mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024--Continued
James E. Risch (Republican, ID) \u2014 2023-7-26

I rise to speak on behalf of amendment No. 1055, and I am happy to be a cosponsor with Senators Wicker, Kennedy, Hawley, and Sinema. I am pleased we are able to come together on this. Everyone on this floor wants to see that not a penny is wasted in Ukraine or goes where it shouldn't go. prgtoken We have several audits going on there right now, as all of us know. This really strengthens the audit function we are doing. These are enhancements that do not duplicate or undermine the current IG structure. The IG structure is currently run by State, USAID, and DOD. This brings them together and puts them under one head. prgtoken Unfortunately, the Paul amendment, which we are going to vote on side by side next, would undermine their work. It duplicates the current oversight structure, creates permanent bureaucracy, extends to areas far outside of Ukraine, and tries to superimpose a structure designed for Afghanistan, which was a very different war than what we are involved in now. prgtoken Thanks to efforts of Members of both parties, in the past year, we have enacted 39 legislative oversight provisions covering all money that has been appropriated to support Ukraine since the war began. These provisions have led to the completion of 35 oversight evaluations thus far, and another 67 more are planned or underway. To date, there has not been any substantiated evidence of illicit weapons transfer or misuse of U.S. taxpayer dollars. prgtoken The special inspector general for Afghanistan that Senator Paul's amendment proposes does not make sense for Ukraine. There are no U.S. forces fighting in Ukraine. Ukraine does not have the same security and defense concerns that Afghanistan did, and the war in Ukraine is dramatically smaller than the other war. prgtoken The State, DOD, and USAID have the capacity to do this. prgtoken This amendment is a good amendment. I would urge you to vote for this and against the next amendment. prgtoken I yield to Senator Wicker.
WADSWORTH BLUE TIP FESTIVAL 50TH ANNIVERSARY
Max L. Miller (Republican, OH) \u2014 2023-7-26

I rise today to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the annual Blue Tip Festival in Wadsworth, Ohio. prgtoken The Blue Tip Festival is a longstanding community celebration. The festival's name pays tribute to the city's former largest employer, the Ohio Match Company and their famous blue tip matches. prgtoken Each year, the Blue Tip Festival begins the Tuesday after Father's Day with a 2\1/2\-mile parade. The parade leads to the ceremonial lighting of a 17-foot blue tip match sculpture that holds the record for the world's largest matchstick sculpture. The next 5 days are filled with family fun like amusement rides, carnival games, festival food, and more. prgtoken I commend the city of Wadsworth and the Blue Tip Festival Committee for their commitment to make the Blue Tip Festival one of the best celebrations in Ohio's Seventh District. Year after year, their dedication has created a space for our community to recognize and enjoy Ohio's rich history. Here is to another safe and fun 50 years of the Blue Tip Festival.
REMEMBERING BOB PENNEY
Lisa Murkowski (Republican, AK) \u2014 2023-7-26

