mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
John Hoeven (Republican, ND) \u2014 2023-11-1

yesterday, the Senate Appropriations Committee heard from the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of State about the administration's request for supplemental appropriations. We heard about a wide range of threats to the national security and the national interests of the American people. prgtoken Now, I believe that we need to support Israel, our staunch ally. We see the Israelis fighting for their very existence. They need our help, and they need it now. I believe this includes not only military assistance but also standing against Iran. Various attacks have been launched at U.S. forces across the Middle East since October 7, and they have been launched at the behest of Iran--we know that--and we must make it clear to Iran that there are consequences for attacking U.S. forces. prgtoken In addition to support for Israel, I also recognize that we need to support Ukraine. We know from history that tyrants like Putin do not stop. They must be stopped. And as we support Ukraine, we need a strategy for victory to end this war, not to have a continued stalemate. Ukraine does not want the war to drag on, and neither do we. So I will continue to press the Defense Department, as I did yesterday with the Secretary of Defense, to ensure that we are on a path to win, that Ukraine is on a path to win and end the conflict, not to have an ongoing war. prgtoken So we need to support Israel, and we need to support Ukraine. But, at the same time, enhancing our national security means we also need to secure the homeland, and that means securing our southern border. prgtoken Border security is national security--I will repeat that: Border security is national security. But this administration, the administration, does not have a plan in place to secure the border. They are doing just the opposite. We have an open border--an open border at a time when we are concerned about attacks from terrorists. prgtoken Last month, we had a record 270,000 illegal encounters at the southern border. Last year, we had 2.5 million illegal encounters--also a record. That includes 169 individuals who are on the Terrorist Watchlist. I am sure our adversaries are very much aware of this vulnerability. prgtoken The supplemental calls for funding to support ``border security.'' This administration's definition of ``border security'' is processing migrants who illegally come across the southern border and then providing them with housing, transportation, and other services once they enter the United States. That will only encourage more illegal immigration when we should be making every effort to get the border under control. prgtoken The keys to securing the border and stopping the illegal crossings at our southern border are simple, and we know what they are. The solutions are there, but the administration won't apply them. And we know--we are not guessing at this--because the last administration put these in place, and they
UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUESTS--EXECUTIVE CALENDAR
Mitt Romney (Republican, UT) \u2014 2023-11-1

I rise out of great concern for our military, for its readiness in a time of great peril but also out of concern for the men and women who are being held up and whose careers and prospects and families and plans are being interrupted by virtue of the decision by, in this case, two people--one is Secretary Austin and the other is Senator Tuberville--to take intractable positions. prgtoken And it is simply a, in my opinion, an abuse of the powers we have as Senators to say if there is something we vehemently disagree with, that we are going to use that power to hold up the promotion of over 350 men and women in our military. prgtoken We each have things we might disagree with, with the military, and some would come with deep personal convictions about their morality. But if each Senator felt empowered to hold up all promotions in our military unless we got our way on one of those issues, why, our military would grind to a halt. prgtoken This power is extraordinary that we are given as individual Senators, but it is incumbent upon us to use it in a reasonable way and not to abuse it in such a way that we end up putting in harm's way the capabilities of our military and the well-being of our men and women in uniform. prgtoken Senator Tuberville correctly pointed out--I believe he is absolutely right--that what Secretary Austin did was in contravention of the Hyde amendment, against the law. We have a process for pursuing things that are done by an administration that are against the law. It is the court process. I am happy to join with an amicus brief or even file a legal action to reverse the Pentagon's policy. That is the process we should follow in a circumstance like this, not one that is being exacted upon 350 men and women whom we need to have in service and whose lives are being so badly disrupted. prgtoken I would also offer this: Senator Tuberville, if the Department of Defense, Secretary Austin were to say: OK. We will no longer pay for the travel of these individuals and their dependents but instead allow a private charity to do so, would that be acceptable to you and allow this to go away? prgtoken I am looking for--yes. So for instance, if Secretary Austin agrees, all right, we will eliminate this policy, but we will allow a private charity to provide for the travel for someone who wants to receive an abortion in a State where that procedure is legal, would that satisfy you and allow this impasse to be resolved?
RECOGNIZING MRS. MILDRED McKINNEY
Mike Rogers (Republican, AL) \u2014 2023-11-1

