mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 5893, COMMERCE, JUSTICE, SCIENCE, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2024; AND PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 5961, NO FUNDS FOR IRANIAN TERRORISM ACT
Nicholas A. Langworthy (Republican, NY) \u2014 2023-11-15

first, I thank the gentleman from Kentucky for yielding the time. prgtoken I rise today in support of the underlying legislation to prevent the administration from following through on its policy of appeasement toward the Iranian regime. prgtoken My colleagues on the other side of the aisle insist that there are safeguards to ensure that the $6 billion unfrozen in the administration's agreement with Iran is spent purely on humanitarian efforts, but I ask my colleagues and this administration: If there is such an urgent need for access to that money for food and medicine and other assistance, then why has the Iranian regime invested for decades billions and billions of dollars into funding Hamas, Hezbollah, and other terrorist organizations that are intent on murdering Americans, murdering the Jewish people, and destroying our friend and ally, the State of Israel? prgtoken The administration has lost its mind if they think that it can appease a fundamentalist regime that routinely prgtoken calls for our annihilation and the annihilation of the Jewish people. prgtoken On October 7, we saw pure evil on display as Hamas, bankrolled by this Iranian regime with funds that could have been spent on food, medicine, or other humanitarian needs of the Iranian people, murdered, kidnapped children, raped women, and brutalized the elderly. prgtoken The evil we saw on that day was done at the behest of and with the resources provided by Iran's fundamentalist leaders. I remind you that there are still 240 hostages in Gaza, including 10 Americans. prgtoken Some of my colleagues continue to insist that this $6 billion deposit to the regime in the form of aid will not be used for malicious purposes. I think we all know that it will be. prgtoken We know that this administration has followed an utterly failed path of appeasing an evil regime in Iran, and the true cost of this failure is the violence and chaos brought upon the Israeli people by the Iranian-funded terrorist group Hamas. prgtoken Enabling Iran to fund terror goes against every principle our Nation has been founded on. It rejects freedom, democracy, and justice, and it empowers fear, division, and hatred. Appeasing Iran is disgusting and deeply un-American. prgtoken , let's stop pretending that we can move forward with the transfer of resources to a regime that wishes to destroy us and our allies. Let's stop pretending that we can negotiate with a regime that wishes genocide on the Jewish people. prgtoken , I strongly support the underlying legislation to halt this administration's reckless policy toward Iran.
RECOGNIZING THE LOWER FOX DEMONSTRATION FARMS 10TH ANNIVERSARY
Mike Gallagher (Republican, WI) \u2014 2023-11-15

I rise today to recognize the tenth anniversary of the Lower Fox Demonstration Farms (Fox Demo Farms) Network and to celebrate its success in expanding the adoption and implementation of conservation farming practices throughout the Lower Fox River Basin. prgtoken Fox Demo Farms was the first of its kind in the Great Lakes region. It was created through a collaborative agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Brown County, and four producers in the Lower Fox River Watershed of Northeast Wisconsin and funded by the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. Fox Demo Farms set out to demonstrate the effectiveness and adaptability of conservation practices to reduce erosion and sedimentation. control phosphorus runoff. and address other nonpoint source pollution issues. prgtoken To appreciate the significance of the Fox Demo Farms' success, it is helpful to understand the challenges of the region. Surrounded by a rural landscape of forests and farms, the Lower Fox River basin, like many in the Great Lakes region, encompasses varied weather, geology, topography, and soil types that pose challenges in preventing eroded sediment and nutrients from entering the Lower Fox River, the Bay of Green Bay and Lake Michigan. prgtoken The Lower Green Bay and Fox River region was designated an Area of Concern (AOC) under the 1987 Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. High phosphorus levels fuel hypoxia in the bay, resulting in dead zones and fish kills. Reducing the amount of phosphorus and sediment leaving agricultural lands plays an important role in efforts to delist the Lower Fox as an AOC. The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative was the catalyst for NRCS and Brown County leaders to partner with farmers to adopt, maintain, and expand leading-edge conservation strategies that improve soil health and reduce erosion. prgtoken Since its founding in 2013, Fox Demo Farms has stayed true to its mission, ensuring growers have the opportunity and resources for peer- to-peer education about experimental and innovative conservation farming practices. prgtoken Even more notable is Fox Demo Farms's success in fulfilling its vision to create a culture that encourages collaborative efforts to restore soil health, reduce runoff pollution, improve water quality, and support a strong regional economy. prgtoken During the past ten years, through its field days, roundtables, promotions, and social media platforms, Fox Demo Farms generated enthusiasm for new conservation farming practices. The Fox Demo Farms partnership with NRCS grew from four producers and Brown County Land and Water Conservation Department to eight producers, their crop consultants, land and water conservation departments at both Brown and Outagamie counties, Green Bay Metropolitan Sewerage District (NEW Water), and the University of Wisconsin-Extension. prgtoken Moreover, the collaborative work and success of Fox Demo Farms
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Lisa Murkowski (Republican, AK) \u2014 2023-11-15

