mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024--Continued
Jack Reed (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2023-7-19

. I rise to discuss the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024. prgtoken The Armed Services Committee approved this bill by a broad bipartisan vote of 24 to 1 last month--the largest margin in years. I appreciated the opportunity to work with Senator Wicker and our colleagues to produce this bill. Senator Wicker has been supportive, cooperative, creative, and has done so with great credit to the committee's traditions, and I thank him for that. I am also obviously tremendously appreciative of the work of the staff, Liz King on the majority and John Keast on the minority. prgtoken This is a strong defense bill. It is laser-focused on the threats we face. It addresses a broad range of pressing issues, from strategic competition with China and Russia to countering threats from Iran, North Korea, violent extremists, and even climate change. The bill authorizes a record level of investment in key technologies like hypersonics and artificial intelligence and makes real progress toward modernizing our ships, our aircraft, and our combat vehicles. Most importantly, this NDAA provides a historic level of support for our troops and their families, including the largest pay raise in decades. The bill makes meaningful steps forward at a critical time for our national security. prgtoken In addition to authorizing $845 billion for the Department of Defense and $32 billion for the Department of Energy's national security programs, there are a number of important policy provisions that I would like to briefly highlight. prgtoken To begin, we have to ensure the United States can outcompete, deter, and prevail against our near-peer rivals. China has emerged as our primary competitor, as the only nation with the intent and the capability to mount a sustained challenge to the United States' security and economic interests. prgtoken This NDAA confronts China by fully investing in the Pacific Deterrence Initiative, or PDI, to improve our force posture and build the capabilities of our partners and allies in the Indo-Pacific. The bill also establishes the Indo-Pacific Campaigning Initiative to facilitate increased U.S. military exercises, freedom of navigation operations, and partner engagements in the region. And, to help Taiwan improve its overall readiness and defense capabilities, the bill establishes a comprehensive training, advising, and capacity-building program for Taiwan's military forces. prgtoken I want to emphasize, however, that our Nation's ability to deter China cannot be based on military might alone. We must strengthen our network of allies and partners, which will be central to any strategy for the Indo-Pacific region. To that end, the bill makes progress toward advancing the security partnership among Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, known as AUKUS. This partnership provides a valuable blueprint that can help pave the way for other regional networks. prgtoken Now, even as we s
Nomination of David M. Uhlmann (Executive Session)
Thomas R. Carper (Democrat, DE) \u2014 2023-7-20

while the Senator from Massachusetts is still on the floor, he and I have been friends for, gosh, 35 years. We served together in the House. We used to travel all over Latin America and South America during the contra war. We are still friends and compadres today in a different war--a war to save or planet and to make sure that we do that and that we provide a lot of jobs and economic opportunity. prgtoken I am here to talk about the nomination of David Uhlmann to serve as Assistant Administrator. But before I do that, let me say that, among the most important things that we are working on--it is not legislation, but it is legislation that we have already passed. And it is the climate provisions that are part of the bipartisan infrastructure bill that we adopted and the President signed a year ago. And there are climate provisions there that are enormously important, and we want to make sure that that legislation is fully enacted. Part of that is the responsibility of the administration, but it is the chair's responsibility. So that is hugely important. prgtoken The other thing that is hugely important is the implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act, which has extraordinary provisions that deal with climate change, sea level, and all. prgtoken So it is not enough just to introduce legislation. It is not enough to enact legislation. We have to make sure it is implemented, and that is what our responsibilities and our oversight responsibilities include. prgtoken Having said that, I want to rise today in support of the nomination of David Uhlmann to serve as Assistant Administrator for the EPA's Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. prgtoken Over the last 6 years, some of our greatest achievements--some of Congress's greatest achievements--have been passed in a series of bedrock environmental laws. I just mentioned a couple of them a minute ago. They are laws that have revolutionized how to protect our natural environment and our people--people who live in this country and around the world--from the dangers of pollution. prgtoken These laws, such as the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act-- also known as CERCLA--have made the air that we breathe cleaner, the water that we drink safer, and the lands that we live on healthier. And in the process, we have revolutionized ecosystems, we have improved the living conditions of entire communities throughout this country, and we have saved countless of lives. prgtoken However, these indispensable lifesaving environmental laws are only as effective, as I have mentioned, as our ability to enforce them and to make sure that they are complied with. And in the years immediately before President took office, enforcement of our environmental laws had been dramatically undermined. prgtoken According to the data from EPA, between 2018 and, I think, 2021, environmental enforc
PERSONAL EXPLANATION
Donald M. Payne, Jr. (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2023-7-20

