mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Mike Braun (Republican, IN) \u2014 2021-6-24

in the Senate here, prior to getting here, I have been a tree farmer since the late eighties and have been involved in the agricultural part of farming, other than driving the tractor, for a long time. And farming has got to be one of the most difficult things God ever created in terms of a complicated business that involves risk for a return that, in many cases, just isn't there. Thank goodness, currently, the markets are rewarding that effort and that great risk. prgtoken Environmental credits present an incredible opportunity for American farmers because that bottom line is so meager to begin with. And when you have got voluntarily markets out there that are wanting to reward good stewardship, it should be easy. But significant barriers still remain. prgtoken In today's market, if you are a small farmer, you are not able to connect with these markets. Only the large farmers, both tree and egg, can do it. This simplifies it; it democratizes it; and it does something, finally, that that small guy, the landowner, the American family farmer, can get some benefit for his or her good stewardship. prgtoken The Growing Climate Solutions Act creates a USDA certification program for third-party technical providers and verifiers. It allows the USDA to provide legitimacy to the trustworthy actors in the marketplace. And what is really unusual, in the short time I have been here in the U.S. Senate--it was a surprise yesterday, when I told some folks we are actually voting on something on the floor, and it has 55 cosponsors, almost evenly split between and s. prgtoken More than 100 outside organizations back the bill. Farm bureaus, which are generally very conservative about doing anything where they are going to endorse, stick their neck out, across the board like it. I won't mention all the others. It also does it without adding a dime to our deficit. So it is doing something that has got bipartisan support, tapping voluntary markets, and just providing that portal that all farmers are familiar with to use as the way they take advantage of it. prgtoken We are demonstrating the right solution. We are making a statement that we need to be involved in addressing climate, and we are doing it in a place where, thank goodness, agriculture in this country is only 10 percent of the CO2 emissions. The rest is spread among electric generation, transportation, industrial emitters. prgtoken What that says, when it is 25 percent emissions across the world due to agriculture, there is a lot to be learned from this as well. prgtoken A quick comment on the amendment that we are going to vote on. The key point is, under both the underlying bill and the Lee amendment, the USDA will publish a list of entities on a USDA website for farmers to use. prgtoken The Senate Ag Committee worked closely with the Agency, both Under Secretaries Perdue and Vilsack, to ensure the bill provided the necessary quality ch
CONFIRMATION OF DAWN O'CONNELL
Richard Burr (Republican, NC) \u2014 2021-6-24

I would like to talk about the HHS Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response. The HHS Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, or ASPR, is in charge during a public health emergency and serves as the principal adviser to the Secretary on these matters. This is not a political or a personal choice for any administration; it is the law. I know because I helped write it. It is a national security position, responsible for keeping Americans safe from public health threats, like COVID-19. It is a role that we envisioned with two types of responsibilities. The ASPR serves an operational role. During an emergency, the ASPR coordinates the public health and medical response--whether that threat is a hurricane, a novel virus, or a chemical attack. The ASPR has the responsibility of overseeing the development, purchase, and deployment of lifesaving countermeasures, like the COVID-19 vaccine. The ASPR is also a policy job, assessing the threat landscape and adjusting our strategies to best position the United States for the threats we face today and in the future. prgtoken I am glad that today the Senate was able to confirm, by unanimous consent, Dawn O'Connell to be the ASPR. During Ms. O'Connell's nomination process for the job, she repeatedly agreed that she is ready to serve both roles and that the ASPR is in charge during public health emergencies. I believe her current role as a Senior Counselor to the HHS Secretary for COVID Response and her previous roles at HHS and in Congress have provided her with the skills necessary to fulfill the role of the ASPR. I was disappointed that it took the administration so long to nominate someone for this critical role, but I am pleased that they picked someone of Ms. O'Connell's qualifications. The ASPR is critical to the Nation's response and recovery to the COVID pandemic and preparing us against whatever comes next. prgtoken I helped orchestrate Ms. O'Connell's confirmation today when I am also releasing a white paper from my role as lead on the Senate HELP Committee about the role of the ASPR. We have learned from two responses under two different administrations--Ebola under and COVID under --that despite Congress's bipartisan intent that the ASPR be in charge in an emergency, that hasn't worked quite the way we envisioned. So I have a series of recommendations to bolster the role of the ASPR and bring greater clarity to our government's response for future emergencies. The ASPR needs to have strong, effective leadership and play a key role in coordinating the Federal Government response. The ASPR needs to have the authority and resources to strengthen public-private partnerships in our medical countermeasures, medical supply chain, and healthcare system. And the ASPR needs to leverage innovation to expand our preparedness infrastructure. Senator Murray, the chair of our HELP Committee, and I are working toget
REMEMBERING THE INCREDIBLE LIFE OF LOUISE DUNLAP
Glenn Thompson (Republican, PA) \u2014 2021-6-24