I rise today to recognize Mrs. Mildred McKinney and her dedication to St. Thomas United Methodist Church. prgtoken Mildred McKinney was born on December 12, 1945. She is the daughter of the late George and Lillie Oden and is the wife of Mr. Ralph McKinney. Her siblings are the late Carolyn Oden Jackson, the late Rudolph Halcome, and the late Willie Joe Oden. prgtoken Mrs. McKinney retired as an administrative secretary from the Sylacauga City School System after 27 years of service. prgtoken She is a proud member of the Coosa Valley Medical Center Auxiliary and has contributed over 1900 hours of volunteer service to Coosa Medical Center in Sylacauga. prgtoken She has served her church in many various ways. At St. Thomas, she has previously served as past president of the St. Thomas United Methodist women for 9 years, Sunday School Teacher, Sunday school superintendent, Church Secretary, Vacation Bible School Director and Trustee and has sung in the choir. prgtoken . please join me in recognizing Mrs. McKinney for her dedication to St. Thomas United Methodist Church.
RECOGNIZING A1W TURNOVER AT IDAHO NATIONAL LABORATORY
Mike Crapo (Republican, ID) \u2014 2023-11-1

alongside my esteemed colleagues Senator Jim Risch and Representative Mike Simpson, I rise today to honor the formal turnover of the Naval Reactors A1W Prototype from Naval Reactors Idaho Branch Office and Fluor Marine Propulsion, LLC, to the U.S. Department of Energy Idaho Cleanup Project and Idaho Environmental Coalition. This momentous occasion marks the early completion of the turnover of the A1W Prototype, a defueled naval nuclear propulsion plant, which holds significant historical and strategic importance in the ongoing decommissioning efforts of this facility. prgtoken The goal in this endeavor is clear: to remove the three prototypes, S1W, A1W and S5G, from the Naval Reactors Facility by 2030. This effort aligns perfectly with the program's unwavering commitment to managing radioactive and hazardous materials from cradle to grave, ensuring no adverse effects on the environment or public health. Decommissioning older, nonmission-critical facilities not only reduces workforce needs but also allows us to allocate resources more efficiently towards our core mission, while creating space for the workplace of the future. prgtoken The significance of this turnover lies in the remarkable collaboration among various Agencies involved. Originally scheduled for 2027, achieving this turnover 4 years ahead of schedule is a monumental achievement. It is a testament to the unwavering dedication of hundreds of professionals from all four organizations involved. We express our deepest gratitude to the entire team whose exceptional teamwork has made this moment possible. Their remarkable efforts throughout this endeavor have been truly extraordinary. prgtoken The A1W Prototype, born in 1956 and operational from October 1958 to January 1994, stands as a technological marvel. It represents a pivotal chapter in our Nation's scientific and engineering history. Over nearly four decades, this remarkable prototype played a critical role in training over 14,500 enlisted personnel, officers, and civilian operators. As the second prototype built, the A1W's contributions to science, technology, Cold War military applications, and the U.S. Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program have earned it the esteemed recognition as eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. Moreover, the A1W Prototype paved the way for the construction and commissioning of the world's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, USS Enterprise, CVN-65, which utilized the A1W design. Enterprise's 51- year journey serves as a testament to the dedication and strength of our naval forces, as it stood as a guardian of freedom, protector of our national interests and a symbol of American power worldwide. prgtoken While there is still more work ahead, it is important that we take a moment to celebrate this milestone. It serves as a testament to the incredible results that can be achieved when people and organizations come together wit
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Roger F. Wicker (Republican, MS) \u2014 2023-11-1

let me say that I associate myself with the remarks that were just made by the previous two speakers--the senior Senator from the State of North Dakota and the distinguished Senator from Alaska. prgtoken I rise today to follow on with the importance of national defense and, in that regard, to speak specifically about the historic Australia, United Kingdom, United States agreement known as AUKUS. prgtoken This pact, AUKUS, builds upon a bond forged during the First World War between the United States and Australia and made unshakable in the second. That bond remains strong today as we face the greatest challenge of our lifetime--the Chinese Communist Party. prgtoken The Senator from Alaska just spoke about the importance of building our defenses in the Indo-Pacific, and that is exactly what the AUKUS agreement is designed to address. prgtoken Our military leadership has made the stakes clear. The Secretary of the Air Force, Frank Kendall, recently said: The intelligence couldn't be clearer. . . . China is preparing for a war and specifically for a war with the United States. prgtoken Now is the time for free nations across the Pacific to prepare for this sobering possibility. The AUKUS deal will help prevent that war from happening. Indeed, the AUKUS agreement is vital, but there is more work to do beyond that. We have yet to take the actions necessary to ensure that our industrial base can support both the United States and Australia. prgtoken The basic fact is this: Our defense industrial base is not where it needs to be. Workforce shortages, a shrinking base of contractors, and insufficient resources have damaged our military readiness. Year after year, we have deferred maintenance on our surface ships, even as these ships are spending more days deployed and the fleet continues to shrink. Our capabilities are stalling as we hurtle toward a window of maximum danger with the Chinese Communist Party. prgtoken The story for our submarines is no better. We are not prepared to fulfill our Navy's submarine construction and maintenance needs, let alone fulfill the prospective commitments in the critical AUKUS agreement. prgtoken Our Navy's requirement is to have 66 attack submarines at 80 percent readiness. We currently have 49 attack submarines at 67 percent readiness. Let me say that again. We need 66 attack submarines. We have only 49. They need to be at 80 percent readiness. They are only at 67 percent. prgtoken We should be building two attack submarines per year, but we are really building 1.2 attack submarines per year. The demands of the AUKUS agreement would push this requirement higher to above 2.3 attack submarines per year. We should do that, but we can't meet that challenge right now. To meet this challenge, our defense industry will need to handle more demand than ever before. prgtoken To handle this demand, our defense industry will need to reverse its current trajectory
UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUESTS--EXECUTIVE CALENDAR
Lindsey Graham (Republican, SC) \u2014 2023-11-1

