mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
Government Funding (Executive Session)
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2024-3-21

earlier this morning, the legislative text for the final six appropriations bills was released, I am happy to say, clearing another hurdle toward our ultimate goal of funding the Federal Government. I thank the appropriators, their staffs, and everyone involved for working themselves to the bone to release these bills. I imagine some folks here in the Capitol are past the point of exhaustion. prgtoken This funding agreement between the White House and congressional leaders is good news that comes in the nick of time. When passed, it will extinguish any more shutdown threats for the rest of the fiscal year, it will avoid the scythe of budget sequestration, and it will keep the government open without cuts or poison pill riders. prgtoken It is now the job of the House leadership to move this package ASAP. prgtoken Just like the funding bills Congress passed 2 weeks ago, this package avoids draconian cuts on major ic wins that help American families, American workers, and America's national defense. We have secured an increase in childcare services. We boosted disease research and prevention. We funded school mental health programs and suicide prevention--so needed in this modern world in which we live. We are strengthening the border with new resources for frontline personnel. We are investing in safer, more secure elections. We are very proud of both. The hard right pushed for cuts that would have impacted K through 12 education and services for low-income families. stopped it. The hard right wanted to add terrible poison pill riders to attack freedom of choice. stopped that too. prgtoken Now Congress must now race to pass this package before government funding runs out this Friday. Once the House acts, the Senate will need bipartisan cooperation to pass it before Friday's deadline and avoid a shutdown. prgtoken I want to thank President , Johnson, Leader Jeffries, and Leader McConnell for their leadership. I also thank Chairwoman Murray and Vice Chair Collins and their staffs, as well as my own staff, for their tireless leadership of the Appropriations Committee throughout the entire process. I don't think they got any sleep from about Saturday to today. I really thank particularly Meghan Taira and Ray O'Mara from my staff, who did such a strong job on this.
CELEBRATING THE ENGINEERS OF TOMORROW
Donald G. Davis (Democrat, NC) \u2014 2024-3-21

I rise today to congratulate the young team of the Greene County all-star basketball program. These promising basketball stars of tomorrow just won the 2024 Eastern Athletic Conference Championship in the 10-12 age co-ed group. Greene County defeated Currituck County in a 55-45 victory. prgtoken , recreation sports are an excellent way to expose young athletes to the fundamentals of the game. These young basketball players experienced the wonders of competition, tested their skills and teamwork, and came out on top. prgtoken Hats off to the players, Coach Barry, and Coach LaVette for a fantastic season. Congratulations to our recreation departments across eastern North Carolina for making friendly competitions like this a reality. I particularly give a big shout-out to the Greene County Recreation Department and to the recreation director, Mike Anderson, for hosting this year's tournament.
Unanimous Consent Request--H.R. 4364 (Executive Session)
Patty Murray (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2024-3-21

as I mentioned yesterday, we really have to get a move on and close the book on fiscal year 2024. We are 6 months into this fiscal year already. It is time to take the government off autopilot. prgtoken We have a carefully negotiated package. It is bipartisan. It is bicameral. It reflects the input of nearly every Senator and the priorities of every State in America and it is ready to go. We need to focus on the deadline in front of us and get this passed in a swift, bipartisan way so we can avoid a shutdown. prgtoken I would remind all of my colleagues so we can turn to fiscal year 2025. My focus remains on working with all of my colleagues to get that package over the finish line in a timely way. Therefore, I object.
HONORING MARGOT TAYLOR DURING WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH
Nanette Diaz Barragán (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2024-3-21

in recognition of Women's History Month, I stand here to celebrate a remarkable woman from my district whose dedication to equity and justice has made a profound impact: Margot Taylor. prgtoken Margot serves as vice president of strategy and advocacy at Planned Parenthood Los Angeles, where she has been and continues to be an integral part of the community since 2009. prgtoken Margot is a driving force for advancing reproductive health education, access to contraception, and defending the fundamental right to safe, legal abortion. prgtoken At the University of Houston, she witnessed firsthand disparities faced by Black and Brown communities. Motivated by these injustices, Margot is dedicated to dismantling systemic racism through advocacy and action. Margot's experiences fueled her passion to ensure equitable access to healthcare and community services, especially for marginalized groups. prgtoken As the leader of Planned Parenthood's Black Health Initiative, she has championed successful approaches to address disparities in underserved communities. prgtoken With unwavering dedication to our community, Margot embodies the spirit of Women's History Month, a trailblazer dedicated to advancing reproductive rights and healthcare access for all. Honoring Dr. Gabriela Lopez During Women's History Month
EXPRESSING GRATITUDE FOR BRIGID
Greg Landsman (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2024-3-21

