mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
BRING STEEL PLANTS BACK TO AMERICA
Ro Khanna (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2023-7-26

recently I traveled to Lordstown, Ohio, in Ashtabula County, Ohio; Johnstown, Pennsylvania; and Farrell, Pennsylvania. I saw steel mill after steel mill shut down, including in Cleveland, in Detroit, and in Downriver, Michigan. prgtoken Of the world's top 15 steel companies, China has 9 and the United States of America doesn't have a single one. How did we let this happen as a country? How did we decimate American steel, costing community after community so many good jobs, hurting urban centers with large African-American working populations, and hurting factory towns across America? This was a colossal mistake. prgtoken In the 1950s, we used to make over 50 percent of the world's steel. That is down to 2 or 3 percent. Today, China makes nearly 50 percent of the world's steel. prgtoken This is a national security issue if we ever have to mobilize for our military. This is a climate issue. China's steel puts three times the emissions into the atmosphere than American steel does because we use electric arc furnaces and recycled material, unlike the blast furnaces that China uses. prgtoken It is time for America to have a strategy to bring modern steel production back home. We can make steel that is cleaner and of higher quality; and we can revitalize towns like Johnstown, Pennsylvania; Lordstown, Ohio; Akron, Ohio; and Downriver, Michigan, if we build these modern steel plants. prgtoken I am going to be working with my colleagues on a bipartisan basis to introduce a modern steel act to say that the government should partner with our steel unions and with our steel companies to build modern steel in the United States of America. prgtoken This will be clean steel with either hydrogen or electric arc furnaces. This will create good-paying jobs. This will be good for national security, and this will ensure that America leads in steel in the 21st century, not China. prgtoken , we made a big, big error in the United States of America, losing our lead in domestic production. It is time for our country to become a manufacturing superpower again. It is time to begin that with modern steel.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024--Continued
Jeanne Shaheen (Democrat, NH) \u2014 2023-7-26

I come to the floor this evening on behalf of the more than 1 million people who are serving this country and who rely on this Senate to put national security ahead of policy disagreements. prgtoken With the overturning of Roe v. Wade, millions of Americans, including tens of thousands of U.S. servicemembers, lost access to reproductive care overnight. And I would just remind us all that the military relies on almost 18 percent of its makeup on women. Most of those women are of reproductive age. prgtoken Since the Dobbs decision, more and more States have put in place prohibitions on reproductive care--care that was previously the right of all Americans. Now, according to a recent RAND Corporation study, at least 46 percent of female servicemembers no longer have unrestricted access to care. prgtoken Now, as we all know, servicemembers and their families are stationed based not on the needs of themselves and their families--so not personal preference--but based on the needs of the Nation. And their sacrifice and commitment to serve means that they are uniquely affected by the restrictive healthcare laws that have come into effect in the post-Roe era. prgtoken To address the harm that these healthcare prohibitions have on servicemembers and military families, the Secretary of Defense issued commonsense guidance that protects the readiness of the force and family. And it is guidance that, I will remind everybody, the Secretary of Defense is legally empowered to issue and implement and, as Senator King so rightly pointed out, that has been in place for male members of our military for years, as long as we remember. prgtoken But the senior Senator from Alabama has chosen to break with precedent, to break with the decorum of this Chamber, and to hold 273 noncontroversial military nominations just because he disagrees--he personally disagrees--with this policy. And as Senator King and Senator Reed so eloquently pointed out, our servicemembers should not be used as bargaining chips in policy debates. prgtoken Senator Tuberville's actions are jeopardizing our national security; they are harming military families; and they are causing a whole generation of senior military leaders to question whether they want to stay in the military. prgtoken Worst of all, the Senator from Alabama knows exactly what the impact is of these holds because he serves with all of us on the Armed Services Committee. So he can't say this is not having an impact. He is hearing, as part of the committee, what the impact is. He knows that the unprecedented nature of his actions and the grave harm they pose to our country and the military are real. prgtoken For those who don't sit on the Armed Services Committee, I want to highlight some of the most grievous consequences of Senator Tuberville's actions. prgtoken Military families are not able to enroll their children into new schools on time. So we have a whole group of families with y
PROVIDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL UNDER CHAPTER 8 OF TITLE 5, UNITED STATES CODE, OF THE RULE SUBMITTED BY THE UNITED STATES FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE RELATING TO "ENDANGERED AND THREATENED...
John S. Duarte (Republican, CA) \u2014 2023-7-27

