mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
PROVIDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL UNDER CHAPTER 8 OF TITLE 5, UNITED STATES CODE, OF THE RULE SUBMITTED BY THE UNITED STATES FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE RELATING TO "ENDANGERED AND THREATENED...
John Hoeven (Republican, ND) \u2014 2023-5-3

I join my colleagues today to discuss the need to reform our Nation's broken Federal permitting process. prgtoken Today, it often takes longer to navigate the Federal permitting process than it does to actually construct a project. It currently takes, on average, 4\1/2\ years or more to complete an environmental impact statement, or EIS. For a quarter of projects, it can take 6 years or more to complete an environmental impact statement. That is because some radical environmental groups have really weaponized the National Environmental Policy Act, NEPA, and they are exploiting what has become a more and more opaque and convoluted Federal permitting process. This uncertainty not only drives up the cost of future projects, it is being applied to projects currently permitted in good faith. prgtoken Take, for instance, the Dakota Access Pipeline, which has been operating safely for nearly 6 years in its transporting of over a half a million barrels of crude oil per day from North Dakota--light sweet crude--and from the Fort Berthold Reservation and the Three Affiliated Tribes. It takes it to market, and it is used in our country to fuel our economy. The Army Corps held 389 meetings, conferred with more than 55 Tribes, and completed a 1,261-page environmental assessment before the pipeline went into operation. Yet litigation continued following the Federal approval and completion of the Dakota Access Pipeline, and the Corps is currently expected to take more than 4 years to complete a full environmental impact statement for about prgtoken two-tenths of a mile, crossing under the Missouri River. Subjecting a completed $3.78 billion project to litigation without reasonable limits cannot be the new normal. prgtoken Delays and uncertainty drive up the costs of projects, and opponents are exploiting a more and more complicated permitting process so that delay becomes defeat. American consumers are paying the price for this regulatory uncertainty, particularly through higher energy costs. prgtoken Increasing the supply and lowering the cost of energy is key to attacking inflation because the cost of energy is built into every other good and service consumed across our economy. To accomplish this goal, the administration needs to take the handcuffs off American energy producers and work with us on bipartisan permitting reform. prgtoken A good first start would be for the Senate to consider H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act, which recently passed the House on a bipartisan vote. H.R. 1 includes comprehensive permitting reforms that will unleash more American energy and make it more efficient and affordable to deliver energy to our Nation. prgtoken H.R. 1 also includes three pieces of legislation that I have introduced in the Senate. prgtoken First, the North American Energy Act brings certainty to the permitting process for important cross-border energy pipelines and electric transmission line projects
PROVIDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL UNDER CHAPTER 8 OF TITLE 5, UNITED STATES CODE, OF THE RULE SUBMITTED BY THE UNITED STATES FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE RELATING TO "ENDANGERED AND THREATENED...
John Boozman (Republican, AR) \u2014 2023-5-3

. When I was suddenly catapulted into the leadership of the bus protest in Montgomery, Alabama, a few years ago, I felt we would be supported by the white church. I felt that the white ministers, priests and rabbis of the South would be among our strongest allies. Instead, some have been outright opponents, refusing to understand the freedom movement and misrepresenting its leaders; all too many others have been more cautious than courageous and have remained silent behind the anesthetizing security of stained glass windows. In spite of my shattered dreams, I came to Birmingham with the hope that the white religious leadership of this community would see the justice of our cause and, with deep moral concern, would serve as the channel through which our just grievances could reach the power structure. I had hoped that each of you would understand. But again I have been disappointed. I have heard numerous southern religious leaders admonish their worshipers to comply with a desegregation decision because it is the law, but I have longed to hear white ministers declare: ``Follow this decree because integration is morally right and because the Negro is your brother.'' In the midst of blatant injustices inflicted upon the Negro, I have watched white churchmen stand on the sideline and mouth pious irrelevancies and sanctimonious trivialities. In the midst of a mighty struggle to rid our nation of racial and economic injustice, I have heard many ministers say: ``Those are social issues, with which the gospel has no real concern.'' And I have watched many churches commit themselves to a completely other worldly religion which makes a strange, un-Biblical distinction between body and soul, between the sacred and the secular. I have traveled the length and breadth of Alabama, Mississippi and all the other southern states. On sweltering summer days and crisp autumn mornings I have looked at the South's beautiful churches with their lofty spires pointing heavenward. I have beheld the impressive outlines of her massive religious education buildings. Over and over I have found myself asking: ``What kind of people worship here? Who is their God? Where were their voices when the lips of Governor Barnett dripped with words of interposition and nullification? Where were they when Governor Wallace gave a clarion call for defiance and hatred? Where were their voices of support when bruised and weary Negro men and women decided to rise from the dark dungeons of complacency to the bright hills of creative protest?'' Yes, these questions are still in my mind. In deep disappointment I have wept over the laxity of the church. But be assured that my tears have been tears of love.
PROVIDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL UNDER CHAPTER 8 OF TITLE 5, UNITED STATES CODE, OF THE RULE SUBMITTED BY THE UNITED STATES FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE RELATING TO "ENDANGERED AND THREATENED...
Ted Budd (Republican, NC) \u2014 2023-5-3