I rise today to say thank you to one of the most remarkable human beings whom I have ever met. prgtoken To be sure, , this is a sacred well, and I am here speaking on the floor of the United States House of Representatives, in part, because of her. prgtoken I am one of literally thousands of people who have been forever improved because of her. Those of us who have had the good fortune to know her could not possibly think of anyone else with her warmth, her kindness, or her joy. prgtoken She is the epitome of a public servant, serving the way she has lived her life: in total devotion to others. prgtoken No one has done it better. prgtoken Brigid is such an amazing and wonderful human being. We are forever grateful to her, and we love her so much.
NATIONAL BLOOD CLOT AWARENESS MONTH
Lisa Blunt Rochester (Democrat, DE) \u2014 2024-3-21

March is National Blood Clot Awareness Month. One American every 6 minutes dies from a blood clot, which is why yesterday I unveiled a virtual toolkit to raise awareness, promote action, and inspire advocacy because blood clots don't discriminate. prgtoken As a Member of Congress and a member of the Health Subcommittee, this issue is a professional one for me and the 100,000 Americans who die, but, as Lisa, this is personal. prgtoken , 10 years ago, I lost my husband Charles Rochester to blood clots. His death shook me to the core and inspired me to act. That is why I introduced the bipartisan Charles Rochester Blood Clot Prevention and Treatment Act. prgtoken Recently, my family was, again, impacted by blood clots. My dad was diagnosed with cancer. The second leading cause of death for people with cancer is blood clots. Dad contracted a blood clot in his leg and his arm, but because I knew the signs, we were able as a family to have 4 more months with him. He passed away in January. prgtoken , today for our loved ones and our constituents, let's raise awareness, and let's advocate. Let's act to stop the clot, spread the word, and save lives.
National Inland Waterways Workers Safety Awareness Day (Executive Session)
Joe Manchin, III (Democrat, WV) \u2014 2024-3-21

I rise today in recognition of National Inland Waterways Workers Safety Awareness Day and to honor the life of Gabe White, a young West Virginian who lost his life far too soon. prgtoken Gabe was a deckhand, a Boy Scout, a graduate of Gilmer County High School, and, most importantly, he was a son, a brother, a nephew, a cousin, and a friend. prgtoken I want to thank Gabe's family for being with us here today and allowing me to share Gabe's story with the rest of the country, which underscores just how incredibly important barge safety is and must be. prgtoken Gabe was a Wheeling, WV, resident who loved music, art, video games, and sports. He was always curious and interested in learning more about the world and those around him. He appreciated history and was always starting interesting discussions with his friends and family. He engaged. prgtoken Gabe also loved the outdoors. As a Scout, he fell in love with hiking and camping, even during the winter. Gabe and his troops hiked and camped much of the Greenbrier River Trail. He had the honor of being an Order of the Eagle recipient, in addition to his rank as Life Scout. Gabe was always a leader while he was a Scout, which he typically tried to avoid because he always focused on being a team player, working with others. prgtoken Everyone around Gabe knew him as someone who was always ready to jump in and step up to the plate to lend a helping hand when needed. During his senior year of high school, Gabe decided to join the high school baseball team after only ever playing 1 year of Little League. prgtoken Later, Gabe's friends and teammates and family finally found out that Gabe only joined the team because he was worried they wouldn't have enough players to form a team and play that last season. Gabe knew it was his friends' last chance to play baseball, as they were graduating that year. So he was adamant in helping out. prgtoken Gabe showed up with a positive attitude to every practice and game and was always prepared to do whatever his coach and teammates needed him to do. Again, Gabe was always there to show up and step up to the plate when he knew his teammates and friends needed him most. prgtoken Gabe was a true West Virginia Mountaineer through and through. prgtoken Gabe often talked about his desire to become a father and was looking forward to becoming an uncle when his brothers had children. prgtoken After he graduated high school, Gabe got a job working as a deckhand. He was proud of his job and having this new opportunity. He was excited to learn all the new things about working on a barge on the river with his team of deckhands. prgtoken However, on the morning of March 22, 2023, Gabe arrived at work as usual when an accident occurred that tragically resulted in his death at just the age of 20. Following an investigation, it was determined that not only was no safety equipment issued, but Gabe was out of line of sight of the crane operator,
Freedom of Speech (Executive Session)
Laphonza R. Butler (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2024-3-21

