mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
UKRAINE
Rob Portman (Republican, OH) \u2014 2022-4-4

I come to the Senate floor again today to stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine. This is the eighth week in a row that I have come to the floor to talk about the illegal, totally unprovoked, and brutal Russian invasion of a sovereign country--their neighbor Ukraine--that only wants to live in peace. prgtoken Over the weekend, all of us saw the brutality of what Russia is doing. We saw it up close through shocking videos and photographs of more than 100 civilians--not soldiers but civilians--lying in mass graves in Bucha, a suburb of Kyiv. prgtoken Yesterday, Human Rights Watch released a report documenting specific atrocities, including rapes and executions. prgtoken President Zelenskyy painted a vivid, heartbreaking picture this weekend when he spoke of ``civilians left on the streets with their hands tied behind their backs--killed execution style.'' prgtoken Here is one photograph of the shocking scenes that we saw over the weekend of civilians left in the streets as the Russians pulled out of Bucha, but it is happening all over Ukraine, these kinds of human rights abuses and war crimes. prgtoken The administration, on Sunday, called for an investigation into the war crimes. That is good. Of course, these are war crimes. The United States must press other countries and must be persistent to ensure that a tribunal is established; that these war crimes are prosecuted; and that people are held accountable. prgtoken Last week, Senator Dick Durbin and I, as cochairs of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, organized a meeting with four members of the Rada, which is the Parliament in Ukraine. We were also joined by the Ukrainian Ambassador to the United States, Oksana Markarova. These women told us of the human toll in this fight, which they described as a fight between good and evil, between tyranny and democracy. They talked about the fact that Ukraine can be a symbol for victory of the West if we support them more and if we help them win. prgtoken One of the members of Parliament described for us the scenes from Mariupol--of the massive shelling and of the bodies lying in the streets there, too, because it is too dangerous to go out to recover them. prgtoken One parliamentarian told us of being separated and of often being out of touch with her husband, who is in harm's way with the Ukrainian military, while she is here telling us these stories to encourage us to do more. prgtoken One said that there are 30 Russian soldiers living in her grandmother's house. They forced her out into the bitter cold. prgtoken They all told us, with anguish and urgency, of what needs to happen: more sanctions, more military assistance, more equipment. prgtoken One of them said--and I thought this was well put--freedom has to be armed. Freedom has to be armed. prgtoken I agree. I believe Ukraine can be victorious if the United States and our allies, especially the Europeans, help them to be victorious, and that means helpin
MOTION TO DISCHARGE
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2022-4-4

it hardly seemed possible that the reports and images from Ukraine could grow even more horrifying, but they actually have. prgtoken In recent days, Ukrainian troops have reclaimed the town of Bucha from the illegal and illegitimate Russian invasion. And in the wake of the retreating Russians, the Ukrainians and the press have reported evidence of evil, wanton torture, rape, and murder of civilians. There are reports of mass graves, of people executed with their hands bound behind their backs. The photographs and reports are sickening and appalling. prgtoken Since before Putin even began his escalation, I have spent months pushing the administration and our allies and partners to get as much lethal assistance possible to the Ukrainians as quickly as possible. I have supported prgtoken many of the steps our President has gotten around to taking, but in almost every case, I wish he had acted sooner and more boldly. prgtoken We know of the horrors committed by Russian forces in Bucha because the Ukrainian military reclaimed the town after pushing back the Russians. These latest revelations must only strengthen and intensify our resolve to get the Ukrainians what they need, on the timeframe they need, to liberate more towns currently under Russian control, to prevent Russia from committing new atrocities, to fight and to actually win this war. prgtoken This also further reinforces what I wish more of our European friends realize: This is a time for choosing. This is not a time for business as usual, and there can be no return to business as usual whenever and however the dust settles. prgtoken Europe must move more urgently to decouple from Russia. Yes, this will entail some short-term economic pain. Yes, their own shortsighted energy policies have left their countries entirely too dependent. But there are times when geopolitical realities and moral imperatives must outweigh short-term financial costs. Our partners should recognize that such a time is staring them right in the face, so should our own American private sector. prgtoken Internationally, I am sure there will be much virtue-signaling rhetoric over the atrocities committed on Ukrainian soil by Russia. Let us be honest that referrals to the International Criminal Court or invocations of the U.N. Human Rights Council may make people's consciences feel better but will not curtail the atrocities or stop the violence. Only victory in Ukraine can do that. prgtoken Finally, the outpouring of outrage at these atrocities should prompt a second look at other terrible actions that the world has come to simply shrug and accept. prgtoken The administration is right to ask the U.N. to expel Russia from the Human Rights Council, but they shouldn't stop there. The world that rightly recoils in horror at the photographs from Ukraine should not look the other way past Xi's concentration camps for the Uighur people. The modern totalitarianism of
MOTION TO DISCHARGE
Marsha Blackburn (Republican, TN) \u2014 2022-4-4