I rise today to highlight the desperate need to cut redtape and to get America building again. When I go all around North Carolina and I meet with builders and contractors, I am told by them that it is too hard to build and to complete critical projects in the United States and in North Carolina right now. prgtoken We are struggling to build the infrastructure we need to achieve energy dominance, to bridge the digital divide, and to attract good- paying, reliable manufacturing jobs back to our shores. prgtoken The primary stumbling block in this effort is one of our government's own making. Radical environment groups are going well beyond what is necessary to ensure a clean environment. They are weaponizing the National Environmental Policy Act, or NEPA, to indefinitely delay critical projects by filing frivolous lawsuits. prgtoken Now, I hail from a State that cares deeply about the environment: clean air, clean water, a livable planet. I believe Americans of all political stripes share that goal. However, the changing dynamics of global commerce and the global threat environment require Congress to make it easier to secure our energy security, to export our vast energy resources to keep our allies' energy safe, and to give our industries a chance to compete against China. prgtoken What Congress must do is to add a ``shot clock,'' if you will, to NEPA reviews and limit opportunities for repetitive lawsuits that cause these very important projects to sit idle. We should follow the example of our House colleagues and pass legislation focused on unleashing American gas and oil production, expanding our capacity to export liquefied natural gas, and easing the path for other forms of energy like nuclear to come online and to keep America competitive in the 21st Century global economy. prgtoken I stand ready to work with all of my colleagues on solutions to get America back in the business of building large projects and tackling large problems. prgtoken .
THE CALENDAR
Rick Scott (Republican, FL) \u2014 2023-5-3

I want to take a moment to address some of what we have heard here on the Senate floor today. prgtoken There have been a lot of accusations made about what this CRA does, and I will clear that up in a minute, but first I would like to set the record straight on what this measure does not do. prgtoken My colleagues often talk about their work to protect human rights. I would ask this simple question: What could possibly be a greater threat to human rights than the United States of America's turning a blind eye to child slave labor? What message does it send to the world? prgtoken We have heard today that this measure will force American companies to pay for these tariffs. Not true. What this measure does do is rightfully punish foreign companies that are actively working to get around U.S. trade law and help import product made with slave and child labor into the United States. The only entities that will pay tariffs are Chinese-affiliated manufacturers. prgtoken If you are doing the right thing, this measure doesn't change a darned thing about how you do business, but if you are working with people who believe slavery has a role in supply chains, you are darned right I have a problem with that and will do whatever I can to stop it. prgtoken I have also heard today that the rule that this CRA would eliminate was negotiated by the solar panel industry. We have heard that the solar panel industry agrees we need this exemption and therefore it is good. Of course, the solar panel industry that supports the rule is the Chinese solar panel industry. American manufacturers do not. prgtoken Thanks to the administration's waiver that we are working to repeal here today, Chinese companies have been given everything they need to dominate the solar market, just like how Russia has dominated cheap gas supply to Europe. prgtoken I have also heard some of my colleagues say that this CRA is unnecessary because we have already passed a law that says products made with slave labor cannot be sold in the United States. We did pass a good bill that prevents products made with slave labor from being sold here, and I thank God we did that. But since when has U.S. law meant anything to communist China? prgtoken We know companies controlled by the CCP lie, cheat, and steal. We know that companies in communist China are moving solar panels made with slave and child labor to other countries to circumvent our laws, and they aren't being caught. prgtoken President 's own Commerce Department has proven that to be true. When half the world's solar panels are coming from a region with well- documented child and slave labor, are we really expected to believe that the companies making these panels aren't using slave labor? No, we know that is not reality. prgtoken Finally, I have heard the claim that this CRA would somehow be terrible for American jobs. This one actually surprised me. Here is how that logic goes: Letting co
Tribute to Michael Wong (Executive Session)
John Kennedy (Republican, LA) \u2014 2023-5-3

