mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
Congressional Oversight (Executive Session)
Chuck Grassley (Republican, IA) \u2014 2023-6-12

last week, I came here to speak to my colleagues about the administration and the FBI playing games with the American people by hiding the FBI-generated 1023 document from Congress and the American people. Director Wray was going to be held in contempt for refusing to produce the 1023 that I told Chairman Comer about, and I think I had that first conversation with Chairman Comer about 3 weeks ago. Then, instead of contempt, the FBI committed to showing the 1023 and related documents to the whole Congress. prgtoken By the way, I thank Chairman Comer for his cooperation with me and for how he has pursued this issue, because we know a heck of a lot more now than if he had not been involved in this whole effort. prgtoken So the FBI showed--after the FBI committed to showing this document-- but didn't provide possession of that 1023 to the House Oversight Committee last week. prgtoken By the way, 1023 is unclassified, so why shouldn't the entire country know about what is in this 1023? As the public knows, that 1023 involves an alleged bribery scheme between then-Vice President , Hunter , and a foreign national--the same allegations Chairman Comer and I made public on May 3 of this year. prgtoken On the very same day that the FBI provided a redacted version of the 1023 to the House Oversight Committee, the Justice Department then announced that former President had been indicted and charged with 37 crimes relating to his alleged mishandling of classified records. prgtoken Attorney General Garland signed off on prosecuting for conduct similar to what and Hillary Clinton engaged in. Two standards of justice in this country will turn our constitutional Republic upside down. Thanks to the political infection within the Justice Department and the FBI, we are well along the road for that to happen. prgtoken This Senator will do all that he can to fight that political infection in the Department of Justice and the FBI. You fight it, then, by bringing transparency to what this government does. The public's business ought to be public. Transparency brings accountability. prgtoken With respect to the 1023 shown to the House Oversight Committee, from what I have been told by folks who have reviewed it, it is filled with redactions. The document that Comer and I read had maybe two or three half-inch redactions, not whole sentences redacted, as I am told the document in the SCIF has. So Director Wray placed redactions on a document that is already unclassified--as I have said before, unclassified. More than that, the FBI made Congress review a redacted, unclassified document in a classified facility. That goes to show you the disrespect the FBI has for Congress. prgtoken During a previous time on the Senate floor, I think I told my fellow Senators what was so unusual about an unclassified document being given to the public when--I think it was on May 18 of this year--there
CHANGING AGE-DETERMINED ELIGIBILITY TO STUDENT INCENTIVE PAYMENTS ACT
Jack Bergman (Republican, MI) \u2014 2023-6-12

. Madam , such time as I may consume. prgtoken Madam , I rise today in strong support of S. 467, the CADETS Act. prgtoken The CADETS Act was introduced earlier this year by a bipartisan group of Senators led by Senator Peters of Michigan. It passed the Senate by unanimous consent last month. I am the proud sponsor of the companion legislation here in this House. prgtoken The CADETS Act will begin to help solve the problem our Nation faces in recruiting qualified mariners to serve in the Navy Reserve and crew our strategic sealift vessels. prgtoken Our fleet of strategic sealift vessels is critical to our ability to project and sustain U.S. forces around the world and defend ourselves and our allies. However, we can't do that without qualified Americans willing and able to crew these ships. prgtoken S. 467 will incentivize Americans to serve in this critical defense role by making those older than 25 years of age eligible for MARAD's Student Incentive Payment Program. prgtoken The Student Incentive Payment Program provides financial assistance to cadets who attend one of the six State maritime academies and commit to a post-graduation service obligation in the Navy Reserve. prgtoken I am proud to represent the Great Lakes Maritime Academy in Traverse City, Michigan, and I was honored to address the cadets at their graduation ceremony just a few weeks ago in May. prgtoken Cadets at Great Lakes and other maritime academies can receive up to $32,000 in incentive payments over 4 years to help offset the cost of tuition and other education expenses. However, current law prohibits candidates older than 25 years of age from participating in the program. This is despite the fact that Americans between the ages of 18 and 42 can currently join the Navy Reserve and that State maritime academies are actively seeking to enroll veterans and servicemembers, many of whom are older than age 25. prgtoken S. 467 amends the Student Incentive Payment Program to align its eligibility age with the age requirements for enlisting or commissioning in the United States Navy Reserve. prgtoken This is a good bipartisan bill that will help our veterans transition to well-paying jobs, support the great work done by our State maritime academies, and help fill critical national security vacancies. prgtoken Madam , I urge all Members to support the bill, and .
Border Security (Executive Session)
Marsha Blackburn (Republican, TN) \u2014 2023-6-12

