mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
AIRPORT DELAYS AND CANCELLATIONS
James A. Himes (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2023-1-11

once again, this morning, thousands of Americans found themselves in airports staring at delayed and canceled flights. This comes barely 3 weeks after tens of thousands of Americans, and many of my own constituents, missed the holidays because of the catastrophe on the part of the airlines, the airlines that got billions of dollars in this Chamber from the American people barely 2 years ago. This is how the airlines repay the support that this institution gave to them so that they could get through COVID. prgtoken Now, the private markets will presumably address the failures of Southwest and other airlines. What happened this morning was a failure of government. The Notice to Air Missions is a function of the FAA. prgtoken I would like to point out that after last week, when we heard constant cries for cuts to the budget, understand, my friends, cuts to the budget means that we underinvest in the infrastructure that my constituents were relying on this morning. As we think about the budget in the next 2 years, let's remember what happened this morning.
EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF CONGRESS CONDEMNING THE RECENT ATTACKS ON PRO- LIFE FACILITIES, GROUPS, AND CHURCHES
Ayanna Pressley (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2023-1-11

. Madam , as chair of the Abortion Rights and Access Task Force, I rise to make plain exactly what is going on here. This is not a debate about political violence. Political violence and the violent rhetoric that drives it is a persistent threat; my staff, my family, and I know that intimately. Everyone should condemn it. prgtoken Our colleagues across the aisle continue to say the quiet part out loud in their selective contempt for political violence. prgtoken This resolution seeks to deny necessary medical care from those who seek it. Abortion is healthcare and a fundamental human right. prgtoken Across the Nation, those seeking care are met with intimidation, violence, and even loss of life. Imagine walking through a screaming crowd to get to a medical appointment. Imagine being a doctor or a nurse dedicating your life to helping others, and day after day your workplace receives violent threats, and you fear for your life. prgtoken But that is not what the other side of the aisle is concerned about. No, today, they are seeking to mislead the American people. They are trying to conjure up hateful rhetoric, spreading misinformation about crisis pregnancy centers. prgtoken Let me make it plain. Crisis pregnancy centers are no place to go for reproductive healthcare. They are sham clinics that coerce folks seeking to terminate a pregnancy or to access the full range of reproductive health services.
THANKING FIRST RESPONDERS
Salud O. Carbajal (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2023-1-11

I rise today as the Representative for the central coast of California, which has endured some of the worst storms and flooding in recent memory, to say thank you. prgtoken Thank you to our firefighters, our emergency crews, our search and rescue teams, our law enforcement officers, and all of our first responders and local leaders who have stepped up to save lives and protect property in our communities. prgtoken I share one story of this effort. On Monday, members of the Lompoc Fire Department reacted quickly to save a couple from rising flood waters. prgtoken As they carried out the rescue, they discovered that moments before, the woman had given birth. Thanks to the quick work of the Lompoc Fire Department, all three were rescued and are resting safely. prgtoken , our first responders have stepped up to avert further disaster this week, and I am proud today to take a moment to recognize their service in the permanent Record of this body.
SUPPORTING THE OMNIBUS APPROPRIATIONS AND CONSOLIDATED APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2023
Danny K. Davis (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2023-1-11

