mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
CONGRATULATING COACH GINGER HIGH COLVIN
James Comer (Republican, KY) \u2014 2024-4-18

I rise today to honor Ginger High Colvin, who was recently announced as the 2024 Women's Basketball Coaches Association NAIA National Coach of the Year. prgtoken Ginger has been the women's basketball coach at Campbellsville University for 17 years. prgtoken Ginger has deep ties to Kentucky's First Congressional District, growing up in Monroe County and being a basketball star at both Tompkinsville High School and Campbellsville University herself. prgtoken Ginger receiving this award for the second year in a row is a testament to her commitment and dedication to her players and the university. prgtoken Under Ginger's leadership, the Lady Tigers have a 477-98 record and a 31-2 record this season, making it to the NAIA Elite Eight. prgtoken , I congratulate my friend, Coach Ginger Colvin, on this well-deserved award and another successful season.
REFORMING INTELLIGENCE AND SECURING AMERICA ACT--MOTION TO PROCEED-- Continued
Lisa Murkowski (Republican, AK) \u2014 2024-4-18

this was supposed to be a really great week for us in Alaska. We had an opportunity to kick off the Alaska Resources Day back here in Washington, DC. prgtoken The leaders of 10 of my home State's trade associations--notably, all women, which I think is worth commenting on--all flew back to Washington, DC, for Resources Day. They and other industry leaders gathered to really celebrate the success of the industries that are present in our State--everything from oil and gas to mining, to seafood, and tourism. It was a good day spent educating folks about Alaska's commitment to and, really, our record--a very strong record-- of responsible development to benefit Alaska and the Nation. prgtoken It should have been a really great opportunity to reflect on how far we have come as a State. But instead of being able to focus on that, the big buzz was the reminder that we are really at the mercy of an administration that views us--views Alaska, views Alaska's resources-- as really nothing more than a political pawn in a reelection campaign. prgtoken The rumors are out there, and there is more substance to them now than there were a few days ago. But the administration is set to announce yet two more decisions to restrict and prohibit resource development in the State of Alaska. prgtoken This is almost getting to be so routine that we are coming to dread Fridays in the State of Alaska because that seems to be the day that the administration reserves to just dump more closures, more lockups, more shutdowns on us, on top of the dozens and dozens of initiatives that have already been imposed on us over these past 3 years. prgtoken Unfortunately, the decisions that are going to be unveiled tomorrow are probably some of the worst that we have seen from the administration--an administration that I think has just lost their way when it comes to energy and mineral security. prgtoken I want to talk, first, about the mineral security piece of it because we are going to see announced tomorrow the rejection of the Ambler Access Project. prgtoken This is a private road. It is a private road that is needed to access and unlock a region that we call the Ambler Mining District. prgtoken There was a 1980 law under ANILCA, part of the balance that we struck on conservation. This was the big deal in 1980, but it was an effort to put into conservation status while still allowing for certain development. But under that law, we were guaranteed road access to the district. prgtoken Why is the district important in the first place? It was important back then, in the 1980s, but even more so important now because of the critical minerals that this country needs to break our dependence on China and other foreign nations. prgtoken This project is not new. This project was fully approved, and I think it is worth underscoring that--fully approved--in 2020. But this administration said: Never mind all that. prgtoken Interior sought a volun
RECOGNIZING JOE BRANNEN
Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (Republican, GA) \u2014 2024-4-18

I rise today to recognize the outstanding career of Joe Brannen. prgtoken After Joe graduated from the University of Georgia, he spent 8 years serving on the staff of Georgia Senator Sam Nunn. He went on to have a successful banking career spanning over 40 years. prgtoken Joe will retire as president and chief executive officer of the Georgia Bankers Association on July 15, his 44th anniversary of joining the association. prgtoken The Georgia Bankers Association enjoyed its greatest decades of growth and prosperity under the unwavering leadership of Joe. prgtoken Joe has served on a wide variety of boards, both in and out of the banking community, including the Georgia Bar Foundation, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, the American Free Market Chamber of Commerce, the State YMCA, and his own local church. prgtoken Joe is a trusted adviser, a thoughtful leader, and a respected friend to many. prgtoken In short, Joe is one of the good guys. I wish him and his wife, Vilda, nothing but happiness and a well-earned retirement.
FRANK'S RESTAURANT 100TH ANNIVERSARY
Bill Huizenga (Republican, MI) \u2014 2024-4-18