last week, the administration announced their truly incomprehensible decision to suspend the use of title 42 authority along the southern border. Now, this is just the last in a long line of decisions that this White House has made that defy both reason and a mountain of evidence suggesting they are about to make a deadly mistake. prgtoken Even with those title 42 protections in place, this February was the worst February for illegal immigration and border crossings in almost 20 years. The past year was the worst year for illegal border crossings since at least 1960, and according to public reports, the Department of Homeland Security predicts that it is only going to get worse. We will soon see the crossings increase. prgtoken They are preparing for up to 18,000 attempted border crossings per day. That is right--18,000 attempted crossings per day. Now, I want to put this in perspective for you. About 90 percent of the 345 towns in my State of Tennessee have a population smaller than 18,000 people-- smaller than the number of people DHS expects are going to try to enter the country illegally every single day. This is chaos. This is border chaos. Think about this: That is like a small Tennessee town every single day of the week, of the month, of the year. prgtoken So we have to ask ourselves, how long can we sustain this? And when we look at this border that is in chaos and 18,000 a day--a small town a day coming into the country, trying to claim asylum, illegally entering the country. And we have evidence that this is going to escalate sooner rather than later. And this is the moment that the administration chooses to strip away one of the most important and effective border control tools that we have at our disposal--take it away just as we know that people are coming to the border in record numbers. prgtoken And how do we know this? We know that the cartels are now working in countries all across the globe. They are doing this because they are saying: Hey, now you are really going to get in. Pay up. Make the cartels richer because you know this, President --he is all for doing away with the border. He is all for opening that border up and saying: Come on. Come on. prgtoken I think that we have to keep in mind a few things. Now, when you keep that in mind--those 18,000 people a day--think about the new set of statistics that we have coming from Border Patrol this month. So far this year, CBP officers in Memphis have seized more than 2,500 pounds of drugs. You know, I had a sheriff tell me: We used to look at drugs in grams and ounces. Now it is all in pounds because of the quantities coming across this border because of 's policies. prgtoken During the last 2 weeks of March, officials in El Paso seized more than 100 pounds of drugs and arrested 37 fugitives. Those fugitives weren't petty criminals. Among them were a murderer, a pedophile, a fraudster, a counterfeite
RECOGNIZING THE RETIREMENT OF COLONEL SCOTT A. WILLIS UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
Victoria Spartz (Republican, IN) \u2014 2022-4-4

. Madam , I rise today to congratulate Colonel Scott A. Willis, of Westfield, Indiana, on his retirement from the United States Marine Corps. prgtoken Colonel Willis has spent the last 30 years in the Marine Corps defending our country. His selfless service to the nation and to our community will be his lasting legacy. prgtoken I thank Colonel Willis for his dedicated service to the Nation. Our community is grateful for his leadership and his service.
VOTE AGAINST JUDGE KETANJI BROWN JACKSON
Andrew S. Clyde (Republican, GA) \u2014 2022-4-4

I rise today to continue to highlight the abhorrent record of President 's U.S. Supreme Court nominee, Ketanji Brown Jackson, commonly known as KBJ. prgtoken In a posthearing written question and answer from members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, KBJ refused to comment on whether she believes an individual possesses natural rights. prgtoken This is unacceptable. The Declaration of Independence is crystal clear. ``We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.'' prgtoken Yet, Ketanji Brown Jackson does not hold a position on whether individuals possess natural rights. This is disqualifying, plain and simple. prgtoken Any Senator, or , that votes to confirm KBJ later this week isn't just voting for a soft-on-crime, woke judge. They are also voting for a judge who does not recognize the natural rights, or civil rights which come from the natural rights, given to us by our heavenly creator, dangerously ignoring the fundamental foundation of our American values.
REMEMBERING THE LIFE OF LIEUTENANT WILLIAM LEBO
Daniel Meuser (Republican, PA) \u2014 2022-4-4

