtoken And pro-Ukraine, 750 percent more hashtags on Instagram than on TikTok about Ukraine and support for Ukraine. prgtoken I think that says it all in this debate today. Are we going to continue to allow people to control the information by using an export- controlled algorithm and China-based source code? prgtoken My colleagues and I are urging for this deweaponization by saying that TikTok should be sold. Now, I know that the Chinese have an export control on that algorithm. Congress believes that you have to have adequate time to sufficiently address this issue posed by our foreign adversaries. That is why the legislation before us is for ByteDance to sell its stake in TikTok. prgtoken We think a year is ample time to allow potential investors to come forward, for due diligence to be completed, and for lawyers to draw up and prgtoken finalize contracts. This is not a new concept to require Chinese divestment from U.S. companies. prgtoken The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States requires Chinese divestment from hotel management platforms--StayNTouch, from a healthcare app called PatientsLikeMe, from the popular LGBTQI dating app Grindr, among other companies. And even after the Chinese owner divested from Grindr in 2020, Americans had continuity of service on this platform. prgtoken So I turn it back to my colleague, but we are giving people a choice here to improve this platform and have the opportunity for Americans to make sure that they are not being manipulated by our foreign adversaries. prgtoken , I ask unanimous consent that H. Res. 1051, the Hou
INTRODUCTION OF THE ROCK CREEK NATIONAL PARK ACT OF 2024
Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democrat, DC) \u2014 2024-4-23

today, I introduce a bill to redesignate the United States-owned Rock Creek Park in the District of Columbia as ``Rock Creek National Park.'' Redesignating this park will highlight its significance to the Nation, including visitors to the Nation's capital, and will help bring much-needed funding for the park's inviting trails, waterways, and other unique features. prgtoken Rock Creek Park is already a ``national'' park, as it was established by Congress in 1890 ``for the benefit and enjoyment of the people of the United States.'' Rock Creek Park was the first federally managed urban park and the third federal park ever created, after Yellowstone and Sequoia. Rock Creek Park was designed to preserve animals, timber, forestry, and other interests in the park, and to ensure that its natural state is maintained as much as possible not only for D.C. residents, but for all Americans. The park also preserves the ancient history of the land, as it was used for temporary settlements and as a quarry for weapons and tools by Native Americans from 7000 BCE until the 1600s. prgtoken Since Congress first designated Rock Creek Park, several structures and properties have been established or donated to further preserve Rock Creek Park, creating a vast connected park area that falls under a central National Park Service jurisdiction. In 1892, the federal government acquired Peirce Mill in Rock Creek Park, one of the mills used by local farmers during the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries. In 1950, the Old Stone House located in Georgetown, with its pre- Revolutionary War architecture, was acquired by the park. The building was restored and programs explain the house's rich history from the colonial period to the present day. The Fort Circle Parks were also acquired to interpret and preserve the Civil War Defenses of Washington, which created a ring of protection for the Nation's capital during the Civil War. The Carter Barron Amphitheater, established in honor of the 150th anniversary of the Nation's capital, became an integral part of D.C.'s live music scene, and has featured acts including Ella Fitzgerald, Diana Ross, and Earth, Wind and Fire, as well as local artists. The redesignated ``Rock Creek National Park'' would encompass these later additions to the park. prgtoken Today, Rock Creek Park offers residents of D.C Maryland, and Northern Virginia, as well as visitors, an escape from our increasingly urban environment. Residents and tourists alike enjoy many activities in the park's 2,000 acres, including hiking and biking on the trails, horseback riding, picnicking, tennis, and other recreational activities in some of the open fields. Our residents have expressed their appreciation by volunteering to clean up and maintain the forests, trails, and waterways. prgtoken In 1918, landscape architects John Charles Olmstead and Frederick Law Olmstead, Jr. wrote of Rock Creek Park, ``No matter how perfect the scenery of th
NATIONAL SECURITY ACT, 2024
Mark R. Warner (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2024-4-23

