mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
INFLATION REDUCTION ACT
Jeff Merkley (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2022-9-6

in the face of the ever growing threat of climate chaos, it is vital for the future of our Nation and our planet that we move swiftly and boldly to transition from an energy economy that relies on carbon fossil fuels to one that is electrified and powered by clean and renewable sources of energy. prgtoken The Inflation Reduction Act makes historic investments in making that greener, cleaner future a reality. Included in those investments is the residential clean energy credit for battery storage technology. When we talk about transitioning to a greener economy, energy storage is critical. With this credit, homeowners can install energy storage capacity in two ways: by purchasing stand-alone batteries or by purchasing a bidirectional charger so the batteries in their electric vehicle can discharge to their home or the electric grid. Both will be ``qualified battery storage technology expenditures'' under this legislation. prgtoken Bidirectional charging is an exciting, groundbreaking new frontier for our vehicles and for our energy grid. I was excited, not too long ago, to see Ford's new F-150 Lightning with my own eyes when one was parked outside the front of this Capitol. And it was impressive, and I think it could be a game changer. One of the features I loved most is that, in the event that a storm knocks out power to a house, the F-150 Lightning can be plugged in as a backup to keep the lights on. Not only is that convenient, it could be lifesaving. prgtoken So I am very excited that this tax credit, which will be essential to the continued development and deployment of bidirectional battery storage technology, is included in the Inflation Reduction Act. And I look forward to supporting it in this bill and then building from it in the days to come.
The Economy (Executive Session)
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2022-9-6

. Good news to report to my colleague from the Commonwealth of Kentucky: a gallon of gasoline on the way to the airport this morning--$3.46 a gallon. I wish it were lower, but we have made progress from the days when it was over $5. We are moving in the right direction. prgtoken And, incidentally, this President has created more jobs than any President in a similar period in the history of the United States. prgtoken Do we have challenges? You bet we do. But to write this administration off as unproductive is to ignore the obvious. prgtoken We came out of this pandemic, and when we did, we faced the problems that nations around the world were facing. Literally, could we deal with inflation? Demand was pent up, and it overwhelmed the services and goods that were available and inflation started to rise. prgtoken It took its toll--it still does--on American families, but to ignore what we have been able to do is to really turn our backs on reality. prgtoken What about that rescue plan, the American Rescue Plan? I remember it, and I remember there wasn't a single voting for it. prgtoken Almost 20 percent of the American Rescue Plan went to State and local governments to deal with issues like crime to make safer streets and safer neighborhoods for Americans across the board. That is the kind of money well-spent, and yet the s wouldn't give us a single vote. prgtoken You heard the Senator from Kentucky deriding it at this moment as a waste of billions of dollars. It is money well-spent, and I found out personally, firsthand, when I went back in my State over the August recess. prgtoken I didn't just confine myself to the blue areas of the State, and there are big ones and a big part of our State, and I am happy to visit there. I went to some of the redder sections of our State, the areas that voted for in the last election over . I don't do particularly well there either, but I wanted to visit with them, and I felt that there were things I needed to learn about what families and communities were facing. prgtoken I went to Herrin, IL, in the southern part of our State, where my family has its roots, and I went to Southern Illinois Healthcare, which is a major healthcare consortium serving most of downstate Illinois-- rural, smalltown America, struggling with providing professional medical care but doing a fine job. prgtoken We have something called congressionally directed spending now. It used to be known as earmarks. I am unapologetic about it. I believe that if you make a public disclosure of these earmarks to justify them, taxpayers understand this is Federal money being brought home from Washington to their States and communities, where it is needed. prgtoken So I went to Herrin, IL, where we were able to announce an earmark of $1 million, which is going to provide for about half the cost of a new physical rehab facility--critically important. prgtoken I met some interesting people
50TH ANNIVERSARY OF PROJECT ZAP
Sheldon Whitehouse (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2022-9-6

