mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
LEGISLATIVE BUSINESS UPDATE
Steny H. Hoyer (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2022-12-22

as the Members know, the Senate has now passed the omnibus which will fund government. As the Members also know, the government will be shut down at midnight tomorrow if we do not pass additional legislation here. prgtoken I have been over in the Senate talking to those who will prepare the bill to be sent to this Chamber. Unfortunately, the process takes a long time to do, and it will not be to us for a significant period of time, meaning it will not be to us before midnight tonight. prgtoken As a result, I will announce to Members that I believe we will have no recorded votes until at the earliest 9 a.m. tomorrow, and Members need to be available at 9 a.m. and thereafter. prgtoken As soon as we get the documents to process on the floor, we will proceed as quickly as possible, and in addition, the Senate has passed and we will pass, as well, a short-term CR so that the bill can be enrolled and sent to the President for signature so there will be no termination or closing of the government's operations. prgtoken So, again, we will be having no further votes tonight. We will reconvene at 9 a.m and votes will be conducted as soon thereafter as we are ready to do so.
AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2023--Continued
Kirsten E. Gillibrand (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2022-12-22

I rise to speak in support of my amendment, the 9/11 Responder and Survivor Health Funding Correction Act. This amendment is a bipartisan compromise that we have worked out to make sure there is not a shortfall in funding for this health program. prgtoken This health program was stood up about 10 years ago, and we created a formula that was based on inflation. Unfortunately, the rate of inflation for healthcare has been higher. This is something that was unanimously agreed on from its inception, and I really hope you can support this. prgtoken As you know, our 9/11 first responders have been suffering from lung cancer and different kinds of pulmonary diseases and respiratory diseases, and this healthcare is lifesaving. If they have to worry that the money is not there for their cancer treatments, it just creates more anxiety and PTSD for these individuals. prgtoken It is really important that we fully fund this program. This funding will prgtoken allow for the next 5 years to be covered. It is not everything we need, but it is enough to get us started.
PRESIDENTIAL TAX FILINGS AND AUDIT TRANSPARENCY ACT OF 2022
Judy Chu (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2022-12-22

. Madam , I rise today in strong support of H.R. 9640, the Presidential Tax Filings and Audit Transparency Act of 2022. prgtoken This week, I was shocked to find that the IRS did not comply with its own mandate to conduct annual audits of the President's tax returns. prgtoken This mandatory Presidential audit has been in place since 1977. Yet, during 's 4 years in office, only one mandatory audit was even started and none of the audits were completed. The majority of audits weren't even started until left office. prgtoken The American people deserve transparency and checks and balances for the President, the most powerful person in the world. The bill before us would ensure the integrity of this audit in Federal statute and show the American public that no one is above the law. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.''
ABOLISH TRAFFICKING REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2022
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2022-12-22

. Madam , I rise in support of S. 3946, the Abolish Human Trafficking Reauthorization Act. prgtoken Human trafficking can happen anywhere in America--in rural communities in the form of agricultural labor, in urban communities in the form of massage parlors, and suburban communities in the form of domestic labor, or in any combination. prgtoken And although some populations are at greater risk than others, human trafficking spans all races, ages, genders, and every socioeconomic status. prgtoken People who have been trafficked, whether for labor or sex, are not criminals. They are victims who deserve victim-focused, culturally informed responses that direct them towards services critical to sustaining them as they heal and away from the criminal justice system. prgtoken I am sure we can agree that we must better support victims of labor and sex trafficking, ensure that they are not revictimized or stigmatized, and provide them with services that help them successfully re-integrate into society. prgtoken And, while we tend to focus on sex trafficking, we must do more to shine a light on incidences of labor trafficking and victims of forced labor. This begins with gathering better data. prgtoken This legislation would reauthorize and strengthen several programs aimed at preventing human trafficking and protecting victims and survivors within the Trafficking Victims Protection Act or the TVPA-- the cornerstone of the U.S. antitrafficking response. prgtoken This bill would also encourage collaboration among those entities that identify and support victims, improve law enforcement training, promote data collection, prioritize efforts to respond to cybercrime, and strengthen certain protections for victims and survivors. prgtoken I thank Senators Cornyn and Klobuchar for their continued dedication to the fight to end human trafficking. I urge all of my colleagues to support S. 3946.
PROTECTING AMERICAN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ACT OF 2022
Gregory W. Meeks (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2022-12-22

. Madam , the balance of my time. prgtoken The lifeblood of the American economy is innovation, and individuals and companies that steal our trade secrets and pickpocket our patents are doing no less than undermining the health of this Nation. It is time that we impose real costs on intellectual property thieves, and that is exactly what this bill does. prgtoken I, again, thank my friend and colleague, Joe Wilson. I thank Ranking Member McCaul for working in a bipartisan way on this committee as we combat some of these ills that are facing our Nation by those who mean us or democracy no good. prgtoken Madam , I ask all of my colleagues to support this important legislation. Let's send it to the President's desk and let the world know we will not tolerate the theft of our intellectual property. prgtoken Madam , .
TRIBUTE TO DR. WILLIAM FINLAYSON
Tammy Baldwin (Democrat, WI) \u2014 2022-12-22

