mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
CONGRATULATING HERMIT WOODS WINERY AND EATERY ON BEING NOMINATED TO THE 2023 AMERICA'S TOP SMALL BUSINESS SUMMIT
Chris Pappas (Democrat, NH) \u2014 2023-11-1

I rise today in recognition of Hermit Woods Winery and Eatery, a New Hampshire small business that was recently nominated to the 2023 America's Top Small Business Summit. For 13 years Hermit Woods Winery and Eatery has embodied our state's values of determination and innovation, heightened consumer experiences with high-quality, locally-sourced products. This recent recognition by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is a testament to Hermit Woods Winery and Eatery's impact on our local economy and involvement in the community. The next generation of New Hampshire business leaders will look to Hermit Woods for inspiration. prgtoken Hermit Woods is an industry leader and a trusted community partner. Its model of brewing with the fruits, flowers, and vegetables grown by local farmers and foragers showcases its culinary creativity and commitment to fostering community connections. Each bottle at the Winery is brewed with the spirit of community that defines the work at Hermit Woods. The Granite State is thankful for these small businesses that provide quality products, build relationships between neighbors, and strengthen the economy. prgtoken I look forward to seeing all that Hermit Woods accomplishes in the years to come, and I am confident that it will continue to serve as a guide for other business leaders in the state. On behalf of the constituents of New Hampshire's First Congressional District, I applaud Hermit Woods for its commitment to the values of business innovation and community compassion. I wish Hermit Woods continued success in its future endeavors.
PROVIDING FOR THE EXPULSION OF REPRESENTATIVE GEORGE SANTOS FROM THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Dina Titus (Democrat, NV) \u2014 2023-11-1

. Madam , I was absent from the floor and votes on the Motion to Table H. Res. 829, Adoption of H. Res. 559, Final Passage of H. Res. 340, Motion to Recommit H.R. 4364, Final Passage of H.R. 4364, and Adoption of H. Res. 773. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 559, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 560, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 561, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 562, ``no'' on rollcall No. 563, and ``no'' on rollcall No. 564. personal explanation
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2023-11-1

so, on average, every day, 14 Ohio families lose a loved one to drugs. prgtoken The explanation: We want to send a message to the Department of Justice. We want to keep the U.S. attorney off the job who would try to attack this narcotics epidemic. prgtoken It just doesn't make sense. How can you explain to the people of Ohio and Illinois that you are trying to get some way to make it even on political grounds at their expense? For goodness' sake, for the sake of families in your own home State, give these U.S. attorneys a chance to fight to make life safer for these families.
PEACE AND TOLERANCE IN PALESTINIAN EDUCATION ACT
Brad Sherman (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2023-11-1

what this bill does is requires a formal report to tell us what, unfortunately, we know informally, and that is that education for terrorism has continued. prgtoken With this formal report on its way, UNRWA will understand that what is happening in its schools will be exposed and that the American Congress will not continue to fund them if they don't meet the responsibilities. prgtoken Now, it is said that they have to rely on Palestinian Authority textbooks. No, they simply have to change their policy. prgtoken I look forward to meeting the humanitarian and educational needs of the Palestinian people in a way that builds toward peace, not in a way that holds out to Palestinian fifth graders as an example someone who would kill 38 civilians, including 13 children.
ISRAEL NEEDS OUR UNCONDITIONAL SUPPORT
Bradley Scott Schneider (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2023-11-1

on October 7, Hamas invaded Israel in a horrific, barbaric terrorist attack, killing more than 1,400 people, injuring thousands more, and taking 240 citizens hostage, including American citizens. prgtoken Today, Israel finds itself in a war with Hamas. Hundreds of thousands of Israelis have been evacuated. A million Palestinian citizens have had to evacuate from the fighting as Hamas holds human shields, still holds its captives, and continues to fire more than 8,000 rockets into Israel. prgtoken Israel needs our support. On Friday, this body will consider legislation providing that emergency supplemental support. On Friday, for the first time, s in this body will condition that aid and try to add legislation to rescind IRS agents that will cost the United States Treasury $12.5 billion. prgtoken This is dangerous, reckless, and irresponsible. It is irresponsible because it costs the Treasury money, reckless because it is conditioning aid for the first time, and dangerous because it puts Israel in a precarious position. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues not to allow this bill to come to the floor and instead to put a clean supplemental bill on the floor.
INTRODUCTION OF THE WORDS MATTER FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA COURTS ACT
Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democrat, DC) \u2014 2023-11-1