on November 18 of 1923, a young couple living in Indianapolis, IN, George and Gertrude Stevens, welcomed their third child to the world, and they named him Theodore Fulton Stevens-- ``Ted,'' for short. prgtoken And like all new parents, I am sure that George and Gertrude were filled with hope and optimism about their boy's future: the things that he would do, the places that he would go, the life that he would have. But I suspect that even they didn't realize what an extraordinary life he would lead, a life of service and accomplishment during which he earned his place as a giant in the history of this Chamber and certainly in my State of Alaska. prgtoken So we are looking forward to the 100th anniversary of the birth of the late Senator Ted Stevens. This is coming up on Saturday. So I have come to the floor this afternoon to make sure that all of us who serve here and all who are listening know why it is important that we continue to remember and celebrate this truly great man. prgtoken Ted's service to our country began during World War II when he enlisted in the Army Air Corps as a pilot. He supported General Chennault's Flying Tigers in the China-Burma-India theater, flying missions over the Hump many, many times behind enemy lines. prgtoken After the war, Ted Stevens completed law school. He moved ``north to the future,'' to Alaska, where he served as a U.S. attorney in Fairbanks. It was just a few years later, during the Eisenhower administration, that he joined the Department of the Interior, where he served as Secretary Fred Seaton's right-hand man in the successful fight for Alaska's statehood. Then, after statehood, Ted was elected to the Alaska House of Representatives. That was 1964. prgtoken He was then appointed to the U.S. Senate in 1968. He would go on to win reelection to the Senate seven straight times, receiving almost 80 percent of the vote back in 2002. In all, he served his State and his country for a total of 40 years and 10 days as a Senator--pretty extraordinary. prgtoken And Ted was a pretty busy legislator. He chaired four different committees, including Appropriations. His colleagues chose him to be their minority whip, the majority whip, and the assistant leader. He led the Senate's Arms Control Observer Group, the U.S.-China interparliamentary group, and he also spent several years as our President pro tempore. prgtoken Ted was, by all accounts, a very powerful legislator, but he used his power for a single purpose, and that was to help his country and to help his State. For him, it was pretty basic. prgtoken He helped us settle Aboriginal land claims and create Alaska Native corporations. He secured the authorization to build the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System, which remains, to this day, our State's economic backbone and provides for our energy security. prgtoken Ted was an outdoors guy. He loved fishing. He was able to write the framework that continues toda
RECOGNIZING THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BENZIE AREA CHRISTIAN NEIGHBORS
Jack Bergman (Republican, MI) \u2014 2023-11-15

it is my honor to recognize the Benzie Area Christian Neighbors (BACN) for 40 years of dedicated service and charity. BACN serves as an inspiration to the community, standing by their mission of improving the quality of life for others and lending a hand to those in need. prgtoken Founded in 1983, BACN has since performed an integral role in the Benzie Area. The group provides direct, needs-based assistance to those in the area who desperately require it. If BACN can't provide the support necessary themselves, they always assist with a referral to those who can. Over the years as BACN grew, it began to transform from a growing charity to a vibrant organization of faithful people working to better our society. prgtoken For 40 years, the list of services that BACN offers has expanded substantially. Today, BACN is proud to provide a stocked food pantry, a large clothing center, adult education opportunities, financial assistance and so much more. BACN also partners with larger philanthropic entities in order to extend the best possible services to the Northern Michigan community. Through their collaborative efforts, no one who seeks help is turned away empty handed. prgtoken The spirit of selflessness and compassion which characterizes BACN is what makes it special. Dedicated volunteers fill many crucial roles within the BACN network, serving as coordinators, organizers, and staff in all of the different locales of service. Their commitment and support have kept BACN running efficiently these past 40 years. prgtoken , it is my honor to congratulate the Benzie Area Christian Neighbors for 40 outstanding years of service to the Benzie community. I'd like to thank BACN for their continued outreach and charitable programs, and I wish them the best in their future endeavors.
WISHING BONNIE FAYE HADDOCK JACKSON A HAPPY 100TH BIRTHDAY
John H. Rutherford (Republican, FL) \u2014 2023-11-15