I rise today to honor the 50th anniversary of Project ZAP, or ZAP the Blackstone. prgtoken The Blackstone River was once called ``the hardest-working river in America.'' In the mid-1800s, more than a hundred textile mills and manufacturers busily operated along the Blackstone's banks and tributaries, where a steady flow of water provided reliable hydroelectric power. Development and industrialization carried on for decades, with lasting consequences for the health of the river, long after the mills closed up or moved elsewhere. The Blackstone became one of the most polluted in the country. However, on September 1972, Rhode Island made history by hosting the largest single-day environmental clean-up in American history. David Rosser, a conservation leader and dedicated community organizer, recruited over 10,000 volunteers to clean up the pollution that littered the water and the banks. The cleanup effort came to be known as Project ZAP--Zero Away Pollution. prgtoken The Blackstone has come a long way over the past five decades. In 1985, the prgtoken Blackstone Valley Tourism Council was started, followed by the Friends of the Blackstone and the Blackstone River Watershed Council. In 1986, the Blackstone River Valley became a National Heritage Corridor, and the river was designated as an American Heritage River in 1998. I was proud to work with my colleagues in Rhode Island's congressional delegation to have the river's corridor designated as a National Historical Park in 2014. The river is now home to fish, aquatic mammals, turtles, and a variety of birds that have returned to what was once a highly polluted habitat. Unfortunately though, pollutants, litter, debris, erosion, and invasive species still plague the river, which is why, this year, a 50-year anniversary ZAP clean-up is planned. prgtoken On August 27, Rhode Islanders were at it again, cleaning and greening up the Blackstone River Watershed. With a goal of holding the largest Blackstone Valley clean-up since 1972, the ZAP 50 steering team organized a 27-town, watershed wide, clean up. One hundred and twenty teams showed up to, pick up trash and clear the river of aquatic invasive species. prgtoken I am happy to recognize the 50th anniversary of Project ZAP and the hard work of the many Rhode Islanders who serve as stewards of our environment. It is thanks to their efforts that the once hardest working river in America may be enjoyed peacefully.
ARMS SALES NOTIFICATION
Robert Menendez (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2022-9-6

section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act requires that Congress receive prior notification of certain proposed arms sales as defined by that statute. Upon such notification, the Congress has 30 calendar days during which the sale may be reviewed. The provision stipulates that, in the Senate, the notification of proposed sales shall be sent to the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. prgtoken In keeping with the committee's intention to see that relevant information is available to the full Senate, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record the notifications which have been received. If the cover letter references a classified annex, then such annex is available to all Senators in the office of the Foreign Relations Committee, room SD-423.
TRIBUTE TO DEBORAH CROSS
Margaret Wood Hassan (Democrat, NH) \u2014 2022-9-6

I am honored to recognize Deborah Cross of Manchester as July's Granite Stater of the Month. After surviving stage 4 cancer, Deborah used her artistic talents to create photo journals to help other cancer patients process their emotions and find resilience. prgtoken After recovering from endometrial cancer in 2014 and living cancer- free for almost 4 years, Deborah received awful news from her doctor. Her cancer had come back. While Deborah was devastated by the news, she also found solace in a creative outlet that would also help others. prgtoken Deborah began creating booklets with strikingly edited photos of nature in New Hampshire, for example, images of seagulls and ocean sunsets around the New England coast. Below the photos are blank lines where cancer patients can journal. Deborah hopes that the photos can evoke deeper emotions that patients might be struggling with in a time of intense personal hardship. In addition, some of the proceeds from the sales go to the North of Boston Cancer Resource. prgtoken Deborah exemplifies the Granite State spirit of giving back to others and bringing people together even during challenging times. She took an immensely difficult experience--battling with stage 4 cancer--and found her way through it by creating art that would touch others. I commend her for her work and know that her story will inspire others to make a difference in their communities.
ORDERS FOR WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2022
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2022-9-6

I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 10 a.m. on Wednesday, September 7; that following the prayer and pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, and morning business be closed; that upon the conclusion of morning business, the Senate proceed to executive session to resume consideration of the Lee nomination, postcloture; further, that the Senate recess from 12:30 p.m. until 2:15 p.m. to allow for the weekly caucus meetings and that at 2:15 p.m. all postcloture time on the Lee nomination be considered expired; finally, that if any nominations are confirmed during Wednesday's session, the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table and the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action.
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
Benjamin L. Cardin (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2022-9-6