today I introduce the Words Matter for the District of Columbia Courts Act, which would remove the term ``retarded'' from Title 11 of the District of Columbia Code and replace it with more appropriate and respectful terminology. I am pleased that Representative Marc Molinaro is the co-lead of this bill. prgtoken Removing the term from the law has bipartisan support. In 2010, Congress removed several instances of the term from federal law by passing Rosa's Law (P.L. 111-256). Earlier this year, I joined both and ic colleagues in introducing the Words Matter Act, which would remove several more instances of the term from federal law. prgtoken The term is used three times in Title 11 of the D.C. Code, and, under the D.C. Home Rule Act, only Congress can amend Title 11 of the D.C. Code. prgtoken There was a time when the term was a clinical term, but in more recent years, it has become a slur used against people with intellectual disabilities. Words indisputably matter, and I know our country is better than keeping such language in our law. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
BLOCK GRANT ASSISTANCE ACT OF 2023
Martin Heinrich (Democrat, NM) \u2014 2023-11-1

our Nation has experienced a series of recent natural disasters: the tragic Maui wildfires, flooding in Vermont and California, and the damage caused by Hurricane Idalia. Communities in my home State of New Mexico have been impacted by destructive floods and mudslides following last year's historic wildfire season. prgtoken We must get these Americans the help they need during these difficult times, and we must do it as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, this bill would do the opposite. prgtoken On Friday, the administration announced that producers impacted by disasters last year are now eligible to apply for critical emergency assistance. H.R. 662 would delay that funding, essentially stopping the application process that the U.S. Department of Agriculture just got underway. In addition, the administration already has the authority under law to provide prgtoken funding to States through block grants. So this bill is both counterproductive and unnecessary. prgtoken For these reasons, I would urge my colleagues to vote no.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Gary C. Peters (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2023-11-1

this amendment would prevent Federal Agencies from effectively serving the American people. It would weaken the government's ability to enact key health and safety standards. It would endanger a range of public protections for the environment, American workers, and people with disabilities. It would stifle innovation for emerging technologies, such as self-driving cars, artificial intelligence, and other tools that will help carry our country forward. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to join me in voting no on this amendment. Vote on Amendment No. 1121
TRIBUTE TO DR. REIKO JOHNSON AND DR. NATHAN SWANSON
Margaret Wood Hassan (Democrat, NH) \u2014 2023-11-1

I am honored to recognize Dr. Reiko Johnson of Newfields and Dr. Nathan Swanson of Durham as October's Granite Staters of the Month. The duo is working to provide free dental care for patients in need, including recently hosting a Dental Day of Caring this past month. prgtoken In March 2021, recently vaccinated and with an urge to give back to her community, Dr. Johnson began looking for medical volunteer opportunities. In the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, she had provided telehealth services as a primary care provider at Catholic Medical Center, and she was itching to be face-to-face with patients again. When she was not able to find a volunteer clinic in the area, she decided to take matters into her own hands and start her own mobile clinic, modeled on a free health clinic that she had previously volunteered at in Hampton. prgtoken Dr. Johnson established the Volunteers in Medicine of New Hampshire-- VIM-NH--and held its first free clinic in January of this year, providing primary and acute care services for uninsured and underinsured patients and connecting them to long-term primary care providers. However, over the months that followed, it became clear to Dr. Johnson that many of the clinic's patients had critical dental issues that she and her volunteers were not equipped to deal with. prgtoken To address this issue, Dr. Johnson partnered with Dr. Nathan Swanson last month to host VIM-NH's first Dental Day of Caring. Dr. Swanson had learned about Dr. Johnson's work from Emily Komerska, a UNH pre-med student and longtime family friend, and he immediately knew he wanted to get involved. During the event, which took place at Dr. Swanson's office using his equipment, the 4 volunteer dentists and 6 assistants provided 19 extractions, 10 fillings, and 1 root canal--donating $11,531 total in services. prgtoken Dr. Johnson and Dr. Swanson's partnership is a shining example of the Granite State spirit of coming together to help people in need. Many of the clinic's patients, including people experiencing homelessness and people without insurance, would not be able to receive this vital care otherwise. I applaud Dr. Johnson and Dr. Swanson's dedication to making a difference, and I look forward to seeing how they continue their Dental Day of Caring initiative.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2023-11-1

