mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
TRANSPORTATION, HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2023
Barbara Lee (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2022-7-20

. Mr. Chair, I rise in support of this amendment to permit American farmers to help alleviate hunger in Cuba. As one of the co-chairs of the Bipartisan Cuba Working Group, I thank Congresswoman Tlaib for offering it, and I thank the and my working group co-chair, Chairman Jim McGovern for making it in order. prgtoken After more than six decades, the U.S. embargo on Cuba has accomplished nothing except to cause suffering among the Cuban people. This policy is a complete failure. And yet it continues, a policy that divides families and hurts working people in Cuba. prgtoken This amendment would permit American farmers to help alleviate the current hunger crisis in Cuba that is made worse by COVID and our embargo. In one fell swoop, we could show that America puts humanitarian values first, and head off competition from countries like China who seek to make inroads in our hemisphere. prgtoken This amendment is good for American farmers, good for the Cuban people, and good for healing Cuban-American families divided by misguided U.S. policy. I urge my colleagues to vote yes.
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
Joe Manchin, III (Democrat, WV) \u2014 2022-7-20

I rise today to acknowledge the months of bipartisan hard work that have gone into two bills that we are filing today: the Electoral Count Reform and Presidential Transition Improvement Act--I repeat--the Electoral Count Reform and Presidential Transition Improvement Act--and the Enhanced Election Security and Protection Act. prgtoken I would like to commend my dear friend Senator Susan Collins for her leadership throughout this process. She has been shepherding this through and working diligently, as only she can do, and she does it so well. prgtoken We started these discussions back in January, when partisanship around here was at a fever pitch, a toxic environment that was absolutely not conducive to things that needed to be done. But for those who may not remember, we were in the middle of a heated debate over voting rights with both sides-- and s--equally dug in on their positions, and it was kind of hard to move people off of that. prgtoken The insurrection January 6 and the situation that has been going on since 1887 and should have been corrected and had not been--but no one ever felt that we would have what we had. So now, we needed to take care of it. And everyone stepped to the plate. prgtoken By January 19, my ic colleagues were so frustrated that they forced a vote on repealing the filibuster to allow that bill to pass with a simple majority, along party lines. It appeared to many, both inside and outside of Washington, DC, that the Senate was fundamentally broken. But Senator Collins and I have worked together for a long time, and we never gave up. We were not convinced it was broken, and you just have to work a little bit harder. prgtoken They call us the most deliberative body. Well, to deliberate means to talk, to converse; and when that fails, then, basically, the deliberative body is no longer the deliberative body. And we were not going to let that happen to us. prgtoken We asked our colleagues and friends to come together to start trying to see if we could work together and find a pathway and find common ground. Well--guess what--they did. So I am here to thank those who sat down: Senator Portman, Rob Portman; we had Senator Murphy; we had Senator Romney, Senator Shaheen, Senator Murkowski, Senator Warren, Senator Tillis, Senator Sinema, Senator Capito, Senator Cardin, Senator Young, Senator Coons, Senator Sasse, and Senator Graham. prgtoken Now, that was truly a team effort when you think about it. And this has gone on for quite some time. prgtoken What we learned through those discussions was that there was bipartisan support for some important, commonsense reforms that would help restore Americans' faith in our democracy and how we basically apply our democracy, how do we select our representative form of government. Specifically, most of our group felt that we could and that we should: prgtoken Reform the Electoral Count Act to remove the ambiguit
TRANSPORTATION, HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2023
Abigail Davis Spanberger (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2022-7-20

. Mr. Chair, I stand in support of my amendment to increase funding for suicide prevention coordinators at the VA, and I thank the chairwoman for her advocacy and good work on the larger bill. prgtoken Last Saturday, the new 988 national suicide prevention lifeline launched. Now veterans in crisis can reach the veterans crisis line by calling 988 and pressing 1. prgtoken This new number will allow more individuals to access help when they need it the most, and it will save lives. prgtoken Due to this transition, the VA anticipates an increase in call volume, as much as 2\1/2\ times higher than last year. We need to make sure that there are enough professionals in place at the VA to handle the uptick in caseloads--starting with suicide prevention coordinators. prgtoken Suicide prevention coordinators receive referrals from Veterans Crisis Line callers, and remain in contact with high-risk veterans, providing follow-up care and connecting them with resources within their communities. prgtoken The 988 number is an important step in providing mental health care to veterans in crisis. But it is our duty to ensure that there are suicide prevention coordinators in place to care for those who have borne the battle. prgtoken Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the Americans who represent the very best of our country and ensuring the success of the new 988 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline for all those who may need it.
CONGRATULATING IRENE TOVAR
Tony Cárdenas (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2022-7-20