today, for me, in one particular respect, it is both a happy day but also a sad day. prgtoken With me on the floor is Mr. Michael Wong, to my right. Michael is my State director. I will come back to him in a second. prgtoken Also with us today is Michael's spouse, Jamie, in the Gallery. Jamie is not only Michael's spouse; she is in her own right a nationally known and locally renowned expert in special education. prgtoken Michael and Jamie have two children. I am going to read their full names and embarrass them: Mr. Thomas Miller Wong and Miss Julia Rose Wong. Thomas is 7. Julia is 5. They are both whip-smart. They are both future leaders of this country and, I hope, of Louisiana because I hope they will stay in my State. On top of that, Julia is quite the gymnast, and Thomas is a heck of a right fielder and a heck of a point guard and a heck of a quarterback. And they are both cool. They are both what ``cool'' looks like. prgtoken Now back to their dad. prgtoken I say it is a sad day for me because Michael is stepping down from government. It is a happy day because he is going to pursue some very exciting opportunities in the private sector. Michael has been working for the American people and the people of Louisiana for 16 years. Before he worked with me, he worked with Senator David Vitter, and he worked with Congressman Steve Scalise. prgtoken Michael has been my State director every single day that I have been a U.S. Senator. Let me tell you, it is a tough job, and it is one of the most important jobs. prgtoken As the Presiding Officer knows, we are here in Washington, and our people are back home. A State director has to make sure that their needs are being addressed back home and that their concerns are heard. The State director has to manage our local representatives and make sure that they are representing me in all of the different functions I need to do. prgtoken In Michael's case, he is also a valuable source of policy advice. I am going to miss that every day. prgtoken Michael has one of the best--maybe, the best--political minds in Louisiana. And he is a nice guy, much nicer than me. I just can't overstate how important he has been not just to me but to the people of Louisiana. prgtoken I said Michael has one of the best political minds. He has one of the best minds, period, not just in terms of policy and politics. But I want to mention the political mind in one respect. prgtoken Michael ran my reelection campaign. It was certainly the best-run campaign I have ever been involved in. I stepped back. Of course, I was the candidate, but as you know, , the candidate is only one small part of the campaign. Michael and his team--and I had a great team--they managed everything from the ``get out the vote,'' their work on the analytics and data--I still don't understand how they did it-- their vote targeting, and their TV commercials. prgtoken I had 13 different opponents, and I wa
TRIBUTE TO SATOURI ROBINS
Mike Rounds (Republican, SD) \u2014 2023-5-3

today I recognize Satouri Robins, an intern in my Washington, DC, office, for all the hard work she has done on behalf of my office and the state of South Dakota. prgtoken Ms. Robins is a graduate of Mission Viejo High School in Mission Viejo, CA. Currently, she is attending New York University, where she studies international relations and French. Ms. Robins is a dedicated and diligent individual who has been devoted to getting the most out of her internship experience. Ms. Robins has been a true asset to my office. prgtoken I extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to Ms. Robins for all of the work she has done and wish her continued success in the years to come.
THE CALENDAR
Jerry Moran (Republican, KS) \u2014 2023-5-3

today--in fact, in a few minutes from now--the Senate will act in an effort to protect farmers, ranchers, and producers from the unnecessary consequences of listing the lesser prairie-chicken. prgtoken Even as I say the words, it brings back so many instances in which we have had this conversation on the Senate floor, going back to my earliest days in the Senate. This issue has been with us now for a long number of years. prgtoken Range-wide studies over the last decade have shown that conservation efforts are helping bird populations in the five habitat States, including Kansas. So the lesser prairie-chicken is a native bird to five States in our part of the country, and its populations are important to us in Kansas and to those other States and to the country. prgtoken What strikes me is that this administration claims that American agriculture is at the heart of needing to list the lesser prairie- chicken as either an endangered species or as a threatened species because agriculture is causing harm to the populations. prgtoken A quote from the rule states: Grazing by domestic livestock is not inherently detrimental to lesser prairie-chicken management and, in many cases, is needed to maintain appropriate vegetative structure. prgtoken That is a pretty good paragraph to indicate the value of production agriculture when it comes to the well-being of the lesser prairie- chicken. prgtoken In other words, what that is saying is that agricultural management practices and voluntary conservation practices of grasslands, including grazing by ranchers, improve--improve--their habitat. prgtoken Listing the bird as a threatened or endangered species is not the answer. Plain and simple, we need more rainfall. We need moisture in Kansas and in other States in the West. We need more rainfall, not more regulations. prgtoken I conclude here by saying that farmers and ranchers have always been and will always be the original conservationists. Their livelihoods depend on the continued conservation efforts of the soil and water they use to produce crops and raise livestock. I am confident there are ways to conserve the species without hindering economic opportunity in rural communities, and I will continue to push for what Kansans have been pursuing for years now--voluntary solutions. prgtoken .
PROVIDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL UNDER CHAPTER 8 OF TITLE 5, UNITED STATES CODE, OF THE RULE SUBMITTED BY THE UNITED STATES FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE RELATING TO "ENDANGERED AND THREATENED...
Thom Tillis (Republican, NC) \u2014 2023-5-3