I rise today to recognize the exceptional career and life of Dr. William Finlayson. Dr. Finlayson is a pillar of the Milwaukee Black Community and has left an indelible mark on so many families in Wisconsin's largest city. prgtoken Dr. Finlayson was born in 1924 in Manatee, FL. From a young age, he studied and excelled at school, and at age 16 he started his collegiate career at Florida A&M. At age 19, Finlayson entered the U.S. Army and served as a first lieutenant from 1943 through 1946. During his time in the U.S. Army, he taught illiterate Black soldiers how to read, receiving a promotion to second lieutenant due to his work. He then served in the Army Reserves between 1946 to 1953. prgtoken While serving in the Reserves, Finlayson moved to Atlanta to attend Morehouse College. It was during this time that he became classmates and fraternity brothers with the late Martin Luther King, Jr. Finlayson graduated from Morehouse in 1948 with his B.S and then attended Meharry Medical College in 1953. prgtoken After graduating from medical school, Dr. Finlayson arrived to the city of Milwaukee in 1958, where segregation was making it difficult for Black physicians to get hired by the city's best hospitals. Ever determined, Dr. Finlayson founded his own private practice, along with Dr. Walter White, Dr. Randall Pollard, Dr. George Hillard, and Dr. Gerald Poindexter. He was eventually admitted as the first Black doctor at St. Joseph's Hospital. He built a successful practice, with people often sitting on the steps outside of his office just to see him. prgtoken However, his passion for helping the Black community did not stop there. Dr. Finlayson participated in fair housing marches led by Alderwoman Vel Philips and Father James Groppi. During the civil rights era, it was Dr. Finlayson who was instrumental in bringing MLK Jr. to the city of Milwaukee to speak. prgtoken Dr. Finlayson was a champion for financial literacy, cofounding the first Black-owned bank in the city, North Milwaukee State Bank, wanting to offer full-service banking to underserved communities. He also founded the W.E.B Du Bois Club, educating high school students with the financial skills they needed to succeed while preserving Black history. prgtoken In his life, Dr. Finlayson delivered over 10,000 babies, served as president of the Cream City Medical Society, Milwaukee Gynecological Society, and his local YMCA. He was a house delegate to the Wisconsin Medical Society, teaching at both the Medical College of Wisconsin and the University of Wisconsin Medical School. He served as prgtoken vice president of the United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County and continues to be a member of the Urban League, as well as a lifetime member of the NAACP. prgtoken Dr. Finlayson is truly a Milwaukee trailblazer, consistently fighting for equality in the State of Wisconsin. Recently, the Milwaukee road that was formerly North 5th Street was re
CHILDHOOD CANCER SURVIVORSHIP, TREATMENT, ACCESS, AND RESEARCH REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2022
Frank Pallone, Jr. (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2022-12-22

such time as I may consume. prgtoken I rise in support of S. 4120, the Senate companion to H.R. 7630, the Childhood Cancer STAR Reauthorization Act. Last night, this bill passed in the Senate by unanimous consent, and I am glad that we are now considering it under suspension. prgtoken , cancer is the leading cause of death in American children, yet only 4 percent of the National Cancer Institute's budget is dedicated to childhood and adolescent cancer research. prgtoken Since its original implementation, the STAR Act has provided resources for State cancer registries to identify and track pediatric cancer incidence, enhance research on childhood cancer survivorship and innovative treatment models, and support the pediatric cancer workforce. prgtoken The bill before us reauthorizes the STAR Act for 5 years at $30 million per year, requires a report on researcher access to cancer biorepository samples, and expands research to evaluate survivorship and treatment approaches in children and adolescents with cancer. prgtoken I thank the House and Senate sponsors and families across the country who have advocated for this important reauthorization. prgtoken I look forward to the STAR Act passing and adding on to the Energy and Commerce Committee's efforts in the 117th Congress to enhance pediatric cancer research, such as the Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act 2.0 and ARPA-H. prgtoken , .
AMENDING THE FARM SECURITY AND RURAL INVESTMENT ACT OF 2002
Abigail Davis Spanberger (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2022-12-22

