mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, VETERANS AFFAIRS, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2024
Lauren Boebert (Republican, CO) \u2014 2023-7-26

. Madam Chair, I rise in favor of the en bloc amendment package, which includes six of my amendments that redirect funds from 's bloated bureaucracy to actually help our Nation's veterans. prgtoken Our men and women in uniform and our Nation's veterans put everything on the line to defend this great country and our freedoms. They deserve the best care that America has to offer. prgtoken Caring for our veterans should be a priority in our annual funding bills. That is why I drafted these amendments that transfer dollars from the Federal bureaucracy to provide additional resources for veterans, including veteran mental health programs, medical and prosthetic research, the Board of Veterans' Appeals to help reduce its backlog and process veterans claims more quickly, gravesites for veterans in areas where a veteran cannot be buried in a VA national cemetery, construction of State extended care facilities, the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program, and veterans telehealth and rural health. prgtoken Don't believe the lies on the other side of the aisle. The majority is committed to fully funding our veterans healthcare programs and funding veterans benefits and VA programs. prgtoken Earlier this year, they falsely claimed that the Limit, Save, Grow Act would cut veterans benefits, even though it didn't even mention veterans in the bill. prgtoken The White House and the leftists falsely tried to claim that this bill cut veterans benefits before it was even released. We didn't even have the text yet. prgtoken Let me say this again: This bill fully funds our veterans and even provides an increase of $1.5 billion above the discretionary funding level contained in the fiscal year 2023 bill drafted by . prgtoken The only thing this bill cuts is wasteful spending, and it ensures the Department can no longer be politicized by putting veterans and their needs above a rainbow flag or pronouns. prgtoken My support for our servicemembers does not end when their service is complete. I am committed to ensuring that our Nation's most precious resource, its sons and daughters and mothers and fathers who answered the call to serve in uniform receive the essential healthcare and benefits they have earned. prgtoken I applaud the committee for taking on this difficult task of prioritizing limited resources for our veterans. prgtoken Madam Chair, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of my amendments, as well as the underlying bill, which fully funds our veterans.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
John Cornyn (Republican, TX) \u2014 2023-7-26

on Monday, President 's Department of Justice filed suit against my State, Texas, over our efforts to secure our border. Of the 2,000-mile southern border, Texas has a 1,200-mile border with Mexico; and, of course, that has been the epicenter of the humanitarian and public safety crisis that we have seen get nothing but worse over the last 2 years. prgtoken It is almost laughable, if it wasn't so serious. The administration filed suit over what it called humanitarian concerns, which is more than a little ironic. This is the same administration whose policies have ushered in an unprecedented humanitarian and public security crisis at the southern border. prgtoken I have talked previously about the 300,000 children--unaccompanied children--who have been placed with sponsors in the interior of the United States by the administration during the last 2\1/2\ years and the fact that the administration has lost track of at least 85,000 of those 300,000 children. When they were contacted or attempted to be contacted by the Office of Refugee Resettlement and Health and Human Services, 30 days after they were placed with a sponsor, there was no answer and no followup by the administration. prgtoken This is the same administration that turned a blind eye when countless young migrants were being exploited on American soil. The New York Times has run two investigative pieces pointing out that, essentially, the administration doesn't know where any of these 300,000 unaccompanied children are--whether they are going to school, whether they are getting their healthcare attended to, whether they are being recruited into gangs or sexually abused or otherwise neglected. They don't know, and, apparently, they don't care because, if they did care, then they would make the effort to find out and do something about it. prgtoken Vice President was designated as the administration's border czar during this unprecedented crisis, which has taken a devastating toll on migrants, law enforcement, and border communities, and it has affected every city in the country, from New York to Washington, DC, to Chicago. Every State, in a sense, has been affected by the border crisis and has become a border State in that sense. prgtoken Vice President , despite her effort to do anything to address this crisis at the border, has had the audacity to criticize Governor Abbott's actions as ``inhumane,'' ``outrageous,'' and ``un-American.'' Of course, she can't be bothered to actually go to the border and find out what is happening there on her own. prgtoken Now, there are a lot of misconceptions about the border. People who haven't been there haven't learned for themselves or from the experts at Border Patrol and the nongovernmental organizations that do their best to try to take care of these people. Vice President simply hasn't bothered to learn, yet she has the audacity to criticize Governor Abbott for doin
JULIE SU'S IMPERILED CONFIRMATION
Virginia Foxx (Republican, NC) \u2014 2023-7-26