. Madam , I rise today to honor and congratulate a tremendous community leader, a friend of mine, and a friend of the community of Los Angeles and beyond, Irene Tovar, for being conferred an honorary doctorate from California State University at Northridge, otherwise known prgtoken as CSUN, for her decades of public service as an advocate for education in the San Fernando Valley, throughout the State of California, and across the country. prgtoken I think of a quote from Saint Francis of Assisi: ``Start by doing what is necessary; and then do what is possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.'' That is Irene Tovar. prgtoken Irene's story begins like many of ours: in search of the American Dream. Her mother is from Salamanca, Guanajuato, Mexico, and her father is from Jerez, Zacatecas, Mexico. Her parents met in southern California, where later they married. They first settled in East Los Angeles, where Irene, her sister, and her brother were born, and then they moved to Pacoima and lived on Pinney Street. prgtoken Irene was a dedicated student and attended Pacoima Elementary School, San Fernando High School, and San Fernando Valley State College, which is now known as Cal State University Northridge. prgtoken While attending CSUN, Irene, who earned a bachelor's degree in social science from the university in 1969, noticed that the dropout rate for Latino students was disproportionately high, so she helped create an organization to address the issue. prgtoken It grew into the Latin American Civic Association, known as LACA, which administered the first Head Start program in the San Fernando Valley. This organization helps thousands of working families access quality childcare and education. prgtoken Alongside leaders such as Dr. Rudy Acuna, Irene began to advocate and organize for the creation of the Equal Opportunity Program and the Chicano Studies Department at California State University Northridge. prgtoken The Chicano Studies Department was established in 1969 with only 100 students. Now, it is one of the largest Chicano studies departments in the country. prgtoken Her advocacy caught the attention of then-Governor Jerry Brown, who, during his first tenure, appointed Irene to the State Personnel Board. She was the first Mexican American and first person of color to sit on the board. prgtoken She was instrumental in implementing policies and procedures that removed artificial barriers in the California civil service system, including differential pay and affirmative action. She also served as a full-time member of the California Public Employment Relations Board, a quasi-judicial body she joined in 1974. prgtoken Irene's passion for education and public service continues. She currently serves as the CEO of LACA, which now focuses on providing multifamily services and affordable housing. prgtoken Irene has played a key role in the history of the San Fernando Valley as a founding member of the L.A. Mission Co
10-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE AURORA, COLORADO, SHOOTING
Michael F. Bennet (Democrat, CO) \u2014 2022-7-20

on July 20, 2012, Colorado suffered a horrific mass shooting at a movie theater in Aurora. A gunman took 12 innocent lives from us, each of them full of aspirations for a future that was tragically and senselessly cut short. They leave behind family, friends, and a community in Aurora that still carries the pain of their loss a decade later. prgtoken Colorado will never forget and forever honor the 12 victims of the Aurora shooting. Today, I ask to read their names into the Congressional Record. prgtoken Jonathan Blunk was 26 years old. He was a father of two who moved to Colorado in 2009 after three tours in the Persian Gulf and North Arabian Sea for the U.S. Navy. He was a certified firefighter and EMT. Jon lost his life protecting his friend Jansen Young from the gunman's line of fire. Jon shielded her from gunfire by pushing her to the ground while shots were fired. He was supposed to fly that Saturday to Nevada to see his wife Chantel Blunk and his 4-year-old daughter and 2- year-old son. Instead, his wife had to put up the dress her daughter had picked out to wear to the airport. She told her daughter that they would not see their dad anymore, but that he would still love them and look over them. prgtoken Alexander Jonathan Boik was 18 years old. His friends and family called him A.J. He had just graduated from Gateway High School. He enjoyed baseball, music, and making pottery. A.J. was supposed to start art classes at the Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design that fall. He was described ``as being the life of the party,'' who could bring a smile to anybody's face.'' He was a young man with a warm and loving heart. prgtoken Jesse Childress was 29 years old. He was an Air Force cyber systems operator based at Buckley Air Force Base. He loved to play flag football, softball, and bowl. He was a devoted fan of the Denver Broncos and held season tickets. His superior officer described him as an invaluable part of the 310th family who touched everyone with whom he worked. prgtoken Gordon Cowden was 51 years old. He was originally from Texas and lived in Aurora with his family. He was ``a quick witted world traveler with a keen sense of humor, he will be remembered for his devotion to his children and for always trying to do the right thing, no matter the obstacle.'' Gordon took his two teenage children to the theater the night of the shooting. Both of them, thankfully, made it out unharmed. prgtoken Jessica Ghawi was 24 years old. She was an aspiring journalist, most recently interning with Mile High Sports Radio in Denver, and went by the nickname ``Redfield.''' She was hard-working, ambitious, and had a generous spirit and kind heart. When several homes were destroyed by Colorado wildfires, Jessica collected hockey equipment to donate to the kids affected because she wanted to help. That was who she was. prgtoken John Thomas Larimer was 27 years old. He was a cryptologic technician with the
WE WON'T GO BACK
Shontel M. Brown (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2022-7-20