my dear friend, Robert Clark Penney, passed away on March 14, 2023. As we prepare to say our final goodbyes at a memorial ceremony this coming weekend, I am among many Alaskans who are reflecting on the legacy Bob created across our state and especially along his beloved Kenai River. prgtoken Named Alaska's Ambassador for Sport Fishing by our State legislature in 2017, Bob was known for his success in business and his tireless advocacy of the iconic Kenai River watershed. But, like many Alaskans, he started with humble roots in the lower 48. Bob was born in Portland in 1932, where he showed his business acumen early. At the age of 10, he and his sister Patsy were gifted a pony. While his sister was gathering her friends for a free ride, Bob was on the next block with the pony, selling rides for a dime apiece. prgtoken As he grew up, Bob played on the high school tennis team and worked part-time after school hours. He also loved the outdoors, hunting birds and fishing for salmon in the local rivers near Gresham, OR. prgtoken Bob answered the call to head north to Alaska in 1951, when the lumber company he worked for expanded into what was then still a U.S. Territory. When Bob was just 19, the company offered him the job of managing their new Alaska prospect. Bob excelled there, but it was a job he took at Wade Trailer sales in 1956 that inspired him to enter real estate, where he would really make his mark. prgtoken After learning the ropes at Wade's, Bob opened Penney Trailer Sales in 1959, selling mobile homes. Bob soon grew the business to include RVs and housing for construction camps. In just a few short years, he was the largest mobile home dealer in our new State. During that time, Bob also began to invest in real estate and building development. He built everything from single-family homes to massive commercial real estate ventures spanning the west coast and Mexico. Through it all, Bob always gave back, seemingly more by the year. His philosophy in both life and business was to ``wear the other guy's shoes'' and ``always leave a little bit for the next person.'' Bob served on the boards of the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce, the Anchorage Economic Development Corporation, and the Alaska Regional Hospital Board of Trustees. He was a philanthropist, starting the Anchorage Mayor's Charity Ball, which has now raised more than $4 million for charitable organizations in our State's largest city. prgtoken When the oil industry started to boom in Alaska, Bob felt the State needed greater community involvement to bring attention to this opportunity and others like it. He formed the Organization for the Management of Alaska's Resources--OMAR--later renamed the Resource Development Council--RDC--and included many State leaders in the effort. RDC is now Alaska's largest resource trade association-- encompassing the fishing, forestry, mining, oil and gas, and tourism industries--and its advocacy remai
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, VETERANS AFFAIRS, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2024
John R. Carter (Republican, TX) \u2014 2023-7-26

. Mr. Chair, I am honored to present the fiscal year 2024 military construction, veterans affairs, and related agencies appropriations bill to the House today. This bill is special because it supports our troops and their families and the Nation's veterans. prgtoken The bill provides $17.5 billion for military construction and family housing projects. This is less than the FY23 enacted amount. However, it is nearly $800 million above the President's request. prgtoken We focus this investment in the Pacific to deter China's aggressive and coercive actions. We also provide significant funding for new barracks and child development centers. prgtoken The bill fully funds veterans programs at the level requested by the President. It keeps our promises to veterans, and we do more to help veterans in the Pacific. We also ensure taxpayer funds will be used appropriately and effectively by increasing oversight of several programs. prgtoken I thank my subcommittee ranking member. Although she disagrees with this bill, she has been a joy to work with, and our partnership has been good. prgtoken I thank all the people who have worked on this bill and all of their families and the families of the veterans. prgtoken Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4366.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024--Continued
Roger F. Wicker (Republican, MS) \u2014 2023-7-26

to close on behalf of the proponents, this is a bipartisan amendment, and it deserves bipartisan support by the U.S. Senate. prgtoken Rather than set up a disruptive new bureaucracy, it builds on the requirement for the President simply to select, of the inspectors general, a lead inspector general reporting directly to the Secretaries of Defense and State. prgtoken If you want true oversight and you want to put it in the statute, this amendment is necessary. That is what it does. It is simple, it is effective, and it puts it into law with the signature of the President. prgtoken I urge a bipartisan ``yes'' vote for this bipartisan amendment. Vote on Amendment No. 1055
RELAYING INFORMATION TO OUR CONSTITUENTS OVER THE AUGUST RECESS
Brian Babin (Republican, TX) \u2014 2023-7-26