. Madam , I rise today to honor the life of Lieutenant William Lebo of the Lebanon City, Pennsylvania, Police Department. Lieutenant Lebo was shot and killed in the line of duty last week. prgtoken Lieutenant Lebo was a dedicated, 40-year veteran of the Lebanon City Police Department and planned to retire on May 1 of this year. prgtoken Lieutenant Lebo and two other officers, Ryan Adams and Derek Underkoffler, were responding to a domestic disturbance last Thursday when the offender immediately opened fire on them. All three officers were shot, and tragically, Lieutenant Lebo was fatally wounded. prgtoken Lieutenant Lebo has been remembered by his colleagues and those he served as a calm, kind, and ethical police officer who was deeply devoted to protecting the Lebanon community. prgtoken This tragedy serves as a devastating reminder that every day law enforcement officers put on their uniforms and go to work, as my father did, to protect and serve, always knowing full well that they may not return home. prgtoken Today and always, we owe our continued support to our police officers and their families in Pennsylvania and across America. prgtoken We all send our deepest condolences to Lieutenant Lebo's wife, Lora; his daughter, Corrine; and his entire family, as well as the Lebanon City Police prgtoken Department, the Lebanon DA's office, and the entire Lebanon community.
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
Roger Marshall (Republican, KS) \u2014 2022-4-4

I rise today to honor and recognize Leo Khayet of Overland Park, KS. Leo has raised more than $200,000 in an effort to help Ukrainian people in Odessa evacuate the country as Russia continues its attacks. prgtoken These invasions hit close to home for Leo. When Leo was younger, his family had to make the hard decision to relocate from Belarus for a better life. He lived in refugee camps in Austria and Italy for five months prior to arriving in Kansas City in 1989. Leo is now an entrepreneur in Overland Park, which gave him connections to multiple different businesses in the Kansas City area. When Russia invaded in late February, Leo gathered his resources from these leaders andorganizations making his efforts to help possible. prgtoken Thus far, Leo has been successful in helping 2,000 Ukrainians flee to safety in Moldova. In an effort to continue helping victims of the war in Ukraine, Leo is planning on hosting another Zoom call and inviting more prominent business leaders in the area to gather and keep providing this humanitarian aid. It is truly honorable what he is doing to help the people of Ukraine. Leo said it best: ``In this case, this has really brought out the best of the community here in Kansas. They're ready to save people who they have no clue who they are, that live thousands of miles away, they don't even share a common language with them, besides the fact that we're human beings and I think that is amazing.'' It truly is amazing to see what one man's ambition and determination can do to bring a community together and help those in need. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the noble act of Leo Khayet and thank him for his dedication to help Ukraine.
FAITH MONTH
Cindy Hyde-Smith (Republican, MS) \u2014 2022-4-4

Americans across the country, led by Concerned Women for America, the Nation's largest public policy organization for women, and other faith-based organizations are celebrating April as Faith Month. I commend this noble effort calling all people of faith to join in prayer, thanksgiving, and celebration of their faith. prgtoken The United States of America was born of the unanimous declaration that we are ``endowed by [our] Creator with certain unalienable Rights,'' based on ``the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God,'' ``appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world,'' and acknowledging our ``reliance on the protection of divine Providence.'' We are a people prgtoken of faith, which is why religious freedom is known as America's first freedom, as laid out in the Establishment and the Free Exercise clauses of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The freedom of speech is guaranteed by the First Amendment and also supports America's unique focus on freedom of expression, including in matters of faith. prgtoken America's Judeo-Christian founding promotes religious diversity and tolerance. Our motto, ``In God We Trust,'' further emphasizes the importance of faith in our Nation's founding. From our first President to the last, we have always acknowledged America's faith. President George Washington recognized ``it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor.'' More recently, President acknowledged Thanksgiving as a ``time to reflect on our many blessings--from God, this Nation, and each other.'' prgtoken Religious liberty serves to strengthen our country's appreciation of all peoples, regardless of faith. But eternal diligence is needed to preserve religious freedom. Attacks on religious liberty and people of faith continue to plague our Nation with some religious charities even being forced to betray the tenets of their faith in order to participate in certain government programs. We must actively reject all efforts to criminalize or cancel religious beliefs as somehow incompatible with our democracy. prgtoken Religious organizations in America have a rich history of charitable engagement by helping the sick, poor, and afflicted. They should be celebrated, not maligned for their contributions to improving our way of life. According to the Pew Research Center, more than 75 percent of Americans practice some type of religious faith. This rich, diverse religious heritage is to our credit and should be encouraged. prgtoken Therefore, I join millions of Americans during this Faith Month in celebrating their personal faiths freely and openly, with public displays and celebrations, including prayer and expressions of thanksgiving. In this manner, we can strongly reaffirm our commitment to the religious liberty principles of our founding.
MOTION TO DISCHARGE
Jerry Moran (Republican, KS) \u2014 2022-4-4

