mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
SECURING GROWTH AND ROBUST LEADERSHIP IN AMERICAN AVIATION ACT
Brian Schatz (Democrat, HI) \u2014 2023-9-28

no one wins in a shutdown--not s, not , and certainly not the people of Hawaii or Americans across the country. I have been here for three previous shutdowns, in the majority and in the minority, and I have seen the same thing over and over again. Shutdowns don't work. The government eventually reopens, and neither side has accomplished a single thing. prgtoken No one wins, but Americans have a lot to lose. Millions of Federal workers, including military personnel, will be forced to work without pay. Children most in need will lose access to food and early education programs. Tens of millions of people can't get care at community health centers. The food that we eat will go uninspected. Relief for disaster- stricken communities will grind to a halt. Loans for small businesses will not get processed. Seniors will have to wait to get new Medicare cards. Travelers will face the risks of more delays. prgtoken We have the ability and the responsibility to prevent all of this unnecessary pain and disruption, which is why, Tuesday and today, the Senate has a solution. The Senate voted overwhelmingly to advance a bipartisan bill that will keep the government open. prgtoken Look, this is not the Civil Rights Act. This is not that big of a legislative accomplishment. It is a 47-day stopgap measure to prevent a really ridiculous, terrible thing from happening. But we do need to pass it. prgtoken Anyone that is serious about governing knows that the only way to prevent a shutdown is through bipartisanship. And let me just repeat that: The only way to prevent a shutdown is through bipartisanship. prgtoken This bill is a compromise. No one will get what they really wanted, but it is the only viable path to keeping the government open as we work on passing appropriations bills in the regular order for the full year. It is really that simple. prgtoken I just want to point out one thing about shutdowns. We don't have to do this to ourselves. Shutdowns are a uniquely American tactic. We are not more prone to polarization or partisanship than other governments across the world. But you look around the planet, and you won't find other legislatures pulling the plug on the government itself and the critical services that people need because they couldn't resolve a policy dispute. It just doesn't happen because it is that ridiculous, it is that insane, it is that counterproductive. Only we do this to ourselves. But here, some House s are openly inviting a shutdown that we know will exact pain on millions of American families. prgtoken Representative Norman has said: We are going to have a shutdown. It's just a matter of how long. prgtoken Representative Rosendale agreed, saying: I will not vote for a CR. It doesn't matter what you attach to it. prgtoken What a weird thing to say: prgtoken It doesn't matter what you attach to it. ``It doesn't matter what you attach to i
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2023-9-28

today, the U.S. Senate will continue its pursuit of a bipartisan bridge CR to avoid a devastating government shutdown. prgtoken In a little over an hour, we will vote on the motion to proceed to the FAA reauthorization, which will serve as a vehicle for the CR I announced with Leader McConnell 2 days ago. Once we are on the bill, I will be introducing the substitute amendment, which will contain the legislative text of the bipartisan bridge CR, which the Appropriations Committee worked so hard on. And, again, I salute Senators Murray and Collins for the good job they have done. I will file cloture on the substitute and the underlying bill. So Members can expect to vote for cloture on Saturday, if not sooner. prgtoken Things are coming down to the wire. As I have said for months, Congress has only one option--one option--to avoid a shutdown: bipartisanship. It was true yesterday. It is true today. It will be true tomorrow. prgtoken With bipartisanship, we can responsibly fund the government and avoid the sharp and unnecessary pain for the American people and the economy that a shutdown will bring. With bipartisanship, we can speed along this process here in the Senate. We can come to an agreement on voting on amendments and allow the Senate to work its will in a timely fashion. With bipartisanship, we can make good on the deal reached earlier this summer to avoid default. prgtoken Remember--remember--bipartisan majorities agreed to funding levels back in June. The leaders of the House, the Senate, and the White House--we all shook hands on this deal, but now the and only the is going back on his word. He is the only one of the five to go back on his word. By being the only one to go back on his word, McCarthy is saying he cares more about the whims of the hard right--the hard, hard right--than avoiding a shutdown. prgtoken We cannot have that. We need bipartisanship. If he persists in partisanship, which he is doing now, by always looking over his hard- right shoulder, he will create a shutdown. Sadly, every move the has taken, since the bipartisan deal in June, has been to shred any prospects of bipartisanship. By focusing on the views of the radical few, instead of the many, McCarthy has made a shutdown far more likely. prgtoken Let me say that again. Let me say that again. By focusing on the views of the radical few, instead of the many, McCarthy has made a shutdown far more likely. prgtoken Despite the fact that many on both sides want to work together, despite the fact that, here in the Senate, we are pursuing bipartisanship, the has chosen to elevate the whims and desires of a handful of hard-right extremists and has nothing to show for it. prgtoken We saw a glaring example last night. Last night, on the floor of the House, the House voted twice, with overwhelming bipartisan majorities, to keep Ukraine funding in the House Defense appropriations bill--each time with over 330 v
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Jack Reed (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2023-9-28

