mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
Unanimous Consent Request--Executive Calendar (Executive Calendar)
Tommy Tuberville (Republican, AL) \u2014 2023-5-10

I want to thank my friends from the House for their support today. But the question today is, What kind of Nation do we want to be? This debate speaks to the moral fabric of our society. prgtoken We boast the most powerful military in the history of the world. The purpose of that military is for the strongest among us to protect the weak. prgtoken In America, those with the broadest shoulders guard those with the narrowest. Yet the administration wants to mobilize our military against the weakest and the most defenseless--the unborn. I believe that is wrong. It is immoral. prgtoken My colleague has described an abortion as just another medical procedure. He mentioned Lasik. He also talked about bunions. prgtoken The children of our Nation are not just another routine medical procedure. That is why I am standing here to object. prgtoken For 40 years, we have had a bipartisan agreement--40 years. Americans may have different views about abortion, but the majority of this country believes that taxpayers should not have to fund abortions. Secretary Austin blew up 40 years of tradition, an agreement, by just one memo--one memo. There was no debate in the Senate. There was no vote in the House. And here is why. They didn't have the votes. This administration couldn't change abortion laws here in the Senate or the House, so they wrote a memo. prgtoken Our Cabinet Secretaries aren't supposed to be politicians. They are there to uphold and enforce the laws made in this building. Yet Secretary Austin is the most political Secretary of Defense we have ever seen. prgtoken I am glad to hear Senator Warren got her prompt reply from Secretary Austin this week. As I recall, she made her request on April 6. She got a response a month later. That is certainly not the kind of treatment I have received from the Pentagon. Maybe it has got something to do with my political party. prgtoken Nearly a year ago I joined 12 other s in a letter to Secretary Austin, this past July. We asked the Secretary to substantiate the comment he made about abortions being necessary for military readiness. We are still waiting for a reply. prgtoken In November, we sent the Department another letter. This time it was just asking for a short and small briefing--just a briefing. That is all we were asking for. We heard they were going to move forward with an abortion policy that was illegal. Secretary Austin did not reply. prgtoken In December, I informed Secretary Austin in writing that I would hold his highest nominees if he went forward with this unlawful abortion policy. Well, in February, Secretary Austin implemented that policy, so I kept my word. The very next day, we put a hold on his nominees. prgtoken You know, I didn't get a phone call from Secretary Austin until 1 month after I put the hold into effect--1 month. During the call, he offered me absolutely no compromise. He didn't offer to meet or discuss. Unlike Senato
CELEBRATING THE SERVICE OF DOUGLAS J. ERICKSON
Glenn Thompson (Republican, PA) \u2014 2023-5-10

I rise today to celebrate the retirement and longtime service of Patton Township Manager Douglas J. Erickson, who has served the Centre County community for over 25 years. prgtoken Douglas Erickson began as township engineer and director of public works in 1998 before becoming township manager in 2006. While 18 township supervisors have come and gone since his first day as a township employee, Erickson has remained committed to public service. prgtoken In his time, Doug oversaw the rapid expansion and development of the State College suburb and left a long legacy of accomplishments. prgtoken Under his leadership, Patton Township has seen unprecedented growth, including adding thousands of new residents and the construction of nearly 3,000 new homes. prgtoken The township government has grown to include more than 15 employees in police, public works, administration and finance and engineering, and planning and zoning departments. Doug has secured an incredible $30 million in grants for township projects, helping to improve the quality of life for all the township's residents. prgtoken , I thank Douglas J. Erickson for his commitment to serving his community of Patton Township, and I wish him a very happy retirement.
SECURE THE BORDER ACT OF 2023
August Pfluger (Republican, TX) \u2014 2023-5-10