the administration has spent the better part of 3 years claiming that its border policies are humane and just. We know this isn't the case. Under , the Mexican cartels are acting with impunity because the President would rather cave to the desires of the far left than admit that a country with open borders has no borders at all. Because of this open border policy and the fact that they are not recognizing the southern border as a border, they have turned every town into a border town, every State into a border State, and this has made us vulnerable to drug smugglers, human traffickers, and violent criminals looking for their next victim. prgtoken In April, the Border Patrol reported more than 182,000 encounters with migrants trying to cross the southern border--182,000. When you combine that with the numbers from the first quarter of this year, you come up with more than 602,000 encounters. That doesn't include the tens of thousands of got-aways who disappeared into the country before they could be apprehended. When you add that to the 22,000 pounds of drugs that have been seized, almost 40,000 criminals that have been caught, and 49 suspected terrorists apprehended, you must conclude that the administration hasn't just lost control of the border; they have relinquished it. prgtoken As I said, the border policy is to have no policy, to have an open border--interesting--and it is something that my colleagues across the aisle refuse to admit is taking place. prgtoken Our southern border is wide open. The people benefiting are the cartels that are in control of the border on the Mexico side: 49 suspected terrorists, 22,000 pounds of drugs, 40,000 criminal illegal aliens apprehended. As I said, that is just in the 602,000 who have been apprehended so far this year. That is right, so far this year. prgtoken And in the got-aways--the tens of thousands of got-aways--how many more pounds of drugs, how many more criminals, how many more terrorists have come into this country? prgtoken While our border is open, the cartels are monetizing 's refusal to secure the country. They have turned human trafficking into a $13 billion-a-year business. It is amazing--$13 billion on human trafficking alone. prgtoken For years, illegal immigrants have taken advantage of the fact that if they cross the border with a minor, they will more likely than not be released into the United States while their immigration cases are processed. But under , human traffickers have made this complacency a part of their expected business model. prgtoken They are now engaging in a practice that is horrendous. It is called child recycling. It is a disgusting process. In this child recycling process, the same child is exploited repeatedly by illegal aliens attempting to enter the United States. Once one criminal escapes into the country, they ship the child back across the border and into the hands
ALZHEIMER'S AND BRAIN AWARENESS MONTH
Mike Crapo (Republican, ID) \u2014 2023-6-12

with my fellow Members of Idaho's congressional delegation Senator Jim Risch and Representatives Mike Simpson and Russ Fulcher, we recognize June as Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month. According to the Alzheimer's Association, 27,000 people aged 65 and older are living with Alzheimer's in Idaho, while 65,000 family caregivers bear the burden of the disease. In honor of these Idaho families and the millions of other Americans and their loved ones impacted by Alzheimer's, we continue the fight to stop harmful policies delaying access to treatment for Alzheimer's patients. prgtoken The Food and Drug Administration's, FDA, accelerated approval pathway has provided a lifeline for countless Americans suffering from Alzheimer's disease by advancing access to safe and effective medicines years before these treatments could otherwise come to market. Numerous studies show that drugs that have gone through the accelerated approval pathway reach patients an average of more than 3 years before they would otherwise. prgtoken Unfortunately, the current administration has taken unprecedented steps to erode this pathway, deterring lifesaving innovation and delaying access to care by restricting Medicare coverage for an entire class of potential Alzheimer's therapies. This harmful coverage decision carries grave implications for Alzheimer's patients. Every day without access to FDA-approved drugs, more than 2,000 people transition to a more advanced stage of Alzheimer's where they are no longer eligible for treatment, reports the Alzheimer's Association. The administration must reverse course and provide access to these lifesaving pathways as quickly as possible. prgtoken We are grateful to leaders from communities across Idaho and our country who are pivotal in advancing Alzheimer's and dementia research and other important efforts that are making progress in fighting this disease and supporting families dealing with this dreaded disease. The advocates' personal experiences with the disease's effects in their own families often fuel and inform their engagement. Their perspectives are deeply valuable as we continue to work to improve drug access and affordability. This includes working to ensure Federal policies enable, not discourage, innovators to quickly bring their life-saving discoveries to market. prgtoken Time and again, American ingenuity has proven it can meet the challenges we face, if the Federal Government gets out of the way. This Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month is a reminder of the pressing need to better empower patients and doctors to decide the treatments right for them. Throughout this month, as Americans wear purple and participate in other awareness and educational activities and in the years ahead, let's do all we can to alleviate the burden on families across our country by easing access to innovative treatment for Alzheimer's.
Ukraine (Executive Session)
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2023-6-12

