mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
EXECUTIVE SESSION--Continued
Ted Cruz (Republican, TX) \u2014 2023-7-11

many Americans remember waking up on Saturday morning to watch their favorite cartoons, including shows like ``The Jetsons.'' As I look at the Senate pages who are here, I suspect none of them have any memory of ``The Jetsons.'' For those who are under 40 in the Chamber or who are watching at home, ``The Jetsons'' was a futuristic cartoon that was set in the year 2062, and it depicted a family from the future who had fun, imaginative technologies, like jet packs and holograms and video calls and robot vacuums and smartwatches and flying cars. While we are still waiting to see those flying cars in the air, we already have a lot of ``The Jetsons' '' technology available to us now--in many cases, even better than what was depicted in the cartoon show. prgtoken Today, internet-connected smart devices are commonly used in American households. Light bulbs, mirrors, air fryers, coffee makers, trash cans, kitchen faucets, refrigerators, and more are all becoming smart, and we are able to control them with our phones or voice commands. A lot of that is really cool. It is expected that, in a few years, nearly 70 percent of American households--more than 80 million households-- will own at least one smart home product. This is, by and large, a good thing, as smart devices can help us improve our quality of life and complete daily tasks more easily. prgtoken But, with any technological advancement, there can be tradeoffs, and for smart devices, one of the potential tradeoffs is our privacy. In Texas, we have become very aware of that cost. In the past few years, smart thermostats have allowed electric companies to control the temperature in your own home, from afar, in the name of conserving energy. prgtoken Furthermore, a lot of Americans don't realize or expect that the growing number of smart household devices and appliances have cameras on them and microphones that can surreptitiously record families and transmit data. In other words, when you are buying a new refrigerator, you don't expect your fridge to record you or listen to you or to spy on you without your knowledge. And, while some manufacturers have responsibly taken steps to more clearly label their products and to let consumers know they contain listening devices or cameras, others have not. prgtoken So I have introduced bipartisan legislation, which I authored alongside Senator Cantwell of Washington, a and the chairman of the Commerce Committee. I am the ranking member of the Commerce Committee. Our bipartisan legislation would simply ensure that this information is clearly communicated to consumers so that you are informed before you buy a product that is going to photograph you or film you or record you, so that it doesn't happen against your wishes and without your knowledge. prgtoken Now, I expect, in a minute, we are going to hear opposition to my bill--opposition focused on the proposition that any mandate put on a private
ENACTING LARGEST INCREASE TO SERVICEMEMBER COMPENSATION IN OVER 20 YEARS
Jay Obernolte (Republican, CA) \u2014 2023-7-11

. Madam , this week, the House will be debating a critically important piece of legislation, the Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act. prgtoken The bill that we are considering this week provides a much-needed 5.2 percent increase in compensation to our servicemen and -women. This is of critical importance because we are one of the few countries in the world that believes in an all-volunteer military force, and the only way that we are able to attract the best and the brightest into our military is if we pay competitive wages. prgtoken This bill will enact the largest increase to servicemember compensation in over 20 years. That is a very meaningful gesture in improving the retention and recruitment of quality men and women into our military. prgtoken Madam , I also thank the House Armed Services Committee for including my amendment to perform studies to direct more resources to remote and isolated military bases like the five that exist in my district. prgtoken Civilian contractor services are critical for providing the services that make life bearable on bases like the ones that I represent. This study will be a meaningful improvement in the quality of lives of the servicemen and -women who serve in my district. prgtoken I also urge adoption of an amendment that I have offered to increase permitting flexibility for the Marine Corps' Twentynine Palms Air Ground Combat Center for the permitting of a joint exercise that allows the annual King of the Hammers event to take place in my district. prgtoken This is one of the largest off-road racing events in the world. It is beloved by residents of my district and Marines alike. It brings over 80,000 people annually to the Johnson Valley in my district. It is a major economic driver. prgtoken We want to continue to see this event take place in the future as a joint exercise between the King of the Hammers event and the Marine Corps. This amendment will make that possible, and I urge its adoption. prgtoken Finally, Madam , I urge adoption of the entire NDAA this year. This will make some meaningful improvements in the quality of life for our military men and women. It allocates an additional $15 million to the U.S. Northern Command to improve drug interdiction like the scourge of fentanyl that has been affecting my district. prgtoken Madam , this is a good thing for our national security and for the men and women in uniform who serve our country. I urge its adoption in Congress this week.
IMPROVING ACCESS TO SMALL BUSINESS INFORMATION ACT
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2023-7-11