I thank the chairman for yielding. prgtoken , I rise today in support of all Texans and all Americans whose lives have been put at risk by the untenable crisis at our southern border. prgtoken Let's just look at the numbers. In the 2 years that this President has been in office, there have been over 5 million encounters at the southern border, 1.4 million got-aways, and countless numbers of people who matched not only the terrorist watch list, but also criminal organizations. That totals nearly 6\1/2\ million people. prgtoken To put that in perspective, that is bigger than over 33 States in the United States. Among those 5 million, our Border Patrol have caught nearly 200 known and suspected terrorists trying to cross into our country illegally. This should not only concern every American, but it also outrages Americans who want law and order and safety to be considered. prgtoken What I am even more concerned about is: How many among the 1.4 million got-aways would match that list that we don't know about? prgtoken This is something that I have been sounding the alarm bells for my entire time in Congress. It is something that, unfortunately, my colleagues have buried their heads in the sand and refused to address for the last 2 years. prgtoken I could continue talking about the terrible numbers all day, about the 15,000 criminals arrested, the 14,000 pounds of fentanyl that have been seized, which, by the way, is enough to kill 3 billion people, and that is just in the last 6 months. prgtoken Instead, I will turn the focus of today's discussion about border security back to the tragedies, the human tragedies, which are affecting every district, including mine. prgtoken Americans like Elisa Tambunga whose 7-year-old daughter and 71-year- old grandmother were tragically killed by human traffickers doing 105 miles an hour with 11 illegal immigrants in the back seat who hit their car and instantly killed them. They are the victims. prgtoken Let's talk about the 700 unaccompanied migrant children who have been prgtoken displaced and separated. These 700 unaccompanied migrants were dropped off in Midland, Texas, trafficked by traffickers away from their parents, and dropped off in the middle of the night. They are the victims. prgtoken What about fathers like Joe Warnick of Odessa, Texas, who found his 17-year-old son dead after taking a pill laced with fentanyl. He is a victim, along with 110,000 Americans last year who lost their lives to fentanyl. prgtoken The 53 migrants who died in the sweltering heat in the back of a tractor trailer south of San Antonio, Texas, last year, they are the victims. These are real people. prgtoken This is not just a border crisis. This is a national security emergency. Texans demand a solution. prgtoken Today, I am proud to join my colleagues in supporting H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act. prgtoken The timing of this legislation could not be more precise with the ending of title 42
Debt Ceiling (Executive Session)
John Thune (Republican, SD) \u2014 2023-5-10

it is May 10--May 10. If the President's Treasury Secretary is correct, in 3 weeks, the United States could reach the limit of its borrowing capacity, and--and, absent an agreement between the President and Congress to raise the debt ceiling, begin to default on its debts. But if you think that means the President has gotten serious about reaching a debt ceiling agreement, you would be wrong. prgtoken The President did invite the ic and leaders of the House and Senate to the White House yesterday, presumably, one would think, to finally begin negotiating. But as it turned out, the meeting was apparently a little more than an occasion for the President to reiterate his position that he won't negotiate. prgtoken Here is the political reality: The President can't raise the debt ceiling by himself. He has to work with Congress, and, more specifically, he has to work with McCarthy and the - controlled House of Representatives. That is just the reality. prgtoken The American people sent divided government to Washington last November, and divided government requires compromise. It requires negotiation. Frankly, it is the height of arrogance for the President and the Senate ic leader to think that they are somehow the exception to that, to think that they should be able to simply decree what they want--in this case, an increase in the debt ceiling with no spending reforms--and have everyone else just fall in line. prgtoken That is not the way our system of government works. I get that the President would like things to work that way, but they don't, and the sooner he accepts that fact the better because the fiscal stability of our country is hanging in the balance here. Unless the President comes to the negotiating table for real, he is going to be responsible for the United States defaulting on its debts. prgtoken Let's talk for a minute about why the President doesn't want to negotiate, why he is insisting on a clean prgtoken debt limit bill. Well, it is really quite simple. House s want to pair any increase in the debt ceiling with spending reforms, and the President doesn't want anything that will restrain his ability to spend. He is intent on expanding the size and reach of the Federal Government, and spending reforms would get in the way. prgtoken What President does not seem to realize, however, is that our Nation is on an unsustainable spending trajectory. Spending under the administration has reached staggering levels. The total Federal budget for fiscal year 2023 is up approximately 40 percent from 2019, the last budget before the pandemic--40 percent. And under the President's budget, over the next decade, the Federal budget would reach a staggering $10 trillion, a 125-percent increase from its prepandemic level. Think about it--a 125-percent increase in the cost of government from the prepandemic level. Our country and our economy ca
RECOGNIZING NORTH CAROLINA BAPTIST HOSPITAL
Thom Tillis (Republican, NC) \u2014 2023-5-10

North Carolina Baptist Hospital opened on May 28, 1923, as an 88-bed hospital in Winston-Salem, with a simple commitment: to be a place of healing and teaching. prgtoken Since 1923, North Carolina Baptist Hospital has served the community and the region through educational programs. The School of Nursing educated nurses from 1923 to 1974, and the Bowman Gray School of Medicine graduated its first class in 1943. prgtoken Today, the hospital plays a pivotal role in research and education for Wake Forest University School of Medicine, a nationally known leader in groundbreaking research and experiential medical education, and the academic core of Advocate Health. North Carolina Baptist Hospital has grown over the years. Now known as Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, the hospital continues to grow to meet the needs of those it serves. prgtoken Today, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, has grown to become an 885-bed tertiary care hospital that includes Brenner Children's Hospital, and the health system includes five community hospitals, more prgtoken than 300 primary and specialty care locations, and more than 2,700 physicians. It has over 20,000 employees and is Winston-Salem and Forsyth County's largest employer. In 2022, construction began for a new critical care tower at the medical center. The investment in this world-class facility will transform emergency and critical care throughout the region. prgtoken The hospital and the health system continues to expand services, make research discoveries to bring medical innovations to patients more quickly, and educate the next generation of healthcare professionals-- to meet the growing needs of the communities it serves and to improve health, elevate hope, and advance healing--for all.
SECURE THE BORDER ACT OF 2023
Mark E. Green (Republican, TN) \u2014 2023-5-10