as we begin the 118th Congress and the new year, I want to take a moment to voice my strong support for the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, Public Law 117-328. Given that this legislation will help so many, it is fitting that we enacted this bipartisan bill during the holiday season--a time of kindness and caring for others. prgtoken As people struggle with higher costs, this law provides substantial help paying for food, housing, health care, childcare, and education. For example, a few notable provisions include: prgtoken It increases affordable housing funding by 8 percent, including an expansion of vouchers for 12,000 households at risk of homelessness; prgtoken It ensures that the 40 million children on Medicaid and CHIP have uninterrupted access to health care through the year by offering continuous coverage; prgtoken It expands high-quality childcare and preschool by increasing the Child Care and Development Block Grant by $1.9 billion and Head Start by $950 million; prgtoken It invests in mental health services for Medicare beneficiaries by expanding the physician workforce, creating a new outpatient benefit, and extending telehealth flexibilities for 2 years; prgtoken It helps improve customer service by the Social Security Administration for seniors, people with disabilities, and survivors with an additional $785 million; prgtoken It lowers food insecurity with an additional $13.4 billion for the SNAP program and by giving 29 million kids healthy meals during the summer with the creation of a permanent summer food program; prgtoken It increases Pell Grants by $500, the largest increase in over a decade; prgtoken It helps lower energy costs with $6.1 billion for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program or LIHEAP; prgtoken It helps individuals, families, and communities affected by disasters with $27 billion; and prgtoken It strengthens retirement for Americans. prgtoken I am very proud that this law includes 3 of my bills and over $24 million to help my local organizations and constituents via community projects funding. prgtoken The law includes The Jackie Walorski Maternal and Child Home Visiting Reauthorization Act of 2022 that provides historic funding for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting program that funds evidence-based home visiting proven to improve mother and child health, family safety, and child development. prgtoken It includes the Retirement Parity for Student Loans Act that improves retirement savings and lowers educational debt by allowing employers to make 401(k) matching payments for employees making student-loan payments, helping younger workers who currently cannot afford to save for their retirement to begin saving much sooner. prgtoken In addition, the law includes key provisions of the Unclaimed Savings Bond Act that will help locate bondholders and heirs of unclaimed bonds, helping ordinary Americans claim the over $33 billion owed to them. Illinois citi
RECOGNIZING DR. CHRIS FARNITANO
Mark DeSaulnier (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2023-1-11

I rise today to recognize the service of Dr. Chris Farnitano. prgtoken Dr. Farnitano has dedicated his career and his life to improving the lives of others and advancing wellness and compassionate care in the district that I represent in Contra Costa County and the San Francisco Bay area. Over the course of his 30 years, Chris has served in an important leadership role at the Contra Costa Regional Medical Center and its clinics and ultimately ended up as the Contra Costa County health officer in 2018. prgtoken Chris' commitment to promoting public health and well-being in our community is apparent in all of the work he has done. In 1997, he assisted in the development of the Pittsburg Health Center's HIV Medical Clinic, which was the first of its kind in the Nation. Chris was also instrumental in minimizing the spread of the coronavirus in our county and in the region. prgtoken Chris' work has had significant impact on our community, and our county admires his compassion and his dedication and wishes him well in his retirement.
BORN-ALIVE ABORTION SURVIVORS PROTECTION ACT
Hillary J. Scholten (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2023-1-11

. Madam , I rise today in support of parental and maternal rights and in opposition to H.R. 26. prgtoken I am the first mother in history to represent west Michigan in Congress. This matter is deeply personal to me. I recently shared publicly about my own experience navigating a complex miscarriage and the loss of my daughter. As a pro-choice Christian who chose life, this issue is so personal to me. My faith informs my actions, but it doesn't dictate the policy of an entire nation. prgtoken Further, when I read the Scripture, I am guided by passages like Jeremiah 1:5, which states: I knew you before I formed you, and I placed you in your mother's womb. It doesn't say the government's womb or the 's womb, it says the mother's womb. prgtoken I believe life is precious, but I reject the idea that if I embrace the sanctity of life, I also must be forced to invite the Federal Government in to regulate it. We must protect families from unnecessary government intrusion into the most sacred and personal decisions of our lives and our children's lives.
BORN-ALIVE ABORTION SURVIVORS PROTECTION ACT
Diana DeGette (Democrat, CO) \u2014 2023-1-11