Julie Su has now exceeded the previous record for the longest duration between a Presidential Cabinet nomination and a confirmation--when the same party controls the White House and the Senate--since 1887. prgtoken It is no surprise that Axios even dubbed her as ``'s forever nominee.'' prgtoken That is not a title, and certainly not an accolade worthy of a gold star or pat on the back. For months on end, her nomination has languished before the Senate. This is a telltale sign that she does not have the votes. prgtoken One doesn't need to be an expert in reading tea leaves to see that her nomination is on life support. prgtoken , I will offer some much-needed advice to the administration: rip the Band-Aid off already and pull Julie Su's nomination.
SUPPORTING AMERICAN FARMERS, RANCHERS, AND RURAL COMMUNITIES
Mike Collins (Republican, GA) \u2014 2023-7-26

I am here to speak about the fiscal year `24 Agriculture Appropriations bill, specifically how this legislation supports American farmers and ranchers by slashing regulations and reducing spending back to prepandemic levels. prgtoken Georgia is the top poultry producer in the Nation. Our poultry industry generates an economic impact of $28 billion for our State. prgtoken This bill eliminates harmful regulations that unnecessarily dictate how to raise and market livestock which negatively impact Georgia producers and consumers alike. It also cuts spending to account for the end of the COVID pandemic emergency by saving $32 billion in taxpayer dollars. prgtoken My colleagues and I in the House are going to have the opportunity to discuss this legislation and support our rural communities and farmers.
TRIBUTE TO BOBBY SALMON
Patrick T. McHenry (Republican, NC) \u2014 2023-7-26

I rise today to recognize my friend Mr. Bobby Salmon for his service to the nation's largest insurance association, the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America, also known as the Big ``I.'' Bobby is nearing the end of his term as Chairman of the InsurPac Board of Trustees, a position that he has held since September of 2020. During his time as Chairman, the committee has risen to new heights. prgtoken In addition to chairing InsurPac, Bobby has served with distinction on the Big ``I'' Board of Directors and Government Affairs Committee. He has been an effective and thoughtful advocate for independent insurance agents and small businesses across the country. prgtoken Bobby attended Western Carolina University and is currently an independent agent with INSURE in Raleigh, North Carolina. He entered the insurance industry in 1991 and has been positively impacting lives ever since. prgtoken In addition to serving the Big ``I'' national association, Bobby has been one of the most dedicated volunteer leaders for the Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina. He has chaired the young agents committee, the bylaws task force, and the board of directors, as well as the governance & leadership committee. Additionally, he has served on the legislative & PAC committees, products & services, advertising, surplus lines, and audit committees. prgtoken Importantly for North Carolina, Bobby is also an active leader and philanthropist in his community. He serves in a variety of ways, perhaps most importantly as a volunteer leader for Ridgecrest Baptist Church in Durham. prgtoken I would also like to recognize Kim, Bobby's wife of forty years. Together they reside in Hillsborough, North Carolina and have three children Tyler, Jordan and Morgan. prgtoken The state of North Carolina is proud of Bobby Salmon and thanks him for his continued leadership of the Big ``I'', its membership, and the great state of North Carolina.
RESCUE WORKERS HELP THOSE IN NEED
Bob Good (Republican, VA) \u2014 2023-7-26

I rise to recognize the accomplishments of three fire captains in Danville, Virginia. prgtoken Few people demonstrate the mental and physical strength, personal diligence, or sacrificial love and commitment to their communities that fire captains do. prgtoken Three Danville fire captains recently honed their skills through the Virginia Chief Officer Academy. The academy is a 6-day training period established to equip aspiring chief officers in overcoming whatever leadership challenges may come their way. prgtoken During the program, students were trained in personal leadership and other skills needed to lead at the executive level. prgtoken I am proud to congratulate these captains on their completion of this program at the University of Richmond on Saturday, July 22: prgtoken Captain J. Satterfield, prgtoken Captain W.T. Poteat, and prgtoken Captain J.P. Haymore. prgtoken They have worked tirelessly to effectively serve the Danville community. After completing the program, these men are even more ready to lead as chief officers in the Danville Fire Department. prgtoken I am proud to represent these hardworking individuals in the Fifth District of Virginia, and I admire their excellent character and determination to help those in need.
HONORING THE LIFE OF HERSHELL WEST
Julia Letlow (Republican, LA) \u2014 2023-7-26

