mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
H.R. 5746
Elizabeth Warren (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2022-1-18

I rise today to urge the Senate to take action to protect voting rights and to defend our democracy. Voting is foundational to our democracy. In a strong, functioning democracy, the playing field is level. Citizens have a right to vote, and neither one side nor the other has the right to block those voters from the ballot box or from getting their votes counted. prgtoken That basic premise no longer holds in America. Let's be blunt. American democracy is under attack from politicians. In the past year alone, State legislatures have passed laws in nearly 20 States to restrict American citizens' right to vote. prgtoken The nominees to the Supreme Court have destroyed longstanding protections against dark money in politics; they have given the green light to partisan gerrymandering; and they have gutted the Voting Rights Act. dark money networks are bankrolling voter suppression efforts with hundreds of millions of dollars in lobbying and advertising. prgtoken And for years and years, and politicians have spread lies about the integrity of our elections. Last January 6, a President, backed up by s right here in this Senate, provoked a deadly insurrection at our Nation's Capitol. prgtoken And in the intervening year, leaders have refused to accept evidence of President 's 7 million-vote victory over . Instead, they have fed conspiracies and lies that further undermine our democracy. prgtoken Yes, American democracy is under attack, and, today, 50 ic Senators agree on the right response to this attack. The Freedom to Vote Act would guarantee that every American citizen can easily vote and get their vote counted. prgtoken The act would defend against attempts to overturn the will of the people; the act would reform our broken campaign finance system and help root out dark money; and, critically important, the act would ban partisan gerrymandering by either side. prgtoken The companion bill, the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, would restore historic protections against State laws that have the purpose and the effect of discriminating on the basis of race. prgtoken Unfortunately, Senate s would rather destroy our democracy than have free and fair elections, and so they support those around the country who are trying to block access to voting and who are trying to rig how votes get counted. prgtoken Elections are about the will of the majority, but the s in the Senate don't want what a majority of Americans want. In fact, the 50 s in the Senate, together, represent 41\1/2\ million fewer Americans than the ic majority, but instead of taking a simple vote to protect American citizens' access to the polls, they want to stop legislation to defend the very foundation of our democracy from even getting a vote on the floor of the Sen
5G SERVICES MUST BE DELAYED
Kaiali’i Kahele (Democrat, HI) \u2014 2022-1-18

. Madam , I rise to express the serious concern that our aviation community has regarding the rollout of 5G service. The Federal Aviation Administration has warned that potential 5G interference could affect sensitive airplane instruments, such as radar altimeters, which would significantly hamper low-visibility operations, and so we must delay the rollout of 5G at select airports until we can address all aviation safety concerns. prgtoken Pilots across America are flying in low-visibility conditions, from snow to sea fog to other zero-visibility conditions, and they need all the instruments and procedures at their disposal so that they can safely protect the lives of their passengers and crew. prgtoken We cannot and must not compromise on safety. It will be safe to fly when pilots say it is safe to fly. The United States has the safest air transportation system in the world, and we must continue to safeguard this system. prgtoken I am thankful that wireless carriers have decided to delay the implementation at key airports, but that does not go far enough. The FAA needs to ensure that 5G services will not be implemented at any of the 50 airport locations that have been identified as vulnerable until safety can be ensured.
H.R. 5746
Alex Padilla (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2022-1-18

just yesterday, we, the Nation, celebrated the moral vision and exceptional courage of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. prgtoken Born and raised under the violent oppression of Jim Crow segregation, Dr. prgtoken King deeply felt the lasting wounds of slavery and segregation. Yet he believed in the promise of America's highest ideal: a system of democracy that we are all created equal; democracy that recognizes that we are all created equal. prgtoken In 1957, Dr. King told a crowd of civil rights leaders: Our most urgent plea to the federal government is to guarantee our voting rights. prgtoken He went on to say: Give us the ballot and we will creatively join in the freeing of the soul of America. prgtoken Time and again, from a bridge in Selma to the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, Dr. King and the civil rights movement collectively forced this country to confront the brutal injustice of White supremacy. prgtoken Dr. King kindled a movement of peaceful protests, of voter registration, and a legal revolution. His leadership helped secure the passage of the Voting Rights Act in 1965--a monument to freedom and a guardian of our multiracial democracy. prgtoken As important a step as that was, Dr. King also understood that the path of progress, the road to freedom, would not be linear, it would not be direct, and it would be threatened by setbacks. Recent years have illustrated just how right Dr. King was. The clock is turning back on voting rights, and far too many people both inside this Capitol and outside it are ignoring or denying the alarm bells. prgtoken To truly honor Dr. King, we must rededicate ourselves to the cause of freedom and equality. We cannot wait for a convenient season to act. We cannot wait for another Bloody Sunday. Look around. This is our moment. The threats to democracy today may look different than Bull Connor with the bullhorn, but they are no less real. prgtoken Now, when s claim that this is all hyperbole or hysteria, as Senator Romney just referenced, consider this: In the year since our Nation's most secure election ever, with record voter turnout, State legislatures have passed 34 laws, not expanding access to the ballot, restricting access to the ballot and also threatening election security. prgtoken Just look at Georgia--yes, Georgia--where s passed an elections bill, SB 202, on a purely partisan basis this last spring. In the 2020 election, Georgians voted in record numbers. Many voted by mail or used early voting options to be able to cast their ballots safely and securely in the midst of this once-in-a-century global health pandemic. Guess what happened. Those ballots were processed, counted, audited, and the results certified. prgtoken So how did Georgia s respond? They wrote SB 202 to cut the number of early voting drop boxes in Atlanta by more than 75 percent to make it harder--not easier b
H.R. 5746
Maria Cantwell (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2022-1-18