I want to commend the Senator from Washington for her leadership going through the disparate effects of TikTok versus other social media platforms. prgtoken And let's acknowledge, TikTok, I think, realized they had a problem over a year ago. So they tried to develop a response--it was something called Project Texas--to allegedly address concerns related to TikTok's handling of America's data. prgtoken However, Project Texas would still allow TikTok's algorithm, source code, and development activities to remain in China. They would remain so under ByteDance control and subject to Chinese Government exploitation. prgtoken Project Texas allows TikTok to continue to rely on engineers and back-end support from China to update its algorithm and source code needed to run TikTok in the United States. prgtoken How can they say there is not the possibility of interference? This reliance on resources based in China, again, makes it vulnerable to Chinese Government exploitation. prgtoken That is why Project Texas does not resolve the United States' national security concern about ByteDance's ownership of TikTok. prgtoken Now, let me acknowledge--and I think Senator Cantwell and I worked on a more, frankly, comprehensive approach that, in a perfect world, we might have been debating today, but we work in the world of getting things right. prgtoken So I stand firmly in support, as Senator Cantwell has, of taking action now to prevent the kind of intelligence failure we first saw back in 2016. prgtoken And, again, the chair of the Commerce Committee has indicated this is not some draconian or novel approach. For decades, we have had systems in place to examine foreign ownership of U.S. industry. We have seen even more scrutiny in instances where foreign buyers have sought to control U.S. telecom and broadcast media platforms. prgtoken Frankly, this country should have adopted a similar regulatory approach for social media--again, something that Senator Cantwell and I worked on--which has considerably more scale and barriers to entry than broadcast media had a decade ago. prgtoken But this bill is an important step in fixing that glaring gap. It goes a long way toward safeguarding our democratic systems from covert foreign influence, both in its application to TikTok and forward- looking treatment of other foreign adversary control over future online platforms. prgtoken Before , I want to make clear to all Americans: This is not an effort to take your voice away. For several months now, we have heard from constituents how much they value TikTok as a creative platform. And yesterday was the 4-year anniversary of my once-viral tuna melt video on another social media platform. I can kind of understand why TikTok has become such a cultural touchstone. prgtoken To those Americans, I would emphasize: This is not a ban of a service you appreciate. prgtoken Many Americans, particularly young Americans, are rightfully
TRIBUTE TO CAPTAIN WILLIAM C. PENNINGTON
Jon Tester (Democrat, MT) \u2014 2024-4-23

I rise today to recognize CAPT William C. Pennington for his exemplary dedication to duty and service to the U.S. Navy and to the United States of America. I have personally gotten to know Captain Pennington, or ``BP,'' over the past 3 years, while he served as the director of the Navy and Marine Corps Congressional Appropriations Matters Office. prgtoken Captain Pennington was born in Chicago, IL, and raised in Dallas, TX. He began his Navy service in 1992 as a midshipman at the U.S. Naval Academy, where he was the captain of the men's varsity track and field team, and earned his bachelors of science degree in weapons and systems engineering. In 1996, he was commissioned as a naval officer from the U.S. Naval Academy and was assigned to the Bureau of Naval Personnel in Washington, DC, (PERS 43) until he began flight training in Pensacola, FL, in 1997. prgtoken A career maritime patrol aviator, BP has valiantly served all over the world on behalf of our Nation. Throughout his 28 years of service he has completed operational tours in Kaneohe Bay, HI, with Patrol Squadron FOUR (VP-4), in Whidbey Island, WA, with Patrol Squadron FORTY (VP-40), and in Jacksonville, FL, where he commanded the ``War Eagles'' of Patrol Squadron SIXTEEN (VP-16). While in command, he led his crew on the Navy's first-ever P-8A Poseidon deployment. Additionally, at sea, he served as the Japan and China Pol-Mil/Exercise Office on the staff of Commander, U.S. Seventh Fleet onboard USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) operating out of Yokosuka, Japan. prgtoken In his most recent operational tour he served as Commander, Task Force 67 (CTF 67) responsible for maritime patrol, reconnaissance, and expeditionary naval aviation forces operating in support of the U.S. Sixth Fleet. prgtoken Captain Pennington's shore tours have included instructor duty at the Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Fleet Replacement Squadron (VP-30), deputy executive assistant to the Director, Air Warfare (N88/98), a joint tour on the Joint Staff in the J-8 Studies, Analysis, and Gaming Division, and as Multi-Mission Aircraft and Programs Branch Head and Maritime Patrol Reconnaissance Aircraft (MPRA) Requirements Officer at OPNAV N98. Following command of Task Force 67, he was assigned to OPNAV N9I as the deputy director of the Navy's Unmanned Campaign before assuming his current duties as Director, Navy and Marine Corps Congressional Appropriations Matters Office (FMBE) in March 2021. prgtoken The importance of FMBE to the Senate Defense Appropriations Committee cannot be overstated. Established by law, FMBE serves as the committee's direct link to Navy leadership, and the committee relies on FMBE for timely and accurate information regarding the Navy's budget. As Director, Captain Pennington justified three budget submissions for the Department of Navy through continuous communication with Members of Congress and their staff. BP's rapport with Senators and their s