I rise today to celebrate and honor the remarkable life of Hershell West who has left an extraordinary impact on our community and an outstanding legacy across the State of Louisiana. prgtoken Hershell is known as a role model across the State, most famously as one of Louisiana's great sports heroes, as a true legend in the world of college basketball. prgtoken Hershell was a respected community leader across the State of Louisiana, serving as a mentor and teacher to generations of young Americans. Hershell is most notably known for his selfless spirit and his unique ability to inspire others to action. prgtoken Throughout his career he displayed an unwavering commitment to bettering the lives of those around him. He had outstanding accomplishments as an athlete and coach, including Louisiana State AA Championship in 1959, the NAIA Championship in 1961, and elected as one of the first 25 members of Grambling Legends Sports Hall of Fame in 2009. prgtoken We remember and celebrate his extraordinary life, his skill, his honor, and his legacy. prgtoken , today the House honors an outstanding Louisianan, Hershell West.
PRIME MINISTER GIORGIA MELONI
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2023-7-26

. Now, on a different matter, tomorrow, Prime Minister Meloni of Italy will visit Washington for a series of meetings. I look forward to welcoming her to the Capitol at an important time for our two countries' friendship and for Italy's role in the transatlantic alliance. prgtoken Prime Minister Meloni took office as Europe faced its first large- scale land war in decades and Italy faced the increasing economic vulnerabilities of reliance on China. By all accounts, she has addressed these challenges head-on. prgtoken The Prime Minister has repeatedly asserted Italy's commitment to helping Ukraine beat Russian aggression and rebuild its economy. Importantly, like some leaders, she has done so with refreshing clarity to the Italian people about their own country's concrete interest in helping Ukraine defend itself. prgtoken Earlier this spring, in an address to the Italian Senate, Prime Minister Meloni summed up the reality. She said: We are also sending [arms] to the Ukrainians to prevent the possibility of having to use them ourselves one day. We are sending arms to Ukraine also to keep the war far away from the rest of Europe and our home. prgtoken Not vaguely defining philanthropy; just cold, hard investments in our own security. prgtoken At the NATO summit in Vilnius earlier this month, Italy's leader rightly declared: Our freedom has a cost. . . . [W]hat is invested in defence comes back tenfold, a hundredfold, in terms of our ability to defend our national interests. prgtoken Secretary General Stoltenberg has recognized the Prime Minister's ``strong, personal commitment to NATO, [and] to our trans-Atlantic alliance.'' prgtoken And the Italian Government has expressed its intention to accelerate progress toward the alliance's 2-percent defense spending program. I hope and expect to see Italy and all NATO allies meet this goal. prgtoken This shift in Italy's approach to defense and security policy reflects what allies have recognized across Europe: that the long holiday from history is over, and their investments and hard power are overdue. prgtoken But as Prime Minister Meloni meets with President tomorrow, it is important to remember that our shared interests extend beyond Europe. Italy is rightly concerned about growing instability, terrorism, and migration flows in Africa--yet another area where Russian and Chinese influence has played a corrosive and threatening role. America has a shared interest in keeping pressure on the global terrorist resurgence that has followed the disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan. prgtoken I am also encouraged that the Italian government is unraveling its involvement with China's so-called Belt and Road Initiative, another indication our European allies are taking steps to protect themselves against China's economic force. prgtoken So if we are serious about competition with the PRC, we need to work more closely with allies and par
RELAYING INFORMATION TO OUR CONSTITUENTS OVER THE AUGUST RECESS
Mike Johnson (Republican, LA) \u2014 2023-7-26

we are just 2 days away from the August district work period, and on Friday our colleagues will return home to our 435 districts across this great country. prgtoken I know on the side everyone will be holding townhalls and roundtables, and they will meet with constituents and businessowners. They will be with the people that we represent here in the people's House. We have so much to relay to them. prgtoken This has been a busy 7 months in this Congress, and House s have prgtoken passed a lot of important legislation. We are keeping our commitment to America that we ran on in the last election cycle. prgtoken Here is a short list: The Lower Energy Costs Act. We passed that and it unleashed American energy production. prgtoken The Secure the Border Act is the most comprehensive border security package ever passed by the United States Congress. prgtoken The Parents Bill of Rights Act ensures that parents have a seat at the table. prgtoken The National Defense Authorization Act that is full of important priorities and pushes back on radical leftist policy in our military. prgtoken There is so much more. I could spend the entire designated hour going through the list of major accomplishments. prgtoken The House s also, by the way, ended the COVID-19 national emergency. We rescinded two backwards D.C. crime bills. We have conducted rigorous oversight of an administration that has played fast and loose with the rule of law. prgtoken Not long ago, discussion of the Hunter laptop was literally blocked on social media--I mean, literally. We have a 155-page Federal court opinion in the landmark litigation, Missouri and Louisiana v. . The court looked at volumes of evidence and deliberated for months and issued a preliminary injunction order explained in these 155 pages. prgtoken The court says that the facts show very clearly that the administration and its agencies, including the DOJ, FBI, CDC, Department of Homeland Security, and others, were engaged in a whole- of-government censorship effort. They censored and silenced and suppressed the viewpoints of Conservatives, specifically online. They met routinely with the social media companies and told them to pull down voices and messages they disagreed with, so-called misinformation that none of them obviously can define. They blatantly violated the Constitution and the First Amendment. prgtoken The court said that if all of these allegations are true--and that is what the facts show--it is, arguably, the most massive attack on free speech in the history of the United States. That is what the court said, not s. We have been on that and we have been investigating that. prgtoken News organizations just a few months ago called Members who dared to question the narrative about the Hunter laptop as conspiracy theorists and extremists. prgtoken Thanks to the work of our various committees, not only has this information bee
TREATING AND REDUCING OBESITY
Mariannette Miller-Meeks (Republican, IA) \u2014 2023-7-26