. Madam , I rise in support of H.R. 1548, Improving Access to Small Business Information Act. prgtoken The Securities Exchange Act of 1934 regulates transactions of securities in the secondary market. prgtoken The act typically governs transactions which take place between parties which are not the original issuer, such as trades that retail investors execute through brokerage companies. prgtoken The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 is a federal law designed to reduce the total amount of paperwork burden the federal government imposes on private business and citizens. prgtoken Under the Paperwork Reduction Act, agencies must comply with specific procedures when gathering information from the public. prgtoken H.R. 1548 will amend the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to specify that actions of the Advocate Small Business Capital Formation are not a collection of information undue the Paperwork Reduction Act. prgtoken In other words, this bill excludes from the Paperwork Reduction Act actions taken by the Office of the Advocate for Small Business Capital Formation within the Securities and Exchange Commission. prgtoken The Office of the Advocate for Small Business Capital Formation does hard work to provide an annual report to the United States House and Senate to ensure that we understand the state of small business capital formation. prgtoken The Office of the Advocate for Small Business Capital Formation will continue to advocate for solutions to improve the capital raising opportunities for the dreamers, builders, doers, creators, and investors who you don't see in the headlines today. prgtoken For this reason, it is vital that we pass H.R. 1548.
SUPREME COURT DECISION ON AFFIRMATIVE ACTION WILL HAVE DEVASTATING EFFECTS
Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2023-7-11

I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. I also thank her and the gentleman from Illinois for talking about the importance for opportunity and a recognition of the history of discrimination in the United States. prgtoken The Supreme Court has long held that our Nation has a compelling interest in creating racially diverse college campuses. prgtoken Holistic college admissions practices that narrowly tailor the use of race as one of many factors in evaluating prospective students are a key to fostering such diversity in a college campus environment. prgtoken Such admissions policies not only help the historically underserved students, research confirms that diverse campuses also provide all students with a better quality, well-rounded education. prgtoken Last month, the Supreme Court decided, with little regard for precedent, that Harvard's and the University of North Carolina's pursuit of these compelling interests is unconstitutional. prgtoken Regrettably, the Supreme Court's decision is a setback in our effort to eliminate invidious disparities in access to higher education and an effort to ensure diverse learning environments for all students. prgtoken Now that it is done, it is imperative that we review all other facets of college admissions that research shows may be racially discriminatory and have a disparate impact and determine if they, too, need to be eliminated, given this ruling. prgtoken Now, there are admissions factors to take into consideration: Racially inequitable K-12 schooling opportunities, racially biased admissions tests, the legacy admissions that have been mentioned, and other factors that may have a discriminatory impact. prgtoken Now, race-conscious affirmative action provides a counterbalance to these discriminatory practices, but since the Court has invalidated that balance, we must now review all current admissions practices to see if they, too, have disparate impact so that we can see whether or not they are in violation of the Equal Protection Clause or Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. prgtoken To facilitate that review, we must pass the Equity and Inclusion Enforcement Act. This bill that has been pending for several years would hold federally funded programs, including schools, accountable for providing students with equal access to education by restoring a private right of action for students and parents to bring disparate impact claims under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. prgtoken Because of a Supreme Court's interpretation about 20 years ago, there is no longer a private right of action in Title VI cases. Those cases based on disparate impact must be brought by the Federal Government. So if there is discrimination going on, the Federal Government has to run around the country and find it. If it is going on in your community and you know it, you can't bring that individual case. prgtoken , Justice Sotomayor said it best in her dissent when she said that: ``Ignoring race will n
TRIBUTE TO LIEUTENANT COLONEL JAMES HARVEY III
Michael F. Bennet (Democrat, CO) \u2014 2023-7-11

