mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY ACT OF 2023
Mike Thompson (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2023-5-31

the American people can't afford a default. Default on our debt would be catastrophic, an economic disaster with consequences for every one of our constituents. Congress can't let that happen. prgtoken This bill is not perfect, but thanks to President 's leadership, the bill before us achieves two key points: One, it prevents default, averting an economic disaster; and, two, it preserves not only key programs like Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, but also maintains virtually all House ' achievements from the last 2 years, including the climate provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act, which I was proud to author with my colleagues on the Ways and Means Committee. prgtoken Despite where s started, the President has negotiated legislation that protects Medicaid and the Inflation Reduction Act, the CHIPS Act, and the PACT Act, which provides for veterans' healthcare. prgtoken Now, I share some of my colleagues' concerns with the bill. I am particularly opposed to the s' demand to cut mental health care. After climate change, mental health is the single biggest crisis in our country. There is no reason to cut critical funding for mental health. prgtoken Their cuts to the IRS will not decrease the deficit. It will increase the deficit. A fully funded IRS is in everyone's best interests. prgtoken Overall, this legislation is a compromise, which is what the American people expect and deserve from a divided government. Most important, it averts the catastrophe of a default. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
Student Loans (Executive Calendar)
Bill Cassidy (Republican, LA) \u2014 2023-5-31

the Senate will soon vote on a Congressional Review Act resolution of disapproval to overturn the administration's unfair student loan schemes. These schemes transfer the burden of $400 billion in Federal student loans from those who willingly took on that debt to American taxpayers who never went to college and have already fulfilled their commitment to pay back their loans. prgtoken The resolution would also end the pause on student loan payments which, by August, will cost taxpayers almost $200 billion. President has extended this pause 6 times for a total of 31 months, far beyond the original justification of the ongoing pandemic. prgtoken Make no mistake, these reckless student loan schemes do not forgive debt. They transfer the burden from those prgtoken who willingly took out the loans to go to college to make more money when they graduated to Americans who never attended college or who already paid back their loans. prgtoken These policies are as unfair as they are responsible. Where is the forgiveness for the guy who didn't go to college but is working to pay off the loan on the truck he takes to work? What about the woman who paid off her student loans but now struggles to afford her mortgage? Is the administration providing them relief? No. Instead, the administration would not only have them pay their bills but the bills of those who decided to go to college to make more money. prgtoken President 's plan does nothing to address the problems that created the debt in the first place. It doesn't hold colleges or universities accountable for rising costs. prgtoken According to the college board, in the last 30 years, tuitions and fees have jumped at private nonprofit colleges by 80 percent. Public 4- year institutions have jumped 124 percent. prgtoken According to the Center for Responsible Federal Budget, if the student loan transfer goes into effect, students and taxpayers would be back in the same situation in 5 years. In 5 years, we will be right back where we are now because we are not reforming that which got us here. And total debt will again reach $1.7 trillion. prgtoken What is the plan for 5 years from now? The scheme also does not ensure that students are prepared for life after college. It creates a terrible moral hazard that signals to students that Federal student loans are not real commitments. It tells colleges that no matter how high they raise their prices or how low the quality of education they provide, the Federal Government will cover the tab, courtesy of the American taxpayer. prgtoken This is not leadership. We cannot spend our way out of the problem of ever-increasing costs of higher education. For Americans who cannot afford their debt or who want a proactive approach for paying off their loan commitments, Congress has already authorized 31 different active programs that help or forgive student loans. That is 31 different programs already in place
FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY ACT OF 2023
Lloyd Smucker (Republican, PA) \u2014 2023-5-31

I thank the chairman for yielding me time. prgtoken , I rise today in support of the Fiscal Responsibility Act. How could I not support a bill that claws back billions in unspent COVID funds, a bill that cuts trillions in 's out-of-control spending, a bill that caps spending levels for years to come, and a bill that enacts work requirements to bring more Americans back into the workforce, lift households out of poverty by connecting them with the best antipoverty program--a good job. Most importantly, this bill is the beginning. It is a start to put our Nation on a better fiscal trajectory. prgtoken Our debt-to-GDP today is at the highest level ever since the end of World War II. If we do nothing to curb spending, our Federal debt will be double our GDP by 2050. This is a start to change our trajectory. prgtoken Now, I wish I could be voting for more than this. I liked our original bill a heck of a lot better, but the fact is, the President and the who prgtoken control the Senate fought hard to maintain their spending addiction. prgtoken Given that we only control the House, I am very pleased with all that is in this bill. It is most definitely an improvement over existing law, and I am disappointed that some of my colleagues don't see that. prgtoken This bill will give our creditors the confidence that we can govern by putting us on a better path. prgtoken It is a step in the right direction, and I am proud to support it.
PROVIDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL UNDER CHAPTER 8 OF TITLE 5, UNITED STATES CODE, OF THE RULE SUBMITTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION RELATING TO ``WAIVERS AND MODIFICATIONS OF FEDERAL...
Chuck Grassley (Republican, IA) \u2014 2023-5-31

