mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
Unanimous Consent Request--S. 3612 (Executive Calendar)
Cindy Hyde-Smith (Republican, MS) \u2014 2024-2-28

I support the ability for mothers and fathers to have total access to IVF in bringing new life into the world. I also believe human life should be protected. These are not mutually exclusive. prgtoken Let's be clear about what the Alabama case is about. This was a case brought by families whose human embryos were killed when an unauthorized individual walked into the fertility clinic through an unsecured door, removed several human embryos, and dropped them, causing their deaths. prgtoken The court's holding in favor of the parents found that these frozen human embryos are children under Alabama law. It did not ban IVF, nor has any State banned IVF. prgtoken The bill before us today is a vast overreach that is full of poison pills that go way too far--far beyond ensuring legal access to IVF. The act explicitly waives the Religious Freedom Restoration Act and would subject religious and pro-life organizations to crippling lawsuits. prgtoken Religious and pro-life organizations could be forced to facilitate procedures that violate their core beliefs, including their health insurance plans. This would be the first time the bipartisan Religious Freedom Restoration Act introduced by then-Representative Chuck Schumer was explicitly waived. prgtoken The bill's expansion definition of ``artificial reproductive technology'' sweeps in much more than IVF and has far-reaching implications. It would legalize human cloning. It would legalize commercial surrogacy, including for young girls without parental involvement. It would legalize gene-edited designer babies and lift the Federal ban on the creation of three-parent embryos. It would legalize the creation of human-animal chimeras. Other developed countries like Germany, New Zealand, and Australia, as well as States like Louisiana, have policies that allow for IVF coupled with commonsense protections to respect human life. prgtoken Creating rights to human cloning, the genetic engineering of human embryos, and surrogacy is too extreme and goes far beyond IVF. This bill misses the mark. prgtoken We should strive to do both, and this bill does not do that. Therefore, I object.
Senate Republican Leadership (Executive Session)
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2024-2-28

as some of you may know, this has been a particularly difficult time for my family. We tragically lost Elaine's younger sister, Angela, just a few weeks ago. prgtoken When you lose a loved one, particularly at a young age, there is a certain introspection that accompanies the grieving process. Perhaps it is God's way of reminding you of your own life's journey to reprioritize the impact on the world that we will all inevitably leave behind. prgtoken I turned 82 last week. The end of my contributions is closer than I would prefer. prgtoken My career in the U.S. Senate began amidst the Reagan revolution. The truth is, when I got here, I was just happy if anybody remembered my prgtoken name. President Reagan called me Mitch O'Donnell. Close enough, I thought. prgtoken My wife Elaine and I got married on President Reagan's birthday, February 6. It is probably not the most romantic thing to admit, but Reagan meant a lot to both of us. For 31 years, Elaine has been the love of my life, and I am eternally grateful to have her by my side. prgtoken I think back to my first days in the Senate with deep appreciation for the time that helped shape my view of the world. I am unconflicted about the good within our country and the irreplaceable role we play as the leader of the free world. That is why I worked so hard to get the national security package passed earlier this month. prgtoken Believe me, I know the politics within my party at this particular moment in time. I have many faults. Misunderstanding politics is not one of them. prgtoken That said, I believe more strongly than ever that America's global leadership is essential to preserving the shining city on a hill that Ronald Reagan discussed. For as long as I am drawing breath on this Earth, I will defend American exceptionalism. prgtoken So, as I have been thinking about when I would deliver some news to the Senate, I always imagined a moment when I had total clarity and peace about the sunset of my work, a moment when I am certain I have helped preserve the ideals I so strongly believe. That day arrived today. prgtoken My goals when I was narrowly elected to the Senate in 1984 were fairly modest: Do a good job for the people of Kentucky and convince them that, by doing so, they might rehire me for a second term. That was it. That was the plan. If you would have told me, 40 years later, that I would stand before you as the longest serving Senate leader in American history, frankly, I would have thought you had lost your mind. prgtoken I have the honor of representing Kentucky in the Senate longer than anyone else in our State's history. I just never could have imagined-- never could have imagined--that happening when I arrived here in 1984 at 42. I am filled with heartfelt gratitude and humility for the opportunity. prgtoken But now it is 2024. I am now 82. As Ecclesiastes tells us, ``To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under Heaven
WOSB CERTIFICATION AND OPPORTUNITY EXPANSION ACT
Nick LaLota (Republican, NY) \u2014 2024-2-28