I was out here a little while ago talking about why it is so important for us to move forward and vote on the John Lewis Voting Rights Act and to uphold the voting rights of American citizens, something I feel very strongly about. prgtoken I have had the good fortune to be in the U.S. Senate since the year 2000 and I got here--I should say the election was in 2000; I took the oath of office in 2001. I got here in an election that was decided by 2,229 votes. It took 3 weeks to decide the election. It took recounts. It took verification by counties--and, yes, the vote-by-mail system which was pretty much the majority of votes at that point in time. Not everybody voted that way, but a big portion of votes at that time was a system that was starting to flourish in our State. prgtoken And when I think about the year 2000 and the close election, I give thanks to my predecessor Slade Gordon for, even though it was a close election, not contesting the election. If people remember, that was the same year that there was such a close election that people considered what was the outcome in Florida. And yet Al Gore conceded the election to . prgtoken My point is that where have we gotten to today? Because all of those people, , Al Gore, me, Slade Gordon, even though we had close elections, we had confidence in the outcome of the election, and we moved forward. prgtoken We moved forward so much in fact that when our country was attacked just a few months later, we all pulled together to work together to build a more secure nation. We didn't sit around and say--Slade Gordon didn't sit around and say, ``I lost by 2,229 votes.'' Al Gore didn't sit around and say he lost Florida by so many votes and the votes weren't counted. prgtoken No, we moved our country forward, and here in the U.S. Senate, we even discussed voting rights, and we discussed our Federal role, and we discussed what reforms we wanted to have in the system to build more confidence in our electoral system. We didn't disintegrate into voter suppression activities. I can't say that there wasn't some. prgtoken I now call it nostalgia. There were some who said, ``Oh, yeah, vote- by-mail. Maybe we shouldn't have it.'' I remember one of our colleagues here on the Senate floor, he was saying, ``I so much like to go into the polling place. It is my patriotic duty. I like to sign my name. I like to get on with it. I don't want to get rid of that and I don't like vote-by-mail.'' prgtoken Well, myself and Senator Wyden, Senator Murray, and others successfully defended vote-by-mail. And we can see today where it has now been more embraced in the United States of America and more than the nostalgia that my friend had. prgtoken Trust me, I could say a lot of nostalgia about going into a voting place and voting. My childhood was spent getting the vote out because that is what you did in my family. You spent the day getting the vote out; you h
VOTING RIGHTS
Mazie K. Hirono (Democrat, HI) \u2014 2022-1-18

yesterday, we celebrated Martin Luther King, Jr Day and honored civil rights leaders who fought against inequality and sacrificed so much to move our country closer towards justice for all. But this year, on a day when we should be coming together to commemorate these civil rights achievements and recommit to the road ahead, we are instead fighting a battle we thought was won decades ago. prgtoken In 1957, Martin Luther King, Jr delivered his ``Give Us the Ballot'' address, where he said: The denial of this sacred right is a tragic betrayal of the highest mandates of our democratic tradition. prgtoken But here we are in 2022 fighting back against hundreds of bills introduced in States across the Nation clearly intended to make it so much harder for certain people to vote. prgtoken Twenty-two States have already enacted 47 new laws that make it more difficult to vote by mail, that make it harder to stay on voting lists, that limit the availability of drop boxes for ballots, that limit the number of polling locations, that impose stricter or newer voter ID requirements, and the list goes on. But one of the most insidious is Georgia's law which allows any person to challenge the rights of an unlimited number of voters to cast their ballots. prgtoken If someone decides for whatever reason to challenge another person's right to vote, the voter then has to show up to their election office to defend themselves. Imagine being a single mom working two jobs and unable to afford childcare, and now she has to defend her constitutional right just because someone thought she shouldn't be voting at all. prgtoken Volunteers are already being recruited to pose these challenges. This isn't voter protection; this is vigilantism. These laws are clearly intended to target communities of color and make it harder for them to vote, period. prgtoken Our country's legacy of racial discrimination in voting is undeniable, and it is undeniable that we are witnessing history repeat itself. prgtoken In 1890, the House passed historic legislation that would have increased voting protections, particularly for Black voters, but the Senate failed to take up this legislation, failed to act at a critical time when it had the chance, and the results were devastating for decades to come. The Senate's failure to take up this legislation allowed Jim Crow and the plummeting of voter prgtoken turnout among Black voters to continue for more than half a century, until the Senate passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 over 70 years later. prgtoken A recent Washington Post analysis said that this current wave of voter suppression bills potentially amounts to ``the most sweeping contraction of ballot access in the United States since the end of Reconstruction.'' prgtoken Today, these attacks on our freedom to vote are taking us back to the time of Reconstruction. prgtoken We cannot wait another 70 y
H.R. 5746
Richard Blumenthal (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2022-1-18