life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. These inalienable rights have served as a compass in guiding us as we strive to create a more perfect Union. prgtoken Yet, recently, these rights have been the target of relentless political attacks by a Supreme Court that has seemingly abandoned the promises of our Constitution and by far-right extremists with a radical agenda to dismantle decades of progress to take us back, back to a time when people were ashamed and murdered because the person they chose to love didn't have a certain skin color or was of the same gender and back to a time when women could not access legal and safe reproductive healthcare measures. prgtoken Today, I stand in solidarity with the millions of Americans who have been angered by these disgraceful acts to say that I refuse to be taken back because we have come much too far.
Nomination of Gregory Brian Williams (Executive Session)
Christopher A. Coons (Democrat, DE) \u2014 2022-7-20

I would like to thank my colleague and senior Senator, my friend, Mr. Tom Carper, who allows me to be his wingman here on the floor of the Senate and in our home State of Delaware. prgtoken I just wanted to speak briefly to the outstanding qualifications of the nominee that will be before us in a moment, Greg Williams of Delaware. prgtoken As a member of the Delaware Bar, as a member of the Judiciary Committee, I have joined my senior Senator, friend, and colleague in advancing this nomination, both suggesting to the White House strongly that he would be an excellent next member of the important Federal bench in Delaware and prgtoken that he would represent our Nation well and contribute to our Federal judiciary, which is globally the gold standard for its capability, its independence, and its integrity. prgtoken Greg has practiced for decades in Delaware. He is one of the best respected, leading complex commercial litigators, and an experienced intellectual property litigator. prgtoken The District of Delaware is one of the busiest Federal courts in our entire country. Because of our unique place in American corporate law, because of the quality and the competence of our bench, we handle an enormous number of patent cases, a significant number of corporate cases. prgtoken I don't know if my colleague has mentioned one of the top-of-the- charts cases about to come to Delaware, but when you make a promise to purchase a company like--I don't know, hypothetically, Twitter--and then the deal comes apart, that ends up in a Delaware court called our chancery court. Our Federal District Court and our Federal Bankruptcy Courts handle significant litigation. prgtoken Greg is someone who also, as a family man, as a person of faith, as an outstanding leader in our community, as the past president of the bar association, as the past chairman of the judicial nominating commission on behalf of our Governor, he has served our community. prgtoken He brings his heart, his values, his intellect, and his skill to his service each and every day, and I am honored to join my senior Senator in speaking on his behalf on the floor. And I look forward to working with my colleagues across the aisle to ensure a swift confirmation vote today. prgtoken . prgtoken .
SOCIAL SECURITY
Bill Pascrell, Jr. (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2022-7-20

I rise today on behalf of the more than 124,000 of our neighbors in the 9th Congressional District who rely on Social Security each and every month. prgtoken I rise also, , because 26 years ago, when I first ran for Congress against an incumbent, I was fighting for Social Security because it was an issue in that election of 1996, when you had choices. prgtoken Choices. Privatize, and that is the way to get to the goal line, and senior housing, senior development, one after the other. The first thing I heard when I walked in the door when I was campaigning in the first congressional campaign of my life was, ``What are you going to do about Social Security?'' prgtoken The number of 124,000 is growing in every State every single day. It is not getting smaller. We have more of an older community in the United States of America. I am proud to have been part of that community for a few years. We will leave it at that. prgtoken Social Security is one of our Nation's greatest success stories, and after 86 years, Social Security still stands as a monument for decency, dignity, and hardworking Americans. We talk about them a lot. We talk about the middle class. We talk about the poor. That is what we do, we talk a lot about it. prgtoken Yet throughout that storied history, Social Security has been under attack. Going back to 1935 and FDR, from day one it has been the subject of scurrilous attacks and lies. Those lies continue to this day. It has taken its toll. prgtoken Social Security is no grab-bag giveaway, but benefits that you have earned, you paid into with your own sweat and toil. Without aggressive action, it teeters toward insolvency. prgtoken Congress has a sacred responsibility to protect Social Security for today's seniors and for tomorrow's: their kids, their grandkids. prgtoken I am proud to stand here with my very good friend, Representative John Larson, as a strong supporter of his Social Security 2100 Act. This historic bill will ensure the strength and solvency of Social Security for today's seniors. prgtoken The Social Security 2100 Act provides fully paid-for benefit enhancements, not cuts in benefits. Oh, please notice who is advocating for those cuts. Not just seniors; those to-be-seniors and their kids and grandkids. It keeps President 's promise to not raise taxes on middle-class families. This is a no-brainer. prgtoken Among its many improvements, this bill eliminates the unnecessary 5- month disability benefits waiting period. That, coupled with the inadequacy of our postal officials, is enough to do away with the seniors, I will tell you that. I hope that is not the plan. prgtoken Additionally, it will ensure Americans suffering with terminal and debilitating disorders like Huntington's disease get the help they need without red tape or delay. prgtoken Importantly, we have updated the legislation so that our firefighters, police, teachers, and other public servants--we are always putting our
CHIPS Act (Executive Session)
Ron Wyden (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2022-7-20

