mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 8580, MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, VETERANS AFFAIRS, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2025 AND PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 8282, ILLEGITIMATE COURT...
Teresa Leger Fernandez (Democrat, NM) \u2014 2024-6-4

I thank Mr. McGovern for pointing out the importance of choosing our leaders wisely and choosing those who would reject tyrannical tendencies themselves or to ally themselves with tyrants. This reminds me that 250 years ago when the revolutionaries of our American soil decided to fight to escape the tyrannical and authoritarian rule of the king, some pushed back. They were concerned that the people of the beautiful experiment we call America would not be able to choose the right leader. prgtoken Samuel Adams believed that virtue was the soul of democracy. He said these beautiful words: A moral people will elect moral leaders. A moral people will elect moral leaders. prgtoken I have incredible faith in our American people. I know that they honor and cherish our Constitution. I know that the American people will honor the rule of law. Today, I will not speak of the 34 reasons why I know that the American people are moral people and will elect moral leaders. prgtoken Today, instead, I will speak about the manner in which Americans not just cherish virtue, rule of law, and our Constitution, Americans also cherish our veterans and our military. The appropriations bill the s have presented today does not cherish or honor the sacrifices our servicemembers made in battle for this country. Instead, it sacrifices our national security to industries and lobbyists who don't want us to even acknowledge climate change. prgtoken The last night actually recognized that it would be common sense to protect our bases from sea rise and flooding, but this bill strips funding for climate resilience. They would sacrifice our military readiness for climate denialism. prgtoken This bill is a kitchen sink of culture wars rather than one that honors our servicemembers and veterans. Instead of focusing on what our military bases need for readiness, s are attacking women's healthcare, promoting discrimination against LGBTQ veterans, and denying climate change. This appropriations bill will prevent women veterans from receiving reproductive healthcare wherever they may live. prgtoken If a female veteran's health is at risk during her pregnancy, s don't want her to get VA care in the full array that she may need it. If she lives in Texas, Alabama, or a State that took away her reproductive healthcare, she might find herself waiting in an emergency room parking lot until she is near death. prgtoken I have made difficult decisions about life-threatening conditions during my own pregnancies. I enjoyed the right to make decisions about my health with the people I trust and love, my doctors, and my own faith in God. I want every woman to have the same right, to have access to healthcare if her health is at risk during pregnancy, especially if she is a veteran who has served our country. prgtoken All veterans deserve our respect wherever they live. That respect is measured by action, actions that protect
Unanimous Consent Request--S. Res. 718 (Executive Calendar)
Edward J. Markey (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2024-6-4

this resolution threatens fundamental life sciences research. Research is medicine's field of dreams from which we harvest the findings that give hope to families. prgtoken Over 1 million people died from COVID-19, and tens of thousands of Americans die annually from the seasonal flu. It is scientific research that develops the vaccines and treatments that save lives. prgtoken It is clear that we need every tool at our disposal to combat viral illnesses and pandemics, and labs across the country are developing research that will create the vaccines and the therapeutics of tomorrow. But what this resolution does is create overbroad restrictions on scientific research in order to accomplish a goal which unfortunately is unrelated to what should be our highest goals. prgtoken Bans like those envisioned by this resolution would tie the hands of researchers who are doing lifesaving work. This resolution would send a dangerous signal that the U.S. Senate does not value lifesaving research prgtoken being conducted by our Federal research Agencies and at our world-class research universities. prgtoken We must be prepared for future pandemics, especially as climate change accelerates the transmission of deadly diseases. prgtoken In the last few months, we have seen H5N1 bird flu transmitted from dairy cattle to humans. This resolution could block researchers from understanding the mutations that allow bird flu to infect humans, effectively banning us from preventing outbreaks and protecting farm workers. prgtoken Medical research is an issue of national security. Stronger research means stronger security. This resolution would not prepare us for emerging disease threats, and it would not make our Nation safer. Bowing to political pressure to promote a research ban without understanding the implications on research, biosecurity, biosafety, or public health is dangerous, and it is reckless. prgtoken Investments in biomedical research are investments in hope and health and safety that serve our country today and into the future. For those reasons, I object.
Right to Contraception Act (Executive Calendar)
Peter Welch (Democrat, VT) \u2014 2024-6-4

