mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
BRINGING REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIPS TO VETERANS EDUCATION ACT
Donald Norcross (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2021-11-16

I thank the chairman for yielding. prgtoken This is National Apprenticeship Week, and what better time for the passage of H.R. 147, the BRAVE Act. prgtoken I am a product of a registered apprenticeship program and the father of a veteran. prgtoken The Bringing Registered Apprenticeships to Veterans Education Act, or the BRAVE Act, would help those returning veterans find good-paying jobs and careers. prgtoken When we send our servicemembers to war, we train them and equip them, and we give them the skills they need to protect and defend the United States. We do this because we want them to succeed wherever they are needed, be it on the battlefield or rendering humanitarian assistance around the world. They deserve the same level of support when they leave the service and transition back to civilian life. prgtoken One of the best ways to help our vets transition is by providing them meaningful work opportunities or careers. Registered apprenticeships are one of the best ways, if not the best way, in the history of the United States for people to gain those skills. Registered apprenticeships allow the returning soldier to earn while they learn in-demand skills that are so desperately needed for family-sustaining careers. prgtoken Ninety-two percent of those who complete a registered apprenticeship program stay employed, and the average salary for graduates is $72,000. That is nearly $20,000 more than the average college graduate, with no student debt. prgtoken The BRAVE Act will connect veterans to these resources, helping them to transition to fulfilling civilian careers. prgtoken It is fitting that the vote for the BRAVE Act takes place during National Apprenticeship Week. prgtoken I urge all of my colleagues to support our veterans in their pursuit of a good career and a good-paying job by voting for the BRAVE Act.
Order of Procedure (Executive Calendar)
Kyrsten Sinema (Democrat, AZ) \u2014 2021-11-16

. For the information of the Senate, in addition to the previously scheduled vote on confirmation of the Bonnie nomination at 2:30 p.m. today, there will be a vote on confirmation of the Kanter nomination at approximately 5:15 p.m and tomorrow at approximately 10 a.m there will be two rollcall votes. Those votes will be on cloture on the Nelson nomination and cloture on the motion to proceed to the National Defense Authorization Act.
Farewell to the Senate (Executive Session)
Patrick J. Leahy (Democrat, VT) \u2014 2021-11-16

I thank the distinguished majority leader for his comments. He and I have been friends for decades. I also acknowledge the distinguished Secretary of the Senate, who is here this morning. prgtoken , eight times the voters of Vermont--who are my neighbors, my friends, my family--have had the great faith to send me to the U.S. Senate to represent them. Yesterday, I told those neighbors and friends and my family that I would not run for reelection. prgtoken I told the Vermonters who have humbled me since my first election to the Senate in 1974 that I will leave this seat at the conclusion of my term. It is a decision I do not come to lightly but one in which Marcelle and I find great peace. prgtoken In the last nearly 47 years, the Senate has become a family to both Marcelle and me. Here we found friends, some of the best of friends, and relationships that will and have lasted a lifetime. But the Senate has always been where I have come to fight for Vermont, a State that has been my home since birth, the place where I met Marcelle, where we started our family, and to which in early 2023, we will return for good. It is time to go home. prgtoken Here is the thing about the Senate. Here is where small States like Vermont have not just a seat at the table but a voice at the table. For decades, I have been privileged to fight for Vermont, from the small grown-in-Vermont ideas like the revitalization of our historic downtowns to farm to school programs, to organic farming--all of which started small and have become increasingly popular across the country-- and to Vermont's trailblazing approach to criminal justice reforms and victim advocacy, to taking Vermonters' outward view that our great Green Mountain State is open and welcome to anyone, including prgtoken those fleeing desperate situations in far-off places. On all of these issues and so many more, it has been an honor to represent the great State--the greatest State--of Vermont in the U.S. Senate. prgtoken I am going to have more to say about the challenges, the rewards, and, I am afraid, some disappointments over the last 46 years at a later time. Now I want to celebrate the accomplishments that, together with my constituents, we have achieved for Vermont over the last decades. prgtoken I want to recognize the work still to do this year in Congress. prgtoken I want to thank the unbelievably wonderful women and men on my staff and my staff throughout the years. They have steadfastly stood by me in our shared goals to deliver for Vermonters and for Vermont and for the country. prgtoken I want to thank my family--my children, grandchildren, my parents, and Marcelle's parents who were here with me to start this journey in the first Senate election who I know watch over the entire Leahy family today. I think of how my immigrant grandparents and great-grandparents and Marcelle's immigrant parents, how they must feel if they are looking down. <|
REMOVAL OF INJUNCTION OF SECRECY--TREATY DOCUMENT NO. 117-1
Sheldon Whitehouse (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2021-11-16

as if in executive session, I ask unanimous consent that the injunction of secrecy be removed from the following treaty transmitted to the Senate on November 16, 2021, by the President of the United States: Amendment to Montreal Protocol ``Kigali Amendment,'' Treaty Document No. 117-1. I further ask that the treaty be considered as having been read the first time; that it be referred, with accompanying papers, to the Committee on Foreign Relations and ordered to be printed; and that the President's message be printed in the Record.
RECESS
Alex Padilla (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2021-11-16