there is no doubt about it, wokeness is destroying America. The proof is all around us. It has managed to seep into our schools, businesses, publications, and nearly every other nook and cranny of our great society. Even our military is prioritizing diversity and inclusion over strength and readiness. prgtoken Schools are teaching critical race theory and revisionist history over truth and fact, brainwashing our kids with a leftist doctrine on what to think instead of how to think and formulate ideas for themselves. prgtoken Agendas to defund and demonize police officers are hindering police departments' ability to hire new personnel and to protect their communities. prgtoken Radical climate change policies are decimating our energy sector. The foolish push for electric vehicles is increasing our dependency on an enemy like Communist China. prgtoken Liberal judges are refusing to prosecute violent criminals and enabling this tsunami of a crime wave that is washing over our Nation. prgtoken The continued exploitation of programs like humanitarian parole is worsening the border crisis and allowing millions of illegal aliens to enter the country on the taxpayers' dime and making it more likely that we will be hit with another terrorist attack like 9/11, or even worse. The list goes on. prgtoken The fact remains that the left's woke policies plague our Nation, and we must find a remedy before the damage done becomes permanent. prgtoken By using common sense--and merely putting American interests first-- many of the policies in the two appropriations bills that are currently being debated and voted on this week work to eliminate these woke and disastrous policies. Unsurprisingly, my colleagues across the aisle strongly oppose these commonsense policies and changes. prgtoken The American people know better. No longer should we fund the Wuhan lab responsible for unleashing COVID-19 into the world. No longer should we allow those with ties to the Communist Chinese Party, Russia, North Korea, or Iran to purchase U.S. farmland. prgtoken No longer should Federal funds be used by the Defense Department to enforce critical race theory and other DEI policies and sidetracking our military from its primary mission to destroy our enemies and keep us free. prgtoken These are just a few of the ways that House s are prioritizing the Nation's needs over a political agenda that throws merit and ability out the window. prgtoken We must remain steadfast in our mission to loosen this disastrous grip that wokeness has had on America for far too long. Our national security, our food security, our energy security, our overall sovereignty, and our national survival depend on it.
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, VETERANS AFFAIRS, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2024
Chip Roy (Republican, TX) \u2014 2023-7-26

. Madam Chair, this amendment prohibits any of the funding in the MILCON-VA appropriations bill from being used to carry out President 's executive orders on climate change. prgtoken I was gratified to have offered a similar amendment and to see it adopted on the floor of the House with respect to the National Defense Authorization Act, the NDAA. We believe that the United States military should have a singular focus, and that is also true for the Veterans Administration. It should have a singular focus--ensuring our veterans have the care they need, not advancing the climate fetish that is making us beholden to China for our energy needs, undermining our national security, and undermining the very reason veterans put their lives on the line to defend this country. prgtoken In August 2021, the VA put forward a ``climate action plan,'' which includes indoctrinating VA employees with so-called climate literacy, pushing renewable energy consumption, sustainable buildings, and greenhouse gas emissions at VA facilities. prgtoken Now, VA is transitioning its fleet of over 22,000 vehicles to zero- emission vehicles. Mind you, our American public, who want to go about carrying out their jobs and their livelihoods, can't even afford vehicles anymore because we are clamping down on the ability of them to go purchase vehicles because we are limiting the production of the internal combustion engine so we can have battery-powered automobiles that are being produced with lithium and cobalt and things being mined in Africa while children are being exploited and the Chinese Communist Party is being empowered, all while China, by the way, has 1,100 coal- fired plants compared to our 250. They are building two a week while we are basically doing nothing to advance anything with respect to reliable energy. prgtoken Instead, we are putting all of our eggs in the unreliable energy basket, which makes us beholden to China, the Chinese Communist Party, and our enemies around the globe rather than exporting liquefied natural gas and making us stronger. prgtoken Again, the Veterans Administration ought to reflect the American people and our strength by focusing on its core mission--providing healthcare and benefits that are necessary for those who have served to defend our country. prgtoken My ic colleagues apparently think you can power a VA hospital on wind and solar alone. Of course, you cannot. It is not possible. prgtoken Anybody who looks at it looks at the data and sees on a windless, cloudy day, how are you powering a VA hospital? You are powering it with fossil fuels. You are powering it with what little nuclear power we have, given that we have been unable to build a nuclear plant, by far the most reliable non-CO2-producing energy in the world. We haven't been able to do it since the 1970s because of the regulatory infrastructure in this country. It is absurd. prgtoken My colleagues on the other side of the aisle g
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, VETERANS AFFAIRS, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2024
Brian J. Mast (Republican, FL) \u2014 2023-7-26