today, I stand before you to express my support for S.J. Res. 9. My colleagues and I have deep concerns about the harms of listing the lesser prairie-chicken under the Endangered Species Act. While the intent of this act is to protect vulnerable species, we must carefully consider the consequences of such a decision. prgtoken Listing the lesser prairie-chicken as endangered will have far- reaching negative impacts on rural communities, working families, and conservation efforts, all while ignoring the best available science. prgtoken First and foremost, this action will place more red tape on farmers, ranchers, and small businesses, leading to more Federal control and less personal freedom. Rural America already faces significant challenges, and more Federal red tape will only limit job growth and crush rural communities. prgtoken Furthermore, listing the lesser prairie-chicken might not guarantee its recovery. The Endangered Species Act's track record has shown limited success in saving species from extinction, often requiring substantial amounts of taxpayer dollars and enormous economic impacts with minimal positive outcomes. prgtoken Instead, we should prioritize cooperative conservation efforts that involve collaboration between private landowners and government agencies to ensure a more holistic, sustainable approach. prgtoken Listing the lesser prairie-chicken will divert attention and resources away from other critical conservation priorities. We need a comprehensive strategy that addresses broader ecological challenges and the conservation of multiple species, not just focusing on a single one. prgtoken Let us not rush into listing the lesser prairie-chicken without carefully evaluating the potential harms and exploring alternative conservation measures. Effective conservation requires a balanced approach that protects both our natural heritage and the livelihoods of working families throughout rural America. prgtoken Together, we can find innovative solutions to preserve the species while promoting responsible economic growth and safeguarding our environment for generations to come.
ALICIA MONSON BREAKS THE AMERICAN RECORD IN THE 5,000 METERS
Thomas P. Tiffany (Republican, WI) \u2014 2023-7-27

I rise today to congratulate Alicia Monson of Amery, Wisconsin, on breaking the American record in the 5,000 meters this past weekend. She ran 5,000 meters in 14 minutes and 19.45 seconds, beating the previous record by 4.47 seconds. prgtoken This is not the only record she has set this year. In February, she broke the North American indoor record in the 3,000 meters, and in March she set a new North American 10,000 meters record. prgtoken Alicia has been representing Wisconsin's Seventh District since she was in high school running cross country and track. She went on to become one of the top runners for the University of Wisconsin--Madison before becoming an Olympian in 2021. prgtoken , I can't wait to see what record she breaks next. Keep making Wisconsin proud, Alicia.
RECOGNIZING THE STOCKTON LIONS CLUB
Jerry Moran (Republican, KS) \u2014 2023-7-27