I rise to honor LTC James Harvey III, a Tuskegee Airman and decorated fighter jet pilot in celebration of his 100th birthday on July 13, 2023. Lieutenant Colonel Harvey flew as part of the 99th Fighter Squadron in World War II before becoming the first African-American U.S. Air Force pilot to fly in Korean airspace during the Korean war. The U.S. Army was segregated when Lieutenant Colonel Harvey joined in 1943, but his perseverance and heroism, both at home and in the skies, continue to inspire us all. prgtoken Lieutenant Colonel Harvey excelled in high school as senior class president and valedictorian. Drafted in April 1943, he was initially assigned to the U.S. Army Air Corps as an engineer. It was there, on a train bound for Fort Meade, he first encountered prejudice and discrimination. While in the Army, he worked to carve airstrips out of jungle terrain before applying for cadet training. He later received his wings and commission in 1944 at Tuskegee Army Air Field. From there, Lieutenant Colonel Harvey was assigned to the 332nd Fighter Group's 99th Fighter Squadron, where he served as one of the original members of the ``Tuskegee Airmen.'' The 332nd Fighter Group was noted as one of the Army Air Forces' most successful and most-decorated escort groups and helped encourage the eventual integration of the U.S. Armed Forces. prgtoken Lieutenant Colonel Harvey's skill stood out even among those decorated pilots. In 1949, the Chief of Staff of the Air Force arranged an aerial weapons competition among the best pilots in each group. In May of that year, Lieutenant Colonel Harvey joined his group's three- member team to compete at the inaugural ``Top Gun'' team competition, which was hosted at the Las Vegas Air Force Base, now known as Nellis Air Force Base. Lieutenant Colonel Harvey's team led the competition from the beginning to the end, ultimately winning against teams flying far more advanced equipment. prgtoken Lieutenant Colonel Harvey's service to the Air Force did not end there. He was the first African American fighter jet pilot to see combat in the Korean war. On October 16, 1950, he led an element of four F-80s in close support to a bomber mission under adverse weather to attack enemy troops three miles north of Yongsan, Korea. Flying at a low ceiling of 800 feet, Lieutenant Colonel Harvey's flight found the enemy encampment and immediately inflicted heavy damage. For this engagement, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, along with multiple Air Medals. His heroism on that day and on the 140 total missions he flew during the Korean war will never be forgotten. prgtoken After the Korean war, he served as a flight commander, test pilot, assistant group operations officer, flight safety officer, and battle staff training officer for the Commanding General of the North American Aerospace Defense Command, NORAD. Lieutenant Colonel Harvey retired from the Air Force on May 31,
VOTE EXPLANATION
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2023-7-11

I was necessarily absent for rollcall vote No. 174, confirmation of the nomination of Xochitl Torres Small to be Deputy Secretary of Agriculture. Had I been present for the vote, I would have voted yea. prgtoken I was necessarily absent for rollcall vote No. 175, motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Rosemarie Hidalgo to be Director of the Violence Against Women Office, Department of Justice. Had I been present for the vote, I would have voted yea. prgtoken I was necessarily absent for rollcall vote No. 176, motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Kymberly Kathryn Evanson to be U.S District Judge for the Western District of Washington. Had I been present for the vote, I would have voted yea. prgtoken I was necessarily absent for rollcall vote No. 177, confirmation of the nomination of Rosemarie Hidalgo to be Director of the Violence Against Women Office, Department of Justice. Had I been present for the vote, I would have voted yea. prgtoken I was necessarily absent for rollcall vote No. 178, confirmation of the nomination of Kymberly Kathryn Evanson to be U.S District Judge for the Western District of Washington. Had I been present for the vote, I would have voted yea. prgtoken I was necessarily absent for rollcall vote No. 179, motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Tiffany M. Cartwright to be U.S District Judge for the Western District of Washington. Had I been present for the vote, I would have voted yea.
Nomination of Xochitl Torres Small (Executive Session)
Debbie Stabenow (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2023-7-11

I have to first note--and I appreciate so much Senator Carper's comments--but from the smallest State that claims agriculture to our distinguished Presiding Officer from the largest State that has agriculture, to my State of Michigan, which is second only to California in the diversity of crops that we grow, I think we all stand here committed to the importance of growing things in America, this economic engine, supporting small towns, supporting rural development and quality of life. prgtoken So I am really pleased, as chair of the Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee, today, to know that we will be confirming Xochitl Torres Small as the Deputy Secretary of Agriculture. Ms. Torres Small's impressive and wide-ranging resume makes her an ideal appointee to help lead the more than 100,000 public servants at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and they are stationed in over 4,500 locations all across the country and all across the world. prgtoken Her predecessor in this role, Jewel Bronaugh, was instrumental in helping to restore one of the Department's key functions: serving our constituents on the ground in the communities in which they work, live, and farm. A trailblazer like Ms. Torres Small, Ms. Bronaugh was the first woman of color to hold the Deputy position at the USDA, and we very much appreciated her leadership. I have every confidence that Ms. Torres Small is up to the important task and will lead with great skill and competence. prgtoken The granddaughter of farm workers, Ms. Torres Small grew up in the borderlands of New Mexico. She began her career working for Senator Tom Udall, clerking for a U.S. district court judge, and practicing water and natural resources law. prgtoken Ms. Torres Small was the first woman and first person of color to represent New Mexico's Second Congressional District, which is the fifth largest district in the country. prgtoken She has most recently served as the Under Secretary for Rural Development, a position to which she was confirmed unanimously by the Senate just 2 years ago. As Under Secretary, Ms. Torres Small proved herself to be a staunch advocate for rural communities. prgtoken It was through her leadership that USDA Rural Development secured $2 billion to support rural broadband through the bipartisan infrastructure law, making USDA the first Federal Agency to invest these funds in physical infrastructure for high-speed internet. I want to stress that they were the first dollars out the door in terms of taking dollars to small communities across the country for critically needed high-speed internet. By moving swiftly to make rural development funding available, USDA reduced energy costs for farmers and small businesses. prgtoken Last year, Congress made the largest investment in rural electric since the New Deal. Under Ms. Torres Small's stewardship, USDA has been a leader in delivering those benefits to our local communities. She worked
HAPPY PRIDE MONTH SAN DIEGO
Scott H. Peters (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2023-7-11

