mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
FURTHER EXTENDING GOVERNMENT FUNDING ACT
Tim Ryan (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2021-12-2

. Madam , what you are seeing here before the United States Congress is two clear, different visions of America and where we want to go and what we want to do. prgtoken We know that China is running circles around us. We know they are building islands in the South China Sea. We know Russia is on the border. We know the middle class has been eroded. And we know the philosophy has been cut taxes for the top 1 percent and hope the crumbs fall down to places like Youngstown, Ohio. prgtoken But what we are trying to do is three things. We want to build the United States, we want to rebuild the middle class, and we want to beat China. prgtoken But we can't do that if we don't have our greatest weapon. And our greatest weapon during the Cold War and our greatest weapon over the last 50 years has been a strong middle class. That has been our greatest weapon, our greatest strength. We reinvested into the United States, we reinvested into our communities, we invested in the technology, and we dominated the industry: steel, glass, and aerospace. prgtoken Now, we are hearing from the other side: Shut government down. Don't do anything. We don't want to be an honest broker. prgtoken Tyranny? What are you people talking about? We are talking about universal preschool, and they have it as a communist indoctrination of the American student. It is insane. prgtoken We need to pass this appropriations bill. We need to pass the CHIPS Act, because we have got to close the technology gap.
MOTION TO DISCHARGE
Jack Reed (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2021-12-2

reserving my right to object, the Senator from Oklahoma, as he always does, has very thoughtfully identified a problem that is affecting our military forces. And he has also identified the complex interplay between different aspects of the law: article 32, article 10, the authority of the Governor, the authority of the Secretary of Defense, legislation we might have passed. prgtoken This is an issue that, I think, bears close scrutiny, and I would like to assist in such scrutiny. But in terms of preemptively adopting a statute tonight without such scrutiny, I would be compelled to object. prgtoken So, , with all due respect to the Senator from Oklahoma, I would object.
A DIMINISHED SUPREME COURT
Steve Cohen (Democrat, TN) \u2014 2021-12-2

. Madam , I mourn the loss of the Supreme Court of the United States of America. prgtoken As a lawyer, I have always had respect for the Court as the highest court in the land dispensing justice, but starting with v. Gore, it became more political. prgtoken In Shelby v. Holder, it emasculated the Voting Rights Act, destroying section 5 and taking the basic fundamental principles of democracy away from so many people. prgtoken In Citizens United, it gave the rich and the powerful more and more money. prgtoken And then yesterday, it took away women's right to choose. prgtoken To hear some of the arguments from Justice Kavanaugh, to say abortion is not in the Constitution so we should leave it to the States, well, high-speed internet is not in the Constitution either, but the courts can hear cases on that. Nuclear power is not in the Constitution, but the Court will hear cases on that. prgtoken To hear Justice Barrett say women can just go a little longer and give birth to those children because there will be somebody there that wants to adopt that child, deciding for the mothers that they will have to bear that child might cost them their life. Childbearing is not without risk and takes them away from other things. prgtoken Unfortunately, the Court is very diminished.
FURTHER EXTENDING GOVERNMENT FUNDING ACT
Marcy Kaptur (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2021-12-2

. Madam , I thank the chairwoman for yielding. prgtoken Madam , I rise to address this latest short-term budget fix before us. We have a bipartisan responsibility to pass a full-year appropriations package. have worked in good faith to find common ground that will allow us to meet our national obligations to the American people and deliver essential services that they expect. prgtoken Unfortunately, s have decided that engaging in partisan politics and throwing up needless speed bumps in delays and roadblocks is more important than doing their job. prgtoken The people harmed most by this obstruction are the hardworking families, prgtoken seniors, and veterans I represent. In fact, our Great Lakes region deserves so much better, and Americans deserve better. Let's govern our Nation. No more stalls. prgtoken Our bipartisan Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies Subcommittee worked diligently to craft a forward-thinking bill. It invests new resources to meet America's needs and create good jobs in clean energy and water technologies allowing us to secure our Nation's energy independence, create good-paying jobs, and confront the climate crisis that is impacting every coast in every region and, frankly, continent. prgtoken A full-year bill will ensure our water resource agencies are able to meet the needs of the American people and solidify our waterway and port infrastructure driving our economy forward, meeting the backlogs that are there, and creating good jobs from coast to coast. prgtoken The people's business must be conducted, and for the sake of our Nation, s should work in a constructive manner, not destructive. prgtoken We look forward to passing these bills and investing in the American people. For now, I urge my colleagues to support this bridge to the future and move our Nation forward again.
OXFORD HIGH SCHOOL MASS SHOOTING
Elissa Slotkin (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2021-12-2