today I come to the Senate floor to pay tribute to the Stockton Lions Club and recognize their contributions to the community. This organization has been a part of the community since the 1950s, and its presence will be missed. prgtoken Lions Club International is the world's largest service organization, with more than 1.42 million members and 47,000 clubs in over 200 countries. In Kansas, 216 clubs serve various community needs. The international focus of the Lions Club is helping the visually impaired or blind. This cause came from Helen Keller at the International Convention at Cedar Point, OH, in June of 1925. She challenged the Lions to be the ``Knights of the Blind.'' From holding eyeglass drop- offs in the community, to paying for eye appointments and glasses, the Stockton Lions Club answered this challenge. prgtoken As a member of the Kansas Lions Club for almost 40 years, I have witnessed the hard work and dedication these members put forward to serve others. At its core, the Lions Club's mission is to empower communities through acts of service, and it has touched countless lives. Their willingness to devote their time, talents, and treasure to helping others is inspiring. Over the years, I have enjoyed attending Lions Clubs meetings in Stockton to visit with folks about the issues important to them. I will miss attending the Stockton Lions Club but want to take time to remember this community organization. The dedicated members of the club demonstrated that, together, they could make a difference in their community. prgtoken Whether by sponsoring the annual Free Watermelon Feed during the Rooks County Fair or taking students to the Cosmosphere in Hutchinson, the Stockton Lions Club made an incredible impact. Thank you to the Stockton Lions Club members for bettering Kansas.
TRIBUTE TO RON CUNNINGHAM
Cynthia M. Lummis (Republican, WY) \u2014 2023-7-27

it is my privilege to welcome Ron Cunningham of Lander, WY, to the Wyoming Agriculture Hall of Fame. This induction is held during the week of the Wyoming State Fair in Douglas, and it is truly one of the highest honors to receive during one of the best annual events Wyoming has to offer. prgtoken To be inducted into the Hall of Fame is truly an honor, no matter what profession you are in. When it comes to sports, the Hall of Fame is traditionally reserved for those who were among the best at their positions, were an exemplary teammate, treated the game with respect, and created a lasting legacy for future generations of fans to admire. While the Wyoming Agriculture Hall of Fame does not take into account how well an individual may run, hit, throw, catch, or tackle, it instead considers an individual's commitment and dedication to agriculture in Wyoming and what they have done to help improve and grow this essential industry in our State. Needless to say, Ron Cunningham checks all of those boxes and then some. prgtoken Ron has spent his entire lifetime in the industry, beginning with his early years growing up on a farm in Fremont County. This exposure to agriculture led Ron to pursue further academic endeavors at Casper College and ultimately the University of Wyoming. He then discovered that he had a passion for sharing his knowledge and experience with others and moved to Nebraska to teach agriculture at a high school. Fortunately for all of us in Wyoming, Ron decided he wanted to come home and took a position on a ranch in Ten Sleep. He later accepted a supervisor position with Weed and Pest. After a couple of years, Ron took a job with the University of Wyoming Extension in Fremont County, a position he held for 38 years. prgtoken Once Ron was back in Wyoming, he became even more involved in so many ag-related activities that it really would be impossible to name them all. He left his impression on just about every person he came across, whether it was with 4-H and FFA, planning and organizing Fremont County Farm and Ranch Days, or serving on numerous State boards and local civic organizations. He takes such pride in his work and his efforts will help ensure Wyoming agriculture continues to thrive for years to come. prgtoken With his decades of service to our State, as well as the numerous accolades and accomplishments that he has received, it goes without saying that he is absolutely worthy of the honor of being inducted into the Wyoming Agriculture Hall of Fame. I am so pleased that Ron will be joining the likes of so many others who have done so much for agriculture in our state. His legacy is something to behold and appreciate. I tip my hat to him.
CELEBRATING 15 YEARS OF DEUTSCHE BANK IN JACKSONVILLE
John H. Rutherford (Republican, FL) \u2014 2023-7-27

I rise today to recognize the 15th anniversary of Deutsche Bank in Jacksonville, Florida. Over the past 15 years, Deutsche Bank has played an integral role in supporting our region's thriving financial sector and community. prgtoken While Deutsche Bank's roots in America go back to 1872, their Jacksonville office began as a small operation in 2008 consisting of approximately 100 employees. Since then, the Jacksonville office has grown to become Deutsche Bank's second largest location in the Americas, employing approximately 2,400 talented individuals and generating significant local economic activity. prgtoken The Deutsche Bank Jacksonville office is a multi-functional site that generates new business and provides client and bank-wide support services with a significant presence and expertise in sales and trading, anti-financial crime, compliance, technology, cyber security services, client onboarding and operational support. In the last 15 years, the office has created thousands of jobs, financed local businesses, and supported many community causes such as public education, the arts, combating hunger, work readiness, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy. prgtoken , I am honored to recognize and congratulate Deutsche Bank for 15 years of operation in Jacksonville. On behalf of Florida's 5th Congressional District, I wish Deutsche Bank Jacksonville and its staff continued success in their future endeavors.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Eric Schmitt (Republican, MO) \u2014 2023-7-27