in a time where there is conflict and war throughout the world, it is also good to remember those things that bring a smile to our face, whether it is people, traditions, or places. Today's tribute is one of those in my life. prgtoken It is the 100th anniversary of Frank's Restaurant, which is an absolute icon in my hometown of Zeeland, Michigan. It was started by a man named Frank Dionise just 100 years ago and was family owned. The Dionises and the Hammers had owned it until just recently. prgtoken It is the kind of place that every Zeelander has memories in and around. It is the kind of place where every true Zeelander knows what their go-to order is; mine happens to be the olive burger with onion rings. prgtoken I thank Teresa Vander Zwaag and the families that have taken that over and made sure that this institution is continuing while it celebrates 100 years in the great town of Zeeland, Michigan.
CELEBRATING WORLD WAR II VETERAN ELMER COCKE'S 100TH BIRTHDAY
Bob Good (Republican, VA) \u2014 2024-4-18

. Madam , I rise to recognize World War II veteran Elmer Cocke of Danville, Virginia, who recently turned 100 years old. prgtoken After finishing high school, Elmer joined the U.S. Maritime Service Radio School. He underwent his training in New York and Massachusetts, learned Morse code, and was promoted to warrant officer. prgtoken In 1945, he joined the William J. Palmer, a Liberty ship carrying the products of the ``Arsenal of Democracy'' to American forces and Allies around the world. prgtoken When sailing across the Mediterranean in 1945, the William J. Palmer struck a mine in the Adriatic Sea. prgtoken Elmer jumped into action, helping make way for a lifeboat to detach from the sinking ship. prgtoken The entire crew boarded a rescue ship and was taken to Italy with no crewmembers lost. Elmer headed back to New York and again to another Liberty ship going to France to transport hundreds of victorious American soldiers back home. prgtoken Elmer was discharged in 1946, and returned to his wife, Hilda, and their Gretna farm. prgtoken Madam , I am honored to recognize the extraordinary veterans of Virginia's Fifth District like Elmer Cocke, a living picture of the courage and patriotism that have kept our Nation free.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2024-4-18

I would like to begin by addressing the urgent national security supplemental that is still pending over in the House of Representatives. prgtoken Opponents of this urgent investment in American strength have taken to clothing their objections in the false mantle of realism, and, at first glance, this would appear to be a rhetorically savvy move. After all, who would admit to being unrealistic? Who would willingly say that their policies and their world view don't reflect the world as it is? But, as our Nation faces the most dangerous moment in a generation, it is worth examining this claim in a bit more detail. prgtoken The concept of realism has an academic meaning that refers to a specific set of assumptions about how states interact. The realist school of thought, at its core, contends that states act alone in a perpetual competition, constantly assessing the balance of power with their adversaries and seeking to maximize their own security and relative influence. prgtoken As the ancient Athenians put it, ``the strong do what they can, and the weak suffer what they must.'' prgtoken In a sense, as some of the most vocal opponents of the supplemental like to point out, realists don't have time for morality tales or sappy appeals to universal values. The world is an uncaring place, and so- called realists are concerned with cold, hard national interests. Well, as luck would have it, so am I. prgtoken None of the tenets of academic realism actually preclude our colleagues prgtoken from vigorously supporting the supplemental--quite the opposite. Consider the investments we are talking about making: rebuilding American hard power and growing our domestic industrial capacity to sustain it; in the process, helping to decimate the hard power of a major adversary at almost no risk to U.S. forces; deterring further challenges to a balance of power favorable to American interests; preserving and expanding our relative influence with other states; helping our friends and hurting our enemies; and successfully rallying these friends and allies to share the burden of balancing against competitors who seek to undermine the United States and the West. prgtoken Academic realism doesn't conflict with our efforts in the supplemental, and neither does simple reality. Being realistic and rejecting fanciful idealism means recognizing that we are facing the greatest, most coordinated security challenges since the Cold War. prgtoken In Europe, a neo-Soviet imperialist is threatening the stability of some of America's closest allies. Europe is the largest consumer of American products and the largest foreign direct investor in America. Instability in Europe is bad for business. prgtoken In the Middle East, backward theocrats are orchestrating terrorist attacks on Americans as well as our friends and racing to produce a nuclear weapon. Their vassals are disrupting the freedom of navigation--the lifeblood of our economy--w
PROHIBITING THE USE OF FUNDS TO IMPLEMENT, ADMINISTER, OR ENFORCE CERTAIN RULES OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Mike Crapo (Republican, ID) \u2014 2024-4-18