. I will have another one. prgtoken Let me respond to my colleague respectfully. We have courts. If you think they have done something illegal, go to court. That is how you handle these things. The Pentagon has issued a legal opinion I disagree with, saying this doesn't violate the Hyde Amendment. I disagree with it. prgtoken Here is what is going to happen. You just denied this lady a promotion. You did that. All of us are ready to promote her because she deserves to be promoted. She had nothing to do with this policy. Let me say it again. Everybody in this body could find an issue with any administration they don't agree with. And what we are going to do is open up Pandora's box. Today is abortion policy. prgtoken If we take back the White House, we will go back to the Mexico City policy, limiting dollars to be given to overseas entities that are engaged in the abortion business. Some pro-choice people don't like that. What would happen if they put a hold on all of the officers because they don't agree with the administration? There is a reason this has not been done this way for a couple hundred years. prgtoken No matter whether you believe it or not, Senator Tuberville, this is doing great damage to our military. I don't say that lightly. I have been trying to work with you for 9 months. Folks, if this keeps going, people are going to leave. prgtoken Let me tell you how the system works. You have 18 months, I think, from the time you are promoted to pen on. If you don't make that gate, your time and grade up-or-out rule kicks in. There are some people that are waiting to be promoted that if they don't get promoted soon, they will be out of the military. prgtoken Now, how does that help anybody if they are qualified? There is not one Senator in here that cannot find a reason to object to an administration policy in the military. None of us. We could all find something. I just hope we don't do this routinely, because if this is the norm, who the hell wants to serve in the military when your promotion can be canned based on something you had nothing to do with? She had nothing to do with this. If you think it is illegal, go to court. We have courts in this country. prgtoken I have one more: Rear Admiral Fred Kacher. Fred, sorry if I mispronounced your name. He has been promoted to three-star. OK? That is a pretty big deal. I made colonel and that is as far as I could go and that is probably a gift. prgtoken What job does he have? He is going to be the Commander of the 7th Fleet, Japan. Somebody is doing his job right now, but they are not a three-star. We have a military promotion system to reward people who are good at what they do so they can have more responsibility. This officer had zero to do with the Pentagon's decision, which I don't like and you don't like, but he can't get promoted because of one of us. prgtoken There is no end to this, folks. If this gets to be the norm, you are going to wreck
LEGISLATIVE BRANCH APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2024
Mark E. Amodei (Republican, NV) \u2014 2023-11-1

. Madam , such time as I may consume. prgtoken The legislative branch bill is what we do to ourselves. We don't need the President's budget. This is what the House, in its wisdom, does for spending with respect to the House accounts and also some accounts we share with the Senate--Capitol Police, Congressional Budget Office, other agencies like that. prgtoken As we look at what we are doing here in the context of this appropriations season, the amount of money that is spent on this represents about a 4.7 percent cut from the previous budget year for purposes of the legislative branch. It gets a little bit less when you add the Senate in, but the House has done its job in terms of leading by example. prgtoken Now, you may say, how have you done your job? Let me tell you this: What we have done with respect to Members' office budgets, committee budgets, and some of the support functions--for instance, in the Library of Congress, the Congressional Budget Office, and the General Accountability Office--we have left those accounts at or near what their previous levels were. prgtoken Some of them enjoy modest increases, but if you care about constituent services, if you care about doing a good job of being able to hold the Senate's feet to the fire, the White House's feet to the fire, or the people on the other side of the aisle's feet to the fire, you need resources to do that. prgtoken The time has never been more important than it is now for us to be able to do our jobs in a way that is appropriate for the challenges that confront our country. prgtoken Madam , .
Introductory Statement on S. 3180
Susan M. Collins (Republican, ME) \u2014 2023-11-1

