mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
CREATING A RESPECTFUL AND OPEN WORLD FOR NATURAL HAIR ACT OF 2022
Bonnie Watson Coleman (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2022-2-28

I thank the chairman of our committee for allotting me this time to speak on a bill that I think is very important. prgtoken , I do rise today to defend the right of Black people to exist as their authentic selves. prgtoken , 58 years after the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, racial discrimination still runs rampant. prgtoken Far too often, Black people, especially Black women and girls, are derided or deemed unprofessional simply because their hair does not conform to White beauty standards. prgtoken Our natural hair is as innate a quality of Black people as the presence of melanin in our skin. Discriminating against our hair is no different than discriminating against the color of our skin. prgtoken Hair discrimination forces Black people to choose between employment and existing authentically. prgtoken Black women are 80 percent more likely to alter their hair to fit in at work. It is no different at school, where Black students are disproportionately suspended for unapproved hairstyles. prgtoken Fortunately, with the support of groups like the CROWN Coalition, State legislatures across the country have banned hair discrimination. State-level progress is an important step in the right direction, but it is not enough. prgtoken , I have reintroduced the CROWN Act to end hair discrimination at the Federal level. My bill would eliminate an undue burden that Black women face every day. prgtoken The methods Black women use to manipulate their hair are not only costly and time-consuming but also damaging to their hair. Nobody should have to sacrifice their time, their money, and the health of their hair for the sake of complying with racist standards of professionalism. prgtoken Further, the CROWN Act is a necessary step toward protecting Black beauty and culture. Prohibiting hair discrimination is only the beginning. Even if this bill becomes law, we have a long road ahead toward a truly inclusive society. prgtoken As Members of Congress, we must pass legislation that promotes diversity over discrimination and inclusivity over intolerance. And through our work with other organizations like the CROWN Coalition and the Screen Actors Guild, we can change the culture and build an America where everyone, from our essential service workers to our most beloved television stars, can live authentically. I thank those groups for doing everything in their power to raise awareness of this important but often ignored racial justice issue. prgtoken The CROWN Act is long-overdue civil rights legislation. I hope my colleagues on both sides of the aisle will support it and send it to the President's desk without delay. prgtoken No one should be forced to alter their appearance to be accepted. It is time that Congress recognizes that, and I ask for their support.
IN RECOGNITION OF RARE DISEASE DAY AND THE RARE DISEASE DIVERSITY COALITION
Bobby L. Rush (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2022-2-28

. Madam , I rise today in recognition of Rare Disease Day to stand with the courageous women and men who have been diagnosed with rare diseases and honor those who have lost their battle to these terrible illnesses. prgtoken An estimated 1 in 10 Americans are afflicted with rare diseases, and people of color suffer disproportionately from these illnesses. Despite their great overall number, rare disease patients are the ``orphans'' of the healthcare systems, often denied diagnosis, treatment, and the benefits of research. Due to the low prevalence of each disease, medical expertise is rare, knowledge is scarce, care offerings inadequate, and research limited. prgtoken We applaud the advocates, medical professionals, and caregivers who dedicate their lives to providing resources to those diagnosed with rare diseases. One such advocate is the Rare Disease Diversity Coalition, an organization born out of a commitment to help address the extraordinary challenges faced by rare disease patients of color and a dedication to serve as a catalyst for progress. The RDDC's depth and breadth of expertise come from the diversity of the over 50 coalition members and affiliates; which include the Asian-Pacific Islander American Health Forum, EveryLife Foundation, Health Equity Collaborative, MANA, A National Latina Organization, National Black Nurses Association, National Hispanic Medical Association, National Medical Association, Patient Advocate Foundation, and the Black Women's Health Imperative. This coalition can help society seize the momentum for change on racial inequities and drive progress on the continuing struggles regarding health equity and rare diseases. Last fall, the RDDC hosted the RARE Health Equity Summit Fall in partnership with Global Genes. This Summit brought together stakeholders from the rare disease community to discuss persistent gaps in diagnostic challenges for historically underserved and underrepresented patient communities and to align strategies to address health inequities of the rare disease community. prgtoken It is up to us to continue fighting for cures and ensure that every American, especially those of color, has access to the quality care they need. Still, our Nation has a long way to go before rare diseases no longer threaten American lives and devastate communities of color. prgtoken As we observe Rare Disease Day, I ask my colleagues in Congress to stand with me in support of real and significant progress with rare diseases; to unite in supporting treatments and breakthroughs with rare diseases; to ensure that more people have access to quality, affordable health care; and to lifting the inequitable health burden that falls on communities of color. We must commit to ending rare diseases and improving the lives of all those affected by these illnesses.
POSTAL SERVICE REFORM ACT OF 2022--Motion to Proceed--Continued
Rob Portman (Republican, OH) \u2014 2022-2-28