I was unable to cast my vote for the following 22 amendments/bills on July 19, 2023 due to an unforeseen circumstance. Had I been present, I would have voted: ``YEA'' on Roll Call No. 339 (On Motion to Recommit--H.R. 3941); ``NAY'' on Roll Call No. 340 (On Passage--H.R. 3941); ``AYE'' on Roll Call No. 341 (Langworthy of New York Amendment No. 10); ``NO'' on Roll Call No. 342 (Feenstra of Iowa Amendment No. 27); ``AYE'' on Roll Call No. 343 (Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania Amendment No. 29); ``NO'' on Roll Call No. 344 (Gosar of Arizona Amendment No. 33); ``NO'' on Roll Call No. 345 (Miller of lllinois Amendment No. 35); ``NO'' on Roll Call No. 346 (Miller of Illinois Amendment No. 36); ``NO'' on Roll Call No. 347 (Huizenga of Michigan Amendment No. 44); ``NO'' on Roll Call No. 348 (Issa of California Amendment No. 47); ``NO'' on Roll Call No. 349 (Jackson of Texas Amendment No. 48); ``NO'' on Roll Call No. 350 (Kean of New Jersey Amendment No. 50); ``NO'' on Roll Call No. 351 (McClintock of California Amendment No. 62); ``NO'' on Roll Call No. 352 (Miller of Illinois Amendment No. 64); ``NO'' on Roll Call No. 353 (Miller of Illinois Amendment No. 65); ``NO'' on Roll Call No. 354 (Obernolte of California Amendment No. 68); ``NO'' on Roll Call No. 355 (Ogles of Tennessee Amendment No. 69); ``NO'' on Roll Call No. 356 (Ogles of Tennessee Amendment No. 70); ``NO'' on Roll Call No. 357 (Owens of Utah Amendment No. 71); ``NO'' on Roll Call No. 358 (Perry of Pennsylvania Amendment No. 73); ``NO'' on Roll Call No. 359 (Perry of Pennsylvania Amendment No. 74); and ``NO'' on Roll Call No. 360 (Perry of Pennsylvania Amendment No. 75).
ARMS SALES NOTIFICATION
Robert Menendez (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2023-7-20

section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act requires that Congress receive prior notification of certain proposed arms sales as defined by that statute. Upon such notification, the Congress has 30 calendar days during which the sale may be reviewed. The provision stipulates that, in the Senate, the notification of proposed sales shall be sent to the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. prgtoken In keeping with the committee's intention to see that relevant information is available to the full Senate, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record the notifications which have been received. If the cover letter references a classified annex, then such annex is available to all Senators in the office of the Foreign Relations Committee, room SD-423.
LIBERTY, JUSTICE, AND EQUAL PROTECTION UNDER THE LAW FOR ALL
Marilyn Strickland (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2023-7-20