we have had a dismal history recently with the U.S. Supreme Court. In my view, it has totally failed the American people. prgtoken In the name of States' rights, the Supreme Court has taken away freedom and caused distress and uncertainty for women and individuals across the country. It is outrageous that, because of this Court and this decision, people have fewer rights today than they did 50 years ago. Of course, I refer to the Dobbs decision, in which the Supreme Court--to its everlasting shame and in its infamy--took away a constitutional right. prgtoken It should be noted that, in a post-Dobbs world, women are leaning on contraceptive care more, and doctors see more demand. That now is threatened. For anyone who read that Dobbs decision and the Thomas concurrence in that decision, he laid it out where he at least intends to go. prgtoken There seems to be some confusion among my colleagues across the aisle about what this bill is and how important reproductive healthcare is, and I thank the Presiding Officer for his leadership on this with our colleague from Hawaii. prgtoken It is very important as everyone needs access both to whatever birth control options make the most sense to them and access to whatever preventive healthcare makes sense to them. Contraceptives can help prevent and treat medical conditions. This is about ensuring that every person in every ZIP Code has access to the birth control that they need if they need it. prgtoken This is the right of women and every individual to make decisions about their bodies and their futures. Politicians should not be involved. The Court shouldn't even be intimating it is threatening to take that away, and this legislation is needed to guarantee that they won't. prgtoken After Roe was overturned in June 2022, Vermont voters went to the polls. They took their own liberty into their own hands after not being able to rely on the U.S. Supreme Court to protect it. In article 22 of the Vermont Constitution--a new amendment--it permanently protects reproductive liberties. prgtoken It says: That an individual's right to personal reproductive autonomy is central to the liberty and dignity to determine one's own life course and shall not be denied or infringed unless justified by a compelling State interest achieved by the least restrictive means. prgtoken This would stop future anti-choice legislation from advancing in our State of Vermont. prgtoken We enacted comprehensive legislation in 2019 in Vermont, under a Governor, that would ``recognize prgtoken as a fundamental right the freedom of reproductive choice'' and ``prohibit public entities from interfering with or restricting the right of an individual to terminate the individual's pregnancy.'' prgtoken As far back as 1972, the Vermont Supreme Court became the fourth State in the Nation to legalize abortion. Vermont has a long history of protecting reproductive
ILLEGITIMATE COURT COUNTERACTION ACT
Bill Pascrell, Jr. (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2024-6-4

I missed 8 roll call votes today. Had I been present, I would have voted: prgtoken Roll Call 235, Ordering the Previous Question for H. Res. 1269, NO; prgtoken Roll Call 236, Passage of H. Res. 1269, NO; prgtoken Roll Call 237, Bost Amendment No. 8, NO; prgtoken Roll Call 238, Crane Amendment No. 10, NO; prgtoken Roll Call 239, Greene of Georgia Amendment No. 16, NO; prgtoken Roll Call 240, Mast Amendment No. 28, YES; prgtoken Roll Call 241, Self Amendment No. 42, NO; and prgtoken Roll Call 242, Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act, NO.
RIGHT TO CONTRACEPTION ACT
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2024-6-4