I rise today to introduce the Working Waterfront Preservation Act, legislation to help preserve access by our Nation's fishermen and maritime workers to the waterfronts in coastal communities. I would like to thank my friend Senator Jack Reed from Rhode Island, who joins me in introducing this legislation. prgtoken According to the most recent data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, commerical and recreational fisheries are responsible for more than 1.7 million jobs in the prgtoken United States, $253 billion in sales, and $117 billion in value-added impacts. In Maine, our fisheries are one of our State's most important resources and are vital to our economy. A report of Maine's seafood sector as a whole, which included downstream contributors, found that in 2019, the sector contributed more than $3.2 billion to Maine's economy. Although the fishing industry is a significant economic contributor both nationwide and in Maine, it is losing access to the working waterfronts that are vital to the industry's survival. prgtoken A working waterfront is defined as land that is used for or that supports commercial fishing, aquaculture, boatbuilding, or the for-hire recreational fishing industries. That may be a technical definition, but these areas represent much more to coastal communities. A recent study conducted by the Maine Coast Fishermen's Association sums it up perfectly: ``Working waterfronts are more than just a place of business for commercial fishermen; they are a hub of information, a collection of salty characters, a safe haven, a meeting room, a space for support, and they are well-deserving of both a place in Maine's history and its future.'' The importance of these areas cannot be overstated. prgtoken In Maine our fishermen and women are losing access to waterfront property up and down the coast. In some coastal Maine communities, once thriving working waterfronts no longer exist. Recent interviews conducted by the Island Institute in Maine uncover that ``for all practical purposes, working waterfront access [in these towns] is essentially gone.'' The reasons for this are complex. In some cases, burdensome fishing regulations have led to a decrease in landings, hindering the profitability of shoreside infrastructure. In other cases, soaring land values and rising taxes have made the current use of commercial land unprofitable. Property is being sold and quickly converted into private spaces, which means that they are no longer available to support our fisheries. prgtoken While this trend has been happening for decades--in 2006, Maine's working waterfront only took up 20 miles of Maine's nearly 3,500 miles of coastline--the recent demand for coastal properties has intensified this problem in Maine. We can help preserve these areas for the next generation of fishermen, boatbuilders, and maritime workers with dedicated investments. Currently, the primary mechanism
UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUESTS--EXECUTIVE CALENDAR
Tommy Tuberville (Republican, AL) \u2014 2023-11-1

I want to start by thanking my colleagues for their service in the Armed Forces in the greatest country ever. There is no institution in this world I honor more than the U.S. military. I am thankful to every veteran in this country. prgtoken I also want to note that I respect my colleagues' strong pro-life voting record. The Party has been the pro-life party for half a century. We ought to be proud that we stand for life. We stand for the most vulnerable of our society: the unborn. I know my colleagues here share that conviction. The disagreement we are having today is about tactics. prgtoken Let me explain why I am doing it, how we got here, and where we go from prgtoken here. Nine months ago, the Pentagon announced that they would start using our taxpayer dollars to facilitate abortion. Let me say that one more time. Nine months ago, the Pentagon announced--announced by memo-- that they would start using our taxpayer dollars to facilitate abortion. The Pentagon is now paying for travel and extra time off for servicemembers and their dependents to get abortions. prgtoken Congress never voted for this. We also never appropriated the money for this. There is no law that allows them to do this. In fact, there is a law that says they can't do this. One more time: There is a law that says they can't do this, created in this room. It is 10 USC, Section 1093. It says the only time the Pentagon can spend taxpayer dollars on abortion is in cases of rape, incest, and threat to the health of the mom. So this is a policy that is illegal and immoral. This is about life, and it is also about the rule of law. It is about our Constitution. It is about whether we make laws at the Pentagon or whether we follow the Constitution. prgtoken This is also about the integrity of our military. The only thing in this world I honor more than our military is the Constitution. We all swore to uphold the Constitution. I also feel very strongly about the obligation to uphold it every day in this room. I cannot simply sit idly by while the administration injects politics in our military--again--injects politics in our military from the White House and spends taxpayers' dollars on abortion. prgtoken The only power that a Senator in the minority has is to put a hold on a nomination--the only thing. I am not the first person to do this. Holds on nominations happen all the time. Holds on military nominations have happened many, many, many, many times before. Typically, they don't last as long because the administration will work with a Senator until the issue is resolved. But that has not happened this time. Zero negotiation. prgtoken Abortion is the most important thing to the that they have, and they won't negotiate. One more time: Abortion is the most important thing the have, and they will not negotiate. prgtoken This has been going on for 9 months. Every day this continues is