I want to take just a few minutes to speak about Robert Zimmer, the former president of the University of Chicago. prgtoken Barbara and I, first, want to express our condolences to Shadi, his wife, and their three children. prgtoken President Zimmer's time at the University of Chicago was defined by his relentless defense of freedom of expression. As a result of his commitment, the University of Chicago remains a place where diversity of viewpoint is always welcome, and the enforcement of that welcoming is very sincere. prgtoken In 2014, President Zimmer appointed the university's Committee on Freedom of Expression. That committee issued what is called the Chicago Principles, which declare the importance of uncensored thought and inquiry in the university experience. prgtoken I think it was also common for the president to make sure that a letter went out to first-year students. I have never read the complete letter, but in reading about it, I get the impression that the letter said to those first-year students what this policy from the Committee on Freedom of Expression was all about and that if you have to worry about having safe spaces or if you are worried about being confronted by somebody you might disagree with because of their ideology, then don't come to this university. prgtoken But President Zimmer's impact is not limited just to that one university; his courage in pushing for free speech on college campuses has been felt nationwide. In my opinion, it is not as much as it should be, but still he has made a big impact. The Chicago Principles have now been adopted in some form by over 80 colleges and universities. You can see that the number 80 is small compared to the thousands of colleges and universities and community colleges we have in our country. That doesn't mean there are not more than 80 colleges that would have the principle of freedom of expression, but we know that 80 colleges have adopted the Chicago approach. prgtoken President Zimmer and the principles he stood for are absolutely right because college is a place for learning, not for coddling. Campus, then, should be a place where ideas run rampant. After all, you go to college to prepare yourself for life after college. Where prgtoken you go for a job or anyplace else, there are probably not these safe spaces that some students think they have to have while they are at various universities for a period of 4 years out of a possible life through the other 60 years they are going to live, on average, after they get out of college. prgtoken That mission is not possible if colleges only pursue the appearance of diversity instead of real diversity. That just isn't diversity from the standpoint of ethnicity, religion, color, gender; it is about diversity of thought and the willingness to discuss those diverse opinions among people so they can learn from each other and respect each other. prgtoken In recent years, campus administr
ARE YOU SMARTER THAN A FIFTH GRADER?
Mariannette Miller-Meeks (Republican, IA) \u2014 2023-5-31

I rise today to recognize fifth grade students from Mid-Prairie Middle School in Kalona, Iowa, for serving as an excellent example of how young Americans can have a positive impact on their communities. They spent the last few months learning about financial literacy and entrepreneurship by starting their own endeavor selling candy to other students in the district, with the goal of donating their profits to a local animal shelter. prgtoken What the students and teachers didn't know when they started the business was how successful it would become. With an initial goal of raising $100, they blew everyone away when they presented their grand total of $750 to the local shelter this past Tuesday. The money will go toward saving the lives of countless animals in need of a home. prgtoken , I am proud to have such bright young entrepreneurs in my district. When they ask if you are smarter than a fifth grader, I would say to look to Kalona Mid-Prairie Middle School.
TRIBUTE TO ISABELLA FURELOS
Marco Rubio (Republican, FL) \u2014 2023-5-31

I recognize Isabella Furelos, a spring 2023 intern in my Miami office, for the hard work she has done for my office and the people of Florida. prgtoken Isabella is a student at Miami-Dade Honors College, where she majors in political science. She is a dedicated and diligent worker who was devoted to getting the most out of her internship experience. prgtoken I extend my deepest gratitude to Isabella for her work with my office, and I look forward to hearing of her successes in the years to come.
COMBATING SPOTTED LANTERNFLIES
Glenn Thompson (Republican, PA) \u2014 2023-5-31

