mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
PAIN AT THE PUMP
Glenn Thompson (Republican, PA) \u2014 2022-3-8

. Madam , I rise today to address Pennsylvanians' pain at the pump. prgtoken AAA reported Saturday that the average price for gas in Pennsylvania had reached $4.08 a gallon, an all-time high. Gas in Pennsylvania was $3.75 just a week ago and $3.60 a month ago. prgtoken The most recent spike could be attributed to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but we know the cost of gas has continued to increase since President 's inauguration. prgtoken From day one, President has stifled domestic energy production. His policies established new regulations governing methane emissions, overturned resolutions to reform EPA oil and gas rules, and halted new oil and gas leases on Federal lands and waters. These actions have resulted in energy poverty for many Americans across the United States. prgtoken When this administration chose to shut down domestic energy production, it opened the United States and our allies to energy instability and insecurity. Instead of reversing course, President is emboldening dictators around the world by relying on their energy reserves. prgtoken A ban on Russian oil is a step in the right direction, but it is incomplete if we do not reopen the United States for domestic energy production.
POSTAL SERVICE REFORM ACT OF 2022--Continued
John Cornyn (Republican, TX) \u2014 2022-3-8

over the last few decades, globalization has completely reshaped the international economic order. Economies around the world have become interconnected, relying on one another from agricultural products to energy, to manufacturing capabilities. prgtoken It seemed to be the rule of thumb that whoever could produce a product at the lowest price got the business and the jobs that went along with it. prgtoken But we are increasingly seeing vulnerabilities that this interdependence creates with some of the clearest examples surfacing during the COVID-19 pandemic. prgtoken The United States, for example, leans heavily on China for masks, gloves, and gowns, personal protective equipment, and for ventilators-- all of which were absolutely necessary during the beginning of the pandemic and continuing on until today. But for a long time, that wasn't a problem, until COVID-19 showed up. prgtoken I still remember the phone call I had with the Governor of Texas, my friend Greg Abbott. At the beginning of the pandemic, I said, ``Governor, what do you need?'' He said, ``We need testing and we need PPE,'' personal protective equipment, almost all of which is made overseas in China. prgtoken China, as it turns out, held on to most of the supply for its own hospitals and healthcare workers, leaving the rest of the world to compete for the limited supply that remained. prgtoken Suddenly, we were unable to provide our healthcare providers with the personal protective equipment they needed to protect themselves while they served others--namely, the rest of us, their patients. prgtoken As supply chain struggles grew and expanded, it wasn't just medical equipment that proved to be a problem. Everything from cleaning products to automobiles were impacted. prgtoken We began to realize that one of the biggest vulnerabilities is semiconductors, which are critical components for our most used products: things like smart phones, computers, televisions, cars, airplanes, cell towers, and just about everything else with an off-and- on switch. prgtoken Again, the source of our chip supply didn't used to be a problem. About three decades ago, the United States manufactured 37 percent of the world's semiconductors. But as our reliance on these chips has gone up, our production has gone down; and today, instead of 37 percent of the world's semiconductors, the United States produces only 12 percent of the global share. prgtoken Again, these microcircuits have become invaluable in this technological age because, literally, everything with an off-and-on switch requires semiconductors--and I mean everything. prgtoken The lion's share of semiconductor manufacturing--more than 60 percent of the world's supply--is in Taiwan, which, as we know, is being threatened with invasion by the People's Republic of China. But it is not just the threat of armed invasion that risks that supply chain; it is also the possibility of another pandemic or a natu
FOCUSING ON ENERGY
Doug LaMalfa (Republican, CA) \u2014 2022-3-8