I rise today in support of S. 4072. I introduced this legislation and pushed for this vote to ensure that no fiscal year 2024 funds can be used to implement, administer, or enforce the Environmental Protection Agency's tailpipe emissions rule. prgtoken I deeply appreciate the support of the Senators who have spoken today. Senator Manchin, a , made it very clear that this is a bipartisan piece of legislation basically based on the fact that it violates the very deal that was made earlier to help us look at transitioning away from emissions that are harmful to the environment. prgtoken If you listened to Senator Manchin, he made it very clear that we don't have the capacity to do this right now. He talked about some critical points. Senator Ricketts just pointed out that we don't even have the capacity today to provide the necessary electricity. prgtoken Let me explain this. I was talking--and have talked to a lot of experts--to an expert recently in global warming issues. This person told me that we can have all the electric vehicle mandates we want, but if the road is not clean, then the solution will not be clean. What did that mean? That means that if the electricity that we rely on is not made by renewable sources, the mandate will be ineffective. prgtoken That is a critical point to be made because today, as has been indicated, our major source of the load is natural gas. The very electricity that is created in this country to utilize on the roads if this mandate goes into place is not going to be the sort of clean load that is necessary for this massive effort to transition to a completely electric vehicle economy. prgtoken The damage will be suffered by the American people in many different ways, but one of the critical ways that damage will be suffered is that whether it is with regard to the critical minerals that are needed-- which this administration is not assisting us in helping to improve in the United States and strengthen in the United States--or whether it is based on other aspects of developing that load they need, the American people will see the problem in our economy, and China will be the beneficiary. prgtoken It will be China who is the one who can economically accomplish these objectives and send these electric vehicles to us or the batteries that these electric vehicles require. China is not working with clean load either. As my colleague from Wyoming talked about, they are putting out unclean load, in the terms of this debate, every single day, at massive amounts higher than ours. prgtoken So what are we going to do? We are going to make the United States vehicle industry dependent on China. We are going to make the United States citizens, who drive cars and trucks, dependent on China and reduce our economic independence from China's anticompetitive pressures. That is what this debate really is about. The EPA's rule is the most aggressive form of tailpipe emission
TRIBUTE TO LIEUTENANT GENERAL A.C. ROPER
Tommy Tuberville (Republican, AL) \u2014 2024-4-18

I rise today to honor the career of LTG A.C. Roper, the deputy commander of the United States Northern Command--USNORTHCOM--and United States Element, North American Aerospace Defense Command--NORAD. Lieutenant General Roper is a native of the great State of Alabama, where prgtoken he graduated from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He and Edith, his wife of 39 years, are also the proud parents of two daughters. I know that after over 40 years of distinguished military service, your family is looking forward to your retirement. prgtoken In capacity as a civilian, Lieutenant General Roper has over 33 years of law enforcement experience, culminating with his 10-year tenure as the chief of police of the Birmingham Police Department, the largest municipal police department in the State of Alabama. A dedicated law enforcement professional, he is a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation--FBI--National Academy, the FBI National Executive Institute, and is an adjunct professor of criminal justice. He specialized in protecting critical infrastructure and served on the executive board of the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force. prgtoken Lieutenant General Roper is a role model for aspiring servicemembers and law enforcement officers. He has demonstrated the power of passion and purpose in fulfilling a life of service. Lieutenant General Roper, thank you for your long and distinguished career in service to our Nation. On the occasion of your retirement, I wish you and your entire family the best. Congratulations on a job well done.
REFORMING INTELLIGENCE AND SECURING AMERICA ACT--MOTION TO PROCEED-- Continued
Roger F. Wicker (Republican, MS) \u2014 2024-4-18