I have just come back from a trip to Ukraine with six of my colleagues, a bipartisan group organized very ably by Senator Portman and Senator Shaheen, to express our solidarity with the people of Ukraine in their fight for freedom and democracy against Russian aggression. prgtoken They need us to stand with them as they stand strong for their country's independence against Vladimir Putin's effort to intimidate them, potentially to invade their country, but, assuredly, in a hybrid war consisting of misinformation, cyber attack, and military action that is designed very simply to destabilize, demoralize, and degrade their country's governance. prgtoken And as we stood with them, meeting with the President, Mr. Zelensky, and the top leadership, I couldn't help but think of this country and how grateful we should be for our strength, our freedom, our democracy. prgtoken All of us, when we return from travel abroad, I think, express our gratitude to be Americans, to live in a country where these freedoms and our independence are assured but where we, too, need to be strong and ever vigilant and vigorous in protecting those freedoms. prgtoken We are the greatest Nation in the history of the world, the strongest and most freedom-loving on the planet. We are still an imperfect nation, still struggling to do better and a work in progress, but we are proud to confront our imperfection and move forward in a way that demonstrates that we can broaden access to opportunity and to the right of people to determine their own destiny. prgtoken No freedom or right is more important than the right to vote. That is why we are here today and why I am so proud to have helped to lead the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and to support the Freedom to Vote Act, which are designed to safeguard Americans' right to vote and secure the sanctity of our elections. prgtoken And, today, just as Ukraine faces a threat to its independence and freedom, we too, in America, face a threat, not from Vladimir Putin directly, although he has sought to destabilize and degrade our democracy and continues to do so through cyber attacks and misinformation. Certainly, 2016's interference in our elections is a warning bell, an alarm, that we need to be stronger against foreign interference. prgtoken But within, the threat is equally, if not more, alarming because what we are seeing across this great country in State after State are efforts to suppress the vote and restrict the franchise. Last year, more than 440 restriction bills were introduced in 49 States, and 19 of those States successfully enacted 34 laws that made it harder for people to vote. These laws make mail-in voting and early voting more difficult. They manipulate the boundaries of districts to reduce minority representation and have led to a purge of 3.1 million voters from the rolls in areas that were once covered by the Voting Rights Act preclearance requirement. We are
RECOGNIZING MS. VERONICA TAYLOR
Haley M. Stevens (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2022-1-18

. Madam , I rise today to honor Pontiac resident and Precinct Delegate Ms. Veronica Taylor. Ms. Taylor is an exuberant figure within our community and one of the most tireless advocates for economic justice, voting and women's rights, and progress for all. On December 20, 2021, Ms. Taylor experienced a major car accident on Perry Street. With a wrecked vehicle and lucky to be alive, Ms. Taylor's fortitude and optimism have seen her through this difficult period. Her light continues to shine on the City of Pontiac and her political work within Oakland County. She continues to bring people together and rise above any challenge. Madam , Veronica Taylor survived her auto accident through the grace of God; she has more to give to this world, and every one of us will be better off as a result. Please join me from the United States Capitol in saluting Veronica Taylor.
INTRODUCTION OF THE IMPORT SECURITY AND FAIRNESS ACT
Earl Blumenauer (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2022-1-18