. Madam , I rise today to remember the incredible life of Louise Dunlap. prgtoken A native of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Louise was a dedicated advocate for coal communities, our environment, and especially the reclamation of our historic abandoned mine lands. prgtoken Louise's career began with the grassroots, advocating for more support for the environment and Pennsylvania's mine lands. In 1972, Louise cofounded the Environmental Policy Institute and the Environmental Policy Center. There, she spent years working to pass legislation to support mine reclamation in Pennsylvania and was an important advocate for the passage of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977. prgtoken This law created the first Federal standards on the reclamation of new and subsequent surface mining. Importantly, it also established the Abandoned Mine Land Trust, which was created to provide consistent funding for the reclamation of coal mines that were abandoned prior to the law's enactment in 1977. prgtoken For over 40 years, this trust has been the central funding source for the reclamation of abandoned mine lands in 20 States, generating over $11.6 billion since its creation by Congress. prgtoken Beginning in 2004, she joined the Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds, where she continued her life's work. In 2006, she again played a key advocacy role when Congress authorized the AML for an additional 15 years. prgtoken This September, the Abandoned Mine Land Fund is set to expire. The trust must be reauthorized in order to continue opportunities in funding to clean up these un-reclaimed lands, not only in Pennsylvania but around the country. Congress has the opportunity to do right by our coal communities by reauthorizing this fund and also expediting the release of the existing balance. prgtoken Reauthorizing the AML was a project close to Louise's heart. She fought for coal communities up until her final days. She spent the last few weeks continuing to secure support for the reauthorization of the Abandoned Mine Land Fund. prgtoken In Pennsylvania, there are over 5,500 miles of streams polluted due to legacy mining, and over 280,000 acres remain toxic. Nationwide, the unfunded liabilities exceed $12 billion, with $5 billion in Pennsylvania alone. Louise made it her mission to work toward restoring these areas. prgtoken My district alone has the most abandoned mine land in the country. I understand the urgency in reauthorizing the AML fund, which is why I am an original cosponsor of the RECLAIM Act and the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act Amendments of 2021 with fellow Pennsylvanian, Representative Matt Cartwright. We both worked closely with Louise on this act. prgtoken Louise Dunlap was an inspiring force as she spent her life advocating to reclaim and revitalize former mining communities. She was a friend and marshaled key legislation victories over the span of a 50-year career. prgtoken In honor of her legac
Vote on Jackson-Akiwumi Nomination (Executive Session)
John Thune (Republican, SD) \u2014 2021-6-24

. The following Senators are necessarily absent: the Senator from North Carolina (Mr. Burr), the Senator from North Dakota (Mr. Cramer), the Senator from Wisconsin (Mr. Johnson), the Senator from Mississippi (Mrs. Hyde-Smith), the Senator from Kansas (Mr. Marshall), the Senator from Kansas (Mr. Moran), and the Senator from Alabama (Mr. Tuberville). prgtoken Further, if present and voting, the Senator from Kansas (Mr. Marshall) would have voted ``nay.''
HONORING THE CAREER OF CARLA DOLES
Jim Banks (Republican, IN) \u2014 2021-6-24

. Madam , I rise today to honor the career of Carla Doles. Carla just retired after 44 years of service as a public-school teacher and show choir director. All 44 years of her career as an educator were in northeast Indiana. prgtoken She was a beloved figure of her community, wielding a profound and lasting influence upon students across two school districts for more than two generations. 27 years of her career were spent at Carroll High School in Fort Wayne; the other 17 at Norwell High School in Ossian. prgtoken Carla's love for her vocation and devotion to her students' future was evident every single day. That love and devotion inspired the confidence of many of her students to compete in choral and other national competitions across the country. prgtoken It was also evident in her desire to create new opportunities for students. Carla helped found the small mixed (men & women) division of show choirs. prgtoken I wish Carla the best for all that she has done after a long and distinguished career. This is a testament to her service and selflessness for which Fort Wayne, Ossian and the entirety of our region is grateful.
DR. DREW VAN HORN IS A TREMENDOUS ASSET
Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (Republican, GA) \u2014 2021-6-24

