mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
RESOLVING THE MILITARY RECRUITING CRISIS
Richard McCormick (Republican, GA) \u2014 2023-12-14

I rise today in support of the conference report for the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act. prgtoken I am proud to report that this conference report includes language that I authored to both rein in government-sponsored censorship and help resolve the military recruiting crisis. prgtoken The 2024 NDAA will require advertising agencies placing military recruitment commercials to certify that they have not placed advertisements in news sources based on personal or institutional political preferences or biases or determinations of misinformation. prgtoken This language is intended to prevent the Department of Defense from contracting with advertising agencies that utilize blacklists provided by organizations like Global Disinformation Index and NewsGuard, which have been found to be biased against conservative viewpoints. prgtoken , of the five Defense Department service branches, only two, the Marine Corps and Space Force, met their Active-Duty enlisted recruiting goals for fiscal year 2023. Last year, the Army missed its recruiting goals by 25 percent. prgtoken In the midst of this recruiting crisis, it makes zero sense to artificially limit the reach of our military recruitment advertisements. It is especially foolish when those limitations target the sites frequented by the people most likely to volunteer to serve. prgtoken I am grateful to Chairman Rogers, Johnson, and Ranking Member Wicker for fighting to include this important revision.
Unanimous Consent Request--H.R. 1042 (Executive Session)
James E. Risch (Republican, ID) \u2014 2023-12-14

. Thank you, Senator. prgtoken I want to join my good friend from Wyoming in this really important issue. prgtoken We are talking here today about enriched uranium, a commodity that is absolutely critical to America. Not only is it an energy security issue, it is a national security imperative. prgtoken Right now, we get about one-fifth of our enriched uranium out of Russia. What is that doing? It is doing a number of things. No. 1, it gives Russia control over the supply, but just as importantly, at the same time, it is helping finance Russia's war against Ukraine. prgtoken It is past time that we end this dependence on or even use of any kind of Russian-enriched uranium. prgtoken Congress took a tremendous step by passing the Nuclear Fuel Security Act, prgtoken which Senator Barrasso, Senator Manchin, and I introduced to enhance domestic uranium conversion and enrichment capacity, which is desperately needed. Now we have to provide a pathway to enhance domestic nuclear fuel production. prgtoken We need to provide certainty both here at home and to the world that a reliance on Russian fuel is over, once and for all. This is our opportunity to do it here. prgtoken Russia is going to suffer consequences from its attack on Ukraine for generations to come. I don't think they have fully figured that out yet. But this is just a tip of the iceberg as to what is coming for them. We need to cut it off. prgtoken I strongly urge my colleagues to pass H.R. 1042, which, as the Senator from Wyoming mentioned, was unanimously passed out of the House of Representatives earlier this week. It will be a companion to the bill that we passed earlier this year. prgtoken This is a really, really good step forward and an incredibly good step forward. prgtoken With that, I will yield to Senator Manchin.
FAREWELL TO SPEAKER EMERITUS KEVIN McCARTHY
Tom Emmer (Republican, MN) \u2014 2023-12-14

no one has worked harder to help House s win back the majority and deliver on our conservative, commonsense agenda than Kevin McCarthy. prgtoken As the son of a firefighter, Kevin learned the values of grit, determination, and courage early in life. Throughout his years here in Washington as a Congressman, whip, majority leader, and our 55th of the House, it was those values that made prgtoken him one of the most fierce fighters for priorities ever. prgtoken I had the privilege of serving on Kevin's leadership team this Congress. I have seen him work tirelessly to ensure House s delivered on our promises to the American people. I have seen him listen to and work with Members across every sector of our Conference to bring forward viable solutions. I have seen him do the right thing, no matter the cost. He truly believes in the greatness of this country and this institution. prgtoken I will be brutally honest. I usually am. It was hard to watch as things played out the way they did. Kevin McCarthy did not deserve any of that treatment, but no matter what, he has always risen above the fold, handled every situation with grace, and put whatever is in the best interests of America first. prgtoken I thank Kevin for his leadership. It has been an honor to serve alongside him. Jacquie and I are rooting for him always, and we wish him nothing but the best in whatever comes next.
Vote on Long Nomination (Executive Calendar)
John Thune (Republican, SD) \u2014 2023-12-14

. The following Senators are necessarily absent: the Senator from Wyoming (Mr. Barrasso), the prgtoken Senator from West Virginia (Mrs. Capito), the Senator from North Dakota (Mr. Cramer), the Senator from Montana (Mr. Daines), the Senator from Nebraska (Mrs. Fischer), the Senator from Tennessee (Mr. Hagerty), the Senator from Mississippi (Mrs. Hyde-Smith), the Senator from Wisconsin (Mr. Johnson), the Senator from Wyoming (Ms. Lummis), the Senator from Indiana (Mr. Risch), and the Senator from Alabama (Mr. Tuberville).
CRISIS AT THE BORDER
Juan Ciscomani (Republican, AZ) \u2014 2023-12-14