. Madam , since 1938 the intention of de minimis in U.S. trade law has been to ease the burden on the U.S. government related to processing imports--the revenue collected from imports of low value simply wasn't worth the effort. Instead of going through a formal process, these low-value imports enjoyed simplified import processes and didn't have to pay any duties, taxes, or fees due to the U.S. government. The original limit for such low value de minimis shipments was $1. prgtoken The government has significantly raised this limit since 1938, to $200 in 1990s and most recently to $800 in 2016. The latest increase has coincided with an explosion in e-commerce packages that use the de minimis provision to enter the United States, currently more than two million packages per day. This influx of imports that do not pay duties, taxes, and fees and provide less data to the U.S. government has created a wide-ranging set of unaddressed issues, including compliance with U.S. laws and American competitiveness. prgtoken Regulators including U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Consumer Product Safety Commission have raised strong concerns about compliance with basic U.S. laws designed to protect the United States from unsafe and illicit imports, including goods made with forced labor. Plus, imports that don't have to pay duties, taxes, and fees at the border gain a significant competitive advantage over other similar products, particularly when imported from countries with markets distorted by government intervention. prgtoken The Import Security and Fairness Act addresses these concerns by prohibiting goods from countries that are both non-market economies and on the U.S. Trade Representative's (USTR) Priority Watch List from using de minimis. The legislation also prohibits goods subject to enforcement actions from using de minimis and closes the loophole for offshore distribution or processing facilities. prgtoken I look forward to working with my colleagues to enact the Import Security and Fairness Act and improve compliance with U.S. law and American competitiveness.
HONORING YORDENIS UGAS HERNANDEZ
Mario Diaz-Balart (Republican, FL) \u2014 2022-1-19

. Madam , I rise today to acknowledge Yordenis Ugas Hernandez for his exceptional athletic accomplishments, fierce patriotism, and dedication to the cause of freedom for the Cuban people. prgtoken Mr. Ugas said on August 12, 2021, ``I'm a fighter not only inside of the ring, but outside of the ring; I fight for the freedom of my people. That's the most important thing to me. I hope that all those who fight for freedom in Cuba are safe and know that I will fight for them on Saturday, August 21.'' He also stated that, ``I'm dedicating this fight to all my fellow Cubans fighting for freedom every day. I want to make history for my legacy and for all the Cubans around the world. This will be huge for the entire Latin community.'' Mr. Ugas reportedly listened to the pro-freedom Cuban song ``Patria y Vida'' (``Homeland and Life'') when heading into the ring for the fight, and went on to win that boxing match against longtime champion, Manny Pacquiao. After his historic win, he exclaimed, ``Homeland and Life, Homeland and Life, not Homeland or Death,'' which is a phrase that has become a mantra for Cuba's pro-democracy movement. prgtoken Mr. Ugas is not just a fighter in the ring; he is a freedom fighter. He survived being sent to a Cuban prison, which was a punishment he endured simply for attempting to escape oppression. He ultimately was able to enter the United States in 2010. Since then, not only has Mr. Ugas thrived in his field, but he has become an inspiration to people seeking freedom all over the world. prgtoken Madam , I admire this talented and spirited athlete who left Cuba, but has never left the Cuban people. He has repeatedly expressed his solidarity with those brave leaders and activists on the island who are risking everything for liberty. Mr. Ugas has inspired a new generation of Cubans both in Cuba and in exile, and I commend him for his fierce dedication and potency--both inside and outside the ring.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Susan M. Collins (Republican, ME) \u2014 2022-1-19

let me just note that the Federal Department of Justice, under section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, has challenged the law of the State of Georgia and the State of Texas. So the idea that somehow the Justice Department no longer has authority to challenge laws with which it disagrees or regulations or practices is simply not accurate. Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act provides that authority. It is in effect, and the Department of Justice, rightly or wrongly, has invoked it.
HIGHLIGHTING ISSUES WITH THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION
John W. Rose (Republican, TN) \u2014 2022-1-19

. Madam , President ran his campaign on a message of unity. Since day one of his administration, he has been defined by the divisive policies that are the wrong prgtoken approach for Tennessee families and workers. prgtoken In 2021, we saw cartels take control of our southern border. We saw the worst inflation in decades. We saw Afghanistan fall into the hands of terrorists as we hastily and incompetently withdrew our forces from the country, leaving billions of dollars of modern military equipment and hundreds of Americans and Afghan allies behind. Finally, we saw abusive government overreach in the form of vaccine mandates taken to new heights. prgtoken With President in the White House and in control of Congress, Americans know 2022 will be no better. According to a recent Momentive Poll, more than half of Americans are more fearful than hopeful about what 2022 has in store for them and with good reason. prgtoken Just take a glimpse at the state of our economy. The Consumer Price Index rose 7 percent in December, the highest rate seen since 1982. This comes on the heels of President 's reckless spending agenda and senseless policies that have created a labor shortage; led to a decline in real, personal income; raised costs of consumer goods, gas, and home heating costs; and contributed to the supply chain disruptions that are causing drastic shortages and bare shelves across America. prgtoken Madam , this is President 's version of America. It is costing Tennesseans more each day. President can try to talk around it. He often refuses to talk about it at all. The reality remains the same. His administration's policies have been devastating to this Nation. More than ever, Americans want America-first leadership. prgtoken Madam , as we begin the first days of 2022, I remain steadfast in my commitment to focus on the needs of the good folks of Tennessee who I represent, not the whims of the permanent class of political elites in Washington D.C.