I rise today in support of the Accelerating Kids' Access to Care Act. prgtoken Iowa's First District is blessed to have the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital, and this bill would allow out-of-State children to access our top-tier clinical trials, specialists, and care teams. prgtoken Currently, children enrolled in Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program must have an out-of-State care team be screened by their home State's Medicaid program, even though the providers have already been screened and enrolled in their own State program. This causes delays and can cause a child's condition to worsen, putting their lives at risk. prgtoken This legislation would streamline the process by allowing providers who treat children and are in good standing to enroll in multiple State Medicaid programs for a period of 5 years. prgtoken As a mother, physician, former director of the Iowa Department of Public Health, and a Congresswoman, I understand the duty to care for our children's health, and I urge my colleagues to do the same. Remembering Burlington Police Department K9 Officer Paco
AGRICULTURE SPENDING
Nicholas A. Langworthy (Republican, NY) \u2014 2023-7-26

I rise in support of H.R. 4368, the Agricultural Appropriations bill which stands as a beacon of hope for our farmers, ranchers, and rural communities. prgtoken This bill represents a balanced approach to funding necessary agencies and programs, and it also reclaims fiscal responsibility and reins in the wasteful spending that has plagued our government for far too long. prgtoken We, as stewards of the American people's resources, owe it to them to utilize taxpayer dollars wisely and efficiently. One of the key aspects of this bill is the redirection of billions from partisan bills that contained ' priorities, such as the Inflation Reduction Act. prgtoken By channeling these funds toward supporting America's producers and rural communities, we demonstrate our commitment to the heart of our Nation's economy: agriculture. Additionally, we recognize the need to address the changing circumstances brought on by the pandemic. prgtoken The bill seeks to restrict the USDA Secretary's discretionary spending authority on unauthorized, nonemergency programs. We must put an end to wasteful Washington spending and hold our government accountable for every dollar spent. It also seeks to kneecap the bureaucracy in D.C. by empowering State and county offices. prgtoken By directing USDA hiring efforts to assist producers and rural communities at the grassroots level, we acknowledge the importance of local knowledge and understanding in addressing the unique challenges that they face. prgtoken Moreover, the bill includes essential clawbacks of prior appropriations, rescinding funds that were allocated for radical Green New Deal initiatives and other programs that have been deemed unconstitutional. prgtoken , I remind my colleagues that the fiscal year 2024 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies bill is not just about funding, but it is about our values, our commitment to the American people, and our dedication to a prosperous future for this great Nation. Supporting Our Veterans
RECOGNIZING BRENT ROBINSON
Robert J. Wittman (Republican, VA) \u2014 2023-7-26

I rise today in recognition of Brent Robinson and his service to Virginia's First District and the Nation. prgtoken Brent got his start on the Hill in 2002 working for my predecessor, Jo Ann Davis. Brent joined my office in 2007 as a Legislative Assistant, and subsequently worked his way up to Legislative Director and Deputy Chief of Staff. Brent served as my chief policy advisor during his time in my office and helped introduce key pieces of legislation. Over 20 years after getting his start on the Hill, Brent has become an expert on various policy issues and an integral member of my D.C. staff. From meeting with constituents to managing our legislative team, Brent has spent countless hours serving Virginia's 1st District. prgtoken Brent has been an excellent mentor; always willing to offer advice to interns and staff. Both current and former members of my staff are improved public servants due to Brent's leadership. Brent's wisdom, humor, and perspective will be dearly missed in my office. I wish Brent the best as he starts his new position with FGS Global. prgtoken , I ask you to join me in recognizing the service and accomplishments of Brent Robinson. May God bless Brent as he embarks on a new challenge, and I look forward to seeing his continued success in the future.