this is the fourth time I have come to the floor of the Senate in the past month to talk about the crisis in Ukraine and to talk about what we can do here in the U.S. Congress to try to help the great people of Ukraine. prgtoken Today, I come to the floor to express my solidarity with the courageous people of Ukraine, who, as we speak, are under attack in Kyiv and Kharkiv, and in so many other cities and towns throughout Ukraine. prgtoken Russia's attack on Ukraine is a brutal, unprovoked invasion of a democracy--an ally and a sovereign nation. It must not be allowed to stand or it will create a precedent that unravels the international order that has kept the peace in Europe for nearly 80 years. prgtoken Earlier today, Senator Durbin and I organized a meeting of the Ukraine Caucus. We are the cochairs. We had Ambassador Markarova come, who is the Ukrainian Ambassador to the United States. Along with her came a member of the Rada, their Parliament, who happened to be in the United States when the attack began. They spoke with emotion about their country, about what they needed--Stinger missiles, Javelin missiles--to be able to fight against superior Russian air power and Russian tanks. prgtoken But they also spoke with compassion about the people of Ukraine, about the sacrifice and the courage that they are showing. From the woman who has never fought before who now has an AK-47 and is defending her family in her apartment building to the President of the Republic, President Zelenskyy, all of them are showing courage in defending their homeland, their way of life, and democracy. prgtoken I also just left a briefing that was an opportunity to hear from the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Defense, and other American officials about what we are doing as a country and to give us an update on their view as to what is happening in Ukraine. prgtoken Just as the conversation with Ambassador Markarova and a member of the Rada was inspiring to hear about the courage and the resilience of the people of Ukraine, the briefing with our American officials was sobering. prgtoken It was encouraging to see America stand up to protect freedom; but also, an understanding that the Russian forces outnumber those in Ukraine--and certainly their equipment, technology, their planes, and their tanks, and their ships are going to make this a very, very difficult battle. prgtoken Thankfully, the world is rallying on this side of freedom. That is encouraging and inspiring. prgtoken I was in Cleveland, OH, last night at a prayer vigil and then a rally. Over 1,000 people showed up. Many were Ukrainian Americans who live in Northeast Ohio--it is a strong community--but many were not. Many were from other countries: Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Poland, people who have family from Romania, Bulgaria, people from the entire region--including some from Russia--but all standing firmly with the people of Ukraine. prgtoken As was sa
UKRAINE
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2022-2-28

last week, Putin again invaded the sovereign territory of a neighboring country. Sadly, it was long clear that attempts to invoke genteel international norms would not move this self-styled czar. prgtoken Putin only cares about norms insofar as he wants to rewrite them. He only cares about the peaceful international order insofar as he wants to disrupt it. prgtoken Like his Soviet predecessors, Putin has always rejected the postwar order that held up states' sovereignty and territorial integrity as sacrosanct. Putin and Xi of China both want to replace this peaceful order with spheres of influence. prgtoken They want to bend other countries to their will and redraw borders by force. Make no mistake, this crisis does not and will not end with Ukraine. And the reason isn't simply that appetites grow with eating. Confrontation with the West is Putin's main objective. prgtoken He wants to restore the Russian empire. He said explicitly, he wants NATO rolled back to its 1997 borders. We have a dictator trying to dismember a U.S. partner, trying to decapitate its democratically elected government. prgtoken Does anybody really think it stops here? Does anybody think that Europe, or for that matter, Taiwan, will be safe if the world lets this stand? prgtoken We will only deter further Russian and Chinese aggression if Putin is made to pay a significant price. Massive and sustained sanctions that undermine his ability to wage war, now and into the future, will be necessary. prgtoken But sanctions alone will not suffice. Russia has massive currency reserves. It has options to blunt economic pain and to impose countercosts on America and our partners, at least in the near term. The sanctions that would hurt Moscow the most would also have a significant impact on our friends in Europe. So there will continue to be resistance to maximalist sanctions. prgtoken To date, the administration has sent mixed messages about its own sanctions policy. For months, we heard that prospective sanctions were being drafted to deter Putin's aggression. But last week, the President said he and his advisers never thought sanctions would deter Russia. Now, they are finally imposing sanctions but short of everything that is available. prgtoken So to what end exactly? What is the administration's coherent plan? I believe we should have used more of these tools prior to this brutal escalation to deter Putin and to weaken his capacity to wage war. Now, we must use these tools aggressively to impose massive costs for Putin's aggression, to demonstrate to other aggressors that we mean business, and to degrade Putin's longer-term ability to threaten NATO and compete with the West. prgtoken But ultimately, sanctions are no substitute for military power. They are no substitute for the steps we must take prgtoken to help Ukraine now and to defend ourselves in the future. Moscow and Beijing will only be deterred from aggression if they s
CREATING A RESPECTFUL AND OPEN WORLD FOR NATURAL HAIR ACT OF 2022
Jim Jordan (Republican, OH) \u2014 2022-2-28