so last night, I filed cloture on President 's nominees to serve as Chief of Naval Operations and Chief of Staff to the Air Force, the remaining vacancies on the Joint Chiefs of Staff which we said we would fill. We will move on these critical military appointments soon here on the floor. prgtoken I also filed on the nomination of Lieutenant General Mahoney to be second in command of the U.S. Marine Corps. His appointment has become urgent because this weekend the Commandant of the Marines, Gen. Eric Smith, was unexpectedly hospitalized after a serious medical emergency. Now, normally, Lieutenant General Mahoney would have been able to immediately step in to temporarily serve as Commandant. But, unfortunately, because of the blanket holds of just one Senator, Senator Tuberville, that cannot happen. The situation at the Marine Corps is precisely the kind of avoidable emergency that Senator Tuberville has provoked through his reckless holds. Lieutenant General Mahoney is one of more than 300 nominees Senator Tuberville is currently blocking. So while the Senate will proceed quickly to vote on Lieutenant General Mahoney's nomination, these holds cannot and must not continue. prgtoken Yesterday, my colleague Senator Reed, the chairman of the Armed Services Committee, introduced a resolution that will allow the Senate to quickly confirm the nominations that are currently being blocked by the Senator from Alabama. The resolution will be referred to the Rules Committee; and when the time comes, I will bring it to the floor of the Senate for consideration. prgtoken We must--we absolutely must--ensure that our military is fully staffed and fully equipped to defend the American people, and it begins by confirming these vital nominations that are currently on hold. Every day that Senator Tuberville continues his blanket holds, our military preparedness is degraded. Our military families--most of whom have served decades in the Armed Forces--suffer. Our military appointments risk being further ensnared in partisan politics. These nominees must be confirmed, and both parties should work together to make sure we fulfill our obligation to America's servicemembers. Government Funding prgtoken , now on the minibus, for the information of Senators, today we will pass the first of three bipartisan appropriations bills: Agriculture, MILCON-VA, and T-HUD. prgtoken When these bills pass, they will be the only--I underscore--the only bipartisan appropriations bills that have passed either Chamber. These bills will make a huge difference for America's farmers, for our infrastructure, for housing on our military bases, and for veterans. Bipartisanship isn't easy. On the contrary, it is very difficult. But here in the Senate, we are making sure prgtoken that the appropriations process is succeeding. I want to thank the good work of Chair Murray, Vice Chair Collins, and all
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Patty Murray (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2023-11-1

we have a bipartisan package before us. This amendment that is being offered would slash funding supported unanimously in our committee in the Ag and T-HUD bills--kicking women and kids off of WIC or gutting funding for our farmers and agricultural research, making our food supplies less safe; laying off air traffic controllers, leading to flight delays and cancellations; booting people from their homes as housing assistance would be cut off; eliminating resources for communities to invest in important local infrastructure needs and a lot more. This would be catastrophic. prgtoken The bills we are considering today have been carefully drafted. They are written to the spending levels that were set by the debt ceiling agreement that the House s and the President agreed on. Congress passed it in July, so I urge my colleagues to vote no.
UKRAINE AND ISRAEL INHERENTLY INTERTWINED
Chrissy Houlahan (Democrat, PA) \u2014 2023-11-1

we cannot rely on words alone to repel Russian aggression in Ukraine nor to extinguish terrorism in the Middle East. Rather, we must also provide material support to our democratic partners, as well. We must not cleave Israel and Israeli funding and Ukraine and Ukrainian funding into two separate spending votes because their fight for freedom is actually one and the same. prgtoken The stories of Ukraine and Israel are inherently intertwined, and I am the daughter of their woven histories and struggles. With forged papers, my Jewish father evaded the Nazi threat in Lviv. The vast majority of his family was murdered in the Holocaust, but the few who survived emigrated to the United States, Australia, and Israel. prgtoken It is an absolute dereliction of our duty to democracy to condition and politicize our support for Israel or Ukraine. To do so would signal to our adversaries abroad that we don't have the willpower, that we don't have the courage, to stand up to authoritarianism or extremism wherever it rears its ugly head. prgtoken We cannot send that message. We cannot appease evil. We cannot afford to backslide in defense of democracy.
LEGISLATIVE BRANCH APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2024
Rosa L. DeLauro (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2023-11-1