I rise in support of this amendment, and I am proud to work with my colleague from Missouri and others in a bipartisan way to provide some relief to the people who have been affected by this. prgtoken Here in Missouri, I can tell you--a couple weeks ago, I gave my maiden speech, and I talked a lot about where I grew up. I grew up in a blue-collar town in the shadow of the airport in Bridgeton, and that is the epicenter of where this happened--near the airport, near a landfill. prgtoken In those areas in the city and north county, people work hard. They always have. Little did they know that this hazardous toxic waste was being dumped in their water, in the ground where their children play. prgtoken And all this amendment does is reauthorize something that has been on the books for decades, and it allows people who have been affected to apply. prgtoken So I am proud to support the people who have been affected who are looking for some measure of justice. Nothing will make them whole, but this is a step, and I am proud to work with my colleagues in that regard too. Vote on Amendment No. 1058
RECOGNIZING OFFICER KEITH MORTENSEN
Brad Finstad (Republican, MN) \u2014 2023-7-27

I rise today to recognize Officer Keith Mortensen, who is retiring on July 31st after 30 years serving as an officer with Mankato Public Safety. prgtoken A proud son of southern Minnesota, Officer Mortensen earned his degree in law enforcement from Mankato State University and went on to serve in the Mankato Department of Public Safety, first as road patrol and eventually as a school liaison officer. prgtoken Last year, Officer Mortensen was awarded the Minnesota Juvenile Officer of the Year award for his work as a school resource officer, specifically for his work fostering relationships with area youth. prgtoken He created ``Cops and Bobbers,'' a summer program that connects local kids with law enforcement officers through the fun of fishing. Because of the leadership and dedication of Officer Mortensen, the program has now helped more than 400 young adults and will serve future generations of students for years to come. prgtoken I want to thank Officer Mortensen for his years of service and the example he has set for all of us in southern Minnesota. I congratulate him on his retirement, and I wish him the best of luck in this next chapter.
SECURING THE U.S. ORGAN PROCUREMENT AND TRANSPLANTATION NETWORK ACT
Chuck Grassley (Republican, IA) \u2014 2023-7-27

the Securing the U.S. Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network Act is an opportunity for Congress to make history, an opportunity to change the lives of the more than 100,000 Americans waiting for an organ transplant. prgtoken Organ donation has always been a bipartisan issue. In 1984, Congress passed the National Organ Transplant Act. That bill was cosponsored by Senator Al Gore and Senator Orrin Hatch. I would like to thank the bipartisan group of Senate colleagues who cosponsored our bill. I would like to give special thanks to Senator Cassidy, who championed the bill in the HELP Committee. I would also like to recognize Senators Wyden, Cardin, and Young, who have worked with me for years to shine a light on the deadly failures of the Nation's organ donation system. prgtoken Thank you all for your leadership. Our bipartisan work will continue. The organ donation system has failed patients and generous donor families from all walks of life. After years of bipartisan work in the House and Senate, we have finally passed this bill. Success with this bill means patients are the winners. prgtoken For almost two decades, Congress, government watchdogs, and the media have questioned the United Network for Organ Sharing's ability to carry out its responsibilities. I have written about these issues since 2005. Since then, 200,000 Americans have died on the organ waiting list. prgtoken Those aren't numbers; those are lives. To put it in perspective, that is the population of Des Moines, IA. There is a reason I call the United Network for Organ Sharing the fox guarding the hen house. prgtoken In August of 2022, the Senate Finance Committee issued a bipartisan report that detailed vast disparities in how Organ Procurement Organizations serve their communities. Based on the findings, the organ network has worse outcomes for people of color and rural residents. This bipartisan investigation, which started when I was chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, uncovered fraud, waste, abuse, criminality, deadly patient safety issues, failure to recover organs, and retaliation against whistleblowers. The Senate Finance Committee's bipartisan report was clear: ``From the top down, the U.S. transplant network is not working, putting Americans' lives at risk.'' prgtoken We must break up the monopoly that has held the U.S organ donation system hostage since 1986. Patients deserve the best possible care; it is the difference between life and death. Our bipartisan bill will help ensure they get the best care. prgtoken Earlier this week, our colleagues in the House passed this same legislation to break up the organ monopoly and serve patients instead of special interests. Today, by passing this bill, we have accomplished a major milestone in saving lives and taking care of those who need it most.
PROVIDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL UNDER CHAPTER 8 OF TITLE 5, UNITED STATES CODE, OF THE RULE SUBMITTED BY THE UNITED STATES FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE RELATING TO "ENDANGERED AND THREATENED...
Bruce Westerman (Republican, AR) \u2014 2023-7-27