. So, , tomorrow, the Senate will take action. Tomorrow, the Senate will defend the freedom of choice with a vote on the Right to Contraception Act, led by Senators Markey and Hirono. prgtoken Federal protections for contraceptives are a critical piece of protecting women's reproductive freedoms, and this legislation would codify the right to contraception into Federal law. As MAGA s continue to block protections for access to contraception on the State level--in States like Virginia, Nevada, and Arizona--it is all the more reason to move to protect contraception at the Federal level. prgtoken To those who think that Federal action in protecting access to birth control is unnecessary, just look at what is happening in States like Virginia and Nevada and Arizona, where s are openly blocking these very protections. prgtoken I would hope that protecting access to birth control would be the definition of an easy, uncontroversial decision here in the Senate, but the vote will tell all when we gavel in tomorrow. And there will be more action to come. prgtoken Last night, I began the rule XIV process for the Right to IVF Act, led by Senators Duckworth and Murray and Booker, to place it on the legislative calendar and make it available for consideration on the floor. I intend to bring this legislation protecting access to IVF up for a vote very soon. prgtoken Millions of Americans have relied on IVF to have children, but after a stunningly radical decision by the Alabama Supreme Court jeopardized access to IVF, families are rightfully worried that this option could be stripped away. So Senate will act to safeguard and strengthen IVF access for all Americans so that everyone has a chance to start a family. prgtoken In the coming weeks, Senate will put reproductive freedoms front and center before this Chamber so that the American people can see for themselves who will stand up to defend their fundamental liberties.
RECOGNIZING THE 2024 GOLDWATER SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT, CHRISTIAN PENA
Jared Moskowitz (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2024-6-4

I rise today to recognize Mr. Christian Pena, the recipient of the 2024 Goldwater Scholarship. prgtoken The Barry Goldwater Scholarship Foundation annually awards sophomores and juniors in college who have demonstrated an elevated skillset in mathematics, engineering, and science. It is awarded to students to encourage and contribute to their professional endeavors, aiming to bolster the capabilities and quality of U.S. professionals in these fields. Previous scholarship recipients have pursued careers where they have contributed to improving our Nation's well-being. prgtoken Mr , please join me in recognizing Mr. Christian Pena for his academic dedication to mathematics, science, and engineering.
HONORING JIMMY WILLIAMS
Bennie G. Thompson (Democrat, MS) \u2014 2024-6-4

I rise today to honor the dedicated efforts of JW Cleaning & Maintenance, owned, and operated by Jimmy Williams. A true entrepreneur, an enthusiastic and self-motivated business owner from Cleveland, Mississippi. prgtoken Jimmy Williams started JW Cleaning & Maintenance 20 years ago. The idea of this business on the side developed while working at Baxter Healthcare, where he retired after 31 years. He was also co-owner and operator of County Platter restaurant. After retirement he focused his attention on other ventures, including the cleaning service. He specializes in cleaning and maintaining the upkeep of several medical offices, banks, and businesses in the area. He does both commercial and residential maintenance and cleaning. prgtoken Mr. Williams embarked upon the cleaning and maintenance business specifically because he did so much of that while working at Baxter and supervised others doing that. He has a staff of five as well as others when needed. His daughter, Sheila Williams, also works for the business. She handles the books, paperwork, and the business side of the company. Mr. Williams states, ``we're thorough and efficient, we do a good job, and we take pride in our work. I check on my staff daily and often go into the offices we clean the mornings before their staff arrives to make sure everything was done properly if I didn't do the work myself.'' His slogan, ``Doing whatever needs to be done, wherever it is needed''. This is how his business has remained successful. prgtoken He is motivated to make positive impacts on his community by helping people in the community. He loves to cook and take meals to the elderly people in the area as a part of simply giving back to his hometown of Cleveland. This also keeps him active and gives him an opportunity to stay connected with the community. prgtoken , I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Jimmy Williams for his dedication and initiative in continuing to offer his services to the community, surrounding areas and the MS Delta. His collective contributions are truly inspiring and reflect the best of our shared values as citizens and neighbors.
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, VETERANS AFFAIRS, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2025
Debbie Wasserman Schultz (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2024-6-4