. What it does is it hopes to deter doctors from providing abortion care in the first place, which is exactly what we saw after the Dobbs decision. This is not what the American people signed up for. prgtoken I strongly urge my colleagues to reject these extreme measures and instead support my motion to recommit to take up and pass the Women's Health Protection Act to ensure that everybody in this country, no matter where they live, has the access to the reproductive care they need. prgtoken Madam , I ask unanimous consent to add the text of this amendment into the Record immediately prior to the vote on the motion to recommit.
HONORING DELTA SIGMA THETA SORORITY FOUNDERS' DAY 110TH ANNIVERSARY
Joyce Beatty (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2023-1-11

I rise today in honor of the 110th Founders' Day of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, founded in 1913 by 22 collegiate women from Howard University who refused to be denied the right to march in the women's suffrage march. prgtoken I am so proud today as we push forward with fortitude to join the seven female Members of Congress standing strong here in the Halls of Congress, working together just as our Founders did, to advance the fight for voting rights, for women's reproductive rights, for criminal justice, housing, HBCUs, and education. prgtoken Most importantly, I am proud to join my Delta sisters: Congresswomen Clarke, McBath, Plaskett, Crockett, Lee, and Foushee. prgtoken To my sisters and Deltas and all members of Panhellenic, we say thank you for your service. But most importantly, today I say Happy Founders' Day.
EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF CONGRESS CONDEMNING THE RECENT ATTACKS ON PRO- LIFE FACILITIES, GROUPS, AND CHURCHES
Bonnie Watson Coleman (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2023-1-11

. Madam , I rise because I am appalled that this is how my colleagues have chosen to start this majority. prgtoken It appears that actually legislating is too great a challenge for my colleagues, who have no apparent plan to address the real issues facing our country, including the rising tide of violent extremism. prgtoken H. Con. Res. 3 condemns violence against anti-abortion organizations. It says nothing about the violence against abortion providers that has gone largely unaddressed for nearly 50 years. Last year, I supported legislation that offered real solutions to rising violence against abortion providers. prgtoken Madam , I would be happy to work with my colleagues on fixing H. Con. Res. 3 to actually acknowledge the rising violence, but I cannot and will not support it in its current form, and I encourage my colleagues to vote ``no.''
CONGRATULATING HARRY K. STEWART UPON RECEIVING THE 2023 GOLDEN BEAVER MANAGEMENT AWARD
John Garamendi (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2023-1-11

I rise today to congratulate Harry K. Stewart, Chief Operating Officer of the Dutra Group, upon receiving the 2023 Golden Beaver Management Award. Mr. Stewart has dedicated over 40 years to the Dutra Group, providing invaluable support to our nation's infrastructure, protecting the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, and directly contributing to the rapid development of the dredging and marine construction industry. Throughout Mr. Stewart's incredible career, he has demonstrated a sincere commitment to the construction industry and an unyielding zeal for defending the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta community. prgtoken Born and raised near the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, the hub of California's water supply, Mr. Stewart grew up witnessing the comprehensive planning and detailed care necessary to maintain our nation's harbors and waterways. After graduating from the University of California, Davis, with a degree in civil engineering, Mr. Stewart embarked on what would become a 4-decade-long career with the Dutra Group. prgtoken Since joining the Dutra Group in 1983, Mr. Stewart has served in each of the company's divisions: dredging, marine construction, and aggregates. Today, he uses his firsthand knowledge and on-the-ground experience of every facet of the Dutra Group to manage and oversee the 3 subdivisions as Chief Operating Officer. From helping protect America's coastal regions to promoting environmental responsibility through sustainable practices, Mr. Stewart plays an integral role in furthering the Dutra Group's work as a leader of the marine construction industry. prgtoken For his decades of service in the construction industry, Mr. Stewart has been honored as a recipient of the 2023 Golden Beaver Management Award. This recognition is bestowed by the Beavers, a social organization formed by companies and individuals engaged in the heavy engineering construction industry and committed to fostering goodwill an partnership among members of the industry. Mr. Stewart's exemplary career, contributions to our Nation's infrastructure, and service to the people of the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta area, make this high honor of the Golden Beaver Management Award well-deserved. prgtoken Through the hard work and innovation of leaders like Mr. Stewart, our Nation's infrastructure has greatly advanced to where it is today. Mr. Stewart's 40 years of service with the Dutra Group has left an indelible legacy on the maritime construction industry that will last for many years to come. l would like to offer my sincere congratulations to Mr. Stewart upon receiving this great honor and extend my deepest gratitude for his decades of vital service to the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta community.
STANDING UP FOR REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM AND REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE
Julia Brownley (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2023-1-11