it is time to focus on our energy crisis and our energy costs, but that also relates to food. prgtoken In our country, we are already seeing bare shelves of food items. You might recall years ago when Boris Yeltsin visited this country. They took him to a supermarket, and he was amazed by what was on American shelves. Now, we are moving in the direction of having shelves like in Russia. prgtoken In my home State of California, as they cut off the water supply, the Klamath Basin got zero water last year to farm crops, and in the San Joaquin Valley and part of the Sacramento Valley, zero water allocations. prgtoken As we look at conditions around the world, Russia is deciding to cut off some of the imports of fertilizer, which will make it harder to plant crops. Hungary has decided they are not going to export grain anymore this coming year. This is going to have a ripple effect through all food supplies and certainly on prices. The price of wheat is way up, maybe 100 percent--wheat futures. We are going to feel this at the stores if we are not planting our own food in this country. prgtoken We have the water to do it in California, but it is all going out in the ocean in order to support fish that no longer live there. And the salinity issue is misused. prgtoken We have to focus once again.
LOW COLLEGE ENROLLMENT IS NOT A CRISIS
Virginia Foxx (Republican, NC) \u2014 2022-3-8

. Madam , college enrollment decreased this year by a million students. Although many claim dropping enrollment is a crisis, this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity. prgtoken This is an opportunity to see that Americans are making more decisions that are best for them. This is an opportunity for Americans to see that college is not the only pathway to a successful career. This is an opportunity for institutions of higher education to rethink how best to serve students. prgtoken As the leader of the Education and Labor Committee and a former educator, I know the importance of giving every American the opportunity to climb the economic ladder through pursuit of postsecondary education. prgtoken Yet, the college-for-all mentality has forced many Americans to obtain expensive degrees which may not prepare them for a satisfying career when they could have thrived on an alternative career path. It also allowed institutions to maintain the status quo of high prices and often questionable value. prgtoken College is not the only pathway to a fulfilling career. Falling college enrollment could demonstrate that more Americans are weighing the cost of college and deciding it just might not be worth it. prgtoken A study by the Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity found that the return on investment for obtaining a bachelor's degree varies significantly. The report found that 37 percent of the programs have negative returns on investment, meaning that students will be financially worse off for having participated in those programs. prgtoken Students can benefit from college only if they complete their degree. Historically, about 900,000 students leave college without finishing each year, according to Michael Petrilli, president of Fordham Institute. Petrilli surmises that individuals not registering for college could be some of the same students who would have dropped out anyway. prgtoken The roughly 40 percent of students who leave college without a degree are often left with a mountain of student debt and no wage increase to help pay it off. For these students it may have been a better option to enter the workforce, pursue a skilled profession, or put off college until the time was right rather than conforming to societal norms. prgtoken The fact that college enrollment is down signals that more Americans are doing just that--that is, making decisions that are better for their lives and families. As more young people come to realize that college is not always a golden ticket, they are embracing alternative career paths. prgtoken For example, more Americans are participating in apprenticeship programs or obtaining an associate degree in a high-skilled trade like welding technology or respiratory therapy. prgtoken We should celebrate our country's diverse workforce, not belittle it. Looking down on careers in critical industries, especially during a historic labor shortage, is shortsighted. We should encourag
FAMILY FARMS ARE SUFFERING
Mary E. Miller (Republican, IL) \u2014 2022-3-8

I rise today to address the critical issues facing my fellow farmers. prgtoken The world is on fire under President and his America last agenda. We are seeing skyrocketing costs of critical inputs, such as fertilizer. Nitrogen fertilizer has doubled in price. prgtoken Our fuel prices have reached record highs, and President 's solution is to beg our enemies in Iran and Venezuela for more oil. prgtoken The supply chain crisis was never addressed, and farmers are struggling to find parts to repair equipment. Family farms are suffering, and every American is about to see a drastic increase in the price of food. prgtoken I am afraid for regular Americans. This yearlong experiment of woke government has been a disaster. prgtoken My constituents in the 15th District miss President and an agenda that put America first.
POSTAL SERVICE REFORM ACT OF 2022--Continued
Chuck Grassley (Republican, IA) \u2014 2022-3-8