the balance of my time. prgtoken , the American people cannot wait any longer for secure borders and safe communities. Securing the border should not be a partisan issue. It is an American issue. It is the Federal Government's responsibility to do so. When they fail, Congress, a coequal branch of government, should step in and hold them accountable. That is what we are doing here today. prgtoken The administration produced the catastrophic humanitarian tragedy we are seeing today, dismantling all semblance of law and order and sending a clear message to the cartels that our border is open. prgtoken We have all seen what has been happening in the past few days as title 42 comes to an end. It is a fact that the border is in shambles. prgtoken Frontline law enforcement personnel are overwhelmed and overworked as they are stretched physically and mentally amid this crisis. State and local resources are quickly depleting as they attempt to do the job that this administration has not done since its first day in charge: secure the borders and enforce the law. prgtoken The current situation at the border is unsustainable. Yet, over the past 2-plus years, my colleagues across the aisle have refused to hold the administration accountable for its ineffective policies, have watched the border fall into the hands of violent cartels, and have completely ignored the disaster that has only gotten worse by the day. prgtoken That must end today. The American people are fed up with inaction. prgtoken The -Mayorkas border crisis is a national security threat that must be addressed immediately. I encourage my colleagues to join House s in passing this very important legislation. prgtoken , I will close by addressing the patriots serving on the front lines of this crisis with no support or appreciation from this administration. Many of us have visited the border on several occasions, across multiple sectors, and have seen firsthand the work our Customs and Border Protection officers and agents do every single day to risk their lives for this great country. prgtoken To the officers and agents on the ground dealing with this crisis, on behalf of the American people, we appreciate you. We support you, and we have your back. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2, and .
18TH INSTALLMENT OF FARM BILL IMPACT SERIES
Tracey Mann (Republican, KS) \u2014 2023-5-10

. Madam , I rise today to deliver the 18th installment of my farm bill impact series and recap the time I spent in Kansas with House Agriculture Committee Chairman G.T. Thompson. prgtoken Last week, Chairman Thompson and I hosted a food and agriculture listening session with more than 150 farmers, ranchers, agricultural producers, and stakeholders on a wheat farm near Gypsum, Kansas. People from a wide range of perspectives shared their thoughts about the reauthorization of the farm bill. prgtoken While everyone had different viewpoints, we united because we care about American agriculture; we care about getting ag policy right; and we want to see American farmers, ranchers, and producers thrive. There is a picture of that unity right behind us in three combines, referenced right here, hoisting American flags. prgtoken John Deere, Case, and Gleaner--green, red, and gray. When you grow up on a farm, you are born into a loyalty to one of these trusted American brands. They are different. They have different styles and different features, but they are all designed to do the same thing: harvest. They are designed to produce, to take months and months of hard work and effectively churn out a product. prgtoken Our food and agriculture listening session was no different. Everyone present brought different styles, priorities, background, and tools to the table, but we were there to do the same thing: harvest, produce, and take hard work and effectively churn out a product. That is the farm bill. prgtoken Without the advocacy and input of producers and stakeholders, my colleagues and I wouldn't have a complete picture of what needs to be done on ag legislation. We would just be one combine. prgtoken At our event, we hosted people who care about title I and people who care about title XII. There were people who care about row crops and people who care about livestock. There were representatives from commodity groups and representatives from trade associations. It was a rich, multifaceted picture of American agriculture, and I am grateful to everyone who joined us and for the Kansas agriculture heritage that inspired us to spend time together on that wheat farm. prgtoken The brave men and women who ventured west in search of new opportunities settled Kansas and took on the burden of feeding, fueling, and clothing the world. They struggled through the Dust Bowl, raised their kids in sod houses, and broke the prairie for the first time. In doing so, they laid the foundation for what we experienced last week: a shared history of feeding the world on the soil beneath our feet. prgtoken I remember in February 2021, when I just started this job in Congress, Kansas had 13 consecutive days of below-freezing temperatures, which was a 40-year record. While I was flying back and forth between Kansas and D.C I couldn't stop thinking about the Kansas producers and all they were facing. They were out busting ice by hand at all hours so
IN SUPPORT OF THE SOUTHWEST ILLINOIS CONNECTOR
Mike Bost (Republican, IL) \u2014 2023-5-10