. Mr. Chair, I rise to oppose the various harmful policy riders included in this bill. prgtoken Specifically, there are two sets of riders that I believe are the most poisonous. First, section 255 would prohibit the VA from implementing a rule on abortions, essentially making it the law that a woman veteran has to be dying in order to have access to an abortion. Never mind if an abortion is in the best medical interest of the veteran, this rider ignores that harsh but brutal reality that some veterans will face. It further limits women's access to reproductive care by prohibiting the VA from offering abortion counseling and making it more difficult for women veterans to access abortion services. prgtoken Many of our colleagues are obsessed with adopting a national abortion ban, and their fanatic compulsion to control women's bodies will apparently spare no one, even if it means stealing away reproductive freedoms of the brave veterans who served to protect every last one of our freedoms. prgtoken This radical agenda is so out of sync with Americans' political mainstream, most self-described s across prgtoken the country don't support it. It certainly should not be poisoning this historically bipartisan bill that our veterans and servicemembers desperately count on. prgtoken Further, sections 256, 257, and 416 are discriminatory riders against our LGBTQI+ community. The riders block gender-affirming care, limit the ability to fly the Pride flag at VA facilities, and create a license to discriminate against the LGBTQI+ community under the guise of religious freedom. prgtoken I was proud to sponsor amendments, joined by some of my ic colleagues, that would have stricken these provisions, but the majority blocked those amendments from receiving a vote. prgtoken Like the assaults on women's bodies, these extremist attacks undermine the basic tenets of equality and inclusivity at the very heart of our democratic values. prgtoken The VA should be welcoming and inclusive for everyone who volunteers to sacrifice and serve our Nation, not just some of them. prgtoken I single out these two particularly odious sets of riders, because unlike many of the genuine policy differences that we will have today, these are both especially cruel, discriminatory, and destined to shrivel under the unforgiving light of time and history. prgtoken We should all be uniting to ensure that veterans can find jobs, feed their families, keep roofs over their heads, and get the care they deserve, not dividing and politicizing their personal and medical decisions. prgtoken For these reasons, at the appropriate time, I will offer a motion to recommit this bill back to committee. If the House rules permitted, I would have offered the motion with an important amendment to this bill. My amendment would strike the harmful provisions I just described for you. prgtoken Mr. Chair, I include in the Record the text of my amendment.
ORDERS FOR WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2024
Richard Blumenthal (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2024-6-4

I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it stand adjourned until 10 a.m. on Wednesday, June 5; that following the prayer and pledge, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the morning hour be deemed expired, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, and morning business be closed; that following the conclusion of morning business, the Senate proceed to executive session to resume consideration of the Pipe nomination postcloture.
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, VETERANS AFFAIRS, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2025
J. Luis Correa (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2024-6-4

the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Bergman) has laid it out. We have veterans with invisible wounds that they have brought back from the battlefield. prgtoken One suicide is too many. We have MDMA therapy that is now being proven to be sometimes 90 percent effective in curing these invisible wounds. We owe it to our veterans, to our society, and to our friends and neighbors who have served to bring these therapies to them as quickly as possible. prgtoken Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support this measure.
ILLEGITIMATE COURT COUNTERACTION ACT
Brad Sherman (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2024-6-4

this was not a pro-Israel bill. Instead it was a poorly drafted, rush-to-the-floor, strictly partisan messaging bill that distracts the world from the hypocrisy of the ICC and focuses us instead on a supposedly pro-Israel, performatively pro-Israel bill. prgtoken We will have to vote ``no,'' and then we will have to work later to demonstrate how wrong and how putrid the action of the ICC is.
Nomination of Christopher T. Hanson (Executive Session)
Thomas R. Carper (Democrat, DE) \u2014 2024-6-4