I will continue: You may well ask: ``Why direct action? Why sit ins, marches and so forth? Isn't negotiation a better path?'' You are quite right in calling for negotiation. Indeed, this is the very purpose of direct action. Nonviolent direct action seeks to create such a crisis and foster such a tension that a community which has constantly refused to negotiate is forced to confront the issue. It seeks so to dramatize the issue that it can no longer be ignored. My citing the creation of tension as part of the work of the nonviolent resister may sound rather shocking. But I must confess that I am not afraid of the word ``tension.'' I have earnestly opposed violent tension, but there is a type of constructive, nonviolent tension which is necessary for growth. Just as Socrates felt that it was necessary to create a tension in the mind so that individuals could rise from the bondage of myths and half truths to the unfettered realm of creative analysis and objective appraisal, so must we see the need for nonviolent gadflies to create the kind of tension in society that will help men rise from the dark depths of prejudice and racism to the majestic heights of understanding and brotherhood. The purpose of our direct action program is to create a situation so crisis packed that it will inevitably open the door to negotiation. I therefore concur with you in your call for negotiation. Too long has our beloved Southland been bogged down in a tragic effort to live in monologue rather than dialogue. One of the basic points in your statement is that the action that I and my associates have taken in Birmingham is untimely. Some have asked: ``Why didn't you give the new city administration time to act?'' The only answer that I can give to this query is that the new Birmingham administration must be prodded about as much as the outgoing one, before it will act. We are sadly mistaken if we feel that the election of Albert Boutwell as mayor will bring the millennium to Birmingham. While Mr. Boutwell is a much more gentle person than Mr. Connor, they are both segregationists, dedicated to maintenance of the status quo. I have hope that Mr. Boutwell will be reasonable enough to see the futility of massive resistance to desegregation. But he will not see this without pressure from devotees of civil rights. My friends, I must say to you that we have not made a single gain in civil rights without determined legal and nonviolent pressure. Lamentably, it is an historical fact that privileged groups seldom give up their privileges voluntarily. Individuals may see the moral light and voluntarily give up their unjust posture; but, as Reinhold Niebuhr has reminded us,
PROVIDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL UNDER CHAPTER 8 OF TITLE 5, UNITED STATES CODE, OF THE RULE SUBMITTED BY THE UNITED STATES FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE RELATING TO "ENDANGERED AND THREATENED...
Pete Ricketts (Republican, NE) \u2014 2023-5-3

I rise today to join my colleagues in calling for the need for permitting reform for our Federal Agencies. The current system we have right now is in dire need of reform. It takes too long and costs taxpayers too much money. As Governor of Nebraska, I had direct experience with this. Let me share some of those experiences. prgtoken The Natural Resources District, which is in charge of flood mitigation around Offutt Air Force Base, saw the need to raise the levees around Offutt Air Force Base. prgtoken Offutt Air Force Base is very important. Not only does it house the 55th Wing, but it also is the home of Strategic Command, which controls our nuclear forces. prgtoken They went about the process of getting the levees raised; however, the Army Corps of Engineers took 6 years--6 years--to grant the permit. The permit was granted, and construction was set to begin in March of 2019. prgtoken March 2019 was also the same month that we experienced the most widespread flooding in our State's history. As part of that flooding, Offutt Air Force Base was damaged. Floodwaters covered the runway and damaged over a dozen buildings. Ultimately, the cost to the U.S. taxpayers was nearly $1 billion. If the Army Corps of Engineers had only given the permit in 4 years--which, by the way, still would have been horrible service--those levees would have been built up, and we could have avoided nearly $1 billion in damage to Offutt Air Force Base, risking our national security and costing taxpayer dollars. prgtoken In another case, the Natural Resources District was looking to raise a different levee, R616-613. That permit took 7 years to get issued and at a cost of $6 million. The overall project was set for $45 million. That means that the cost of the permit alone was 13 percent of the overall cost of the project. prgtoken In hearings today with the Army Corps of Engineers, we find out that the Army Corps of Engineers has about 80,000 regulatory reviews and permits they issue, and they claim they turn those permits around in 11 months. However, they have no system of detecting or reviewing outliers like these 6- and 7-year permits, nor do they have any goals for what a permit should cost in the overall percentage of a project. prgtoken Here is the good news: This is something we can fix. In the State of Nebraska, we undertook permitting reform as well because we wanted to do a better job serving our customers and reduce our costs. prgtoken For example, with our air construction permits that the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy issues, we looked at the process of doing that. It took almost 200 days to issue those permits. The process to issue those was 110 steps long. Only four of those steps actually offered any value. We were able to cut that number of steps down to 22 steps, and by 2019, it cut the days it takes to issue that permit down to 65--all without sacrificing any quality. prgtoken Through our d