I thank Chairman Williams for yielding me the time today and Ranking Member Velazquez, a fellow proud New Yorker, for leading this effort with me. It is a good day when Members of the same State delegation from different parties can work together to benefit New York's small businesses and small businesses throughout this great country of ours. prgtoken , our bipartisan WOSB Certification and Opportunity Expansion Act would phase out self-certified, women-owned small businesses from the governmentwide procurement goals. In doing so, this bill would achieve two main things. It will protect the integrity of the women-owned small business program, and it will prevent the abuse of Federal small business contracting goals. prgtoken Self-certification, according to the SBA Office of Inspector General and others, presents significant risks of fraud and impedes the progress of businesses which rightfully qualify. While others can self- certify, women small business owners in the SBA's women-owned small business program undergo a certification program to ensure that only women-owned firms enter. prgtoken This bill aligns the women-owned small business program with similar programs that no longer count self-certified firms in the SBA's goals. A similar provision phasing out self-certified service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses from the procurement goals passed in the FY24 NDAA. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support the WOSB Certification and Opportunity Expansion Act.
TRIBUTE TO ADDISON HATLEY
John Barrasso (Republican, WY) \u2014 2024-2-28

I would like to take the opportunity to express my appreciation to Addison for her hard work as an intern in the Senate conference. I recognize her efforts and contributions to my office, as well as to the State of Wyoming. prgtoken Addison is a native of Virginia. She is currently a junior at the Madeira School in McLean, VA. She has demonstrated a strong work ethic, which has made her an invaluable asset to our office. The quality of her work is reflected in her great efforts over the last several months. prgtoken I want to thank Addison for the dedication she has shown while working for me and my staff. It is a pleasure to have her as part of our team. I know she will have continued success with all of her future endeavors. I wish her all my best on her journey.
Senate Republican Leadership (Executive Session)
Susan M. Collins (Republican, ME) \u2014 2024-2-28

I just want to very briefly recognize my good friend, the leader, for his extraordinary service, not only to our caucus but, more important, to the Senate as an institution and to our country. prgtoken His tenure as leader will be remembered, not just for its historic longevity but also for his unparalleled devotion to this great institution, which he has always defended. prgtoken I also admire the leader for stepping forward when it wasn't popular to do the right thing for our country and for our world. prgtoken There will be plenty of time for all of us to honor him in more detail as time goes on, but I felt compelled to speak today to thank him--to thank him--for devoting his life to public service for all the right reasons: to improve the lives of the people living in our great country.
SERIOUS DEBATE ON IMMIGRATION
Glenn Grothman (Republican, WI) \u2014 2024-2-28

sometime in the next month, there is going to finally be a serious debate on the number of people streaming across our border. It may be over an appropriations bill. It may be over an aid bill to Ukraine. There are going to be a lot of people who say there are other issues more important than this and to just wait a little longer to solve the problem at the border. prgtoken We have waited for 3 years to do something at the border as the administration has watched the number of people who crossed the border every month go from 10,000 to 20,000 to 370,000 people. That is unacceptable. prgtoken We had testimony in my subcommittee last week that the people who are coming across the border are 3\1/2\ to 4 times as likely to commit a crime as the native-born, and we saw tragedy in Atlanta just on that topic. prgtoken We know very well, if you talk to people, that all of these people streaming across here have to live somewhere and are partly responsible for the increase in rental costs that we have across our country. prgtoken We don't want to shut down the government, and we don't want to say no more aid to Ukraine, but we have no choice. If it is not now, when? We have waited 3 years.
PRESIDENT BIDEN'S BORDER BRUTALITY
John W. Rose (Republican, TN) \u2014 2024-2-28

. Madam , pure and simple, these are the consequences of prgtoken the 's administration indefensible open-border policies. prgtoken There is no doubt that President 's feckless border policies are the direct causes of this once unimaginable level of crime and loss of life. prgtoken To make matters worse, just days after both of these immigrants entered our country illegally, President , instead of trying to secure the border, erroneously stated that the border was actually secure and that it was ``not rational'' to deport illegal immigrants from Venezuela. prgtoken If deporting illegal immigrants is not rational, then that begs the question, Madam , what is rational? Simply doing nothing but keeping the border wide open surely isn't rational. prgtoken As a father of two young children growing up in President 's United States where every town has become a border town, I fear it is only a matter of time until one of these families that I represent in middle Tennessee faces the same consequences of the administration's open-border policies. prgtoken I pray that day never comes. I also pray the President comes to his senses and ends the humanitarian crisis at the southern border that his administration's policies have caused. prgtoken The administration has already admitted they have the authority to restrict migrants' ability to seek asylum at the border. It is well past time that the President used that authority. prgtoken Until then, House s like me will continue sounding the alarm and beating the drum to shed light on this administration's open- border policies and blatant abuse of our immigration laws. prgtoken Border security is national security, and strong borders make for strong countries and safe countries.
Border Security (Executive Session)
John Cornyn (Republican, TX) \u2014 2024-2-28