. Madam , I rise today in the shadow of a terrible tragedy that has shaken my district and the entire State of Michigan to its core. prgtoken Oxford, Michigan, is a quiet town in northern Oakland County. It is a small, close-knit community where folks know and care for each other. But just 2 days ago, in less than 5 minutes, the heart of the town was ripped out in a flurry of screams and gunfire. prgtoken On Tuesday, a 15-year-old boy walked into his Oxford High School and took the lives of four of his fellow students, four young Michiganders with their entire lives ahead of them. prgtoken I mentioned them in our moment of silence, but it bears repeating. prgtoken Hana St. Juliana was an exuberant freshman on the volleyball and basketball team. She babysat for a friend of mine and brought joy to all who knew her. She made her high school debut on the basketball team on Monday night. Hana was 14 years old. prgtoken Madisyn Baldwin was going to graduate this year, and she had already been accepted to several colleges, some with a full scholarship. She had a younger half-brother and two sisters, and her friends described her as an artist who loved to draw and read and write. Madisyn was 17. prgtoken Tate Myre was a tight end and running back on the varsity football team and an honor student. Already, there is a petition with more than 80,000 signatures circulating to rename Oxford's football stadium in honor of Tate. He was 16 years old. prgtoken Justin Shilling was a senior getting ready for life after high school. He was the co-captain of the school's bowling team, and he worked part time at Anita's Kitchen, a restaurant in nearby Lake Orion. Justin was 17. prgtoken The loss of these four young people has ripped a hole in our community, and the trauma inflicted on their friends and classmates will never fully subside. prgtoken No one has been left unscathed. The aftershocks of the senseless act of violence are being felt across the State, most clearly in the 60 school districts that have been forced to cancel school out of an abundance of caution due to copycat threats. prgtoken All of us can see ourselves in the parents, students, and teachers at Oxford, but we can't begin to imagine their pain. prgtoken As agonizing as the last few days have been, the place to take solace is in the incredible response of the hundreds of first responders who jumped into action to end the violence before more lives were taken. prgtoken Yesterday, I visited the professionals at the Oakland County Operations Center, which was the eye of the hurricane on Tuesday, and heard firsthand accounts of heroism, bravery, and dedication under extreme stress. prgtoken In the darkness of the event, the light we should try and focus on is that, in our hour of need, our first responders were trained and ready. They did not hesitate. In the span of just a few minutes, the gunman fired 30 shots, hitting 11 people. Four of them are dead. prgtoken When the gunma
FURTHER EXTENDING GOVERNMENT FUNDING ACT
Barbara Lee (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2021-12-2

. Madam , let me first thank our chair, Congresswoman DeLauro, for yielding and for her tremendous leadership throughout this overall process because, I tell you, this continuing resolution, it really should not be necessary. prgtoken We have had ample time under the previous CR to complete bicameral, bipartisan negotiations to complete our full-year funding responsibilities, but not all parties have agreed to even come to the table. prgtoken But are determined to keep our government open, so I urge everyone to support this continuing resolution. prgtoken There are immense needs, though, and challenges outside our borders. We must complete our work on a full-year appropriations bill that provides the much-needed investments in diplomacy and development to meet those challenges. prgtoken For far too long, we have had an imbalance between defense, diplomacy, and development. So I am very proud that the House passed the State-Foreign Operations bill, increasing funding for global health and pandemic response efforts, humanitarian assistance, and our commitment to key allies and partners. We must provide our international agencies the resources they need to defeat the global COVID-19 pandemic and ensure that we are taking the proper steps to protect ourselves in the future. prgtoken The House bill also has a tripling of environmental funding from the prior year, which are critical investments to address climate change and accelerate the progress in adaptation of clean energy. prgtoken Our bill prioritizes the protection and advancement of women, including for family planning, which has not received an increase in funding in over a decade.
TRIBUTE TO LIEUTENANT COLONEL RENETTE HILTON
Kyrsten Sinema (Democrat, AZ) \u2014 2021-12-2