I rise today to recognize Bonnie Faye Haddock Jackson on the occasion of her upcoming 100th birthday. prgtoken Bonnie was born in Kings Ferry, Florida, to Louis and Mattie Henderson Haddock on November 26, 1923. Bonnie spent her life investing in our community. prgtoken Bonnie attended Eagle Academy in King's Ferry and Hilliard High School in Hilliard, Florida. She then met the love of her life, Fred Jackson, a U.S. Army officer, who served our Nation during World War II. prgtoken Together, Bonnie and Fred raised a family and built a legacy in northeast Florida that is carried on by their 11 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, and 14 great-great-grandchildren. prgtoken A steadfast steward of her faith, Bonnie has been a lifelong member-- that is 100 years of membership--at Ephesus Baptist Church in Hilliard. prgtoken Her family values and dedication to those around her have earned her a reputation as a meticulous housekeeper, an amazing cook, a talented gardener, and a faithful and devoted matriarch to her growing family. prgtoken , I am honored to have the opportunity to wish Bonnie a very prgtoken happy 100th birthday from the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives. prgtoken , I thank Bonnie and her family for all they do to enrich our northeast Florida community. Her impressive legacy sets an example for all of us to follow. prgtoken , God bless Bonnie in her 100th year of life.
UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUESTS--EXECUTIVE CALENDAR
Mike Lee (Republican, UT) \u2014 2023-11-15

reserving the right to object, we live in a great country. It is a country that has thrived precisely because we have sought, since the moment of our founding, to live under the rule of law; that when we make a law, we do our best to follow it. prgtoken It doesn't always work that smoothly. I know the process of making law and enforcing law and interpreting the law can be messy. People have strong opinions about what the law ought to be, how it ought to be enforced, what the law means. But, you know, we have been at our best when we accept the fundamental premise that although the task may be difficult and although people might reach different conclusions regarding what the law should be, how the law ought to be enforced, and how it ought to be interpreted, that there is a right answer. prgtoken We might not all agree on what the right answer is, but if we agree that there is a right answer and it is our obligation to find it and then defend it once we have found it, we are going to be better off. prgtoken One of the things that differentiated our form of government from that of our mother country is the twin set of structural protections in the Constitution that separate and divide power. Our Founding Fathers understood, through sad experience, that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men and women everywhere, as soon as they get a little authority, a little power, that they will begin to exercise what we call unrighteous dominion; that is, they have a tendency to abuse their power. They have a tendency to become tyrants, petty or grand. To that end, they understood something about human nature. They understood what Madison described in Federalist No. 51; that if men were angels, we would have no need of government. If we had access to angels to govern us, we wouldn't need rules, we wouldn't need constraints around government power. But, alas, we are not angels. We don't have access to angels. Angels are not to be found among us, certainly not in the E-Ring of the Pentagon, certainly not in the White House today. They are no angels, neither are we. But we have rules. prgtoken To that end, our Founding Fathers sought to subdivide power, to slice it and dice it. In short, they separated out power along two axes, establishing these two fundamental structural protections that really have helped foster the development of the greatest civilization the world has ever known. prgtoken The first of these structural protections operates on a vertical axis. We call that Federalism. It says that most power in our system of government doesn't belong in Washington, DC. It doesn't belong at the national level. It belongs at the State and local level where most of the power is reserved. prgtoken It says that only a few powers designated as Federal, as national, by the Constitution will be lodged within the Federal Government. Among those powers, just a few basic national authorities: the power to reg
REMEMBERING CLAY MATHILE
Michael R. Turner (Republican, OH) \u2014 2023-11-15