I come to the floor this Monday afternoon to speak about the importance of prgtoken our committee, a committee that the Presiding Officer serves on, and the importance of passing toxic exposure legislation to deliver the right care and the right benefits to the right veterans in the most veteran-friendly way possible--to deliver the right benefits to the right veterans in the most veteran-friendly way possible. prgtoken Our military men and women are willing to sacrifice much for our country. We must match that level of commitment by crafting thoughtful and effective solutions to make certain we provide the best outcomes, care and treatment, and benefits for those who have served our Nation. prgtoken In the past 2 years, I have heard testimony from nearly every veteran service organization emphasizing the importance of fixing the process the VA uses to provide healthcare and benefits to toxic-exposed veterans and the need to grow our knowledge to help care for the toxic wounds of war. prgtoken There have been calls for Congress to act more quickly, and I respect those calls. Our committee hears those calls. We are in lockstep on the challenge here and the need for a solution that is veteran centric. There is bipartisan consensus on the Committee on Veterans' Affairs that a phased approach--delivering healthcare now and reforming the benefits system next, in fact, as we go now--is the most effective pathway forward. prgtoken The Senate has already acted on the first step, and we are actively participating and partnering with the Department of Veterans Affairs on the second. prgtoken Senator Tester, the chair of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and I have been working together to craft a fair and transparent process for toxic-exposed veterans, beginning with the Health Care for Burn Pit Veterans Act, which unanimously passed the Senate and was sent to the House in February. This bill remains the quickest way to make certain that sick veterans who are suffering from the effects of exposure to toxic substances are immediately eligible for lifesaving healthcare. prgtoken For 6 weeks--for 6 weeks--this bill has sat in the House of Representatives rather than being sent to the President's desk to start making an impact on those sick and ailing veterans. prgtoken President has called in March--I think it is March 12--called for the House to pass this legislation and is committed to signing it into law. prgtoken This legislation was cosponsored by every single member of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and each of my Senate colleagues showed their support of this legislation by voting yes. This legislation was crafted by the efforts between Senator Tester and I and members of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs. The VA Secretary has stated this bill would deliver outcomes that he cannot achieve without congressional action. prgtoken Again, the President called for this bill t
CELEBRATING APRIL AS FAITH MONTH
Mary E. Miller (Republican, IL) \u2014 2022-4-4

. Madam , this April Americans all over the country, led by Concerned Women for America, the Nation's largest public policy organization for women, and other faith-based organizations are celebrating April as Faith Month. I rise to join and commend this noble effort calling all people of faith to join in prayer, thanksgiving, and celebration of their faith. prgtoken The United States of America was born of the unanimous Declaration that we are ``endowed by [our] Creator with certain unalienable Rights,'' based on ``the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God,'' ``appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world,'' and acknowledging our ``reliance on the protection of divine Providence.'' We are a people of faith. That is why religious freedom is known as America's first freedom, as laid out in the Establishment and the Free Exercise clauses of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. The freedom of speech guaranteed by the First Amendment also supports America's unique focus on freedom of expression, including in matters of faith. prgtoken America's Judeo-Christian founding promotes religious diversity and tolerance. Our motto, ``In God We Trust,'' further emphasizes the importance of faith in our nation's founding. From our first president to the last, we have always acknowledged America's faith. President George Washington recognized ``it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and President , most recently acknowledged Thanksgiving as a ``time to reflect on our many blessings--from God, this Nation, and each other.'' prgtoken Religious liberty serves to strengthen our country's appreciation of all peoples, regardless of faith. But eternal diligence is needed to preserve religious freedom. Attacks on religious liberty and people of faith continue to plague our nation with some religious charities even being forced to betray the tenets of their faith in order to participate in certain government programs. We must actively reject all efforts to criminalize or cancel religious beliefs in certain controversial areas as somehow incompatible with our democracy. prgtoken Religious organizations in America have a rich history of charitable engagement helping the sick, poor, and afflicted, and they should be celebrated, not maligned for their contributions to our way of life. According to the Pew Research Center, more than 75 percent of Americans practice some type of religious faith. This rich, diverse religious heritage is to our credit and should be commended. prgtoken Therefore, I join millions of Americans celebrating their personal faiths freely and openly, with public displays and celebrations, including prayer and expressions of thanksgiving, during the month of April, also known as ``Faith Month,'' as a way to reaffirm our commitment to the religious liberty princ