I rise today to talk about the humanitarian crisis happening right now in the Nagorno-Karabakh region in South Caucasus. It is a tragedy unfolding before our eyes, with reports from the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees stating that over 65,000 ethnic Armenians fled to Armenia from Nagorno-Karabakh since September 23. I expect the number of refugees will continue to rise rapidly in the coming days. They need immediate humanitarian aid: food, water, shelter, and clothing. Sadly, this is not the first time in history that the Armenian people have faced this kind of violence, aggression, and worse. prgtoken The Nagorno-Karabakh region has a long and complicated history. Armenia and Azerbaijan were both a part of the Soviet Union. As the USSR collapsed, conflict broke out and Armenia and Azerbaijan fought a bloody war in the late 1980s and early 1990s. It left tens of thousands of people dead, millions of civilians displaced, and the legal status of Nagorno-Karabakh in flux but under the rule of a de facto Government of the Republic of Artsakh. Violence largely stopped in 1994. However, deep tensions remain. prgtoken I may be one of the few Members of this body or either Chamber of Congress who visited the region following the first Nagorno-Karabakh war. During my visit in 1997, I met with local prgtoken leaders and civilians impacted by the conflict and saw firsthand the impact of the fighting. prgtoken Today, we are witnessing a new tragic chapter for the people of this region as the Government of Azerbaijan is moving to not only control the territory but to drive out the ethnic Armenian population from the region in the process. I have serious concerns that this may not be the end; that the aggressors may once again subject this region to a campaign of ethnic cleansing and cultural genocide on the ethnic Armenians who remain in Nagorno-Karabakh or decide they have future territorial aspirations in the region. prgtoken After years of uneasy peace, the Government of Azerbaijan began a 44- day war in 2020, seizing much of the territory around Nagorno-Karabakh. This left Nagorno-Karabakh further isolated. Russian peacekeepers, under the terms of an agreement they helped broker, were supposed to secure the Lachin corridor, which is the only humanitarian supply line between Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh. prgtoken The Azeris asserted control over the corridor in December 2022, set up a military checkpoint, stopped the flow of commercial goods, food, and medicine, and ultimately prevented the flow of humanitarian aid to the region, setting the stage for the final set of hostilities that we saw on September 19 and the complete defeat and surrender of local security forces of Nagorno-Karabakh. prgtoken I say this because it is important to recognize the actions of the Azerbaijan Government were deliberate and calculated and I believe meant to achieve the outcome we are seeing today: tens of thousands of et
CELEBRATING THE 100TH BIRTHDAY OF TED SILVER
Wiley Nickel (Democrat, NC) \u2014 2023-9-29