I rise today to draw attention to an invasive species attacking Pennsylvania agriculture. prgtoken The spotted lanternfly was first discovered in the Commonwealth in 2014 and has since traveled to 51 out of our 67 counties. This spotted lanternfly can impact the grape, fruit tree, plant nursery, and timber industries, which contribute billions of dollars each year to Pennsylvania's economy. prgtoken In efforts to prevent the spread of the spotted lanternfly, Pennsylvania has established quarantine zones, but it takes collective and intentional efforts to slow the spread of this insect. prgtoken Across the Commonwealth, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture along with Penn State Extension provide education-based programs to the public. These programs are key resources for community members looking for information on how to combat and slow the spread of the spotted lanternfly. prgtoken , with warmer weather comes spotted lanternfly hatching season, and residents are encouraged to squash the bug and their egg masses. prgtoken It will take us all doing our part to prevent any further spread of this invasive insect, and I encourage all to utilize their local resources when combating invasive species.
CONGRATULATING HOLLY JOHNSON
Brad R. Wenstrup (Republican, OH) \u2014 2023-5-31

I rise to congratulate Holly Johnson for a remarkable 24 years with the Adams County Economic and Community Development, including the last 12 as Economic Development Director. Throughout her service to the county, Holly has worked with and met people from different backgrounds, led many community collaboration efforts, and built important partnerships throughout the county. prgtoken Holly is well known in Adams County, Ohio. Her selfless service has been a beacon of hope, integrity, and diligence. prgtoken Never touting her own accomplishments, Holly always acted in the best interests of all those she chose to serve. She leaves an incredible legacy in the community and leaves the job where the next Director will be in a position to thrive. prgtoken Holly Johnson served all around with dedication and honor throughout her career. I thank Holly for her service to the good people of our community. I wish her the best in her future endeavors.
Debt Ceiling (Executive Calendar)
John Thune (Republican, SD) \u2014 2023-5-31

we got some good news over the weekend with the announcement that the President prgtoken and McCarthy had reached an agreement on debt ceiling legislation. The bill they agreed on, the Fiscal Responsibility Act, will increase the debt ceiling and finally--finally--after 2 years of out-of-control spending, begin to rein in our Nation's budget. prgtoken I am tremendously grateful to McCarthy and to House s for their tireless work to make sure that any legislation to raise the debt ceiling was paired with meaningful spending reforms. The Fiscal Responsibility Act cuts discretionary spending next year and then limits discretionary spending increases to 1 percent each year over the subsequent 5 years. It claws back unspent COVID funds, repeals excess IRS spending, and ends the student loan repayment moratorium, which is currently costing taxpayers $5 billion a month. prgtoken In fact, the bill rescinds more unobligated government money than any bill in American history. It also places into statute pay-go rules on the executive branch which would require government Agencies to accompany new spending proposals with proposals that would save taxpayer dollars. prgtoken On top of all this, the Fiscal Responsibility Act makes a downpayment on permitting reform to help get energy projects off the ground more quickly, which will help encourage domestic energy production and drive down energy prices for American families. It also strengthens work requirements in Federal programs to help able-bodied Americans move from welfare to work. prgtoken And while this legislation doesn't go as far as it should and as McCarthy wanted, when it comes to funding for needed military modernization and readiness, the bill does provide an increase in defense funding and avoids a continuing resolution, while leaving open the possibility of supplemental funding as needed. And it is worth noting that this is the first time in recent history we have increased defense spending while decreasing nondefense spending. prgtoken Perhaps just as important as what is in the bill is what is not in the bill: tax increases. McCarthy and House s held the line and ensured that the debt ceiling increase was not used as a vehicle to collect more taxpayer money, and they also ensured that the bill did not contain any new government programs. prgtoken Now, is this a perfect bill? Does it have everything s would like included to get our Nation's fiscal house in order? No, it doesn't. But perfect bills are rare, and they are even more rare in a time of divided government. This is a good bill and, thanks to the efforts of McCarthy, a better bill than we might have hoped for. Let's not forget that wanted to pass a debt ceiling increase without any spending reforms at all. This bill may not be perfect, but it makes a real start at getting spending under control. prgtoken Now, our efforts can't end with this
SETTING OUR AIM HIGH ENOUGH
Victoria Spartz (Republican, IN) \u2014 2023-5-31

I rise today to express my grave concern with the fiscal state of our Nation, as someone who spent over a decade in the finance and accounting profession. prgtoken We are going to be voting on the Fiscal Responsibility Act today. One side will say how great it is, and the other side will say how awful it is, but really it is meaningless, considering the immense gravity of our fiscal problems. prgtoken As Michelangelo once said: ``The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark.'' prgtoken Unfortunately, this Congress is not setting its aim high enough for all of the people who died for our Republic and for future generations. I hope we will have a backbone to do it someday.
Student Loans (Executive Calendar)
John Cornyn (Republican, TX) \u2014 2023-5-31