I thank the gentleman for yielding. prgtoken , I rise in opposition to the House 2024 Legislative Branch funding bill. prgtoken This bill falls short of ensuring we can continue to grow a strong and well-functioning legislative branch that is essential to our democracy. prgtoken As an institution, we should be increasing our ability to serve our constituents and recruit and retain talented staff and United States Capitol Police officers. We should not merely be treading water. prgtoken This bill eliminates the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and does nothing to facilitate the use of funds for collective bargaining rights for congressional staffers. prgtoken This bill also does not allow legislative branch agencies to employ individuals who are authorized for employment under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Act, DACA. prgtoken We made progress in the last Congress, but this bill will take us backwards. prgtoken Ranking Member Espaillat said during the markup of this bill, but I believe it is a point that we should emphasize again today: We all have an obligation to make sure that our staff, whether they serve here in Washington, D.C or if they serve in our home districts, are safe. prgtoken I support my colleague's efforts to increase funding to bolster that safety. prgtoken This bill is not an appropriate venue for divisive and partisan language, especially the extreme and offensive culture wars riders that House s have placed in each one of the appropriations bills that we have considered. prgtoken We should be working together to ensure that the Congress is able to serve the American people, complete the people's business safely, securely, and efficiently, our political differences notwithstanding. prgtoken Bipartisan, bicameral legislation is required to keep the government open. Otherwise, the President will not sign a bill. Bipartisan, bicameral legislation is required to fully fund the legislative branch. It is time for House s to abandon a partisan path to nowhere and to join House at the negotiation table. prgtoken We have wasted enough time. Let us move forward. We are here. We are ready to get to work for the American people. prgtoken For all of these reasons, I cannot support this bill, and I ask others not to support it.
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
Catherine Cortez Masto (Democrat, NV) \u2014 2023-11-1

today I rise to recognize the 50th anniversary of the Duckwater Shoshone Elementary School and the important place this school occupies in our great State's history. The Duckwater Shoshone Elementary School exists because parents wanted to provide their children with the best education possible and help them take pride in their heritage. The Duckwater Shoshone Tribe came together in 1973 to create their own school, founded on the principle of self-determination, to better oversee their children's instruction, and preserve their culture. And the Duckwater Shoshone Elementary School has continued that legacy ever since. prgtoken The Duckwater Shoshone Tribe is located in the Railroad Valley of central Nevada near the Big Warm Spring, one of the largest geothermal hot springs in the State. Taking their children's education into their own hands, the Duckwater Shoshone Tribe formed an education committee, which became the Duckwater Shoshone School Board, on July 26, 1973. The parents and community of the Duckwater Shoshone were committed to their children receiving every opportunity, no matter who they were or where they lived and worked hard to establish their own school. This commitment is reflected in a statement hanging on the main hallway of the school: ``The mission of the Duckwater Shoshone Elementary School is to provide a learning environment that promotes individual student success and develops lifelong learners.'' prgtoken On November 26, 1973, the Duckwater Shoshone Elementary School opened its doors. The school remains a centerpiece of the Tribe's efforts to support its families and stands as a testament to the value the Duckwater Shoshone Tribe places on supporting future generations. On the wall of the school, there hangs an accounting of the school's formation written in longhand by former Duckwater chairman Paul Walker, and it reads in part: ``What is hard to convey is the determination and work of a whole rural Indian Community to see that their children receive a better education than they obtained and to witness a general betterment of our people.'' prgtoken I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the Duckwater Shoshone Elementary School for 50 years of service to the Duckwater Shoshone Tribe and surrounding communities and the important role the school plays in educating children and preserving traditions.
HONORING MRS. EILEEN THRALL
Abigail Davis Spanberger (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2023-11-1

I rise to congratulate Mrs. Eileen Thrall on being named Dumfries, Virginia's 2023 Living Legend by Mayor Derrick Wood prgtoken For years, Eileen has served as an exemplary member of the Dumfries community through her work as a reporter for Potomac News, where she authored the widely enjoyed Dumfries Community Column. Her column provided insight into the community and highlighted the wonderful facets of the town, sharing with her audience what makes Dumfries so remarkable. prgtoken Aside from journalism, Eileen has also dedicated her time to advocating for Dumfries and its residents through her various community and public service positions. She selflessly selved on the Prince William County Board of Zoning Appeals for over two decades, working for the betterment of her community. prgtoken Eileen serves on the Board of Directors for the Good Shepherd Housing Foundation working to provide housing options to those in need and has been an advocate for good environmental stewardship through her leadership of Friends of Quantico Bay and her involvement with the Friends of Quantico Creek. prgtoken Eileen represents seniors within the town of Dumfries, serving as an executive committee member on the Prince William Commission on Aging where she advocates for issues related to aging and caregiving. And as an active prgtoken member of the Dumfries United Methodist Church, Eileen has served in various capacities supporting the church and her community. prgtoken Eileen's love and dedication for the Town of Dumfries is clear, and the work she does on behalf of her community serves as a pillar of inspiration across Virginia. prgtoken , I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating and thanking Mrs. Eileen Thrall, a Living Legend, for her contributions to the community and the Town of Dumfries.