I am proud to share with all of you the experience of California this last year in combating the COVID-19 pandemic. I am proud to say that California has led the way on COVID-19 prevention and vaccine because we have seen the devastation that surging cases can cause. prgtoken Last winter--remember where we were last winter? A catastrophic surge in my home county of Los Angeles overwhelmed local hospitals, as was the case, frankly, in many parts of the country. Families were desperate to find care for their loved ones. Ambulances struggled to find hospitals with capacity. prgtoken As we approach this winter season, I recognize that we made incredible progress turning the tide since those tragic times. Now, just a month ago, California achieved the lowest level of COVID-19 transmission of any State in the Nation, but today cases are beginning to rise again. We are seeing the effects of the changing weather. prgtoken We need to stay vigilant to prevent another devastating surge like the wave that peaked in California and across the country last winter. prgtoken Fortunately, today, we are armed with a powerful defense: an FDA- approved vaccine that is safe, that is effective, and that is free for all. California's historic vaccination effort--made possible by the resources that we helped deliver when we passed the American Rescue Plan--has covered more than three-quarters of our residents, more than 55 million shots in arms of Californians. prgtoken But now is not the time to let up. Every person who gets the vaccine helps to stop spread of the virus in our community. And we just received two new critical weapons: One, booster shots to increase protections for adults and, two, approval of a vaccine for children older than 5. prgtoken Colleagues, during last week's State work period, I had the privilege of joining leaders of the Los Angeles Unified School District for the opening of their first vaccine clinic, a mobile clinic on school sites for students ages 5 and up. I saw firsthand the anxious excitement of families looking forward to a freer, safer life for children. Imagine that, play dates with friends, holiday celebrations with grandparents, and relief for those with family members at higher risk. prgtoken Now, as parents of younger children, Angela and I know that this pandemic has especially been hard on children. For more than a year, as we would gather together to pray as a family, our youngest, Diego, whom many of you met, would ask God for COVID to be over. And he would then ask when a vaccine would be ready for him and his brothers. prgtoken That is why it was such a big deal when the vaccine was approved for children ages 5 and older. Angela and I were vaccinated earlier this year. Our oldest son, Roman, was vaccinated months ago. And, finally, last week, Diego and Alex received their vaccines. So we know that we are sharing this moment of joy with millions of families across the country
Border Security (Executive Calendar)
Christopher Murphy (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2021-11-16

I will admit that I have some level of confusion when I listen to my colleagues come to the floor and register their complaints when matched against the actual policy positions that my colleagues hold. And I want to present two examples of my confusion this morning. prgtoken First, I have heard many of my colleagues come to the floor of the Senate and talk about their concern about price increases in the economy today--and then register votes against the measures that would help families afford things. prgtoken Many of my Senate colleagues voted for the bipartisan infrastructure, but more voted against it. In the House of Representatives, there is discussion of purging from the Party any members of the House conference that voted for the infrastructure; notwithstanding the fact that in that bill is funding that will have a deflationary impact on the economy: money for ports, money for infrastructure, money to be able to move goods and people more quickly across this country. prgtoken The Build Back Better agenda--the bill that is going to move before the House and the Senate this month with no support--is all about reducing costs for average, regular Americans: reducing the cost of healthcare, reducing the cost of energy, reducing the cost of childcare. prgtoken Childcare expenses are driving American families crazy today-- absolutely crazy. The Build Back Better Act will reduce the cost of childcare by 10 to $15,000 for families in my State. prgtoken s oppose the Build Back Better Act because it increases some taxes on billionaires and millionaires. It asks every corporation to pay a minimum amount of tax so that companies, like Amazon and Google, don't get away with paying nothing or next to nothing in tax. prgtoken The reason why so many s oppose the Build Back Better agenda is because it is about transferring economic power from the haves--from the economic elites to folks who have been getting the short end of the stick, who have been getting fleeced by this economy. prgtoken When s had the chance to cut costs, they did it only for billionaires and millionaires. Eighty percent of the tax cut went to the richest 1 or 2 percent of the economy. prgtoken When have control of the Senate, we deliver tax cuts for the middle class and for the poor. We deliver cost reductions for average American families. prgtoken Wages are going up higher than the rate of personal consumption inflation. Right? Personal consumption inflation is just under 5 percent. Wages in the last 12 months have gone up by over 5 percent. prgtoken People are making more money. Part of the consequence of people making more money is that some costs go up. But when s were in charge of the White House and the Congress, we just were, largely, flat. Wages are finally going up. People are making more money.
Meatpacking Industry (Executive Calendar)
Chuck Grassley (Republican, IA) \u2014 2021-11-16