today, I rise to honor Women's History Month and to once again bring attention to the destructive practice of book banning taking place all across our Nation. prgtoken At this time, I am also going to be joined by my esteemed colleague, Senator Tina Smith from Minnesota. prgtoken Our Nation's literature serves as a mirror, a window, and a door to endless possibilities, fueling our imagination, fostering empathy, and challenging us to think critically about our beliefs and values. To many young Americans, opening a book with characters who resemble them and their lived experiences is the very essence of our Nation's commitment to freedom of thought. These stories highlight the voices of everyday Americans who often go unheard. prgtoken Let me put the horrors of these book bans in context. PEN America provides a comprehensive overview of the increase in book bans across U.S. schools during the 2021 to 2022 school year. It reveals a significant rise in instances of censorship, with over 2,500 cases affecting nearly 1,650 unique titles. Most of these bans are driven by organized groups targeting books that explore LGBTQ+ themes and racial issues. prgtoken Adding on to this, in 2022, the American Library Association documented 1,269 demands to censor library books and resources, marking the highest number of attempted book bans in over 20 years and nearly doubling the count from 2021. A significant 38-percent increase was observed in the number of unique titles targeted, with the majority concerning LGBTQIA+ topics or authored by individuals from diverse racial backgrounds. prgtoken The worst part is that these challenges are increasingly initiated by groups rather than individuals, with a shift toward targeting multiple titles at once. It is the new veneer by which historical revisionists intend to erode the history of our people. prgtoken I am all but obligated to ensure that all forms of expression remain unrestrained. Just as rivers carve the landscapes of America, literature has the profound capacity to shape the minds and lives of America's youth. These stories flow through their consciousness, eroding old biases, watering seeds of new ideas, and guiding them along the path of self-discovery. In navigating these waters, young people learn to understand and embrace their identities, recognize their place in a larger narrative, and appreciate the diversity of the human experience. prgtoken Literature, in its boundless forms, acts as a river--constantly moving, shaping, and transforming the selfhood of our youth, guiding them toward the vast ocean of their potential. prgtoken Growing up in rural Mississippi and as the descendant of sharecroppers, my journey echoes the narratives of resilience and perseverance that are deeply rooted in American history, and so I found solace reading the words of the great Maya Angelou--one of our Nation's quintessential civil rights leaders and one of its most prolif
Nomination of Adeel Abdullah Mangi (Executive Session)
Cory A. Booker (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2024-3-21

I rise today to speak about an exceptional American, Adeel Mangi, who is a nominee for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. He is eminently, extraordinarily, very impressively qualified. prgtoken He has degrees from Oxford University and Harvard Law School. For over 20 years, he has been a highly respected complex litigation attorney in one of our country's premier law firms, where he has become a star, a star in the legal profession as one of the very best trial attorneys in our country. prgtoken Beyond finding success after success professionally for his clients, he has spent countless hours providing pro bono services for causes fundamental to our American ideals of freedom, liberty, and justice. prgtoken The support of Adeel Mangi has inspired, for his nomination, incredible support. It has seen support across the ideological spectrum and speaks to the character and integrity of the man. Dozens of prominent State and national organizations, ranging from civil rights groups, law enforcement associations, anti-hate groups, professional legal groups, all have endorsed his nomination, including so many from New Jersey and of course the New Jersey State and Federal bar associations. Mr. Mangi has received the highest possible rating for judicial nominees from the American Bar Association. prgtoken A bipartisan--bipartisan--group of former State attorneys general have written in support of his nomination, writing: It is our collective judgment that Mr. Mangi is eminently qualified to sit on the Court. Mr. Mangi's legal career has been exemplary of a commitment to the rule of law and upholding constitutional principles. prgtoken Folks from the left, folks from the right, law enforcement, civil rights groups, and more--he has not only earned this nomination from the President of the United States, but his qualifications from that have been celebrated by groups all across our political spectrum and people in charge of our public safety in New Jersey. prgtoken Despite all of this though, what is outrageous to me, disappointing, and disheartening is that he is facing unimaginable attacks, not on anything that he has said or written, not on any of the cases that he has successfully tried, but he is facing attacks on his character. prgtoken And these attacks are recalling some of the darkest chapters of our Nation's history. The attacks on him are unwarranted. They are untruthful. They have no basis in fact. And, sadly, they smack of bigotry. prgtoken They intend to exploit people's fears. They intend to exploit people's fears of his faith. They are attacks on his character and his reputation, attempts to smear, attempts at fear. prgtoken I was blown away when the leader came to the floor today and said something I never imagined I would hear on this floor about a man of such character. prgtoken He said that Mr. Mangi has ``anti-Semitic affiliations.'' Now, I know
CREATING CONFIDENCE IN CLEAN WATER PERMITTING ACT
Grace F. Napolitano (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2024-3-21