. Madam , such time as I may consume. prgtoken Madam , I rise in support of S. 5328. This legislation will enable the desert terminal lakes assistance program to fulfill its intended purpose while bringing the program to an orderly closure. S. 5328 amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 by changing the program's sunset date from October 1, 2023, to October 1, 2025. prgtoken The program has successfully improved the water supply to Walker Lake, Pyramid, and Summit Lakes for the benefit of at-risk natural desert terminal lakes and associated riparian and watershed resources. prgtoken To date, the program has secured over half of the water to reach the restoration goal for Walker Lake while also protecting agricultural interests in Nevada and California. The program has brought nearly 20,000 acres under sustainable management. prgtoken With an additional 2 years, the program can maximize conservation outcomes while supporting agricultural producers and ensure that maximum outcomes are achieved as the program prgtoken ends. The ability to complete the program in an orderly way and fully spend the funds allocated back in 2014 will enable 70 to 80 percent completion of Walker Lake's restoration goals. prgtoken Madam , .
AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2023--Continued
Robert Menendez (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2022-12-22

this amendment is about justice and restitution. Twenty-one years ago, on a cloudless morning in 2001, nearly 3,000 Americans, including 750 from my home State of New Jersey, were senselessly murdered in the terrorist attacks on September 11. prgtoken , 9/11 families are the reason why ``Never Forget'' continues to be a clarion call in this Congress. They are the reason we seek a vote on the Fairness for 9/11 Families Act. prgtoken I do this alongside Senators Cotton and Sullivan, who worked with me to bring justice and relief to also the 1983 Beirut Marine barracks bombing victims and so many other Americans who have suffered at the hands of state sponsors of terrorism. prgtoken Our amendment is straightforward. It expands coverage of the U.S. Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund to deliver justice and relief to previously excluded 9/11 families who, because of this exclusion, lost out on the ability to get some of the compensation, as well as the families of the victims of the Beirut Marine barracks bombing and the Khobar Towers attack. prgtoken Many of these families have waited for years--and, in some cases, decades--for relief, and that is what we seek today. I believe that we can take a voice vote. prgtoken I turn to Senator Whitehouse, yield to him for a moment. I know he wants to speak to it.
BRAD KARBOWSKY: THE UNION LIFE
Donald Norcross (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2022-12-22

. Madam , I rise today to honor the career of my union brother Brad Karbowsky. Brad is a longtime labor leader, who got his start installing fire protection systems as a member of UA Local 669. prgtoken In his career that's spanned nearly three decades, he oversaw apprenticeship programs to train the next generation of workers. He secured pension and health care funds, and established worker protection initiatives to stand up for those being treated unfairly. This is critical work that upholds a core belief of the American Dream: that if you work hard and play by the rules, you should earn a living for you and your family and retire with dignity. prgtoken So today, I want to honor Brad's work and wish him the best in retirement. He's earned it.
INTRODUCTION OF THE RARE DISEASE ADVANCEMENT, RESEARCH, AND EDUCATION (RARE) ACT
André Carson (Democrat, IN) \u2014 2022-12-22

. Madam , I am pleased to reintroduce the Rare disease Advancement, Research, and Education (RARE) Act. This important legislation will address many of the issues facing rare disease patients and families. This legislation will make a meaningful difference in the lives of those struggling with rare diseases by using increased research to help provide more accurate diagnoses and increased treatment options. prgtoken During my service in Congress, I have been honored to represent and meet with many brave Hoosier families that are struggling with rare diseases. I have been moved by their courage. Their strength in midst of trying conditions is not only inspiring, but also instructive. They have educated me and my colleagues about the necessity of increased research and rare disease surveillance in order to provide more treatment options and better diagnoses. prgtoken Nearly one in ten Americans live with one or more of the roughly 7,000 known rare diseases. These largely inherited diseases--defined as affecting 200,000 or fewer people--often lack substantive research investments and treatment options. In particular, African-Americans are especially vulnerable to certain rare diseases, including Sickle cell disease and beta-thalassemia. Specifically, the blood disorder Sickle cell disease affects 73 out of every 1,000 African American babies versus only three out of every 1,000 Caucasian babies. prgtoken While rare diseases cross the medical spectrum, individuals with rare diseases face some common challenges. Largely due to their limited patient population size, these individuals may have difficulty obtaining an accurate diagnosis, finding physicians or treatment centers with expertise in their disease, and ultimately finding appropriate treatment options and cures. Frighteningly, roughly 90 percent of rare diseases still lack a treatment approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). While over 450 drugs have been approved for the treatment of rare diseases, millions of Americans who are suffering from a rare disease have no approved treatment options. prgtoken Past Congressional action has helped support research at NIH and CDC, supported in part by the bipartisan appropriations letter I lead each year--signed by over 220 House members--in support of increased NIH funding. However, much more work needs to be done to help these agencies improve rare disease awareness, education, research, surveillance, diagnosis, and treatment. This is why the RARE Act is so important. It will expand the ability of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC) to study rare diseases by improving treatment, research, and diagnostics of rare diseases through new and existing programs. I am proud to introduce the RARE Act to help address the many unique challenges facing the rare disease patient community. prgtoken The RARE Act would provide an important step forward by add
HONORING FRANCES MUNOZ, OUR NATION'S FIRST LATINA JUDGE
J. Luis Correa (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2022-12-22