as the meatpacking industry became increasingly concentrated in the 1990s, fewer animals were sold through negotiated purchases--or, you could say, you could call that cash purchases or you could call it the spot market. prgtoken In the 1990s, we saw increased use of alternative marketing arrangements that were not publicly disclosed under voluntary reporting. Livestock producers knew that these arrangements were not allowing them to get a fair market price for their livestock going to slaughter so they called for livestock mandatory reporting, also known as LMR. This new law would apply to packers who purchase livestock, process them, and market the meat. prgtoken When the livestock mandatory reporting legislation was first considered in 1998, it unfortunately didn't get very far. I want to read for you an article from March of 1999 because it is going to have some relationship to a similar issue that we hope to get before Congress before the end of the year, and that is a bipartisan piece of legislation I am referring to. prgtoken I want to read an article from March 1999, from the Southern Livestock Review. That article is entitled ``How Campaign Money, Lobbyists Killed Mandatory Price Reporting.'' I am going to read that article into the Record in its entirety, only I will not read names. I will refer to former Senators as Senator 1, 2, and 3, and I will refer to lobbyists' names as Lobbyist 1 and Lobbyist 2. prgtoken My point is to remind my fellow Senators today not to be blindsided again by the American Meat Institute, like happened in 1998 to kill legislation back then, because I don't want a similar thing to happen with what some of us Senators are proposing this year. This is important because Senator Fischer and I are soon to introduce legislation to update livestock price transparency. prgtoken Now, I will read. This is a long reading. How Campaign Money, Lobbyists Killed Mandatory Price Reporting: In the heat of last October's upcoming election and Congress' hurry-get-out-of-town legislating, the draft of a massive $4 billion farm bailout bill--which included federal relief for cash-strapped farmers and mandatory public price reporting in livestock markets--was in place as congressmen and senators flew home for a weekend of campaigning. When the lawmakers returned the following Monday, however, mandatory livestock price reporting was virtually gutted, butchered by well-connected lobbyists and huge sums of political action campaign money from the meatpacker- backed American Meat Institute. How this deboning occurred is an object lesson in how private money often thwarts public will and why solid, sensible farm policy often dies at the hands of craven politicians and legions of lobbyists. In July 1998, Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle, D-SD, put
Biden Administration (Executive Session)
John Thune (Republican, SD) \u2014 2021-11-16

we are coming up on a year of ic governance here in Washington, and what do have to show for it? Nothing good. prgtoken On the international front, the President's most significant act was his disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan, which lowered our standing with our allies and continues to jeopardize our national security. prgtoken On the domestic front, have largely ignored a massive crisis along our southern border that continues to rage because they can't take on the open borders left in their own political party. prgtoken Look at what is happening with the supply chain. There are 90 containers sitting at the port at Long Beach waiting to get into the country, and the President and his team can't really do anything about it because they are unwilling to take on the Teamsters. prgtoken If you look at our cities, homicides are up in all of our major cities across this country. It seems that perhaps a ``defund the police'' approach to communities' safety isn't something that sends the right signal to people who want to break our laws. prgtoken Then there is inflation. You might call it the ' signature domestic achievement. prgtoken So how did we get here? How did they get us here? Well, despite their lack of a mandate and their extremely narrow majorities in Congress, came into office last January determined to expand government and implement a far-left, Big Government, socialist agenda. In their minds, the coronavirus crisis provided the perfect opportunity to advance their plans. prgtoken So despite the fact that Congress had just passed--just passed--a nearly $1 trillion bipartisan coronavirus response bill in December-- the fifth, I might add, the fifth bipartisan bill Congress had passed in just 10 months-- declared that we immediately needed another piece of ostensibly coronavirus relief legislation--and not just another piece of legislation, a massive piece of legislation. prgtoken Despite the fact that the December bill had met essentially all of the pressing coronavirus needs the country was facing, decided that we needed to spend another $1.9 trillion. were warned that the size of their so-called American Rescue Plan, which was substantially in excess of anything the economy required, ran the risk of spurring inflation. prgtoken economic adviser Larry Summers warned in the Washington Post: There is a chance that macroeconomic stimulus on a scale closer to World War II levels than normal recession levels will set off inflationary pressures of a kind we have not seen in a generation, with consequences for the value of the dollar and financial stability. prgtoken That, again, was economic adviser Larry Summers. prgtoken Well, passed their bill anyway. They flooded the economy with a lot of unnecessary government money, and the results have been predictable. Inflation. Sig
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
Rand Paul (Republican, KY) \u2014 2021-11-16