public reports indicate that the armed forces of Ukraine have begun their long-planned counteroffensive in earnest. Having blunted Putin's unprovoked escalation last year, Ukraine is aiming to drive Russian forces back and out of occupied Ukrainian territory on multiple fronts. prgtoken Reaching this point in the conflict is, of course, due in large measure to the heroism of the brave Ukrainians defending their homeland, but their success is also--also--a credit to the tangible support of the United States, NATO allies, and friends around the globe who value the same sovereignty and territorial integrity which is under attack in Ukraine. prgtoken The acute threat of Russian aggression helped wake many of our European friends from a holiday from history. Putin's escalation drove many of our closest allies to start investing more seriously in their own defense and contribute more readily to collective security. This is, of course, a positive development and a critical one as we look toward deterring aggression from China. prgtoken At the same time, America's support for Ukraine has done much more than sustain their defense. As I have said repeatedly, sending lethal Western capabilities to the frontlines has been a direct investment in our own security in a number of concrete ways. prgtoken First, equipping our friends on the frontlines to defend themselves is a far, far cheaper way, in both dollars and American lives, to degrade Russia's ability to threaten the United States. prgtoken Second, Ukraine's effective defense of its territory is teaching us lessons about how to improve the defenses of partners who are threatened by China. It is no surprise that senior officials from Taiwan are so supportive of efforts to help Ukraine defeat Russia. prgtoken Third, most of the money that has been appropriated for Ukraine's security assistance doesn't actually go to Ukraine; it gets invested in American defense manufacturing. It funds new weapons and munitions for U.S. Armed Forces to replace the older materiel we have provided to Ukraine. prgtoken So let me be clear: This assistance means more jobs for American workers and newer weapons for American servicemembers. prgtoken I know that media reports about U.S. assistance to Ukraine have been really quite confusing--so has the administration's messaging. Last week, for example, the administration announced what it called a ``new'' package of security assistance to Ukraine. prgtoken In reality, this is the latest tranche of assistance. It is not a new appropriation. It is just the latest in a slow and steady disbursement--perhaps too slow and too steady--of assistance previously approved by an overwhelming bipartisan majority in Congress. prgtoken I will have more to say as Ukraine continues to push Vladimir Putin's forces backward, and Senate s will continue our efforts to invest in America's own national security.
RECOGNIZING THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE WOMENS ARMED SERVICES ACT AND TO HONOR AND REMEMBER THE SACRIFICE AND SERVICE OF WOMEN VETERANS
Nicholas A. Langworthy (Republican, NY) \u2014 2023-6-12

I rise today to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Women's Armed Services Act, and the long tradition of the woman veterans who have honorably and courageously served this great Nation. prgtoken Since the founding of our Nation, women have always played a pivotal role in our country's military. It wasn't until the Women's Armed Services Act was signed into law by President Harry Truman on June 12, 1948 that women were allowed to serve as permanent, regular members of the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Air Force. prgtoken So today, on the 75th anniversary, I am proud to stand here to thank all past and present women who have served and sacrificed as military members and veterans. prgtoken On Sunday, June 11, 2023, the Big Flats American Legion Skinner Ernest Memorial Post 1612 in Big Flats, Chemung County, New York, hosted the second annual Chemung County Women Veterans Recognition Day to honor and remember the sacrifice and service of women veterans. I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to the Big Flats Legion and all those involved in coordinating the event and their dedication to celebrate and honor their fellow female veterans and service women. prgtoken It is my humble honor to ask my colleagues to join me in remembering these brave, dedicated, and courageous women who previously served, currently serve, and those seeking future service to our country.
National Defense Authorization Act (Executive Session)
John Cornyn (Republican, TX) \u2014 2023-6-12