. Madam , such time as I may consume. prgtoken Madam , as s, we care about Americans, American companies, American small businesses, and American workers. My colleagues across the aisle were talking about the record profits of U.S. oil and gas companies. Well, they might need to read the news a little bit deeper and look at the profits of Aramco, the Saudi-owned oil company. prgtoken There was an article in March of this year that said that Aramco's profits were $161 billion, `` . . . the largest annual profit ever recorded by an oil and gas company. . . .'' Aramco, the Saudi-owned company. The Saudis, the ones President went to and begged them to send us more oil because of his attack on energy here in America. Look who now has the largest profits of any oil company in the history of the world. prgtoken That is what these kinds of policies add up to. It is a thousand cuts. It is death by a thousand cuts. It is using every rule, every opportunity that they have to attack American energy, which makes America less strong, which feeds into the hands of our adversaries. Instead of us dominating energy, we become dependent on others to supply energy--OPEC and OPEC+ countries. prgtoken How does Putin fund his war in Ukraine? He funds it with high revenues off his oil and gas. We can change that. We can produce more gas and export it to our allies in Europe, but not under this administration, not when they are promoting rules like the lesser prairie-chicken, the northern long-eared bat. They don't do a 5-year plan, they don't do leases on Federal lands or Federal waters. It is an all-out attack on American energy. This is just another spoke in the wheel, another cut against the American people, against the American economy, and against the future of our country. prgtoken Madam , I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Thompson), chairman of the Ag Committee, who knows a little bit about the northern long-eared bat.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024--Continued
Marco Rubio (Republican, FL) \u2014 2023-7-27

this is my amendment that is going to be voted on here by agreement. It is pretty straightforward. The Federal Thrift Savings Plan is the largest defined contribution plan in the world. It has 22 China-only funds. Every single one of them has money going towards companies that are sanctioned, that are on the Entity List--companies that are responsible for the human rights violations against Uighurs; companies that our own government has said are helping the Chinese build their military--Chinese-sponsored companies. And so this amendment, basically, is geared towards that. It tells the TSP-- the Thrift Savings Plan--board that they can no longer invest your money--the money of Members of Congress, members of the military, Federal employees. prgtoken Federal employee retirement money is being invested in companies that are undermining American national security according to our own government. We are investing in those. prgtoken Think about the irony. You are a member of the military and your retirement money is being invested in companies that are building missiles designed to blow up the ship that you serve on. prgtoken So if we are serious about this, we need to cut this off. This is not a ban on Chinese investment. This is a ban on the Thrift Savings Plan and its money--your money, the investment money of Federal employees-- being used to invest in companies that our own government has placed on lists for human rights violations and posing a threat to the national security of the country. Vote on Amendment No. 523