House s have made it clear that they do not support liberty, justice, and equal protection under the law for all. prgtoken Last week, the majority passed an extremist defense bill that bans gender-affirming and reproductive care for servicemembers, guts support for our servicemembers of color, and prohibits Pride flags from being displayed in any workspace, common access area, or public area of the Department of Defense. prgtoken However, they decided that the homophobia and discrimination can't stop there. prgtoken This week, s voted to strip critical funding to enhance career development opportunities, provide meals to low-income seniors, create affordable and transitional housing units for vulnerable populations in need, and more. prgtoken These projects, led by Representatives Boyle, Pressley, and Houlahan, were vetted months ago to ensure they meet the rigorous community project funding guidelines and are responsible uses of taxpayer dollars. prgtoken So why were these projects denied? Because recipients had LGBTQ in their name, and they served communities that the other side demonizes daily. It is hypocritical, it is homophobic, and it damages the idea of liberty and justice for all.
40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MANSFIELD CENTER
Jon Tester (Democrat, MT) \u2014 2023-7-20

. I rise today to share a few words today to honor the life and legacy of Mike and Maureen Mansfield and celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Mansfield Center. prgtoken Mike Mansfield was one of this Nation's greatest public servants, whose legacy is not only as a Congressman, a Senator, and a diplomat, but also as one of America's champions for the greater good, who always put service and sacrifice before himself. prgtoken Mike planted roots in Montana at the age of 7, spending his childhood in Great Falls raised by his aunt and uncle. After serving in three branches of the U.S. military, Mike returned to the Treasure State, still lacking a high school education, to work in Butte's copper mines. prgtoken In the spring of 1928, his life was forever changed when he met his wife Maureen, a teacher who inspired him to leave the mines and further his education. He and Maureen were married for 68 years, fostering a lifelong partnership marked by deep devotion and respect. prgtoken After serving five terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, Mike was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1952, and reelected again in 1958, 1964, and 1970. He served for 16 years as Senate majority leader, quickly becoming known by Members on both sides of the aisle for his character and high standard of public service. He was a person that got things done, shaping the character of the modern Senate through tactful leadership in international relations and humble dedication to public good. And he still found time to personally read and sign every letter to his constituents in Montana. prgtoken That is what being a Montanan meant to Mike Mansfield. He never failed to meet challenges, reach across the aisle, and fight for Montanans at every turn. His commitment to community and the common good spanned six Presidents and left a lasting mark on Montana and on the Nation as a whole. I am lucky to have learned so much from Mike Mansfield's storied career and proud to sit in the seat he once held. prgtoken Mike and Maureen's legacy lives on in the service of the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Center, where folks work hard to increase awareness, advance education, and shed more light on the pressing issues facing Montana and the world. Since its founding in 1983, the Mansfield Center has bridged divides and fostered generations of globally minded leaders. Whether it is through fellowships that connect top-notch students with global leaders, critical research they are doing back in Montana, or everything in between, the Center continues to be instrumental in shaping the voices of tomorrow. And today, we honor 40 years of service and celebrate the immense accomplishments of all the folks who made it possible, driven by love of country and dedication to democracy. prgtoken Thank you to the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Center for all that you do. Because of you, the Mansfield legacy lives on.
SECURING GROWTH AND ROBUST LEADERSHIP IN AMERICAN AVIATION ACT
Rick Larsen (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2023-7-20

. Mr. Chair, I rise in support of this en bloc. prgtoken It includes a number of provisions that will improve the bill, including: prgtoken A proposal from Representative Manning to advance the recommendations of the Youth Access to the American Jobs in Aviation Task Force, particularly on increasing access to information and enhancing collaboration; prgtoken A proposal led by Representative Rouzer with bipartisan support to prohibit the Department of Transportation from purchasing drones from foreign adversaries, including Russia and China; prgtoken A proposal led by Representative David Scott to increase the FAA's community outreach to aviation-impacted communities; prgtoken A proposal by Representative Sherrill with bipartisan support for the FAA to study national security implications of unmanned free balloons and the technical feasibility of having an electronic emitter on board; prgtoken A proposal from Representatives Thompson and Vasquez requiring the DOT to study the loss of commercial air service in small communities and providing recommendations for restoring that service; and prgtoken A critically important proposal from Representatives Yakym and Titus to ensure maximum air traffic controller hiring for the next 5 years. prgtoken Mr. Chair, I urge all Members to support this en bloc amendment, and .
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
Mazie K. Hirono (Democrat, HI) \u2014 2023-7-20