I rise today to congratulate my dear friend State Senator George C. Edwards, who is retiring from the Maryland General Assembly at the end of this year, and to thank him for a half-century of principled and productive public service to the people of Maryland, especially his constituents in what we call Mountain Maryland: Garrett, Allegany, and Washington Counties. prgtoken George was born in Grantsville, MD, and graduated from Northern Garrett High School in Accident, MD. He received his bachelor of science in business administration, cum laude, from Fairmont State College in West Virginia in 1970. He was the starting fullback on the football team there and earned National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics All-American honors. Despite playing at a small school, he was good enough that the Baltimore Colts drafted him. George wanted to be a teacher, however, and later attended what was then Frostburg State College to receive his teacher's certificate so he could teach social studies at his old high school. prgtoken I met George when he won his first election to the Maryland House of Delegates in 1982, where I was serving as speaker of the house. Even though he was only 33, he was already a seasoned elected official with a decade of experience on the Grantsville Town Council and the Garrett County Board of County Commissioners. He also served in the National Guard for 6 years after he graduated from college, prgtoken George served with distinction in the house of delegates for 24 years, finishing his tenure there as minority leader from 2003 to 2007, when he won election to the State senate, where he has served for the past 16 years. George won 4 of his 10 elections to the general assembly with 100 percent of the vote and another 3 with 98 percent or more of the vote. He and Delegate Sandy Rosenberg are the deans of the Maryland General Assembly; each of them started their service in 1983. prgtoken George delivered a farewell address to the State senate that reflects the type of person he is, a statement filled with self-deprecating wit, congeniality, and a gentleness too rare in politics. He said that his first task in Annapolis was to educate his fellow lawmakers that Allegany County isn't spelled with an H, that Maryland's longest border is with West Virginia, and that western Marylanders speak in a particularly folksy way. ``You speak slow and you m-m-m mumble a little bit,'' he said. He also noted that when he joined the general assembly, there were only 13 s serving in the house of delegates and 7 in the State senate. ``I can count,'' he said he remembered thinking. ``I said, hmm, I need to make some friends. And I need to make some friends on [the ic] side of the aisle. And I think I've done that.'' George certainly has made friends on the ic side of the aisle, and I am proud to be one of them. prgtoken In an op-ed in the New York Times several years ago, Mic
TRIBUTE TO CAROLINE CORNELL AND DANIEL PATRICK LOGAN
Patrick J. Leahy (Democrat, VT) \u2014 2022-9-6

I want to take a moment to highlight a truly feel good story straight out of my home State of Vermont, a story of how middle school friends and ski buddies from southern Vermont reconnected and fell in love after life took them mostly separate ways. prgtoken Caroline Cornell and Daniel Patrick Logan grew up in southern Vermont and were close, but platonic, friends while attending middle school and Burr and Burton Academy in Manchester, VT. After graduation, they remained in contact, but traveled transiently and independently. Their individual journeys took them across the world, from the Lost Coast of California to Thailand, Florida, and the Finger Lakes of New York. Their two separate, but eventually corresponding, life journeys involved transient living, Grateful Dead tribute bands, odd jobs, romance, heartbreak, and so much more. In retrospect, it may have been inevitable that time would turn these two lifelong friends into companions. And finally, in June of this year, they became husband and wife. prgtoken Caroline and Daniel have traveled far and wide, but like so many others before them, their love for each other, and our small, beautiful State, has brought them home to Vermont, the same place where their friendship began almost 20 years ago. Caroline and Daniel's story of music, travel, love, and fate was profiled in a July 1, 2022, article published in the New York Times. I ask unanimous consent that prgtoken the article titled ``While Following Grateful Dead Tribute Bands, a Romantic Turn'' be printed in the Record.
Eastern Kentucky Flooding (Executive Session)
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2022-9-6

it has been over a month since relentless rains and major flooding devastated Eastern Kentucky. This disaster took homes, businesses, and at least 39 lives. Only a few months after tornadoes had caused widespread damage in the western part of our State, catastrophe struck our Commonwealth one more time. prgtoken I traveled back to Eastern Kentucky multiple times during the August State work period to survey damage, meet with survivors, and lend any help I could. What I saw were scenes of absolute destruction: water- logged houses, swollen creeks, washed-out roads. I heard directly from survivors who have shouldered impossible burdens over the past month, struggling to salvage belongings and to literally try to rebuild their lives. Agencies report that thousands of homes were destroyed and damaged in the flooding. Many of those affected lack flood insurance. prgtoken I will say that as devastating as the flooding was, stories of heroism and generosity still shine through. The local officials I met with reserved special praise for Kentucky's National Guard. Our guardsmen mobilized at the outset of this crisis to perform daring rescues and to distribute critical supplies to stranded residents. Regular citizens also came to the aid of their neighbors and friends in any way they could, sometimes in trucks and sometimes on horseback or jet skis. prgtoken Help has poured in from around our State and beyond, both from private charities and trained emergency responders, but, of course, there is still a tremendous need for help. Eastern Kentucky has notoriously rugged terrain. It also had preexisting communications issues before the floods. These factors have made rescue and rebuilding uniquely challenging already, and this is only the beginning. prgtoken Although FEMA is playing a critical role in Eastern Kentucky's recovery, Kentuckians have grave concerns about shortcomings in the Federal response. The Agency's convoluted application processes have left far too many prgtoken flood victims without the timely aid they need, often due to just simple clerical errors. I heard about these issues firsthand from countless Kentuckians I met during my multiple visits. prgtoken Of course, I quickly called FEMA Administrator Criswell to say her Agency needs to step it up. I visited the Kentucky Emergency Operations Center to review the joint State and Federal response firsthand. I convened leaders from our hardest hit counties, the State legislature, and Federal response Agencies so we have clearer lines of communication moving forward. prgtoken I hope and expect aid will begin to flow more smoothly to Eastern Kentucky soon, and I will continue working around the clock here in Washington to try to help make that happen. prgtoken And I promise to keep standing strong by Eastern Kentucky's side as our immediate efforts evolve into longer term rebuilding. prgtoken A long road--a very long road--to recovery lies before us,
HONORING KENTUCKY LAW ENFORCEMENT
Rand Paul (Republican, KY) \u2014 2022-9-6