tomorrow President will do something he has done only once before in his term as President of the United States, he will travel to the U.S.-Mexico border to Brownsville, TX, in an attempt to address his biggest political liability. Since the President took office 3 years ago, U.S. Customs and Border Protection has logged more than 7.2 million migrant encounters at the southern border. By that, we mean people who have shown up at the border and, by and large, have simply been released into the interior based on an initial claim of asylum which has yet to be put in front of an immigration judge. And it may be as long as, in places like New York, 10 years in the future before they ever get in front of an immigration judge; or, as we have seen tragically here most recently, these migrants will be paroled or simply released into the interior of the country--even without a claim of asylum--given a work permit, and stay here indefinitely. prgtoken , 7.2 million is higher than the total number of migrants who came across the southern border under President , who served 8 years, and President , who served 4 years. So the administration has done in 3 years what it took 12 years for the two previous administrations to accomplish. We have experienced more illegal immigration in the last 3 years than in the last 12. prgtoken The American people have become increasingly concerned at the southern border because they see with their own eyes that this is a humanitarian crisis, and it is a public safety crisis. And they overwhelmingly--and quite appropriately--blame administration policies and the President himself. They see that his policies and his rhetoric, rather than deter illegal immigration, have actually encouraged it. prgtoken Let me say that again: They understand that the policies of this administration and the rhetoric that has been used are the driving force behind America's most serious border crisis in history. prgtoken But, as usual, the President refuses to accept any responsibility. He has tried to blame everybody but himself. He has blamed congressional dysfunction. He has blamed MAGA s. He has blamed anybody and everybody that he can possibly think of, rather than accept responsibility himself. Not only that, he has, at different times, claimed that he lacks the tools to fix this crisis. At different times, he has claimed that his hands are tied unless Congress passes new laws. prgtoken The problem with that storyline, that narrative, is the facts simply don't support it. For one, the suggestion that only Congress can fix the crisis implies that Congress created the crisis. I would point out the same laws that were in effect during President 's administration are still in effect during President 's administration with far different outcomes. prgtoken As each of our colleagues knows, Congress has struggled to pass any immigration law
Border Security (Executive Session)
Marsha Blackburn (Republican, TN) \u2014 2024-2-28

earlier this month, House s impeached Secretary Mayorkas because the Homeland Security Secretary refuses to carry out his constitutional duty of securing the homeland. prgtoken More than 9 million illegal immigrants, including 1.7 million known ``got-aways,'' have entered our country under the administration. Now, this number is larger than the population of 39 States. At the same time, hundreds of individuals on the Terrorist Watchlist have been caught on the southern border, including 58 since the start of fiscal year 2024. Just in January, there were more than 176,000 illegal crossings along the southern border. This is the worst January on record. Yet, under Secretary Mayorkas and President , Immigration and Customs Enforcement deported just 142,000 people in all of 2023. That is less than 5 percent of illegal crossings. prgtoken There is no doubt that this administration has abused both our asylum and our parole systems, but unlike asylum--you have parole, which is granted by DHS for different reasons, and President has abused his parole authority to usher in millions of migrants who are unknown to us and who receive both public benefits and work authorizations. prgtoken One thing is clear: The parole system is just another way for the administration to circumvent congressional authority and make illegal immigrants legal. prgtoken Over the course of four Presidents--go back and look at the years from 1983 to 2003--the average yearly total for all paroles was no more than 150,000, and on average, the and administrations paroled just 5,600 migrants per year. There is a contrast here. In 2022, paroled nearly 800,000 migrants into the country, and in fiscal year 2023, the administration paroled approximately 1.2 million migrants. That is more than 200 times the number that President and President paroled into this country. This administration is abusing the parole system and that authority. prgtoken This administration's open border agenda is already having tragic consequences. Last week, an illegal immigrant in Georgia was arrested for allegedly murdering Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student, while she went for a jog on the University of Georgia's campus. The suspect should never have been allowed to set foot in America. Yet the administration paroled him. They paroled him into this country after he illegally crossed our border in 2022. prgtoken There is no doubt that Secretary Mayorkas has breached the public trust by making illegal immigration legal, but according to recent reports, Majority Leader Schumer is looking for any way he can to prevent a Senate trial when the House transmits the Articles of Impeachment on Secretary Mayorkas to this Chamber. By tabling the Articles of Impeachment, would be abandoning our core constitutional duty to hold an impeachment trial. prgtoken The American people
NATIVE AMERICAN ENTREPRENEURIAL OPPORTUNITY ACT
Elijah Crane (Republican, AZ) \u2014 2024-2-28