I rise today to celebrate the remarkable life and contributions of Mr. Ted B. Silver, who marked his centennial milestone on September 23, 2023. It's a profound honor to recognize a man whose legacy embodies the very essence of service, dedication, and community spirit. prgtoken Ted Silver's journey began in Mitchell County, and from there, he embarked on a lifetime of service to his country, community, and fellow citizens. Mr. Silver honorably served in the U.S. Merchant Marine, demonstrating his commitment to safeguarding our nation's interests during a pivotal period in history. prgtoken Following his military service, he spent over four decades working for Standard Oil, where he ascended to the role of district manager for the LP gas division before retiring in 1988. prgtoken However, it's Mr. Silver's unwavering dedication to the Garner community that truly sets him apart. He served as the first president of the Garner Civitan Club, an organization of volunteer service clubs dedicated to helping people in their communities. prgtoken Throughout his years as a Civitan, Ted Silver has been a tireless advocate for the youth of Garner. He championed initiatives supporting organizations such as the Boys and Girls Homes, the Tammy Lynn Center, and the Caswell Center. prgtoken Ted Silver's involvement extended to the Civitan Club's Pop Warner Football program, where he volunteered his time and expertise. Additionally, he administered the Civitan scholarship program for students at Garner Senior High, embodying the spirit of giving back to the next generation. He worked hand in hand with the Junior Civitan Club at the high school, imparting wisdom and instilling the values of community service. prgtoken Mr. Silver's dedication and selflessness have not gone unnoticed within the Civitan community. He received numerous accolades, including the Garner Civitan of the Year Award in 1977, the Latt Wall Memorial Award in 1986, the Club Honor Key Award in 1991, and the esteemed Life Membership, Civitan's highest honor, in 1998. prgtoken Beyond the Civitan Club, Ted Silver has made a meaningful impact on Garner and its residents. He's participated in programs aimed at assisting people with mental and physical disabilities. He also dedicated himself to working with children with developmental disabilities in Garner schools. prgtoken , I ask my esteemed colleagues to join me in extending our heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to Mr. Ted B. Silver as he celebrates his remarkable 100th birthday. His lifetime of service, dedication, and tireless advocacy for the betterment of Garner and its youth exemplify the very essence of what it means to be a true community leader. May his legacy continue to inspire us all for generations to come. prgtoken Happy 100th birthday to Mr. Silver.
REMEMBERING DIANNE FEINSTEIN
Maria Cantwell (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2023-9-29

I follow my colleague from California, and I believe he said it correctly--the legacy of Dianne Feinstein. prgtoken Our colleagues are in shock today, even though we knew Dianne was ill, even though we knew she was 90 years old, even though we knew she was the longest-serving woman Senator. The fortitude that she showed and demonstrated was constant. Sitting here just a few months ago in all-night vote-arama sessions, when the youngest of us wanted to crawl into our hideaways and sip coffee at 2 a.m Dianne was at her desk voting. prgtoken At 90, she had the fortitude, as Senator Murray said, to vote just yesterday. I don't know if it was the steel that was cemented into her at that moment of the mayor's assassination or the tragedy and cost of serving and knowing that you still had to move forward. No matter how disastrous the situation was, Dianne moved forward. prgtoken I am so blessed to have served with her. But I want people to know the Nation has lost a legislative giant, women have lost a hero, and the Senate has lost a true colleague. Those of us who are out here today know when we say the word ``true colleague,'' we mean like a true collegial colleague. Sometimes we say the word with a little more disdain, like our ``frustrating colleague,'' or as Senator McConnell said, our ``good friend,'' when maybe in reality, it is hard to get those words out. prgtoken But Dianne was the epitome of what the Senate is losing. Let's just face it. Dianne, one of her most famous phrases was ``I have to go home and read tonight.'' I bet you her family or her staff heard her say that because she meant it. She meant: I don't know enough about this subject to go just spur off. I am literally going to study and analyze and find out what it actually is all about. prgtoken How many times did Dianne stand up in caucus and say: I have been reading a lot about this subject, but I think we need to know a lot more? And she would communicate what she knew and, as many of my colleagues know, she was always asking questions. prgtoken For me, as a young Member coming here more than 20 years ago, I was amazed and astounded at what I might call the polite pushiness of Dianne Feinstein. I don't know how she did it, but serving on the Judiciary Committee with her--and Dianne will observe--when Dianne's time ran out and somebody tried to cut in and debate her, Dianne had this way of saying: , this is a really important point and I just need to make this point. And the chairman would let Dianne go on for another 5 minutes. And I thought, How does she pull this off? Well, I will tell you how she pulled it off: because people knew she was serious about legislating. She was serious about working across the aisle. prgtoken And probably in my early days here, she forged the greatest impression of what working across the aisle was really all about. There were times, probably, when I didn't even agree with her, but sh
REMEMBERING DIANNE FEINSTEIN
Catherine Cortez Masto (Democrat, NV) \u2014 2023-9-29