when police officers raise their hands and take an oath to serve and protect, they understand the risks that come with that promise. Floyd County Sheriff's Deputy William Petry, Prestonsburg Police Department Captain Ralph Frasure, Prestonsburg Police Patrolman Jacob Chaffins, and Floyd County Canine Unit Drago gave the ultimate sacrifice for their communities and the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Floyd County Sheriff's Deputy Darrin Lawson, Constable Gary Wolfe, and Floyd County Emergency Management Director Joe Reynolds were also wounded during the incident. prgtoken Floyd County law enforcement officials were serving an emergency protective order to Lance Storz, of Allen, KY, when they were attacked. The standoff began as officers approached Mr. Storz's home using a one lane road. Mr. Storz then opened fire on the officers from an elevated position. Despite their vulnerable position, the officers valiantly engaged Mr. Storz for well over 3 hours. Finally, at 10 p.m Mr. Storz surrendered to officers and was taken into custody. prgtoken We honor these officers, who sacrificed to keep our communities safe. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of our three fallen officers, the families of the wounded officers, and the Allen, Prestonsburg, and Floyd County residents affected by this tragedy. prgtoken I salute Deputy Petry, Captain Frasure, Patrolman Chaffins, Drago, and the great law enforcement men and women of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
UKRAINE
Rob Portman (Republican, OH) \u2014 2022-9-6

I have come to the Senate floor again today to talk about the situation in Ukraine--this is the 21st week in a row since we have been in session that I have done so--and to talk about how Ukraine is responding to Russia's brutal and unprovoked attack on that sovereign country--an ally of ours, a democracy. prgtoken This is a map of Ukraine. You can see here where the Russian invasion came back in 2014 and where they are now. You can also see some progress being made in blue as the Ukrainian military pushes back on this latest invasion. prgtoken Last week, I was able to visit Ukraine and to go to Kyiv, the capital, along with a colleague of mine across the aisle, Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota. Senator Klobuchar and I believed it was important to demonstrate bipartisan support for Ukraine at a very critical time. She and I will be back here on the Senate floor, together, later this week to talk further about this trip. The trip came on the 6-month anniversary of Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine. It also came in the same week that Ukraine began a counteroffensive against the Russian invasion here in the Kherson area. It also came at a time when there was increased concern about the nuclear powerplant at Zaporizhzhia here. The powerplant is actually right here near this red line. Inspectors from the U.N.--United Nations--International Atomic Energy Agency visited this Zaporizhzhia nuclear powerplant last week, which is Europe's single largest nuclear powerplant. prgtoken We began our trip in Poland, where we met with the leadership of the elite 101st Airborne Division, which is stationed in south Poland. The 101st is a unit with a long, proud history, including of participating in the daring airborne assaults on D-day, in striking deep within enemy lines during Operation Desert Storm, and in serving with distinction in the Global War on Terror. prgtoken As its motto attests, the 101st had a ``rendezvous with destiny'' during pivotal moments in our country's history. Now they have another rendezvous with destiny. In Poland, they are not only bolstering allied defenses in Eastern Europe--here in Poland but really all around Eastern Europe--but they are also conducting a very important mission: They are facilitating the delivery of vital military assistance to Ukraine from 42 other countries--other than the United States--all around the world. These soldiers are really at the tip of the spear of America's historic effort to arm Ukrainian soldiers with the tools they need to protect themselves and to protect their democracy. prgtoken I also got to meet soldiers from the 101st from my home State of Ohio. They told me of the Polish people's welcoming of them. They said that people are so grateful for what the American soldiers are doing there in Poland. They feel so much better knowing that the American presence is there. One guy told me about walking down a street in Poland and of someone com