I rise today to recognize the president of Young College, Dr. Drew Van Horn. prgtoken In 2017, Dr. Van Horn was selected as the 23rd president of Young College and has been a tremendous addition to the school with his wealth of knowledge and expertise. prgtoken Dr. Van Horn has brought more than 30 years of experience in higher education to Young College, including nine years as president of Brevard College in North Carolina. prgtoken As a graduate of Young College, and a friend of Dr. Van Horn, I appreciate his dedication and his work on behalf of Young College. I know the entire Mountain Lion community joins me in thanking Dr. Van Horn for his service to our beloved college. prgtoken Dr. Van Horn, we love you and appreciate you. Congratulating Fort Stewart
INFRASTRUCTURE
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2021-6-24

now on one final matter, earlier today, a bipartisan group of infrastructure negotiators took the results of their efforts down to President . It was an encouraging sign of progress after leading had gone out of their way to slow the process. prgtoken Remember, at the first sign of an agreement last night and then again this morning, both the ic leader and the of the House made it clear they would hold a bipartisan agreement hostage, demanding trillions of dollars in wasteful spending and job-killing tax increases in return for even considering it. The top two literally pulled the rug out from under their bipartisan negotiators with these unserious demands before they had even made it down to the White House. prgtoken So President 's show of support earlier today appeared to be a major breakthrough for earning ' support, but, alas, that optimism was short-lived. Less than 2 hours after publicly commending our colleagues and actually endorsing the bipartisan agreement, the President took the extraordinary step of threatening to veto it. It was a tale of two press conferences--endorse the agreement in one breath and threaten to veto it in the next. Less than 2 hours. It almost makes your head spin. Less than 2 hours. As I said, it almost makes your head spin--an expression of bipartisanship and then an ultimatum on behalf of your leftwing base. prgtoken I have no doubt the President is under enormous pressure from some on the left to deliver on a laundry list of radical climate demands. The ic leader and the have already made clear they will do whatever it takes to keep their runaway spending train chugging along all summer, and more and more Members of their party are having to contort their positions to keep pace with the expectations of the Green New Deal fringe. But, really, caving completely in less than 2 hours? That is not the way to show you are serious about getting a bipartisan outcome. prgtoken So, look, I hope our colleagues can recover and get their good-faith efforts back on track.
Unanimous Consent Request--Executive Calendar (Executive Session)
John Kennedy (Republican, LA) \u2014 2021-6-24

I think we are all aware President has decided to withdraw American troops from Afghanistan in September. Now, some agree with his decision; some disagree with his decision. The bill that I am about to talk about has nothing to do with the merits of his decision. prgtoken There are about 18,000--not 1,800, 18,000--interpreters and members of their immediate families who helped our troops fight the war in Afghanistan against the Taliban and against ISIS. They are at risk. prgtoken There was an article in a leading newspaper yesterday. I will read you the headline. It says: ``Afghan government could collapse 6 months after US withdrawal.'' prgtoken These 18,000 interpreters and their immediate families, who have helped American troops, would like to get out. We have a visa process, which is going very, very slowly. We will not be able to get all of those 18,000 human beings out before the withdrawal in September. That much is clear. prgtoken Again, my bill has nothing to do with the merits or lack thereof of the war. My bill would direct the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of State to develop a plan to relocate the Afghan interpreters and their immediate families who want to get out and bring them to America. prgtoken Now, obviously, before we bring them to America, those who want to come, we have to vet them. That is part of the problem. The vetting process right now is very slow. Rather than try to put together a bill that would set forth a specific plan to address this--I consider it a crisis if you are 1 of those 18,000 human beings--my bill will just direct the Defense Department and the State Department to come up with a plan to present to us within 30 days. prgtoken Now, my guess, and it is only a guess, is that State and Defense are going to come up with some plan to move those of the 18,000 who want to leave Afghanistan to a safe third place other than America so that we can continue to properly vet folks before they come into America. And I suggest we do need to properly vet them, but I also suggest that, No. 1, this is about right and wrong. These people helped Americans, and they helped American troops. And we owe them. And we don't want to see them massacred. And, No. 2, if we allow them to be massacred, I think it is going to send a message to many people throughout the world that loyalty to America means nothing, absolutely nothing. prgtoken So, in a nutshell, this bill would ask our Defense Department and our State Department, in the next 30 days, to give a plan to Congress to properly vet and allow any of these 18,000 interpreters and their families who helped American troops come to America. prgtoken With that, , as if in legislative session, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of S. 2216, which was introduced earlier today; further, I ask unanimous consent that the bill be considered read a third time and passed
ECONOMIC RECOVERY AFTER THE PANDEMIC
Lisa C. McClain (Republican, MI) \u2014 2021-6-24

for more than 40 years, has been a staunch supporter of the Hyde amendment. So have the American people. Just this past January, polling found that nearly 6 in 10 Americans oppose using tax dollars to terminate innocent lives. That number includes a majority of Independents and nearly one-third of . prgtoken For decades, congressional joined s in a truly bipartisan effort to ensure tax dollars of hardworking Americans do not pay for abortions. Unfortunately, President is trying to shatter years of congressional bipartisanship with a radical budget that has no Hyde amendment protections. prgtoken The President ran on unity, yet his first budget proposal immediately divides. This Congress must take back its congressional responsibility and craft spending bills which protect the lives of the unborn, just as past Congresses have done since 1976. prgtoken , I ask unanimous consent that the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, and the Judiciary be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 18, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.
ECONOMIC RECOVERY AFTER THE PANDEMIC
Kevin Brady (Republican, TX) \u2014 2021-6-24