over the last few years, President and Washington have unveiled a large range of socialist- inspired policies. The ill-fated ``Build Back Broke'' plan, for example, would have driven up daycare costs for countless working families. Thankfully, that bill couldn't get enough votes to pass. prgtoken Then there was electric vehicles socialism, which actually did become law as part of ' misnamed Inflation Reduction Act, which, by the way, did not reduce inflation. So thanks to them, today families earning up to $300,000 a year can receive a taxpayer handout to buy an electric vehicle made with batteries from China. It seems like a bad idea to me. prgtoken And last fall, President rolled out his plan for student loan socialism. Over the last few years, liberal activists have called on to cancel student debt. But those calls were largely ignored until President came along and decided to try it on his own. Not by coming to Congress and not by passing legislation, but with the stroke of a pen. prgtoken Last August, he announced he would cancel student loans for millions of borrowers. Well, ask any family with a mortgage, a car payment, a credit card debt, they all understand there is no such thing as canceling debt. Every dollar that was borrowed will eventually have to be repaid by someone. It is just a matter of who that someone is. Well, you can look around at the person you are sitting next to. You will be the ones to pay it back, the taxpayer. prgtoken Traditionally, the responsibility falls to the borrower--the person who agreed to repay the debt, the person who willingly took out tens of thousands, or even hundreds of thousands, of dollars in student loans. prgtoken The President decided to throw tradition and personal responsibility out the window in favor of a socialist approach where everyone chips in whether they want to or not. In other words, the American taxpayer. He said he would erase--erase--up to $20,000 in student loans for tens of millions of borrowers; thereby sticking taxpayers with the tab. prgtoken Well, to state the obvious, the vast majority of Americans do not benefit here, because 87 percent of Americans have no student debt. prgtoken Some people didn't go to college. Maybe they didn't want to. Maybe they couldn't afford it. Many worked while pursuing a degree. Many paid off their loans after graduating, just as they agreed to do. prgtoken Still, President expects every person without college debt to shoulder the cost for someone else. In total, his plan would cost taxpayers more than $400 billion, even though only 13 percent of Americans would reap the benefits. prgtoken A college degree is not a shared experience. It is not like roads, hospitals, or police departments, which benefit everyone. Individuals in debt made the decision to borrow the money, and they alone will reap the benefit of that degree, whether it is in the form
BICENTENNIAL OF THE KENTUCKY SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2023-5-31

as a polio survivor, I have a special appreciation for organizations that help those with conditions often overlooked in our society. The Kentucky School for the Deaf--KSD--in Danville, KY, is a remarkable example of such an organization, having dedicated itself to serving the deaf and hard of hearing for over two centuries. Today, I would like to recognize this institution for its outstanding work, as its students and faculty celebrate the school's bicentennial. prgtoken In a hearing world, it can be hard to imagine the life of the deaf. Nowhere was this misunderstanding more pronounced than throughout early human history. For centuries, the deaf were relegated to the outskirts of society, frequently sent to asylums for the insane, or otherwise forgotten. Many contended with Aristotle's opinion that the deaf were ``incapable of education'' due to their inability to hear. This was, unfortunately, the standing belief on deaf education for hundreds of years. prgtoken Gradual shifts in cultural attitudes and educational techniques led to slow but steady progress over time. The early days of deaf education were typically born from the philanthropic efforts of wealthy citizens, while schools were privately held and operated out of the country's east coast. prgtoken In the early 19th century, General Elias Barbee, then a member of the Kentucky State Senate, hoped to change that. Senator Barbee launched an effort to establish the first State-supported school for the deaf in the United States. In 1822, legislation was signed into law, bringing deaf schooling west of the Alleghenies for the first time in American history. Shortly thereafter, Barbee's daughter, who had been deaf since childhood, enrolled as the first of three students at the Kentucky school. prgtoken From the start, the institution intended to educate the whole person, preparing the deaf and hard of hearing for success in both academic and real-world settings. The school secured two Federal land grants, with the help of Kentucky's illustrious statesman Henry Clay, that were used to fund the construction of KSD's campus. prgtoken The board of trustees faced their first great hurdle early on: finding faculty to lead the fledgling school. They soon took up the training of John A. Jacobs, a young student at Centre College. Jacobs, often described as the ``founding father'' of the institution, would go on to serve as faculty for over 40 years and was integral to the school's success throughout its infancy. Under his leadership, the school prevailed through some of the most perilous periods of our Nation's history, even resisting three attempts from Confederate soldiers to occupy the school during the Civil War. prgtoken In recent history, the school has seen its campus and its student population flourish and expand. Meanwhile, opportunities for deaf children in public schools also became more widespread. In 1975, the Education for All Handic