many Iowans rely on pharmacists who operate independently or as part of a small community pharmacy chain. This is especially true in rural Iowa, but I will bet it is true in a lot of other rural States as well. In Iowa, we have over 300 independent pharmacists, and many work in multiple rural communities. These pharmacies are small businesses serving Iowa communities like Muscatine and Sioux City. prgtoken These pharmacies want a level playing field to compete with anyone whether that is a big chain or whether it is another independent pharmacy. Yet the pharmacists I hear from are being hurt by retroactive direct and indirect remunerations. I am going to refer to them as ``DIR'' fees. They have to work with pharmaceutical benefit managers in regard to those fees, and there are conflicts between them that I hear about all the time. This all deals with Part D Medicare plans. What I am talking about with regard to direct and indirect remunerations and these negotiated fees with PBMs are what are sometimes known as clawbacks. prgtoken Every day, seniors go to the drug store, and they probably always pay a copay. These seniors then rightfully believe that they are paying the lowest amount possible, but that is not always the case. After the patient pays and leaves the pharmacy, the Part D Medicare plan or a PBM, a pharmacy benefit manager, contacts the local pharmacist to claw back a certain amount paid. That is where this DIR fee comes in. This action actually lowers the cost of the drug, but the patient doesn't know it. Because of these DIR fees, seniors pay a lot more than they need to for the pills they get at the pharmacy. prgtoken One Iowa rural pharmacist told me that DIR fees, clawbacks, are not only costing the patient more in the form of a higher copay, they are also costing that local pharmacy. From 2010 to 2020, Part D Medicare plans and the PBMs increased the DIR fees by over--can you believe this?--104,000 percent. DIR fees now total over $9 billion a year. Pharmacists, especially those operating independently in rural areas but particularly in rural Iowa, whom I hear about, have told me, if DIR fee clawbacks do not get under control, pharmacists will not survive. Of course, we hear--maybe not every day, but we hear quite often--about those small pharmacists going out of business, and these DIR fees are often cited to us as one of the reasons. This will then leave Iowans without access to the local pharmacy for medication therapy management and for other care. prgtoken I have a bipartisan solution to solve this problem that ends DIR fee clawbacks. prgtoken In 2019, the senior Senator from Oregon and I negotiated and introduced a bill that we entitled the ``Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act,'' also known as Grassley-Wyden. I don't even care if it is known as Wyden-Grassley. The Grassley-Wyden ends DIR fee clawbacks. This will reduce out-of-pocket expenses and provide pharmacie
POSTAL SERVICE REFORM ACT OF 2022--Continued
Jerry Moran (Republican, KS) \u2014 2022-3-8

I have taken the opportunity--well, all the time I have been in Congress--to speak in support of Congress acting to reform and improve the Postal Service. I am here again today, and I am pleased with what I think is going to transpire here within the next hour. I again express my strong support for the Postal Service Reform Act, and I urge my colleagues to support this critical, important piece of legislation. prgtoken The U.S. Postal Service is an indispensable piece of American infrastructure nationwide. Back in my home State of Kansas, the rural communities are especially reliant on the Postal Service for the essential public services the Agency and its employees provide. prgtoken However, due to the closure of numerous rural processing facilities in Kansas and post office consolidations and closures, the quality of service and efficiency of the Postal Service has significantly declined. The reduced effectiveness of the Postal Service hurts Americans across the board, but it has the most detrimental impact on rural places like Kansas. prgtoken For as long as I have served in Congress, Kansans have detailed to me the adverse impact the declining quality of the U.S. Postal Service has had on their lives and have expressed the need for reforms to improve its efficacy. prgtoken The concerns I hear from Kansans are characteristic of the larger picture. The Postal Service is struggling to keep up with its service commitments while still maintaining fiscal stability. Over the past decade, the Postal Service has slowly--and sometimes quickly-- eliminated services; and in that elimination of services, it created what I call a death spiral: shorter hours, fewer post offices, mail processing facilities further away and fewer of them. prgtoken This makes life extremely difficult for Kansans, especially rural and highly rural Kansans who rely upon the Postal Service to deliver essential items like medications because there simply isn't a pharmacy for pickup delivery nearby. And the customer looks for delivery services outside the U.S. Postal Service when the service is insufficient, and the Postal Service continues then to lose more revenue. prgtoken For as long as I have been in Congress, I think I have met with every Postmaster General, and I have really delivered two messages--one related to this point I am making right now, which is the solution to the Postal Service's financial condition can't simply be reducing the services. I have also suggested that instead of hiring high-priced consultants, the Postmaster General and the Postal Service should consult with their own employees about suggestions of how to deliver better service in a more effective and efficient way and save revenue. prgtoken Serving rural States like my own, I understand well the crippling impact that losing postal service would have on rural communities across the country; that is why I have repeatedly acted on my conversations wi
POSTAL SERVICE REFORM ACT OF 2022--Continued
Tom Cotton (Republican, AR) \u2014 2022-3-8