I appreciate my friend being here and speaking so passionately and also from experience on this, both personally and professionally, as we just heard. prgtoken This is exactly what the issue here is. It is the need for partnership and bipartisanship on this issue. This is not a prgtoken partisan issue. I think that we can all see that. Some have tried to make it a partisan issue, and it is really not. prgtoken What Mr. Rutherford just explained is exactly the nature of the problem. Both sides should be equally concerned about this issue, both sides of the aisle. prgtoken I know that is for sure the case at home. At home, you don't see partisan division around this issue. I hear from mayors that are and mayors that are s. I hear from county supervisors that are s and county supervisors that are . They are both equally concerned with the situation because we are dealing with it on the ground. prgtoken That is exactly why, in my district in Arizona's Sixth Congressional District, we get it. We know what the solutions are. That is an enforcement of the current laws, and as was described, the measures in H.R. 2 that need to be adopted. prgtoken These are the kind of policy changes that we need. It is not just all about resources. Resources are definitely a part of the solution, but resources without the proper policy changes and the proper policy enforcement will be an incomplete solution to the problem. prgtoken , from California (Mr. Valadao).
CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 2670, NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024
Doug Lamborn (Republican, CO) \u2014 2023-12-14

. Madam , I rise in support of this year's NDAA, and I thank the chairman for his leadership. prgtoken I am honored to serve as the chairman of the Subcommittee on Strategic prgtoken Forces. I am pleased that 53 provisions I led in this year's NDAA received broad bipartisan support. prgtoken Through this bill, conservatives have achieved major wins that counter harmful administration plans to treat our military like a social experiment. However, we must continue to make necessary investments in our strategic forces. We must prepare to simultaneously address two-peer aggressors, as well as deter the growing threats from Iran and North Korea. This bill does that. prgtoken Madam , I urge my colleagues to support the bill to ensure our men and women in uniform have the resources they need to defend our Nation.
TRIBUTE TO JAMES M. COOPER
Todd Young (Republican, IN) \u2014 2023-12-14

I rise today to honor the service of Mr. James M. Cooper to Indiana's State banking system and in recognition of his retirement from the Conference of State Bank Supervisors, or CSBS. Jim has been an essential member of the CSBS team for over 10 years, first leading the CSBS policy and supervision team and, for the past 18 months, serving as president and chief executive officer of CSBS, bringing direction, leadership, and compassion after the sudden death of former CSBS president and chief executive officer John W. Ryan. prgtoken During his tenure, Jim helped to advance the State system's strategy for strengthening and streamlining State regulation, known as Networked Supervision, and provided stability during a time of stress for the banking system. Jim brought innovation to State supervision and CSBS's core mission, particularly advancing data and analytics for the State system. prgtoken In Jim's 40-year career, he proved himself to be a dedicated public servant to the State of Indiana. After graduating from Hanover College in Hanover, IN, he had a distinguished 30-year career at the Indiana Department of Financial Institutions, where he served as deputy director from 1994 to 2013. In that role, he oversaw the supervision and examination of all State-chartered depository institutions in Indiana, including banks, credit unions, corporate fiduciaries, savings banks, and savings associations. prgtoken Throughout his career, Jim has worked diligently to ensure a safe and sound financial services environment, including during the most tumultuous times in our economy. During the great recession and the more recent 2023 bank closures, Jim showed his steadfast ability to manage a difficult situation and minimize the effects of disruption within the industry. prgtoken I know Jim will be missed by CSBS and the entire State banking system, and I wish him the best in his retirement.
National Security (Executive Session)
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2023-12-14

it has been nearly 8 weeks since President submitted his supplemental funding request and identified four key national security priorities. For 8 weeks, Senate s have been working hard to produce legislation that takes appropriate action on all four fronts: helping Ukraine defeat Putin in Europe, helping Israel fight Iranian terror in the Middle East, helping Asian partners deter Chinese aggression, and helping the men and women of Border Patrol get the crisis at our southern border under control. prgtoken At the same time, we have had to spend several weeks now trying to convince some of our ic colleagues not to tank the entire effort just because they wish a ic President had not put border security in his request. prgtoken A number of Senate s have been working in good faith to make sure that supplemental legislation makes substantive policy changes at the border, instead of just throwing money at the problem. prgtoken Meanwhile, we have had to explain to Members of President 's own party why the border security issue he included in his proposal was not extraneous to America's national security. prgtoken So here we are. Some very important conversations are ongoing. And here is the bottom line: The Senate cannot claim to address major national security challenges without a solution to the one we are facing on the southern border. We can't pretend to be serious about threats facing America and our allies without fixing the broken system that lets 10,000 illegal aliens cross our border in a single day. prgtoken I am serious. Senate s are serious, and I hope our colleagues are as well.
THE CHRISTMAS STORY FROM THE GOSPEL OF LUKE
Michael Guest (Republican, MS) \u2014 2023-12-14