there is a very good chance that there will be good news this weekend for America's security, for European peace, and for a signal to be sent for strength and success for the alliance of free nations. prgtoken Yesterday afternoon, the of the House said that Congress will soon send a very important message. And, yes, it is correct; the House will send an important message. In the next few days, I believe Congress will remind the tyrants of the world and the free prgtoken people of the world that America stands strong and that America keeps its word. prgtoken I commend Johnson for doing the difficult thing but the right thing. He followed the admonition actually of the Apostle Paul. The could have put his own interest above the interest of others, but he did not. prgtoken The eyes of our friends and our foes have been on the House of Representatives, and the rose to the occasion. He recognized that this moment was too important to squander for political expediency. prgtoken The world is indeed on fire, and this administration's weakness has fanned those flames. At the very least, President 's drip-drip- drip approach has failed to douse the flames on the international fire. prgtoken And make no mistake. Russia, China, and Iran, with its terrorist proxies, are working together, and they are conducting war on two fronts: in Israel and in Ukraine. prgtoken And I agree with a bipartisan majority of this Senate and the House of Representatives that America has an important role to play in both of those conflicts. prgtoken America is an exceptional nation with an exceptional task: to lead on the world stage and to make it clear that we can be counted on to keep our promises. prgtoken At important moments throughout our history, there has always been a group advocating for American retreat. Some of my friends today want the United States to withdraw, to stay behind our own safe walls--as if that were possible. But time and again, the American people have learned--sometimes with some difficulty, sometimes reluctantly--that retreating does not create safety. What happens abroad reaches our shores. Whether we like it or not, it just does. prgtoken Like the , I am a Reagan . Ronald Reagan stands in history as a leader who achieved peace--peace through strength. prgtoken In the next few days, I believe we will work toward that goal by sending aid to our ally Israel and by improving our ability to counter China in the Indo-Pacific. I also believe we will do that--I believe we will work for that peace through strength--by sending additional lethal aid to Ukraine. prgtoken Vladimir Putin is a proven war criminal. If he is allowed to win, he will not stop in Ukraine. Ukrainian people have proven themselves capable on the battlefield--remarkably capable. They have achieved remarkable wins against the Russian dictator. They did so even this week. They simply ask us to give them the tools to keep doin
CLOSE THE DE MINIMIS TARIFF LOOPHOLE
Dan Bishop (Republican, NC) \u2014 2024-4-18

. Madam , today, 14 U.S. textile manufacturing plants stand idle, and much of the rest of American manufacturing is endangered by a new threat from China that this Congress could end at a stroke. prgtoken In just the last 2 years, roughly, Chinese online marketplaces have exploded in size, selling cheap goods at dumping prices into the American market. prgtoken What is causing this? Well, they learned to exploit fully the de minimis tariff loophole. In 2023, nearly a billion packages entered the U.S. through the $800 de minimis loophole, nearly 4 million individual shipments per day. That is not de minimis business. It is big money. prgtoken Chinese companies Temu and Shein alone account for roughly one-third of all de minimis shipments. Temu appeared on the American scene only in 2022, Shein not much earlier. You can go buy sneakers on Temu for $5, and a sweater for $7. Temu reportedly loses $30 per order in a deliberate strategy to flood the U.S. market with cheap crap and move toward market dominance. It is not only textiles. prgtoken We should close this loophole today.
CONGRATULATING JEFF McLENDON
Mike Collins (Republican, GA) \u2014 2024-4-18

I rise to congratulate Georgia's Jeff McLendon on the conclusion of his tenure as chairman of the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors. prgtoken This association is comprised of the companies that keep America moving while employing 6 million Americans, many of them Georgians, in high-paying, rewarding careers. prgtoken With Jeff's guidance as chairman, NAW expanded its educational opportunities for emerging leaders, enhanced its thoughtful leadership in a rapidly innovating world and continued to be an effective voice for distribution-friendly policies here in Washington. prgtoken NAW's success under Jeff's leadership shouldn't be a surprise to anyone, knowing Jeff's success in the business over these past 20 years leading Duluth, Georgia's, Specialty Building Products. prgtoken I had the opportunity to visit one of his facilities last year and to meet with him and members of his impressive team. Jeff is a humble leader and a man of faith who cares deeply about his employees, his community, and his country. prgtoken I, again, congratulate Jeff on his tenure as NAW chairman, and I appreciate his continued servant leadership in the Georgia business community.
TRIBUTE TO SHAWNNA BOLICK
Debbie Lesko (Republican, AZ) \u2014 2024-4-18

Shawnna Bolick serves as an Arizona State Senator for Legislative District 2, covering the North Valley. Throughout her time in public service, Shawnna has been a strong champion for promoting school choice and protecting the most vulnerable among us. prgtoken Thanks, in large part, to her work, Arizona is one of the premier states in the nation for school choice and for safeguarding those who cannot defend themselves. She has served on Arizona's Early Childhood Education and Health Board, the Arizona State Board of Education's Academic Standards Development Committee, and the Arizona Juvenile Justice Commission. Shawnna is a `can-do' conservative fighter. She will always stand on her principles, but she looks every day for consensus and for opportunities to enact meaningful policy reforms and enhancements for her constituents. prgtoken Arizona's Eighth Congressional District is grateful for Shawnna's commitment and passion for public service, and I am thankful for the example she has left for many to follow.