I rise today to congratulate and thank Air Force Lt. Col. Renette Hilton. Renette has been serving as a Department of Defense fellow in my office this year, and she has been an asset to the people of Arizona and the U.S. Congress. prgtoken Arizona is home to key parts of the U.S. Air Force working every day to keep our Nation safe and secure. Luke Air Force Base is home to the world's largest fighter wing, the 56th Fighter Wing, where they train on and operate the F-35 Lightning. The F-35 is America's preeminent fifth-generation fighter. Luke Air Force Base also trains pilots for our partner nations, strengthening or relationship with and the security of our allies. Davis-Monthan Air Force Base is similarly critical to our national security. Davis-Monthan has a diverse mission that includes search and rescue, Air Force Southern Command, electronic warfare, and the Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group. Arizona also has one of the most capable Air National Guard units in the country. They organize the busiest aerial refueling operation and continue to innovate to stay on the cutting edge of Air Force capabilities. prgtoken In the year she has worked in my office, Renette has become an essential member of the team and a valued connection to the Air Force. She has worked with my policy team to host over 30 meetings with Arizona constituents on a range of topics related to the Nation's defense. She has assisted in making informed recommendations on confirmation votes, cosponsorships, and hearing preparations. She has helped us draft thoughtful and influential policy that I know will help the servicemembers and families of Arizona. Renette has been a steadfast protector of Arizona military missions and communities. prgtoken Moreover, Renette went above and beyond to adapt to dynamic staffing in my office. She led our defense team for several months, including coordinating with a legislative correspondent, policy aide, and our defense outreach team across three geographically dislocated offices. In this role, she planned, organized, and directed a staff delegation to multiple bases throughout Arizona and engaged with senior leaders in the military, as well as business, academic, and community stakeholders. She also successfully supported my requests to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022. prgtoken I am incredibly proud of the work accomplished by Lieutenant Colonel Hilton throughout this challenging year. She has set an outstanding example for others, and my team and I will miss her.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2022--Resumed
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2021-12-2

I begin this morning with some good news. I am happy to say that last night I reached an agreement with Leader McConnell, the , and the chairs of the House Appropriations Committee and the Senate Appropriations Committee on a continuing resolution that will keep the Federal Government funded through mid-February of next year. prgtoken This is a good compromise that allows an appropriate amount of time for both parties in both Chambers to finish negotiations on appropriations. As I said, this is a good compromise that allows an appropriate amount of time for both parties in both Chambers to finish negotiations on appropriations. prgtoken This morning, the House will start the process to take up this government funding measure, and we hope they can have it passed through their Chamber by the end of today. prgtoken Unfortunately, it seems dysfunction could be a roadblock to averting an unnecessary and dangerous government shutdown. and most s, including the leader, have said they don't want to see a shutdown. We hope cooler heads will prevail. prgtoken Just as we saw with the NDAA, a few individual Senators appear determined to derail this important legislation because of their opposition to the President's lifesaving vaccine guidelines critical to healing our country in the middle of a pandemic. prgtoken Let's be clear: If there is a shutdown, it will be a anti- vaccine shutdown. want to get the government funded as soon as possible. It was not easy to reach this deal. It took a while to get leadership on board. But I am glad that we have gotten it done. s on the other side of the aisle for working with us to find a path forward. prgtoken Now all that is left are a few lone holdouts who are raising objections that are doomed to fail and which can be debated elsewhere. There is no reason we should have a shutdown. I have worked with the leader on an agreement that will prgtoken avoid one. Now, again, I hope cooler heads will prevail on the other side so we can keep the government funded before tomorrow's deadline.
MOTION TO DISCHARGE
Edward J. Markey (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2021-12-2