. Madam , the balance of my time. prgtoken Madam , what is Congress doing today? What is the people's House--under the majority--what is the House of Representatives up to today? Passing a bill to prohibit conduct that is already unlawful under the law. Discrimination based on hairstyle is already unlawful. prgtoken That is what the Congress, what the House of Representatives, is going to pass today. Think about it. That is the priority today when we have gone in literally 1 year's time from a secure border to complete chaos. Two million illegal crossings in 1 year on our border. In fact, we don't really have a border. prgtoken We have gone from safe streets to record crime in every major urban area in 1 year's time. They are focused on a bill to make conduct that is already unlawful, unlawful again, I guess. prgtoken We went from energy independence to the spectacle of the President of the United States begging OPEC to increase production. We have gone from stable prices to a 40-year high inflation rate, and are focused on this bill. prgtoken This past summer we had the debacle that was the exit from Afghanistan. As we speak, the Ukrainian people are fighting for their lives, and are passing a bill to prohibit conduct already unlawful under Federal law, a bill that says you can't discriminate based on hairstyle, which is already unlawful. prgtoken We have had a year now where attack every liberty we enjoy under the First Amendment, every single one. There are still some locations in America where a full congregation cannot meet on a Sunday morning. There are some places where you still can't assemble and can't petition. prgtoken The have kept the Capitol closed to the American people, their own darn Capitol. How are you supposed to come in and petition your Member to redress your grievances if you are not even allowed in your Capitol that your tax dollars pay for? Of course, we know what they have done to freedom of speech and the attacks there. Their focus today is on this bill. prgtoken Madam , I urge a ``no'' vote. Let's focus on the issues that I think the vast majority of the American people want us to focus on like crime, like the 40-year high inflation rate, like the border problem, and like the fact that we were an energy independent country just a few months back. Let's focus on those issues. prgtoken Madam , I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this legislation, and .
INDIANA HUNT-MARTIN POST OFFICE BUILDING
Byron Donalds (Republican, FL) \u2014 2022-2-28

. Madam , such time as I may consume. prgtoken Madam , I rise in support of this bill, which would name a post office in New York after Indiana Hunt-Martin. prgtoken Mrs. Hunt-Martin was born in Uvalda, Georgia, during a time when opportunities for Black Americans were very limited. Her family moved to western New York, where she was one of two Black students at Niagara Falls High School. prgtoken In 1944, Mrs. Hunt-Martin joined the only all-African-American Women's Army Corps, the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, known as the Six Triple Eight. prgtoken She was then chosen to serve overseas in England, where she worked with fellow soldiers under harsh and challenging workspace conditions. prgtoken In only 3 months, they cleared a 2-year backlog of mail destined for nearly 7 million members of the United States military and others serving in the European theater. This was certainly an important contribution to prgtoken the war effort, which the Six Triple Eight recognized with the motto: ``No mail, low morale.'' prgtoken In 1946, Mrs. Hunt-Martin returned to the United States and received an honorable discharge. She then worked at the United States Department of Labor for 41 years. During this service, she met her husband and had a daughter, Janice Martin. prgtoken After her service to the Nation, Mrs. Hunt-Martin became an active member of several veterans organizations and mentored young Black women who served in the military. prgtoken Sadly, on September 21, 2020, Indiana Hunt-Martin passed away. prgtoken I encourage my colleagues to support this bill to honor Indiana Hunt- Martin's exemplary life of service. prgtoken Madam , .
EMMETT TILL ANTILYNCHING ACT
Andy Biggs (Republican, AZ) \u2014 2022-2-28