. Madam Chair, the balance of my time to close. prgtoken Again, I point out the merits of this: It is fact in the VA right now the cannabis policy is extremely confusing. It does very literally say VHA providers are prohibited from completing forms or registering veterans for participation in State-approved marijuana programs. prgtoken Those are conversations that you need to have with your primary care physician, nurse practitioners, and others. This is the reason that that policy needs to be changed. .
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, VETERANS AFFAIRS, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2024
Andrew Ogles (Republican, TN) \u2014 2023-7-26

. Mr. Chair, as we attempt to cut spending back to top-line FY 2022 levels, we must address the glaring $32.6 trillion debt. prgtoken We must commit in this Congress to significant spending cuts. If we don't, we will be mortgaging the futures of our children. We will perpetually hobble long-term economic growth by not only destroying our future borrowing power but by forcing our Treasury to dedicate much of its future spending to debt repayment rather than meeting the needs of the American people. prgtoken If we fail to tackle runaway spending now, we are compromising the well-being of future generations. Is that the legacy we want to leave behind? We have an obligation, a moral one, to ensure that we leave this country better off than we found it. prgtoken In an appropriations bill that is supposed to be focused on supporting our veterans and their families, we are sending $293 million--taxpayer dollars--abroad to support NATO. That is an increase of 33 percent from FY 2023. prgtoken There will be some who argue that the $293 million figure is a commitment that the United States made at the June 2022 NATO summit. While Congress has largely abdicated its role in foreign affairs to the executive branch, it was the intent of our Founding Fathers that this institution provide a robust check on the executive. It is why we have the power of the purse. prgtoken Ultimately, given Congress' massive spending habits, there needs to come a time when we say enough is enough, and that is the purpose for offering this amendment today. I am asking all of prgtoken my colleagues if they could spare just a 1 percent cut to NATO's Security Investment Program. That is just 1 percent. prgtoken , .
RECOGNIZING GRACE L. MORRIS 100TH BIRTHDAY
Brian K. Fitzpatrick (Republican, PA) \u2014 2023-7-26

I rise today to recognize an outstanding constituent from my district, Grace L. Morris. As we celebrate her life, we think of all the memories that she continues to share, as a citizen of our country. Grace was born in Pittston, Pennsylvania on September 11, 1923, grew up in upstate Pennsylvania and made her family home in Northeast Philadelphia on Lexington Avenue. prgtoken Grace attended Saint John's High School and graduated in 1941. She enrolled in Germantown Nursing School, graduated, and went to work as the head nurse for the psychiatric ward. Grace then joined the United States Army. She served on a POW ship that crossed the Atlantic Ocean 5 times--over and back. Grace earned the rank of 2nd Lieutenant before World War II ended. prgtoken Grace attended classes at the University of Scranton for further nursing studies. prgtoken Her marriage to Bill Morris took place September 6, 1946. While raising 5 children, Grace worked as a Private Duty Nurse at Nazareth Hospital and later as a nursing instructor at the Philadelphia Training Institute. prgtoken Grace was a devoted wife, remains an amazing mother and grandmother. Her great-grandchildren now number 10. She served as the neighborhood nurse and devoted much time to volunteer efforts through Saint Jerome's Parish, and Winchester Swim Club in Philadelphia. prgtoken As we celebrate her 100 years of life, we are incredibly grateful for the positive impact she has made on all who know her.
EXPANDING RURAL BROADBAND ACCESS
John Joyce (Republican, PA) \u2014 2023-7-26

right now, nearly 400,000 acres of American farmland are owned by Chinese investors. prgtoken The increasing reach of the Chinese Communist Party is incredibly alarming, as this land is being purchased near sensitive military installations and other areas critical to our national security. prgtoken It is imperative that the administration gain a better understanding of these land purchases and develop programs to halt the purchase of agricultural land by those associated with China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran. prgtoken We must ensure that the USDA is able to improve tracking of foreign land ownership and help to ensure that our communities are protected and safe from the actions of the Chinese Communist Party. prgtoken This is a national security issue, and it is time for Congress and the administration to take swift and decisive action to protect our American farmland.
75TH ANNIVERSARY OF TRUE COMPANIES
John Barrasso (Republican, WY) \u2014 2023-7-26