I want to spend a quick moment saying a fond thank-you and farewell to a staff member of mine who is leaving. prgtoken My deep gratitude to Ashley Harrington, who is off to great adventures. Our sadness at her leaving is matched only by our excitement for her as she starts her next chapter. prgtoken Thank you for your dedication, your humor, your invaluable skills. We are going to miss you throughout our entire office. Nomination of Rachael S. Rollins prgtoken , I come here today to speak in support of Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins, nominee to serve as U.S. attorney for the District of Massachusetts. prgtoken The fact that I and my Senate partner, Senator Warren, have to come to the floor at all in support of this qualified, respected, effective law enforcement official is a testimony to the unprecedented partisanship of my colleagues. It is truly outrageous. prgtoken Before I share more about District Attorney Rollins' record of accomplishment--a record that my colleagues have intentionally distorted and mischaracterized--I want to explain how politically partisan this U.S. attorney nomination process has become. prgtoken In September, the Judiciary Committee held a rollcall vote on Rachael Rollins' nomination to serve as U.S. attorney for the District of Massachusetts. She was voted out of committee on an 11-to-11 vote. All voted aye; all s opposed the nomination. prgtoken With this vote, Judiciary Committee s eviscerated a three- decade precedent of voice votes for U.S. attorney nominees for all 50 States--every single time. The committee had last held a rollcall vote on a U.S. attorney nominee in 1993. And based on a review of available materials, before the 117th Congress, the Judiciary Committee had only ever held a rollcall vote on three U.S. attorney nominees: in 1993, 1982, and 1975. prgtoken The Senate last required cloture on a U.S. attorney nominee in 1993 but ultimately confirmed that nominee by voice vote. And--listen to this--the Senate last held a rollcall vote on the floor of the Senate on a U.S. attorney nominee in 1975. We have held more impeachment votes on the floor of the Senate than votes on U.S. attorney nominees since 1975. prgtoken This obstruction of District Attorney Rollins' nomination is unwarranted, unfounded, and unprecedented. Let me underscore that last point. During the administration, Judiciary Committee agreed to voice vote all 85 U.S. attorney nominees who came before them, despite disagreements with multiple nominees' records and ideology. All 85 of those U.S. attorneys in the era were processed by the Judiciary Committee and received a voice vote with no recorded opposition. And the Senate, likewise, confirmed all 85 by unanimous consent on the Senate floor during the era. prgtoken The opposition to Rachael Rollins is nothing
FURTHER EXTENDING GOVERNMENT FUNDING ACT
Steny H. Hoyer (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2021-12-2

. Madam , I thank the chair of the Appropriations Committee for yielding me 1 minute. prgtoken I rise to say, of course, everybody is going to vote for this bill. I wish I believed that. prgtoken Madam , this bill is a demonstration of the failure of 535 adults elected by their fellow citizens to act responsibly. Obviously, of those 535, a number have acted responsibly, have worked to get the job done. prgtoken There are really only 12 bills that need to pass the Congress. There are many other bills that are important bills and should pass the Congress that I voted for and make life better for America.
SAFEGUARD TRIBAL OBJECTS OF PATRIMONY ACT OF 2021
Kaiali’i Kahele (Democrat, HI) \u2014 2021-12-2