. Madam , I rise today in support of a project that has been decades in the making: the Southwest Illinois Connector. prgtoken This proposed expansion of Illinois State Highways 127, 154, and 3 to four lanes would create a rural expressway prgtoken between St. Louis, Missouri, and Carbondale, Illinois. prgtoken The latest push for the Southwest Illinois Connector began in 2017 when officials in my district from Jackson, Perry, Randolph, and Monroe Counties formed the Four County Highway Coalition. prgtoken In 2019, this group partnered with the Illinois Department of Transportation to do a report and the project that would indicate exactly what this would affect. What they discovered was that it would create thousands of construction jobs. It would reduce auto accidents. It would boost economic development. It would benefit national security, and it would improve public health. prgtoken Now, I can't overstate how much of a difference this would make. The planned route of the Southwest Illinois Connector includes a stretch that is currently in the top 5 percent for traffic fatalities and injuries on two-lane highways. The Southwest Illinois Connector would also have an important impact on helping grow the economy and spur new investments in the region. It would also prove timely in the delivery of aid and assistance following a natural disaster and help address patient transport issues from rural areas for their healthcare needs. prgtoken In closing, I thank Murphysboro Mayor Will Stephens and Marc Kiehna, the Randolph County board chair, for their leadership in building a coalition of support for this long-sought-after project. This project would be the difference maker for southern Illinois.
THE SOUTHERN BORDER IS NOT SECURE
David Kustoff (Republican, TN) \u2014 2023-5-10

. Madam , I rise today to speak in support of H.R. 2, which is the Secure the Border Act. prgtoken Everyone knows that the southern border is not secure. At the start of his Presidency, halted construction of the border wall, essentially prevented Immigration and Customs Enforcement from doing its job to keep our country safe. prgtoken And took steps to end the Migrant Protection Protocols as well as other enforcement policies. prgtoken President 's open border policies have led to the humanitarian and national security crisis at our southern border today. Since took office, there have been over 5 million illegal border crossings at the southern border. Customs and Border Protection officers have seized over 14,000 pounds of deadly fentanyl that have come across our southern border. For perspective, that is enough fentanyl to kill every single American. prgtoken Furthermore, in just the first 6 months of this fiscal year, 2023, the names of 80 people who appear on the terrorist watch list were stopped trying to cross the southern border. prgtoken It is about to get much worse, because tomorrow, title 42, one of our most powerful tools to quickly expel illegal immigrants, will expire. Again, that happens tomorrow. prgtoken Title 42 is a public health order that allows migrants, who would otherwise be held in processing facilities, to be quickly expelled due to a risk of COVID-19 transmission. prgtoken The end of title 42 is expected to incentivize a worsening influx of illegal migrants. Border Patrol officials at our border are already seeing an unprecedented surge at our southern border with over 26,000 migrant apprehensions in just 72 hours. prgtoken For more than 2 years, President and his administration have ignored the crisis. I can tell you that House s have listened to the concerns of Americans and are working on solutions to the crisis. In our Commitment to America, we promised to create a Nation that is safe. prgtoken We are going to vote soon on the Secure the Border Act, to make sure that our southern border is, in fact, secure and to combat illegal immigration. prgtoken Just a few things that our Secure the Border Act will do: prgtoken Number 1, it will force the administration to restart construction of the border wall. prgtoken It will deploy technology to the southern and northern border. It will increase the number of Border Patrol agents, and it will increase their pay. It will require transparency regarding illegal crossings from the Department of Homeland Security. It will strengthen our current law to protect unaccompanied children from human trafficking. It will end catch and release. It will end the abuse of executive immigration authority. It will strengthen and streamline the asylum process. prgtoken This bill, the Secure the Border Act, fulfills our promise to the American people to offer solutions to a crisis that affects not just cities and States alo
Unanimous Consent Request--Executive Calendar (Executive Calendar)
Roger Marshall (Republican, KS) \u2014 2023-5-10

I am proud to stand with my friend, the senior Senator from the great State of Alabama, as he continues to fight against the Department of Defense's attempt to circumvent Congress and ignore existing Federal law which prevents the Department of Defense facilities from being used to provide or facilitate abortions for servicemembers. prgtoken The policy is immoral, taking the Department of Defense abortions from less than 20 per year to over 4,000 abortions annually. prgtoken It is beyond me why the White House wants to pick this fight. The policy is illegal. It forces taxpayers to subsidize abortion in violation of Federal law. The policy is outside the Department of Defense's mission to uphold and fight for life, not destroy it. prgtoken The administration and Senate claim this is harming our military readiness. With policies like this, they continue to destroy recruiting. If readiness was truly a concern of theirs, they wouldn't have discharged 8,000 troops for choosing not to take the COVID vaccine, a vaccine with minimal benefits to an otherwise healthy, young population. prgtoken Look, this policy is wrong, and until the military gets back to providing for our common defense and out of the business of abortion, I will proudly stand with Senator Tuberville. prgtoken .