. Madam , I thank the gentleman from Ohio for yielding time to me. I am grateful that we are going to be voting today on this version of this bill. I think it is a much-improved version as opposed to the one that came out of committee. I am grateful to all those who worked hard on this to try to make this a better bill, and I am grateful for that. prgtoken I think when we reflect upon this bill and the history of our Nation--this Nation we all love and cherish--we recognize that we have to cure and acknowledge some issues and problems that we have had. And this is not the least of those for sure, but it is an important thing to recognize. prgtoken I appreciated the chairman of the Judiciary Committee mentioning George Henry White who was the first person to introduce an antilynching piece of legislation. George Henry White was from North Carolina. He was a Representative. He was the only African American who was a Member of Congress at the time. After he left Congress in the early part of the last century, 1901, it would be 28 years before another African American came prgtoken into these important Halls of law and legislation. prgtoken One thing that Congressman White was very bold about was to fight and stand against disenfranchisement, to fight disenfranchisement and also to fight mob violence which took an incredible amount of courage and discipline, and I appreciate that and his history. prgtoken I am hopeful that we will make this a unanimous vote. I hope that we will record that vote for our posterity and for all Americans to know and recognize that the United States House of Representatives could come together as yet we may disagree on so many things, but on this issue that we can come together unitedly. prgtoken Madam , I appreciate the opportunity to speak on this, and I thank the gentleman for yielding.
ENERGY INDEPENDENCE MEANS NATIONAL SECURITY
John Joyce (Republican, PA) \u2014 2022-2-28

right now, we are witnessing the violent acts of a Russian dictator in Eastern Europe. Vladimir Putin is attempting to rehang the Iron Curtain, murdering innocent women and children who stand in his path. prgtoken To help put an end to the war, America must stand united with the free people of Ukraine and continue to provide them with the lethal aid that they need to defend themselves. prgtoken It is time for the United States to stop the flow of Russian oil to the rest of the world and impose harsh sanctions against Russia and its leaders. Vladimir Putin and corrupt Russian oligarchs must know that they will pay a steep price for their unwarranted aggression. It is time for President to allow for America to become energy independent again and share our resources across the world. prgtoken Energy independence means national security. Now is the time to promote American energy, and now is the time to stand with the Ukrainian people.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Steve Daines (Republican, MT) \u2014 2022-2-28

this evening, the U.S. Senate will be voting on the most extreme legislation on abortion ever considered in the history of this body. The deceptively named ``Women's Health Protection Act'' is more accurately called the ``Abortion on Demand Until Birth Act.'' No wonder it is being held on a Monday, as we call these the flyback votes, in the midst of this crisis in Ukraine--that it be tonight that they want to slip in this vote, the most extreme abortion vote ever--ever--considered in the history of this body. prgtoken This bill would force every single State to be a late-term abortion State. This bill allows abortion up until the very moment of birth itself. That is simply infanticide. prgtoken This legislation goes beyond codifying the wrongly decided Roe v. Wade case and would ban many lifesaving State laws currently in effect that limit abortion and enjoy the broad support from Americans, I might add. prgtoken When our Founding Fathers laid out the founding principles of America in the Declaration of Independence, they talked about life; they talked about liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The bottom line is, you can't have liberty and you can't have happiness, or even the pursuit of it, without first having that inalienable right given by God, and that is the right to life. prgtoken The ``Abortion on Demand Until Birth Act'' would impose a horrifying abortion regime across the land that violates the right to life and is completely contrary to the kind of Nation America is and aspires to be. prgtoken In this bill's America, every State, despite the voices of its own citizens, would become New York or California, where abortion is celebrated and unborn children are denied the most basic human rights. In this bill's America, a pregnant mother could elect to have a birth- day abortion for a full-term, 8-pound baby on the day of the baby's due date. In this bill's America, late-term abortions could be committed on demand through brutal dismemberment procedures in which the unborn child bleeds and feels excruciating pain as she dies from being pulled apart, limb from limb. prgtoken In this bill's America, an unborn baby could be cruelly targeted for abortion because the parents learned she was a girl or that she might have Down syndrome. In this bill's America, parents would not know or have any say over whether their young daughter has a life-altering abortion. In this bill's America, vulnerable women and girls could receive dangerous, do-it-yourself chemical abortion drugs by mail without ever seeing a doctor in person. prgtoken In this bill's America, pregnant mothers would be denied the opportunity to see the ultrasounds of their babies. In this bill's America, a doctor or a nurse who doesn't want to perform an abortion could be forced to do so in violation of his or her deeply held moral or religious beliefs. That is specifically struck out in this bill--the religious exemption. prgtoken