I thank Congressman Cawthorn for his leadership on behalf of working families, small business--of which he is one--for getting this economy going again. I thank him for allowing me to be part of this Special Order. prgtoken , when President promised to focus on climate change, I didn't realize he meant changing the climate of the U.S. economy by cooling off the jobs recovery. The President inherited a strong recovery, life-saving vaccines, a reopening economy, and trillions of dollars in COVID stimulus. prgtoken Yet, in his first 5 months of this year, America is nearly 550,000 fewer jobs than in the last 5 months of 2020 under President -- 550,000 fewer jobs. Inflation is running twice as high as wage growth. In fact, for Americans, their pocketbook, their paycheck has actually declined in buying power since President took office. prgtoken America's jobs recovery ought to be surging, but instead, April/May reports were just disastrous. Main Street businesses, Congressman Cawthorn, as you said, they are struggling to find workers. prgtoken Labor force participation is back in the 1970s. Inflation has hit a 13-year high, and a lot of Americans are fearful about the impact of rising prices and slow growth economy when the sugar high from all this COVID stimulus goes away, which is exactly what President 's budget admits will do. prgtoken This President is sabotaging America's jobs recovery, with crippling tax increases and antibusiness policies that hurt working families and Main Street businesses and drive U.S. jobs overseas. prgtoken Treasury Secretary Yellen, the other day, conceded that just as you heard tonight, these lavish Federal employment bonuses really are hurting Main Street and hurting hiring. Thankfully, half of American States, including one blue State, have opted out of these benefits to help reconnect workers and help our economy survive. prgtoken A recent analysis of the Ways and Means' staff shows that Congress has prgtoken already approved, for an average family of four, where both parents are out of work, we have already approved over $109,000 in stimulus checks, unemployment checks, and child checks. prgtoken We were incredibly generous during COVID to help people get back on their feet, defeat this virus, and move back. But the time for emergency spending is over; the time for endless government checks is over. We cannot become the Olive Garden of never-ending government checks. It won't help people rebuild their lives. It won't help us rebuild the economy. prgtoken Unfortunately, because of these Federal bonuses on unemployment, we are seeing a record 9.3 million unfilled jobs. It is hurting Main Street businesses; they are struggling. And frankly, it will hurt families who are not going to be able to reconnect again when all these checks run out. And our job creators shouldn't have to compete with the Federal Government. prgtoken Instead of helping America get back to w
ECONOMIC RECOVERY AFTER THE PANDEMIC
Madison Cawthorn (Republican, NC) \u2014 2021-6-24

I think Congressman Estes touches on a great point. Under leadership, under the last administration, business applications were at record levels. The TCJA encouraged business creation, as the amount of business applications reached its highest level ever, of over 880,000. prgtoken Now, you contrast that with what is going on in America today. There are many people who own restaurants in my own district, who are having to literally pay people $50 just to turn an application in, and then they never show up for the interview or even for work. prgtoken Because of how bleak things are looking, I am very happy to yield to the gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. McClain), the most loved and the most feared woman in all of Congress.
ROSE MARY JOHNSON
Cori Bush (Democrat, MO) \u2014 2021-6-24

. Madam , I rise to honor and recognize Rose Mary Johnson, a recently retired educator. prgtoken Ms. Johnson has led a life of service and true love of community. She has spent several successful years teaching and serving in administrative roles in schools around the region. Shortly after beginning her teaching career, Johnson enlisted in the United States Army Reserves. It was here that she completed and retired with 31 years of service at the rank of Master Sergeant and with an array of medals and honors for her service. prgtoken In 1994, Ms. Johnson ran for the Jennings School Board on the platform that children needed to receive breakfast at school. She was successfully elected and has now just completed her 27th and final year on the board. Jennings Junior High was recently renamed Johnson Jennings Junior high school in her honor. prgtoken Rose Mary has been recognized by countless organizations for her unyielding commitment to her community, and since retiring she has continued to volunteer in various capacities. prgtoken For these reasons and more, St. Louis and I offer our deepest congratulations and gratitude to Rose Mary for her years of service. St. Louis has been enriched because of your contributions.