like so many this morning, I rise to mourn the loss of a true champion in the U.S. Senate. prgtoken Dianne was one of the kindest, most thoughtful people that I had the pleasure to know. When I first got to the Senate--and I have heard some of my colleagues this morning talk about as new Senators--she was so gracious. As a new Senator, she would invite me to dinner with colleagues, and she was such a lady and so professional and so elegant. Every time you went to dinner with Dianne, you can be guaranteed that she would have a little set of flowers for you at your place at the restaurant. And then she would have a little parting gift for you, whether it was a little coin purse or something to show just truly who she was. And I heard this morning from my colleagues, similarly, the stories of Dianne's kindness and her respect for others. prgtoken She was a fighter her whole life, leading on so many important issues. In the coming days and weeks and months and years, as people around the world really honor Dianne's memory, many will speak to her leadership--and rightfully so--on women's rights and foreign affairs. prgtoken But I want to take the time to highlight a place where Dianne did so much. And most people don't know, unless you are a part of Team Tahoe, Dianne loved Lake Tahoe. Lake Tahoe is a beautiful, pristine Alpine lake that both Nevada and California share. In 1997, Dianne and then- Senator Harry Reid got together and passed legislation to protect this pristine lake. prgtoken And since that time, once a year, Dianne has been instrumental in bringing people around the lake together to address the needs for Lake Tahoe. That was all Dianne. prgtoken So when I first got to the Senate in 1997, one of the first things we talked about, she pulled me aside and said: We are going to have the Tahoe Summit this year. I hope you are there, and I hope you will be there always to support Tahoe. prgtoken And I said: Dianne, I grew up around this lake. The first time I was there was when I was 18 years old. My mother grew up around this lake. We love Lake Tahoe in Nevada, and you can guarantee that I will always be there for it. prgtoken And if you sat and talked to Dianne, the first thing you will hear her talk about in Lake Tahoe are her memories--her memories of riding her bike as a young girl around the lake. Her memories of times when she was there with her family, having the opportunity to enjoy incredible Lake Tahoe. prgtoken So I couldn't pass this day without recognizing, of course, all the incredible things Dianne has done; but what most people don't know, unless you are a part of Nevada and California, is the hard work that she has done around this lake for the people who live there, for the people who cherish this lake, for the tourists that come here every single day. And it is not just the work that she has done here in the Senate. This was 2017. This was the first opportunity that I had as a
CONTINUING APPROPRIATIONS AND BORDER SECURITY ENHANCEMENT ACT, 2024
Rashida Tlaib (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2023-9-29

there are human beings behind every single number that we talk about. Folks want to debate policy and different kinds of extremist agenda items when they are in charge. They can have committee hearings and deal with it separately, but right now we are literally hours away from direct impact on children and families and even the Federal workers, many of whom are living paycheck-to-paycheck. prgtoken A government shutdown will harm the American people. That should be at the center of the urgency that needs to be met in this Chamber as we move forward. prgtoken I know in Michigan I am going to see 207,000 women and children lose the WIC program that provides nutrition assistance, and literally 120,000 of them are children. prgtoken I still remember, , in 2019 there was a shutdown for 35 days. Colleagues were wondering why the Federal workers were in food bank lines. Why can't they get loans, one of them said. What are you talking about? These are Federal workers who are living--like a majority of Americans--paycheck-to-paycheck, and you are expecting them to pay their rent, get prgtoken food on the table, all the utilities which continue to go up, but let's go ahead and cut LIHEAP by 75 percent. prgtoken s' priorities in this Chamber are clear: starve, evict families living in poverty, and cut people from essential services. They don't care. You don't care because they are going to continue to get paid. You all are going to continue to get paid while your residents are being impacted. If I hear you lying one more time to the American people and saying that Federal employees are going to get paid, they are not. They are going to be forced to work with no pay, especially those on military bases, especially those that, again, are on the front lines that cannot just sit at home while you all fight amongst each other. prgtoken It is time for s to stop playing these games with the American people's lives. They know this is an extremist bill; many of them know. It is not going to go anywhere. prgtoken The American people, , deserve better.
REMEMBERING DIANNE FEINSTEIN
Kirsten E. Gillibrand (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2023-9-29