earlier this year, the U.S. Mint launched the Edith Kanaka`ole quarter, the seventh coin in the American Women Quarters Program, which is intended to celebrate pioneering women who were accomplished leaders in different fields and who came from various backgrounds. She joins other notable women such as Maya Angelou, Anna May Wong, and, starting next year, Patsy Takemoto Mink. prgtoken Shortly after the bill creating the program was signed into law, I was proud to recommend to the Mint that Mrs. Kanaka`ole be selected for the program. Now, people in the State of Hawaii and throughout our Nation can find her likeness on circulating U.S. quarters. prgtoken Mrs. Kanaka`ole's story is truly remarkable. Her impact is widespread. Born on October 30, 1913, Edith Kanaka`ole, or ``Aunty Edith'' as she was commonly known, was an indigenous Hawaiian composer, chanter, kumu hula--traditional dance teacher--and a custodian of Native culture, traditions, and the natural land. She has been recognized within her local community, throughout the State of Hawaii, and now nationwide as being a preeminent practitioner of modern Hawaiian culture, language, and practices. prgtoken One of Aunty Edith's many accomplishments was her direct influence in Hawaii's education system. Aunty Edith was instrumental in the creation of Hawaiian language curriculum for public school students at the Keaukaha School in Hilo, as well as in the development of courses and seminars at the college and university levels on subjects including ethnobotany, Polynesian history, genealogy, and Hawaiian chant and mythology. prgtoken Aunty Edith was also a renowned kumu hula. She believed that oli-- Hawaiian literary chants--formed the basis of Hawaiian values and history. She started composing oli and choreographing hula, and, in the 1950s, she toured the contiguous United States, western Canada, and much of Asia with a hula group named after her daughter Nalani. She went on to found her own halau--hula school--Halau O Kekuhi, which is still in operation today. prgtoken In 1979, Aunty Edith received the Distinction of Cultural Leadership Award, the State of Hawaii's highest honor. It is given to individuals who have made significant outstanding lifetime contributions to Hawaii in areas of culture, arts, and humanities. Aunty Edith passed away on October 3, 1979, but her legacy lives on through her family, community, and the Edith Kanaka`ole Foundation, a Hawaiian culture-based, nonprofit organization dedicated to maintaining and perpetuating cultural education and traditional practices. prgtoken A line from one of her most famous oli, ``E ho mai ka ike,'' is inscribed on the reverse side of the Edith Kanaka`ole quarter and translated as ``granting the wisdom.'' I cannot think of a better phrase to encapsulate Aunty Edith's legacy. prgtoken Mahalo, Aunty Edith, for all your contributions to our State and this Nation.
OPPOSITION TO LEADED AVIATION FUEL PROVISIONS IN H.R. 3935, THE SECURING GROWTH AND ROBUST LEADERSHIP IN AMERICAN AVIATION ACT
Zoe Lofgren (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2023-7-20

I voted in favor of H.R. 3935, the Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act to reauthorize and improve important aviation programs in order to move the measure forward to the Senate. While there was much good in the bill, I opposed provisions in the underlying bill calling for continued use of leaded aviation fuel. I was pleased to work with the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on securing improvements to this language in the manager's amendment, which we believe will protect my constituents from exposure to leaded fuel used by small aircraft. The Senate should further improve these provisions on continued use of leaded avgas before the bill comes back to the House for negotiations.
THE INCREASE OF TURBULENCE AFFECTING AIRCRAFT
Haley M. Stevens (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2023-7-20