the story of the birth of Jesus Christ from the Gospel of Luke: And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. And all went to be taxed, everyone into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a savior, which is Christ the Lord.
RECOGNIZING THE 2023 NORTHEAST WISCONSIN VETERAN OF THE YEAR, JOHN GILLESPIE
Mike Gallagher (Republican, WI) \u2014 2023-12-14

it is my honor to recognize Northeast Wisconsin's 2023 Veteran of the Year, John Gillespie. prgtoken The Northeast Wisconsin Veteran of the Year is chosen annually by a selection committee of veteran and civilian community members. It recognizes veterans in Northeast Wisconsin who continue to demonstrate service, excellence, and dedication in all they do. prgtoken John's service began in 1955 at the University of Wisconsin, where he first signed up as an ROTC student with the Army Corp of Engineers. His career of service would see him honorably discharged from the United States Army and rise to the rank of Captain in the United States Army Reserve. His service extended far beyond his time in uniform, however, as he was appointed to Gov. Tommy Thompson's Juvenile Justice Commission in 1991 and in 1992 to the National Child Labor Committee. prgtoken A longtime resident of Northeast Wisconsin, John's service to our country and community went far beyond his time in uniform. In 1965, John and his wife Jan began the Rawhide Boys Ranch with the fundraising help and support of a quarterback some may know, Bart Starr. This support allowed John and Jan to help turn around the lives of numerous at-risk youth throughout Wisconsin. The ranch was more than just housing and mentor assistance for these youth. It became an integral part of the community, establishing a firefighting service that served the nearby municipalities at no charge. Today, through their car donation program, residential services, and youth counseling programs, they serve over 750 at-risk youth across Wisconsin. They operate several family services centers, three equine therapy centers, and over 40 full-time therapists stationed at public high schools serving at- risk youth. prgtoken But John's commitment to our community went beyond the ranch. He dedicated much time and effort to projects like establishing Plamann Park, spent countless hours volunteering with American Legion Post 38 in Appleton, where he is a 30-year member, and also spent years advocating for a local veteran whom he kept in contact with after his two years at Rawhide as a youth, Jerry Monson. He worked tirelessly to ensure Jerry received the VA benefits he deserved and went so far as to compile donations from local builders to get Jerry back on his feet after he found himself homeless. John enlisted the help of 45 local builders and suppliers to build Jerry a home free of charge. prgtoken In every walk of his life, John and his family have led a life of selfless service and sacrifice. The lives he has changed through his work in our community can never be quantified. John continues to demonstrate the highest degree of service, dedication, and excellence in our community. prgtoken , I once again congratulate John Gillespie for his service to Northeast Wisconsin and the veteran's community and for being the 2023 Northeast Wisconsin Veteran of the Year. Northeast Wisconsin can be pro
Unanimous Consent Request--H.R. 6503 (Executive Session)
Jerry Moran (Republican, KS) \u2014 2023-12-14

from Texas Senator Cruz, and I appreciate his leadership. He is here to make the effort to see that we reauthorize, on a temporary basis, the FAA. He is absolutely right; it has to be done before the end of the year. We are creating more uncertainty every day, every hour that we fail to do so. It is regrettable that the Senator from Texas is here to do that. It is almost a question in my mind, When do we have an agreement that is not an agreement? prgtoken We have been down this path several times now in which we believe we are ready to markup, only to find that something else stands in the way. prgtoken I was here earlier today to talk about the importance of a long-term reauthorization. And while I am here to support the short-term extension, only to get us to the point of a long-term reauthorization, it is significant that we do what we need to do today, and that means it is then an opportunity for us to complete our work in the early year--the few first weeks of January 2024. prgtoken We came together to confirm an FAA Administrator. We can do this. We did it 98 to zero. I implore my colleagues to allow this opportunity to have this short-term extension take place, and, most importantly, I implore my colleagues that we find this path forward for the safety of those Kansans and the safety of Americans who utilize our airways. prgtoken Our country's economic interests, our public's safety interests all come together. It is a mistake for us to have short-term extension after short-term extension. One last time, let's do it today and complete our work. prgtoken We should be able to do this, and I ask that we extend the FAA today and complete our work in January. I thank the gentleman from Texas for his efforts to accomplish that goal.
First Step Act (Executive Session)
J.D. Vance (Republican, OH) \u2014 2023-12-14