on Thursday, December 2, I was not present for Roll Call votes 397 and 401. Had l been present, l would have voted: prgtoken Yea on the Table Motion to Reconsider on providing for consideration of H.R. 6119, making further continuing appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2022, and for other purposes; and Yea on H.R. 2390 the Safeguarding Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act of 2021, as amended. Members Recorded Pursuant to House Resolution 8, 117th Congress Adams (Brown (MD)) Butterfield (Ryan) Cardenas (Soto) Cawthorn (Nehls) Crist (Wasserman Schultz) Curtis (Meijer) DeFazio (Carbajal) Donalds (McClain) Frankel, Lois (Kuster) Fulcher (Johnson (OH)) Garcia (TX) (Jeffries) Green (TX) (Cuellar) Hagedorn (Moolenaar) Lawrence (Johnson (GA)) Lawson (FL) (Evans) Lesko (Miller (WV)) Luetkemeyer (Meuser) Meng (Kuster) Moore (UT) (Owens) Palazzo (Fleischmann) Payne (Pallone) Porter (Wexton) Posey (Cammack) Reed (Kelly (PA)) Reschenthaler (Meuser) Ruiz (Aguilar) Rush (Quigley) Sires (Pallone) Stewart (Owens) Swalwell (Gomez) Takano (Chu) Underwood (Casten) Vela (Gomez) Watson Coleman (Pallone) Wilson (FL) (Hayes)
MOTION TO DISCHARGE
Jeanne Shaheen (Democrat, NH) \u2014 2021-12-2

just to respond to Senator Cotton--and I know that he shares my view about Nord Stream 2. But I think, sadly, at this point we are in a position where, by refusing to allow our diplomats to be in place, we no longer have an ability to negotiate. prgtoken And, in fact, the gas has not started running in Nord Stream 2; the certification of that pipeline has been delayed; and we have a new administration in Germany that we have heard a number of members of that administration express serious reservations about Nord Stream 2. prgtoken So I am not sure that right now--given the need for transatlantic unity, the need for us to be able to work with our European allies on whatever Russia might do on Ukraine--is the best time for us to send a signal that we don't really care what the administration is doing on this issue and we don't really care what the Germans say about it, all we care about is making a point on Nord Stream 2, when what we really need to be doing is working together with our European allies because what Putin wants more than anything else is to sow dissension between the United States and our European allies. And, by this action, he is doing exactly that.
CANCEL STUDENT LOAN DEBT
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2021-12-2

. Madam , I thank the gentleman from New York for both his leadership and his inspiration. He obviously cares. That is why he is on the floor tonight. prgtoken I think that is the point that I want to make. It looks as if we are lonely on this floor tonight. It looks as if we are in the eve of the day's work. It looks as if we could be somewhere else. prgtoken I can tell you, being from a district in Houston that is surrounded by universities, and I know that I will get someone in trouble for trying to call the roll of the universities around the 18th Congressional District, like the historic Texas Southern University, University of Houston, University of St. Thomas, Houston Baptist University, Lone Star College, Houston Community College, and San Jacinto College. I know someone is texting me right now. But I am full of college students, all of them working very hard. prgtoken I thought I would bring to the floor today the Constitution. I love the words of the Declaration of Independence, the opening words, that we are all created equal with certain inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. prgtoken Does that mean the students that are right now struggling to make ends meet--I think of that famous noodle meal that they eat because they just don't have the money to survive--does that mean that one person, that is still the first person to go to college, in 2021, the single mother that has made it to 20-something hours, has to drop out? prgtoken America has always said that the American Dream is defined singularly by your presence here in the United States. Yet, we are finding that State and Federal policymakers are ignoring the $1,730,000,000 plus of national student debt and that one-sixth of the American people, 47,900,000, about that number, are indebted to student debt. That is why we are here on the floor today, recognizing that it also is an imbalance. prgtoken I thank Mr. Bowman, an educator, who has seen little babies grow up with little stars in their eyes. They can play a piano or they can play an instrument or he sees them playing on the field of recreation, and they are little scientists, scholars, but yet the hopes and dreams of the opportunity is somewhat denied. prgtoken Black families must take on more debt for the same degree as White students and often need to get several degrees in order to be in the middle class. The burden of student debt reaches deep into communities of color. Increasing evidence suggests that it is hampering the ability to build wealth. prgtoken One of the reasons my good friend and myself are also interested in the idea of the commission to study slavery and develop reparation proposals is to get a roadmap of some of the populations that are impacted negatively by student debt. prgtoken Default and delinquency rates on student loans remain appallingly high. 3.6 million students are in the State of Texas. The Nation carries $1.7 trillion debt, and w