I include in the Record a copy of the Statement of Administration Policy in opposition to H.R. 7023, which states that this legislation will ``weaken the Clean Water Act, remove protections for waterways that are vital to the well-being of American families, and undermine ongoing, bipartisan efforts to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of infrastructure permitting processes.'' Statement of Administration Policy prgtoken H.R. 7023--Creating Confidence in Clean Water Permitting Act--Rep. Rouzer, R-NC The Administration strongly opposes H.R. 7023, which would weaken the Clean Water Act, remove protections for waterways that are vital to the well-being of American families, and undermine ongoing, bipartisan efforts to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of infrastructure permitting processes. The Administration is making historic investments and taking unprecedented action to modernize and accelerate permitting to ensure that infrastructure projects get designed and built swiftly and in a way that reflects community input and protects clean air, clean water, and public health. H.R. 7023 would create uncertainty, confusion, and conflict in permitting processes by: restricting community input and environmental analysis and information that is needed to inform Federal decisions to protect the public; curtailing the Environmental Protection Agency's ability to keep pollutants out of water supplies upon which communities rely; and, weakening bedrock environmental protections. H.R. 7023 is out of step with the type of bipartisan permitting reforms that the Administration supports and that Congress should pass.
CREATING CONFIDENCE IN CLEAN WATER PERMITTING ACT
Rick Larsen (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2024-3-21

. Mr. Chair, our predecessors in Congress worked in a bipartisan manner to enact the Clean Water Act, one of the Nation's bedrock environmental laws. The legislation before us today was not developed in that same bipartisan manner, and it undermines the Clean Water Act. I oppose this bill. prgtoken The pro-clean water bipartisan consensus has held firm for decades, allowing communities to enjoy cleaner water and giving businesses the certainty they need to create jobs and spur economic growth. prgtoken Thanks to historic investments like the bipartisan infrastructure law and the Inflation Reduction Act, our economy is on the move. We have added nearly 15 million jobs since President took office, and unemployment has been under 4 percent for the longest stretch in more than 50 years. prgtoken Wages are up; inflation is coming down; and we are growing the economy from the middle out and the bottom up. That is the context in which our colleagues are proposing to shatter this bipartisan consensus around clean water since the passage of the Clean Water Act. prgtoken This bill will not improve Clean Water Act project permitting or create certainty. In fact, it does the opposite. prgtoken According to the Statement of Administration Policy, this bill will ``undermine ongoing, bipartisan efforts to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of infrastructure permitting processes.'' prgtoken The SAP further confirms the bill will ``create uncertainty, confusion, and conflict in permitting processes.'' prgtoken What will this bill achieve? It weakens clean water protections. It provides exemptions and legal shields for permit holders. It limits oversight for projects that demand higher scrutiny. prgtoken What does this bill do for communities? It closes the door for local communities seeking review of projects that are running through their neighborhoods and gives private developers the green light to ignore local perspectives on large-scale projects. prgtoken This legislation prioritizes the needs of polluters who want to fast- track questionable projects over the public's interest and concern. prgtoken What does this bill do for the permitting process? In some cases, it slows down the process. The bill adds bureaucratic steps to the process of establishing water quality standards that will slow the implementation of these standards while exposing them to increased litigation. prgtoken What does it do for clean water? Nothing good. The legislation eliminates EPA's oversight of ecologically devastating projects and makes it easier for industrial polluters to discharge potentially harmful or toxic chemicals into our rivers and streams with no accountability. prgtoken For example, my colleagues have criticized EPA's use of its Clean Water Act review or veto authority. Yet, the record shows EPA's use of this authority has been consistent with congressional intent. I see no reason for removing this authority. prgtoken Since enactme