last week, House s sadly displayed their incoherent and chaotic approach toward governing in this country. prgtoken But when it comes to ripping away the reproductive rights and freedoms of women across the country, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle have never been more united. prgtoken Despite the many immediate challenges facing our country, their priority was to criminalize abortion care and to put the health of women at risk. prgtoken The party that claims they want government out of our lives could not move more quickly to put the government and politicians in charge of one of the most personal decisions a woman can ever make. prgtoken Listening to my colleagues pontificate about the sanctity of life while attempting to take away life-saving healthcare for millions of women is appalling. prgtoken I am proud to stand with House to continue to fight for reproductive freedom and reproductive justice and the right to abortion across the United States.
STRONG NATIONS NEED TAX COLLECTION
Brad Sherman (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2023-1-11

for most of my life, I have been a student of history. As a CPA, a tax lawyer, and a former head of the second largest tax agency in this country, I focused on the fact that if you look at empires, republics, and kingdoms, the ones that succeeded were those that were able to collect taxes. And when they were unable to collect taxes, they fell. prgtoken I have seen patriotic anarchists come to this floor. They want America to be prgtoken strong, but they want our ability to enforce our financial laws to be weak. prgtoken There are those who say correctly that we should not defund the police because we have crime in the streets. But we also have to prevent crime in the suites. prgtoken Yet every time a billionaire successfully cheats on his taxes, a member of the Freedom Caucus earns his wings. There are two threats to our ability to collect taxes. Both of them seem to be supported by many on the side. prgtoken The first of these is the underfunding of the IRS. For 3 days and 3 long nights, we heard each faction of the Party say how they wanted procedures that would eventually lead to reducing our national debt, and then the first thing they bring to the floor is a bill that increases the national debt by $1.6 trillion according to six bipartisan Secretaries of the Treasury. prgtoken Frankly, I think that estimate is way too low because I have seen tax collection from every side; as a legislator, as a tax administrator and auditor, and as an adviser to private businesses. prgtoken When you conduct audits, you not only bring in money from that taxpayer, but you create an image in that social circle that tax returns need to be filled out accurately and even conservatively. That will no doubt lead to far more tax collection than the $1.6 trillion that has been estimated. prgtoken Keep in mind that working people really can't evade taxes. They get W-2s and 1099s. It is those with complicated tax returns and our large corporations that we are talking about. prgtoken Now, with the additional funding the have provided the IRS, we can finally put ``service'' back into Internal Revenue Service. Hopefully, they will answer the damn phones. prgtoken We need to see one IRS employee for every 2,000 tax returns that are filed. As you can see on this chart, that is what Ronald Reagan had back in 1988. Now, we are close to 3,500 tax returns for every IRS employee. That is untenable. That is why could take outrageous positions in his tax returns. He counted on light audits. prgtoken Ronald Reagan paid his taxes and staffed the IRS. Stand with Ronald Reagan and stand with adequate funding for the Internal Revenue Service. prgtoken There is a second threat to our ability to collect taxes--it is longer term--and that is the possible rise of cryptocurrency. When somebody tells you what they are, believe them. Cryptocurrency tells you what it is or aspires to be in its name. Cryptocurrency li
EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF CONGRESS CONDEMNING THE RECENT ATTACKS ON PRO- LIFE FACILITIES, GROUPS, AND CHURCHES
Earl Blumenauer (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2023-1-11