I rise today to honor a fellow Kentuckian, Lisa Pisterman, from the Schnitzelburg community of Louisville, KY. You may not know this unique neighborhood that dates back to 1866. But you are all familiar with historic communities that helped form the fabric of your own hometown or metropolitan area, and you have witnessed many of them struggle to preserve their unique heritage while remaining relevant in a modern economy. prgtoken To that end, Lisa Pisterman served as president of the Schnitzelburg Area Community Council during a very challenging period when the council had struggled to move forward. With Lisa at the helm, a new sense of unity and purpose has emerged, and great things are happening. prgtoken In addition to her leadership on the council, Lisa has served as one of the local historians, allowing natives of the community and newcomers alike to reflect on its history and envision what is to come. prgtoken Lisa is the author of ``Louisville's Germantown & Schnitzelburg'' and is currently working with other individuals to build the Germantown Schnitzelburg History Museum where visitors can study this community's contributions to our great Commonwealth. prgtoken As her friends and neighbors recognize Lisa this month as Schnitzelburg's No. 1 Citizen, I want to personally thank her for all she has done and continues to do for her community and to wish her great success in the future.
IN RECOGNITION OF ASSISTANT CHIEF WILLIAM CHRISTOPHER CHANDLER
Michael C. Burgess (Republican, TX) \u2014 2021-11-16

. Madam , I rise today to recognize Assistant Chief of Police William Christopher Chandler and his exemplary public service to the City of The Colony, Texas. After over 31 years as a Texas Police Officer, he is retiring as a respected law enforcement professional and community leader. prgtoken In high school, Chief Chandler met a fellow student and the love of his life, Olga. Chief prgtoken Chandler and Olga married after high school in January 1986, and he started working at Houston Lighting and Power Company as a Power Plant Manintenance Mechanic. Olga attended the University of Houston on a full scholarship, and the couple intended that Chief Chandler would enroll in college after she graduated. Life got in the way, and while Olga was attending college, they added to their family with the births of two sons. prgtoken Following in the footsteps of his father, a police officer, Chief Chandler began his law enforcement career in December 1989, joining his cousin as a fellow officer at the Jacinto City Police Department. He was promoted to Sergeant in 1993 by Chief Joe Clark. In 1996, Chief Clark was hired as Chief of The Colony Police Department, and he hired Chief Chandler away to serve as his Lieutenant and second-in-command. May 28, 1996 marked the first day of Chief Chandler's career at The Colony Police Department. prgtoken Chief Chandler was promoted to the rank of Captain in October 1998 and Assistant Chief in March 2012. Chief Chandler worked in the Operations Division overseeing Patrol, SWAT, Crossing Guards, and Bike Patrol. In January 2016, he took over the Support Services Division and oversaw the Criminal Investigations Division, School Resource Officers, Jail Operations, Communications, and Records. prgtoken He has been a committed life-long learner. He earned his Associates Degree in Criminal Justice from Collin County Community College, followed by a Bachelors of Applied Arts and Sciences Degree in 2021 from the University of North Texas. He is a graduate of the Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas Leadership Command College at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville. He also graduated from the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy, Session No. 275, at Quantico, Virginia. Chief Chandler holds a Master Peace Officer License through the Texas Commission of Law Enforcement (TCOLE) and has compiled more than 5,890 hours of training since beginning his career. prgtoken He and Olga are the proud parent of three boys, each who have followed their father into law enforcement and are serving as officers in the cities of Frisco, Plano, and Carrollton. prgtoken For more than three decades, he has been devoted to protecting the citizens of the communities he has served, putting strangers' safety above his own. I am deeply grateful for his public service to the City of The Colony and North Texas, and I wish Chief Chandler and his family the best in his retirement.