I want to thank Senator Patty Murray for bringing us all together today. It is a privilege to be on the floor of the U.S. Senate; it is a privilege to serve in the Senate; and it was a privilege to serve with someone as extraordinary as Senator Dianne Feinstein. People know me as a Senator who cares deeply about women's rights, about LGBT equality, about children, family, safety. And anything that I have ever cared about, Dianne was fighting for, long before I was ever in public service. prgtoken When we talk about public servants who leave legacies and when we talk about the giants on whose shoulders we stand, for me, that is Dianne. She was unlike any Senator I met when I first got here in 2009. She had a really incredible combination of elegance, brilliance, stature, certainty, toughness, and kindness. prgtoken When I first got to the U.S. Senate, I didn't know anything. I was appointed. I hadn't just run a long election where I was telling the constituents of New York why I wanted to serve and what my vision for the State was. I was really, really new. I had been a House Member for 2 years. Dianne asked me to lunch. She said: How can I help you, Kirsten? What would be most useful, for you, for me to do for you? prgtoken And I said: Well, could you just tell me a little bit about what is it like to be a Senator for a State of 60 million people. I have a State of 20 million people, so it is a lot, but I would love to hear how you have navigated this enormous job that you have. prgtoken And she just went through it. She took me step-by-step, everything that she did to manage her office. She would get a memo every week from her staff about where her legislation sat, what was happening, who were her bipartisan cosponsors. prgtoken She had a memo about how many calls her office had received, what the calls were about, what people wanted to talk to her about, what their concerns were. And that was extremely meaningful to me because she said: I have a copy of this memo, and I will give it to you. It is very confidential. It is just for me from my staff, but perhaps you can use it to model what you need from your staff every week to know if your office is working well, to make sure all the things you need your staff to be doing are happening. prgtoken It was just a small thing, but it was such a big thing to me at that time in my Senate career. And every step of the way, Dianne always reached out. She always said--just as you said, Maggie--how are you doing? How are those boys of yours? Tell me how your struggle is. I never had to raise children while being a Senator. Tell me how that is. prgtoken She always cared. She always bothered. She always stopped. I have had many dinners with Dianne. We had dinners together with our spouses. She would take me to her favorite restaurant in Georgetown. She would introduce me to her other favorite women who are public servants. And she always had something meaning
LACKING CONVICTION TO STOP SHUTDOWN
Sean Casten (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2023-9-29

with the failure of that last vote, we are now less than 2 days away from shutting down the United States Government, not because we don't have a path forward, but because the party of Lincoln has been captured by the spirit of Yeats: The best of you lack all conviction, and the worst are filled with passionate intensity. prgtoken Extreme s with passionate intensity are choosing to destroy all that makes America great while their moderate enablers sit meekly, lacking the conviction to oppose. prgtoken My question is, do any of you have a plan to land this plane? It seems weird that you skipped that part of flight school. prgtoken Less than 2 days from now, every single American is going to feel the pain of this crash, every soldier who wants to get paid, every woman who wants food assistance for her child, everybody who needs housing support, everybody who is wondering if the train they are riding on has been inspected. prgtoken We don't have to be here, , but we need some of you, any of you, to stand up.