. Madam , I appreciate the gentleman's courtesy in permitting me to speak on these resolutions. This is a poll-tested focus group effort to change the subject. prgtoken We all know that attacking facilities or not providing healthcare to an infant is already illegal. This is a veiled attempt at distracting from the real consequences of the Dobbs decision. prgtoken People have had their rights taken away and can no longer receive the care they wish. When we see doctors consulting their lawyers when patients are dying on operating tables because they are afraid of abortion bans, voting on this resolution is an embarrassment. prgtoken It is unconscionable that when people are living in fear, even dying because they are denied healthcare, the House is ignoring this in favor of a political stunt. prgtoken I stand with the American public and in opposition to this legislation.
REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS
Lori Trahan (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2023-1-11

. Madam , in every State where abortion rights were on the ballot last year, Americans voted to protect lifesaving reproductive care. prgtoken In strongholds like Kentucky and Montana, voters rejected attempts to restrict or ban abortion. In Vermont, Michigan, and California, voters codified abortion rights into their State constitutions. prgtoken After such a resounding defeat for anti-abortion politicians, you would think that my colleagues on the other side of the aisle would have gotten the message. prgtoken But rather than listening to voters and bringing forward legislation to codify the reproductive rights our mothers and grandmothers fought so hard for, the new majority is catering to demands of extreme Members in their conference who have called for a national abortion ban. prgtoken The partisan bills on the floor today will do nothing to protect women. Instead, they will undermine access to prgtoken reproductive care that millions of women rely on. prgtoken Madam , the women we represent deserve better. Our daughters deserve better. I urge my colleagues to oppose these pieces of legislation.
REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS
Becca Balint (Democrat, VT) \u2014 2023-1-11

. Madam , the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade was dehumanizing and dangerous. It does not reflect the will of the majority of Americans who deeply value control over their own bodies. prgtoken As leader of the State senate in Vermont, I worked to make sure that my State was the first in the Nation to explicitly protect reproductive freedoms in its constitution. It is time to provide these same protections for all Americans. prgtoken While s seek to control women's bodies to try to distract us from their extreme stances with farcical resolutions, my ic colleagues and I will not stop until reproductive freedoms are restored as the law of the land. prgtoken The American people are overwhelmingly with us. They want their rights. They want their freedoms. prgtoken As a woman, as a mother, as a Congresswoman, I will continue to fight for a world where abortion care is legal, safe, and accessible for all Americans.
TRIBUTE TO GERALD ``BUD'' CHITTOM
Steve Cohen (Democrat, TN) \u2014 2023-1-11

I rise today to pay tribute to the late Gerald ``Bud'' Chittom, a larger-than-life restaurateur, musician and promoter of Memphis' iconic blues throughfare--Beale Street--and my friend. Bud passed in 2018 after a career opening and managing dozens of Memphis area restaurants and night clubs. He was awarded a Beale Street Brass Note in 2011 with the inscription ``A Man You Don't Meet Everyday,'' putting him in the company of fellow Brass Note honorees, B.B. King, Isaac Hayes, Elvis Presley and Sain Phillips. Bud will be honored this week by the Downtown Memphis Commission with its Vision Award, which will be received by his daughter, Caitlin. It's well- deserved. Bud was instrumental in the renewal of Beale Street, creating the Blues City Cafe at Second Street, founding Jerry Lee Lewis' Cafe and Honky Tonk at 310 Beale, and driving business to other venues on Beale and his restored Earnestine and Hazel's on South Main Street, now world-renown as the Nation's best dive bar. He didn't rest until the area's revival as a mecca for tourism and music lovers was assured. A bass player himself, he often sat in with bands playing venues up and down the street. After I successfully passed the Tennessee Education Lottery as a Tennessee state senator, Bud and Blues City Cafe co-owner, Wilbur Hensley sold me the first lottery ticket in Tennessee in 2004. The Vision Award recognizes Bud's contribution to our community, and I commend the Downtown Memphis Commission for saluting him, and congratulate his family and friends for making him a part of our lives.