our economy is as resilient as any in the world. At the same time, we know that it is important to always look to modernize key economic policies, particularly as it relates to fundamental questions of research and development and also production and manufacturing, in order to create high-skilled, high-wage jobs from sea to shining sea. prgtoken Now, I come from a State that is a leader in technological innovation, not just for our country but for the world. Oregonians know how important it is to invest and make sure that the United States stays at the forefront of technological breakthroughs. prgtoken The reality is, when it comes to chips, we have some important work to do, so I want to take just a few minutes to describe why it is so essential for the Congress to get this legislation done now. prgtoken First of all, our bill is going to bring down costs for consumers and businesses. Everybody knows there are chips in laptops, phones, and cars, but there are also chips in refrigerators and even vacuum cleaners, as we saw at Stark's in Southeast Portland recently. prgtoken From the time you pick your head up off your pillow until the time you go to bed at night, you are interacting with chips. That is what made it such an economic nightmare when the pandemic hit and the supply of semiconductors got cut short. Prices for a host of important goods went into the stratosphere. Some products weren't available at all. Factories in America went dark because they couldn't get component parts. Anybody who has had to buy a car in the last few years probably can tell you a horror story about the buying process. prgtoken This legislation is going to go a long way to increasing the production and manufacturing of chips in this country and bringing down consumer costs and addressing the shortages by increasing the supply here in America. prgtoken That leads to my second point. Investing in domestic chip production is going to create a huge, huge number of good-paying jobs. Oregonians know well that the jobs at these chipmakers can become an economic fuel for a whole region in the country. We need to guarantee that investment happens here in America instead of overseas. prgtoken Third, the bill is going to help shore up our national security and our economic security. With respect to the economy, when there aren't enough chips to keep our factories running and our shelves stocked, workers and the American economic system suffer. prgtoken And when the vast majority of chips are produced in just a few sites overseas, there is a big risk that the United States won't be able to get its hands on the chips needed to keep the American people safe in a conflict. prgtoken I am a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. I can't get involved in classified matters that I have some access to. But I want everybody in the Senate to know this is a top-tier national security issue. Producing more chips here at home m
TRANSPORTATION, HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2023
Debbie Wasserman Schultz (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2022-7-20

. Mr. Chair, I thank the gentleman for yielding and for his leadership and compassion about this extremely important issue. prgtoken Mr. Chair, I must rise in opposition to the gentlewoman's amendment. While I know she has the best of intentions, I want to be very practical about my opposition to this. The reality is the amendment will not alleviate the suffering of the Cuban people, quite the contrary. In fact, it may exacerbate their pain by simply enriching a tyrannical regime who uses violence and repression to keep their cruel grip on power. prgtoken On a day in which we just heard from the First Lady of Ukraine, who is obviously experiencing what the brunt of repression means from a brutal dictator, we certainly should not be caving to brutal dictatorship in the Western Hemisphere. prgtoken The dictatorship in Cuba controls all trade on the island, and, in turn, uses resources to oppress its own people. prgtoken The current cash-in-advance requirement for the financing of agricultural exports to Cuba ensures that the regime in Cuba cannot benefit from loans or credit, and that its corrupt, military-run financial institutions are not intertwined with American financial institutions. prgtoken Please, anyone within the sound of my voice needs to understand that this amendment allows U.S. persons to invest in Cuban agricultural businesses, even if those businesses are involved in trafficking and confiscated property, as defined in the LIBERTAD Act, which is law, even if the business is controlled by the Government of Cuba, the Cuban military, or any other entity. It is inexplicable to me how we could allow that. prgtoken It is also important to point out that unlimited quantities of food, medicine, and other basic necessities are already permitted into Cuba both for sale and through humanitarian donations. prgtoken And as the administration has done, the best way to lift up the Cuban people is to support their efforts for democratic reform and mount pressure for release of hundreds of arbitrarily detained political prisoners, including 20 children. prgtoken Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to vote against this amendment and support liberty all over the world.