I want to honor and pay tribute to the life and accomplishments of Clay Mathile, a philanthropist, community leader, and businessman from my Congressional district, who passed away on August 26, 2023. prgtoken Clay Mathile was a pillar of the Dayton community. He moved to Dayton in 1970 to begin work with Iams Food Company, a producer of premier pet food products. Clay played an influential role in growing the Iams brand and company, became part-owner in 1975, and fully took over ownership when Paul Iams retired in 1982. prgtoken Throughout the next 17 years, Clay led lams to be a world leader in dog and cat nutrition. Equally important as enriching the lives of pets was his intention to enrich the lives of the individuals who worked at Iams. Clay deeply believed that when people were fulfilled at work, it sparked a ripple effect that uplifted not just those individuals, but their families and communities. He was a man who empowered people to do their best work, created opportunities for their learning and growth, and ultimately helped people experience personal fulfillment. prgtoken Clay shepherded Iams to become a leader in the pet food industry, and eventually sold the company to Proctor & Gamble. When the sale was finalized, Clay distributed $100 million to the company's employees, giving back to those who made Iams' success possible. He also committed $100 million to fund community projects in the Dayton area, investing in Dayton's future generations. prgtoken Clay Mathile's philanthropic efforts were widespread across the Miami Valley and his generous legacy echoes still today, carried on by his family. The Mathile Family Foundation has invested more than $500 million in grants to local organizations that focus on children, families, and education. Clay also founded Aileron, a nonprofit organization dedicated to developing small business leaders across the county, which hosts more than 15,000 business leaders every year on their campus just north of Dayton in Tipp City, Ohio. prgtoken The life and service of Clay Mathile have not gone unnoticed by his fellow Daytonians. Clay was a prominent businessman and philanthropist, recognized as the Citizen Legion of Honor award winner by the Presidents Club of Dayton in 2014, and the Maureen Patterson Regional Leader Award in 2019 by the Dayton Development Coalition. However, these titles meant little in comparison to Clay's role within his family as a husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. prgtoken I join the entire Miami Valley in mourning the loss of a remarkable man who uplifted countless others through his career and philanthropy. Dayton, the state of Ohio, and our country has lost an icon, and I have lost a friend. My heartfelt condolences are with Clay's wife Mary Ann, his children Cate and Don Laden, Tim and Lynn Mathile, Mike and Michelle Mathile, Tina Mathile, Jennifer and Pat Prikkel, his 15 grandchildren and their families; and his
FURTHER CONTINUING APPROPRIATIONS AND OTHER EXTENSIONS ACT, 2024
Rand Paul (Republican, KY) \u2014 2023-11-15

to continue spending money at the current levels will inevitably lead to the bankruptcy of our great Nation. My amendment, in order to stave off such a terrible fiscal outcome, would cut approximately 1 percent of our budgetary spending and help to put us on the path toward fiscal responsibility. prgtoken In June of this year, the national debt surpassed $32 trillion. Then, in September, the national debt surpassed $33 trillion. You heard that right. It took Congress 90 short days to add $1 trillion in debt. Unless we change course, the debt will consume us. prgtoken America's future as a nation is not threatened from without but from within. Our mounting debt will ultimately force a day of reckoning. The Congressional Budget Office predicts that we will add an average of $2 trillion in debt every year for the next decade. Using Congressional Budget Office projections, the U.S. Government will add over $5 billion to its debt pile every single day for the next 10 years. prgtoken We borrow over $176 million every hour. We borrow $3 million every minute, and we borrow $50,000 every second. It is only a matter of time before the world wakes up and refuses to buy our debt. prgtoken This reckless level of borrowing and spending is patently unsustainable. The ever-increasing heights of our debt mean a weak economy, high inflation, and confiscatory tax rates. In other words, today's spending threatens tomorrow's prosperity. prgtoken According to William McBride of the Tax Foundation, ``outside of the pandemic years, this year's federal deficit is the highest in U.S. history.'' prgtoken McBride continues: Figures from the Congressional Budget Office for fiscal year 2023 indicate that the federal deficit grew by about $2 trillion. prgtoken McBride also states that ``while tax revenue has increased 28 percent since the prepandemic year of 2019, spending has increased about 46 percent and the deficit has more than doubled. Annual deficits are headed toward [even] $3 trillion'' a year if we don't wake up and do something about it. prgtoken McBride concludes: In sum, the federal budget continues on a perilous course. . . . Now would be a good time for our political leaders to present a coherent plan for dealing with the debt problem before it becomes an urgent crisis. prgtoken That is why I am here on the floor today. Americans are starved for a voice of fiscal sanity. Americans understand far better than the Nation's elites that time is running out. Americans will pay dearly for Congress's inability to say no to every cause, every line item, every pinstripe lobbyist. We will pay more to Uncle Sam in the form of taxes. We will pay more for groceries because of high levels of inflation that will destroy our purchasing power. And we will find a generation of kids who won't leave their parents' homes because businesses cannot afford to hire them. prgtoken It doesn't have t