today, I stand with a heavy heart, alongside Senator Boozman, to mourn the deaths of two great Arkansans, Arkansas Department of Corrections Sergeant Joshua Caudell and West Memphis firefighter Jason Lang. They both died as they lived: serving their fellow Arkansans. prgtoken Like every State, Arkansas is suffering terribly from the crime wave that has crashed across the country in the past 2\1/2\ years. Our men and women in law enforcement are on the frontline of this crisis, fighting against the forces of disorder, ridding our streets of poisonous drugs, facing down evil itself. prgtoken Sadly, too many in law enforcement have paid the ultimate price while protecting the innocent and fighting the guilty. Honoring Sergeant Joshua Caudell prgtoken , last Monday, another Arkansan lost his life as an officer in the line of duty. prgtoken The other week, Pulaski County Sheriff's deputies were asked to check on a woman who hadn't shown up to work that day. Her friends were concerned about her well-being and wanted to make sure she was safe. When the deputies arrived at the woman's house, an armed assailant opened fire, forcing them to take cover and call backup. The shooter managed to escape, and deputies then called in canine officers to find the would-be cop killer. prgtoken One of the officers assigned to this dangerous job was Sergeant Joshua Caudell. Sergeant Caudell helped track the shooter to a trailer not far away. Tragically, unknown to the officers, the shooter was lying in wait underneath the trailer. He once again opened fire on the police, this time hitting Sergeant Caudell and killing him. prgtoken Sergeant Caudell was 29 years old. He had a wife and three children. My prayers and Senator Boozman's prayers reflect the prayers of all Arkansans going out to his family. We can only imagine their heartbreak and pain. prgtoken The heinous criminal who committed this murder is now in custody. He will face justice--stern, swift, and fair. And he must face the sternest justice possible because an attack on a law enforcement officer is also an attack on the rule of law, on order, on civilization itself. prgtoken Sadly, the slaying of Sergeant Caudell was not the only tragedy that befell our State in the last 2 weeks. Honoring Jason Lang prgtoken , on Saturday, February 26, 20-year-old West Memphis firefighter Jason Lang was on his way to an EMT class when he saw that a stranger had gotten into a car accident. Exactly as you would expect from such a fine public servant, he pulled over, and he tried to help the crash victim. As he was selflessly helping the stranger, Jason was tragically struck by an 18-wheeler and killed. prgtoken Jason's death is a heartbreaking loss for our State. When Jason saw a fellow Arkansan in distress, he ran toward the danger. Every young boy and girl should aspire to serve their community wit
CONDEMNING THE HEINOUS TERRORIST ATTACK ON CONGREGATION BETH ISRAEL IN COLLEYVILLE, TEXAS
Beth Van Duyne (Republican, TX) \u2014 2022-3-8