I rise today in support of Christopher T. Hanson's nomination to serve an additional 5-year term as a member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, which he has chaired for several years. prgtoken I want to begin by saying a few words about this pivotal moment for clean nuclear energy in the United States of America. prgtoken Carbon-free nuclear power plays a critical and growing role in our electricity grid and is indispensable in our ongoing efforts to address the climate crisis and strengthen our Nation's energy security. prgtoken As many of our colleagues know, including the Presiding Officer, who is a Member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, nuclear energy has become the largest source of reliable clean energy in the United States of America--the largest--providing about 20 percent of our Nation's electricity--but listen to this--and nearly half of our clean power. prgtoken The administration is taking strong steps to ensure that nuclear energy can continue to be deployed both safely and efficiently. For example, just last week, the White House announced a new administration-wide effort to bolster the domestic nuclear energy industry by further harnessing American ingenuity and cutting-edge technologies. prgtoken The Nuclear Regulatory Commission also plays a vital role in facilitating the deployment of clean nuclear energy by protecting the safety of our existing nuclear facilities, while also ensuring that new sources of clean nuclear power meet the same rigorous standards for safety. prgtoken It is up to us, and it is up to us in Congress--the House and the Senate--to ensure that the Commission has both the strong leadership and the resources necessary for the 21st century. prgtoken That is why I am working closely with our ranking member, Shelly Capito of West Virginia, and other Members of our Environment and Public Works Committee to draft legislation known as the ADVANCE Act. prgtoken If signed into law, this legislation will provide the Commission the tools, the resources, and the workforce that it needs to safely usher in the future of nuclear energy in our country. prgtoken At this crucial moment for new nuclear technologies and our climate, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission also needs a full slate of Commissioners in order for this plan to succeed. prgtoken President has nominated a chair, its current Chair Hanson, to serve another 5-year term on the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. prgtoken He has skillfully led the Nuclear Regulatory Commission during his tenure as Chair for the last 4 years. Under his leadership, the Commission has undertaken significant efforts to modernize the Agency while dealing with constrained resources. prgtoken He has gone above and beyond to engage both the industry and our public, and he has advanced our efforts to slow climate change by leading the Commission to establish a regulatory framework for the safe licensing and operation of ne
GUN VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH
Emilia Strong Sykes (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2024-6-5

June is Gun Violence Awareness Month, a time to recognize the scourge of gun violence and work toward solutions to prevent gun violence in our communities. prgtoken On June 2, the people of Ohio's 13th Congressional District woke up to the news that every community dreads. We as a community were victims of a mass shooting. After a neighborhood block party, the joy of celebration quickly ended with 25 people shot and one of those people dying. prgtoken The shock of such a mass shooting barely penetrated the minds of the Nation because it has become so commonplace that we collectively didn't blink an eye. prgtoken People should not live in fear that a party turns into a mass- shooting event. This is a choice, and I choose, along with my constituents and my colleagues in the ic Caucus, to say: No more. Let's end gun violence in our communities. Let's finally put people over politics and fight the gun lobby and ensure that every person in Ohio's 13th Congressional District and across this Nation feel safe and secure no matter where they are.
IN CELEBRATION OF PRIDE MONTH
Andrea Salinas (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2024-6-5

I rise today as a mother and as a proud ally of the LGBTQ+ community to celebrate Pride Month. First and foremost, this month is about joy. It is about recognizing how far we have come in the fight for full equality. prgtoken Just 20 years ago, gay marriage was still illegal in almost every State and territory. I didn't know it back then, but I was about to become a mom to a beautiful queer child. Thank God things changed and my daughter was able to grow up in a country that recognizes her freedom to love and be who she is. prgtoken That is reason enough to be proud, but we still have work to do. As a Member of the Congressional Equality Caucus, I will keep fighting until every American can live out their truth and fulfill their potential without fear. prgtoken That is why I have championed bills to combat bullying and create a safer environment for our LGBTQ+ kids in schools, and I will continue to stand up for the trans community and push back against hateful, false narratives. prgtoken It is on us as elected officials to defend the rights of all Americans, no matter who they love or how they identify. I promise to do just that, not just this month, but every day of the year. prgtoken Happy Pride.