last month, the majority leader announced an effort to compile what he called China bill 2.0, alluding to the CHIPS and Science Act that we passed last year dealing with the vulnerability of our supply chains and access to advanced semiconductors, which were overwhelmingly manufactured in Asia--60 percent in Taiwan alone. prgtoken To pursue this China bill 2.0, Senator Schumer directed committee chairmen to work on legislation that takes aim at everything from U.S. investment in China to security threats against Taiwan. As each of us knows, these are some of the most urgent threats facing the United States and our allies to date. prgtoken The Chinese Communist Party has become increasingly aggressive in recent years. It is rapidly growing and modernizing its military. It is cozying up to Russia. It is bullying and harassing its neighbors in the Indo-Pacific. prgtoken Yes, there is a clear and urgent need to counter threats from China, but there is a better way than China 2.0. prgtoken As we have seen in the past, our ic colleagues can't resist the urge to mix partisan politics along with urgent national security legislation. So every one of these bills tends to become a vehicle for unrelated items. We saw this during consideration of the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act 2 years ago, when our colleagues attached prevailing wage legislation to the CHIPS provisions. They injected partisan labor policy into private construction projects that would benefit from national security concerns. prgtoken But we won't outcompete China by pursuing a liberal domestic socialist policy. Our ic colleagues have shown themselves unwilling to separate themselves from the left's wish list from our most urgent national security priorities. prgtoken If the true goal is to counter threats from China, the majority leader doesn't need a new working group to draft a bill from scratch because there is already a strong bipartisan effort underway. Our colleagues on the Armed Services Committee are working around-the-clock to prepare this year's Defense authorization bill. This has literally been something that Congress has done for the last 61 years without interruption. prgtoken This legislation is not negotiated in a backroom by a hand-picked group of Members. It isn't thrown together in a matter of days and then pushed to the floor for a vote without the opportunity to offer amendments. It is slowly and thoughtfully drafted over a period of months, including multiple hearings, votes, and hundreds of amendments. prgtoken Year after year, all 100 Members of the U.S. Senate are given an opportunity to shape the national defense authorization bill in some way. As a result, the Defense authorization bill has maintained strong bipartisan support for more than six decades. prgtoken The Armed Services Committee is set to consider the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act just next week. As it stands right now, t
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
Joni Ernst (Republican, IA) \u2014 2023-6-12

as ranking member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize an outstanding Iowa small business that exemplifies the American entrepreneurial spirit. This week, it is my privilege to recognize Precision Optical Group of Creston, IA, as the Senate Small Business of the Week. prgtoken Following a fishing trip, friends Mike Tamerius and Matt Somers started Precision Optical Group in 1992. Mike had his start in the optical industry working as an optician during his time at Grinnell College in Grinnell, IA, and is a member of the Opticians Association of Iowa and is a certified optician from Metro Tech Community College. Initially starting as a two-person shop, with 100 square feet, the shop expanded operations after only 1 year to a larger building. Over the years, Precision Optical Group has expanded to three locations while maintaining their Creston headquarters. The company acquired the Chicago lab location in 2014. Seeing a need for additional expansion, they acquired the Precise Optical lab in San Angelo, TX, in 2018. prgtoken Precision Optical Group is a family enterprise; Mike's son Alex is a sales and marketing specialist with the team. He has a degree in business management from Central College in Pella, IA, in 2018 and has been working there since high school where he started helping in the lab. He also spent time early in his career helping his aunt Deb, who serves as the purchasing manager. prgtoken Between the three labs, they have a team of 140 employees and make 1,700 lenses per day. As the country's largest independently owned wholesale optical lab, they have customers across 48 States and export globally. Additionally, Precision Optical Group is a member of the Creston Chamber of Commerce. prgtoken In 2022, Precision Optical Group celebrated their 30th anniversary. Precision Optical Group's commitment to providing quality lenses throughout the globe while maintaining their Iowa roots is clear. I want to congratulate Mike Tamerius and the entire team at Precision Optical Group for their continued dedication to the optical industry. I look forward to seeing their continued growth and success in Iowa.
REIMPOSE SANCTIONS ON IRAN
Joe Wilson (Republican, SC) \u2014 2023-6-12

the Iranian regime continues to enrich weapons-grade uranium, oppress its people, and export missiles and terrorism. prgtoken Yesterday, the regime threatened that the West could not stop it from a nuclear arms program, fulfilling the chant of death to Israel, death to America. Iranian drones murder innocent Ukrainians every day. prgtoken In a Wall Street Journal column last week, John Bolton, former National Security Advisor, wrote, incredibly: ``During Mr. 's term. . . . his administration still seeks to resuscitate the Iran deal.'' prgtoken President was correct in pulling the U.S. out of the Iran deal as Iran shamefully continues ICBM development to kill Americans. prgtoken I am grateful to have joined a bipartisan group of 35 House colleagues in sending a letter to leaders of the United Kingdom, France, and Germany, encouraging them to reimpose sanctions on Iran. prgtoken In conclusion, God bless our troops, who successfully protected America for 20 years as the global war on terrorism continues moving from the Afghanistan safe haven to America with open borders. prgtoken Our sympathy for the family of beloved civic leader Lottie Gregg.