I thank the gentleman for yielding me time. prgtoken , I am proud to co-introduce this legislation to officially establish the Office of Native American Affairs at the Small Business Administration, and I thank Representative Davids for her leadership on this issue. prgtoken , I am proud to represent over half of Arizona's Tribes. Something I hear often is there is a need for economic growth and opportunity. prgtoken Tribal entrepreneurs who run businesses on reservations face complex hurdles when it comes to understanding tax implications, property rights, regulatory burdens, and lending. Tribal entrepreneurs should have the ability to access SBA's programs just like anyone else, but in reality, these communities do not experience adequate access or outreach. prgtoken Most importantly, they need specialized expertise to assist them in navigating the unique complexities of running a business on a reservation--complexities mostly created by us, the Federal Government. prgtoken Economic development in our Tribal communities is crucial. I am hopeful that establishing the Office of Native American Affairs into statute will bring attention to resources the Small Business Administration can provide to Tribal businessowners and encourage the office to continue developing new methods for outreach to ensure that Tribal businesses are not overlooked. This bill would also ensure that Congress can practice proper oversight of the office's activities and effectiveness going forward. prgtoken I encourage representatives from this office to come out and visit Tribal communities in my district and begin a dialogue with small business owners who may be unaware that this office even exists. Doing so will allow the Office of Native American Affairs to adjust and enhance their programs so they can best serve Tribal small business owners.
Border Security (Executive Session)
Tommy Tuberville (Republican, AL) \u2014 2024-2-28

. : I do solemnly swear or affirm that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God. prgtoken That is the oath that we all take once we become Senators of the United States. prgtoken Just imagine that you are Allyson and John Phillips. Last Thursday afternoon, you get a phone call from law enforcement in Athens, GA. The voice on the other end of the phone says that your daughter has been murdered by an illegal immigrant. I cannot imagine what that feels like. I cannot even begin to understand the shock and sadness and anger. prgtoken Laken Riley was a nursing student at Augusta, GA, this past year. On Wednesday morning, she went out for a jog on the campus of the University of Georgia. She never came back. Police found her body in the woods a few hours later around noontime. She was covered with blood and injuries from head to toe. prgtoken An autopsy found that she died of blunt force trauma to the head. The charging documents in this case say that her skull was disfigured. This was a brutal murder of an innocent young woman. prgtoken Laken Riley was just 22 years old. She had her whole life ahead of her. She had a bright future. Now that future will never be realized. prgtoken You know, I spent 40 years of my life on college campuses. I have dedicated my life to coaching young adults, but I wasn't just a coach; I was also a mentor. There is nothing more heartbreaking than losing a promising young person like Laken Riley, and I want to offer my condolences to the Riley family. prgtoken Our No. 1 commodity in this country is our young people. Laken's death is even more heartbreaking because it could have been prevented and should have been prevented. On Friday night, police arrested and charged Jose Antonio Ibarra with malice murder, felony murder, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, false imprisonment, kidnapping, and hindering a 911 call. prgtoken Jose Ibarra is an illegal immigrant from Venezuela. In other words, he should never have been in this country in the first place. This brutal and horrific murder would have been prevented prgtoken if and had done their job by enforcing the law. prgtoken Jose Ibarra crossed the southern border in El Paso in September of 2022, a year and a half ago. He was paroled into our country, and I will talk about parole here in just a minute. His social media accounts show that he went from El Paso to New York City. New York is a sanctuary State and city. That means that illegals who commit crimes will not be turned over to the immigration police when their jail time is up. prgtoken This is an
CELEBRATING WILLA HARTER'S 101ST BIRTHDAY
Zachary Nunn (Republican, IA) \u2014 2024-2-28

I rise today to wish Ms. Willa Harter of Bloomfield, Iowa a very happy 101st birthday. prgtoken Ms. Harter was born in Colorado on February 27, 1923. A survivor of scarlet fever at just four years old and left with only half her hearing, she learned to read lips at an early age. Ms. Harter's family moved to Iowa in December of 1933, and she graduated from Bloomfield High School in 1940. Two years later, she married her husband Marion Harter and together they raised four children: Nancy, Betty, Tom Harter, and Mary Jo. prgtoken During her life she wore many different hats. She taught school, worked as a telephone operator at the Drakesville switchboard, and spent 27 years working at the Davis County Hospital. Willa's love and care was shown through her dedication at the hospital and at home with her children. Ms. Harter also has extensive experience crocheting afghans for every one of her children, her twelve grandchildren, twenty great grandchildren, and ten great-great grandchildren. prgtoken In addition to a full life at home in Iowa, Ms. Harter has seen her fair share of adventures, traveling to all 50 states, as well as Asia, Europe, South America, and Australia. Now, her daily adventure is enjoying retirement by doing puzzles and reading books in her Bloomfield home. prgtoken I invite my colleagues to join me in honoring Ms. Willa Harter's life and achievements as we wish her a very happy 101st birthday. I extend my congratulations and best wishes to her and her family.