I rise today to speak to a particular problem in America's higher education system, a problem borne of unfairness and of mass subsidy from the American taxpayer. It has now metastasized into one of the most corrupt and one of the most politically active and politically hostile organizations in the United States of America, and that is elite colleges. prgtoken A lot of us have watched not just since the October 7 attacks on Israel but for over a decade as America's colleges seem less and less interested in education and more and more interested in teaching things like racial hatred and various forms of far-left ideology. prgtoken A lot of us ask ourselves: How is this possible? How is it that universities that should be responsive to the public will, responsive to their donors and alumnae, and responsive to their students--how is it that they can go so far, so fast, without any pushback? prgtoken The answer, my fellow Americans, is university endowments, which have grown incredibly large on the backs of subsidies from the taxpayers, and they have made these universities completely independent of any political, financial, or other pressure. That is why the university system in this country has gone so insane. prgtoken At just three universities--Harvard, MIT, and Penn--the endowments are approaching $100 billion. That is as large as some of the largest hedge funds in America. In fact, Harvard, Penn, Yale--many of our Ivy League institutions and others beyond that--are little more than hedge funds with universities attached to them as pretend. prgtoken This must stop. It must stop because it has enabled political insanity. It must stop because it has burdened an entire generation of Americans with over $1 trillion of student debt--student debt relief that many of my friends on the other side would like plumbers in Ohio to pay for. But I think, if the universities have caused the problem, they ought to pay for it, and if they paid for it, if they didn't have these massive endowments subsidized by taxpayers, then maybe they would be a little bit more responsive to the public will in the process. prgtoken I have advanced legislation that would do something very simple: take the hundreds of billions of dollars in large university endowments--not even all university endowments, just the largest university endowments--and apply a tax to them. Right now, they pay a tax that is less than 2 percent on their net income--far lower than many of the working-class members of my own family and far lower than most Americans pay in taxes. prgtoken Why is it that we allow these massive hedge funds pretending to be universities to enjoy lower tax rates than most of our citizens--people who are struggling to put food on the table and buy Christmas presents this season? Yet they enjoy a far higher tax rate than these university endowments. It is insane, it is unfair, and I think we ought to fix it in this Chamber. prgtoken
FAREWELL TO SPEAKER EMERITUS KEVIN McCARTHY
John S. Duarte (Republican, CA) \u2014 2023-12-14

I thank Congressman Calvert for this Special Order. prgtoken , I rise today to thank, admire, and pay respect to my good friend, Kevin McCarthy. prgtoken For many years I supported candidates, many of the men I admire here and many of the ladies. I did fundraisers, and they came to my house. Kevin was one of them. prgtoken When this race came up where I decided to run for Congress, I looked to the example of Kevin McCarthy, and I said: America is about to turn socialist. If I don't step up and work alongside Kevin McCarthy to win this seat, to win this critical majority today, then I may grow old in a socialist country for lack of my own efforts and for lack of seeing the inspiration and responding to the tireless work of Kevin McCarthy, who is a dear friend of mine and a dear friend of many. prgtoken I know in the years to come when--however far forward it is--when I talk about my time in Congress, the conversation will quickly go to an American hero, Kevin McCarthy, who tirelessly and successfully worked to stop socialism in America by winning this critical majority here in Congress. prgtoken I thank Kevin for our freedom, his leadership, and I thank him for his friendship. I wish the best to him in the future. I will be here in Congress while he does his thing, and I am happy to see it.
CONGRATULATING PRESIDENT JAVIER MILEI
Joe Wilson (Republican, SC) \u2014 2023-12-14

the American people extend congratulations to the Honorable Javier Milei on being sworn in as the President of Argentina on Sunday, December 10, 2023. His success as a member of the Argentine Chamber of Deputies, as well as a macroeconomics professor, author, and radio host, demonstrates his ability to be a great versatile leader. prgtoken Best wishes to President Javier Milei for continued success to address Argentina's economic crisis alleviating poverty, creating jobs, and promoting prosperity. prgtoken Historically Argentina with its enterprising citizens and natural resources has been recognized for extraordinary capabilities. I still cherish, as a teenager, in Charleston, South Carolina, meeting Argentine President Arturo Frondizi when he arrived at the Fort Sumter Hotel on the historic Charleston Battery at White Point Garden. prgtoken The inauguration of President Milei featured an overwhelming amount of support for him, as thousands of people from across the country and foreign dignitaries from around the world, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, gathered in downtown Buenos Aires on Sunday. prgtoken I am grateful for the commitment of President Milei to strengthen relations with the United States, support Ukraine in response to war criminal Putin's murderous invasion, and diversify trade away from China, currently their second-largest trade nation. Free nations must work together as our adversaries threaten national security and sovereignty. prgtoken President Zelensky wrote this week that ``Freedom is what unites us, Ukraine and Argentina. We truly cherish it, protect it, and stand ready to strengthen it together.'' prgtoken I look forward to working with President Milei on achieving Peace Through Strength, in the war we did not choose between Dictators with Rule of Gun against Democracies with Rule of Law.