today I rise to recognize a celebration of love, acceptance, and diversity and a powerful testament to the resilience and spirit of the LGBTQ+ community, Pride Month in the city of San Diego. prgtoken San Diego has long been a beacon of progress and inclusivity, and at the heart of our great city lies Hillcrest, the vibrant LGBTQ+ center of San Diego in my congressional district. prgtoken Hillcrest stands as a symbol of hope and empowerment. Its colorful streets, adorned with rainbow flags, proudly reflect a community that has overcome adversity and fought for the rights and freedoms of all. prgtoken Let's take this moment to celebrate the achievements of the LGBTQ+ community and reaffirm our commitment to a future where every individual can live authentically and without fear of discrimination. prgtoken In San Diego, and across the Nation, let us build a society that celebrates diversity, cherishes our differences, ensures equality for all regardless of who they love or how they identify. prgtoken Happy Pride Month San Diego.
Nominations of Tiffany M. Cartwright and Kymberly Kathryn Evanson (Executive Session)
Patty Murray (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2023-7-11

I come to the floor today to urge my colleagues to confirm two excellent judicial nominees to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington: Tiffany Cartwright, whom President first nominated well over a year ago, and Kimberly Evanson, also nominated last year. prgtoken I am proud to say I recommended both of these women after they were vetted and endorsed by a nonpartisan judicial merit selection committee made up of ic and legal experts. In fact, since 2021, the Senate has confirmed five judges to the Western District, each of whom were strongly supported by the same committee. And with Ms. Cartwright and Ms. Evanson, it is clear to me they have done it again. prgtoken These are two incredibly well-qualified nominees, with records which show they have an expert understanding of our laws, a passion for justice and fairness for everyone, and an appreciation for how their decisions will affect the lives of people across Washington State. prgtoken Tiffany Cartwright grew up in Kitsap County in Washington and received her law degree from Stanford University. She has clerked on both the Alaska Supreme Court for Justice Dana Fabe and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals for Justice Betty B. Fletcher, and today she is a partner at a leading civil rights firm in the Pacific Northwest. prgtoken As a trial lawyer in Seattle, Ms. Cartwright has established herself as a preeminent civil rights attorney, dedicated to ensuring our laws are faithfully executed on behalf of the people they are meant to defend. She has represented employees who faced discrimination in the workplace, farmworkers who were denied the overtime they had earned, voters seeking to ensure that their vote was counted, and the families of victims of police misconduct. prgtoken She has argued cases in State and Federal court, including before the Washington Supreme Court, and also has earned the support of law enforcement officers, including a Washington State corrections officer, an ATF special agent, both of whom spoke to her dedication to their cases and her commitment to justice. prgtoken For 6 years, Ms. Cartwright also served on the local Rules Committee of the Federal Bar Association for the Western District of Washington, offering her unique expertise to consider some of the region's thorniest legal issues. prgtoken She also served on the board of directors for Legal Voice, an organization that is focused on women's rights. prgtoken Ms. Cartwright is a tested and proven civil rights attorney, with extensive Federal court experience and a track record of seeking justice for people who have faced discrimination, police misconduct, and more. Importantly, she is someone who will apply the law fairly and impartially and will make an excellent addition to the bench in Washington State, as will Kimberly Evanson. prgtoken Ms. Evanson was raised by two Washington State public school teachers and has dedi