I rise today in support of my resolution condemning the anti-Semitic terrorist attack in Colleyville earlier this year. And s from Florida and New York for their kind words today. prgtoken On January 15, we witnessed a heinous attack, not only on our community in north Texas, but on the entire Jewish community when a terrorist entered the Congregation Beth Israel synagogue and took four worshipers hostage. prgtoken It was disturbing to see such hate enter our peaceful community in Colleyville and threaten the lives of the worshipers who had welcomed this man with open arms. Many questions remain on how or why this act of evil occurred, but let's appreciate our law enforcement for ultimately protecting the lives of those in harm's way. Also, I thank Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker for his courageous actions that led to the safe escape of his fellow hostages in the Congregation Beth Israel synagogue that day. prgtoken I am grateful so many of my colleagues joined in support of this resolution condemning the terrorist attack and reaffirming our commitment to combat hate, bigotry, anti-Semitism, and violence against Jewish Americans. Specifically, I thank Representative Marc Veasey for his kindness and work in securing many bipartisan supporters. prgtoken H. Res. 881 clearly establishes our unequivocal support for the Colleyville community, the hostages, and all those affected by the terrorist act. It also commends the Federal, State, and local law enforcement and emergency responders who all pulled together for our community that day. prgtoken This resolution will not only condemn this act of hate but bring light to the anti-Semitism plaguing our country. As you have heard from comments from my colleagues from New York and from Florida, Jewish Americans make up a disproportionate percentage of the antireligious crimes in America, and that must end. No American of any religion should experience fear in a house of worship. prgtoken Thank you to all who joined me in this effort and made this the most supported piece of legislation in the 117th Congress. We look forward to seeing this pass on the House floor today, putting aside our differences and uniting in the face of hatred.
POSTAL SERVICE REFORM ACT OF 2022--Continued
John Boozman (Republican, AR) \u2014 2022-3-8

I have the privilege of being with my fellow Senator, Tom Cotton, as we rise today to honor two Arkansans who gave their lives in service to others recently. prgtoken Arkansas Department of Corrections Officer Sergeant Joshua Caudell was a member of the department's K-9 team who responded to a call to assist his fellow law enforcement officers with a disturbance call. prgtoken During the course of searching for a suspect, Sergeant Caudell was shot and later died from his injuries. Born in Little Rock and raised in Redfield and White Hall, Sergeant Caudell was a White Hall High School graduate of the class of 2011. prgtoken Service was something that defined his life. In high school, he participated in the school's ROTC program. He then went on to serve in the Army National Guard and is a 10-year veteran of the Arkansas Department of Corrections with a variety of units. prgtoken He also served his family with deep care and devotion. As a loving husband and father, Sergeant Caudell put his wife and children above all else. They shared a special bond and never left any doubt about how much they meant to each other. prgtoken His friends describe Sergeant Caudell as a kind, generous person who was a real-life hero. He loved to fish and grill, cheer on his daughter's softball team, ride horses with his fellow Department of Corrections field officers, and support the Arkansas Razorbacks. prgtoken His sacrifice in the name of protecting the community and enforcing the rule of law will never be forgotten. prgtoken We are so grateful for his example and willingness to do the tough and dangerous job of ensuring public safety. Honoring Jason Lang prgtoken , sadly, the Natural State lost another first responder in prgtoken the last few days, West Memphis firefighter Jason Lang. prgtoken Lang was traveling to another city for an EMT training class when he stopped to provide assistance to others involved in a traffic accident. He was struck by an 18-wheeler while rendering aid. prgtoken Originally from Iowa, Jason Lang was an Eagle Scout and a volunteer firefighter who was just starting his adult life. We were fortunate that his path brought him to Arkansas, where he was eager to begin serving the West Memphis community. prgtoken Lang was an enthusiastic and promising young man who, on day one, wanted to be an integral part of the important work that first responders do to help support those in need. He learned that example from his own family, with a father who served as a police officer for decades and a brother who is a volunteer firefighter. prgtoken He may have only been with the West Memphis Fire Department for a few months, but his chief recalled viewing him as a future leader in the organization from the first time that they met. His heroic and selfless actions will be admired and appreciated for years to come. prgtoken Those who perform such acts do so without regard for