. Madam , I rise today to honor the life of Frances Munoz, our Nation's first Latina judge. Judge Frances Munoz died on October 17, 2022, of natural causes. She was 92 years old. prgtoken Judge Frances Munoz has the distinction of being the first Latina female appointed or elected to the bench in California and the first Latina female appointed or elected as a trial court jurist in the United States. She served for 23 years in the Orange County Municipal and Superior Courts and an additional 15 years as an Assigned Judge. prgtoken From humble beginnings, Frances was born at the height of the depression on September 18, 1930, the 5th of 11 children, in the mining town of Miami, Arizona. The family moved to Puritan, Colorado, and her father continued to work in the coal mines until the mines ``played out.'' prgtoken In 1941, the family moved to Corona, California, and joined the thousands of others working in farm labor. Frances and her siblings joined their parents in the fields during the summers picking tomatoes, grapes, and other crops in the Fresno area, sometimes sleeping outdoors. prgtoken Judge Munoz inspired her younger siblings to study and pursue higher education. After high school, she went to work selling furniture and she paid for the college expenses of her siblings. prgtoken Undaunted, Judge Munoz pursued her own education by attending night classes at Los Angeles City College, UCLA and law school while managing Atlas Furniture stores during the day. In 1972, Judge Munoz received her law degree from Southwestern University School of Law where she was a member of Law Review. prgtoken She moved to Orange County, where her brother Greg, a graduate from USC law school, had opened a practice. Greg later became an Orange County Superior Court judge and served alongside Frances on the bench. prgtoken In 1972, Frances joined the office of the Orange County Public Defender, where she was the first Latina and the second woman to be hired in that office. prgtoken In 1974, she and several Latino attorneys established the Orange County Mexican-American Lawyers Club, which was later renamed the Hispanic Bar Association of Orange County. One of their goals was to ensure that more Latinos, who were qualified and experienced, be appointed or elected to the bench. As a result of their efforts, today there are 19 Latino judges out of 124 Superior Court Judges on the Orange County bench and two Latino justices out of eight Appellate Court justices in Orange County. prgtoken On January 25, 1978, Governor Jerry Brown's office telephoned Frances Munoz to advise her that she had been appointed as a Judge in the Harbor Municipal County in Orange County. She was not at her desk. She was in court representing a defendant in a felony jury trial. prgtoken As a Deputy Public Defender, she was known as a zealous advocate. But she was also noted for being civil with opposing counsel and respectful of the court. She was also acknowledg
ABOLISH TRAFFICKING REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2022
Jerrold Nadler (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2022-12-22

. Madam , such time as I may consume. prgtoken Madam , I rise in strong support of S. 3946, the Abolish Human Trafficking Reauthorization Act, which reauthorizes crucial programs that help combat human trafficking. prgtoken Human trafficking is a multibillion-dollar criminal industry that exists in cities, suburbs, and rural towns, and denies freedom to nearly 25 million people around the world. Our inability to see the harms of human trafficking allows it to persist and leaves victims vulnerable, sometimes even as they think they have found those who will help them escape. prgtoken S. 3946 would reauthorize and extend many critical programs through 2027 that are vital to the fight to end this form of modern-day slavery. prgtoken The Trafficking Victims Protection Act, or TVPA, is a crucial law that provides the legal framework for the United States to combat, monitor, and prosecute human trafficking crimes, while also providing key services to victims of trafficking. prgtoken S. 3946 would reauthorize key TVPA programs through 2027 that fund restorative services for victim and law enforcement antitrafficking operations and training. prgtoken This legislation would also establish confidentiality protections for victims; prioritize cybersecurity enforcement; provide funding to States that identify, respond to, and prevent trafficking within their foster care systems; assist victims who have had their documentation stolen; improve data collection; support forced labor investigations; and authorize funding for the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Homeland Security. prgtoken Lastly, this reauthorization would extend the life of the National Sexual Assault Hotline and provide permanent authorization of the Department of Justice's Domestic Trafficking Victims' Fund, which is financed through fines paid by convicted traffickers and sexual predators. prgtoken Too often we think that human trafficking is something that happens elsewhere in other cities and other countries, but human trafficking touches every community, every city, and every suburb. That is why we must continue to do all that we can to raise awareness, provide hope, provide support to victims and survivors, and to ensure that there is accountability for those who commit this terrible crime. This legislation does just that. prgtoken This bipartisan legislation is supported by a broad coalition of advocates for victims and survivors of trafficking and sexual abuse, law enforcement, and prosecutors. prgtoken Madam , I thank Senators Cornyn and Klobuchar for introducing this important legislation. I urge all my colleagues to support it, and .