I rise today to recognize the 75th anniversary of True Companies. This network of Wyoming businesses spans several major industries that directly benefit Natrona County, Wyoming, and our Nation. prgtoken Headquartered in Casper, WY, True Companies is a Wyoming institution. Proudly owned and operated by the True family, the businesses that make up True Companies are diverse. They contribute to multiple industries including energy, agriculture, real estate/development, and the financial sector. True Companies employs over 1,000 individuals across the United States in Wyoming, Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, Utah, New Mexico, Arizona, Missouri, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Oklahoma. prgtoken In Wyoming, we follow the Code of the West, a set of cowboy ethics that drive and shape our values. These principles remind us to take pride in our work and to do what has to be done. Today, the Code of the West hangs in the lobby of True Companies, serving as a reminder of the values of its prgtoken founder H.A. ``Dave'' True, Jr. Henry Alphonso True, Jr or Dave as he was known to friends and family, was born in 1915 in Cheyenne. He married his high school sweetheart Jean in 1938. After earning his engineering degree from Montana State University, he followed in the footsteps of his father. Dave worked for Texaco, formerly known as the Texas Company, in Cody, where he lived with Jean and their four children: Tamma, H.A. ``Hank'' III, Diemer, and David L. In 1948, the family relocated to Casper. Here, Dave became part owner and manager of the Reserve Drilling Company, a one-rig drilling outfit that would change the course of his career. Just 3 years later, he was the president of Reserve Drilling and then opened his own drilling enterprise, True and Brown Drilling Contractors. prgtoken Dave had an uncanny ability to anticipate the needs of a then-booming oil industry. In 1954, he founded True Oil and True Drilling. He discovered several oil reservoirs in the ensuing years. In the next two decades, he founded eight additional businesses, each uniquely situated to meet the needs of--and capitalize on--the booming oil sector and Casper's growing population. It was also during this period that Dave began to diversify his interests. In 1957, he entered the ranching sector. True Ranches, a 36-head cattle operation included Nugget, his lone bull. Other endeavors were the Belle Fourche Pipeline Company, Black Hills Trucking, and Eighty-Eight Oil LLC. In all his business dealings, Dave was a consummate professional. He valued integrity and respect over making a quick buck. He was known to say, ``A good deal is not a good deal unless it's good for both parties.'' prgtoken Quiet and hard working, Dave took seriously his role of sharing his time and talent with his community. In 1961, he established a scholarship program for the children of True Companies employees. For over six decades, the program has rewarded deserv
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, VETERANS AFFAIRS, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2024
Matthew M. Rosendale, Sr. (Republican, MT) \u2014 2023-7-26

. Madam Chair, unfortunately the Representative is either mistaken or intentionally spreading false information. Any parts or portions of the facility that previously had mask mandates for immune deficiencies or any other reasons would not be impacted by this mandate. Only mandates that are a direct result of COVID-19 are prohibited. prgtoken Madam Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas, (Mr. Self).
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024--Continued
John Kennedy (Republican, LA) \u2014 2023-7-26

some time ago, Senator Sinema and I introduced the Independent and Objective Oversight of Ukrainian Assistance Act to create a special inspector general to follow the money with respect to Ukraine. Senators Hawley, Paul, Risch, and Wicker have been important voices in this. Indeed, they have had their own bills. We have gotten together and worked out a compromise. prgtoken Our bill would create a lead inspector general among the inspectors general right now doing the auditing, which are the Department of Defense, the State Department, and USAID. This lead inspector general would be our contact. We could go to that inspector general and get answers. By law, the inspector general would have to respond in 15 days. prgtoken We will not need Senate confirmation because I expect the President to appoint as the lead one of the inspectors general who are currently involved. prgtoken I urge favorable passage and yield to Senator Wicker or Senator Risch.