. Madam , I rise today in support of a bill I authored that is included in the FAA package to research severe turbulence and the impact of climate change on the flight forecasts. prgtoken Turbulence is the top cause of injuries to both passengers and crew. My bill improves the FAA's understanding of turbulence to better inform safety measures for flight crews and the flying public. prgtoken Last month, a scientific study analyzed 40 years of high-quality atmospheric data. The researchers found severe clear-air turbulence increased 55 percent from 1979 due to climate change. prgtoken Further, other recent studies have shown that turbulence will increase significantly as the climate changes, with the most severe turbulence increasing by 149 percent over the next several decades. prgtoken We should all be concerned about the rise of turbulence and the projected increase in the years ahead. prgtoken Unfortunately, scientists and researchers have reported their difficulty in calculating turbulence due to limited data coverage. prgtoken That is why the FAA needs better tools and research to address passenger safety amid this threat to air travel. The FAA research we support today means that tomorrow, Americans will fly safer.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Jack Reed (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2023-7-20

this amendment is, I think, reckless. It would essentially halt 98 percent of the aid that we would authorize and appropriate to go to Ukraine, which would be good news in Moscow but very bad news in Kyiv. prgtoken This amendment is trying to incentivize our NATO partners to increase their efforts to 2 percent of GDP, and that is a goal that has been agreed to, but the practical, immediate effect would be to undermine the military posture of Ukraine at a time when they are desperately fighting for their survival. But more importantly, they are fighting our fight also, because if Putin succeeds in Ukraine, we will lose, as well as Ukrainians. It will incentivize the kind of autocratic behavior that is determined--at least in the case of Putin--to destroy democracies and destroy the international legal order. prgtoken We have already expressed our not only desire but strong, strong imperative that NATO reach the 2 percent goal, but this is punishing the Ukrainians for the sins of others, and that would be terrible. prgtoken I would urge that this position be rejected. Vote on Amendment No. 376
Business Before the Senate (Executive Session)
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2023-7-20

today, the Senate will continue the bipartisan process of passing our annual Defense authorization bill, the NDAA. prgtoken We had a productive afternoon yesterday. We held votes on four amendments, from both and s. prgtoken We affirmed our unflinching commitment to our NATO allies by defeating an amendment that sought to undermine our support for the transatlantic relationship. Eighty-three Senators united to defeat this amendment, and I thank every single one of them for standing firm. It is a majority of both parties. prgtoken In another win for NATO, we also adopted Senator Kaine's amendment stating that no President can unilaterally take us out of NATO without Senate approval. Adopting Kaine's amendment was an unmistakable message to both our friends and foes that America's commitment to NATO will not waiver. The political winds may shift, but America's bonds to NATO will remain unbent. prgtoken That is what passing the annual defense bill should look like: both sides proposing and debating amendments, both sides having input, both sides working in good faith to get this bill passed as soon as we can. prgtoken We will keep working today. After voting on the Cruz-Manchin- Fetterman amendment this morning, I hope we can agree to additional votes. We will keep negotiating on additional reasonable amendments that we can bring to the floor, so we can keep this process going. prgtoken Nobody thinks this kind of bipartisanship is easy, and both sides have honest disagreements, as we do on so many issues. But that should not prevent us from fulfilling our obligation to take care of our servicemembers, take care of our DOD workforce, and provide for our common defense, so necessary these days. prgtoken There is every reason in the world to get this bill done as soon as we can. As I have said all week, the NDAA is full of provisions that both sides can celebrate--provisions that seem incremental on their own but together provide a strong foundation for the security of this Nation. prgtoken We will make important progress to outcompete the Chinese Government. We will pass the first pieces of legislation this year related to AI oversight. prgtoken We will strengthen our ties to Taiwan, increase our influence in the Indo-Pacific, make progress on the vital AUKUS partnership, and increase the administration's power to sanction and punish international fentanyl traffickers. prgtoken I mentioned this before, but I cannot emphasize it enough. This fentanyl bill is a major, major help in stopping the scourge of fentanyl from coming into this country. Members on both sides of the aisle should celebrate that in a bipartisan way. Under the leadership of Senator Brown and Senator Tim Scott, we were able to get this done. prgtoken All of these agreements are the result of both sides working together, each one a good reason to keep going until the job was done. Both sides will continue working today an